Sir! Men who desert their comrades in war deserve to be shot! And Officers who intrude for them deserve to be hung!
Shoot the brave officers, and the cowards will run away and take the men with them.
If officers desire to have control over their commands, they must remain habitually with them, industriously attend to their instruction and comfort, and in battle lead them well.
The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.
Under divine blessing, we must rely on the bayonet when firearms cannot be furnished.
The hardships of forced marches are often more painful than the dangers of battle.
Press on, press on, men.
Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitude.
He is cautious. He ought to be. But he is NOT slow. Lee is a phenomenon. He is the only man whom I would follow blindfolded.
Arms is a profession that, if its principles are adhered to for success, requires an officer do what he fears may be wrong, and yet, according to military experience, must be done, if success is to be attained.
We are all but instruments of God.
My duty is to obey orders.
I find I like it too much.
Do your duty and leave the rest to Providence.
It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.
People who are anxious to bring on war don’t know what they are bargaining for; they don’t see all the horrors that must accompany such an event.
I am more afraid of alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy.
I like liquor – its taste and its effects – and that is just the reason why I never drink it.
You were the First Brigade in the Army of the Shenandoah, the First Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, the First Brigade in the Second Corps, and are the First Brigade in the hearts of your generals. I hope that you will be the First Brigade in this, our second struggle for independence, and in the future, on the fields on which the Stonewall Brigade are engaged, I expect to hear of crowning deeds of valor and of victories gloriously achieved! May God bless you all! Farewell!
Why should the peace of a true Christian be disturbed by anything which man can do unto him? Has not God promised to make all things work together for good to those who love him?
I have so fixed the habit in my own mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without a moment’s asking of God’s blessing. I never seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal. I never take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts heavenward. I never change classes in the section room without a minute’s petition on the cadets who go out and those who come in.