The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-08-15
Religion in Lees Rebel Army

But the religious element which en-
tered that army, or was developed IN it.
has absolutely no parallel in all history.
Our noble old chief Gen. Lee was a
christian not only in profession bat in
reality, and did everything in his pow
or to promote the moral and spiritual
welfare Of his army. The piety of
"Stonewall' Jackson is as historic as his
splendid military achievements, and
the influence which he exerted for the
religious good of his officers and men
can never fully be knowp in this world.
These noble leaders had at first the CO.
operation of such Christian soldiers as
Gen. ID. Hill. T. X. Cobb. A. II. Col
quit. J. f. b. Stuart, w. A. Peudleton,
John G. Gordon. C.. A.. E.aps, John
Pegram. and large number Of other
general, field. staff, aud subordinate of
ticers; and during the war Gems Ewell.
Longstreet, Hood, Pender, r. III. Arder-
son. Rhodes, Hoxton, Baylor, and a
number Of others made professions of
religion OF the first four companies
from Georgia which arrived in Virgin
ia, three OF the captains were earnest
Christians, and fifty Of one Of the com
panies belonged to one church. | re-
member one single regiment which re-
ported over 400 church members when
1t first came into service, ami another
regiment which contained five minis
tiers of the Gospel-a chaplain, one cap
tain. and thr, priyates.
i have not space 10 give the details,
but l have.in my possession the min
utes of our chaplains' association, my
diary carefully kept at the time, files
of our religious newspapers, large
number of letters and memoranda from
chaplains and army missionaries, and
other data, gong to show that the
world has rarely witnessed such revi-
yals as We had in Lees arny from the
Autumn Of 1862 to the close of the
war. l never expect to address such
congregations, or to witness such re-
suits, as we daily had in that army
l frequently preached to several thou
sand eager listeners, and have seen
over 500 hundred inquirers after the
way of life presenting themselves at one
time. and have witnessed hundreds of
1t OiC sci
one day in Daviss Mississippi brigade
to a large ge-congregation who assembled
in the open air. and sat through the
service with apparently the deepest in
terest. Notwithstanding tie fact that a
drenching rain was falling at the time.
Upon several occasions | saw bare
footed men standing in the SLOW ut our
service, and one Of the chaplans re-
ported that i'll February, 1864, he
preached in open air to very large
congregation, who stood i'll snow sew
eral inches deep during the entire SER
vice, and that he counted in the num-
ber fourteen bare-footcd men. And this
eagerness to hear the gospel was even
more manifest during the most active
campaigns. On those famous marches
of the valley campaign of 1852. which
won for our brave fellows the sobriquet
of "Jackson's foot cavalry" l never
found men too weary to assemble in
large numbers ut the evening prayer
meeting. and enter with hearty zest
into the simple service. At hsif-past Z
o'clock in the morning on the day OF
the battle Of Cross Keys, a large part
of Keys brigade promptly assembled
on an intimation that there would be
preaching; the chaplain of the 25th
Virginia regiment CRev DR.. c. Taylor.
now missionary to Italy, vas inter
rupted at thirdly" in his able and elo-
queut sermon. by the advance OF the
enemy, and soon the shock of battle
succeeded the invitations Of the gospel.
On the morning Early's brigade was
relieved from its perilous position ut
Warrenton White Sulphur Springs, in
the second Manassas campaign, and re-
crossed to the south side Of the Kappa
hammock, one Of the largest congrega-
,ions ever saw assembled for preach
ing. unmindful of the fierce artillery
duel that was going OH at the time,
until the service was interrupted by the
falling Of immense shells in the centre OF
tue congregation. bat WAS resumed and
completed c ns soon a. tho command
could be moved back to more shell
tered position. The night before the
las. day at the second Manassas. Col
W. ii. S. Bay lur was in command OF
the old Stonewall brigade. Of which he
was made brigadier general the very
d,y be was killed Sending for his
friend Capt. Hugh White, he said to
him: IL know the men are very much
wearied out by he battle of to-day,
aud that they need al! of the rest they
can get to fit them for the impending
struggle of to morrow. But l cannot
consent that We shall seek our repose
until we have had a brief season al
worship to thank God for the victory
of to-day and to beseech his continued
protection and blessing during the ter
rible conflict" The m II were quietly
notified that there would he shcrt
PRAYER meeting, aud nearly the whole
Of the brigade aud number from other
commands assembled at the appointed
place. Capt. Hugh White led the meet
ing with the intelligent zeal of the ex-
pcrienced Christian. Col Baylor joined
/ in II with the fervor OF one who hao
but recently felt the preciousness OF q
newborn faith in Christ, ard 1t was
| solemn and impressive scene to all. In
/ the great battle which followed the next
dav. Col. Baylor. with the flag OF the
"Stonewail' brigade in his hands. and
the shout of victory on his lips, feil'
leading splendid charge. and gave hls
noble life TO the cause be loved so well
As the great cavalry chief. Gen. :! +
II. Stuart. was quietly and calmly
breathing out his noble life. he SAID &c
! President Davis, who stood at has bed,
side, II am willing TO die II uoi anu
INV country think have fulfilled my