New-York daily tribune., 1863-09-04


August -, ls,'
The Chaplains of the Army have been ~ tho
habit ut times Of meeting in small bodies 10 discuss
tcr rights and wrongs and also tie OF u.geas-
ine the Interest Of soldiers in their call ~as
issued lately for Convention of NJ, Army Chap'ans,
10 meet in the large of the Chrstial Comns"ns
AT Beaton Station. the Orange and Alexandra Ra.l'
road. Upon the boxes laden with tracts and hymn.
books eat about three dozen Of those gentlemen. an
hour after the time appointed. With exception Of IN
occasional Presbyterian, they were OF the Methodist
persuasion Though great hos been the number of
designations among chara;ns since tue rebellion iegan
evidently the entire number IN the army was far fom
heia. represented. II INA. be observed that usually &c
meetings of c ministry prayers are short and species
iudiciously clrtaled 10 very limited tine. ~ - by
no means thus when the laty are hearers. We Dhy
infer from this thit the pcasurc of spe king - mnen
greater n the breasts Of the reverend clergy than Tat
jfiscniu, TIE usual custom ruled in this case. Iha
hymn and prayer were bllei art nNe ninrtes sIctou
only W.s q Otied % each irdiy.1ual.
Tho three points Of grievance discus ;ed were the iact
that the pay Of ehaplais rs deducted anlih sioA..ss
or absence, y he ihat vi other oncers was not ilat
thcy not recognized as enied 10 Transportation
nf haCrarr " tents that their position was oi;en "~ed
In Getogaory light b. officers thai they w,IC oIlcn
1toscl 70 insult Nv them and also that the interest IL
the army in religious services was depi0rahly fhehts
and no measures were taken Ia compel the atonGhuo1
Of soldiers During the Revolution and the VAR OF i-.
il asserted prayers were held every morninr as
dress parade and duty required ali 10 attend desocnu
meetings and prcachngs on Sunday.
In regard tho first complaint the army regnlauoiS
run us ..Chaplains ntitied 20 800 north an1
two rutiOns day. when on duty. IL seems tha' tho
spirit of tie order probably entitled them 70 the 20
month. and wien on duty 10 an addition ~ two ri'nd
day; but the language is obscure and especially -
a comma has been omitted niter month the iay-
master General takes ad' 'antae of the nhraseooey Ia
of both ratons aud "a. Tor any period during which,
they may be absent either for sickness or on leave. y
thapl.n ranks as Captain, but no Captain, or any
other officer Is subjected 70 similar treatment IAs s
han in 4 ppt.iE
of little use. abolish them, but while IN the army, an1
recognized officers tIcat them with the courtesy
corded 20 others
In regard 10 TRANSFORMATION and tents experieneos
differed Some messed AID tented with assistant sur
reons and had al reasonable transportation fOI bag.
gage. Others were much neglected and glad t. a,aif
Themselves oi small shelter lent carving their cr-
scribed clothing cpon their horses when the army
moved.
one rouch aud ready speaker froN a Pennsylvania
regiment said he had lately had the Colones FIST under
Lis nose aud that he drew OF and threatened 20 mako
guano of the Colonel Of any one else, so help hin
Cd who Distracted him IN The discharge of ms duty.
lie moreover informed the Colonel that he had oncc bceD
blacksmith ana cautioned him to keep away from hiS
sledge hammer" This honest brother, as might h3
cyprctcd the recipient of many courteses lo
crawled under shelter tent ard messed with mUst-
clan.
The deduction from all this appeared to be that Chap
lans who were polite in their manners, with tact ana
knowledge OF the world had diilculty IN procuring
all they needed while others lacking IN those requisites.
suffered Neither did the former in all eases sustain
ins VI IiN II ho,Vht VI SNh. ,''i' 'i~k
the pay roll without allowing the deductions 20 be spoci
fed. No rcuedy was proposed at te meong for th.so
troubles 4 remark simply made that the clergy
NJ home were apt TO seek countenance and society
irou persons known as influential men, in the army
they RELY too much officers "a set example ia re-
Iigous duties instead OF acting directly upon the sol-
dels.
A unanimous complaint was made at their lack Of re-
ous interest and while hnf of those present a,yo-
Gated the OF attendance the rest M ored
the y0luntaI! mode.
The meeting appointed Committee TO confer npoh
the points discussed and propose remedies. TIM.