Christ in the Camp

Christ in the Camp

Throughout the country the Civil War is still discussed, argued, analyzed, and written about by countless authors; but there is a topic which is often overlooked. That is the subject of Christians in the war, and the many revivals that took place in that time period. I don’t have time to write about them all, but I want to divide this report into three sections: 1.Confederate General Converted 2. A Christian General, 3.The Revival Along the Rapidan.

A Confederate General Converted

Standing tall in the history books is Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  He is known to many as: A racist, the man in charge of the “Fort Pillow Massacre”, someone who was involved with the KKK, when it was organized or more famously known as “That Devil Forrest”. What most people don’t know is that a few years after the war General Forrest was saved.

As a child he grew up on the frontier, a place not for the faint of heart. When he was 16 his father died leaving behind 8 children. Bedford consequently assumed the father-figure role in the family.  In his later teenage year, defending his Uncle, who was being bullied and then murdered by 4 men, he killed 2 of them. He wasn’t charged with anything because it was self-defense. Afterwards the town made him their lawman.

Bedford’s mother was apparently the earliest means of religious influence in his life. She is said to have been a devout Christian woman. He also married a Christian woman, Mary Ann Montgomery. Despite these two women’s influence he saw Christianity as a woman’s religion. In later years, after his marriage, he became a slave trader and earned a fortune, but in 1858 he stopped this form of making his wealth. Forrest waited until Tennessee seceded to join the Confederacy. His son also joined the army.

Although Bedford Forrest had no use for Christianity, except for the benefits of his wife’s prayers of protection, he encouraged his son to take after his mother in that respect, even going as far as getting Christian companions for his son. Here is a passage from a letter he sent to his son: “If I have been wicked and sinful myself. It would rejoice my heart to see you leading the Christian life which has adorned your mother…. What I desire most of you my son is never to gamble or swear. These are baneful vices. As I grow older I see the folly of these two vices, and beg that you will never engage in them…. Be honest, be truthful, in all your dealings with the world. Be cautious in the selection of your friends. Shun the society of the low and vulgar. Strive to elevate your character and to take a high and honorable position in society…. Keep this letter prominently before you…. Should we meet no more on earth.”¹ Also he was open to letting chaplains in his camp. Here is a quote by D.C.Kelley, concerning General Forrest’s attitude towards him and his faith: “Throughout the war he always gave me the fullest opportunities for preaching in camp, courteously entertaining at his mess table all preachers whom I might choose to invite. He was always present at such services when it was practicable. While we were messmates there was always family prayer in his tent at night, conducted alternately by the chaplain and myself. At Tupelo, Miss., where I once requested Bishop Payne to preach for our command, General Forrest entertained him at his headquarters.”²

After the war Bedford Forrest returned home to his family and endured the reconstruction years with them. He accredited his safety in battle to the prayers of his wife and mother. As he aged he went from a fearless war hero to a man who had a hard time walking; he was ageing beyond his years. He was being transformed from a proud man who needed no-one to a man who was beginning to see that he wasn’t invincible. He began attending church with his wife, Mary Ann. One morning during a sermon about the man who built his house on the sand Bedford Forrest came under conviction. After the service he went to speak to the pastor, speaking these words “Sir, your sermon has removed the last prop from under me, I am the fool that built his house on the sand; I am a poor miserable sinner.”³ The pastor sent Bedford home with the assignment of reading Psalm 51. The evening following Pastor Stainback visited Forrest at his home. Both men got on their knees and prayed. After he was finished praying, Bedford Forrest spoke to Pastor Stainback and said “All is right. I have put my trust in my Redeemer.”⁴ Many people may still doubt the conversion of such a hardened sinner. Many will still not believe anyone could change so much. But to prove my point let me include this speech he made as an honored guest at a Black Civil Rights function (after being handed a bouquet of flowers by Miss. Lewis as a gift of ‘reconciliation between the races’) : “Ladies and Gentlemen, I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God’s earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think I am doing wrong .I believe I can exert some influence and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man to depress none. I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I don’t propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when it is done, you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict .Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I’ll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.” .. After his speech, the six-foot, two inch Forrest leaned down and gently kissed Miss Lewis on the cheek, an act of acceptance and respect that was absolutely unheard-of for a white man to show towards a black woman in that day and age. Yes, this Nathan Bedford Forrest was not the same man who once sold slaves, gambled money, and killed Yankees. He was now a “new creature in Christ Jesus” and was beginning to show the fruit of it.⁴

Even in his death he was a different man. Proving this is the fact that the man who sat by his bedside on the evening of his death was none other than an old friend, turned enemy in a railroad squabble, that he had made things right with. General Forrest died on Oct. 29, 1877. His last words were “Call my wife.” In ending this section, let me say I didn’t write this to defend Bedford Forrest’s actions as a slave trader, at Fort Pillow, as a lost man or his association with the KKK, but simply to prove that even the vilest of sinners can be redeemed by God’s amazing grace! 

