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

[497] me to talk of plans for religious services, etc. He lived a monument of God's grace, and died rejoicing in the faith. This was an active campaign with us, but we kept up religious services as well as possible. All who were really pious before held their ground, but the chaff was sifted out. That winter we were in Caroline county-had no chapel, but had meetings occasionally—grew rather lukewarm. In next campaign was the memorable Pennsylvania disaster, and after our return to the Valley we set more regularly to work for Christ, and later in the season on this side of the mountains we held nightly meetings conducted by officers and men, which grew in interest till all became more or less under its influence, and many a one dates his conversion to that period. Those were happy times, and long to be remembered. Old Blue Run Church will not soon be forgotten. Some of those men you had the pleasure of immersing in Orange county. These men held out well and went to work for Christ and, when they came home, united with the Church. Among the prominent workers in these meetings were the noble men of Rockbridge Battery, some of the Howitzers, and some of my own men, the most prominent of whom was George W. Baily. Many a telling exhortation and prayer were made by officers and men of our battalion.

The winter following was one of remarkable interest in our battalion. We erected a commodious chapel near Frederick's Hall, had a regular series of services, formed a Young Men's Christian Association, which worked most delightfully. All the religious men of the battalion were gathered in, and latent energies called forth, and influences exerted, which had a most salutary effect upon the general tone and character of our men. Many religious papers were circulated, and thousands of tracts were scattered. During this winter Dr. Burrows, Dr. Read and many others favored us with visits.

In the next and closing campaign of the war we were found most of the time in the trenches, yet not forgetful of our obligations to God. Many a prayer-meeting did we hold in hearing of the enemy, and many a soul was made to rejoice. Here we lost George W. Baily (died of disease), in Richmond Hospital, in full assurance of faith. He was as promising a young minister as I ever saw; devoted to the work, and longing to get into the harness. His labors in the army will never be known till eternity reveals them. The men all had implicit confidence in his piety, and his burning appeals were well received. He was a noble Christian soldier and a bright intellect. Colonel Hardaway, our last commander, was a Christian man and a gentleman of high order. He was an advocate of religious services, and humane in his treatment.

We lost many good men during the war, and we hope they were sustained by their religion. I can't recall any very striking facts in connection with the religious interest of our men, and as I did not keep any diary, I have to depend on memory altogether. I suppose during the war our command averaged about fifty per cent. of religious men, and out of these at least forty per cent. held on to their religion, and were worthy examples to those around them; and of those who came home safely, all have, I believe, been more useful Christians than they were ante bellum. The restraining and constraining influence of the religious portion of our command upon the rest was untold. There was a moral tone given to our command, which, I suppose, but few others enjoyed. This was a constant thing, not much fluctuation in this power for good. My constant employment, when I could get them, was to scatter tracts, Testaments, hymn-books, etc. These were always joyously received, and I hope did much good. You know something of my labors, hence I desist further statements. I wish I had time to deal more in particulars, but can't. I have hurriedly scratched off these facts, which you can use as you think best. May the Lord bless you.

Your brother, etc.,