[504]
were baptized at one time, just in front of Dr. Quarles's house, in a beautiful stream that runs by it. The occasion was quite a touching one.
The appointment for the baptizing having been circulated, the citizens of the vicinity were present, and among them quite a collection of ladies.
Dr. Quarles's female school turned out. The ladies joined in the singing, and the bare sound of female voices brought tears to many a soldier's eye.
When we left Gordonsville, which we did on the 4th of May, we plunged at once into the severest campaign of the war. The army lived in the trenches, as you know, all that summer.
My brigade enjoyed several seasons of respite; that is, they would be relieved from the fatigue and danger of the front line, and would be kept in reserve in the rear.
One of these seasons was protracted more than six weeks, during which time we held from three to five meetings a day. It was a precious season.
The men were relieved from all duty, even guard-duty and cooking, so that we had nothing to do but hold meetings.
A prayer-meeting at sunrise, an inquiry-meeting at 8, preaching at 11, a prayer-meeting at 4 for the success of our (Confederate) cause, preaching again at night, was the usual programme of the day. Our prayer and inquiry-meetings were held under a large, sweet-gum tree, about two hundred yards from the camp.
We usually had from fifty to seventyfive brethren at these, not one of whom refused to lead in prayer, and not a few would interest us with remarks and exhortations.
The preaching was done in the bivouac (we had no tents except such as the men carried on their backs). The religious interest of the brigade seemed more general than I had ever seen it before.
I have looked around over the whole camp during preaching, and failed to see a single loiterer.
Some forty or fifty made profession at this time, and I baptized them, or rather the most of them, in a pond, the only one in the vicinity, where we were exposed to the fire of the enemy; but not one of us was hurt on such occasions, though the bullets whistled most unpleasantly around and in the midst.
Brother Campbell, of the Tenth Georgia, was my efficient co-laborer.
I have but few of my army acquaintances near me now. It will always be pleasant for me to testify to their piety and devotion in the army.
If the above can be of any service whatever to you, you may be assured you are welcome to it, and I send it with strong regret that I could not serve you more efficiently.
I am sorry I have had to write this in a hurry.
As well as I remember, over a hundred made profession of religion in the brigade after I entered it, who continued steadfast during the war and so far as I have heard from them are pious yet.
Your brother,
From Rev. J. J. Hyman, Baptist, chaplain Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment.
I left my home on the 10th day of March, 1862; joined the Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment as a private soldier on the 1st day of May.
I was commissioned chaplain of the Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment.
The battles around Richmond prevented us from having regular Divine service.
After the battles were over, the Forty-ninth Georgia Regiment was attached to General J. R. Anderson's Brigade, afterwards General E. L. Thomas's. At this time I was the only chaplain in the brigade (four regiments). I, being young, knew but little about the duties of a chaplain, but was willing to do anything in my Master's cause.
Being in the command of General Jackson, we had but little time for religious service during the whole of 1862.
On the 16th of December, 1862, we went into quarters at Camp Gregg, six miles south of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where I opened regular night service; sometimes in the open air, at other times (when weather was bad) in tents.
Congregations were very good; often I have seen large numbers leave the door of the tent, being unable
