Army Quote by Stonewall Jackson
“Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long as your men have strength to follow; for an army routed, if hotly pursued, becomes panic-stricken, and can then be destroyed by half their number. The other rule is, never fight against heavy odds, if by any possible maneuvering you can hurl your own force on only a part, and that the weakest part, of your enemy and crush it. Such tactics will win every time, and a small army may thus destroy a large one in detail, and repeated victory will make it invincible.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Military Tactics, 1862
Confuse and surprise the enemy, then pursue relentlessly while forces are strong; avoid fighting overwhelming odds by attacking the enemy’s weakest point.
In simple terms: Use deception, relentless pursuit, and focus on weak points to defeat larger forces.
Key Takeaway
Exploit enemy weaknesses and maintain pressure.
Themes
strategy
war
deception
persistence
asymmetry
Mood
determined
strategic
Type
tactical
historical
When to use this quote
- battlefield
- small unit actions
- enemy retreat
- defensive maneuvers
Key Concepts
military tactics
force concentration
psychological warfare
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you identify the enemy’s weakest point?
- When is relentless pursuit counterproductive?
A Different Perspective
If the enemy regroups quickly, pursuit may fail.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
