Top 40 Stonewall Jackson Quotes (2025 Update)

1. “Duty is ours; consequences are God’s.”

— Stonewall Jackson

2. “Never take counsel of your fears.”

— Stonewall Jackson

Featured in: Patriotic Quotes

3. “You may be whatever you resolve to be.”

— Stonewall Jackson

4. “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.”

— Stonewall Jackson

5. “We are all but instruments of God.”

— Stonewall Jackson

6. “What is life without honor? Degradation is worse than death.”

— Stonewall Jackson

7. “Do your duty and leave the rest to Providence.”

— Stonewall Jackson

8. “I want my army to be an army of the living God.”

— Stonewall Jackson

9. “The patriot volunteer, fighting for country and his rights, makes the most reliable soldier on earth.”

— Stonewall Jackson

10. “Shoot the brave officers, and the cowards will run away and take the men with them.”

— Stonewall Jackson

11. “Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitude.”

— Stonewall Jackson

12. “My duty is to obey orders.”

— Stonewall Jackson

13. “I like liquor – its taste and its effects – and that is just the reason why I never drink it.”

— Stonewall Jackson

14. “I am more anxious than I can express that my men should be not only good soldiers of their country, but also good soldiers of the cross.”

— Stonewall Jackson

15. “Died of wounds inflicted in error by his own troops at the battle of Chancellorsville during the US Civil War. Let us cross over the river and sit in the shade of the trees.”

— Stonewall Jackson

16. “Then, Sir, we will give them the bayonet!”

— Stonewall Jackson

17. “Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.”

— Stonewall Jackson

18. “I find I like it too much.”

— Stonewall Jackson

19. “It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”

— Stonewall Jackson

20. “The only winner today is big business.”

— Stonewall Jackson

21. “My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed.”

— Stonewall Jackson

22. “I yield to no man in sympathy for the gallant men under my command; but I am obliged to sweat them tonight, so that I may save their blood tomorrow.”

— Stonewall Jackson

23. “Don’t say it’s impossible! Turn your command over to the next officer. If he can’t do it, I’ll find someone who can, even if I have to take him from the ranks!”

— Stonewall Jackson

24. “I am more afraid of alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy.”

— Stonewall Jackson

25. “I was afraid the fire would not be hot enough for me to distinguish myself.”

— Stonewall Jackson

26. “Press on, press on, men.”

— Stonewall Jackson

27. “Let us go over, and sit in the shade of the trees.”

— Stonewall Jackson

28. “People who are anxious to bring on war don’t know what they are bargaining for; they don’t see all the horrors that must accompany such an event.”

— Stonewall Jackson

29. “All I am and all I have is at the service of my country.”

— Stonewall Jackson

30. “This army stays here until the last wounded man is removed. Before I leave them to the enemy, I will lose many more men.”

— Stonewall Jackson

31. “He is cautious. He ought to be. But he is NOT slow. Lee is a phenomenon. He is the only man whom I would follow blindfolded.”

— Stonewall Jackson

32. “My troops may fail to take a position, but are never driven from one!”

— Stonewall Jackson

33. “Who could not conquer with such troops as these?”

— Stonewall Jackson

34. “Arms is a profession that, if its principles are adhered to for success, requires an officer do what he fears may be wrong, and yet, according to military experience, must be done, if success is to be attained.”

— Stonewall Jackson

35. “The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.”

— Stonewall Jackson

36. “The hardships of forced marches are often more painful than the dangers of battle.”

— Stonewall Jackson

37. “Madam, if your son were to come home and try to shirk duty, you ought to shut your door in his face and treat him as a renegade unworthy of your name or regard.”

— Stonewall Jackson

38. “Under divine blessing, we must rely on the bayonet when firearms cannot be furnished.”

— Stonewall Jackson

39. “Through life let your principal object be the discharge of duty.”

— Stonewall Jackson

40. “Sir! Men who desert their comrades in war deserve to be shot! And Officers who intrude for them deserve to be hung!”

— Stonewall Jackson

41. “There are but few commanders who properly appreciate the value of celerity.”

— Stonewall Jackson

42. “If officers desire to have control over their commands, they must remain habitually with them, industriously attend to their instruction and comfort, and in battle lead them well.”

— Stonewall Jackson

43. “I have so fixed the habit in my own mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without a moment’s asking of God’s blessing. I never seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal. I never take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts heavenward. I never change classes in the section room without a minute’s petition on the cadets who go out and those who come in.”

— Stonewall Jackson

44. “Why should the peace of a true Christian be disturbed by anything which man can do unto him? Has not God promised to make all things work together for good to those who love him?”

— Stonewall Jackson

45. “My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do not concern myself with that, but to be always ready whenever it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and all men would be equally brave.”

— Stonewall Jackson

46. “You were the First Brigade in the Army of the Shenandoah, the First Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, the First Brigade in the Second Corps, and are the First Brigade in the hearts of your generals. I hope that you will be the First Brigade in this, our second struggle for independence, and in the future, on the fields on which the Stonewall Brigade are engaged, I expect to hear of crowning deeds of valor and of victories gloriously achieved! May God bless you all! Farewell!”

— Stonewall Jackson