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1863 Revival in Confederate Army

1863 Revival in Confederate Army

Stonewall Jackson

The year 1863 witnessed a surge in religious fervour that swept through the Confederate armies during the American Civil War. This phenomenon, known as the “Great Revival,” saw large numbers of soldiers embrace Christianity, profoundly impacting the religious landscape of the Confederacy and leaving a lasting legacy on the soldiers who experienced it. This report delves into the history of this revival, exploring its antecedents, key figures, and lasting impact.

Religion in the Antebellum South and the Civil War

The American South had a long and complex relationship with religion 1. The Second Great Awakening, a period of religious revivalism in the early 19th century, had significantly shaped the religious landscape of the region. Evangelical Protestantism, particularly Baptist and Methodist denominations, gained prominence, emphasizing personal conversion experiences and emotional religious expression 1. This emphasis on individual experience and emotionalism in religion mirrored the broader cultural values of the South, with its focus on personal honor, independence, and strong community ties. By 1860, most white Virginians, for example, adhered to evangelical Protestant churches 2.

At the beginning of the Civil War, the United States was a predominantly religious nation. The 1860 United States Census recorded 28 different Protestant denominations, a small but thriving Jewish community,…source to seek solace and meaning in faith. In the Confederate armies, this religious awakening manifested in the form of the Great Revival.

The Rise of the 1803 Revival in Confederate Army

While revivals occurred sporadically throughout the war, the “Great Revival” specifically refers to the period from the fall of 1863 through the spring and summer of 1864 4. Although most extensively documented in the Army of Northern Virginia, it also occurred in other Confederate armies, as well as among some Union troops 4.

Several factors contributed to the rise of the Great Revival. The Confederate States Army had suffered significant setbacks in 1863, including the defeats at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga 6. These losses created a sense of disillusionment and despair among the soldiers, leading many to turn to religion for comfort and hope 7. The Union blockade, which limited access to supplies and information, may have further intensified this introspection by restricting the soldiers’ access to secular reading material and entertainment 8.

Furthermore, the prolonged nature of the war and the hardships of army life created an environment conducive to religious introspection. Soldiers faced boredom, disease, and the constant threat of death, prompting them to seek meaning and purpose beyond the battlefield 6.

Key Figures and Churches Involved

The Great Revival was largely a grassroots movement, driven by the soldiers themselves and facilitated by chaplains and evangelists. This grassroots nature was evident in the prevalence of lay preaching, where soldiers themselves took on the role of spreading the Gospel to their comrades 1. However, some key figures played significant roles in encouraging and supporting the revival.

      • Stonewall Jackson: A devout Presbyterian, General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was known for his strong religious convictions. He encouraged prayer and Bible study among his troops and actively supported the revival movement 8.
      • Robert E. Lee: While less overtly religious than Jackson, General Robert E. Lee also recognized the importance of religion in maintaining morale and discipline within the army. He encouraged chaplains and supported religious services 8.
      • William Jones: A Confederate chaplain and author of Christ in the Camp, Jones played a crucial role in documenting and promoting the Great Revival. He provided firsthand accounts of the religious fervor that swept through the army and estimated that 150,000 soldiers had been converted by the end of the war 8.While the revival was ecumenical in nature 10, with participation from various denominations, certain churches played prominent roles. The following table summarizes the involvement of different denominations:
Denomination Role in the Revival
Baptist Held a strong presence in the South, particularly in the Tidewater and Piedmont regions. Actively involved in preaching, distributing religious tracts, and providing spiritual guidance.
Methodist Dominant in the trans-Allegheny west and enjoyed support throughout the South. Played a key role in organizing prayer meetings and promoting religious observance.
Presbyterian A significant presence in the South, with leaders like Stonewall Jackson promoting religious fervor among the troops.
Episcopal Formed the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America, reflecting the split along national lines.

Chaplains and evangelists from these churches held services, distributed religious tracts, and provided spiritual guidance to the soldiers 1.

Prayers and Practices

The Great Revival was characterized by various religious practices that contributed to its success. Prayer meetings were a central feature, often held spontaneously in camps and hospitals 6. Soldiers would gather to pray for their families, their comrades, and the Confederacy, finding solace and strength in communal worship. These prayer meetings were often fervent and emotionally charged, with soldiers experiencing a deep sense of connection with God and with each other.

