William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War

Chapter 16: spring of 1863.

General Burnside, who had not conciliated his government by the rose-colored dispatch given in the last chapter, was set aside, and General Joseph Hooker placed in command of the Northern army. Our forces occupied the town of Fredericksburg, and extended their lines for some miles above and below. The fighting in the early part of the season was confined to cavalry skirmishes near the different fords of the river. The main body of the Confederate army remained in winter quarters, and here began one of the most powerful revivals witnessed during the war. Fredericksburg was the centre of the work, and the minister who contributed more to its success in the town than any other was the Rev. William Benton Owen, connected with General Barksdale's Mississippi brigade. Mr. Owen was earnest in calling to his help the ministers of all the different Churches, and, among others, he was favored at this time with the aid of Rev. Dr. J. C. Stiles, an eminent and eloquent minister of the Presbyterian Church. In the latter part of February he reached the town and entered into the work with his well-known ardor. He says:

After my arrival we held three meetings a day-a morning and afternoon prayer meeting, and a preaching service at night. We could scarcely ask of delightful religious interest more than we received. Our sanctuary [252] has been crowded-lower floor and gallery. Loud, animated singing always hailed our approach to the house of God; and a closely packed audience of men, amongst whom you might have searched in vain for one white hair, were leaning upon the voice of the preacher, as if God himself had called them together to hear of life and death eternal. At every call for the anxious, the the entire altar, the front six seats of the five blocks of pews surrounding the pulpit, and all the spaces thereabouts ever so closely packed, could scarcely accommodate the supplicants; while daily public conversions gave peculiar interest to the sanctuary services. Of this class we have numbered during the week s.:y some forty or fifty souls. Officers are beginning to bow for prayer, and our house to be too strait for worshippers. The audience, the interest, the converted, the fidelity of the Church, and the expectations of the ministry, are all steadily and most hopefully increasing.

But not only among the soldiers in the town did the gracious work go forward. In the camp, on the open fields, was the revival deep and powerful. In Gen. Anderson's brigade, of Hood's division, a Christian Association was formed, with J. C. Burnham, of Heard county, Ga., as President, J. F. Chambliss, of Talbot county, Ga., as Vice-President, and A. W. Watkins, of Baltimore, Md., as Secretary.

In their pamphlet, giving the reasons for this organization, they say, that for many months prayer-meetings largely attended had been held in the brigade, in which Christians had been built up in spirit, confirmed in faith, and many sinners converted to Christ. Feeling a necessity for an institution similar to the Churches at home, they “determined to form an Association which would supply this want and be acceptable to all orthodox denominations.” They sent forth to their brethren at home this truly Christian message:

We, soldiers, surrounded as we are by many temptations, [253] and subjected daily to manifold trials, desire to publish to the Christian world the existence, the Constitution, and By-Laws, of our Christian Association, that the Church may be encouraged by the knowledge of the fact that Christian spirit and Christian efforts are not entirely unknown in the armies of our country, and that Christ has kept a few, as we trust, faithful followers, even where wickedness abounds. Nay! brethren, God has done much more than this for us, unworthy as we are; he has caused our hearts to rejoice in witnessing the turning of sinners from their sins. The angels have rejoiced more than once when they have looked down into our camps and seen new-born babes in Christ rejoicing in the love of a reconciled Father.

Our reason for bringing our Association to public notice is because we believe that a knowledge of what we are trying to do for God will rejoice the souls of Christ's followers everywhere, and be encouragement to Christians who may be situated as we are.

The Creed subscribed by these noble men was simple, but apostolic:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Church of Christ; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Their Discipline was such as fitted earnest, straightforward soldiers of the Cross:

All members of the Association are required to conform themselves to the rules of faith and Christian conduct, as laid down in the revealed word of God; and [254] when any brother is charged with being in disorder, his case shall be referred to the brethren of the same faith and order with himself, who shall determine on his case and report at the next meeting, and their decision in the same shall be final and conclusive: Provided nevertheless, That the cardinal vices set forth in that portion of Scripture known as The Ten Commandments, together with gambling and drunkennesss, are expressly forbidden, and shall be cause for expulsion of a member by vote of the body. The offender to be tried according to the rule set forth in the 18th chapter of Matthew, 15th, 16th, and 17th verses.

