BEAUREGARD, PIERRE G.T. General C.S.A. Autograph letter signed
("G.T. Beauregard") to "My Personal and General Staff," Greensboro
N.C., 27 April 1865. 1 page, folio, neat repairs to torn folds, small tear to right margin affecting one letter text, otherwise fine.
BEAUREGARD'S FAREWELL TO HIS MEN: "NEITHER THE COURAGE, THE ENDURANCE NOR THE PATRIOTISM OF OUR ARMIES COULD OVERCOME"
A day after Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army to General Sherman, Beauregard as second-in-command addresses his 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 any Staff must also terminate. The hour is at hand when I must bid each and all of you farewell and a God Speed 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 several communities; but circumstances which neither the courage, the endurance nor the partiotism of our Armies could overcome leave turned my brightest anticipations, my highest hopes, into bitter disappointment, in which you must all share. You have served me personally with unswerving zeal, and officially with intelligence and advantage to the public service. I go from among you with profound regret. My good wishes will always attend you, and your future careers will always be of interest to me."
With the surrender of Johnston's and Beauregard's command, the remaining two Southern armies under Kirby Smith and Richard Taylor would follow suit in a matter of weeks. After the war, Beauregard refused offers to command the Rumanian and Egyptian armies, opting for a civilian career as a railroad president.