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

[116] preachers, were earnest and importunate. Even the secular papers were urged to lend their aid to the work by calling the attention of the Churches to the moral wants of the soldiers.

A soldier wrote from the army to the Richmond Examiner in the following strain:

There are at present in your noble State about three hundred thousand men ‘ armed in the holy cause of liberty.’ These men are far from their homes and the sweet influences which are there brought to bear upon them to restrain them from sin. Many of these men, however, are more serious and solemn, and inclined to seek to know their Saviour, than at any other time. The thoughts of their happy homes and dear friends far away, both in this State and the far sunny South, will often act as a check to any vicious course to which their inclinations may lead them. What I propose, sir, is that you write one of your very powerful articles, urging ministers of the gospel and chaplains in the army to put forth their utmost strength for the conversion of soldiers. What a grand moral spectacle would be presented to the world, of any army being converted? What grandeur would it not lend to our cause? With how much more courage will truly brave men go into danger, when they know that the messenger of death is but God's angel to call them home. And then, when this ‘grand army’ disbands, and the various regiments return to their several States, how much will it tend to unite us more and more in the bonds of unselfish love for the rising and brave generation that will soon turn from the field of strife to the arena of the political world, to go there with hearts full of love to God, and with the highest and most religious sense of honor towards their fellow-men.

Every new regiment that went to the army had some token of the deep concern felt by the “home folks” for its religious welfare. When the 7th regiment of South Carolina was about to leave home for the seat of war,