Civil War Quotes

A captured Union soldier described Stonewall Jackson in this way

Boys, he's not much for looks, but if we'd had him we wouldn't be caught in this trap

Ulysses S. Grant's philosophy of war

Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can, and strike him as hard as you can. And keep moving on!

A subordinate so described Nathan Bedford Forrest

a tyrannical, hot-headed vulgarian

George Pickett said these words to John S. Mosby shortly after paying Lee a visit in Richmond

That old man...had my division massacred at Gettysburg!

Mosby's reply to Pickett

Well, it made you famous

Jefferson Davis used these words in his inaugural speech on February 16, 1861

The time for compromise has now passed, and the South is determined to maintain her position, and make all who oppose her smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel

The daring and profane Union General Philip Kearny used these words to evaluate his leadership ability

I can make men follow me to hell

Abraham Lincoln made this statement on February 15, 1861, while en-route to his inauguration

There is really no crisis except an artificial one...If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line, the trouble will come to an end

Subordinate officers so described Union General George Meade

A damned old goggled-eyed snapping turtle

Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston made this unfulfilled prophecy shortly before the Confederate defeat at Shiloh, which cost Johnston his life

Tonight we will water our horses in the Tennessee River

Abraham Lincoln made this remark when asked the destination of Sherman's destructive March to the Sea

I know the hole he went in at, but I can't tell you what hole he will come out of

General Winfield S. Hancock issued this order to the 1st Minnesota on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, as the Union line was being driven back. The Minnesotans carried out the orders, driving back the Confederates and taking the colors--at a loss of one-third of the regiment

Do you see those colors? Take them!

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