Quote#War
The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some…
Quote byArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington · 1769–1852
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to John Wilson Croker (8 August 1815), as quoted in The History of England from the Accession of James II (1848) by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Volume I Chapter 5, p. 180.; and in The Waterloo Letters (1891) edited by H. T. Sibome.
English (original)
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 or lost, but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which, they occurred, which makes all the difference as to their value or importance.
— Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
More from Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Napoleon has humbugged me, by God; he has gained twenty-four hours' march on me.
If anyone wishes to know the history of this war, I will tell them that it is our maritime superiority gives me the power of maintaining my army while the enemy are unable to do so.
I have no small talk and Peel has no manners.
I believe I forgot to tell you I was made a Duke.
It is quite impossible for me or any other man to command a British Army under the existing system. We have in the service the scum of the earth as common soldiers; and of late years we have been doing everything in our power, both by law …
Who will attack first tomorrow? I or Bonaparte? -Bonaparte. -Well, Bonaparte has not given me any idea of his projects, and as my plans will depend on his, how can you expect to tell me what mine are?