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

[407] opportunity for religious services. Many of the chaplains and missionaries accompany the troops and preach when circumstances justify it. At Jacksonville, Ala., we had an interesting season; we had preaching several nights in succession; several penitents at the altar, and four were added to the Church. Except a short detention there, we have been on the march almost constantly since the middle of September. When the army goes into winter quarters, if we can have convenient places for worship, we expect a rich harvest of souls.

The marches and privations of this army were really wonderful, and yet were endured with the greatest heroism. In one month the marching averaged twelve miles a day, and the whole distance traversed within thirty days was over four hundred miles. And yet these noble men were longing for the days of peace to come again. “I trust,” says one writing from Hood's army, “that peace begins to dawn even from to-day. The Northern election is over, and God grant that it may bring peace to our distracted country.”

Gen. Hood having moved his army from the vicinity of Atlanta, Gen. Sherman made preparations for his famous march from that city to the Atlantic Coast. In passing through Georgia, the country was laid waste in a track from twenty to thirty miles wide. All kinds of stock were killed, and a great deal left on the ground. Provisions of every kind for man and beast were taken; all means of transportation were destroyed; and many houses were burned, while in others the furniture was ruthlessly broken to pieces. Gen. Sherman in his march proved his own declaration that “war is cruelty.”

The discipline of war was terrible to the people of the South, but in the end it was beneficial. In the midst of desolation and blood they turned their thoughts to Him who holds in his hands the destinies of nations, and out of great sufferings the patience and faith of the gospel shone forth in brightness and power.