Civil War Quotes

“You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace.”

William Tecumseh Sherman

Civil War Quotes

It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it.


Robert E. Lee

Civil War Quotes

“In our Country . . . one class of men makes war and leaves another to fight it out.”

William Tecumseh Sherman

"It seems that things rarely change."

Don Hogan

Civil War Quotes

Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit. Never fight against heavy odds if you can hurl your own force on only a part of your enemy and crush it. A small army may thus destroy a large one, and repeated victory will make you invincible.

Stonewall Jackson

Civil War Quotes

“If the Confederacy fails, there should be written on its tombstone: Died of a Theory.”

Jefferson Davis

Civil War Quotes

"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."


ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Civil War Quotes

[W]e made a great mistake in the beginning of our struggle, and I fear, in spite of all we can do, it will prove to be a fatal mistake. We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and all our best generals to edit the newspapers.

Robert E. Lee

Civil War Quotes

"Put 'Faithful and Honorable; faithful and honorable!"

William T. Sherman, 1891, in response to his daughter when, on his deathbed, she asked him about the inscription he wished to have on his monument.

Civil War Quotes

"Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace."

Ulysses S. Grant

Civil War Quotes

"I think I understand what military fame is; to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers."


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

William Tecumseh Sherman