Thomas Stonewall Jackson (1824 – 1863)
American teacher and soldier.
Let your conduct towards men have some uniformity.
My duty is to obey orders.
Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off unnecessary actions.
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.
Speak but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!
Duty is ours; consequences are God's.
Through life let your principal object be the discharge of duty.
Who could not conquer with such troops as these?
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.
Rally around the Virginians, there stands Jackson like a stone wall.
Never speak disrespectfully of anyone without a cause.
Jackson fought for the constitutional rights of the South, and any one who imagines he fought for slavery knows nothing of Jackson.
"You are better off than I am , for while you have lost your left (arm), I have lost my right arm."
Jackson neither apologized for nor spoke in favor of the practice of slavery. He probably opposed the institution. Yet in his mind the Creator had sanctioned slavery, and man had no moral right to challenge its existence. The good Christian slaveholder was one who treated his servants fairly and humanely at all times.
Yonder stands Jackson like a stone wall. … Rally round the Virginians.
Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries as much as you think they deserve.
My dear pastor, in my tent last night, after a fatiguing day's service, I remembered that I failed to send a contribution for our colored Sunday school. Enclosed you will find a check for that object, which please acknowledge at your earliest convenience and oblige yours faithfully.
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 enemies artillery. My own must be there and in position by daylight. ... You shall however have two hours rest.
Good-breeding, or true politeness, is the art of showing men by external signs the internal regard we have for them. It arises from good sense, improved by good company. It must be acquired by practice and not by books.