The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-09

mighty uprising of the North, Prof.
Mitchell was present and addressed
the vast multitude. Mr.. Abbott says:
"The speech he made upon this
occasion was so soulful and thrilling,
and Professor Mitchell, subsequently,
as Gen. Mitchell, signalized himself
upon the field of battle, that his words
are worthy of permanent record. The
Nation will not forget him as one of
her sons whom she will love to
honor"
The closing words of that speech
were these: 81 am ready, God help me
to do my duty! am ready to fight
in the ranks or out of the ranks.
Having been educated at West Point,
having been in the army seven years,
having served as commander of
volunteer company fourteen years,
and having served as an adjutant gen
eral, l feel l am ready for something.
I only ask to be permitted to act, and
in Gods name give me something to
do" In accordance with the patriotic
spirit then manifested, he soon
assumed command and performed
deeds of heroism and successful gen.
eralship. Prof. Hackett testifes that
he twas an eloquent man as we'll as
learned and brave, and often addressed
his men on religious subjects. He
did not esteem it beneath his dignity
or subversive of military discipline
to endeavor to bring his command
under the lead of the great captain of
our salvation. On one occasion, at the
conclusion of sermon preached to
the Ninth Ohio brigade, near Shelby
vile, Tenn, the general took his stand
on huge rock as pulpit, and &C.
cupied half an hour in delivering
what is described as one of the best
religious discourses ever heard.
He commenced by saying that he
did not appear there as the general
commanding, but in a higher capa-
city; that he would address them as
a man to his fellow men, as one striv-
ing with them for the same eternal
happiness for which all are candi-
dates in this probationary life. (Here
we observe his theology.) He insisted
that the highest duty of soldier was
to be Christian; religion heightened
every enjoyment, and prepared him
to discharge better all his obligations.
A chaplain who was present says, at
was sublime scene; he left an i'm
preston on the minds of his auditors
never to be forgotten. The effect of
this sermon was heightened by the
fact that the services were held on the
mountain top amid the rugged
grandeurof East Tennessee" "Mem-
orials of the War" by H. B Hackett,
D. d.
One historian Of the war testiies
that "the brilliant campaign OF Gen.
eral Ormsby M. Mitchell through
Tennessee, into Alabama, constitutes
an epic of the wal, which must ever ex-
cite admiration. His movement was
almost as sudden and luminous as
the path of the meteor which he had
so often followed through the skies.
On the 2Sth of September, 1861, he
was appointed Brigadier General, and
assigned a command in the army of
the West, under Gen. Buel, near
Louisville, Ky. Here he became a
great favorite with his troops, who,
we'll informed as to his astronomical
and scientific reputation gave him the
pet name of old Stars" Abbott's
History.
An anecdote is recorded concerning
him which is quite interesting in this
connection. San officer with whom
he had business to transact reported
himself at later hour than had been
named for the interview. Sir, you
are late,' exclaimed the General.
Only few seconds responded the
officer. Sir, l have been in the habit
of computing the value of one-one-
hundredth part of second retorted
the General. The subordinate felt
the rebuke and was silent. The diff
ference of a few seconds affects the
movements of earth and sun and
stars, and affects often as really the
fate of armies and the destiny of ma
tions and individuals"
We may see the appropriateness
of the generals answer when we call
to mind that "among the monuments
of his skill in perfecting the necessary
apparatus for his department of
science is an instrument at Albany
for recording right ascensions and
destinations by electromagnetic aid
to within one-one-thousandth of a
second of time, and for measure
ment with great accuracy of large