Thomas Stonewall Jackson (1824 – 1863)
American teacher and soldier.
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.
Let your conduct towards men have some uniformity.
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.
The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.
Endeavor to be at peace with all men.
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.
You may be whatever you resolve to be.
Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.
I see from the number of physicians that you think my condition dangerous, but I thank God, if it is His will, that I am ready to go. ... It is the Lord's Day; my wish is fulfilled. ... I have always desired to die on Sunday.
Yesterday we fought a great battle and gained a great victory, for which all the glory is due to God alone. Although under a heavy fire for several continuous hours I received only one wound, the breaking of the longest finger of my left hand; but the doctor says the finger may be saved. It was broken about midway between the hand and knuckle, the ball passing on the side next to the forefinger. Had it struck the centre, I should have lost the finger. My horse was wounded, but not killed. Your coat got an ugly wound near the hip, but my servant, who is very handy, has so far repaired it that it doesn't show very much. My preservation was entirely due, as was the glorious victory, to our God, to whom be all the honor, praise, and glory. The battle was the hardest that I have ever been in, but not near so hot in its fire.
"Nothing justifies profanity."
A man is known by the company he keeps.