A Civil War Devotional: Daily Inspirations with Historical Connections

By Randy Bishop

A Civil War Devotional utilizes daily incidents and facts from the American Civil War and uses scriptural passages related to those occurrences to provide inspiration for each reader. The combination of these aspects allows a person to gain a greater knowledge of the Bible as well as major facts related to the tragic years of 1861 to 1865. Each daily devotion is approximately three hundred words in length and is easily read in a matter of minutes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: May 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504355049

Book preview

JANUARY 1

O N JANUARY 1, 1863 THE Emancipation Proclamation, U. S. President Abraham Lincoln’s plan for the abolition of slavery, was enacted. While the executive order’s effectiveness and content have been questioned and debated since that time, its intent is far more certain. What Lincoln sought to accomplish was the freedom of over three million slaves in the Confederate States of America. He avoided addressing those individuals subjected to bondage in the Border States, areas whose manpower and resources were important to the success of the Federal war effort. The argument against the Emancipation Proclamation centers upon the fact that the document addressed the slaves in states which President Lincoln deemed as being in rebellion against the United States. As such, Lincoln arguably had no authority by which he could grant freedom to Southern slaves.

In contrast, Jesus has supreme authority to provide freedom to anyone who will yield to His teachings. In John 14:6 Jesus stated, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me. In doing so, a Christian becomes free from the sins of the past and can begin life anew. Following Galatians 5:13, Christians are to remember, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

As the New Year begins, ask yourself what better way to celebrate the onset of a new calendar than to enable yourself to become free to worship God and serve others in God’s love. These are principles that are found in the Bible and will make your life more fulfilling. Make it a personal goal to issue your proclamation to follow the teachings of Jesus and regularly study God’s word. In doing so, according to the book of John, chapter 8 and verse 32, You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

JANUARY 2

J AMES 4:13-16 STATES, GO TO now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

January 2, 1863 served as the end of the multi-day bloodbath at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Also known as the battle of Stone’s River, the engagement became the location where over 76,000 soldiers were bidding for control of the area. With the total number of casualties surpassing 24,000, the battle resulted in one of the highest percentages of killed, wounded, and missing among the major conflicts of the American Civil War. The losses of the battle serve as an indication of another truth, the frailty and uncertainty of life.

Unable to gain a foothold on the river, more specifically at a point known as McFadden’s Ford, and with the onset of freezing rain, Confederate general Braxton Bragg ordered the retreat of his troops. The best intentions and plans of the two armies had given way to the position of the opposition as well as the forces of nature. Despite the plans of the officers in addition to those enlisted men who lay dead and dying on the rain-soaked and muddy fields of Middle Tennessee, the end of life came at an unexpected time, as it commonly does for each of us.

Just as the warriors who stood on the banks of Stone’s River were unable to enact plans to renew the battle, we are urged to avoid living for future goals, as there is no assurance of the ability to pursue them. Something as seemingly minor as weather, or as final as death not only affected the thousands of soldiers gathered at Murfreesboro, the same aspects can also alter our most-organized and well-thought plans.

JANUARY 3

T HE TENSIONS THAT LED TO the War Between the States were developed over the decades that preceded the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. The list of incidents and situations is well-documented and each could be elevated to the pinnacle and successfully noted as the primary cause for the onset of military actions. Aside from the institution of slavery, there are additional points that warrant discussion as causes for the American Civil War.

The Missouri Compromise, written forty years before the guns were fired at Sumter, served as one of the earliest events that eventually led to unparalleled levels of death and destruction. In the following years actions such as Nat Turner’s revolt and the growth of the Underground Railroad contributed to the level of uneasy coexistence between the states of the North and South. The Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act, Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, and the Dred Scott Case added more strain to the situation. The publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which Lincoln reportedly stated to its author, Harriet Beech Stowe, as being a catalyst for the conflict, did nothing to pacify the growing factions. The 1860 election placed Lincoln in the White House and created the exodus of Southern states from the United States.

In turn, many personal conflicts are lengthy in developing. Mark 3:24 tells us that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Does it not make sense that that also applies to the situations our homes, communities, and nation face today? Increasing tensions over items ranging from the inability to pay bills or provide for basic needs to weightier issues debated across our nation are tearing apart our structure as we know it. Romans 16:17 offers a clear solution to this situation in noting, I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Be mindful of those around you and strive to associate with those whose intentions are positive.

