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A very brown clipping lies before the writer, which is an article from the ‘Army and Navy Herald,’ published during the war, headed ‘Forrest and Providence,’ in which the above ‘General Order, No. 4’ is printed, and the editor says: ‘The general is far from being a Christian, it is true, in many of his moments of excitement, but no man is more truly a believer in the God of the Bible and Providence, or more ready to acknowledge his wrongs and his faith.’
Let it be written here that that belief, which was theoretical in his head during the war, became, after its close, experimental and practical by his public profession of it, in uniting with the church in Memphis, of which his devout wife was a member.
What has been recorded above is given simply as examples of the spirit and course of the great body of the leaders in both civil and military circles of the Confederate States, and it is scarcely necessary to say how positive, consistent and constant was the religious life of Stonewall Jackson, Leonidas Polk, Joseph E. Johnston, D. H. Hill, J. E. B. Stuart, A. P. Stewart, and others in all the fearful days of conflict.
The President of the Confederacy and all in authority under him, the governors of all the States, and the people with them, promoted every enterprise by financial and personal aid and by giving whatsoever of opportunity and liberty may have been practicable in war, in order to secure the direct religious welfare of soldiers and citizens.
This survey of the general spirit of the government and all under it on this great subject, prepares us for considering more specific, united and individual efforts toward the same important end—the religious interests of the people.
It way be truly stated that it is impossible to set forth a faithful and full view of the religion of the Confederate army.
The present writer honestly believes that history presents no accurate or ample parallel.
The stern piety and invincible principles of Cromwell and his forces in war with Charles 1 of England are freely
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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