The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-02
Religion in the Confederate Ranks
By Hilary A. Herbert in the New York Churchman.

talked over in camp. AS he, too. came
forward. one of his comrades said
What, you, too. Pat / thought you
said you wouldn't re-enlist." Faith, -
was the answer. and do you think I
ate grape shot at Sharpsburg for moth
ing?' short history of the regiment
I wrote in camp that month states that
on the day of the re-enlistment we had
no meat. only rations of bread. The
Eighth Alabama was among the first to
respond TO General Lee : request The
other regiments did the same.
That Army of Northern Virginia
knew in the winter of 1884, of the block
ade that was locking fast the ports
OF the Confederacy , IL knew of the loss
Of the Mississippi River. of the gun
boats that were patrolling almost every
Southern stream. severing communica-
tons and destroying supplies, and of
the almost hopeless situation in the
West; it knew that Confederate rail-
roads and rolling-stOck were wearing
out and supplies being exhausted 4: IL had
no hope or recruits enough 20 fill the
places Of those who were TO fail in
battle. and II knew Of the vast mum bers
that were being mustered in the army
across the river. To look back now for
half century and recall that one was a
soldier in that army and shared the
spirit that then animated it, u an in
spiratIon- The story that army told
from the Wilderness 70 Appomattox was
worthy OF its history from the First
Manassas to Gettysburg. But real as
all Il 20 me. half a century has slipped
away. The passions of that terrible
war have died out OF the men who
fought its great battles. History IS
nov shedding its bright light on their
brave deeds and lofty motives and the
survivors OF the two armies are pre-
parIng for another meeting on Penn
svivania soil. a scmi-ccntennial annivcr-
sary in July. 1913. From that day
forward Gettysburg battlefield Is TO
stand forever as memorial not only
Of American manhood and patriotism.
but OF American brotherhood as well.
The Army OF Northern Virginia. ex-
copfiur the other armies Of the Con-
fcderacy. was the most purely American
Of any great army that ever answered
20 the beat 81 a drum. More than nine
tcuth- OF D. were Of the old stock that
made tho Declaration of Independence.
fought the Revolutionary War and go
fahHshcd the Constitution Of f7s3-
There had been a quarrel between tho
North and South. growing out OF the
fafrgui inheritance 81 slavery and the
movers OF the Federal government
over BE- under the Constitution. but At
least four-afths 81 Lees army we're non
STAKEHOLDER and Of non-slaveholding
faniiIcs That army was In arms not
20 pcrpetuatc slavery. but % maintain
the Independence Of tho Confcderacy.
over which The old Constitution had
been erected. while the army on tho
Other side Of the Rapidan was there 30
maintain that same Consultation over
40 undivided Union.
Unfortunately the writer kept no
diary In those glorious days. and 81.
-. A.. - a..
rarne-. but 10 must have been IN April.
fsat. when. from. tho picket line near
the bridge where the Orange and Alex
ardr.a Railroad crossed the Rapidan. he
went forward TO meet = Federal officer
v-ho had answered his signal The Of