History Does Not Usually Make Real Sense

Here Was The Greatest And Most Moving Chapter In American History, A Blending Of Meanness And Greatness, An Ending And A Beginning. It Came Out Of What Men Were, But It Did Not Go As Men Had Planned.

Early Youth Is A Baffling Time

There Is A Rowdy Strain In American Life, Living Close To The Surface But Running Very Deep. Like An Ape Behind A Mask, It Can Display Itself Suddenly With Terrifying Effect.

Yet There Is A Dignity In The Human Spirit Which Can Become Most Clearly Visible In The Moment Of Defeat And Disaster.

Soldiers Who Had Been In The Army Long Enough To Know What A Bloody Swindle War Really Is Would Begin To Feel That Army Life Was Really Kind Of Fun, As Long As [general Philip] Sheridan Was Up Front.