No one starts a war - or rather, no one in his senses ought to do so - without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war a… - Carl von Clausewitz

casualty reports on either side are never accurate, seldom truthful, and in most cases deliberately falsified.

If our opponent is to be made to comply with our will, we must place him in a situation which is more oppressive to him than the sacrifice which we demand; but the disadvantages of this position must naturally not be of a transitory nature, at least in appearance, otherwise the enemy, instead of yielding, will hold out, in the prospect of a change for the better.

history had no lessons or rules to offer the student, it could only broaden his understanding and strengthen his critical judgment.