^{John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.}

A Christian General

Underneath his plumed hat, swashbuckling personality, and flawless appearance lies the soul of a good Christian man.  Often seen only for his fun loving, bold, and chivalrous nature, J.E.B Stuart was all of those, but most of all a Christian.

Stuart was born in Laurel Hill, Virginia. His mother, Elizabeth, was the parent in the family who influenced him in his faith. When he was 12 he promised his Mother he would never drink alcohol, and he kept his word until his wounding at Yellow Tavern. He also joined the “Temperance League”. After going to school at Emory and Henry College, he went to West Point. 

When he joined the army in 1854 as a Brevet Second Lieutenant, Stuart was sent to Texas to try and subdue the Comanche and Apache. In 1855 he was transferred to the First United States Cavalry and was moved to Kansas, where he remained for 6 years. He met his future wife, Flora Cooke, in Kansas.  They were married on November 14, 1855. J.E.B. and Flora had 3 children: Flora, Phillip St. George Cooke (later renamed J.E.B. Stuart, Jr.) and Virginia. While in Kansas, Stuart founded a church (which still remains). He took an interest in his men’s spiritual life, and purchased them Bibles. He also sent his mother $100 with the request that a church be founded in his home, Laurel Hill; unfortunately it was never built. While he spent time on the prairie Stuart said, “From the first I prayed God to be my guide and I felt an abiding hope that all would be well with us.” ⁵ Stuart participated in the capture of John Brown. Even as early as 1857 when thoughts of a Civil War reached Kansas Stuart stated, “Ours is a glorious country. I love it, but like Mr. Calhoun, while I love the Union I love Virginia more.”⁶

 As the feelings of Session grew stronger Stuart knew his allegiance was to Virginia. He wrote his feeling in a letter to Jefferson Davis, “For my part I have no had no hesitancy from the first that, right or wrong, alone or otherwise, I go with Virginia… every true patriot deplores even the possibility of disunion yet let its blessings not be purchased at too great a price… Put equality and independence in one scale and Union in the other, and if the latter outweigh the former, I for one would, Like Brennus, throw my sabre in the scale consecrated by the principles and blood of our forefathers- our constitutional rights without which the Union is a mere mockery.” ⁷

Jeb Stuart proved himself a formidable foe in the years of 1861-1864. He fought many battles and proved himself brave in the face of the enemy. One of Stuart’s men said about him, “Jeb never says to us, ‘go on’- with him it’s c’mon boys. He leads us, he don’t send us.”⁸ In a quote of Stuart’s, you see what appears to be a reference to the story where Moses had to have his arms held by 2 men for the Israelites to gain victory: “If congress and the people will hold up our hands we will fight the enemies of our cause and country, and God bless with victory our arms…”⁹

I will not attempt to follow J.E.B. Stuart through all of his glorious victories or tragic defeats; it would take too much time. I will mention that when Stuart wrote of his “First Ride around McClellan” he expressed an “abiding trust in God.” ¹⁰ At one time he expressed his desire for a chaplain in his command to J. William Jones.  He once said, “I regard the calling of a clergyman as the noblest in which any human being can engage.”¹¹

He also made sure to give full credit to God, when he wrote to his family, for his continued safety, stating “God has shielded me thus far from bodily harm, but I feel perfect resignation to go at his bidding.”¹² But not only was he resigned to God’s will when he was safe and everything was going right, he was also resigned when bad things happened. To illustrate this is when his daughter Flora died. Before her death he wrote to his wife saying, “My duty is to remain here. Let us trust in the good God, who has blessed us so much that he will spare our child… If it should please him to take our child let us bear it with Christian fortitude and resignation. At all events remember that Flora was not of this world, she belonged to another, and will be better off by far in her heavenly habitation.”¹³ He also gave God credit and thanks for his victories. One such time is when he said “Believing that the hand of God was clearly manifest in the signal deliverance of my command from danger and the crowning success attending it, I ascribe to Him the praise, the honor and the glory.”¹⁴

Jeb Stuart was fun-loving and had quite the sense of humor, almost the exact opposite of “Stonewall” Jackson who was serious a large portion of the time and somewhat quirky. Nonetheless, they had a strong friendship that was probably based on their faith. It is said that Jackson welcomed Stuart into his headquarters readily and that Stuart could tease him into gales of laughter. When Jackson received his promotion, to Lieutenant General, Stuart sent him the present of a new uniform.  Once upon Stuart’s request for instructions Jackson answered, “Tell General Stuart to do what he thinks best. I have implicit confidence in him.”¹⁵

