--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sir\" said Mrs. Meade indignantly. \"There…" description: "\"Sir\" said Mrs. Meade indignantly. \"There are NO deserters in the Confederate army.\" \"I beg your pardon,\" said Rhett with mock humility. \"I meant those ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/margaret-mitchell-692_army_sir-said-mrs-meade-indignantly-there-are_718915.jpg" --- # Sir" said Mrs. Meade indignantly. "There are NO deserters… ![“Sir" said Mrs. Meade indignantly. "There are NO deserters in the Confederate army." "I beg your pardon," said Rhett with mock humility. "I meant those thousands on furlough who FORGOT to rejoin their regiments and those who have been over their wounds for six months but who remain at home, going…” quote by Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/margaret-mitchell-692_army_sir-said-mrs-meade-indignantly-there-are_718915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/margaret-mitchell-692_army_sir-said-mrs-meade-indignantly-there-are_718915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/margaret-mitchell-692_army_sir-said-mrs-meade-indignantly-there-are_718915.jpg) > “Sir" said Mrs. Meade indignantly. "There are NO deserters in the Confederate army." "I beg your pardon," said Rhett with mock humility. "I meant those thousands on furlough who FORGOT to rejoin their regiments and those who have been over their wounds for six months but who remain at home, going about their usual business or doing the spring plowing.” [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character dismisses deserters, but the reality includes those who avoid duty through absence or injury. **In simple terms:** Not all absentees are deserters; circumstances vary. Key Takeaway Consider context before labeling. Themes war morality human behavior Mood reflective critical Type literary historical When to use this quote - military service - historical analysis - character study - social judgment Key Concepts Ethics military duty Questions to Reflect On - What factors justify labeling someone a deserter? - How should societies treat those unable to serve? A Different Perspective Simplistic labels ignore complex personal situations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Confederate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confederate/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Pardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pardon/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) ## Related quotes > [...there are at the present moment many colored men in the Confederate Army...as real soldiers, having muskets on their shoulders, and bullets in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/there-are-at-the-present-moment-many-colored-men-in-the-confederate-2/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“The copperhead disreputable portion of the press magnified rebel successes, and belittled those of the Union army. 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