JANUARY 4

A T VARIOUS LOCATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH the American Civil War, pontoon bridges allowed armies to cross rivers for the purpose of either initiating battle, retreating from the same, or simply moving toward a new base of operation. Simple in design and construction, the bridges provided a means by which rivers that were otherwise difficult to cross were more easily traversed. Failure to do so in a timely manner, as in the case of the Federal soldiers at Fredericksburg, could lead or contribute to defeat.

Boats would be tied to a river bank with planks placed in a parallel manner across the series of vessels. Infantry, cavalry, and artillery units could then use the pontoon bridges to make their way across the otherwise nonnegotiable flowing waters. Dismantling the structures also was reportedly a simple process, with one set of anchoring ropes being severed and allowing the pontoons to float toward the bank upon which the remaining anchors were set. A difficult task such as moving thousands of troops, animals, and a large amount of equipment was made far more manageable with a simple ploy such as the construction of a pontoon bridge.

Such a simple means exists for a person to escape the perils of spending eternity in the tumultuous fires of Hell where pain and anguish surround and engulf those who are doomed to spend the rest of time. By contrast, the cross denotes the way by which someone can enter Heaven and spend eternity in the peace and tranquility of Heaven. A song of worship states, The way of the cross leads home. I Corinthians 1:18, King James Version, says, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. The sacrifice Jesus provided on Calvary allows each of us to gain life eternal. Much like the pontoon bridges of old, it is a simple means by which an otherwise impossible problem is solved.

JANUARY 5

I N TODAY’S WORLD, CHILDREN ARE often subjected to neglect and abuse. This is not the Biblical situation or set of circumstances. The King James Version states in Mark 10:14 that Jesus desired that we are to let the little children come to Him and hinder them not, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. As such, these young people should be lifted up and not used as the objects of our anger, disgust, or desires. Additional evidence of how to treat children is seen in the first half of Matthew 18:10, See that you do not despise one of these little ones. We are to instruct children in the teachings of Jesus and immerse them in Biblical knowledge. 3 John 1:4 says, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

On January 5, 1862, Major General Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson and his Confederate command engaged Federal troops at Hancock, Maryland. Attempting to negate the Federal movements along the B & O Railroad as well as the C & O Canal, Jackson struck the position which soldiers under the leadership of Brigadier General Frederick William Lander. The latter’s refusal to surrender led to Jackson’s bombardment of the settlement, but not before allowing the women and children who lived in the town to make an uninterrupted exit from the area.

The men of war had allowed those who were not warriors to flee Hancock, Maryland prior to pursuing their quest to gain or maintain possession of the garrison. Sadly, within two months Lander would pass away from pneumonia. Jackson tragically suffered a mortal wound some sixteen months after Hancock and, like Lander, fell victim to complications of pneumonia.

Just as the generals did at Hancock, we should avoid using or abusing young ones in our daily battles or struggles. As the Psalmist proclaimed in Psalm 127:3, …Children are a gift from the Lord… These words were true thousands of years ago, as well as at the battle of Hancock, Maryland, and they continue to serve as effective guidelines to this day.

JANUARY 6

T HE USE OF TRENCH WARFARE reached new levels of prominence during the American Civil War. The presumed safety soldiers found within the confines of the oversized ditches was often negated with the filth and vermin that were prevalent in the same. The frequent orders for soldiers under his command to engage in digging and construction of the trenches and earthworks earned Confederate general Robert E. Lee the sarcastic nickname King of Spades.

Lee’s designation is most clearly displayed in examining the situation at Petersburg, Virginia. As the year of 1864 approached, Confederate and Federal troops dug over thirty-five miles of trenches around Petersburg, a town located near the Confederate capital of Richmond. Bombproof shelters provided a symbol of sanctuary for the inhabitants of the trenches, while torpedo fields, wire entanglements, and other types of obstacles lay between the Federal and Confederate trenches and hampered offensive maneuvers from members of the opposing army.

Do you find yourself residing in the trenches, supposedly safe and sound, or are you moving from the confines of these earthworks, charging forward in an attempt to eliminate the obstacles to someone becoming part of God’s kingdom? We reside in a sin-sick world, and often live in the complacency of simply watching others invite people to church, compose a card for the sick or saddened, or lifting someone up in prayer. Doing so may result in missed opportunities of helping someone to salvation or lifting the spirits of a discouraged person.

I Corinthians 15:58 commands us, …Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Likewise, Matthew 28:19 issues the challenge to avoid staying in the comfort of our daily lives, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Leave the presumed safety of the trenches and begin to work for the Lord today.

