1862 June 22 before Richmond, Va.

[from the diary of Jonathan B. Hager of the 14th U.S. regulars as copied and annotated by him at a later date]

June 22   Bright, beautiful, balmy Sabbath. Services now
              held in the Camp of the 4th Infantry. A large
              hospital tent was tastefully dressed with Evergreens.
              Sears were improvised and all the necessary
              furniture for the altar.  Our minister of
              last Sunday, assisted by the gray haired,
              venerable chaplain of the 5th N. Y. Zouaves
              and another minister performed the services.  A
              very respectable congregation of Generals,
              Colonels and all ranks down to privates
              attended. After the sermon the Holy Communion
              was administered.  It was an impressive scene.
              If it had been known that before another Sabbath\
              all then present would have been engaged in a
             deadly conflict with a desperate foe, the occasion
             would have been indeed more solemn.  All passed
            off pleasantly & was productive of good results
            Nothing, it seemed to me, could have been more
            necessary & becoming than the humble worship in
           God's first temple, at the time when it was not known
            how soon the deadly conflict might begin and
           many of us hurled into the judgement seat.
           It was an hour not spent in vain to me and I
           know it had a good influence upon others who
           spoke of it, who had not been much accustomed
           to speak or to think of such things.  May the
           seed then sown all fall upon good ground_______

        
MSS 9044