Lesson 8: The Power of the Chaplaincy
By Gary C. Walker
February 27, 2005

Say my name and most SCV members think of one or more of the books I have written on the War. Many members own one, a large number own all seven that I have written. I am still in the book business and the addresses to obtain my books will be given at the end of the article; but this article is not about my books.

Those who know me well, know my highest priority is my allegiance to the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Because of my religious faith and knowledge, I serve as Chaplain with several groups. The two groups that form the "spring board" for this article are the Hupp-Deyerle-McCausland Chapter of the MOSB and the Fincastle Rifles Camp of the SCV. The two major figures in this article are SVC members: Brandon Dorsey, Commander of the Virginia Division and Robert "Red" Barbour, Commander of the Fincastle Rifles Camp. I am Dorsey's Chaplain with the MOSB and Barbour's Assistant-Chaplain with the SCV.

I do not follow the politics of the SCV closely but I knew that these men do not see eye-to-eye on a number of subjects. In the January meeting of the Fincastle Rifles, Red told the camp that he may not be the commander by the February meeting. On the 13th day of that month an Executive Council meeting would be held in Appomattox to consider charges against him that may lead to his expulsion from the SCV.

When I heard that announcement, I knew I had to act! Both men are powerful with in our organization. A fight at Appomattox may leave our Division in bad shape. Because of my office, I had the authority and duty to approach each man and try to stop the upcoming battle! I know both men love the SCV and have served our organization with great distinction. I just believed that if they could meet for a one-on-one exchange that the upcoming battle could be cancelled. Thus, it was that I began a week long series of telephone and e-mail contacts with each man. Even though both men felt the meeting would be fruitless, because of their pesky Chaplain they agreed to talk.

I reserved a room at the Hollins Branch of the Roanoke County Library. Thus it was that the two commanders, their Chaplain and Gerald Via who acted as a "witness" and an informal Aide-de-Camp for Red, sat at a long wooden desk that could easily accommodate twenty people. The meeting began promptly at 7 P. M. on February 3rd.

Because the meeting was arranged through my office and because I wanted the power of God's Holy Spirit present, I opened with prayer. When I said "Amen" the verbal fireworks began! Neither man's conversational tone reflected hatred but both men were absolutely, resolute. With steely eyes and positions of total self-confidence each man offered charge and counter-charge. Their ability to direct verbal attack, to remain calm and calculating while under attack, reminded me of how our officers of old had to behave when on a real battlefield.

Both men were skillful, determined and unyielding! After approximately an hour, this Chaplain could see neither, a change in attitude nor in position in either man. Gerald, Via and I had largely been mute observers to this point. I called a halt in the discourse. I asked each man if they could show any flexibility or see any area where there could be compromise. At least the two agreed on something; that is this discussion was going nowhere. I was about to call the meeting to an end when the Spirit of God took control of this gathering out of this Chaplain's hands! Gerald made some comments that framed their dispute in more emotional terms. In fact, at one point Gerald became so emotional in his language that I had to give him a mild rebuke.

After a few more minutes, Red showed the first flexibility saying he could consider not threatening Brandon with a law suit. Brandon's words showed no movement toward compromise, as his brain analyzed Red's apparent move toward flexibility. This is when I intervened again saying, "Red has put his law suit on the table. What can you put on the table?" It was then that Brandon swallowed his pride. As you know, pride is a big thing and a hard thing for a Southerner to swallow. What Brandon wanted to personally get out of this meeting, in deed, out of the whole confrontation with Red was set aside. Brandon showed great statesmanship as he too began to show flexibility.

I thought it was over when both men agreed that they could come to an agreement and stop the Battle of Appomattox but I was wrong! It took most of an hour for the two to hammer out an agreement that they both could live with. This is when Gerald showed his talent. Each word of the agreement had to be agreed to by each man. Gerald often suggested compromise language each could agree to. His long flowing hand writing reminded me of the penmanship of most of our ancestors. I say "most," because my forbearers writing was almost as bad as mine is today.

The agreement was dictated against the dictates of the clock. We had to leave the library by a quarter of nine. Finely Gerald had the agreement set upon paper. There was a quick read through as I continued to point at the clock. It was finished! I scurried to the circulation section of the library. "Please" I told the lady librarian, "I need four copies of this on legal size paper and I need them now!" She was more than helpful. Hours to minutes and now minutes to seconds. We had opened the meeting with a prayer to our Heavenly Father. What had been accomplished, by men of goodwill, was done in His name. I was determined that the session end with a prayer of thanks. Thus it was that I said, "Gentlemen, God does not care if we pray with our eyes open. Please don't stop the signing process, while I pray."

So it was that the Agreement of Hollins Branch Library was signed, hands shook all around and the Battle of Appomattox avoided! (Information on my fine Confederate books? 540-427-1154: garycwalker.com: walkersbooks@wmconnet.com)