Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/184

170 "grim monster" Death is an evidence of preparation by simple trust in Christ. This proof was often given by the calm patience, the heroic fortitude, the ecstatic triumph with which our brave fellows went from the din of battle to their glorious crown of rejoicing. On the night before the last day's battle at Second Manassas, Friday, August 29, 1862, Col. W. S. H. Baylor, one of the most widely known and loved young men in the State, was in command of the "Stonewall brigade," which had the year before won its name and immortal fame on these historic plains. Sending for Capt. Hugh White son of the venerable Dr. William S. White, of Lexington, "Stonewall" Jackson's old pastor, and himself a theological student who commanded one of the companies in the brigade, "Will" Baylor, as we used familiarly to call him, said to him: "I know the men are very much wearied out by the battle to-day, and that they need all of the rest they can get to fit them for the impending struggle of to-morrow. But I cannot consent that we shall sleep to-night until we have had a brief season of prayer to thank God for the victory and preservation of the day and to invoke His blessing upon us in the great battle which we are to have to-morrow." Capt. Hugh White entered into lively sympathy with Colonel Baylor's feelings, and at once began to arrange for the meeting. He found in his bivouac near by Chaplain A. C. Hopkins, one of those faithful chaplains, who was always found at the post of duty even though it was the line of battle or the advance skirmish line of the army. The men were quietly notified that there would be a prayer-meeting at brigade headquarters, and as many as could be spared from the line of battle promptly gathered at the appointed place. Chaplain Hopkins led the meeting, and it was one of those tender seasons of worship that we frequently had on the eve of battle. The songs, and even the prayers could be distinctly heard by the enemy's line of battle. Will Baylor entered into the service with