--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only true rule for cavalry is to…" description: "\"The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.\" — Stonewall Jackson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg" --- # The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as… ![“The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.” quote by Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg) > “The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.” [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The rule advises cavalry to pursue an enemy as long as they continue to retreat, emphasizing relentless pressure. **In simple terms:** Keep chasing a retreating enemy. Key Takeaway Maintain pressure on a withdrawing opponent. Themes military strategy persistence pursuit Mood strategic cautious Type military historical When to use this quote - battlefield decisions - enemy analysis - training drills Key Concepts tactics psychology of retreat Questions to Reflect On - When is it wiser to stop chasing? - How does retreat signal weakness? A Different Perspective Over-pursuing can lead to ambushes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cavalry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cavalry/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) ## Related quotes > [It is the business of cavalry to follow up the victory, and to prevent the beaten army from rallying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/it-is-the-business-of-cavalry-to-follow-up-the-victory-and-to-prevent/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [If you follow the enemy's shifts and changes, you can always find a way to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-you-follow-the-enemy-s-shifts-and-changes-you-can-always-find-a/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Once physical beauty is gone there must be something more to take its place . . . 'To thine ownself be true' is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-ford/once-physical-beauty-is-gone-there-must-be-something-more-to-take-its/) [Glenn Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-ford/) > [It is a true rule that love is ever rewarded, either with the reciproque or with an inward and secret contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/it-is-a-true-rule-that-love-is-ever-rewarded-either-with-the/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [This Apostolic Church never turned from the way of truth nor held any kind of error. It is imperative that nothing of the truths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-agatho/this-apostolic-church-never-turned-from-the-way-of-truth-nor-held-any/) Pope Agatho > [The first time we did cavalry charge I was so breathless with excitement I nearly fell off the horse. I actually saw stars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/the-first-time-we-did-cavalry-charge-i-was-so-breathless-with/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [“Chorus of old men: If we give them the least hold over us, 'tis all up! their audacity will know no bounds! We shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/chorus-of-old-men-if-we-give-them-the-least-hold-over-us-tis-all-up/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [The man who could withstand, with his fellow-men in single line, a charge of cavalry may lose all command of himself on the occurrence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/the-man-who-could-withstand-with-his-fellow-men-in-single-line-a/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [“Don’t shoot,” Tom cautioned again. “That brave in the lead has a crooked lance with a white flag. Whatever it is they’re wantin’, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/don-t-shoot-tom-cautioned-again-that-brave-in-the-lead-has-a-crooked/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [This coffee falls into your stomach, and straightway there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move like the battalions of the Grand Army…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/this-coffee-falls-into-your-stomach-and-straightway-there-is-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [By the last returns to the Department of War the militia force of the several States may be estimated at 800,000 men - infantry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/by-the-last-returns-to-the-department-of-war-the-militia-force-of-the/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [Artillery is more essential to cavalry than to infantry, because cavalry has no fire for its defence, but depends on the sabre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/artillery-is-more-essential-to-cavalry-than-to-infantry-because/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them. Operations of thought are cavalry charges in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/civilization-advances-by-extending-the-number-of-important-operations/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [“The cavalry ain't coming. You have to do it yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gardner/the-cavalry-ain-t-coming-you-have-to-do-it-yourself/) Christopher Gardner > [Nobody ever wins by the cavalry coming to rescue you. It isn't a question of you're happy if you get married, or you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/nobody-ever-wins-by-the-cavalry-coming-to-rescue-you-it-isn-t-a/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) ## More by Stonewall Jackson > [Don't say it's impossible! Turn your command over to the next officer. If he can't do it, I'll find someone who can, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/don-t-say-it-s-impossible-turn-your-command-over-to-the-next-officer/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible-and-when/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Press on, press on, men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/press-on-press-on-men/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [“You may be whatever you resolve to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/you-may-be-whatever-you-resolve-to-be/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-religious-belief-teaches-me-to-feel-as-safe-in-battle-as-in-bed/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Under divine blessing, we must rely on the bayonet when firearms cannot be furnished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/under-divine-blessing-we-must-rely-on-the-bayonet-when-firearms/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [I want my army to be an army of the living God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/i-want-my-army-to-be-an-army-of-the-living-god/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [“My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-religious-beliefs-teach-me-to-feel-as-safe-in-battle-as-in-bed-god/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Shoot the brave officers, and the cowards