With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relative, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the Army.

We must...submit ourselves in adversity to the will of a merciful God as cheerfully as in prosperity.

But what a cruel thing is war to separate and destroy families and friends.

My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good.

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.

There is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man's face and another behind his back.

I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor.