Chaplains in American Military Hospitals 1863

With Veterans Day weekend upon us, I felt it appropriate for my American Christianity assignment at Liberty University to talk about the history of military chaplains in military hospitals before the American Civil War.

Historically, military chaplains have been a vital resource for the American Armed Forces. Their guidance, both spiritual and otherwise, not only in facilitates fortitude in battle, but faith in God and His son Jesus Christ.

I went on the Sabin Americana database and searched for military chaplains and happened upon “The Army Chaplain’s Manual” from 1863. The chaplain’s duties were broken down into two sections: temporal and spiritual. For this blog, I will focus on the temporal work of the military chaplain. Please note the information for the subject of this blog is taken from "The Army Chaplain's Manual: Designed as a Help to Chaplains in the Discharge of their Various Duties, Both Temporal and Spiritual". This manual can be read in its entirety on the Sabin American database with the aforementioned title.

Temporal duties seemed to be centered on morale, welfare and recreation. Temporal duties included but were not limited to sick soldier’s correspondence, supervision of the library, correspondence with friends and family of the soldiers and ministering to the temporal wants of soldiers.

The purpose in providing correspondence for the soldiers seemed to be helping them with being homesick—especially when they were wounded or injured and could not physically write home to their families. The chaplain was also the supplier of letters and envelopes to all soldiers so they could write home to their families and friends.

In supervising the library, the chaplain was responsible for attaining literature that was religious or spiritual in nature, and not of negative content. The thought being even nonreligious soldiers would read religious books. In hospitals, the chaplain would designate a soldier to serve as librarian, whose responsibilities included cataloging the books, tracking who had checked out what books and when, and to ensure books were returned in the designated time period.

Overseeing the temporal wants of soldiers included having some food and clothing on hand for soldiers' cravings and needs. The chaplain also served as a friend, to hear about grievances or worries the soldiers had regarding their injuries, military life, or the mundane subjects of the day.

The main purpose for recreation and games was to combat idleness and boredom. Music, it was thought, cured boredom and soothed the soul. Games included checkers, backgammon, and chess. Games kept the soldiers busy, and thus, out of trouble.

Literary societies' purpose was to provide recreation for large groups of soldiers and provide a source of mental and moral improvement. Here, soldiers could serve in a society hierarchy from president of the society all the way to a secretary of the society. This promoted leadership and comradeship outside of the normal military chain of command. Of course, this would improve morale and keep the soldiers busy while recovering from their wounds or injury.

Having had the pleasure of serving alongside both Navy and Army chaplains during deployments, nothing much has changed. Military chaplains, even in their role of temporal duties, provide a spiritual foundation for American warfighters. From lending a sympathetic ear, to providing games and books, to running world-class coffee cafes right on the FOB, military chaplains are vital, to providing spiritual guidance and leadership to their uniformed flock.

Bibliography

J. Hammond Pinkney, The Army Chaplain's Manual: Designed as a Help to Chaplains in the Discharge of their Various Duties, Both Temporal and Spiritual. Philadelphia, J.B. Lippingott and Company, 1863.