All members are required to attend meetings of the Association, whether called or regular; and when they fail to do so are expected to state the reasons at the next meeting.

In case of the death of or disaster to any member of this Association, the same shall be held under obligations, by the love which its members owe to their God and brethren, to communicate the fact to his relatives or friends at home.

This was the whole of it, and under it was fostered as noble a band of Christian patriots as ever fought or died for liberty and home.

Rev. W. C. Dunlap, chaplain of the noble 8th Georgia regiment, wrote in reference to this work:

God has wonderfully blessed us of late. We have had going on in our midst a revival of religion, with more or less interest, since the battles in front of Richmond. Recently, however, it has grown greatly in interest; and before breaking up camps near Fredericksburg, the Lord was doing a mighty work in our midst. I have held prayer-meetings in my own regiment until ten o'clock many a night, and, after closing, the brethren would all retire to the woods, frequently accompanied by half-dozen mourners, and there, with no other covering save the open canopy of heaven, pour out their [255] souls in humble supplication at a throne of grace, often remaining until after midnight; and, what is remarkable, I never have known the meeting to close without the witnessing influences of the Holy Spirit.

I have often thought, could our people at home see us on such occasions, the stern warrior melted down into the tameness of a child by the sweet influences of the blessed Master, they would cheer up and take courage; for the prayers of the people of God shall never go unanswered, but shall be like bread cast upon the waters.

Rev. Samuel H. Smith, chaplain of the 60th Georgia regiment, of Lawton's brigade, camped near Port Royal, Va., referring to the growing revival in that portion of the army, gives a description of the services of a delightful Sabbath:

At 11 o'clock A. M., I preached to a large audience from Malachi III: 8, ‘Will a man rob God?’ At half-past 2 o'clock P. M., Col. Wm. C. Stiles, of the 60th Georgia, read to a very large and interested congregation Bishop Elliott's sermon, delivered in Christ church, Savannah, Ga., on the public thanksgiving day, September 18, 1862. The sermon produced a fine state of feeling throughout the audience. At candle-lighting we met for prayer. Rev. Mr. Chandler, of the 88th Georgia, delivered an exhortation, at the close of which six penitents knelt for prayer.

Thus was the Sabbath spent in camp by thousands of Southern soldiers.

In the great hospitals, where thousands of sick and wounded lay, the work was as great as in the camps. At Chimborazo, Richmond, there were at this time from three to five thousand sick men, and the religious influence pervaded all the wards. No sight could be more touching than to stand near the chapel and see the wounded and the pale convalescents hobbling and creeping to the place of worship at the sound of the bell. Fifty or more kneeling for prayer at the close of a sermon [256] or exhortation was no uncommon sight. At Camp Winder, another large hospital near the city, there was a happy and saving religious influence, though the revival was not so general as at Chirnborazo. It was the privilege of the writer to conduct a sacramental meeting in this hospital, at which devout soldiers, forgetful of all differences in creeds, knelt side by side in commemorating the Saviour's death. It was an inspiring and melting scene. The simple and earnest words of the sick soldiers as they lay on their hard, narrow beds, or gathered in groups at the sunny corners of their quarters, could not fail to touch the heart, and not seldom the hearer and narrator mingled their tears and rejoiced together in Christ.

Said a poor fellow, who was suffering greatly from two painful wounds,!! “When I was at home, I was wild and wicked, but since I have been in the army, I have tried to change my life, and since I have been wounded I have been able to trust my soul in the hands of God, and I feel that if he should call me to die, all will be well.” He spoke with deep feeling, and the big tears filled his eyes and rolled down his pale face. Another from Georgia, who was dying of his wounds far away from home and friends, gave a like testimony, and, with tears of joy, praised God in full hope of heaven. Whether dying in hospital or on the battle-field, the testimony of the Christian soldier was the same. When Lieutenant E. P. Miller, of company K, 17th Mississippi regiment, lay dying on the field of Fredericksburg, the message he sent home was, “Tell my father and mother not to grieve for me, for I am going to a better world than this.” When Capt. John F. Vinson, of Georgia, fell in the service of his country, his last words were, “All is well-my way is clear — not a cloud intervenes.” Francis M. Bobo, of Spartanburg, S. C., exclaimed when dying, “I would not take ten thousand worlds for my prospect of heaven.” “If I die in the hospital or fall in battle,” [257] said a young Georgia soldier, “weep not for me-all will be well.” These are a few testimonies out of hundreds that might be recorded. They show the deep and joyous piety of thousands of the Southern soldiery.

