Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/151

 A Bishop's Visitation in the Field of War. 139

To return by Sniithfield, as we intended, was now deemed im- practicable. My appointment there was necessarily, though very reluctantly, abandoned, and we made our way round by Bunker's Hill to Winchester, where we arrived at lo o'clock P. M., and so ended the labors of a day of much excitement and fatigue, but of very deep interest.

As we drove out of Shepherdstown we were accosted by a gentleman on horseback, who introduced himself as one of those just confirmed. He kindly invited us to accompany him to his house, where we were abundantly refreshed by the gen- erous hospitality of his excellent wife and self, and then con- ducted to a road and furnished with directions, which enabled us to accomplish the rest of our journey without deviation.

In passing through Bunker Hill, I was pained to see that the neat little Church in which, on former visitations, I had officiated, had, like many others, been much damaged by occu- pancy for military purposes. I trust that those accustomed to worship there will be encouraged and aided in making the proper repairs, and that the clergy to whom it is accessible will favor them with occasional services, till they can be supplied with stated ministrations.

August 8. — We returned to Millwood, where I found the Rev. Mr. Perkins still too much indisposed to travel.

August lo. — A funeral service at the Stone Chapel brought together a number of the parishioners, and at the request of the Rector I preached to the congregation in that venerable building, consecrated by the faithful and successful services of my loved and lamented predecessor. Here he commenced his ministry, labored steadily for many years, and to the close of his life, though it had been left by the congregation for a building of larger size and better location, he continued to visit it annually to preach to a new generation the precious gospel, which, in his youth, he had proclaimed so acceptably to their parents.

That afternoon the Federal forces advanced toward \^'hite Post, and we unexpectedly found ourselves within their lines.