Lesson 261: HIS BROTHER’S KEEPER
Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas
During the terrible War Between the States, there were many unheralded heroes. We all recall Sergent Richard Kirkland’s heroics at the Battle of Marye’s Heights. But there comes to mind another hero whose name is known only to God. General Gordon related the story about this Unknown Soldier.
During the winter campaign of 1863, General Longstreet attempted to gain possession of a notorious fort called Loudon. It was later named after a Union general killed during the siege of Knoxville. His name was William Price Sanders. The earthen structure was said to be seventy feet above the surrounding plateau and was protected by a twelve foot wide ditch. The entrenchment was eight feet deep. There were twelve cannons manned by four hundred men of the 79th New York Infantry.
The battle took place in the dawn’s early morning on November 29, 1863. The air was frosty and the ground frozen. Armed with misinformation regarding the depth of the trench (he had seen a man cross a wooden plank, which created an illusion of the ditch being shallow. Instead of scaling ladders, General Longstreet decided to have his men dig footholds when they assaulted the incline. Both plans proved to be disastrous.
After running a gauntlet of telegraph wires tied to tree stumps and brush, slowing the advance and making the men easy targets, the gallant boys reached the entrenchment. Realizing that the walls were almost vertical, they nevertheless charged into the predetermined gravesite. The frozen ground would not yield to their efforts at creating footholds. With sheer determination three flags were planted at the top, only to be cut down by point blank fire from the Union troops.
Fire rained down upon the trapped men in the manmade canyon. One young Confederate soldier saw the mayhem and heard the cries of the wounded and dying. He could not contain himself. He grabbed as many canteens as he could carry and made a dash towards his comrades, without thought of his own safety. The men of the 79th New York witnessed his efforts and upon realizing his mission, they lavished him with an incredible cascade of admiration, instead of shot or shells.
General Gordon stated in his own words that, “If the annals of war record any incident between hostile armies which embodies a more beautiful and touching tribute by the brave to the brave, I have never seen it.” (Reminiscences of the Civil War; Gordon, John B.; Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, The Martin & Hoyt Co, Atlanta; 1904 pages 198-199)
His name has been lost but his Christian deed must live on to honor those unheralded voices of yesteryear. Even during the worst of times, the best of humanity can surface and remind us of God, Country, and Honor. This act of kindness and love demonstrates to us all that we have a higher calling; and to serve our conscience by doing what is righteous and honorable, glorifies our Creator. In Matthew 10:42, the Bible tells us, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Mark 9:41 states, “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” This year shall we not all be resolved to be thy brother’s keeper? Humbled by the bravery of an unknown soldier and honored by those who stood in his path, I remain the old general