Stonewall Jackson Quotes

The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.

Our movement was a great success; I think the most successful military movement of my life. But I expect to receive more credit for it than I deserve. Most men will think I planned it all from the first; but it was not so. I simply took advantage of circumstances as they were presented to me in the providence of God. I feel that His hand led me - let us give Him the glory.

I am more anxious than I can express that my men should be not only good soldiers of their country, but also good soldiers of the cross.

My troops may fail to take a position, but are never driven from one!

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.

Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitude.

The patriot volunteer, fighting for country and his rights, makes the most reliable soldier on earth.

Don't say it's impossible! Turn your command over to the next officer. If he can't do it, I'll find someone who can, even if I have to take him from the ranks!

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.

I was afraid the fire would not be hot enough for me to distinguish myself.

I want my army to be an army of the living God.

Under divine blessing, we must rely on the bayonet when firearms cannot be furnished

Sir! Men who desert their comrades in war deserve to be shot! And Officers who intrude for them deserve to be hung!

I find I like it too much.

You may be whatever you resolve to be.

Once you get them running, you stay right on top of them, and that way a small force can defeat a large one every time ... Only thus can a weaker country cope with a stronger; it must make up in activity what it lacks in strength.

We are all but instruments of God.

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!

Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long as your men have strength to follow; for an army routed, if hotly pursued, becomes panic-stricken, and can then be destroyed by half their number. The other rule is, never fight against heavy odds, if by any possible maneuvering you can hurl your own force on only a part, and that the weakest part, of your enemy and crush it. Such tactics will win every time, and a small army may thus destroy a large one in detail, and repeated victory will make it invincible.

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.

My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do not concern myself with that, but to be always ready whenever it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and all men would be equally brave.

There are but few commanders who properly appreciate the value of celerity.

I am more afraid of alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy.

Through life let your principal object be the discharge of duty.

War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. Armies are not called out to dig trenches, to throw up breastworks, to live in camps, but to find the enemy and strike him; to invade his country, and do him all possible damage in the shortest possible time. This will involve great destruction of life and property while it lasts; but such a war will of necessity be of brief continuance, and so would be an economy of life and property in the end.

My duty is to obey orders.

Who could not conquer with such troops as these?

In the Army of the Shenandoah, you were the First Brigade! In the Army of the Potomac you were the First Brigade! In the Second Corps of this Army, you are the First Brigade! You are the First Brigade in the affections of your general, and I hope by your future deeds and bearing you will be handed down the posterity as the First Brigade in this our Second War of Independence. Farewell!

Duty is ours; the consequences are the Lord God's

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.

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.

Shoot the brave officers, and the cowards will run away and take the men with them.

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 yield to no man in sympathy for the gallant men under my command; but I am obliged to sweat them tonight, so that I may save their blood tomorrow.

Let us go over, and sit in the shade of the trees.

[M]y religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.