1862 November 23 camp near Fairfax Seminary

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


                        Camp nr Fairfax Seminary   Nov 1862        
23d.  High wind.  Ate [Word obliterated by ink spot.]  spread the Com.
            Service on the
drums in front of Cols. tent.  Administered Sac. of Las. Supper
for first time to Regt – about [ink blot] partook.  there are about
140 Coms. but one Co. was out on picket – strengthening another
regt.  Some on guard,  Some sick but more shld. have been here,
but it was very cold in the wind -    Held a short service
in P.M.   spoke on Isa. 4:6  [covert?] fr. Storm –   and most interestg.
prayer meetg. at 7 – in new hos. tent – many present.
Visited & addressed patients in hos.  prayed &c – read Life   Col. Gardiner
Dis. books to S. Schools   Sergt. Gilmore started a class of 16
in his own impulse – not a professor of religion – either
“Where there is a will there is a way” – As Col. says, so often.
Sick are improving.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935