Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-01
RICHMOND VA. THURSDAY MORNING, 1,
RICHMOND WHIG.
THURSDAY MORNING.. JUNE l, 1866.
ADDRESS TO KENTUCKY TROOPS.

ADDRESS TO KENTUCKY TROOPS.
Hon. E. M. Bruce, member of the late
Confederate Congress- and an officer OF
General Breckinridge's staff, has published
the following:
AUGUSTA, GA, May 10, 1865.
Soldiers of MISUNDERSTANDING it utterly
| impossible to communicate with each of you
as / could wish, and even to answer letter
or verbally the various inquiries propounded
| me, / have taken this method of responding
and saying few things to you that l deem
justified by our past relations and the hopes
| of our common future.
First, frankly my advice to you is to return
to your homes. There is no hope of prose-
cutting the war to a different conclusion,
either here or in the Trans Mississippi De-
partment; and feel assured that every man
who shall lose his life hereafter in the mad
strife will be self-murdered. would not,
therefore, have you led further astray by any
delusive prospects of continuance Of the
struggle. Your duty henceforth lies at home,
in the peaceful pursuits of civil life.
Your title to the appellation of heroes has
been fully established. You have proven
yourselves Kentuckians, worthy of the name,
crowned as it is by heroic daring, and wreath
ed with the laures of victory won on so many
battle-tields of past historic renown. A no
bier duty now awaits you. Successful you
have not been. But patient and magnani
nous you can be under defeat, showing your.
selves as good and faithful citizens as you
have been brave and chivalrous soldiers.
AT considerable personal hazard have re-
mained here, in order to further your inter
est. | have had frequent interviews with the
Tnif aI Sfafa mil yba H..
treated me with uniform kindness and cour
tesy and acceded to all my requests in your
behalf Recognising and respecting your
soldierly qualities, they now only desire to
facilitate your return to your families and to
treat you honorably as soldiers and fellow
citizens. | am sure you will reciprocate this
magnanimous and kind feeling.
Paroles will be furnished you in this CITY,
and the various towns where you may be
located, which will entitle you to transporta-
tion and rations where they can be fur
nished.
Transportation will be furnished via At
lanta, Dalton, Chattanooga, sc. l fear you
may be compelled to walk from Atlanta to
Kingston or Cartersville. Wagons, however,
| will be furnished for the sick and wounded.
Your parole will guarantee you subsistence
| at any point where United States commits
sary depot may be established. D.
And now, my friends, | bid you an affec-
tionate farewell. My parting injunction is
to be true to your manhood-to be calm,
courteous and dignifed. Avoid discussions.
Use no language Of recrimination. Be,
above all things, gentlemen. In the peace
Of your homes rest quietly.
Be not alIured by any enticements to en-
gage in guerilla warfare. That will produce
evil and only evil. 1t is unchristian and in
human, and can only protract a contest
which has already caused tears of blood to
flow and reared hecatombs of martyrs. |
repeat, therefore, accept your paroles and
regard them with scrupulous fidelity. Let
your conduct be marked by faithful obedi-
ence to the laws of your country. Resolve
to aid in the great work Of reconstruction
and reconciliation, which will give peace and
prosperity again to this once happy and
prosperous land.
Commenting you to the Great Controller
of events who has so sorely afflicted us,
pray that he may guide and protect you !;
that We may learn wisdom from the bitter
experience of the past, and that your honor
may never be sullied. l am, your fellow
citizen, +. NJ. BRUCE.