The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-07-13

regard for the swearing clause of the army
regulations and for the rules that govern
the speech of gentility, but he couldn't
have chosen remark better timed to set
up the spirits of the man he addressed. To
be selected by a judge who knows his bust
ness as the ablest among scores Of possible
appointees to lead thousand fighting men
in battle-what grander compliment was
ever paid to a mdttalp Many general
wearing two stars and marshaling a whole
division would be proud to have behind
him the reputation of having been good
colonel. Now, the very last man around
regimental headquarters to be suspected of
hiding the gifts Of a leader under his jacket
is the traditional army chaplain, but war
shows hosts of people just what they can
do the best Many good man went to the
front in 1861, bearing a long white face and
gilt edged prayer book, and marched
home with bronzed cheeks and a sword not
innocent of the blood Of fellow men; and
some, alas, didn't come back, but the wings
of fame waited home to be inscribed on the
memorial window of some vine embowered
church the beautiful legend sacred to the
first grenadier of France, Mort sur lie
champ de bataille." @
Fighting chaplains? Yes, ask any vet
eran of fighting regiment for story, and
it will be electromagnetic is, If the regi-
ment had any chaplain, and it is more than
likely it did not, especially during its fight
ing period. There would have been more
stories had there been fewer chaplains like
the western brother, who was by far too
good soldier to be wasted in prayer max
| ing when there was other work to do. They
didn'tstay chaplains, and in the war stories
| =, l. hop
gestive ring. -
Priests who took up the sword at the out
set have their reward in the annals of their
fellows. There were whole regiments off.
cered throughout by dominies and filled
with young men cut out by praying moth.
ers and conscientious tutors for the high
calling of priests to God. They managed tc
cling to a saving measure of grace and
achieve good fighting records at the same
time. The Forty -eighth New York, Per
RVS Saints" was such a command. The
Seventy third Illinois, the preacher Regi
ment," was another, and also the Forfeit
Wisconsin, the God and Morality Regi
ment." Their records for grace are not OF
file in the war department., but their rec
ords for fighting are, and they stood neal
the top. But warlike chaplains is my
theme, whether they staid chaplains ant
mixed other things with their righteous
ness or put by the surplice altogether t.
buckle on fighting armor.
OF the first class was Father John Ireland
chaplain of the Fifth Minnesota, and nov
archbishop of the St. Paul diocese H
made fighting record of three years a
chaplain. The Right Rev. Samuel Fallows
bishop Of the Episcopal church at Mil
waukee, was chaplain first, then colonel
then brigadier. Colonel James F. Jaques
of the Seventy third Illinois began arm
life as a chaplain and made history a
leader of fighting regiment.
The Fifth Minnesota saw some desperat
, work. It was at Corinth, Vicksburg, Re
River, Tupelo, Spanish Fort and Nashville
and he was no ordinary man who could liv
) through in any capacity and not get "broke
in reputation if nothing more Here is on
of Father Ireland's deeds. At Corinth Oct
4, 1862, when the intrepid Earl van Dor
, hurled his battalions against the Unto
works, there was crisis at Battery Robinet
The enemy preached the line and penetrate
the streets of Corinth. Like whirlwinc
! the Fifth Minnesota swept down on til
ragged flank of the penetrating column
hedging it in and beating and battering
back with wall of belching rifles and stu1
ming volleys of bullets. The captured ba
, teries were retaken, the line re-establishet
E and suddenly the firing ceased. The angr
Confederates turned hopefully and forme
for another and a fercer attempt. Wit