New-York tribune., 1878-07-13
CONOERNING ARMY OHAPLAIES
A LETTER FROM ONE OF THEM.

A LETTER FROM ONE OF THEM.
THE REV. EDWIN B. RAFFESsPERGER REPLIES TO
GENERAL sTEEDMAN, AND RECALLS SEVERAL
PERSONAL REMINlscENCRs.
To the Editor or The TPtbNRe.
SIR: In the olden time the term "scape-
goat the embodiment OF great truth In religion
and IL made TO represent also cardinal doctrine
in theology. rise not to explain but record IL
lamentable fact that there exists wicked dispos
ton the part OF evmnded persons to hold the min
listers Of religion responsible for the sins OF the people
The proyerb like priest, like people," evidently means
something's but is 1t not suggestive OF thousand cruel
Judgments containing class Of humble army servants
called ehapainsi The world is entirely willing TO
them scapegoats and insists placing on our
already overburdened shoulders things for which
ought not to furnish transportation People look
with much more complaeeney on the sins OF the pew
than the sins Of the pulpit deviation from "bee
line" the part of preacher is not wholesome thing
for the Of religion. II he be found guilty Of mis-
demeanor the whole fraternity must pass under cloud
of suspicion
Among the saddest things OF the late war might be
enumerated the list Of damages sustained by the gentle
of cloth, for which the Government is too poor
70 make adequate indemniheation. AS test Of human
character, Is indeed like rehners fire, and ike
fuller's soap" Some Of us went into It apparently
whole, and of 1t free from the kind Of
made by sword ball or shell but somehow, during the
past fifteen years it hasn't gone well with us as be-
fore the The exigencies of those sad in the
tented field brought into piabe nOtoriety ali pecu
arites and weaknesses As we all held the same ranks
we regarded birds of feather and the popular
idea was that the acts OF Of number would be
ndorsed by all the rest And so to pass that all
the ehapans had to act scapegoats for the sins OF
few.
Alas those were trying days for preachers. That
which served as good medicine in one locality proved
deadly poison in another One spoke and he gave
H. aof
fence II the voice Of still for war;" he was
sure to anger the peace party in the North. If he
studied the things that made for peace, he was sure
anger the party II he tried the experiment OF
sitting on fence he found the rail very uncomfora-
ble Many house has divided. One day kind Chris
tian man reasoned with his son, soldier I'm the Union
Army on the lnhumanity OF throwing Greek fire into
Charleston What was his horror at hearing in reply:
"A right, father Greek fire for rebels. and hell fre
for rebel sympathzers" The old peace saint held his
breath and said no more.
It was difficult TO find the right sort Of men for In
struetOrs OF soldiers the high duties Of religion.
The Government made ample provision 70. the support
Of chaplains. For rank and emolument they were as
captains of cavalry No wonder that many an obscure
and unworthy preacher Of employment tempted
by poverty and the devil to seek chaplancy. Per-
sOnal and political influence not unfrequently deter
mined the selection OF this officer Many, therefore,
went the contest who entirely unfit for their
nigh mlSSOD Inc uOluSS VI theSc SVVA
brought reproach on the profession With all the adj
vantages afforded by kind and oDsing commanders, 1t
was very difficult for the faithful chaplain TO do what
his heart prompted for the benefit OF the soldiers The
weather the location and many other causes eOnspred
sometimes for weeks TO prevent preaching service by
some who cared not for religion. the chaplain was re-
garded simply the tith wheel OF o wagon. Soldiers
were quick TO notice and ready TO communicate to each
other all the bad conduct OF those who dshOnored the
Office We fell in with some chaplans whose antece-
dents were decidedly bad Before the war they bad for
feed their standing in the Church. but now they per-
formed their functions without reproOf FROM any one
case might be cited where the superior officers, when
reminded that their chaplain unworthy Of the Office
cooy replied that they had elected him because he was
man OF easy virtue and they wanted restraint upon
their habits. This chaplain, like his fell0wofcers in
the regiment, frequently under the influence or
liquor. The miserable creature shocked the
feelings OF the poor soldiers, who needed
and wanted a religious counsellor and guide.
On one received message at midnight from
dying soldier belonging to another regiment The mes
senger said 1t was half mile to the farmhouse
where the poor man and a few others under the
treatment Of the surgeon. They wanted minister to
60 over and pray with the who near death.
"why not send for your chaplainp Because" was
the touching reply, "this is time for a drunken
preacher be foong around u.s." That very night this
unworthy chaplain had made attempt to bis rounds
among the Sick but was 50 much intoxicated that te
lans seemed 70 glory IN thelr aolny 20 Say say anu ~ uo
strange things In those days We heard OF tine horse-
ing chaplain" the swearing chaplain" and tho fight
ing chaplain" The eccentrietes OF these wandering
stars were generously placed the credit Of the whole
fraternity II preacher does these things OF course
the rest viii do them also.
1t was an easy thing TO get up false report about
chaplain. few personal "reminiscences may be in
place One day, just before engagement the sol
ders charge Of section of artillery were wheeling
brass gun up high hill that overlooked the enrench-
ments OF the enemy. Curiosity had prompted me TO
leave my horse, "the lightning splitter" as the boys
called him. at the foot OF the hill, while accompanied
the soldiers and did what thought proper to bolster
them up in the belief that on that very Sabbath after
noon they were just much in the line Of duty we're
the missionaries abOring IN India or China Among other
to say IA they were about to fire. Now boys give them
hail" The rascals misunderstood me- and IN Few days
conn., of that event and also what daring Ohio chap
lain had said the substance OF which was that they
should now proceed TO administer 10 our Southern
brethren something hotter than the hottest OF July
weather In spite Of all my protestauons to the con.
rary the soldiers persisted IN giving me ereu or "hat
1 never said.
On another OCCASION while our regiment the glorious
old 4th yet in Kentucky the fine army trunk that
the young men OF my congregation in Toledo had
bought for me and sent TO Camp Dick Robinson by
some mishap fell into the hands of express agent,
who held on to It for several weeks without making
known TO us the fact and when, return from Wd
Cat we found the article In his possession he demanded
an exorbitant price for its surrender Here was mani
fest breach the decaogue II ia wrong at all times TO
steal but to steal such trunk, filed with the precious
and ongoOkedfor dantes procured by kind hearts for
the refreshment the famishing STAFF officers, aud 20
keep in his vile office until the deicacies were spoiled.
and then ask for its release about onehrd its cost
WAS an offence Of ordinary character. The express
agent had authority TO take this trunk belonging 70
an army officer from the Government team or military
sore-house unless he bad received positive orders to
that effect from the owner OF tho trunk His conduct
was mean in the extreme. IN conversation found HIM
IOmpous insolent unreasonable, and, worse then
all an apparent rebel. / could do nothing with