To Mark B: If one cannot control their need to speak down to others they ought, at least, to be correct; JSM made the statement above in 1862 (Harper's magazine), so obviously wasn't referring to the War of 1812, or to British soldiers. In the full article, "The Contest in America", he describes in detail exactly what he is referring to and he means. Those in this thread who have pointed out the often-circulated version is "clipped" are correct for doing so; the clipped version removed the qualifications JSM made on the kinds of war for which his sentiment applies, thereby expanding the specific meaning of the quote to a general statement about all armed conflicts, which JSM clearly didn't intend. JSM would very likely oppose the Bush wars for precisely the reasons he gives in the clipped material!