Finally, we will see Stuart’s faith in God upon his death bed. At the Battle of Yellow Tavern on May 11, Stuart was struck by a bullet around his abdomen. As he was being loaded into an ambulance he noticed his men were retreating. Upon seeing this he yelled to them “Go back, go back and do your duty as I have done mine, and our country will be safe. Go back! Go back! I had rather die than be whipped.”¹⁶ As he lay dying Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, came and visited him.  He asked how Stuart was feeling to which Stuart replied “Easy, but willing to die if God and my country think I have fulfilled my destiny and done my duty.”¹⁷ Stuart requested that “Rock of Ages” be sung and he joined in the best he could. J.E.B. Stuart, the Bold Dragoon, the “Eyes and Ears of the Confederacy”, the Bold Cavalier, died on May 12^th, his last words being simply this “God’s will be done.”¹⁸

I end this section with a poem J.E.B. Stuart wrote in 1854:

O God, where’re my footsteps stray

Or prairies far or battles dim

Still keep my soul from ev’ry sin.

Lord! When the hour of death shall come

And from this clay my soul release

O’ grant that I may have a home

In thy abode of endless peace.”¹⁹

Revival along the Rapidan

During the war there were many revivals in the Southern Army, but I am going to concentrate on just one. It took place in the year 1863. This section will contain passages and statements written by men that were actually there.

First is a letter written by G.F. Bagby:

Dear Brother Dickinson: God has seen fit, in His mercy, greatly to bless the labors of His servants in this (General Wise’s) brigade. We have recently closed a meeting in the Twenty-sixth Regiment, which resulted in the hopeful conversion of 150 souls; while forty or fifty more, many of them scarcely recognized as the followers of Christ, have been strengthened and encouraged to take a more positive stand for their Saviour and His cause. Rev. Mr. Miller, of Forty-sixth Regiment, has been laboring faithfully with those under his care, with occasional help, and as the result about two hundred have been brought, as we trust, from darkness to light. Brother A. Broaddus, Sr., and myself are now laboring in a meeting at the Bluff. Two have professed conversion, and several have been built up and strengthened in the faith.

P. S.— Monday. Since writing the above, our meeting at the Bluff has greatly increased in interest. Brother Broaddus was taken sick on Saturday. Yesterday I labored almost alone. Preached twice; conducted two prayer-meetings, exhorting five or six times. Six have professed conversion, and last night thirty presented themselves for prayer. The Lord is with us.

G. F. Bagby. ²⁰

Next is a letter written by L.C. Vass:

Chaplains' Association of the Second and Third army Corps.

This association was formed in the Second or Jackson's Corps, March 16, 1863, and has held weekly meetings ever since, unless prevented by providential circumstances. We meet on each Tuesday, and first hear a sermon by the last chairman. Our doors are open to the public. The state of religious interest before and after the battle of Chancellorsville has been reported as most encouraging. Many openly assumed the armor of the Christian and numbers were inquiring the way to Jesus. Sweet communion seasons were held, where new-born souls first feasted on the shed blood and the broken body of the Lamb. Some of these never ate again on earth, for they were summoned to go up higher and sit with Jesus Himself. Our glorious Christian hero, leader and friend, fell in that fight, and our hearts mourned. The army felt deeply the blow. We trust the affliction has been blessed to us all. A new corps was formed for General A. P. Hill, and a part of General Jackson's corps was taken to fill it. Our association was then extended to both corps.

