The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
THANKSGIVING DAY In
ARMY CAMPS.
November "a.

| Fifty years ago today the soldiers OF
! the Federal armies, to the number OF
more than 10000. observed Thanksgiving
| Day in their camps, in accordance with
a proclamation by the President setting
aside the day for praise TO the Almighty
| for victories and hope of peace.
Lincoln's proclamation, which had been
| issued on October 20, was one of solemn
thanks and of prophecy. When he penned
it his heart was swelled with gratitude
to the Giver of All Things for the rift
that was appearing in the heavy cloud
of war. He now saw hope of peace and
the restoration of the Union. His thanks
and his hope he expressed in words the
dignity and feeling of which could scarce
ly have been excelled.
The preamble OF the proclamation was
I as follows:
1T has pleased Almighty God TO pro-
long our national life another year, de-
Tending us with His guardian care
against unfriendly designs from abroad
and vouChsafing to us in His mercy many
signal victories over the enemy who is of
our own household.
1T has also pleased our Heavenly
Father to favor as well our citizens in
their homes as our soldiers in their
camps. He has largely augmented our
free population by emancipation and by
immigration, while He has opened to us
lltn VI ntdlAlis anu mas GEO"Htu
the labor of our workingmen in every
department Of industry with abundant re
wards
Moreover. He has been pleased to ami
mate and inspire our minds and hearts
with fortitude. courage. and resolution
sufficient for the great trial of civil war.
in which We have been brought by our
adherence as a nation TO the cause OF
freedom and humanity. and to AFFORD to
ne nGn 1ah 10 nf frr1o r. nd
happy deliverance from all our dangers
and Affections"
Prayers from the Dust.
For these reasons the President set
apart the last Thursday in November ito
be observed by all my fellow-citizens.
wherever they may be, as a day OF
thanksgiving and praise TO Almighty
God, the beneficent creator and ruler Of
the universe"
He recommended that on that day they
do reverently humble themselves in the
dust and that from thence offer up peni-
tent and fervent prayers and supplica-
tions 10 the great Disposer Of Events
for return to the inestimable blessings
of peace. union, and harmony throughout
the land which it has pleased Him to as
sign as dwelling place for ourselves and
our posterity throughout all generations"
The spirit in which this injunction from
the President was observed in the army
may be judged from the observance OF
Thanksgiving in Gen. Sheridans army OF
the Shenandoah. then in winter quarters
near Winchester. Va
Hear Words of Moses.
A note of joyousness as we'll as Of
thanks pervaded Sheridan's camps that
day. The regimental bands gave ser
enades. The soldiers were excused from
drills and fatigue duty. In nearly every
camp turkey and "fixings'' from home
were issued to the men. In a few the
good things were lost en- route. causing
much disappointment. In others the gifts
from dear ones far away caused home
sickness.
When grace was said in one regimental
camp the historian Of the day noted that
many an eye glistened with tears"
On the whole the day was observed as
Lincoln wished ii should be observed, in
thankfulness and in gladness, not un-
mixed with sorrow. Its observance prop
erly began with religious exercises
The services held for the Fifth Maine
Regiment may be accepted as typical.
The regiment was assembled at 10 a. m,
and the chaplain. Rev. John R. Adams, a
vigorous. strong-featured man, with
warlike spirit, standing bareheaded in the
sharp mountain air, read to the men the
Presidents proclamation.
Then opening his Bible he read the fif-
teenth chapter of Exodus. the song Of
Moses clarifying the delivery of the chill
dren of lsreal from Egypt, and the de-
struction OF Pharaoh's hosts in the Red
Sea. 1t was a militant passage, well
suited to the spirit Of the grim veterans
who listened to II, many of whom had
seen victory dawning only after more |
than three years of bitter war.
Il will sing unto the Lord for He |
hath triumphed gloriously." read the /
chaplain. The Lord is the man Of war. |
Thy right hand. o Lord. is be- |
come glorious in power; Thy right hand. |
o Lord, hath dashed in pieces the en- |
emy. ="
Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the |
people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou !
hast guided them in Thy strength unto |
Thy holy habitation
THE Lord shall reign forever and |
ever
The scene as these words fell upon the
Ears of the bronzed soldiers, standing un-
covered on the windy parade ground, in
sight of the blue, snow-tipped mountains
Of Western Virginia, may be imagined.
The remarks of the pastor, his prayer,
and his benediction were listened to in
proper respect and sympathy. Though
there was hope OF peace, ther was still
the fire of war in the hearts of the Fed
aral army.
NCENDIARIES ATTEMPT TO