[568]
Regiment one year as chaplain, and learning that Rev. Allen Tribble, of the Tennessee Conference, a most excellent man, would like to enter the army as chaplain, and believing that he would be very acceptable among his friends and kindred in the Fourth Tennessee, and having such a high appreciation of the Georgia soldiers in our brigade who have no chaplain, I petitioned for a transfer to the Third Georgia Battalion, which was granted by those in authority.
I was glad to receive the following from the colonel in command of our regiment, who was captain of the company in which I served for awhile as an independent private.
This testimonial was very unexpected, as the colonel was no Christian and a man of very few words. He was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, as were many of the officers and soldiers of that regiment. Captain Ross, of Coffee county, Tennessee, I found a very true Christian during all his stay in the army. Very few of the officers of that regiment made any profession of piety, but they treated me with due respect during my connection with the regiment. The Third Georgia Battalion, which soon after became the Thirty-seventh Georgia Regiment, was one of the noblest bodies of men with whom I came in personal contact during the war. I found the surgeon, Dr. R. B. Gardner, of Barnesville, a most congenial, companionable Christian man of sweet spirit and exemplary character. Dr. Gardner after the war wished to live in Tennessee, and at my suggestion came to Giles county and taught school at Bethel and elsewhere, and was for some years a minister in the Methodist Church before his death. The assistant surgeon, Dr. Holmes, was also a true Christian of manly deportment. Among others to whom I was strongly attached were Captains Carter, of Barnesville, and Wilson, of Spring Place—the latter a Presbyterian of culture, and the former a wam-hearted Methodist. They and many others whose names I doubt not are now as then in the Lamb's Book of Life were just such Christians as were greatly needed in camp. Among others I remember so well was Lieutenant Amos R. Kendall, now Dr. Kendall, the pastor of the First Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia. The lieutenant was not then religious, if I remember correctly. August 15. Visited our sick soldiers at Bean's Station. August 16. Took leave of our wounded Federal prisoners of the Sixteenth Ohio, and had a night march from Walden's Ridge through Tazewell to Cumberland Gap. Sunday, August 17. Lay in front of the Gap all day and had to lie low and keep out of the way of the enemy's shells. August 18. An interesting talk with young McDuffie, of the ‘Lula Guards.’ A pious mother's influence at home now tells well upon her noble boy in camp, who is trying here to live a Christian. August 20th. Went with our soldiers on a scout over the Double Mountain south of the Gap. Was in rifle range of the enemy. August 22. Had prayers with Captain Phelps' company. August 24. Preached valedictory to the Fourth Tennessee at night, and then marched down Powel's Valley the remainder of the night. Sunday, August 25. Rested at Rodger's Gap while the cannon were carried over the Cumberland Mountains by hand. Met Chaplains McHan, of the Thirtysixth, and Kramer, of the Thirty-ninth Georgia Regiments. Crossed the Cumberland Mountains at Rodger's Gap.
Rev. S. M. Cherry, being about to be transferred as chaplain from the Fourth Tennessee Regiment, I take great pleasure in recommending him as a chaplain of merit and entirely worthy of commendation.
He has served this regiment as chaplain with zeal and I believe with much usefulness, and besides in other respects he has contributed materially to the comfort and welfare of the regiment.
J. H. Mcmurray, Colonel commanding Regiment.
This testimonial was very unexpected, as the colonel was no Christian and a man of very few words. He was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, as were many of the officers and soldiers of that regiment. Captain Ross, of Coffee county, Tennessee, I found a very true Christian during all his stay in the army. Very few of the officers of that regiment made any profession of piety, but they treated me with due respect during my connection with the regiment. The Third Georgia Battalion, which soon after became the Thirty-seventh Georgia Regiment, was one of the noblest bodies of men with whom I came in personal contact during the war. I found the surgeon, Dr. R. B. Gardner, of Barnesville, a most congenial, companionable Christian man of sweet spirit and exemplary character. Dr. Gardner after the war wished to live in Tennessee, and at my suggestion came to Giles county and taught school at Bethel and elsewhere, and was for some years a minister in the Methodist Church before his death. The assistant surgeon, Dr. Holmes, was also a true Christian of manly deportment. Among others to whom I was strongly attached were Captains Carter, of Barnesville, and Wilson, of Spring Place—the latter a Presbyterian of culture, and the former a wam-hearted Methodist. They and many others whose names I doubt not are now as then in the Lamb's Book of Life were just such Christians as were greatly needed in camp. Among others I remember so well was Lieutenant Amos R. Kendall, now Dr. Kendall, the pastor of the First Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia. The lieutenant was not then religious, if I remember correctly. August 15. Visited our sick soldiers at Bean's Station. August 16. Took leave of our wounded Federal prisoners of the Sixteenth Ohio, and had a night march from Walden's Ridge through Tazewell to Cumberland Gap. Sunday, August 17. Lay in front of the Gap all day and had to lie low and keep out of the way of the enemy's shells. August 18. An interesting talk with young McDuffie, of the ‘Lula Guards.’ A pious mother's influence at home now tells well upon her noble boy in camp, who is trying here to live a Christian. August 20th. Went with our soldiers on a scout over the Double Mountain south of the Gap. Was in rifle range of the enemy. August 22. Had prayers with Captain Phelps' company. August 24. Preached valedictory to the Fourth Tennessee at night, and then marched down Powel's Valley the remainder of the night. Sunday, August 25. Rested at Rodger's Gap while the cannon were carried over the Cumberland Mountains by hand. Met Chaplains McHan, of the Thirtysixth, and Kramer, of the Thirty-ninth Georgia Regiments. Crossed the Cumberland Mountains at Rodger's Gap.
