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HEADQUARTERS, etc., etc.,
GREENSBORO, N. C., April 27th, 1865.
To my Personal and General Staff, Events having brought to an end the struggle for the independence of our country, in which we have been engaged together, now for four years, my relations with my staff must also terminate. The hour is at hand when I must bid each and all of you farewell, and a Godspeed to your homes.
The day was, when I was confident that this parting would be under far different and the most auspicious circumstances at a moment when a happy and independent people would be ready, on all sides, to welcome you to your respective communities but circumstances, which neither the courage, the endurance, nor the patriotism of our armies could overcome, have turned my brightest anticipations, my highest hopes, into bitter disappointment, in which you must all share.
You have served me, personally, with unvarying zeal, and, officially, with intelligence, and advantage to the public service.
I go from among you with profound regret. My good wishes will ever attend you, and your future careers will always be of interest to me.
- 1865
- Source:
- The military operations of General Beauregard in the war between the States 1861 to 1865, including a brief personal sketch and a narrative of his services in the war with Mexico, 1846
