My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.

Any victory would be dear at such a price.

There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.

Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans!

As a general principle you should not force young men to do their duty, but let them do it voluntarily and thereby develop their characters.

Why, it appears that we appointed all of our worst generals to command the armies and we appointed all of our best generals to edit the newspapers. I mean, I found by reading a newspaper that these editor generals saw all of the defects plainly from the start but didn't tell me until it was too late. I'm willing to yield my place to these best generals and I'll do my best for the cause by editing a newspaper.

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me.