JANUARY 7

E PHESIANS 4:32 STATES, BE KIND and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. An Old Testament parallel, Proverbs 19:11, makes a similar declaration. The latter says, A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Yet a New Testament verse, Matthew 18:33, appeals to Christians in noting, Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? Are we to assume we are to treat others in a manner different from than that which Jesus provided us?

On January 7, 1864 President Abraham Lincoln commuted the sentence of a deserter. Military regulations called for the young man to be put to death, but Lincoln determined that the life of the soldier should be spared. When individuals inquired as to the rationale behind his decision, the Chief Executive of the United States reportedly replied, I am trying to evade the butchering business lately.

Although the disdain for the practice of commuting death sentences allegedly infuriated many of Lincoln’s generals, he was often known to do so, especially if the offender was a man who had not experienced or endured many years. Instead of the life of such a young accused individual being ended, President Lincoln saw a term of imprisonment as a viable alternative. While the disagreements centered upon the possibility of the forgiving act leading to a lack of discipline, Lincoln’s choice prevailed.

As Lincoln used a keen sense of judgment in forgiving the deserter, it seems sensible that we should each be more forgiving in the daily interactions we share with others. After all, as the Bible states in 2 Corinthians 2:10, Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven, if there was anything to forgive, I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake. Are we to pretend to be superior to the example of Christ?

JANUARY 8

T HE MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED DURING the American Civil War is one of the most notorious aspects of the struggle. It has been stated that only 1 in 4 soldiers would be likely to survive the war, a statistic primarily due to the lack of knowledge regarding the causes or spreading of various diseases. Also, the poor sanitation of the time created havoc upon patients who were the recipients of amputations, the most common surgery during the War Between the States.

The frequency of wounds inflicted through the use of the Minie ball increased the practice of amputations. Contaminants present on the projectiles were often accented through the poor cleaning of surgical instruments and with surgeries taking place in a myriad of germ-laden environments. While the intent of the surgeons was positive, the quality of the physical care shown to the patients was most often as harmful, if not more so, than the injury for which the treatment was intended. In relation to modern society, each nation’s citizens should properly care for his or her body. Since the time of the Civil War, medical practices, facilities, and medicines have improved beyond comprehension. However, the maintenance of one’s physical well-being has no clearer point at which to begin than in viewing Biblical passages.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 states, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. Similarly, I Corinthians 10:31 says, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. In addition, words from the Old Testament declare that one’s physical health is related to the spiritual life of the individual. Proverbs 17:22 summarizes the time-honored thought in noting, A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Keeping a clean mind and body should lead to a better life.

JANUARY 9

T HE BIBLE IS CLEAR ON the idea of deceit. Romans 16:18 says, For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. An Old Testament passage, found in Proverbs 20:17, provides another verse of caution, Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. I Peter 2:1 offers a similar warning and a solution, Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation… Truthful words from each of us are spiritual and honorable means of interaction.

Spies from the Confederate States of America, as well as the United States, provided valuable, while controversial, service during the War Between the States. A stereotypical spy was a young lady whose appearance and charms enabled her to cause a member of the opposing nation to divulge significant aspects of something akin to military strategy or troop placements. In doing so, the spy was able to use deception in order to aid the cause of her respective nation. While the females are most often thought of in these respects, there were men who frequently donned the uniform of his sworn enemy in order to gain insight to a host of issues. In performing their duties, these men and women risked their lives, as did the honest soldiers who sought to achieve victory for their respective army.

There are individuals and groups who will attempt to deceive you. From plans or schemes that focus on stealing the life savings of elderly people to those people who present false doctrine, the number of ploys or gimmicks appears endless in modern society. Sadly, the principle of deceit or spying is an age-old concept and one that is not likely to disappear in the near future.

JANUARY 10

O N JANUARY 10, 1862 A significant battle took place at Middle Creek, Kentucky. The confrontation pitted Confederate soldiers against Federal infantrymen under the command of a relatively unknown officer, Colonel James Garfield. The victory Garfield’s men attained that day largely ended Confederate presence in the area. Perhaps as significant, the triumph soon led to Garfield’s promotion to brigadier general and is often credited as the catalyst that eventually allowed the decorated Civil War officer to become the twentieth President of the United States.

During the engagement, Garfield’s command post was located on Graveyard Point, a high landmark that allowed the colonel to clearly view the deployment of troops and the battle that ensued. It is safe to say that Garfield viewed the battle from on high.

