"...the rank and file of the American army is the most orderly I have ever seen, a circumstance which is due, probably, to the fact of the privates being mostly married, and all men of some kind of education. There is less brutality about the federal troops, and most respect for women, than amongst any soldiery we are acquainted with in the old world. ..." - Edward Dicey, British author and journalist in "Six months in the Federal states" a report on a visit to America in 1862.
"The men have behaved themselves the best I saw them either home or abroad. Every man has seemed to be on his good behavior since we entered Atlanta" write William Dunn surgeon in a Pa regiment to his wife on 27 September 1864 " The women have been dressed up waiting for our men to commence raping but they have waited in vain. There has not been a single outrage commited in this city , a circumstance that the people say they cannot say for the rebel army."
"(...) yankee raiding parties are going everywhere & no one feel safe. Mother writes that so far they have behaved much better than was anticipated from their threats; no house that were occupied have been burned , nor those where ladies where , molested, through out houses are pillaged. (...)" The diary of Miss Emma Holmes, April 18, 1865
" I shall risk it at home. I learne that in Marietta the yankees haven't insulted a lady in no respect." Mrs E.C. Welbourne of Covington to her husband in Virginia
"We are situated three miles from the village, on a by-road, and I flattered myself, our house would not be discovered. But they found us out and paid us two visits of about half hour each. However, they were not insolent to us...Most everyone suffered some, but no violence was offered to the ladies..." Mrs Allston Pringle from Society Hill, SC march 30, 1865