The revival at Fredericksburg, already noticed, continued through the greater part of the spring with the greatest power. The labors of Dr. Stiles were blessed and honored in the salvation of many souls; but he was compelled to leave for other scenes of labor. Rev. Jas. D. Coulling and other ministers went to the help of Mr. Owen, and, by their earnest and pointed preaching, greatly promoted the work. An eye-witness, writing at this time from the scene, says:

Last evening there were fully one hundred penitents at the altar. So great is the work, and so interested are the soldiers, that the M. E. church, South, has been found inadequate for the accommodation of the congregations, and the Episcopal church having been kindly tendered by its pastor, Rev. Mr. Randolph, who is now here, the services have been removed to that edifice, where devotions are held as often as three times a day. This work is widening and deepening, and, ere it closes, it may permeate the whole army of Northern Virginia, and bring forth fruits in the building up and strengthening, in a pure faith and a true Christianity, the best army the world ever saw.

In the churches, scarred and torn by the balls and shells from Federal batteries, the meetings were held night after night for many weeks, and the scenes were such as thrill the angelic hosts in heaven. In the space of six weeks one hundred and sixty professed religion in Barksdale's brigade, while scores of others were earnestly seeking salvation. Rev. W. C. Dunlap, in thanking the editor of the Southern Christian Advocate for reading matter furnished the soldiers, says of the general fast day:

Last Friday will never be forgotten by this brigade [258] (Anderson's). The day before had been cold and raining, and, lest the next day should be as bad, many prayers were offered for a good day, which were answered, for we had one of remarkable brightness and beauty. The chaplains of our brigade had invited Bro. Crumley — a man universally beloved — to preach for us. Generals Hood and Anderson, with their staffs, were present. The music was helped out by the band and Bro. C. preached a most appropriate sermon to a large and very attentive congregation. After the service, many retired to the woods and held prayer-meetings. There were like services on this day elsewhere. Rev. W. H. Simmons preached to General Toombs' brigade, and had an interesting meeting. Our meetings are still carried on with profit.

This day, March 27th, appointed by the President, Jefferson Davis, for fasting, humiliation, and prayer, was observed in the armies with unusual solemnity. A member of Barksdale's brigade tells how the day was spent by the devout soldiers:

At half-past 8 A. M. my mess, with those adjoining, met in my room for prayers, most of them being young converts; eight or nine prayers were offered aloud, the young men officiating by turns, though with most of them it was their first effort in public. At ten I went to another room in our company and conducted a similar meeting. It filled my heart with joy to see many of my comrades, so recently from the paths of vice and folly, now bending their knees to God, asking him to favor the land they had so often perilled their lives to defend. At 11 we assembled at the Episcopal church. On this occasion, perhaps, 1,500 were in attendance, mostly soldiers. Every grade, from private to Major-General, was represented. Rev. W. B. Owen, chaplain of the 12th Mississippi regiment, conducted the services; his theme was prayer; his text, ‘Men ought always to pray and not to faint.’ After services I visited some [259] sick soldiers. At 3 P. M. we had a national prayer-meeting, conducted by Rev. W. II. Carroll, of Selma, Ala., a missionary and colporteur in the army. The service over, I retired to my quarters and took some refreshment for my body; my soul was much comforted. Calmly I looked back upon the labors of the day, and felt that I was seeing a day that had done more for my country than any other that had ever shone upon it.

Could a fast day have been more devoutly and profitably kept in the quiet days of peace than this was in the midst of the confusion and rush of war?

