Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-06
A Fighting Preacher.

When our revolutionary war first broke
OUT, and Congress called upon the seVerai
States TO furnish regular regiments LOT tue
Continental line. Peter Muhenburg, pas
FIR in the Tenth Legion, mounted his pulpit
one fine morning, told his congregation he
was going to the wars, aud exhorted as many
of them as c. ud raise the pluck, 10 follow his
ev.mnla His words took like wild hre-a
regiment was soon raised and Peter himself
was Amounted Colonel. Never was there
better choice. Peter fought even better than
he prayed His regiment was everywhere
where hard locks were going on-at lren-
ION, az Princeton, at Braudvwlne, at Ter
mantown. at Monmouth, at Yorktown, ana
Peter was always at the head OF his regi-
ment. s. prominent was be upon such occa-
sions. that with some OF his admirers be OF
tanned the name OF Devil Pete, while by the
army generally he wss known as the Fight
inc P.rson." HIS skill seems to have been
equal to his galiantry, for IN short time be
became General, and was one among the
most highly esteemed of Wasbiugton's OH.
GERS. lie was a striking example of the fact.
that a man makes none the worse soldier tor
serving his Creator with tdelity.
Gen Haveluck seems to have been man
of very much the same build of Gen. Mub-
lenburg. He was one of the genuine, old
school, Cromwelisn breed-a real fear
the-L rd-lnd- keep your pOwder.dry" genera
ton. He preached to his meu--he prayed
with them-and even baptised them. On one
accession he wa| cuurt-.nartialed for this Of
fence. An inquiry into the state OF his resi-
meut proved 80 satisfactory that the Gov
ernur General said he wished be would
baptIze the whole army. Now, the eS-
ploits of this man and his little force are
absolutely marvellous. He has shown all
the qualities of n great ofhcer-one worthy to
take his place by the slde of Wellington and
Marlborough They have shown oil the quail
tiles OF tue best and bravest soldiers. They
fought six battles in six days, and each time
against Odds OF ten to one and we're victorious
every time They marched through swamp
OF foes fighting at every step, IN the burning
climate Of India. ut the rate Of fifteen or
twenty miles day. They entered the city
they were sent to relieve, and were immed!-
ately surrounded, and shut In by twenty
times their number. Nothing daunted, they
held On Tor months, fighting and victorious
every day, and living upon lew ounces of
rice, "ltuOul any y! tue w i-e
ropean soldiers. At last they were relieved,
and the old parson had the glory and satis-
faction Of having by his indomitable brave
~, perseverance aud skill, saved the lives of
hundred of Ills cOuatryneu We cannot
thnk Of these things-of the old mans
simplicity, his modesty, ind his great ex-
ploits,- without feeling disposition to throw
up our hats aud shout loud and long for the
brave old Baptist Preacher"
The exploits OF Iiavelock aud his men. dis
spate the idea long entertained in England.
and oreuly avowed by former Ministry.
that the more proaIgate the army, the bet
ter the soldiers. Ii is our firm belief that
honesty, morality, and above all, religion,
are essential to man III performance OF earth
ly duty, even the duty OF a soldier, and hers
after, if we ever hear man dispute this
point, we shall point to fighting old Have
! lock, aud his glorious regiment of true blue
BaptlstS, in support of our opinion. Depend
upon it, soldier does not fight the worse for
commeudlug biz soul to bis maker il he fall
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