Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/167

Rh day along the hard turnpike, the only orders being, "Press forward!" "Press forward!" As the evening shadows began to gather on the mountain-tops, some of the best men would fall out of ranks and declare that they could go no farther, and it did seem that even "the foot cavalry" could do no more. But presently the word is passed back along the line, "The head of the column is going into camp. "Immediately the weak grow strong again, the weary become fresh, the laggard hastens forward, and there upon some green sward on the banks of the beautiful Shenandoah we lie down to rest after a hard day's march. But before the bivouac is quiet there assembles a little group at some convenient spot hard by, who strikes up some dear old hymn which recalls hallowed memories of home and loved ones and of the old church far away, and which serves now as a prayer call well understood. From all parts of the bivouac men hasten to the spot; the song grows clearer and louder, and in a few moments a very large congregation has assembled. And as the chaplain reads some appropriate Scripture, leads in fervent prayer, and speaks words of earnest counsel, faithful admonition, or solemn warning,

There were very large congregations at Winchester, after Banks had been driven across the Potomac, on the call of our Christian leader to the "thanksgiving" service which he was accustomed to appoint after each victory, and also at Strasburg, while Ewell's division was in line of battle to keep back Fremont until all of Jackson's troops could pass the threatened point, and on that whole campaign the men were never too weary to assemble promptly for the evening service. The morning of the battle of Cross Keys a large part of Ezley's brigade assembled at half-past seven to hear a sermon by the chaplain of the Twenty-fifth Virginia regiment, Dr. George B. Taylor, who, being satisfied that a battle was