Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/293

 The Twelfth Alabama Infantry. 289

Weep ye, but know that the signet of freedom Is stamped in the hillocks of earth newly made,

And know ye that victory, the shrine of the mighty, Stands forth on the colors of Rodes' brigade.

"Maidens of Southland! come bring ye bright flowers,

Weave ye a chaplet for the brow of the brave, Bring ye the emblems of Freedom and Victory,

Bring ye the emblems of Death and the Grave, Bring ye some motto befitting a Hero,

Bring ye exotics that never will fade, Come to the deep crimsoned valley of Richmond

And crown the young chieftain who led his brigade."*

PREACHING IN CAMP.

The 1 2th Alabama was singularly fortunate in having two such superior Chaplains as Rev. Mark S. Andrews, D. D., of the Ala- bama Conference, and Rev. Henry D. Moore, D. D., of the South Carolina Conference, at Opelika. These were able men, fine preachers, and earnest and faithful in their labors. Dr. Moore was assisted in his labors, during the latter part of the war, by the ministrations of Rev. William A. Moore, of Company F, now living at Neches, Texas. Moore was a college classmate of mine, a first rate speaker, fluent, earnest and modest. He ought to have been made the chaplain of the regiment at one time, but served his country in the ranks, having been transferred, as he flatteringly told me, from the 6oth Georgia to my company, be- cause I was a commissioned officer in it, and on account of his kind regard for me. He was one of the members of my company that was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, and since the war has been a citizen of Texas.

Rev. E. J. Rogers, a Baptist minister, also of our company, who came as a substitute, was a good preacher. He had the misfortune to lose his leg at the battle of Gettysburg, and, as I was wounded there, and in the hospital tent, near him, I remember distinctly his earnest, pleading prayers while suffering and submitting to the am- putation of his leg. He was a man gifted in prayer and was a gal- lant soldier. I have never heard what became of him.

In the early part of the war our company and brigade were fa- vored with sermons from some distinguished Richmond ministers.


 * Major-General R. E. Rodes.