Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-02-24
LETTERS FROM OUR ARMY.
CAMP Branch, near Newbern, !
Feb. 1862. {

-. W4H ZrsH
Edldr Spirit cf he Ace, WeIl 7 sun-
pose Roanoke Island has fallen The general
impression has been, that our batteries there
woalt rot be able to resist successfully the
powe!fui Burnside armada. We had hoped.
h""esSr, that the authorities would either
.esacnaie the place, or pat a sufficient force
on the Island to render successful resistance
possible We certainly have had sufficient
warning, Roanoke Island has been locking
Tor aft attack for several weeks. Our troops
there were not surprised, They appear to
have fought desperately and they seem to
nave yrehtcd only to overwhelming numbers.
ms IS oniy one item in a considerable list
OF recent Southern reve1scs. The Yankees
5aVe certainly outmaneuvered US. for the past
quarter of a year. They are rapidly ~retricv-
, ing their former losses. The fact is, the
South has become too vain. Before the bat
tie of Manassas, we were humble; ~c felt
our dependence upon God we were PROSTATE
In prayer. But since that great victory, our
vanity has known no bounds. Our wicked
hearts have said See what WE nave wrought!
Uod has not been In our thoughts. Instead
OF rejoicing with trembling we have been
Boosting of our skill and valor, and of our
superiority to the Yankees. We have for
~goCtenthat there is a God Whosrules in the
armies OF heaven, and among the inhabitants
OF earth who rides upon the storms of war.
and FROM the confusion of natiens-from tho
destruction of Kingdoms, and the collision Of
armies, evolve the great purposes of his wise
providence. Our pride needed a severe re
= buke; 1T has received 1T. Let Us be humble
) under the hand of Almighty God.
There isa great deal of wickedness in the
f South, as well as in the North. In this fra
tricidal war, God has been reeuking the sins
-individual and national-ofb both sections
9 The North We're humbled at Bethel, Manas-
sas, Springfield, Leesturg, and other places +;
SO the South has been humbied at IIatteras,
Port Royal, Somerset, Roanoke and Fort
Donelson.
To say nothing Of the general wickedness
e of our people, there is a vast amount of
wickedneSs among our soldiers. Swearing,
drinking, card-playing, gambling, aud other
hlthy vices are too common among officers
e and privates. We are too wicked to go un-
+ scourged. We must be whipped in battle,
before VIZ can be brought to our senses, and
. taught to fear and serve God. There ought
to be a minister in every regiment to cry
aloud and spare not" | am sorry, however,
to know that the Confederate Government
has virtually abolished the Office of Chaplain
in the Confederate army. A christian gov
= ernuient has voted the Chaplalncy the most
q useless commissioned office in the army. 1t
has poured contempt on Gods ministry. 4
/ more infdel and God-dishonoring measure
y could net have been enacted. God was not
d asleep when the Confederate Congress voted
e their estimate of the Importance of religion
in the camps, and he has not been ASLEEP
II since. He that dishonoreth the minister dis
re honorcth Him that sent him.
II R,,A If Ic nIt propor tn cl,rray1ar onrCa1-as
III to despondeney. Let US amend our ways
let US forsake our sins, and let US work on
" our destiny, as an infant Republic, in hol,
e. fear and singleness of heart as unto the Lord
With the smiles of a merciful Creator, on
X ultimate triumph is certain. Through wha
tribulation our sins may lead US to that tri
= umph, remains to be seen. Let US as a pes
lie pie Go our duty to God and our country. an
ne all will be well with US. NYANIUS.