Silent tongue and clenched teeth and steady eye and well poised bayonet

One of the things I love the most about the era of the American Civil war is the various letters and statements by soldiers and politicians and even common people of the time. The language they use is so fluid and descriptive and seems to sum up the whole of the subject they are speaking on. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous, one of my favorite qoutations from him is his statement to those opposed to fighting against slavery. "You say you will not fight to free negros, some of them seem willing to fight for you; but, no matter. Fight you, then exclusively to save the union. When victory is won, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tonge, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well poised bayonet they have helped manking unto this great consummation; while I fear there will be some white ones, unable to forget that, with malignant heart and deceitful speech, they have strove to hinder it." It comes across as so descriptive and I love the image of the soldier fighting against all hinderences and prejudices. I've always loved qoutes in general and the period is in my opinion one of the best for it.