The Godly General

The Godly General

They trusted not in chariots or horsemen, but in the living God.

DURING THE Civil War a revival spread throughout the Confederate army and many soldiers came to know Christ. This was largely because many of the generals were dedicated Christians. The soldiers had strong spiritual leaders as well as military leaders.

Lieutenant General Leonides Polk, an Episcopalian, was one of those influential generals. General Polk was spiritually mentored by two of his close friends, E. M. Bounds, a chaplain who was later known for his books on prayer, and Frank Lyon, a leading Christian layman. Polk became known as a man of God among his troops, influencing not only his soldiers but also other generals on spiritual matters.

General Polk and General Hood were riding side by side one day discussing battle plans. General Hood had lost his leg in the battle of Chickamauga and had to be tied to his horse. The conversation shifted to spiritual things, as it often did in the presence of Polk, and Hood asked if he would be willing to baptize him. That night he baptized Hood in front of the troops against the background of artillery fire. It was moving for the soldiers to see their one-legged general leaning on his crutches, affirming his faith in Jesus and committing his life to him.

The wife of General Joseph Johnston had heard about General Hood’s baptism, and she wrote to General Polk:

You are never too much occupied, I well know, to pause to perform a good deed, and will, I am sure, even while leading your troops on to victory lead my soldier nearer to God. General Johnston has never been baptized, and it is the dearest wish of my heart that he would be and that you should perform the ceremony. It would be a great gratification to me. I have written to him on the subject and am sure he only waits your leisure. I rejoice that you are near him in these trying times. May God crown all your efforts with success and stay your life for your country and your friends.

On May 18, 1864, Johnston confessed publicly his faith in Jesus and was baptized by General Polk. Polk wrote of it to his wife, “It was a deep, solemn scene, and what a passage for history! God seemed to be drawing our hearts to Him. Our trust is not in chariots or horsemen, but in the living God. May He take and keep all our hearts until that day.”

Just a few weeks later the troops of Generals Polk and Johnston were stretched too thinly across the mountains north of Marietta, Georgia, making them vulnerable. On June 14 General Sherman’s Union forces fired several rounds of cannon fire up the mountain toward Polk’s troops. One shot exploded near General Polk, and shrapnel tore through his chest, killing him. In his blood-stained pocket were found three copies of a tract entitled Balm for the Weary and Wounded. They were inscribed to Generals Johnston, Hood, and Harding, and each had been signed, “With the compliments of Lt. Gen. Leonides Polk, June 12, 1864.” He had undoubtedly intended to give them to his friends that morning.

When presented with his tract, General Johnston tearfully said, “The autograph, and the noble blood that almost effaces it, makes it a souvenir truly precious, one which I shall cherish while the Almighty leaves me on earth.”

Reflection

General Polk had a great ministry to those within his sphere of influence. Even in the height of battle his thoughts went to the spiritual needs of those around him. To whom within your sphere of influence do you believe God would have you minister? Who needs to hear the good news of salvation or to be encouraged in their Christian walk? Ask God, and he will open the doors and show you in whom you can invest your life.

Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.

2 Corinthians 2:14