Thomas Stonewall Jackson (1824 – 1863)
American teacher and soldier.
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
There stands Jackson like a stone wall — rally round the Virginians!
Our men fought bravely, but the enemy repulsed me. Many valuable lives were lost. Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitude.
Good-breeding is opposed to selfishness, vanity, or pride. Never weary your company by talking too long or too frequently.
I am more afraid of King Alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy.
Captain, my 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. Captain, that is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.
Be content and resigned to God's will.
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!
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.
Endeavor to do well with everything you undertake.
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly.
Make it a rule never to accuse without due consideration any body or association of men.
We must make this campaign an exceedingly active one. Only thus can a weaker country cope with a stronger; it must make up in activity what it lacks in strength. A defensive campaign can only be made successful by taking the aggressive at the proper time. Napoleon never waited for his adversary to become fully prepared, but struck him the first blow.
I like liquor — its taste and its effects — and that is just the reason why I never drink it.
It is man's highest interest not to violate, or attempt to violate, the rules which Infinite Wisdom has laid down. The means by which men are to attain great elevation may be classed in three divisions — physical, mental, and moral. Whatever relates to health, belongs to the first; whatever relates to the improvement of the mind, belongs to the second. The formation of good manners and virtuous habits constitutes the third.
There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Rally behind the Virginians.
Disregard public opinion when it interferes with your duty.
Be kind, condescending, and affable. Any one who has anything to say to a fellow-being, to say it with kind feelings and sincere desire to please; and this, whenever it is done, will atone for much awkwardness in the manner of expression.
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.