We know from John 17:1 that God rules from Heaven and that Heaven is above us. The Word of God states in this verse, Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You’. Each of us should look to God for the guidance needed to make it safely through each day. In turn, by doing so, we glorify God.

Matthew 5:14 says, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. We are not to lift ourselves to be as God, but we are to let our Christian faith show to those around it. If we observe the idea taught in John 17:1 we glorify God through letting our Christian faith shine.

More significantly than Colonel James Garfield overseeing his troops in battle, God is watching over us to lead our steps throughout the struggles we encounter during our daily walk through life. By placing our faith in Him, and Him alone, to guide us daily, we are assured that we will attain the victory of life spent eternally in Heaven. Let your light shine and glorify God.

JANUARY 11

O N JANUARY 11, 1863 THE three-day battle of Arkansas Post concluded. Also known as the battle of Fort Hindman, the Arkansas location had served as a major point of disruption for U.S. supply and communication lines. The settlement of Arkansas Post was approximately 175 years old by the time the 5,500 Confederate troops fortified the makeshift structure that became known as Fort Hindman. An estimated 32,000 United States soldiers and another 1,000 cavalrymen attacked the area and burned centuries-old buildings at Arkansas Post. The outcome was a decisive Federal victory.

The battle provided a boost in morale for the men in blue and eliminated one of the points at which Confederate troops served as obstacles for Federal movements along the Mississippi River. However, the overconfidence of Major General John McClernand, the Federal commander at Arkansas Post, gave U. S. Grant, McClernand’s superior commander, a negative opinion of McClernand’s ability to follow orders. Grant had made it clear that he had not desired McClernand to make a move against the post, yet the attack was carried out.

The crowning blow regarding the difference of opinion came with McClernand’s declaration of, My star is ever in the ascendant. Now, on to Little Rock. Grant subsequently took command of McClernand’s troops and disbanded the Army of Mississippi, the victors at Arkansas Post.

A lesson from this is clearly related to two Biblical passages. Isaiah 5:21 contains the words Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. If those words are not clear enough about avoiding the tendency to become too proud of our abilities, Romans 1:22 adds, Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. McClernand’s overconfidence in his abilities cost him dearly. We should learn from this example and apply it.

JANUARY 12

B Y THIS DATE IN 1863 news regarding the tragic death of Lt. Col. Julius Peter Garesche was becoming widespread. The Federal officer a West Point graduate was serving under Gen. William Rosecrans when the battle of Stone’s River erupted in late 1862. The father of eight children, Garesche had written his wife assuring her of his safety should he enter battle. However, those who served with Garesche reported that the 41 year-old Cuban-born soldier had expressed a premonition of death during his first battle. Soon, on December 31, 1862, Garesche experienced his first combat at Stone’s River or Murfreesboro, Tennessee. While attending Gen. Rosecrans in rallying troops, Garesche was decapitated when a cannon ball struck him slightly above the jaw line. His body remained atop his horse for a moment before falling to the ground. His life blood literally covered those who stood nearby. A marker was eventually erected upon the field to denote the site of Garesche’s death.

Based upon accounts of those who knew him well, Garesche was an extremely religious man who regularly shared his faith. We can also have that security in our study of God’s word. Colossians 1: 9-10 says, And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Additionally, 2 Peter 1: 2-3 proclaims, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. With the knowledge of God’s word, which Garesche was widely acknowledged as possessing, we can experience peace and assuredness while the dangers of the world surround us.

JANUARY 13

A MINNESOTA CHAPLAIN WHO SERVED THE Federal army during the American Civil War explained that the soldiers who he ministered to were seeking true worship and that they did not appreciate the showmanship or fanciful ways of worship they encountered while they were stationed near and in Nashville in the winter of 1864. The man of God wrote, No audience is more severely critical than an audience of soldiers. There are men among them well posted on Bible topics who could themselves if need be preach…They have no reverence for the cloth. They…are not moved by the glory hallelujah style of oratory…they question doctrine that is received at home without question.

These men of war, confined to camp while suffering the cold and damp conditions of a Tennessee winter, were willing to lay down their lives for the cause they served. Likewise, many of them saw a more important aspect: hearing the spiritual truth. In comparison, each of us should seek the truth that is found in trusting in God in order to discern the false teachings and the traps that lie within.

John 8:32 clearly relates this aspect in stating, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. This truth is learned through the diligent and determined study and obeying of God’s word. This point is demonstrated in John 17:17 which says, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 14:6 completes this thought with the words, Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’.

