Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/201

 Pegram Battalion Association. 195

ADDRESS OF REV. H. MELVILLE JACKSON, D. D.

Religion an Element of Strength in the Soldierly Character.

When Aeneus related to the enamoured Queen of Carthage the story of Trojan woes, he could say that no inconsiderable part of those sufferings were borne by himself. And so, it seems to me, that one who is entitled to speak on an occasion of this sort, should have been a participator in the deeds whereof he speaks, a fellow-sufferer with those who suffered and a fellow-reaper with those who gathered glory on the fire-swept fields of war.

And, although I have not this title to speak, yet I yield to none in devotion to the principles which were then submitted to the arbitra- ment of arms, in grateful veneration for those who survived and loving reverence for those who died. They endured no hardship which does not enlist my sympathy, they won no glory which does not excite my enthusiasm and command my admiration. If this constitutes a title, I feel that I am not altogether unworthy to appear in your presence to-day and undertake to perform the duty which you have assigned me.

In the years which have ensued since the God of Peace breathed peace on this torn and distracted country, we have had time to make up our estimate of the Southern soldier. We have thought, and do verily believe, that neither the phalanxes of Macedonia, nor the legions of Rome, nor the disciplined battalions of Prussia, nor the sturdy brig- ades of Britain, nor the war- intoxicated soldiery of France, surpassed either in endurance or in valor the veteran armies which contested the long series of battles from Manassas to Appomattox. The esti- mate of the Southern soldier has been formed, has already passed into history, and will be perpetuated on her page.

There is, however, one element of strength in the soldierly char- acter, contributing no little to the achievements of the armies of the Confederacy, which the historian is liable to overlook. The deep religious sentiment which pervaded the Southern armies, and ani- mated alike both officers and men, will scarcely be included by the annalist among the contributory elements of success in war. And yet it is that element which I propose to emphasize to-day. Two distinguished chaplains of the war, Dr. W. W. Bennett in a book entitled "The Great Revival in the Southern Armies," and Dr. J. Wm. Jones in a work, " Christ in the Camp," which I understand is