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there were so few interested about religious matters, I feared they would not build a chapel; but I bespoke the use of their theatre for my preaching!
On my return from furlough they had nearly completed one of the best arranged, neatest and most comfortable chapels which I ever saw in the army.
It was on this plan:
In this house I had many delightful services, of which more anon.
Terry's Brigade, camped in strict military regularity, had two chapels, one at either wing of the camp.
That erected at left wing for use of Brothers Booker.
Gilmore and
Williams was large, and thus:
d= door fronting upon camp eastward;
c c =chimneys;
P= pulpit.
This was first completed.
The one at right wing for See's use was thus:
D=door facing inward, upward upon camp westward;
P=pulpit;
c c=fireplace in centre; two faces, one to each wing, and chimney-stem passing out through top of roof by the ridge pole.
This was very comfortable; but just as it was completed we moved into trenches, and left it for
Wallace's Brigade.
Smith's chapel, in
Evans's Brigade, was much larger than either of these, but less convenient and
elegant; as follows:
These were all built of pine logs and covered with pine slabs, while thick pine slabs or logs made seats.
All chapels I have mentioned were made of similar material, and built in same way substantially.
I devoted myself that winter principally to the Louisiana Brigade, and to the two guard-houses of
Gordon's Division and Second Corps.
General Gordon, commanding corps, directed me to remain still at his Headquarters.
We organized in the Louisiana Brigade a Bible-class and prayer-meeting through the zeal of a lieutenant of the Ninth Regiment and the leader of the band, who was a recently converted educated German atheist, and these two agencies became very operative and interesting.
The band, under the generous impulse of its very skilful leader, led or accompanied all our music in public service, and thrilled my soul by many solemn and impressive suggestions as very few church choirs and church organs have ever done.
Since our separation how often has my heart longed for the instrumental music of
Professor Doll and his accommodating band.
