Devoted to the Confederacy—served it in every way possible.
During the civil war Dr. Hoge was greatly interested and exercised in the welfare of the Confederate soldiers, temporal as well as spiritual. He preached to them regularly every Sunday, and did loving pastoral work in the hospitals. Judge Farrar, in some reminiscences written for the Dispatch several years ago, had this to say:During the war I was closely thrown with Dr. Hoge. The winter of 1862 was a period of disaster to the Confederate cause. My company was ordered to Richmond to recruit. Sickness prevailed in the camp, and almost every day some brave fellow was carried to his grave. We had but few comforts. The men were dispirited. I went to see Dr. Hoge and told him the condition of things. He did what he could for us. Without hesitation he consented to do so. Rain, hail, or shine, every Sunday night he was at his post, preaching and visiting the sick, giving words of comfort and encouragement. I say this: If the Confederate soldier ever had a friend, that friend was Dr. Hoge. The old veterans loved him. This love was beautifully illustrated at the meeting of Lee Camp, shortly before Dr. Hoge celebrated the golden anniversary of his pastorate. Before adjournment an old soldier arose and said: ‘Mr. Commander, I hear that the people are going to give Dr. Hoge a public reception. Lee Camp ought to be there. Dr. Hoge is one of the best friends the soldier ever had. Why, last week he buried a man from the Soldiers' Home when the snow was up to his knees.’ The camp resolved at once to attend.