The distribution of religious tracts and Bibles also played a significant role. Organizations like the Evangelical Tract Society of Petersburg, Virginia, printed millions of pages of religious literature, which were eagerly sought after by the soldiers 1. These tracts provided spiritual encouragement and reinforced the messages preached by chaplains and evangelists. Soldiers would often gather in “reading clubs” to share and discuss these materials, further deepening their religious understanding 5.

Another common practice was baptism. When a pond or river was nearby, soldiers would frequently step forward for baptisms, regardless of the weather 5. This act symbolized their commitment to their newfound faith and their desire for spiritual cleansing.

Personal Testimonies and Spiritual Encounters

The Great Revival was marked by numerous accounts of personal conversions and spiritual encounters. Soldiers described profound experiences of faith, often in the face of death and suffering. These testimonies provide valuable insights into the impact of the revival on the lives of individual soldiers.

One soldier, William Russell of the 26th Virginia Regiment, recorded a prayer in his diary: “Oh Lord, if we should go into battle, be thou our shield & hiding place. If it is consistent with thy will, that any of us should be killed, may we have a happy admittance into thy Kingdom above” 6. This prayer reflects the soldiers’ reliance on faith for comfort and protection amidst the dangers of war.

In another account, a captain who had recently converted called his company together and urged them to follow him in his newfound faith, stating, “As soon as I found peace, I called my company together and told them that they had always followed where I had led them, and that now I had found the Savior, and was determined to follow Him, and I wanted them to go with me” 12. This example highlights the role of personal testimony in spreading the revival and the sense of brotherhood that it fostered among the soldiers.

One of the most dramatic accounts tells of ten soldiers who died while kneeling at the mourners’ bench, crushed by a falling tree 6. Private Sam Watkins, who witnessed the event, expressed no concern for their deaths, believing that their souls had joined “the army of the hosts of heaven” 6. This anecdote illustrates the profound faith and acceptance of death that characterized many of the converts.

Timeline of the Great Revival

While a precise timeline of the Great Revival is difficult to construct, the following provides a chronological overview of the events leading up to, during, and after the revival:

        • Early 1860s: The Second Great Awakening lays the groundwork for religious fervour in the South.
        • 1861-1862: The Civil War begins, and soldiers on both sides experience increased religious interest.
        • September 1862: The first significant revival occurs in the Army of Northern Virginia along the Rappahannock River.
        • 1863: Confederate defeats at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga contribute to a sense of despair and introspection among soldiers.
        • Fall 1863 – Spring 1864: The “Great Revival” takes hold in the Confederate armies, with widespread prayer meetings, conversions, and religious observance.
        • May 1864: Grant’s attack interrupts the revival in the Army of Northern Virginia.
        • 1864-1865: Revivals continue sporadically in different Confederate armies.
        • Post-war: Many Confederate soldiers carry their newfound faith home, contributing to the growth of evangelical Protestantism in the South.

Results and Legacy of the Great Revival

The Great Revival had a significant impact on the Confederate armies and the South as a whole. By the end of the war, an estimated 150,000 soldiers had been converted 8. This religious awakening transformed the moral and spiritual landscape of the army, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among the soldiers. The revival provided a powerful coping mechanism for soldiers dealing with the trauma of war, offering solace, hope, and a sense of meaning in the face of death and destruction 11.

The revival also had a lasting legacy. Many soldiers carried their newfound faith with them after the war, contributing to the growth of evangelical Protestantism in the postwar South. The revival also led to an increased emphasis on the role of chaplains in the military, a practice that continues to this day.

Conclusion

The Great Revival in the Confederate armies of 1863 was a significant event in American religious history. It demonstrated the power of faith to provide comfort and hope in times of crisis and left a lasting legacy on the soldiers who experienced it. The revival transformed the religious landscape of the Confederacy and contributed to the growth of evangelical Protestantism in the postwar South. While the Confederacy ultimately lost the war, the Great Revival stands as a testament to the enduring human need for faith and spiritual meaning, even in the midst of conflict and suffering.

The revival also presents a poignant irony: Confederate soldiers found solace and unity in a religion that preached love and compassion, while simultaneously fighting to preserve a social order built on the institution of slavery. This contradiction highlights the complexities of the Civil War and the enduring challenges of reconciling faith with social and political realities.

The Great Revival can be seen as a microcosm of the broader religious landscape of the 19th century, reflecting the trends of the Third Great Awakening and the enduring influence of evangelical Protestantism in American society. It serves as a reminder of the powerful role that religion can play in shaping individual lives and collective identities, even in the midst of profound social and political upheaval.

 

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