Stonewall Jackson Quotes

If the general government should persist in the measures now threatened, there must be war. It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. They do not know its horrors. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.

Let us cross over the river and rest under 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.

I am more afraid of King Alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy.

Never take counsel of your fears.

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.

I like liquor — its taste and its effects — and that is just the reason why I never drink it.

The Institute will be heard from today.

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. The line of hills southwest of Winchester must not be occupied by the enemy's artillery. My own must be there and in position by daylight. … You shall however have two hours rest.

Through the broad extent of country over which you have marched by your respect for the rights and property of citizens, you have shown that you were soldiers not only to defend but able and willing to defend and protect.

Duty is ours: consequences are God's.

My duty is to obey orders.

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

The time for war has not yet come, but it will come and that soon; and when it does come my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard.

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. To move swiftly, strike vigorously, and secure all the fruits of victory is the secret of successful war.