I referenced this passage of the book under Thomas Jonathan Jackson on the website.
On the first of March, Eev. Mr. Lacy, a minister of the Pres- byterian church, came, on General Jackson's invitation, to his head-quarters, to begin the species of labors described in the above letter. The Government^ after a time, commissioned him as an army chaplain, without assigning him to a particular regi- ment ; an exceptional act of courtesy accorded to General Jack- son's high character and express request. In his letter to his other friends, he had modestly expressed his inexperience of ecclesiastical affairs, and his intention to commit the details of the plan of evangelical labors in the army to the advice of the clergyman, after Mr. Lacy had examined his ground. But the scheme adopted was that which the General had entertained in his own mind in the beginning of the campaign of 1862, and which, indeed, he had then attempted to effect. The exacting nature of the campaign, and the failure to enjoy at that time the assistance upon which he relied for its execution, had caused its postponement. But it was his design, which was now in substance resumed. His objects were three : to supply regiments destitute of chaplains with a partial substitute in the shape of the itinerant labors of efficient ministers; to supply a channel of intercourse between the army and the bodies of clergy of different denomina- tions, through which the latter might learn the wants of the former, and to give to the labors of the chaplains and other ministers in the army, the unity and impulse of an ecclesiastical organization within their own peculiar field. His chaplain was intended by Mm to be an exemplar, who, he hoped, would be followed by many others from among the most efficient preachers of all churches, until they should be brought into vital sympathy with the army.
One of the measures adopted was the preaching of the gospel at the head-quarters of General Jackson^ and under his immediato countenance, every Sabbath, while the troops -were in their camps. For this end, a place in the open field was prepared, near Hamilton's crossing, (to which General Jackson remoyed his quarters soon after,) with rude seats and a temporary pulpit, where public worship was held in the open air. The example of so famous a warrior, always potent among soldiers when sus- tained by official rank, the curiosity to see him and the galaxy of celebrities who came to worship with him, the eloquence of the preachers, and the purer motives which the great religious awakening now began to propagate far and wide, soon drew a vast congregation to this spot on the Sabbath days. From hun- dreds it grew to thousands, until the assemblage surrounded the preacher in a compact mass, as far as his voice could be dis- tinctly heard. Here, on a bright Sabbath in the spring, might be seen the stately head of the Commander-in-Chief, with a crowd of Generals, whose names had been borne by fame across the ocean, and of legislators and statesmen, bowed along with the multitude of private soldiers, in divine worship ,* while the solemn and tender wave of sacred emotion subdued the great and the unknown alike before it. At these scenes, which were so directly produced by his instrumentality. General Jackson was the most unobtrusive assistant. Seated in some retired spot amidst the private soldiers, he listened to the worship and the preaching with an edifying attention, and watched the power of the truth upon the great congregation, with a glow of elevated and tender delight. Never, since the days when Whitefield preached to the mingled crowd of peers and beggars in Moorfields, has the sky looked down upon a more imposing worship.
Another enterprise which marked the evangelical labors of this winter, was tlie building of temporary chapels by the men for their own worship. Two or three contiguous regiments usually concurred in the work. Tall trees were cut down, and brought to the spot by the teams of the Quartermasters, and built into walls of logs. Chimneys were built of the same rude material, and plastered with clay, whence the huge fires^ and the torches of resinous pine, dijffused a ruddy glow of warmth and light. The structure was roofed with clapboards, and seated with rude benches formed from the split bodies of trees. The Stonewall Brigade was the first to begin this work, to General Jackson's great delight. No sooner had they completed their own huts, than they set to work, and by a multitude of willing hands, completed their church in a few days. The next Sabbath it was formally dedicated to the worship of God ; and during the winter, was constantly occupied in turn by the chaplains of the several regiments. During the week, frequent meetings for prayer, and bible classes, were held here by torch- light, and the men were encouraged ,to expend their leisure in the study of the scriptures, and in sacred music, instead of the degrading amusements of the card-table. As this chapel was near the quarters of General Jackson, he often came to worship in it with his favorite brigade. Instead of affecting the chief seat in the synagogue, he delighted to sit among the rough, weather-beaten privates, and lay aside all official dignity to accompany them to the throne of grace on the common footing of worshippers. Their reverence for his person some- times led them to leave a respectful distance between themselves and the seat he occupied , but he would never consent that any space should be thus lost, where so many were crowding to hear the word. As he saw them seeking seats elsewhere, he was accustomed to rise, and invite them by gesture to the vacancies near him ; and was never so well satisfied as when he had an
unkempt soldier toucHng liis elbow on either haLd; and all tlie room abont Mm compactly filled. Then he was ready to address himself with his usual fixed attention to the services.
