Really, Mr. Lincoln, I have had enough of this show business.

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

War is progressive because all instruments of war are progressive.

Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace.

I have made it a rule of my life to trust a man long after other people gave him up, but I don't see how I can ever trust any human being again.

A hero does for others. He would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better. I am not that kind of person, but I want you to be. You could give something to her, to me, to those children in the quarter. You could give something I never could ... The white people out there are saying you don't have it-that you're a hog, not a man. But I know they are wrong.

The natural disposition of most people is to clothe a commander of a large army whom they do not know, with almost superhuman abilities. A large part of the National army, for instance, and most of the press of the country, clothed General Lee with just such qualities, but I had known him personally, and knew that he was mortal; and it was just as well that I felt this.