Just to show you how little reliance can be placed even on what are supposed the best accounts of a battle, I mention that there are some circumstances mentioned in General -'s account which did not occur as he relates them. It is impossible to say when each important occurrence took place, or in what order.

Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained.

I don't know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but by God, they frighten me.

Rashness is oftener the resort of cowardice than of courage.

We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France.

The scum of the earth... but what fine soldiers we have made them.

As a member of the Protestant British squirearchy ruling Ireland, he was touchy about his Irish origins. When in later life an enthusiastic Gael commended him as a famous Irishman, he replied "A man can be born in a stable, and yet not be an animal.