Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-13
A Fighting Preacher.

| When our revolutionary war broke out
and Congress called upon the several States
to furnish regular regiments for the Cont
mental line, Peter Muhlenburg, pastor
in the Tenth Legion, mosrtcd his pulpi
one fine morning, told his congregation be
was going to the wars and exhoted as many
Of them as could raise the pluck to follow
his example. His words took like wild fire
"a regiment was soon raised and Peter
himself was appointed Colonel. Never was
there letter choice. Peter fought even
better than be prayed. HIS regiment was
everywhere where hard knocks were going
on--at Trenton, at Princeton, at Brandy
wine, at Germantown, at Monmouth, al
Yorktown, and Peter was always at the
head Of his regiment. So prominen was he
uponlsnch occasions, that with some Of his
admirers he obtained the name Of Devil
Pete, while by the army generally he was
known as the Fighting Parson." His skill
seems to have been equal to his gallantry,
for in short time be became General. and
was one among the most highly esteemed Of
Washington's officers. He was striking
example of the fact, that man makes none
the worse soldier fer serving bis Creator
with fidelity.
Gen Havelock seems to have been man
Of very much the same build of Gen Muh-
lenburg. He was one Of the genuine, old
schoA, Cromwellian brecd-a real .fcar-
the aordand keep vr-powder-dry'' gene
ration. He preached to his men-he pray
ed With them-and even baptized them. -
On dne occasion he was court-martialcd for
this offence. An inquiry into the state Of
his regiment proved so satisfactory that the
Governor General said he wished he would
baptze the whole army. Now, the exploits
of this man and bis little force are absolute
| y marvellous He has shown all the quail
tiles Of great officer-one worthy to take
his place by the Side Of Wellington and MARI
torough. They have shown all the quail
tics Of the best and bravest soldiers. They
fought six battles i'll six days. and each time
against odds of ten TO one and were victori-
Gus very time. They marched through a
swamp of foes fighting at every step, in the
burning climate at India, at the rate Of if
tcenpr twenty miles day They entered
! ltiS " y tltSy HCis' oSfi1 ~ iIiiGsC- Ola WClC
INN *liateay surrounded. and shut in by
twenty times their number. Nothing daunt-
ID, tiey held on for months. fighting and
victofous every day, and living upon few
ounces Of rice, without any Of the usual
{supries of European soldiers At last they
were relieved, and the old rarscn had the
gloFyaand satisfaction Ct having by his in
lomi#lle bravery, perseverance, and skill
saved the lives Of hundreds Of lis country.
racn We cannot think OF these things
Of thl old mans simplicity, his ,nodesty, and
lis great exploits, - without feeling dispo
t.ss;tion Il t'!ro. up OFT hats, and shout loud
and long Tor the brave old Baptist Preacher
The exploits Of Hayeiock and his men
dissiTate the IDEA long ontertaind in Eng
land and openly avowed by former Minis
try, tlat the more profigate the army, til.
better the soldiers. It is car firm belle
that honesty, morality, and above all, reli'
gion are essential to a man in performance
Of earthly duty, even tie duty Of soldier
and h8reaft.r, ii we ever hear g man dis
pute THIS point, We shall point to fighting
old Hvclock, and his glorious 4 | | regimen
If trus blue Rap1ists il, support Of our opin
ION. Depend upon it, a solder does no
light he worse for conmenaing his soul t,
! his Mixer if he fall .-Iricha :aa1 Wdi1.