The most important measure which he introduced was the weekly chaplains' meeting. This was a temporary association of all the chaplains and evangelists of his co/p; who, on meeting, appointed one of their own number to preside as a chairman or moderator, and another as their secretary, and after joining in public worship, proceeded to consult upon the spiritual interests of their charges, to arrange and concert their labors, and to devise means for supplying the destitutions of the army. These counsels were a true evangelical union. By a common and silent consent, which bears high testimony to the cultivation and honor of these laborious men, all subjects of sectarian debate, were effectually excluded, and their delibera- tions were confined to the interests of our common Christianity. But it was also a high evidence of the general soundness of religious opinion in the Confederate States, that there was not a single regiment in the army, which showed a disposition to introduce a minister. who did not belong to an evangelical and orthodox communion, as their chaplain, except one or two priests of the Komish Church. On the other hand, the ofQce in the Federal army was as frequently filled by Universalists, and other . erratic heretics, or by laymen who never preached, as by regular ministers of the gospel.
General Jackson displayed his delicate sense of propriety by not attending these weekly synods of his chaplains statedly himself. But he watched them with lively interest. As soon as his own chaplain returned from them, he was accustomed to call him, and say : ^^ Now come and report." He inquired into all that was said and done, and all the measures proposed, for evangelizing his command. When he was told of the fraternal
love wHcb reigned among the chaplainS; of tlie devout spirit
manifested in their worship, and of the news of the ingathering
of souls which they brought from their several charges, his eyes
were often filled with happy tears, and he blessed God for the
grace. The stated meetings of the chaplains were the means of
awakening them to a greatly increased zeal and fidelity, as
well as for adding system and concert to their labors. So that
this service, which, while adorned by the fidelity of a number of
truly apostolic men, had yet fallen, in general, into no little
disfavor, was now thoroughly renovated. Thus the energy of
General Jackson's will, though so modestly exerted, made itself
felt among his chaplains, just as among his staff and field of&cers,
in communicating efficiency and vigor to all their performance of
duty. It was remarked of him, that while no General officer
had so unpretending a Staff, none other was so efficient as his.
This was due not so much to the character of the men who
constituted it, as to the force of his own example and energy, in
inspirmg the spirit of endeavor, among all who were subject to
his authority.
The weekly meetings of the chaplains effected more good than he had hoped from them ; for he had warned others not to anti- cipate too much. Hence, when he found that his plans were bear- ing so much fruit, he was filled with delight. One of the benefits of ^the movement was the bringing of the ministers in the army into closer connexion with his person. His ovm chaplain was a bond of union also between himself and the others, through which they were encouraged to visit his quarters more unreservedly, and to know and love him, not as a commander only, but also as a Christian. To every worthy preacher of the gospel his manner was full of warmth and tenderness, showing that he esteemed them very highly in love for their work's sake. Everything was done with a thoughtful affection, to facilitate their labors, and
provide for their comforts. His contributions from his private purse were also large, to provide them with means for supplying their charges with Bibles and religious reading. The Govern- ment had never made any provision for the support of the chap- lains in their work, other than a very inadequate salary. The General now applied to the Military Committee of Congress, to bring in a law enabling Quartermasters to provide chaplains, like other officers, with tents, fuel, and forage for horses. This just measure was indeed neglected amidst the hurry of the clos- ing session, but was finally adopted by a subsequent Congress.
General Jackson, in his intercourse with his chaplains, often inculcated their obligation '' to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ," to live with their regiments, and acquire their confidence by sharing their exposures, and to cleave to their work amidst all the pains and crosses which the common soldiers were compelled by the law of their country to endure. He said that a chaplain should not think of resigning his post for any less cause than would justify a field-officer in laymg down his commission; and that they should no more think than he, of leaving his regiment without a regular furlough, founded upon just cause. To do so, he argued, taught the men by a practical lesson, that the soul was less important than the body, and that secular duties were more urgent than the business of redemp- tion.
