Civil War Quotes

Gov. Sam Houston-Texas

Let me tell you what is coming. After the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives you may win Southern independence, but I doubt it. The North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche.

Abraham Lincoln's self-criticism of his famous Gettysburg Address

I failed, I failed, and that is about all that can be said about it.

Abraham Lincoln's first reaction to the Union Army's rout at First Manassas

It's bad. It's damned bad.

Abraham Lincoln directed this remark to George B. McClellan, who had excused his lack of action in the fall of 1862 due to tired horses.

Will you pardon me for asking what the horses of your army have done since the battle of Antietam that fatigues anything

George McClellan spoke this self-appraisal shortly after he assumed command of the Union forces around Washington in 1861

By some strange operation of magic I seem to have become the power of the land

Union General John Sedgwick spoke these words just moments before being shot dead by a confederate sniper at Spotsylvania

They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance

Description of Robert E. Lee

He looked as though he ought to have been, and was, the monarch of the world

A contemporary so described Robert E. Lee

He will take more chances, and take them quicker, than any other general in the country--North or South

Confederate General Barnard E. Bee of South Carolina gave this description of Stonewall Jackson's brigade at First Manassas

Look at Jackson's brigade! It stands there like a stone wall!

Union General William T. Sherman said this shortly before beginning his brutal March to the Sea

War is cruelty. There is no use trying to reform it. The crueler it is, the sooner it will be over

A Federal veteran so instructed new recruits in musket drill

It's just like shooting squirrels, only these squirrels have guns

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