“ [108] trial, when the call was made for her children, he relinquished his cherished pursuits, his high and well-merited position, fortune, comfort, home, all—and at last, even life itself— and freely chose to stand, where his unfailing perception of the right pointed him, by his country's standard in the battle for freedom. Few, even in these days of sacrifice, have placed a richer gift on the altar of liberty.” Immediately after the first battle of Manassas, he returned to his native county, enlisted in the service and received authority to raise an artillery company. Some discouraged the attempt by representing that most, who could be induced to volunteer, had already entered the army—that attempts of a similar kind had been made and failed. But he listened to no discouragements, and entered upon the work with characteristic energy. He appointed meetings and made speeches which roused the patriotic ardor of the people like a trumpet-blast. His graphic pictures of the perils of the country, and of the methods by which it might be delivered from oppression, and rendered free and prosperous, often drew tears from eyes unaccustomed to weep. In beating up recruits, he visited the house of a poor, aged woman, who resided on his farm, inquiring after her son. The son was already in the service. In speaking of his visit, the old lady said: “Captain Coleman looked about and found my Bible; he read to me, and then we knelt down, nobody but him and me, and such a beautiful prayer as he offered I never heard in all my life. Just to think! that he should take so much interest in a poor old woman like me! He certainly must be the best man in the world.” Such incidents illustrate the predominating spiritualminded-ness of the man. By such influences and energies a very large company was speedily recruited, which was mustered into service, under Mr. Coleman as captain, in August, 1861. He now devoted himself with characteristic energy and perseverance to the acquisition of the military knowledge necessary for his position. He soon learned all that the books could teach him. I visited him in camp on one occasion, by his invitation, to preach for his company, and found him drawn up in line, with a few of his brother-officers, receiving instructions in practical sword exercises. He omitted nothing that promised to
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Richmond VA, 1887.
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