The Daily Dispatch: June 26, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Badges for ministers.

Inasmuch as there are a large number of ministers serving as privates in the Confederate Army, I would suggest the propriety of their adopting a badge, to be worn by every minister in the Confederate Army, who is not acting as Chaplain, by which they may be recognized by all with whom they may be thrown, as Gospel ministers. It is always a source of pleasure for ministers to meet and converse with each other, and under the present arrangement it is not unfrequently the case that they are for many days within a stone's throw of each other, and utterly unconscious of the fact.--Also, they are at times permitted to visit the churches near where they are encamped, and owing to the fact of their having no distinguishing badge they fail to receive that courtesy which is due from one minister to another, and which would gladly be extended them, by ministers and communicants of the churches which they may attend, if they wore a badge by which they could be recognized.--Such an arrangement would also relieve them of the unpleasantness of listening to many paths which are uttered by non-professors, but which would not be breathed were they aware of the presence of a clergyman. Most of Southern men, if not religious, are too high-minded to thus wound the feelings of pious men. These are mere suggestions thrown crudely together, with the hope that others will give their ideas on the subject.

Creole.