When with chaplains whom he esteemed like-minded. General Jackson was very sure to turn all conversation speedily into a spiritual channel. With intimate Christian friends, the things of God were almost his exclusive topics in private. His favorite subjects now were, the importance of an unshaken faith; of casting all our care upon God in the diligent performance of duty ; and of the evidences of the Divine faithfulness in the course of Provi- dence and redemption. He spoke emphatically of the duty o
conforming our wills to God^s, and of a thoroughly cheerful acquiescence whenever His will was manifested. He was often delighted to speculate upon the modes in which the Divine will might be safely ascertained. His favorite maxim was: ^^Duty is ours : consequences are God's." He spoke much also of the blessedness of a full and hearty obedience; in its effects upon the Christian's own happiness. He often declared that it was his first desire to command a '' converted army." This, he believed, enjoying the spiritual favor of God upon their individual souls, engaged in a just cause, and undertaking every enterprise with prayer, must meet with success ; and prove, in the end, invincible. He spoke frequently also of the connexion between national obedience and public prosperity; declaring that it is holiness which exalteth a people ; and showing the supreme importance of the Government's at least refraining from placing itself, in any way, in opposition to God's laws and institutions. Hence his zeal for the outward and spiritual observance of the Sabbath, which has been noted.
One more favorite project remains to be mentioned, in which about this time, he sought to interest those who met him. This was the establishment of a Christian Daily Newspaper, which should honor God by refraining from all Sabbath work. He argued that their issue of Monday should contain nothing printed after Saturday evening; and that Christians should be willing to receive their news later by one day, once during the week, in order to honor God's law. If this delay should diminish the circulation of such a journal, and make it less remunerative than others ; he declared that he was willing to repay a part of this loss out of his own means.
As soon as his quarters were established at Hamilton's Cross- ing, he began the custom of regular domestic worship in his mess, each uiorning. These services were willingly attended by
all his staff, out of respect for his Christian character, or from their own interest in them. He, who was of all men least obtrusive in his religion, carefully forbore from commanding their attendance, although his beaming face indicated plainly enough the pleasure he felt in seeing them present. Whenever his chap- lain was not there, he always conducted these services himself, with his customary unction and humility. On Wednesday and Sunday nights, there was also a prayer meeting observed at his quarters, where he was always a worshipper, and led the devo- tions of his brethren, when desired to do so by a minister. A few of the young men upon his Staff had cultivated the delightful art of sacred music. On the afternoon of the Sabbaths, when the necessary business, which he always reduced within the nar- rowest limits, was despatched, it was his favorite occupation to have singing ; and frequently, as the little choir was conclud- ing, he said ; " Now let us have the hymn ;"
«*How happy are they ■\Vho their Saviour obey."
On every intelligent Christian who approached him at this time, he made the impression of the most eminent sanctity. They all left him with this testimony : that he was the holiest man they had ever seen.
The following extracts from letters to Mrs. Jackson may be 'introduced here.
*< March 14th, 1863.
'^ On next Monday there is to be a meeting of the chaplains of my corpsj and I pray that good may result from the meeting.
" The time has about come for campaigning, and I hope early next week to leave my room and go into a tent near Hamilton's crossing, which is on the railroad, about five miles from Freder*
icksburg. It is rather a relief to get where there will be less comfort than in a room ; as I hope thereby persons will be pre- vented from encroaching so much on my time. I am greatly behind with my reports, and am very desirous of getting through with them before another campaign commences."
<* April 10th.
" I trust that God is going to bless us with great success, and in such a manner as to show that it is all His gift; and I trust and pray that it will lead our country to acknowledge Him, and to live in accordance with His will as revealed in the Bible. There appears to be an increased religious interest among our troops here. Our chaplains have weekly meetings on Tuesdays : and the one of this week was more charming than the preceding one," ifec.