There was hardly a regiment of the army where the revival influence was not felt. Rev. W. A. Hemmingway rejoiced in a gracious revival in the 21st South Carolina regiment, which lasted for months. Rev. L. S. West, of the 13th Mississippi, conducted a meeting for six weeks, in which many were happily converted. Rev. S. II. Smith, of the 60th Georgia, Lawton's brigade, collected from the soldiers and officers $850 to purchase Bibles, Testaments, and Hymn-Books, and saw the men daily anxious “about the salvation of their souls.” Rev. F. Milton Kennedy. chaplain of the 28th North Carolina regiment, of Jackson's corps, found “the men generally interested in their spiritual welfare.” A Chaplains' Association was formed, and weekly meetings held to consult upon the best method of prosecuting our work, and to pray for success. The chaplains of this corps issued an earnest appeal for more laborers. The fields were white to the harvest, but the laborers were few, while thousands of the noblest of the land, having left home and friends, were calling loudly and earnestly for the bread of life. To this and other calls the Churches responded by sending some of their ablest ministers into the army-work, who, by their earnest labors, greatly extended the area of the revival.

Captain Richard H. Powell, of the 3d Alabama regiment, gives an interesting account of the work: “For [260] two months we have held prayer-meetings regularly, when military duties have not prevented, three times a week, which have constantly grown in interest. Last night twenty-six of these hardy soldiers presented themselves for prayer. They give the most earnest attention to all religious exercises, and gather in crowds to hear the gospel. They are reflecting most seriously upon eternal interests. 11 the absence of a chaplain, we are doing what we can in the interesting work of instructing them in the way of salvation, and pointing them to Jesus, the friend of sinners.”

Deploring the want of ministers to break the bread of life to the starving thousands, Captain Powell says:

Surely if the hundreds of ministers, who have comparatively little to do at home, knew how many thousands in the army languish and pine for the bread of life, they would certainly hasten to break that bread to them, that they might not perish. I have never seen such a field for doing good, and extending the Redeemer's kingdom on earth, as the army of Northern Virginia presents this day. The fields are already white unto the harvest, but the laborers, who must gather this rich harvest into the Master's granary, where, oh, where are they? It is astonishing to know what destitution of chaplains prevails. In this corps-General Jackson's where an especial effort has been made to secure their services, not one-half of the regiments are supplied. Can you not, my dear sir, raise, in our behalf, the Macedonian cry, and urge zealous, laborious ministers of the gospel to come and help us? They will be received by the army everywhere with open, wide-stretched arms. Cannot Bishop Pierce devote a few months to missionary labors in the army of Northern Virginia this summer? Liberal souls at home will, doubtless, gladly devise the ways and means, while thousands of hungry, starving souls here will eagerly receive the message of life from his eloquent lips. Around our camp-fires we often think [261] of him, and anxiously wish we could have the benefit of his ministrations.

Yesterday I attended a Conference of the chaplains of Jackson's corps. It was a most interesting meeting, and a precious season of grace. Our hearts burned within us as they talked of God's dealings with their various regiments. They represent the different denominations, and are working harmoniously and successfully in this vast field. Occasional services will be held by them in our regiment, and we hope for good results.

In this regiment, a Christian Association was formed, with Colonel C. C. Battle, President; Captain R. H. Powell, Vice-President; Lieutenant W. H. Gardner, Secretary; Sergeant E. H. Hart, Assistant Secretary; Lieutenant W. T. Bilbro, Treasurer. These soldiers and their comrades expressed their sense of the need of mutual religious help in noble words: “In religion, as in everything else connected with the affairs of this world, there is strength in union. ... Being engaged in a constant warfare with ‘spiritual wickedness in high places,’ beset on every side, and most sorely tempted, man needs the advice and encouragement of a brother who, similarly tempted and tried, by a word fitly spoken, or a consistent, upright walk and godly conversation, may strengthen him in his determination to serve God. Oh! how greatly we, here in camp, deprived of the sacred influence of home and all its hallowing associations, need the kindly offices of Christian brotherhood! How keenly we have felt the lack of fellowship and communion of hearts, has been shown — to our confusion be it said-by the crooked paths we have made for our feet, and the shame and reproach we have too often brought upon the name of our blessed Jesus. The leanness of our souls, the lukewarmness of our hearts, the delinquencies of our lives, barren of good works to the glory of God, all call for the genial, soul-cheering, heart-comforting influence of the communion of saints.” [262] They gathered into their Association the members of all the different Churches, and mutually bound themselves to promote the welfare of the members, to exert a salutary and wholesome religious influence in the regiment, and by a life of holy living to constrain others to glorify their Father in heaven. Can we wonder that men of such character should fight well and die well?

