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

[247] Mahone's Brigade, a short distance off, and found Dr. J. A. Broadus and Brother Hatcher still instructing a large number of inquirers who lingered at their place of preaching, loath to depart.

Immense congregations assembled at this period in almost any brigade at which we had preaching, and some of the scenes are as vividly impressed upon me as if they had been yesterday. Dr. John A. Broadus, Dr. Andrew Broaddus, Rev. Andrew Broaddus (of Kentucky), Dr. Burrows, Dr. Thos. H. Pritchard, Dr. Jeter, Dr. Dickinson, Rev. F. M. Barker, Rev. L. J. Haley, Dr. J. A. Duncan, Dr. Rosser, Dr. Doggett, Dr. J. E. Edwards, Dr. Hoge, Dr. Stiles, Dr. Bocock, Dr. Pryor, Dr. Bennett, and others, came to preach in the camps, and the chaplains had no sort of difficulty in giving them constant work and very large congregations. I vividly recall dear old Brother Andrew Broaddus (who had been acting as agent for army missions, but often ‘took a furlough’ to come to the army, where his labors were greatly blessed) as he rode up to my quarters, near old Pisgah Church, one day, and to my invitation to dismount, replied: ‘No! I was ordered by “General Dickinson” to report to you for duty; but I must know where I am to preach to-night before I can get off my horse, for if you have no place for me, I must at once proceed to find one for myself.’ ‘Oh!’ I replied, ‘there are a planty of places at which you can preach, but I have just received a note from Brother Cridlin, of Armistead's Brigade, saying that he is in the midst of a great revival, is sick, and greatly needs help.’ ‘All right,’ responded the veteran; ‘now I will dismount. I will eat some of your rations and go at once to help Brother Cridlin.’

On fast-day of that autumn I had Dr. John A. Broadus to preach four times, at different points; and while all of the services were of deep interest, I particularly recall the service at sundown, held at General Gordon's Headquarters. The general, who had conducted a prayer-meeting himself in the morning, and made a stirring address to his brigade, had sent out the notices and exerted himself to have a congregation, and a large crowd, especially of officers, attended. I recall the text—‘Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace’—and the sermon as clearly as if it had been last week, instead of twenty-three years ago, and the profound impression which it produced lingers in my memory as ‘a sweet savor.’ At times there was scarcely