[CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION]. BEAUREGARD, Pierre G.T. (1818-1893), General, Confederate States of America. Autograph letter signed ("G.T. Beauregard," with flourish) to Beverley Tucker, New Orleans, 15 May 1877. 3½ pp., 4to. Written shortly after the Compromise of 1877 brought an official end to Reconstruction, Beauregard expresses great joy: "Louisiana is once more free! We feel now as though we were standing on 'springing boards' or sitting in a swing hanging from a branch of one of our magnificent live oaks." He notes that the war has taken its toll: "we have now to repair the damages of 4½ years of war & 11½ years of robbery & oppression such as no civilized people has ever yet had to bear from a so called Christian Community! However, we are willing now to forgive, & forget if we can. We have no time for recriminations; all we want is to be allowed to conduct our own affairs...to bring back prosperity to our homes." He notes that the return of prosperity will cause their children to doubt that they ever had a "war, followed by a reign of black & carpet-bag terrorism." Beauregard, a post-war railroad president, also expresses great interest in the Texas Pacific Railroad Bill. -- WISE, Henry A. (1806-1876), General, Confederate States of America. Autograph letter signed ("Henry A. Wise") to Beverley Tucker, Richmond, 22 March 1869. 7 2/3 pp., 8vo, minor browning. Wise counsels Tucker not to return to the United States too soon proclaiming "the monster misery & crime of the diabolism of this age!" He sadly notes that anyone willing to take an oath can get an appointment: "the only consolation to me is...this will make some of them go to work and depend no longer on tyranny, and the enemy is taking slack rope enough to hang themselves...you do right to stay away from the old mansion until it be patched & repaired & cleaned...there will be nothing of the old Commonwealth left by the time the present generation 'of...chaw-tobacco' Virginians die off. Stay...for fear the Rump Parliament counts the amnesties of Andy what they are already called 'Damnesties!'." Wise expresses hope that he might be able to change things, but notes that there will likely be no help from Grant: "he may prove a Cromwell & turn out the rump. But he hasn't the head, nor nasal whine enough for a Puritanical 'had'nt ought to'! It is a truth that I see more ground of hope in the old Negroes of Virginia than in anybody else." BRECKINRIDGE, John C. (1821-1875), General, Confederate States of America. Autograph letter signed ("John C. Breckinridge") to Beverley Tucker, Lexington, KY, 21 March 1869. 2½ pp., 8vo, free franked envelope. Breckinridge notes that he has just returned from a visit to Lexington, VA. where he met with General Lee who spoke of "uncertainty of correspondance with Canada" and acknowledged sending letters to Early and Tucker while they were there. Together three items. (3)