John Sherman

The love of Union and the orderly obedience to constituted authority had been so well established among our people that, while politicians might threaten, but few really believed that war, of which they knew nothing, was to come upon us.

It was not believed, although it had been threatened, that the southern states would take up arms to resist the accession of a President not of their choice.

Lincoln was elected President, there was no general feeling among the northern people that war would result from his election.

The time will come in this country when professional knowledge will be appreciated, when men that can be trusted will be wanted, and I will bide my time.

The government will maintain itself or our northern people are the veriest poltroons that ever disgraced humanity.

I look for preliminary defeats, for the rebels have arms, organization, unity; but this advantage will not last long.

The administration intends to stand or fall by the Union, the entire Union, and the enforcement of the laws.

If the government is to be maintained, it must be by military power, and that immediately.

The men who have confidence in it, and do their full duty by it, may reap whatever there is of honor and profit in public life, while those who look on merely as spectators in the storm will fail to discharge the highest duty of a citizen…

Whatever you may think of the signs of the times, the government will rise from this strife greater, stronger, and more prosperous than ever.

Civil war is actually upon us, and, strange to say, it brings a feeling of relief; the suspense is over.

There is a fixed determination now to preserve the Union and enforce the laws at all hazards.

From this time forth, among the patriotic people of the loyal states, there was no thought or talk of compromise.

So, look on it in any view, I see no result but war and consequent changes in the form of government.

Therefore, if the south make good their confederation and their plan, the northern confederacy must do likewise or blockade.

But even if the southern states be allowed to depart in peace, the first question will be revenue.

As our government is founded on the will of the people, when that will is fixed, our government is powerless, and the only question is whether to let things slide into general anarchy, or the formation of two or more confederacies which…

The people in the south are evidently unanimous in the opinion that slavery is endangered by the current of events, and it is useless to attempt to alter that opinion.

You cannot regret more than I do the necessity which deprives us of your services, and you will bear with you the respect, confidence, and admiration of all who have been associated with you.

While maintaining the high, strong ground you do, I would not advise you to interpose an objection to securing concessions to the middle and moderate states, --Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri.

It is war to surround Anderson with batteries, and it is shilly-shally for the south to cry 'Hands off!

My notice is that this war will ruin all politicians, and that military leaders will direct the events.

You should not alienate such states as Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri.

I regard the seizure by Governor Moore of the United States arsenal as the worst act yet committed in the present revolution.

If Louisiana withdraw from the federal Union, I prefer to maintain my allegiance to the old constitution as long as a fragment of it survives, and my longer stay here would be wrong in every sense of the word.