"Oh, no! It is impossible. War is a kind of game, and has its fixed rules, whereby, when we are well acquainted with them, we can pretty correctly tell how the trial will go. Tomorrow it seems, the die is to be cast, and, in my judgement, without the least chance on our side. The militia will, I suppose as usual, play the back game. That is, get out of battle as fast as their legs will carry them. But that, you know, won't do for me. I am an old soldier, and cannot run, and I believe I have some brave fellows that will stand by me to the last. So, when you hear of our battle, you will probably hear that your old friend, De Kalb, is at rest."
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In August 1780, as quoted in "Death of Baron De Kalb" (1849), by Benjamin Franklin Ells, The Western Miscellany, Volume 1, p. 233.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Johann_de_Kalb
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Johann de Kalb
1707 – 1800
Johann von Robais, Baron de Kalb (19 June 1721 – 19 August 1780), born Johann Kalb, was a Bavarian-born French military officer who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American [[Americ
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