The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won or lost, but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which, they occurred, which makes all the difference as to their value or importance.

Yes, about ten minutes.

If you had seen one day of war, you would pray to God that you would never see another.

I have got an infamous army, very weak and ill-equipped, and a very inexperienced staff.

Educate men without religion and you make them clever devils.

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

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.