The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-18
Confession and Death Of
an Army Chaplain.

NJ. NJ. Pomerov, the able editor OF
the Lacrosse wis Democrat, gives the
following death bed scene, which he
was called to visit in his recent visit to
Chicago.
The Rev. Henry Clannard, an ex-
army chaplain who left off expounding
the Bible and recruiting for the Savior,
and by indorsing the niger and abo-
litionists became an army chaplain III
one oi:the Wisconsin regiments, passed
from life to a home beyond blessed
immortality, the other day, and thus
shutfled off his mortal coil.
A physician had called on him two
or three times day for q month, doc
toring him for on ague brought on while
stealing cotton in Arkansas while with
General Curtis. On learning that the
ex-minister and ex-chaplain would
hardly live the night out, we called
with the physician.
In a little wooden looking room not
over twelve feet square, in an obscure
boarding house in Chicago we found
the invalid. The room was bare offur-
,liture except poor bed, ittlo dirty
washstand, two wood-bottom chairs, an
old trunk, pine table, on Which was
snread a newspaper on which lay an
old bible, pair Of old shutters, some
lill boxes and such stuff. The dying
man was nropped up i'll bed, while u
faithful negro woman sat on the foot OF
the bed. As we entered, he ral!iod a
little and asked the doctor who he had
brought with him. On being told that
it was "Brick" Pomeroy, he sank back,
closed his eyes-rallied little and said
"Perhaps it is as we'll. He might as
we'll know it as any one"
And no proceeded to- mako his dying
sta.cmont, which WAS in these words,
as VIC took them down in our memo
randum book as tho physician request
cd:
Ny namo is Henry C:annard. I am
forty-oac years old. ! am Methodist
ministar-at least I was once. l was
once happy and coutented, and loved
Christ, nv Master, With all the zeal o
Chlist:nn ever had. At last l Srew
cold in religion. selfish and enrlous OF
tho good fortunes of others. wanted
to make money and to have some fun.
/ had 10 particular education. so l
thour,,t ] would be a Republican poll
tician. 7 began by preaching politics
from the pulpit, and praying for the
negro: It paid me in money, but l
lost influence at the Throne Of Grace.
But / did not care tor that, if could
ONLY have influence with tho Repubh-
can party. forgot Christ and became
interested in the negro. I had intu-
ence with few members oflny church,
and talked politics to them. ! was
raid by Office seekers to- influence
christians. Sometimes I have mado
as high as fifteen dollars at an election
for ny influence with Christians.
Al last found politics paid better
than religion, and worked for the
cllapl.incyof a regiment and got it.
Then I lot religion co.: and went to the
war. There l wrote letters home de-
nouncing Democrats rs coppcrhcads,
And I stole cotton, and silver ware, and
pictures, and books, and dresses for my
wife and sisters, and horses and mules
for my brothers, and q piano tor the
Governor who gave me my commission,
and gold watch for my captain, and
q lot of household furniture to send tol
my colonel. And l robbed the soldiers
of Jelly and such stuff sent down tt
them to use while in hospital, and
had my share of goods stolen from San
itary fairs, and made lots Of money
Please give me a little piece of thar
pounded ice !'".
The physician gave it to him wher
he continued:
"But T was not happy. I dranl
whiskey with the boys when away from
home, and indlged in some excesse'
not worth mentioning and laid W
quite a pile of money And I was ia
ken sick while out stealing cotton from
plantation where widow lady lived
I had cosxed her niggers to run away
and they are al dead now. When th'
war was ended I came home to Wis
consin, but could not stay there. So
came to Chicago. And I grew sick
And have got to die. I have callet
on Christi have prayed to God, bu
somehow I cannot get relief for my soul
The door of mercy seems shut agains
me. i I sorsook religion for politics, an'
now God has >forsaksu me. ! pray t
nv Saviour;abut he doa't hear me.
talk 70 the aithfll negro wanau--sh