The revival was greatly promoted by the free circulation of religious reading among the soldiers. Being almost wholly cut off by the strict blockade of all the Southern ports from foreign supplies of Bibles and Testaments, as a substitute select portions of the Scriptures, chiefly from the Psalms and the New Testament, were printed under the title of “Bible Readings,” and sent by thousands to the various departments of the army. Small Hymn-Books were also printed in great quantities, and these, with tracts and religious newspapers, made up the religious literature of the camps. The arrival of these helps to the revival were hailed with delight by the soldiers, and eager crowds would surround the fortunate chaplain who had received a supply, and happy was the soldier who succeeded in securing even the smallest tract. Rev. William Hauser, chaplain of the 48th Georgia, and a diligent colporteur, says:

The precious leaves from the tree of life are healing our sin-diseased soldiers. Swearing, and all other crime-incident to an army, are evidently diminishing, and deep piety is on the increase. Every night the holy songs of Zion go up on this balmy spring air, a sweet incense, I think, to the throne of the Eternal. Prayer-meetings are held every night in several of our companies, and a great desire is manifested to get Hymn-Books. Bless the Lord! He is working among us, and giving us, I do not doubt, a silent yet precious revival of religion, the effects of which are seen more and more plainly every day. It would do you some good to see how eagerly these gallant, weather-beaten warriors crowd [263] around me to get tracts every time I have a new supply; but they want and much need something fresh every Sunday to engage their minds and keep them from resorting to ball-plays and cards. Our Colonel is not religious, but he has the greatest respect for Christianity, and seems to take great delight in affording me every facility for my work.

The religious influence now pervading the army was so powerful that the active movements of the spring campaign could not divert the minds of the soldiers from the great question, What must I do to be saved? Early in the season the attitude of military affairs in Virginia and North Carolina was this: Lieutenant-General Longstreet was in command of Southern Virginia, including the defences of Richmond, Petersburg, and portions of North Carolina. Major-General Elzy commanded the Department of Richmond; Major-General French, that of Petersburg and lower Virginia; and Major-General D. H. Hill, that of North Carolina. About the first of April Major-General Hood's division left Petersburg and marched towards Suffolk. On the 13th General Hood drew up in line of battle before the town, while his skirmishers boldly drove in the Federal pickets. Here for a week or more he remained, the enemy constantly expecting an assault; but besides heavy skirmishing, mutual shelling, and two or three gallant fights with the gun-boats in Nansemond river, the Confederates made no serious demonstrations against the place. The movement was not for the purpose of capturing Suffolk, but to divert the attention of the Federals while vast stores of provisions were being removed from the lower counties of North Carolina. This accomplished, our forces withdrew for more decisive operations in other quarters.

It would hardly be expected that on the lines near Suffolk much could be done in promoting the revival. But even there the work went on. Rev. W. A. Simmons, of Georgia, one of the most devoted and efficient chaplains [264] in the army, says of the scenes he here witnessed :

In the midst of all these changes and fighting, we manage to keep up our religious services. We preached on Sabbath at the time our batteries were assaulted, amid the most hideous thundering of artillery and in constant hearing of the picket-firing. The congregations were large, attentive, and serious. One young man came to me, late at night, to inquire the way of salvation. While passing the road I heard singing and prayer. It was a company of Christians, who had met in the darkness to hold a secret meeting. We received eight members on Sabbath evening into our Christian Association. Thus the work goes on. The moral tone of our brigade is rapidly changing. Card-playing is fast playing out, swearing is not heard so much as formerly, and attendance on preaching increases. May God bless the army.

On the main line of defence on the Rappahannock, General Lee lay with the main body of his army watching the movements of the vast array of Federals marshalled on the opposite side of that river, under command of General Hooker. The Federals had found the fords of Fredericksburg too bloody; they were now maneuvering for the fatal field of Chancellorsville.