Just to show you how little reliance can be placed even on what are supposed the best accounts of a battle, I mention that there are some circumstances mentioned in General -'s account which did not occur as he relates them. It is impossible to say when each important occurrence took place, or in what order.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
Some accounts are well-corroborated.
The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won …
Publish and be damned.
It has been a damned serious business... Blucher and I have lost 30,000 men. It has been a damned nice thing - the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life.…
The combination of modern ordnance and outdated tactics had, as ever, created enormous casualties on both sides.
Three hundred men hastened forth, wearing gold torques, defending the land - and there was slaughter. Though they were slain they slew, and they shall be honou…
We have met the enemy and they are ours- two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.