William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War

[345] the word of God to the soldiers. Some of these had a few lines written on the blank pages, saying that “this precious book belonged to a son who had fallen in his country's cause; and, though prized as a dear relic from the battle-field on which he died, it is sent back to give comfort and light to his comrades who still struggle for liberty and right.”

Of his work at Dalton Dr. McFerrin says in a letter to the Southern Christian Advocate:

Since I last wrote to you I have visited some of the hospitals, and preached in several places to citizens and soldiers; to the well and to the sick and wounded. The sermons of the ministers of Christ are greatly appreciated by many. whilst others “care for none of these things.” There is need for a great work of God in the army as well as at home. Soldiers and citizens alike need the revival of God's work.

Now is the time specially for the distribution of religious reading matter in the army. When the soldiers are cut off in a measure from the preaching of the Word, they need books, tracts, and papers. Let them come as freely as possible.

Well, I suppose the Yankee papers have announced my death, and, perhaps, accompanied the announcement with remarks not very friendly. Thank God, Mr. Editor, your humble brother still lives, and is trying to grow wiser and better in these times of war and cruelty. He lives, he trusts, to preach the gospel to the soldier and the citizen, and to minister comfort to the sick, wounded, and dying, Yes, he has had the privilege, and felt it to be his pleasure and duty, to pray for wounded prisoners taken from the enemy's lines. Yankees, wounded and in prospect of death, have thanked him for his pleadings with God in their behalf, and for pointing them to Jesus, the Friend of sinners. Let my enemies North revile, yet, from “my heart of hearts,” I can pray God to have mercy on them and lead them to repentance