Appendix: letters from our army workers.
From a large number of letters received, in response to circulars sent out soon after the war, I select the following as either containing new matter, or as supplementing and corroborating statements made in the body of the book. They were personal letters not intended for publication, and yet I beg that the writers will excuse the liberty I take in publishing them in the form in which they were written, as I can thus give a clearer view of the interesting and important matters of which they treat. I give them without comment of my own.From Rev. A. C. Hopkins, of the Presbyterian Church, chaplain Second Virginia Infantry, and Missionary chaplain to Gordon's Division.
Charlestown, West Virginia, March 22, 1867.
Dear Brother Jones: Upon reflection I find myself so often the theme of my remark that I have determined to waive modesty with you and write a memorial of my own operations as my part of the history of religion in the Stonewall Brigade —as these notes are only for your eyes, I may be more pardonable, and more candid.
My commission as chaplain Second Virginia Infantry dates from May 3, 1862.
Exiled voluntarily from my home in Martinsburg, I sought an entrance into the army; but the low repute in which I had discovered the chaplaincy was held, deterred me from seeking an appointment for some time.
The field-officers of Second Virginia directed Adjutant R. W. Hunter to invite me to their command, which I overtook between McDowell and Franklin.
I then learned that application had been forwarded for my commission, which resulted as above-mentioned.
The brigade under Brigadier-General Charles S. Winder was composed of five Virginia regiments, viz.: Second, Fourth, Fifth, Twenty-seventh and Thirtythird.
The field-officers of the Second were Colonel J. W. Allen, Lieutenant-Colonel Lawson Botts and Major Frank Jones, all useful members of the Episcopal Church—one of whom had, by letter, authorized me, as I came through Richmond, to invest for him $50 in religious reading-matter for use of the regiments.
Rev. E. P. Walton (Baptist) was chaplain to Fifth, and Rev. J. M. Grandin (Methodist) to Thirty-third Regiment. Rev. McVeigh (now for some time a prisoner) had been chaplain to Second, but his term of commission having expired under the previous organization of the command, the regiment, as organized in April preceding, was declared vacant; hence my assignment.
The spring campaign, characterized by rapidity, fighting and fatigue, deprived chaplains of much opportunity for ministerial work, except for the wounded on the battle-field.
By the prompt invitations of our field-officers, I held nightly meetings of prayer for the regiment at our Headquarters; and, whenever campaigning did not prevent, preached once or more on Sabbath.
The number of professing Chritians
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in the regiment was distressingly small; the prevailing religious sentiment was Episcopal.
Besides the field-officers, and adjutant, who was Presbyterian, I could find but three officers, commissioned or non-commissioned, who belonged to any Church.
One of these was a captain, and one was lieutenant, both Episcopal, and one a sergeant (Baptist). There were some communicants, of course, among the men of the regiment, whose strength was something upwards of four hundred, I think.
One thing soon struck me; there seemed to be no affiliation among chaplains.
It was more than three months after my attachment to the brigade before I met one of its chaplains, and then almost as per force a non-professing colonel called one up, and introduced us, saying emphatically, “ If you don't know each other, you should.”
I commenced with the determination of sharing the sufferings, marches and perils of those for whose good 1 labored.
This soon discovered itself to be the proper course; for mingling with men under all conditions gave me soon their friendship and pointed my preaching; while opportunities for extending acquaintance beyond my own command were gained and improved.
An illustration of this occurred at the battle of Malvern Hill, when the colonel and lieutenant-colonel of another regiment came to mine (saying they knew they would find me) to get me to go and minister to one of their command who was badly wounded, although they had a chaplain.
The campaign below Richmond was very fatiguing; marching all day in the hot sun and up all night caring for the wounded, with our faithful surgeons, I became exhausted.
Attempting to preach in the hot shade of some pines as all lay in line of battle under the gunboats at Harrison's Landing, I fainted, but continued with the troops till our return to vicinity of Mechanicsville, when I obtained a sickleave for ten days. During these the corps moved back to the vicinity of Gordonsville, and the other chaplains instituted some daily public services.
On my return I held frequent services; but was greatly discouraged by the loss at Cold Harbor of our colonel and major.
At this point Rev. Mr. Tebbs (Methodist) joined the Fourth Regiment as chaplain; but camp was soon broken up for the fall campaign.
There was no general religious interest in the brigade, and I felt discouraged.
We had not more than begun to realize the magnitude or opportunity of our work.
The great Second Manassas battle came.
It was joined on Thursday evening, when many of our noblest men fell, killed or wounded.
Among the mortally wounded was my own loved Colonel Botts, who had become to me almost as a brother.
After spending Thursday night sleeplessly in ministering to sick, and that anxious Friday which none will forget, August 29, I repaired to the regiment for some rest Friday night. Colonel Baylor, of the Fifth, now commanding brigade, exhausted by fatigue and care, was stretched on the ground near a tree, and I threw myself upon the earth near another, and was falling to sleep.
