Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-18

holiness and conservation, with praises
for past mercies and earnest prayers
!or future protection and deliverance.
Thousands OF these brave followers OF
Southern banners became consistent
and devoted soldiers Of the cross. Gem
eral Lee. who WINS a deeply pious man.
manifested IA constant and profound In
tcrcSt in the progress OF this religious
work among his soldiers
Back Of the army on the farms in
the towns and In thc cities the fingers
OF Southern women were busy knit
ting socks and sewing seams OF coarse
trousers and gray jackets for the SOL
diers at the front. From the humblcst
country matrons and maidens. their
busy needles were stitching, stitching.
stitching day and night. Our anxious
commander thanked them for their ef-
forts TO bring greater comfort to the
cold feet and shivcring limbs OF mis-
half-clad soldiers. He said that he
could almost hear. in the stiffness OF
the night, the needles click AS they
flew through the meshes. Every click
was "A prayer, every stitch a tear. His
tributes were tender and constant TO
these glorious Southern women for
their labor and sacrifices for Southern
independence. His unselnsh solicitude
Tor HIS men was marked and unvary
ing lie semitic the suffering privatrs
in the hospitals the delicncies con
tributed for his personal use from
Gus about his health. If handful Of
real coffee came TO him, II went in the
same direction. while he cheerfully
drank from his tin cup the wretchcd
substitute made from parchcd corn or
beans He was the idolized commander
of his army and at the same time the
sympathiz!ng brother OF his men
RELIGIOUS REVJYALS
DURING THE WINTER
The religious revivals. which occurred
In the southern camps. on the con
trary. while banishinR from the heart
unworthy passions. prepared the sol
tl!ers for more heroic endurance--lift-
ed them. In measure, above their
suffering. nervcd them FOR the COMING;
battles. exalted them to n higher con-
ceDtion Of duty. imbued them with
spirit OF more cheerful submission TO
the DEGREES Of Providence. sustained
them with calmer and nObler cour-
age. and rendered them. not insensible
TO danger. but superior To il. The life
we now live is not the only life. What
We call death is not an eternal sleep
The soldiers grave IL not an evcrlast-
Ing prison. but the gateway TO an end.
less life beyond. and this belief in
immortality should he cultivated In
armies. because OF the potent influence
IT mus; exert in developing the best
characteristics of the soldier.
Aside from any regard for the purely
enlightened nations of Europe have
shown a co!nmcndable worldly wisdom
in making religious literature part OF
an nrmy's equipment. No one who calm
~ and fairly considers the conditions
which surrounded the soldiers Of the
Confederate armies when they were
d!sbandcd and the manner In which the
men met those conditions, can doubt
that their profound religious co.ivic-
tons, which were deepened In the
camps. had notent influence upon
their conduc, in the trying years which
followed the war.
My next letter viii be my experience
as a soldier during the Civil War. and
the battle OF The Wilderness and pos
sibly the battle OF Spotsylvania Court
house.
j. A CRADDOCk
COMPANY g. Twenty-Second battalion
Virginia Volunteers. Infantry,
ficldss Brigade, \. y Hilis
Division.