Profoundly inspirational Civil War quotes will challenge the way you think, change the way you live and transform your whole life.

Famous Civil War Quotes

In the present Civil War  it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party  and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect his purpose. Abraham Lincoln

We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Nathan Bedford Forrest

We have, as all will agree, a free government, where every man has a right to be equal with every other man. Abraham Lincoln

I believe it to be the duty of everyone to unite in the restoration of the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony. Robert E. Lee

From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion. Abraham Lincoln

We are not fighting for slavery. We are fighting for Independence, and that, or extermination, we will have. Jefferson Davis

That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. Abraham Lincoln

I have never advocated war except as means of peace, so seek peace, but prepare for war. Because war, war never changes. War is like winter and winter is coming. Ulysses S. Grant

That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln

The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats. Stonewall Jackson

America will not be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. Abraham Lincoln

The American Civil War produced carnage that has often been thought reserved for the combination of technological proficiency and inhumanity characteristic of a later time. Drew Gilpin Faust

He who does something at the head of one Regiment, will eclipse him who does nothing at the head of hundredndr dred. Abraham Lincoln, 31 December 1861, letter to David Hunter

To a mankind that recognizes the equality of man everywhere, every war becomes a civil war. Eugen Rosenstock Huessy

War at the best, is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude and in its duration, is one of the most terrible. Abraham Lincoln, 16 June 1864, speech at Philadelphia

Why do they call them civil wars when they always are so extraordinarily uncivil? Elizabeth Fitch

It is easy to see that, under the sharp discipline of Civil War, the nation is beginning a new life. Abraham Lincoln, 8 December 1863, message to Congress.

There is neither a foreign war nor a civil war; there is only just and unjust war. Victor Hugo

In regards to this great Book the Bible, I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it, we could not know right from wrong. Abraham Lincoln

War means fighting, and fighting means killing. Nathan Bedford Forrest

Now we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. Abraham Lincoln

I’ve got no respect for a young man who won’t join the colors. Nathan Bedford Forrest

There is no need for bloodshed and war. There is no necessity for it. Abraham Lincoln

Duty is ours; consequences are God’s. Stonewall Jackson

We, on our side, are praying Him to give us victory, because we believe we are right; but those on the other side pray to Him, look for victory, believing they are right. What must He think of us?  Abraham Lincoln

War at the best, is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude and in its duration, is one of the most terrible. Abraham Lincoln

Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue. Abraham Lincoln

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. Abraham Lincoln

It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. Robert E. Lee

We have, as all will agree, a free government, where every man has a right to be equal with every other man. Abraham Lincoln

So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished. Robert E. Lee

War is cruelty. There is no use trying to reform it. The crueler it is, the sooner it will be over. William Tecumseh Sherman

I believe it to be the duty of everyone to unite in the restoration of the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony. Robert E. Lee

I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ. Baron de Montesquieu

The dominant party cannot reign forever, and truth and justice will prevail at last. Robert E. Lee

It is easy to see that, under the sharp discipline of the civil war, the nation is beginning a new life. Abraham Lincoln

It is history that teaches us to hope. Robert E. Lee

The principle for which we contend is bound to reassert itself, though it may be at another time and in another form. Jefferson Davis

We must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them. Robert E. Lee

Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky and the affrighted steed ran on alone, do not weep. War is kind. Stephen Crane

Don’t bring up your sons to detest the United States Recollect that we form one country now. Abandon all these local animosities, and make your sons Americans. Robert E. Lee

The war is over, the rebels are our countrymen again. Ulysses S. Grant

If the Confederacy falls, there should be written on its tombstone: Died of a theory. Jefferson Davis, ‘The Rise And Fall Of The Confederate Government, Volume 1’.

The time for compromise has now passed, and the South is determined to maintain her position, and make all who oppose her smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel. Jefferson Davis

The time for war has not yet come, but it will come, and that soon; and when it does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard. Stonewall Jackson

I worked night and day for twelve years to prevent the war, but I could not. Jefferson Davis

We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the conquest and must conquer or perish. Sam Houston

We are not fighting for slavery. We are fighting for Independence, and that, or extermination, we will have. Jefferson Davis

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. Ulysses S. Grant

Nothing fills me with deeper sadness than to see a Southerner apologizing for the defense we made of our inheritance. Jefferson Davis

Caution, Sir! I am eternally tired of hearing that word caution. It is nothing but the word of cowardice! John H. Brown

The principle for which we contend is bound to reassert itself, though it may be at another time and in another form. Jefferson Davis

The greatest curse that can befall a free people, is civil war. Alexander H. Stephens

The past is dead; let it bury its dead, its hopes and its aspirations; before you lies the future  a future full of golden promise. Jefferson Davis

It will be all right if it turns out all right. Ulysses S. Grant

I don’t think the people of the slave states will ever consider the subject of slavery in its true light till some other argument is resorted to other than moral persuasion. John H. Brown

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his. George S. Patton

When I strike, the bees will begin to swarm, and I want you to help hive them. John H. Brown

If you surrender you shall be treated as prisoners of war, but if you have to storm your works you may expect no quarter. Nathan Bedford Forrest

I am quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think vainly, flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done. John H. Brown

He who does something at the head of one regiment, will eclipse him who does nothing at the head of a hundred. Abraham Lincoln

Caution, Sir! I am eternally tired of hearing that word caution. It is nothing but the word of cowardice! John H. Brown

The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty. Abraham Lincoln

Talk, is a national institution, but it does not help the slave. John H. Brown

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Abraham Lincoln

I have never advocated war except as means of peace, so seek peace, but prepare for war. Because war War never changes. War is like winter and winter is coming. Ulysses S. Grant

This fight is against slavery; if we lose it, you will be made free. Nathan Bedford Forrest

In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins. Ulysses S. Grant

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