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The Christian Reenactor's Bookshelf
Christianity and the
Marshall, Peter and Manuel, David, Sounding Forth the Trumpet (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1997). "In galvanizing, scholarly prose, Peter Marshall and David Manuel narrate America's terrible journey to the atoning altar of the Civil War. Much of their stirring history is set in the halls of Congress, where truth's trumpet sounded forth to call us to repudiate slavery, the nation's most grievous sin." (John Ashcroft, U.S. Senator, Missouri.) Both Confederate and Federal reenactors will find this 522-page book a well-documented presentation of how the slavery issue fractured, and eventually led to a violent cataclysm within the young American nation. It concludes with the 1860 election of Lincoln. I can hardly wait until the next volume is written.
Pitts, Charles F., Chaplains in Gray: The Confederate Chaplain's Story (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1957). Reprints available through The Re-enactor's Missions for Jesus Christ. http://www.rmjc.org A riveting survey of the many self-sacrificing servants of God who ministered among the southern troops. Even Yankee believers will find their souls stirred and spirits encouraged.
Richards, Warren J., with Forward written by Barrett, John G., God Blessed Our Arms With Victory: The Religious Life of Stonewall Jackson (Vantage Press: 1986) Using extensive material from Jackson's personal letters, diaries, and observations of those who knew him, this slender, (92 pages) volume discusses Jackson's devotion to duty and to the Lord. Richards goes into great detail of how Jackson came to know the Lord through his commanding officer in the Mexican War, Colonel Frank Taylor. In 1851 Jackson became professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at Virginia Military Institute. Living now in Lexington, Virginia, Major Jackson made a methodical search for a denomination. He never found one that satisfied all of his doctrinal questions. However, due chiefly to the influence of the Reverend William S. White, he settled on the Presbyterian Church and served with bulldog determination. It is said that when walking he resembled a "duck waddling into a pond" and hated frivolous parties and chitchat. Many considered him "unpersonable." Thus different, rigid, lacking tact, he was not a gifted teacher. Nevertheless, according to Colonel Francis H. Smith, the superintendent, ".... Every officer and every cadet respected him, however, for his many sterling qualities. He was a brave man, a conscientious man, and a good man, but he was no professor..." Jackson's Christian character and sense of duty never wavered, as Richards brings out for the remainder of the volume. War letters, orders, and accounts demonstrate the nearly legendary tirelessness of this soldier. Sleeping less than four hours a night, frequently pushing his men up before dawn for what seemed impossible marches for his "foot cavalry," Jackson was revered by officers and men alike. His accidental death at the age of 39 from one of his own men firing a stray bullet was a tragedy, not only for his family, the South, but also for the cause of Christ. He often indicated that had his schooling been other than military, he would have preferred being a minister. He certainly demonstrated in his life the kind of commitment Christianity calls each of us to exhibit. (Book synopsis written by Meredith Campbell-Risen, Morgantown, WV)
Shattuck Jr., Gardiner H., A Shield and a Hiding Place (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press, 1987).
So, you think that only the southern camps experienced
revival? Gardiner Shattuck Jr. explores the influences of
Christianity within the military during the War and traces the impact
of revivalism in both armies. Also an enlightening sketch of Northern
and Southern societies with regards to religious faith.
Livermore, Mary, My Story of the War (Hartford, CT: A.D. Worthington & Co., 1890). A rare book, typically found with antiquarian book sellers. "Four years of personal experience as nurse in the Union Army". The author was joined to the United States Sanitary Commission and relates many incidents and observations of the times. References to the role of religion are sprinkled throughout the book, as the U.S.S.C. was founded by several liberal church denominations.
Inspirational Civil War Fiction
Foster, Rock, When Gauley Ran Blood (privately published). The author is a published writer and member of the Christian Reenactor's Network. The real history line of the Civil War at the Hughes Ferry on the Gauley River in central West Virginia. In real life the subjects of this novel were the author's great-grandparents. They met on his grandmother's ferry during one of the troop crossings and were married in November 1866. His grandfather was in the 22nd VA Infantry under the command of Col. George S. Patton (who had a famous grandson of later WW2 fame). Written from a Christian world view, this book portrays life at the ferry in a border state (and county) and contains the salvation experience (fictional) of one of the main characters, private Christopher Columbus Hughes, the author's great-grandfather. It is a realistic portrayal of how many soldiers during the war came to understand the gospel message of Jesus Christ. As stated in the book, "bullets were persuasive evangelists". For further information visit: http://www.a1usa.net/rfoster1/ You may direct inquiries to: rfoster1@champion.org
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