But the colonel called and inquired if I felt too tired to conduct a prayer-meeting—said that he felt desirous of expressing his gratitude to God for sparing his life, and he wished the brigade to join him in their behalf.
Two nights before he had requested the chaplains to summon their regiments to worship, during a brief halt; and, notwithstanding all this, he was not a member of the Church.
Of course I acceded to this touching appeal; I could not be too weary for such a service.
Notice was given, and many poor fellows left their cooking to unite in the solemn service.
Poague's and Carpenter's Batteries, who hitherto belonged to the brigade, were largely represented.
Captain Hugh A. White, of the Fourth, and others led in prayer at my request, and a most solemn meeting we all enjoyed — for the last time it proved to many.
The next evening's sun set upon the corpses of the two noble and generous men, Baylor and White, as
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they lay not far apart upon that gory field.
I would express the hope that their mingled service is continued in heaven.
When we left Frederick City for the movement against Harper's Ferry, our regiment being at the head of column, I saw General Jackson and mentioned to him this among other circumstances in Colonel Baylor's last weeks; he seemed greatly delighted, and said: “ I am glad of it; I hope he died a Christian; he needed only Christianity to make him a model man; he was a fine officer too, as was seen by his keeping up his regiment.”
While we lay about Bunker Hill in the fall of 1862, a work of grace was begun in the army; but our brigade seemed still unblest.
Dr. Stiles visited us and preached.
A good many began to awaken.
Our division was now frequently shifted from position to position previous to crossing the mountains.
Still the doctor preached, as he had opportunity, to large and interested audiences, and finally a goodly number made hopeful profession of conversion.
But the greatest benefit that I have ever felt from those associations and instructions of our venerable brother, was the impulse imparted to chaplains. That earnest man of God made us ashamed of ourselves. I fairly felt ashamed to give him an opportunity at me; he talked so plainly of my responsibility; showed me so clearly how many opportunities I was thoughtlessly despising; what great responsibility rested on me. I shook the dust from my feet and went to work with new zeal.
This seemed to be the case with us all.
Colonel———, of the———Regiment, was now commanding the brigade.
His notorious profanity made him rather a terror to chaplains; but he was really generous and kind-hearted.
After becoming acquainted he gave me the honorable title of “my elder,” and was always ready to grant any facilities I ever requested for furthering my discharge of duties.
At this time he cheerfully exempted men from military duty for erecting our earthen candlesticks, beautifying our native church, and attendance upon worship.
We hoped much good was done; but a season of rest had engendered also many vices, and robbery had become common in the vicinity of the army.
In one instance a soldier had been murdered by another between the spring and the camp of the Thirty-third Virginia for a small sum of money.
While we lay near Winchester in the latter part of November, I received a message from General Jackson, through Lieutenant James P. Smith, his adjutant, requesting me to prepare and send him a list of chaplains, their regiments, etc., in his old division; the number and name of destitute regiments; their disposition towards having chaplains and other preferences as to denomination, etc., and to do what I could in this command for securing acceptable chaplains to every destitute regiment.
About 20th of November Brigadier-General Paxton assumed command of the brigade.
Chaplains had been hitherto held under no military responsibility; but Paxton soon indicated that they must not leave without proper furloughs.
November 21 we broke camp and marched for Fredericksburg.
On that march a chaplain went to General Paxton with oral request for leave of absence; Paxton refused it unless written and endorsed by regimental commander.
He went to General Jackson, but the general gave him the same reply, and informed him that such license would degrade the chaplaincy in the eyes of soldiers, and he wished it regarded as important as any other office in the army.
Opportunities were furnished me on that march for testing the results of our recent interest.
I found it quite general and abiding.
A young friend (assistant adjutant-general to Paxton) had made profession of faith and attributed it in great degree to the influence and friendship of the lamented Baylor.
With a sergeant I had much conversation, who received impressions which led to his hopeful profession of faith.
With a high-toned but unconverted officer I had a discussion, protracted through that long march, on certain doctrinal questions; and when he fell
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in the battle of the Wilderness, I hope he died a Christian.
Many other incidents I might relate, but these will suffice to show the power of personal approach and interviews with men, which we are so slow to use.
General Paxton, who had been represented as a hard-hearted man, I soon found a wise and earnest coadjutor of all chaplains in the faithful discharge of their duties, and interested in knowing what they were doing.
He agreed fully with General Jackson in his regard for the office, though at this time he made no profession of religion.
When we reached our destination near Guinea Station, I handed my report for General Jackson to him through Lieutenant Smith, and asked and obtained a furlough.
My regimental commander (Colonel Nadenbousch), himself not a professor of religion, told me he should have a chapel built for me on my return.
When my furlough expired, I found the brigade in winter-quarters, near Moss Neck, and some steps had been taken towards having a brigade-chapel erected; but the work had come to a pause.
As this had been done, I was told, by the military authority, I awaited their completion of it. At length 