Christian Themes In the US Civil War Quiz

Answer: A freed black man

Hayward Sheperd was a baggage porter on a train going through Harpers Ferry who, ironically, was a freed black man. Not long after mortally wounding Shepard, Brown and his men were either captured or killed by US Marines led by Colonel Robert E. Lee.

In captivity, Brown was hated by Southerns, while many Northerners loved him. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that Brown would "make the gallows glorious like the Cross." John Brown was hanged December 2, 1859, prophesying that only a horrible war would end slavery in the US.

Answer: The Great Revival

Countless grown men, tough and mean from battle, knelt and wept as they sang hymns of praise to Christ the king. Both the Union and Confederate sides experienced this phenomenon. Christian ministers who would enter the encampments were no longer laughed at; instead, soldiers would gather around them and plead for guidance.

It is estimated that up to 10% of the fighting troops converted to Christ during the Great Revival.

Answer: Robert E. Lee

This is the only time on record Lee called the Unionists 'enemies'; he always referred to them as "those people". Lee was a devout man, praying for not only his own men, but 'those people' as well.

Undoubtedly, Robert E. Lee was familiar with Matthew 5:44, KJV:

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you..."

Answer: He visits Dwight L Moody's Sunday School

The photo was taken by Samuel G. Alschuler. About 60 boys who saw Lincoln at North Market that day in Chicago answered Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers a couple of months later. Dwight L. Moody was a famous preacher, educator, and member of the Christian Commission during the war. Often he would visit the camps of Union troops to hand out Bibles and tracts to the soldiers.

Answer: cannon

When the war broke out, Pendleton formed the Rockbridge Artillery and joined the Army of the Valley. He took with him four prized cannons from VMI. Although a military academy, VMI was also an academy of Christian Studies which explains their names. The weapons were used throughout the war including the Valley Campaign of '62, the Seven Days, 2nd Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg.

At the end of the war, they were returned to VMI where they still reside surrounding the cemetery where Stonewall Jackson is interred.

Answer: True

This inspired President Dwight Eisenhower to add the phrase to the Pledge of Allegiance. Although Abraham Lincoln often read the Bible and often invoked the name of God, he never became a member of a church.

Answer: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was a devout Christian and was known as "Black Moses" for her work with the Underground Railroad. In the raid on Combahee River about 700 slaves were freed, along with two pigs that were subsequently named "Beauregard" and "Jeff Davis".

In his report to Secretary of War Stanton, General Saxton said "This is the only military command in American history wherein a woman, black or white, led the raid and under whose inspiration it was originated and conducted."

Answer: The name of God is invoked

"We, the people of the Confederate States, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity-invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God-do ordain and establish this constitution for the Confederate States of America."

Answer: The Battle Hymn of The Republic

The music for this patriotic/spiritual song was written in 1856 by William Steffe. The first lyrics for it were called "Canaan's happy Shore" or "Brothers, Will You Meet Me?" Near the start of the US Civil War, Thomas Bishop wrote lyrics for this tune called "John Brown's Body" and in 1861 Julia Ward Howe was inspired to write the lyrics to "The Battle Hymn of The Republic."

Answer: Thomas J. Jackson

Stonewall Jackson is widely known for his great faith in God. He wrote his nephew in early 1861 the following note: "I am in favor of making a thorough trial for peace, and if we fail in this and our state is invaded, to defend it with terrific resistance." Once invasion was begun, he relentlessly defended Virginia with all of his might trusting in God and praying diligently for His guidance in all aspects of war.

He surrounded himself with a staff made up of preachers, and held sermons and revivals whenever possible.

A visitor to Jackson's camp wondered how many services were going on at the same moment. General Early quipped, "General Jackson ordered these meetings until the whole army has been converted!"