Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-03

night and the following morning. About
we started, five of us, with the large tent and
the four-horse wagons, for one Of the outer
encampments, on the extreme left wing of the
army--the 9TH corps. Our way was through
forests, over runs and through runs, in mud
and over fields. 1t soon began to rain, and
our journey was moist one in the extreme.
Tying my rubber blanket around my shout
ders, mounted the drivers seat, and thus
rode about half the distance; then came down
and walked the rest. 1t is difficult to deter
mine which part of the way afforded the most
exercise. On our way we passed one of the
best establishments | have seen since coming
to Virginia. 1t was owned by Gen. Low, now
in the rebel army, but is now used as a hospi-
tai. This is the headquarters Of the I'd corps,
which lshave been trying to visit, but as yet
have been utterly unable to do so. In it is
the 18th Mass.
We arrived at dark at Mountain Run, our
destination. The rain was pouring down,
and tie ground was soft and wet. Col. Pres
colt, of the 32d Mass, near which we en-
camped detailed several men to assist us,
whom, on their departure, we made glad by
present Of some dried apples-which, by the
way, has come to our relief.
We pitched our tents and prepared for
damp nights rest. Most of the brethren
spread their blankets on the ground, or rather
in the mud, but | preferred to sleep in the
wagon with William the coored driver. |
never was more thankful for pleasant wealth
er than on the next morning, for | had been
thoroughly wet and had taken severe cold.
The Sabbath opened in beauty; the sky was
clear, the sun smiled upon the earth, and we
all reJoced that contrary to our expectations
a good day for work was before US. Services
were held in the tent in the morning and af-
ternoon. The officers of the 32d were pres
ent and conducted the singing, which was the
best we have yet had in any of our meetings.
Meantime Mr.. Jenkins and myself went out
to reconnoitre. We learned the condition of
the field and laid plans .or the rest of the
day.
The field is a vast one, There are thou
sands even in this one corps who never enjoy
any religious services, and some Of these
would be delighted to joins in public and pri-
waite worship. In the afternoon | started out
in search of the % division of the 5th corps,
six regiments of whom have no chaplain, and
have never had. | first called on the officers
for permission, then went into the midst of
the camp, called few together, commenced
hymn, and thus attracted their attention.
Then passed from regiment to regiment and
held five services. The men gathered around
from all directions to the numb.r of several
hundred. In one regiment | stood upon a
stump about two feet high, the best pulpit l
have had: in another, upon a Virginia har-
row with three teeth.
We soon distributed our testaments and pa
pers, and were only sorry had not a thou
sand more to distribute. Our walk to the tent
was delightful We passed over knoll, on
every side of which were encampmcnts. The
sun had just gone down in glory, and the
clouds were rich beyond description. Over
the East, the mOon-nearly at It's tull-pre-
sided.
Soon after returning, the hour for evening
service arrived, and as the other brethren had
appointments out, took charge of the SER
vice. The tent was filled. There were many
commissioned officers present, among them
Col. Prescott. The singing was grand-the
full chorus of male voices bearing up the
songs of worship we trust to the throne of the
Father. All ranks were there and took part
in the meeting 1t was Il beautiful illustra-
ton of the words Zone i'll Christ Jesus"
There was much seriousness, in view of an
expected battle One of the captains of the
32d said he had come to the conclusion that
they must have meetings on the Sabbath, if
they have no chaplain. This is one of the
benefits of the commissioner quIckens and
encourages good men. In these services
with the soldiers there is a heartiness and fer
vor which is seldom witnessed at home. This
was day never to be forgotten by any of us
"a day of severe and exhausting labor-but
aperiod OF inspiring prayer and communion
with earnest souls, many of whom, before an
other Sabbath, may be in eternity. We have
met here not few enquirers May the
Lord direct them. At night we made up
our beds as best we could some upon
boxes and some of them upon the ground
and laid ourselves down to pleasant dreams.
In the morning we went to work in earnest to
make ourselves comfortable; but soon the or
ders came to march the next day at dawn.
That evening the services were unusually SOL
emn. The soldiers prayed in view of APP
preaching dangers, and committed themselves
and their companions and the army to God.
The next morning we arose early, took down
our tent and loaded it; but the day was rainy,
and the march delayed. We drank our coffee
and crackers, and under tree in the rain one
of the brethren read few verses of the 18th
chapter of John, and we committed ourselves
to the protecting care of our kind Father.
"We go FORTH" our brother said with tremu-
lOuS voice, "nOt knowing the things that may
betall u.s." The day proved rainy, and the
mud is such as New England never expert
ences. The men rushed back to their quar-
tiers, and in a short time were settled again;
but with us it was a work of more difficulty.
We began to make preparations for the night,
when messenger came from Brandy order
ing us to start for that station again. So off
We went Immediately eight miles-tour |
walked, the rest | rode through mud and over
the worst of roads. No wonder the army
co uld not move. So here we are at Brandy
station again, though probably only for a short
time. A. IL. c.
THANKSGIVING IN THE CHURCH MILITANT.
The glorious news from Chattanooga cheated
Rev. Col Moody of Pequa, Ohio, out of the
opportunity OF preaching his Thanksgiving
sermon. Ills congregation had assembled at
the Green street Methodist church, in accord
ance with the presidents proclamation. had
sung the ''President's Hymn" taken nm col
lection of about sixty dollars for the Sanitary
Commission, and our fighting preacher had
scarcely got through with his introduction.
when the Gazette arrived, which was brought
into tile church and handed to him bv our
patriotic sexton, The preacher stopped. and
paused, and then shouted GLORIOUS news"
He read the headings of the Geographic news
and said-
1.-The congregation will all rise. Now
three cheers for the glorious old stars and
stripes! p
They were given with a will, and tile old
walls of Green street rang with the shouts of
sturdy old stewards and leaders
''Now sing-all sing-'Prase God from
whom all blessings flow" The congregation