The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-05-08
Morals of the Confederate Army.

morals of the late Confederate Army, is
represented in a recent report to the Trus-
tees Of Mercer (Ga.) University, by Rev.
ii. H. Tucker, D. D., President of the
University. The facts set forth will be
read with interest by the Southern people,
and cannot fail to impress those who are
net Southern people with the belief that
it we have been sorely chastised of Heav-
en-, we have also been surprisingly blessed
The following is an extract from DR. Tuck
er's report. After stating that the Uni
versity is in full and successful operation,
and after some remarks on the general
good order Of the students, the President
reports:
In few instances a number of them
together, owing not to evil intent but
merely to the natural exuberances of youth
ful spirits, have been little too bolster
GUS, and somewhat disorderly. A mere
suggestion Of the improperly of this, net
accompanied by reproof, has been sufi-
cient to restrain them. AS to diligence
IN study, have never had occasion to in
cite them to it; on the contrary have
felt it my duty in some instances to re-
strain them and advise them to devote
more time to recreation. On the whole I
may say that more docile, gentle, trac-
table and dutiful body of young men l
have never seen. A number Of these
students were soldiers in the Confederate
army, and | desire to put it on record as
one OF the remarkable facts of the times,
that these War-Worn Neutrality-suspicious. in
arms, Though young in years, who served
through the whole or large part of the
war, are not only among the best we now
have but among the best that we ever had.
1t is touching to contemplate the almost
incredible combination Of heroism and
gentlehess. They were lions in battle
at home they are lambs need not say
that it is luxury to teach such noble
youths, and as an honor and privilege to
prepare them for future their career.
The facts in the case seem to contra
dict all our preconceived opinions and the
cries. We supposed, in common with all
that the influence of the army and of the
camp would be in the highest degree hurt
ful to morals; that mere youths of I'M
formed character, removed from the re-
sstra MS OF heme,-away from the sweet
influences OF the sanctuary, and associa-
ting with company the most unselect and
witnessing and taking active part almost
daily in horrid scenes of carnage and
death, would lose all their finer sensibili-
ties and become the victims of the worst
passions OF human nature Indeed to the
plous parent, the risk to life and limb in
battle was less to be dreaded than the more
fearful perlls Of character. The facts are
precisely the reverse of all that our fears
anticipated. Whether this is the case in
all armies and in all wars, or whether the
late Confederate army was an exception,
with or without parallel, and if so, what
were the causes which made this case ex-
ceptlonal, are questions which [ shall not
attempt to discuss. It is enough at pres
ent to record the surprising fact that the
influence Of army life seems to have been
for good. It should excite cur heartfelt
and fearful gratitude to God, that if He
has slain many Of our sons, He has in
His compromising Providence improved
the character Of those that remain.
About two-thirds Of our present students
have been in the army, and about one
third of these, equivalent to one-fifth Of
our entire number Of students, were
wounded in the service and wear the scars
of battle. From the facts set forth leave
the world to draw it's own conclusion.