Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-11-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
Impressive War Incident.
[Rev J. VIM Jones' :: Christ in the Camp in
the Religious Herald

[Rev. J. Vim. Jones' 50 Christ in the Camp" in
the Religious Herald.l
On the night before the last days
battle at Second Manassas, occurred
one of the most touching episodes of
which heard. Col. W. S. II. Baylor
ought really to call him General,
for Stonewall jackson and r. f. Lee
had both recommended his promotion,
and his commission had actually been
made out when news of his lamented
death reached Richmond, one of the
most widely known and loved young
men in the State, was in command of
the famous old " Stonewall Brigade, :"
which had the year before won its
name and immortal fame on these his
toric plains. Sending for his friend,
Capt. Hugh White--son of the vener-
able DR.. VIM. S. White of Lexington,
Stonewall Jackson's old pastor, and
himself a theological student-who
commanded one of the companies in
the brigade, " Will" Baylor Gas we
used familiarly to call him) said to
him: '' know the men are very much
wearied out by the battle to-day, and
that they need all of the rest they can
get to fit them for the impending
struggle of tomorrow. But cannot
consent that we shall sleep tonight
until we have had brief season of
prayer to thank God for the victory
and preservation of the day, and to
beseech His protection and blessing
during the continuance of this terrible
conflict" Hugh White entered at
once into the proposal, Rev. A. c.
Hopkins (then chaplain of the Sec
Ond Virginia Infantry, now pastor of
the Presbyterian church at Charles
town, w. Va, and one of those faith
full chaplains who was always found
at the post of duty even when it was
the post of hardship or of danger)
was found in the bivouac near by and
gladly consented to lead the meeting.
The men were quietly notified that
there would be a prayer meeting at
brigade headquarters as soon as they
could assemble. and nearly the whole
of this brigade and many from other
brigades promptly gathered at the ap-
pointed spot. 1t was n tender, pre-
cious season of worship there in line
of battle and in full hearing of the
enemy. Col. Baylor entered into it
with the burning zeal of the young
convert--he had found Christ in camp
only a short time before-and Capt.
Hugh White, with the ripened expe-
rience of the Christian of long stand
ing, and many of the participants
realized, with Jacob of old, that the
place was 80 none other than the house
of God, and the gate of heaven" In
the great battle which followed the
next day. when the Confederate line
was pressing grandIy forward and
driving everything before it, Will
Baylor, with the flag of the Stonewall
Brigade in his hands and the shout of
victory on his lips, fell in the very
forefront of the battle and gave his
brave. noble, young life to the land
he loved so well and served so faith
fully. Hard by, and about the same
moment, Hugh White was shot down
while behaving with most conspicuous
gallantry, and those two young men
who mingled so lovingly in the prayer
meeting of the night before had en-
tered through the pearIy gates. were
walking golden streets, and were
wearing fadeless crowns of victory
THAT crown with peerless glories bright
Which shall new iustre boast,
When victors' wreaths and monarch's gems
haII In 1s,e4