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those gifted and admirable
men. The terrible crises came.
The war began its mournful
work, and in communion with
very many of his warmest
friends, I deeply regretted your
dear husband’s act, in accep
ting a General’s commission in
the Army. But I never doubted
that he was governed by the free-
est conscientious desire to do
what he regarded as his duty
to God and his Country. The
spirit of a Christian martyr was
am element in his lofty character.
And while I could not have seen
the case in the same light, I was
well persuaded that he regarded
his course as a sacrifice laid on
the altar of truth, and went forth
believing himself called to wield
“the sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”