No theory of my own will ever stand in the way of my executing, in good faith, any order I may receive from those in authority over me.

The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of oppression, if they are strong enough, whether by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable.

In 1856...I preferred the success of a candidate whose election would prevent or postpone secession, to seeing the country plunged into a war the end of which no man could foretell. With a Democrat elected by the unanimous vote of the Slave States, there could be no pretext for secession for four years.... I therefore voted for James Buchanan as President.

Wars produce many stories of fiction, some of which are told until they are believed to be true.

No theory of my own will ever stand in the way of my executing, in good faith, any order I may receive from those in authority over me.

The colored man has been accustomed all his life to lean on the white man, and if a good officer is placed over him, he will learn readily and make a good soldier.

There is nothing more I should do to it now, and therefore I am not likely to be more ready to go than at this moment.