will run away and take the men with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/shoot-the-brave-officers-and-the-cowards-will-run-away-and-take-the/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Died of wounds inflicted in error by his own troops at the battle of Chancellorsville during the US Civil War. Let us cross over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/died-of-wounds-inflicted-in-error-by-his-own-troops-at-the-battle-of/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. ... To move swiftly, strike vigorously, and secure all the fruits of victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/war-means-fighting-the-business-of-the-soldier-is-to-fight-to-move/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Duty is ours; the consequences are the Lord God's](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/duty-is-ours-the-consequences-are-the-lord-god-s/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [We are all but instruments of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/we-are-all-but-instruments-of-god/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [“War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. Armies are not called out to dig trenches, to throw up breastworks, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/war-means-fighting-the-business-of-the-soldier-is-to-fight-armies-are/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) [Explore all 56 Stonewall Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) ## More Cavalry quotes > [Nobody ever wins by the cavalry coming to rescue you. It isn't a question of you're happy if you get married, or you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/nobody-ever-wins-by-the-cavalry-coming-to-rescue-you-it-isn-t-a/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [“The cavalry ain't coming. You have to do it yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gardner/the-cavalry-ain-t-coming-you-have-to-do-it-yourself/) Christopher Gardner > [Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them. Operations of thought are cavalry charges in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/civilization-advances-by-extending-the-number-of-important-operations/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Artillery is more essential to cavalry than to infantry, because cavalry has no fire for its defence, but depends on the sabre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/artillery-is-more-essential-to-cavalry-than-to-infantry-because/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [By the last returns to the Department of War the militia force of the several States may be estimated at 800,000 men - infantry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/by-the-last-returns-to-the-department-of-war-the-militia-force-of-the/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [This coffee falls into your stomach, and straightway there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move like the battalions of the Grand Army…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/this-coffee-falls-into-your-stomach-and-straightway-there-is-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“Don’t shoot,” Tom cautioned again. “That brave in the lead has a crooked lance with a white flag. Whatever it is they’re wantin’, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/don-t-shoot-tom-cautioned-again-that-brave-in-the-lead-has-a-crooked/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [The man who could withstand, with his fellow-men in single line, a charge of cavalry may lose all command of himself on the occurrence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/the-man-who-could-withstand-with-his-fellow-men-in-single-line-a/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [“Chorus of old men: If we give them the least hold over us, 'tis all up! their audacity will know no bounds! We shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/chorus-of-old-men-if-we-give-them-the-least-hold-over-us-tis-all-up/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [The first time we did cavalry charge I was so breathless with excitement I nearly fell off the horse. I actually saw stars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/the-first-time-we-did-cavalry-charge-i-was-so-breathless-with/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Of course no one thought of anything except of attacking the enemy. It lies in the instinct of every German to rush at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manfred-von-richthofen/of-course-no-one-thought-of-anything-except-of-attacking-the-enemy-it/) [Manfred von Richthofen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manfred-von-richthofen/) > [Galton's eccentric, sceptical, observing, flashing, cavalry-leader type of mind led him eventually to become the founder of the most important, significant and, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/galton-s-eccentric-sceptical-observing-flashing-cavalry-leader-type/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [There's a fragment that goes, "Some say the most beautiful thing in the world is a great cavalry riding down over the hill. Others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hamill/there-s-a-fragment-that-goes-some-say-the-most-beautiful-thing-in-the/) [Sam Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hamill/) > [Suppose someone sits down where you are sitting right now and announces to me that he is Napoleon Bonaparte. The last thing I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-solow/suppose-someone-sits-down-where-you-are-sitting-right-now-and/) [Robert Solow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-solow/) > [“But the cavalry arrived only in the movies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/but-the-cavalry-arrived-only-in-the-movies/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) [Browse all 80 Cavalry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cavalry/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stonewall Jackson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-follow-the-enemy-as-long-as-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cavalry" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-follow-the-enemy-as-long-as-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/stonewall-jackson-12056_cavalry_the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-fol_1535787.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only true rule for cavalry is to follow the enemy as long as he retreats.” — Stonewall Jackson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stonewall Jackson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only true rule for cavalry...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-follow-the-enemy-as-long-as-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/the-only-true-rule-for-cavalry-is-to-follow-the-enemy-as-long-as-he/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```