Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1210

1132 Randolph, a first cousin of Robert E. Lee, was born, at Eastern View, Fauquier county, in 1794, had extensive lands, served many years as a magistrate, and was a frequent contributor, from the standpoint of an old-line whig, to the National Intelligencer, of Washington, the great political organ of that day. He died in 1860 at the age of sixty-six years. His wife, Mary Tucker Magill, was the daughter of Col. John Magill of Winchester, an officer of the Revolution, and Mary Thruston, daughter of Judge Thruston, of the United States supreme court. Bishop Randolph was reared and educated at the old family place, Eastern View, to the age of sixteen, when he entered William and Mary college, where he received the degree of A. B. two years later. During his twentieth year, in preparation for a career in the church, he entered the theological seminary of Virginia near Alexandria, and upon his graduation three years later, was ordained to the deaconate by Bishop Meade. His first charge, in 1859, was at St. George's church at Fredericksburg, then ranking as third among the Virginia churches, the rector of which was then Rev. Edward McGuire, D. D. This eminent divine, then eighty years of age, died two months later, and was succeeded at once by Mr. Randolph. He served there, during the exciting period preceding and following the outbreak of war, until the storm of conflict broke over the town of Fredericksburg itself, in December, 1862. When Burnside made the order driving the citizens from their homes, which served so effectually to inspire the Confederate soldiers to destructive warfare in the following battle, and bombardment of the town was begun by the Federal army under that order, he was driven from his home, taking with him his wife, with a babe of twenty-six hours in her arms, in an ambulance. As soon as he could find his family a place of safety at Norwood, he returned to the army and served in field hospitals and in caring for the wounded. In June, 1863, without solicitation on his part, he received an appointment from General Lee as chaplain, with orders to serve in the hospitals at Richmond. In this service, at the capital and at Danville, he remained until the close of the war. With Gen. Robert E. Lee, Bishop Randolph enjoyed a warm and confidential friendship. While still at Fredericksburg he was permitted one of those intimate glimpses of the character of the great leader which endeared him to those who knew something of his inner life. Visiting the general at his headquarters one calm, pleasant evening, during a lull in the conversation there came to their ears the strains of the hymn "Old Hundred," sung by perhaps a brigade of soldiers at some religious service in camp. The sentiment of the words and the associations of the melody, contrasted strangely with the consciousness of the purpose of this vast assemblage and the imminence of a bloody battle. The great general evidently felt this as keenly as the minister of Christ at his side, and rising, he said, "Let us go out where we can hear better; what a terrible thing war is, and how blessed is the gospel of peace." This gospel Dr. Randolph was permitted to resume the presentation of upon the return of peace to the land. After serving for one year, 1866-67, at Christ church, Alexandria, the ancient place of worship of George Washington, he was called to Emmanuel church, Baltimore, where he remained until 1883. Then being consecrated as bishop, he assumed the duties of assistant