Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-05-31
Gen. FORESTS Address 10 his Troops
on the Surrender.
HEADeRs FoRREsr's CAVALRY CoRrs, /
Gainesville, Ala, Nav o, 1865,

y
Soldiers By an agreement made between Lieut..
Gen Taylor, commanding the Department of Ala
bama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, and Maj
Gen, Candy commanding United States forces, the
troops of this Department have been surrendered
do not think II proper or necessary NJ this time
10 refer TO the causes which have reduced us TO this
extremity nor Ii II u matter of consequence 10 US
how such results were brought about, That we are
beaten is self-cydent fact and any further resist
anee on our part would be justly regarded rs the
highth Of folly aud rashnoss
The armies OF Gems. Lee and Johnston have sur
rendered. you arc the last Of all the troops Of the
Confederate States army cast Of the Mississippi
river, To lay down your arms.
The cause for which you have 80 long and 30
manfuy struggled and for which you have bravod
dangers, endured privations and suferngs, and
made 80 many sacrifices, is to-day hopeless. Tho
Government which we sought 10 establish and per-
petuate Is NJ an end, Reason dictates and humani-
ty demands that no moro blood DO shed, Fully re-
azing and feeling that such Is the case il Is your
duty and mine to lay down our arms-submit 10
the 'powers that be'--dnd TO aid in restoring peace
and establishing law and order throughout the land
The terms upon which you were surrendered are
favorable and should be satisfactory and acceptable
TO all They manifest spirit of magnanimty and
liberality, on the part Of the Federal authorities,
which should be met, on our part, by faithful
compliance with all the stipulations and conditions
therein expressed As your commander sincerely
hope that every officer and soldier of my command
will cheerfuy obey the orders given, and carry out
in good faith all the terms of the cartel
Those who neglect the terms, and refuse 10 be
paroed, may assuredy expect, when arrested, 10 be
sent North and imprisoned.
Let those who arc absent from their commands
from whatever cause report at once TO this place. or
TO jackson, Miss Or If too remote from either, to
the nearest United States post garrison for parole
Civil Nuar snph ~ hovn iuet paaaal throuUh
naturally cngenders feelings Of animosty hatred
and revenge. 1t is our duty TO divest ourselves Of
all such feelings and as far as in our power TO do
so, to cultivate friendly feelings towards those with
whom we have SO long commended, and heretofore SO
widely but honestly, differed Neighborhood feuds,
personal animosites, and private differences should
be blotted out; and, when you return home, man
y straightforward course Of conduct will secure the
respect oven Of your enemies Whatever your re-
Sponsibilities may be to Government to society or
10 individuals, meet them like men.
The attempt made TO establish q separate and in
dependent Confederation has failed but tho con-
sciousness of having done your duty faithfully, and
TO the end, will in some measure, repay you for the
hardships You have undergone,
In bidding you farewell, rest assured that you car
ny with you my best wishes for your future welfare
and happiness. Without in any way, referring to
the merits OF the cause in which we have been en-
gagged your courage and determination, as exhibited
on many hard fought fields has ELECTED the respect
and admiration Of friend and foe. And l now,
cheeriuly and gratefully, acknowledge my indebt-
edness TO the officers and men of my command,
whose ZEAL fidelity, and unlnching bravery have
been the great source of my past success in arms.
have never on the leld Of battle, sent you where
| was unwilling to 90 myself nor would now ad-
wise you to course which l felt myself unwilling
TO pursue You have been good soldiers you can
be good citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your
honor, and the Government TO which you have sur
rendered can afford to be, and will be, magnani.
nous, n B. FORREST, Lieut. Gen.