J. William Jones, Christ in the camp, or religion in Lee's army

July 15. Preached for our brigade; first camp service since we were broken up so suddenly at Fairfield over three weeks ago.

July 16. Held prayer-meeting for Ninth Alabama.

July 17. Our chaplains held an informal meeting.

Sunday, July 19. Preached for our brigade in the forenoon, and for Brown's in the afternoon, and Rev. R. P. Ransom for us at Bates' brigade at night.

July 22. Attended the meeting of the chaplains of the Army of Tennessee in Chattanooga.

Sunday, July 26. Preached at Tyner's Station to Bates' brigade in the morning, and Rev. Wellborn Mooney preached for us at night.

July 27. A letter to-day from Corresponding Secretary A. W. Miller, of the Evangelical Tract Society, and 100 copies of the Army and Navy Messenger, and another supply of Testaments for the soldiers. In looking up chaplains to distribute Testaments some weeks ago, I could not find a single chaplain in Churchill's Arkansas Brigade.

July 28. Rev. R. P. Ransom preached for our brigade at night.

August 1. Lieutenant-General D. H. Hill has taken command of our corps. When I called to see him he was alone in his quarters, and gave me a cordial greeting. Conversed fully and freely of chaplains and their work. Complimented the Methodist ministry. He is a Presbyterian I think. Expressed his preference for attending camp worship and disapprobation of officers slinking off to town to church. I am pleased with our General Hill.

Our army is now well supplied with evangelists and missionaries of ability, zeal, and fidelity, who seem ready and willing to aid the chaplains in their work. Among the number are Rev. Mr. Wills, Macon, Georgia, and Rev. Mr. Caldwell of the Presbyterian Church. Evangelists, Rev. Dr. J. B. McFerrin, Rev. R. P. Ransom, and Rev. Wellborn Mooney, of the Tennessee Conference, and Rev. C. W. Miller, of Kentucky Conference—four able missionaries—the latter to the Kentucky Brigade.

Sunday, August 2. Chaplain Ellis and I began a brigade meeting. We were assisted during the three weeks it continued by Messrs. Wills, Caldwell, McFerrin, Ransom, Mooney, Miller, Stevenson, and Rev. Colonel Reed, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Dr. Bryson, Presbyterian; Rev. R. P. Ransom preaching oftener than any one during the meeting. I was appointed to superintend the erection of an arbor, and the soldiers constructed one that furnished us plenty of logs for seats and a penitent's form, mourner's bench, or anxious seat; and we had mourners at almost every service, which was held nightly and three times on Sunday, and occasionally happy professions of saving faith.

August 21 had been appointed as a “Day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer,” by President Davis. Chaplains Willoughby, McVoy, Ellis, and myself consulted with regard to the propriety of a general service of the entire division. We agreed that a service for each brigade would be better. General Stewart acquiesced in the arrangement. In the forenoon Rev. R. P. Ransom preached on “The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth;” Rev. Mr. Bryson in the afternoon, and young John P. Mc-Ferrin at night. Four Tennessee soldiers professed religion that night, and we had a shout in the camp.

Dr. B. M. Palmer, of New Orleans, Presbyterian, preached us two grand sermons at the close of the meeting. His themes were: “Unbelief,” night of August 22, and “Retribution,” Sunday, 23d, A. M., and he made a profound impression. Colonel Reed was announced for afternoon service and Dr. Palmer for night, but lo! the Long roll at 2 P. M., and our brigade was on the march, manoeuvre, picket, or battle line for four weeks before we could encamp near the same place in quiet again. And they were memorable weeks of dust, conflict, carnage, and death to thousands of both armies.