Daily study is the responsibility and should be the goal of each Christian. With that aspect of the Christian life secured, we become equipped to lead others to Jesus. Without Him, no one will enter Heaven. Are you willing to shun that responsibility and possess the painful knowledge of having failed in taking the opportunity to lead someone to a life eternal with God?

JANUARY 14

H OURS OF BOREDOM WERE COMMONPLACE as soldiers spent lengthy periods of time in camp. Drills, card playing, and periods of establishing and otherwise enjoying camaraderie seldom gave way to activities associated with impending battle. One such event was well documented in a soldier’s journal in which he recorded his recollections of the initiation of combat.

He wrote, The bugles sounded at 4 a.m…the morning was too foggy for stars. Men got lost while groping about their own camps. Soldiers, sentinels, banners loomed up in mammoth proportions. Music of unseen bands filled the air. Everybody knew that the bugles, drums, and banners meant battle, and so without a moment’s delay the soldiers girded themselves for the fight…long before the solemn gloom of the morning twilight had yielded to the gray dawning, they were ready for the fray…

As Christians, we are to be prepared to fight against the evils of the world. Evidence of this is found in Ephesians 6:14-16. The verses proclaim, Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

A proper study of God’s word allows each Christian to be prepared for the inevitable battle against the evil actions of the world. Our shield of faith, as well as our breastplate of righteousness will be gained through a deeper study into the eternal word of God. The motivation to become able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked should be motivation enough to delve more deeply into the scriptures. The question of the day should simply be why do so many of us fail to do so?

JANUARY 15

T HE TIME WILL LIKELY COME when your designation as a Christian leads you to be subjected to unkind words or actions. I Peter 3:15-16 notes this and offers a viable solution in saying, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. A proper defense readies one for attacks.

II Thessalonians 3:13 offers insight into the conduct of a Christian who lacks persistence or who has become beleaguered in the service of Christ. The passage says, As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. Galatians 6:9 adds, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. A reward awaits those who practice persistence.

Fort Fisher, North Carolina, a Confederate installation, fell to Federal forces on this date in 1865. A two-day Federal bombardment preceded the January 15 attack that came from some 8,000 soldiers and 2,000 sailors. Built primarily of soil, Fort Fisher was surrendered and Brigadier General William Henry Chase Whiting was taken prisoner. The next morning, an explosion killed over 200 men, comprising members from both sides of the fight. Whiting became a prisoner of war and later died from wounds he received during the defense of Fort Fisher. Though often overlooked and understudied in the history of the war, Fort Fisher served as the location of the largest amphibious operation involving the United States until World War 2.

The attack that resulted in the capture of Fort Fisher was the second such attempt to do so. The first had resulted in a Federal withdrawal, yet the passage of less than a month enabled the initial objective to be achieved. Persistence on the part of the Federal forces, combined with a lack of sufficient Confederate defense led to the demise of Fort Fisher.

JANUARY 16

J ANUARY 16, 1863 SERVED AS the first day of what would become known as the battle of Dandridge, Tennessee. General Samuel Sturgis planned to use his Federal cavalry to ambush Longstreet’s Confederate infantrymen who were on a similar mission. The Confederate troops were able to secure a defensive position that proved too strong for the Federal attacks. The next day witnessed fighting between the two armies, but the end result was that the Federals used the cover of darkness to retreat from the area on the night of January 17. A lack of shoes and other supplies eliminated the Confederate pursuit of the men in blue who had managed to elude capture through the successful utilization of the darkness.

The darkness can hide the movement of armies as it can hide the crimes and mischief of people today. The simple fact that a person finds it difficult, if not impossible to see in the darkness makes these facts more plausible. In addition, the vast majority of us possess a fear of darkness that is only eliminated with exposure to some source of light. The light allows us to see what dangers, if any, are near us. The light also enables us to find our way through the surrounding darkness and hopefully reach some predetermined goal or objective.

The Bible has a similar view on darkness and light. In 1 John 1:5-7, we find, This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. Acts 26:18 says, To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. The darkness of sin is all around us, but we can find peace and security in the light God provides.

JANUARY 17

T HE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR’S EFFECTS upon homes and other buildings that were positioned in the paths of moving armies are filled with stories and images of severe damage or complete destruction. Personal possessions, treasures, and the backbone of businesses were oftentimes eliminated through accidental or intentional acts. Likewise, the war affected individuals on a more personal level, regularly seeming to add years to the appearance of a man or woman who had been exposed to the hardships of the period.