The effort thus begun in General Jackson's corps, was imitated in the others. The movement was not limited to the army of Virginia: but was also propagated in the South and West. Soon the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the other ecclesiastical authorities, encouraged by the advice which the friends of General Jackson were permitted to quote from him, began to take action on behalf of the army ; and a number of the most distinguished ministers were sent to the different coi'ps to labor with the chaplains as itinerants, and to communi- cate the wants of the army to the churches. The speedy fall of the originator of the work rather gave new impetus to it, than retarded it ; and the result was, that general revival of religion in the Confederate armies, which has been even more astonishing to the world, than the herculean exertions of the Confederate States. A wide-spread reform of morals was wrought, which was obvious to every spectator, in the repression of profanity and drunkenness, the increase of order and discipline, and the good
conduct of the troops in battle. It was just those commands in which this work of grace was most powerful, that became the most trustworthy in the post of danger. The brigade of Barks- dale, for instance, which had held its ground in Fredericksburg with almost incredible resolution under the great bombardment, was equally noted for its religious zeal. Returning to their post of honor in the city, they occupied one of the deserted churches as their chapel, and maintained a constant series of nightly meet- ings, attended by numerous conversions, for many weeks. In short, the conversions in the various Confederate armies within the ensuing year, were counted, by the most sober estimate, at twelve thousand men. The strange spectacle was now pre- sented, of a people among whom the active religious life seemed to be transferred from the churches at home — the customary seats of piety — to the army; which, among other nations, has always been dreaded as the school of vice and infidelity. Thus, the grief and fears of the good, lest this gigantic war should arrest the religious training of the whole youth of the land, cut off the supply of young preachers for its pulpits, and rear up for the country a generation of men profane and unchristian, were happily consoled; they accepted this new marvel, of an army made the home and source of the religious life of a nation, with grateful joy, as another evidence of the favor of God to the afflicted people.
The reader has seen an allusion of General Jackson's letter, to the brigbt hopes which he entertained of a prosperous cam- paign. By his diligence during the winter, his corps had been brought to such numbers and efficiency as it had never reached before. It now contained more than thirty thousand fighting men; and it was animated by a towering spirit of determma- tion and confidence. It was soon after his removal to Hamil- ton's Crossing, that a member of his Staff, alluding to the
eported vast preparations of the enemy, described to him the temper of his own men, and their eagerness for the coming collision. As he listened, the fire of battle kindled more and more in his face, until he sprung from his seat, and exclaimed: '- 1 wish the enemy would come on !" Then raising his eyes rev- erently, he added: "My trust is in God." Thus his spirit was girding itself for the coming struggle, with faith and prayer. The collision which was approaching promised indeed to be one which might well have made the heart stand still with awe. Hooker was again recruiting his monstrous army to its former numbers, and was preparing every means for a new advance on Richmond. The precursor of the new campaign was an irrup- tion of three thousand Federal cavalry across Kelly's Ford into the county of Culpepper. The design of their General, Averill, was to reach the Central Railroad, ascertain something of the positions and numbers of the Confederates, and break up their line of supplies toward Gordonsville. But General Stuart met him near Kelly's Ford with eight hundred men of the brigade of FitzHugh Lee, and after a stubbornly-contested combat drove him back across the Rappahannock.
The season of quiet was happily closed for General Jackson by a visit from his wife and daughter. Having secured lodgings for them at the neighboring country-seat of a gentleman, near Hamilton's Crossing, he yielded at length to Mrs. Jackson's solicitations, and to his own affection, and about the middle of April met them at the railroad station. The arrival of the mail- train from Richmond was the signal, every day, for the assem- blage of a great crowd of officers and soldiers off duty, around the place. In the midst of these the General came forward to the doors of the cars, to receive his expected treasures. " The infant, refreshed by long slumber, had just awakened, and looked up at him with a countenance very fresh and bright.
His first care, after the accustomed salutation, was to get the mother and child safely through the crowd and rain into the car- riage which was to convey them to their temporary home. Arrived there, he divested himself of his wet overcoat, and tak- ing his baby into his arms, caressed it with tender delight, exclaiming upon its beauty and . size. Henceforth, his chief pleasure was in caressing her, and he was several times seen, while she was sleeping, kneeling long over her cradle, watching her with a face beaming with admiration and happiness."
This visit was a source of unalloyed delight to him. His first care was to make arrangements for the baptism of the child; for the uncertainties of the day warned him that both the parents might not speedily meet again to concur in the sacred rite. He therefore caused his chaplain to admmister baptism to it at the quarters of Mrs. Jackson, among a small circle of their personal friends. Such was his devotion to duty, that the attractions of his family made slight change in his busy habits ; and his time was employed as strictly as ever, in the care of his command. After the labors of the day were completed, he was accustomed to leave his tent, and dine, with one or two comrades, with Mrs. Jackson, spending his evenings with her, chiefly in joyous romps with little Julia. She, on her part, imme- diately formed the closest intimacy with her new admirer, and learned to prefer his caresses to all others.
What an amazing account of that Historic Position of that Historic Church over all.