American Civil War

Explore 30 quotes about American Civil War

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Abraham Lincoln

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Reconstruction American Civil War American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1865, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugral Address, March 4, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Political division American Civil War American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1861, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugral Address, March 4, 1861." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, 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

Gettysburg Address

Read the Gettsyburg Address at the Library of Congress website

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Topic

American Civil War American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Gettysburg Address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1863 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Gettysburg Address." At the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. 19 Nov. 1863, Gettysburg, PA, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged!

John Wilkes Booth

"Thus always to tyrants" in Latin. Shouted immediately before assassinating Abraham Lincoln.

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Topic

American Civil War

Speaker

John Wilkes Booth

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Booth, John Wilkes. Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 14 Apr. 1865, Ford's Theatre, Washington DC, USA.

It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.

Abraham Lincoln

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Slavery American Civil War American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1865, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugral Address, March 4, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

Abraham Lincoln

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

American Civil War God's will Slavery American politics God and America

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1865, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugral Address, March 4, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

It is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

Frederick Douglass

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

More information about this quote

Topic

American slavery American Civil War

Speaker

Frederick Douglass

Source

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1852 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Douglass, Frederick. Speech to the Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society. 5 July 1852, Corinthian Hall, Rochester, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Douglass, Frederick. "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? An Address." Frederick Douglass: Speeches & Writings, edited by David W. Blight. Library of America, 2022.

A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Political division Slavery American Civil War

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

A House Divided

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1858 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "A House Divided." 16 Jun. 1858, Springfield, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "'House Divided' Speech at Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?

Abraham Lincoln

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

American Civil War Slavery American politics God and America

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Statement Type

Question

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1865, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugral Address, March 4, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

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

Abraham Lincoln

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More information about this quote

Topic

American Civil War Slavery

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Annual Message to Congress

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1862 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Annual Message to Congress." 1 Dec. 1862, US Congress, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.

Abraham Lincoln

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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More information about this quote

Topic

American Civil War American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1865, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugral Address, March 4, 1865." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Might makes right Justice American Civil War

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Address at Cooper Institute, New York City

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1860 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at Cooper Institute, New York City." 27 Feb. 1860, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at Cooper Institute, New York City, February 27, 1860." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting.

Walt Whitman

O Captain! My Captain!

More information about this quote

Topic

Abraham Lincoln American Civil War

Author

Walt Whitman

Source

O Captain! My Captain!

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Whitman, Walt. "My Captain." The Saturday Press, 4 Nov. 1865.

Current Citation

Whitman, Walt. "O Captain! My Captain!" Leaves of Grass and Other Writings. W. W. Norton & Company, 2002, I. 1.

The war is over-the rebels are our countrymen again.

Ulysses S. Grant

Preventing his men from cheering after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

More information about this quote

Topic

American Civil War Political reconciliation American politics

Speaker

Ulysses S. Grant

Medium

Speech

Genre

War speech

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Grant, Ulysses S. Preventing his men from cheering after Lee's surrender. 9 Apr. 1865, Appomattox Court House, Appomattox County, Virginia, USA.

Current Citation

Grant, Ulysses S. Quoted in "Civil War: A Narrative." Written by Shelby Foote. Vol. 3, Modern Library, 2011.

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

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Topic

American Civil War War

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Address at a Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1864 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at a Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia." Sanitary Fair. 16 Jun. 1864, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at Great Central Sanitary Fair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1864." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

Ulysses S. Grant

Note sent to a Confederate general during the Civil War.

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Topic

American Civil War

Author

Ulysses S. Grant

Language

English

Time

1862 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Grant, Ulysses Simpson. Note to General S. B. Buckner. 16 Feb. 1862.

Current Citation

Grant, Ulysses Simpson. Quoted in The Generals' Civil War: What Their Memoirs Can Teach Us Today, written by Stephen Cushman. UNC Press Books, 2021.

I have fought against the people of the North because I believed they were seeking to wrest from the South its dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and I have never seen the day when I did not pray for them.

Robert E. Lee

More information about this quote

Topic

American Civil War North vs. south American politics

Speaker

Robert E. Lee

Language

English

Time

1865 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Lee, Robert E. Spoken to a friend who condemned the North at the end of the war. c. 1865.

Current Citation

Lee, Robert E. Quoted in The Civil War: An Illustrated History, by Geoffrey C. Ward. Alfred A. Knopf, 1990, ch. 5.

This is a different kind of army. If you look back through history you will see men fighting for pay, or women, or some other kind of loot. They fight for land, power, because a king leads them, or just because they like killing. But we're here for something new. This has not happened much in the history of the world. We are an army out to set other men free. America should be free ground, all of it, not divided by a line between slave state and free. All the way from here to the Pacific Ocean. No man has to bow, no man born to royalty. Here we judge you by what you do, not by who your father was. Here you can be something. Here is the place to build a home. But it's not the land. There's always more land. It's the idea that we all have value, you and me. What we're fighting for, in the end, you're fighting for each other.

Gettysburg

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Topic

American Civil War Equality The military

Speaker

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Actor

Jeff Daniels

Source

Gettysburg

Medium

Film

Genre

War (film) Epic (film) War Epic

Language

English

Time

1993 1990s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Gettysburg. Directed by Ronald F. Maxwell, Turner Pictures/TriStar Television/Esparza/Katz Productions, 1993.

The North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction... They move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche.

Samuel Houston

More information about this quote

Topic

American Civil War

Speaker

Samuel Houston

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Houston, Samuel. Speech warning the people of Texas against secession. 19 Apr. 1861, Unnamed hotel window, Galveston, TX, USA.

Current Citation

Houston, Samuel. Quoted in Sam Houston, written by James L. Haley. University of Oklahoma Press, 2002.

My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountain-side
Let freedom ring.

Samuel Francis Smith

America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)

More information about this quote

Topic

American Civil War

Author

Samuel Francis Smith

Source

America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)

Medium

Song

Genre

Great American songbook Patriotic songs

Language

English

Time

1832 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Smith, Samuel Francis. "America." The Choir. Boston: Lowell Mason, 1832. Originally performed in public on 4 July 1831, Park Street Church, Boston, MA, USA.