We met first, since the battle of Gettysburg, in the Baptist church at Orange Court House, on Tuesday, August 11, 1863. Rev. B. T. Lacy preached from 2 Cor. IV. 14: “The love of Christ constraineth us.” Rev. A. M. Marshall, of the Baptist Church and chaplain of the Twelfth Georgia Infantry, was chosen chairman. After receiving new members, we had a free conversation about the state of religion in our army. A wonderful change had passed over the army from the quiet and regular meetings at Hamilton's Crossing to the bustle and activity of an invasive campaign. The chaplains had been diligent in holding services with their regiments. Some had prayed with and exhorted them while lying in the trenches in line of battle. And though some had feared the results of this campaign upon the moral and spiritual welfare of the soldiers, and there were some excesses to be deeply regretted, yet there were many conversations on the march or in the tumult of battle. Now that we are quiet in camp an intense interest in spiritual things is found to pervade the army. Perhaps there is a more hopeful and blessed reviving of God's work here now than ever before. In Ramseur's, Doles's, Smith's,Gordon's, Wright's, Thomas's, Posey's and Scales's Brigades God was working wonderfully. In some, officers and men were together bowed under the heavy burden of their sins; in all, many were earnestly seeking their souls' salvation, and many were rejoicing in hope of reconciliation to God through His Son Jesus. In Hays's Brigade, in which there is no Protestant chaplain, in a little prayer-meeting, five persons had professed conversion and wish to join some Church. A neighboring chaplain, on application, went over to assist them. The prayer-meeting was now a great congregation and the interest was growing. Wilcox's Brigade is now blessed for the first time by an outpouring of God's Spirit. There have been some thirty conversions therein during the week, ending August 18th. It is harvest time with the army. Jesus is the Husbandman, and angels are singing over the rich harvest. Laborers are needed here. Who will come to help, Lord? Who will pray for richer blessings on this noble army? Rev. Theo. Pryor, D. D., now missionary in Longstreet's or First Corps, said that though he had been a pastor for thirty-one years, he felt thankful to God for opening the way for him to labor in the army. He had never enjoyed the sense of God's presence in preaching as here. At his last meeting many had requested prayer for their souls. Rev. J. A. Broadus testified similarly. He had been deceived as to preaching among the soldiers; for not half had been told him. He had no idea of the state of religious feeling here, though he had had more opportunities than many out of the army to know the truth of the matter. He had never enjoyed preaching so much. A far larger proportion of men attend divine services here than at home. They come because they choose here. Rev. D. B. Ewing, chaplain of the post at Gordonsville, had been much blessed in his labors in the hospital. He never met with a repulse in presenting Christ. Many were converted. Judging the religious sentiment of the army from cases sent to the hospital, he pronounced it better than that of the Church at home. The scarred veteran would meet with a religious chill on returning to his Church.

This is a brief account of the results of our meeting on August 11th and on August 18th, when the conference was continued. At this latter meeting Rev. J. A. Broadus preached from 2 Cor. II. 16: “And who is sufficient for these things.” He presented the apostle's example as worthy of our imitation amid all discouragements; and tenderly stated and forcibly illustrated the grounds of St. Paul's confidence. After some further business, the association adjourned to meet on Tuesday, August 25th, at the same place. We left feeling how blessed it was to work for God at such a time as this.

L. C. Vass, Secretary. ²¹

It wasn’t odd for revivals to go on for months. Men readily requested Bibles and would grab up tracts about salvation. Pastors left their churches and joined the army as chaplains which resulted in many men trusting Christ as their Savior. Men wanted to know how to be saved. One Army Evangelist said “Scores and hundreds are asking ‘What must we do to be saved?’²² Rev. B.T. Lacey also says “Since the arrival of the army at its present location, about 1,000 have professed faith in Christ, and more than 2,000 are earnestly inquiring the way of salvation.”²³

It is said by one man that “Not for years has such a revival prevailed in the Confederate States. Its records gladden the columns of every religious journal. Its progress in the army is a spectacle of moral sublimity over which men and angels can rejoice. Such campmeetings were never seen before in America. The bivouac of the soldier never witnessed such nights of glory and days of splendor…”²⁴ And here is a quote by Rev. J.O. Cooke a Chaplain in the Second Georgia Battalion, Wright’s Brigade:  It would do your heart good to witness our camp-services, to see the immense throngs that crowd our rude chapels, to listen to the soul-stirring music, as with one voice and one heart they unite in singing the sweet songs of Zion, and to note the deep interest and solemn earnestness with which they listen to the preaching of the word. I have never seen anything like it. I can but believe that the blessing of God is upon us, and that He is preparing us for a speedy and glorious peace.²⁵

To end this section I want to include a story by Rev. N.B. Cobb on his visit to the Army of Northern Virginia where he met a converted man: “One of the most wicked and desperate men in camp had been melted down into the gentleness of a little child. Before the Spirit of the Lord touched his heart, his name had been incorporated into a proverb for wickedness. He seemed to be beyond human control. Whenever he got out of camp he would get drunk, and come back or be brought back perfectly furious. When the guard would arrest him he would draw out his bowie knife and endeavor to cut his way through them; and even after he was overpowered and taken to the guard-house he had to be tied down, to keep him from rushing out over the sentinels. But the grace of God had taken hold of him, and entirely changed his nature. The roaring lion had been subdued into the gentle lamb; and it was remarkable that every man in the regiment had perfect confidence in his conversion.”²⁶

Let us remember that revival happened more than just once during these years. I only wrote about one season of it. To read more on the Revivals during that time I recommend reading “Christ in the Camp” a book by J. William Jones. I enjoy reading it because Jones was actually a chaplain in the army. He actually saw and heard of these things. 

  

^1-4 Direct quotes from Shane Kastler’s “Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption”

^5-19 Direct quotes from “God’s Will Be Done” by Thomas D. Perry

^20-26 Direct quotes from “Christ in the Camp” by J. William Jones