Robert Lewis Dabney, Life and Commands of Lieutenand- General Thomas J. Jackson

“ [646] by the enemy, to come to his Headquarters, and labor as a missionary in his corps; promising to make a contribution of five hundred dollars per year to his support out of his private purse.)” He had visited me soon after my arrival here; and I desired him to labor in my army corps, and expected him to return in about a week: though not necessarily to accept a proposition which I had made him: For he told me that, as he was in charge of a congregation, he could not decide what his course would be, until he should see more respecting his charge. Shortly after my writing to Colonel Preston, Mr. Lacy returned; and I hope that through God's blessing, his labors will be with the army until the war terminates....

Whilst I hope to have Mr. L. in my corps, yet if you think that our church, in making a proper distribution of her ministerial talent and piety, can send to my corps another of her gifted sons, I will be greatly gratified, and will contribute to his support as promised in my letter to Colonel Preston. And I should like very much to have Dr. Palmer, judging from what I have heard of him. But I do not wish to make invidious distinctions. My desire is to see just such a distribution of labors as will most promote the glory of God. ....

You suggest that I give my views and wishes in such form and extent as I am willing should be made public. This I shrink from doing, because it looks like presumption in me, to come before the public and even intimate what course I think should be pursued by the people of God. I have had so little experience in church matters, as to make it very proper, it appears to me, to keep quite beyond the expression of my views to friends. Whilst I feel that this is the proper course for me to pursue, and the one which is congenial to my feelings, yet if you and Colonel Preston, after prayerful consultation, are of opinion that my name, in connexion with my wishes, will be the means of doing