Devastating wounds such as the amputation of limbs, multiple broken bones, or head trauma led to a generation that was filled with the lasting visual effects of the war. The loss of life was more than ever tallied on the North American continent. Therefore, it is safe to say that the American Civil War changed the soldiers, cavalrymen, and sailors of the United States and the Confederate States of America in ways that were irreparable in regard to most of the medical and psychological treatments available at the time.

The concept of change, regarded as positive in respect to a multitude of conditions, may also have negative connotations. For example, as the financial and physical conditions of many individuals, families, and businesses were negatively changed during the Civil War, a person’s attitude, outlook, or performance may be temporarily or permanently changed to a far more negative level. In that respect, it is reassuring to know that our Lord and Savior, the epitome of perfection, is incapable of being altered.

Hebrews 13:8 notes the steadfastness of Jesus in proclaiming, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Why trust in something or someone who will change from day to day or within an even shorter time of duration? Place your trust in Jesus Christ and have the assurance that the Savior of the Bible’s writing is also the Savior of people in today’s world.

JANUARY 18

O N JANUARY 18, 1865 ABRAHAM Lincoln penned a response to Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s offer. The proposal from Davis sought peace between the two nations and called for the provision that allowed them to exist separately and cease the military acts of aggression that had endured more almost four years. By this point of the conflict, Lincoln had managed to overcome the criticism of his frequent practice of reassigning generals in command of various Federal armies as well as comments directed toward the immense level of bloodshed the war had created. It may have been a personal point of preference resulting from the brutal years of overseeing the war effort, but Lincoln’s note of this date refused the opportunity Davis advanced.

Lincoln’s denial of Davis’s suggestion was largely based upon the stance that Lincoln desired the reunion of the two nations, not a situation in which they could coexist in a peaceful manner. As Lincoln had stated years earlier, A house divided against itself cannot stand. While this was the stance he held prior to the onset of the war, Lincoln also held the view in the war’s final months.

Luke 11:17 offers an incentive to avoid finding yourself in the midst of disagreement or strife. While it is a difficult task to fulfill, the verse says, But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, ’Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.’ In addition, Titus 3:9-11 offers additional advice and warning in stating, But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." Seeking unity while also avoiding causing division are actions which please God.

JANUARY 19

T HE INTENSITY OF THE BATTLE at Mill Springs, Kentucky resulted in a total of almost 800 casualties for the opposing forces. General Felix Zollicoffer, a Tennessee Congressman and a former newspaper editor, led his Confederate troops in the wet and foggy conditions of the battlefield. During a moment of confusion Zollicoffer, hampered by poor vision, rode forward to make more accurate observations concerning the situation at hand.

A variety of first-hand stories exist in regard to the exact series of events that ensued, but the consensus lies in the fact that General Zollicoffer, wearing a white raincoat, inadvertently met members of the 4th Kentucky Infantry Regiment of the Federal forces. When the situation became evident to both parties, gunfire erupted. Zollicoffer was shot from his horse, becoming the first Western Theater Confederate general to be killed in battle. You may be blessed with perfect vision, or your eyes may suffer as Zollicoffer’s; many people find themselves guilty of taking their eyes off the goal they have set. The results of doing so can be devastating to the people who failed to keep the goal in sight and may harm others as well.

Philippians 3:14 speaks of keeping your eyes on a goal, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Although each of us will face difficulties, this verse notes that perseverance will enable the attainment of the goal God has for you. The verse is written in present form, meaning that the process of seeking and reaching goals is ongoing. The goals must be centered upon the teachings of Jesus. This is seen in Matthew 6:13 which explains proper goal-setting, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Hebrews 12:15 adds, Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Your failure to keep your eyes on a goal may hurt others as well as you.

JANUARY 20

O N JANUARY 20, 1864 ARCHIBALD Hunter Arrington wrote a letter to his wife Kate. In the letter Arrington proclaimed that his friend, who Arrington referred to as Baldy, was confined to a hospital and was quite sick. The letter, now in the A. H. Arrington Papers of the Southern Historical Collection at the Wilson Library, located on the campus of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, not only contained the message to give a kiss to the little ones, but also focused primarily upon the physical condition of Baldy.

Arrington wrote, …I fear it will be some time before he gets well. When I first saw him he looked so bad that I was alarmed but after staying with him a while he looked better he has not ate any thing he informed me in a week and his stomach is much disordered and he is quite thirsty. Arrington was deeply concerned about