1862 October 5 Camp Cadwallader near Beverly, N.J.

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]



Sun 5.  Fine day – but high wind.  Col. had ordered
two public services   one at 11.  voluntary, & one at 4
P.M. & all present.  Many of Regt. went to dift. chs. in
town in morn.  Roman Cath. Ch Soldiers to Burlington
to Ch.  In Pen. Regt.  but Still good attendance
preached without notes – on “Suit you like men” –
Drums piled for pulpit – Stop  Field officers on left – spoke
with some fervor – In P.M. whole regt. in hollow
square thus                   some hundreds of spectators present

at close of services – (the men stood except during sermon when they sat.)
& uncovered only in prayer – also -    Gen. R & Staff – Mr. Tilb &
others present –     beautiful sight – flags placed behind me.
At close the prisoners were marched in front of pulpit,  & on
promise not to offend again - were pardoned -  I spoke a few
words to them, at Col. request;  Some twenty prisoners
In Eveg addressed prayer meetg at Pres. ch – about 50 soldiers
     present.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935