[bert]

.....”never take counsel of your fears.”....

General George Patton

Was he quoting T.E. Jackson?

[nathanbedford]

The attribution of the quotation definitely goes to Stonewall Jackson. It has been erroneously attributed to Andrew Jackson no doubt by sloppy historians who confused the names. It has also been falsely attributed to General Patton probably because he has uttered similar words concerning the effects of fear. I think it probably appeared in the movie but the original quotation goes to Stonewall Jackson.

I'm not certain of this but my recollection is that upon retiring from the Shenandoah Valley at the conclusion of his campaign of 1862 and en route to Richmond to join Lee, a staff officer was dispatched to find lodgings for the night. He advised Jackson that he feared he would find nothing and Jackson at that point replied, "never take counsel of your fears."

I haven't had time to research it but I think that is accurate, however, I will not be surprised if my recollection is faulty. To understand the real significance of the quotation from Jackson one must understand that it was uttered by a man of profound faith and he was really saying trust God rather than entertain fears. So profound was his faith that he was astonishingly fearless on the battlefield and had no discernible regard for his personal safety.