James D. Porter, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.1, Tennessee
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[270] services in every portion of the territory, and the homogeneity of population, by reason of but small influx of foreign irreligious elements, assured the transmission of the dear old beliefs from sire to son without serious admixture of diluting skepticism. The power of religion among the Southern people was never greater than at the very period when came the awful crisis of internecine war.

Keeping these leading facts in mind, it is scarcely to be wondered at that, when the actual call to arms was made, the universal sentiment of the South was a solemn appeal to heaven for the rectitude of its purposes and devout prayer to God for His abiding presence and blessings in the mighty struggle. The very initiation of preparations, enlistments of men, organizations of companies and regiments, contributions of clothing, supplies of food, and every step taken for war, witnessed religious services in churches all over the land, besides innumerable smaller gatherings for prayer, with special reference to the departure of the beloved husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, friends and neighbors to join the army. A profound sense of dependence on the divine providence was a common feeling throughout the Confederate States. It is to be admitted that while this is true, it is also true that a large number of the young men of the South were at first almost swept off their feet by the intense excitement created by open hostilities. Many went wild with the sentiment of resistance to the combined attempts of the United States government and the various Northern States to force the South into submission to Federal authority, and the natural exuberance of youth was released from the common wholesome restraints of home and ordinary social life by separation from them, and by the formation of military camps where thousands of volunteers were assembled for preparation to enter active service. It did not require a long time to bring very general seriousness of mind when burdens began to be laid upon