Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1863-05-20
Sermon or Rev c. G. Gillespie Ia Camp Cbsse, ohio.

patriotic discourse his fellow sufferers In captivity
together with the closing interruption by tho ilsoeht
Fedeaai officer, cannot fail to be interesting 10
readers;
FAST DAT DISCOURSE, MARCH %, 1863. n
Preached by Col. C. Z. Gillespie Of the 18th Texas
Cavalry, before the Con ederute oheers and soldiers
| in Camp Chase prison No 3
Gentleman and FELLOW soldiers :This IL the day ap-
pontedby our honored and pous President as day Of
"iating, humisation and prayer that the blessing Of
Almighty Cod may rest upon our country, aud espee.
! tally upon our army. have, in the name OF Gen.
Churchill, and of the officers and soldiers in this pr
son. asked the privilege ofobserving tho day In
own way by hcding di 'ire service. This has been
granted by tho authorities OF this place for which
arc thankful though II would seem that this is priv.
! iege which could hardly be denied We are confined
within walls, guarded by soldiers on the ramparts and
our sentiments however earnestly expressed cannot
possibly do any harm TO the cause Of the enemy.
call your attention the first six Of the
hundred and thirty seventh Psalm;
"By ihc river OF Babylon there we set down; yca
VIC vept when We remembered Zion. We hung
barps upon the willows in the midst thereof For
there they that carrc away captived required
song and thcy that wasted US required OF US mirih
saying, "sing US one of the songs OF Zion How shall
we sing the Lords song in strange land7 If for
get thee o, jerusalem, let my right hand 70 gt her
cunning; If do not remember thee let my tongue
cleave TO the roof of my mouth i'll prefer not Jerus
alem above my chief joy"
Gentlemen, there is striking similarity between
present conitiou and that the old Hebrew pat
riots whose beautiful and enthusiastic words and
sentiments VIC have just read. We rs they were nre
by the fortune of war under the providence of God,
captivcs in the hands Of oar enemies, in strange
land. Our captivity is even rigorous than was
theirs. They allowed some personal liberty; We
are allowed none. They allowed the communion
and sympathy Of nature Nature. our mother, like
God our Father, is always friendly, every ywhere in
enemy land as we'll as at home; and when frowns
and hates she smiles and loves She is the resource
and solacc of the lovely the desolae, The captive and
stranger Through her mediation we can hold com.
plyt oyei
ones and associations Those old Hebrew. sat down
the banks Of Babcls streams under the shade of the
adjacent willows, and "wept when they Remembered
Zion.' But we are denied this communion with nature
except tho small tract of sky we are permitted to see
and the daylight and sunshine.
We, like these ancient patriots are far separated
from our home and families, and our struggling coun
try. Our homes are lovelywe arc not there 10 cheer
them: loved desolatc, and in many cases
dependent--and not the to protect tAcm Tho
tide Of war sweeps through loved land--and
not there to struggle side bv sic with brave cOun
trymcn. We know no. when We shall be libeyatco
from our CAPTIVITY. We are doomed bear the hard
est trial of patriot soldierimpocnt captivity in the
time foir coIntry's cxtren ty ". CT feengly un.
dersand why the old Hebrew patriots wept when they
remelnh hered Zion"
But gentlemen, there is another point Off scmblancr
between us and the pcus old Hebrews trust we i'm,
ate and emulate them in this ancy mud integrity
of our allegiance to country and cause They
scorned to proane their harps and their musical skill
which belonged TO their country, and which were con
for the service or qualification Of their enemies AnG
shall Confederate officer soldier, whose life beong
to his co.ratry, pledge his allegiance, unt any cir
cnmshhces or preexts, to the cause of his country
enemies? Gentlemen, the loss OF honor ia u lose neve
to be remedied. Perjury is as much perjury whea
committed among enemies among friends TIL
grand character OF old Daniel would never hIys bee
Of the moral landmarks of the world had he boye
down to the Kings idol nor would these old Hebrew
have furnished US with their beautiful sentiment ant
example had they faltered in their allegiance Tn
taking the oath OF allegiance to the power that geek
to ruin US, by Con nfederae soldier is in my cstma
tion not to be contemplated without honor
1t seems 10 the that we have the highest motives an
inspirations 10 devoted loyalty to our cause that eve
existed. grander cause nas never vindicatod by
grander struggle, by grander sacrifccs.-0u
reading of past history does furnish US with til
kniwledge ofa war in which nearly very,hinl
vaiuabI sacred dear, is invo we'd. We fghtnl
for everything that makes life desirable valuable anG
noble. If we loss, We have nothing left to live for
We are fighting for our honor-tor the honor of ont
II the most honorable and chivarous upon earth
The aim of the political warfare against u.s. dec
roy our enved honor, and to disgrace our detested
iignity. It was to withdraw from dishonoring as.
ociation and to preserve dignity unmpaired that
ye sought to live to ourselves. And noE degradation
s sought TO be forced upon us BY the sword And IT,
" possibility, the South should ultimately be forced
humble her honor before the hated power opposed 10
er she will be ruined forever The proud AMI chivn
Gus Southern people should the marrow and backbone
# their choracter-their honOr--be destroyed would
e the most worth less upon earth The highest
Vhen they fall, become the lowest
ParadoXical as IL may SEEM VIC are fighting for
eace. Although earnestly desiring it, and seeking IT,
have been denied this legitimate fruit Of the blood
our revuOnary sres for the last twenty Eve years
he that has troubled and perseou,ed friend and
tranger for centuries from desire of domiraton
nd dscord, must needs trouble what they claimed an
heir own country, and those whom they regarded az
heir own countrymen. Aud when peace in such as.
ecation became hopeless, and sought 10 70 qu.tly
ourselves the intolerable fraterny was sought 70
forced upon US at the point Of the hayonet. WArlE
sing Taged upon US to fcrce cone bsck ard live
ith them, and quarrel with them forsvtr. Ccula
'sPle, aud the var they wage, n,ssns more htlsful
'pects
There is great oiekedness in all 1A-s And TIE res
'asibiliiy for is awful oae; su; We are ntt
sponsiole fer the present war Il forced upcn
J. 1--WE declare before Heaven, and in the face ci
ankin3, that we desire only 10 be let alone' in tht
ngrsge Of our noble President 10 the sentiment Of
If people, and their in this war, and hfs a..
Ady become historical We sought to infringe I'D CT
rightt, 70 destroy interests, 10 ilke nc liver
be guilt Of the inusnse tloodshed sBi vos aud
,s5 o tAis var rsi's 0pSl 5tI,r heals than nlrs.
lie a-sctsY 81 The is with us ssseataliy ani
sessariiy rsigi,us. Our oy IT, lite thst y thsss
eieEi HstrtH patriots, it c; sheald Be, bah piOuB
d patrictie. They cling to the glorious usncry CT