Quotes from Soldiers, Politicians, Citizens, etc. of the Era

[Henry Moon]

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

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.

[Henry Moon]

"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."


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

[Henry Moon]

"When news of the surrender first reached our lines our men commenced firing a salute of a hundred guns in honor of the victory. I at once sent word, however, to have it stopped. The Confederates were now our prisoners, and we did not want to exult over their downfall."

Ulysses S. Grant, April 9, 1865, Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant (New York, 1885), pages 555-560.

[Henry Moon]

"...The duty of its citizens, then, appears to me too plain to admit of doubt. All should unite in honest efforts to obliterate the effects of the war and to restore the blessing of peace. They should remain, if possible, in the country; promote harmony and good feeling, qualify themselves to vote and elect to the State and general legislatures wise and patriotic men, who will devote their abilities to the interests of the country and the healing of all dissensions. I have invariably recommended this course since the cessation of hostilities, and have endeavoured to practise it myself...."

Robert E. Lee, letter to Governor Letcher
"Recollections And Letters Of General Robert E. Lee",
Captain Robert E. Lee, as published on-line by Project Gutenberg

[Belle]

"I am heartily tired of hearing what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault, and land on our rear and on both our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command, and try to think what we are going to do ourselves, instead of what Lee is going to do."  ~Union General Ulysses S. Grant.~

Civil War Quotes, Notes, and Facts: Vol.1.0

[Belle]

“The devil’s to pay!”   ~General John Buford~

[Belle]

"The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others."    ~General Robert E. Lee~

[Henry Moon]

“The devil’s to pay!”   ~General John Buford~

That's a great one Belle. I can picture Sam Elliott as Buford in "Gettysburg", saying that famous line, as he is studying the landscape with his binoculars.


TW

[Belle]

"I would rather be a private in Virginia's army than a general in any army that was going to coerce her."    ~General J.E.B. Stuart~

[Belle]

"If it is a crime to love the South, its cause and its President, then I am a criminal. I would rather lie down in this prison and die than leave it owing allegiance to a government such as yours."  ~Belle Boyd~