Dr. Leyburn gives the following from the letter of a distinguished gentleman: ‘There is a marked and perceptible difference between the morale of a regiment furnished with a good chaplain and one which has none. The men are more orderly, better contented, and really more efficient. Now and then I meet with an officer who appreciates all this, and even some irreligious colonels seek the co-operation of a good chaplain in their desire to render their regiments as efficient as possible.’
The denominations generally appointed some of their best men to enter the army as missionaries, and supplemented the scant salaries of the chaplains.
It was reported in 1864 that ‘The Old School Presbyterians employed, the past Assembly-year , 130 missionaries and chaplains in our different armies; and contributions to that work fell little short of $80,000. These laborers reported, at the General Assembly, in its meeting at Charlotte, the conversion of 12,000 soldiers during the year.’
But the work of the chaplains and missionaries will further appear as our narrative proceeds, and it will be seen that we had an earnest, zealous, and faithful corps of laborers.
