War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.

We must act with vindictive earnestness against the Sioux, even to their extermination, men, women and children... during an assault, the soldiers cannot pause to distinguish between male and female, or even discriminate as to age.

I would make this war as severe as possible, and show no symptoms of tiring till the South begs for mercy.

The young bloods of the South: sons of planters, lawyers about towns, good billiard-players and sportsmen, men who never did any work and never will... They are splendid riders, first-rate shots and utterly reckless. These men must all be killed or employed by us before we can hope for peace.

War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.

The carping and bickering of political factions in the nation's capital reminds me of two pelicans quarreling over a dead fish.

I see every chance of a long, confused and disorganizing civil war, and I feel no desire to take a hand therein.