"On paper, in the colonel's lamp-lit office, when we saw a problem it was easy to fix; all we had to do was direct that corps commanders regulate their columns so as not to delay each other, halting until crossroads were clear, keeping their riles well closed, and so forth. It didn't work that way on the ground, which was neither flat nor clean - nor, as it turned out, dry" (Chapter 1, pg. 14.)

"With such incentives to brave deeds, and with the trust that God is with us, your generals will lead you confidently to the combat - assured of success. A.S. Johnston, General commanding" (Chapter 1, pg. 21.)

"We were green; most of us had never left home before (officers as well as men, except the officers carried their greenness better) yet here we were, traveling south up an enemy river past slow creeks and bayous and brooding...