Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

“We spent last Sabbath at Camp Trousdale, about forty miles from Nashville, and within two miles of the Nashville and Louisville Railroad. The former camp, immediately on the road, lacked water, and two weeks ago the troops were removed to their present location, where much water is, and of the very best kind. For shading trees, undulating ground, and cool springs, there could hardly be a more eligible encampment. It is within two miles of the Kentucky line, and has 5,600 soldiers. At half-past 9 the drum-call gathered our congregation in Col. Battle's regiment. Rev. J. A. Edmondson has lately been elected their chaplain from the ranks. We had a respectful hearing for the sermon, reverent attitude in prayer, and were assisted by some good voices in singing. About the same hour, Brother Armstrong, Chaplain of Col. Hatton's regiment, Brother Crisman, of Col. Newman's, Brother Tucker, of Col. Fulton's, Brother Poindexter, of Col. Savage's, were conducting Divine service. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon we conducted a brief religious service for Col. Palmer's regiment. This regiment held an election last Thursday, and has secured an excellent chaplain, Rev. J. H. Richie, of the Tennessee Conference. Brother Richie went through the Mexican campaign, in the ranks. After dinner, in company with Brother Armstrong, we went through the hospitals located in this region. The sick list — measles — is pretty large in some of the regiments; but the sick are well cared for, and there never was a better time and place for soldiers to take their camp acclimation. The readers of the Advocate will be pleased to learn that the Sabbath day is observed in camp. There is no drilling, which here is real hard work six days in the week. The universal good order was not only gratifying, but astonishing; the whole day's scene agreeably belied our conceptions of camp life. We saw no dram-drinking or card-playing; heard no profanity. Ladies might be seen visiting friends and relatives, and they can do so with perfect safety, for last week a soldier was put under guard for six days for kissing his hand at a lady unknown to him. The fact is, our volunteer armies are made up of gentlemen, and to an unprecedented degree of Christian gentlemen. If the Lincoln cabinet could visit our camps and witness the stuff our men are made of, and take one day's impression of their physical and moral stamina, we believe the last hope of subjugating such a people would die out of them. We learn with pleasure that a good state of religious feeling pervades the Southern army. In Col. Bates' regiment, now in Virginia, there are many Christians, among them Capt. Henry, a local preacher of the Methodist church from Summer County. Captain Henry has regular prayer meetings among the soldiers. When present, he leads; but when absent, some of the young men conduct the services. The interest, we understand, in these meetings is constantly increasing. Much good will be accomplished, and young men who have gone into the field bearing the name of Christ, will come back with their Christian armor bright. There is a Christian association in Camp Cheatham, Tennessee, who hold prayer meetings at stated times, and exercise an excellent influence. Rev. W. H. Browning, who spent last Sabbath at the camp, makes a very favorable report of its moral condition. At Sparta, Georgia, I heard Bishop Pierce make one of the most eloquent and thrilling addresses to a vast crowd of soldiers and people, on fast-day, after a sermon. He said:--‘Did I know a man here who would refuse to subscribe cotton or money to carry on this war of defence while it lasts, I would never shake his hand, nor darken his doors with my presence.’ The Bishop's only son, just married, an accomplished Christian, has volunteered as a private, and the Bishop himself subscribes one-half his crop to the Confederacy.”