STONEWALL JACKSON

Never take counsel of your fears.

My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!

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

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

Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.

If my friends don’t know what my plans are, then my enemies will not.

With such interference in my command I cannot expect to be of much service in the field

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

War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. ... To move swiftly, strike vigorously, and secure all the fruits of victory is the secret of successful war.

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.

Do your duty and leave the rest to Providence.

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

We are all but instruments of God.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Madam, if your son were to come home and try to shirk duty, you ought to shut your door in his face and treat him as a renegade unworthy of your name or regard.

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

Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit...

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.

The hardships of forced marches are often more painful than the dangers of battle

This army stays here until the last wounded man is removed. Before I leave them to the enemy, I will lose many more men.

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!