216 Southern Historical bociety Papers.
promise of ultimate success east of the Mississippi was concerned. With the Mississippi impassable for troops, it was impossible to with- draw towards the west, and we could accomplish no good by pro- longing a useless struggle here, against overwhelming numbers. Once convinced of these facts, my duty, as Departmental Com- mander, was to stop the further loss of life and devastation of States already impoverished by war; and, whilst still in my power to do so, make such terms for my troops as would preserve their honor, and best protect them and the people generally within my Depart- ment from the further ravages of war. That duty has been per- formed and the terms of surrender are appended. All was conceded that I demanded. I demanded all that was necessary or proper. We preserve in the strictest sense what are technically known as " Military Honors." The troops will turn in their arms to their own ordnance officers. They are to be paroled by commisioners selected for that purpose. They are to be subjected to no humiliation or degradation. Both officers and enlisted men are to retain their pri- vate horses. Troops will preserve their present organizations, officers remaining with their ^commands, until paroled and sent home in a body. They will have transportation and subsistence to their homes furnished at public expense.
The intelligent, comprehensive and candid bearing, pending nego- tiations, of Major-General Canby, U. S. A., to whom I have sur- rendered, entitle him to our highest respect and confidence. His liberality and fairness make it the duty of each and all of us to faith- fully execute our part of the contract. The honor of all of us is involved in an honest adherence to its terms. The officer or man who fails to observe them is an enemy to the defenceless women and children of the South, and will deserve the severest penalties that can disgrace a soldier.
II. Memorandum of the conditions of the surrender of the forces, munitions of war, etc , in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, commanded by Lieutenant General Richard Taylor, Confederate States Army, to Major-General Edward R. S. Canby, United States Army, entered into on this 4th day of May, 1865, at Citronelle, Alabama:
i. The officers and men to be paroled until duly exchanged or otherwise released from the obligations of their parole by the authority of the Government of the United States. Duplicate rolls of all officers and men surrendered to be made, one copy of which will be delivered to the officer appointed by Major-General Canby
