131. CONFEDERATE BROADSIDE URGING CONTINUED STRUGGLE, FEBRUARY 1865 Scarce printed document, 1p. 4to., "Camp of Smith's Brigade", Feb. 10, 1865, an excellent printed broadside entitled "A Message from the Army of the Valley of Virginia", an impassioned set of resolutions issued in the closing months of the struggle by unanimous acclamation of "the thirty-sixth and sixtieth regiments and forty fifth battalion Virginia infantry, Smith's Brigade, Wharton's division..." The document opens admitting that "...the arms of the Confederate States, during the recent campaigns, have sustained serious reverses, which have caused an undue despondence in some portions of our country, and created an unpatriotic doubt as to the final result of our struggle, and induced some to entertain the treasonable thought of making terms, unworthy of freemen, with the enemy that seeks to destroy them..." The soldiers resolved "I. That in the beginning of this revolution we volunteered in response to the first call of our country to battle for the sovereign right of self-government, and that, after four years of terrible war with the savage foe who seeks our subjection, we are still in our determination to achieve our independence or to perish nobly struggling for it. II. That in the cause off our country is involved all we hold dear; that it has been consecrated by the blood of those heroes who have fallen in its defense and the blessings of Almighty God, manifested on many occasions, and that we once more renew our vows to adhere to it through weal or woe. III. That whilst we will hail with joy that peace which brings to us the recognition of our independence and assigns us our proper place in the family of nations, we cast from us with scorn the arrogant and insolent propositions recently made to our Commissioners by Abraham Lincoln, as representative of the people of the United States, and respectfully urge our Government to apply every resource of the country to the vigorous and untiring prosecution of the war as the only means of obtaining an honorable peace..." Less than a month after this broadside was printed, most of these men would be taken prisoner when they were defeated by Sheridan and Custer at Waynesboro on March 2, 1865. The only ones to escape were Jubal Early and some of his officers who managed to reach Richmond. Very light toning at margins with one small marginal tear, otherwise fine condition. $600-800