Civil War Quotes

Major Robert Anderson, defender of Fort Sumter in April of 1861, gave this assessment of the situation between North and South.

Our Southern brethren have done grievously, they have rebelled and have attacked their father's house and their loyal brothers. They must be punished and brought back, but this necessity breaks my heart.

These words were Jefferson Davis' last, spoken in response to his wife's attempt to give him medicine shortly before he died on December 6, 1889, at age 81

Pray excuse me. I cannot take it

Abraham Lincoln gave this description of the Union Army to its commander, Irvin McDowell, while urging McDowell to attack the Confederates shortly before First Manassas.

You are green, it is true; but they are green also. You are all green alike.

A black Union soldier spoke these words to a Confederate prisoner he recognized--his former master

Hello, Massa; bottom rail on top dis time

General Ulysses S. Grant made this comment as he watched soldiers from his army storm Missionary Ridge near Chattanooga--without orders.

It will be all right if it turns out all right.

Confederate Brigadier General Albert Perrin made this oath on the eve of the Battle of Spotsylvania, where he was killed in action.

I shall come out of this fight a live major general or a dead brigadier.

Confederate partisan John S. Mosby directed this order to General Edwin H. Stoughton after rousing the General from his bed at Union headquarters.

General, get up--dress quick--you are a prisoner!

General James Longstreet made this vow to Robert E. Lee as countless Federal assaults were beaten back by Longstreet's men at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

General, if you put every [Union soldier] now on the other side of the Potomac on that field to approach me over the same line, I will kill them all before they reach my line.

Abraham Lincoln made this statement after he had heard that Federal forces had taken control of the Mississippi River in 1863.

The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea.

Confederate General John Bell Hood lodged this complaint against General William T. Sherman's orders to have the citizens of Atlanta leave the city following its capture by Union forces.

In the name of God and humanity I protest!

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