Shepherds of the South: An Introduction to the Life and Service of Military Chaplains in the Confederacy

The experience of chaplains in the Confederate States of America was very different from that of the chaplains in the Union. Unlike the Union, their establishment was very rushed and not detailed. Facets such as pay, benefits, requirements, and expectations all spelled major differences between the two sides’ chaplains. Additionally, other Confederate officers did not have much respect for them. Despite being overlooked, misunderstood, and underdeveloped, the Confederate chaplains were able to rise into a position of unparalleled influence. Whether it was doing their primary duties, such as a ministry, or superseding those and putting themselves in harm’s way on the battlefield, Chaplains were able to cement their place in the Confederate army. as far as writing religious literature and shaping Christian doctrine for the South as a whole. Even after the war’s closing, they continued to find ways to serve the vocation of ministry, doing whatever they could to extend the hand of the Lord. Chaplains even influenced the identity of the South after the closing of the war. This research aims to share the short yet powerful story of Chaplains in the Confederate Army. Utilizing historical records, legislation, and personal accounts, this study is dedicated to the illumination of an exceedingly complex history of an overlooked and often forgotten group.