The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

A Confederate Parson

A Confederate Parson. Among the first confederate troops that went out from Arkansas was Parson Geesmore who enlisted as a chaplain. He was a devout Christian, and his prayers were regarded by the men as utterances from a higher power. Just before the battle of Jenkins Ferry, the old man, in a sermon, said: “My dear boys, I have decided to go into the next fight with you. I don't think that a man can properly preach about the evils and sensations of war unless he has experienced the feeling of going into battle. Now, the next fight in which we engage shall have me numbered among its participants.”

The old gentleman rode a large gray horse, and when preparations for the battle of Jenkins Ferry were being made, he appeared on his snowy charger. Some of the officers begged him to keep out of danger, but with an expression of heroism he replied that he would engage in the battle. The first artillery fire from the enemy shot the horse from under the old gentleman, and by the time he settled himself on his feet, a bullet came along and took off one of his fingers. He attempted to be calm, but then a ball carried away his right thumb, and wheeling around, the old man struck a determined trot for the rear. “Hold on, Parson !” called someone. “Hold on, h__l!” he replied. “Ask a man to hold on, when the whole d___ d universe is shooting at him. Take care of your body, and the Lord will take care of your soul.”

Sedalia (Mo) Daily Bazoo, June 10, 1884.

Messages In This Thread

A Confederate Parson
Re: A Confederate Parson
Re: A Confederate Parson
Re: A Confederate Parson
Re: A Confederate Parson