American Civil War Letters - Abel's Hopes For His Service and the Perils of Profanity

Over the past few months I've been sharing the letters that my great-great-great grandmother Marcia Spencer Grennell wrote to her husband Abel Grennell during his service as a volunteer in the American Civil War.

It's been a real pleasure both to read and to share these letters. Despite Marcia's early protestations that she wasn't much of a writer, she really captures the pulse of day to day life on a small farm, where she is struggling to survive alone with her five daughters and a lazy nephew.

You can read the entire collection of these letters here.

Unfortunately, I have very little material written by her husband. Marcia is a good enough writer that we can piece together much of what he may have written from the context of her replies, but it would be nice to find them, someday, and piece together the rest of the conversation.

For completeness, though, I'll share what I do have of Abel's. Here is a passage he wrote which demonstrates how important his faith was in his decision to volunteer. In fact, it seems the main reason he had for going off to war was the opportunity to save souls among the soldiers of his own side.

It reads a bit like a sermon, and I'll admit it seems strange that, in going off to fight in one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 19th century, his #1 concern was that the people he served with were swearing too much.

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After we had got aboard the cars at Brattleboro, ready to start for the seat of war, an Officer passed through the cars, shaking hands with the soldiers, assuring them - and that with an oath - if any of them were killed or died in the army they were sure of heaven.

This he affirmed as a matter of certainty that there could be no possible doubt of.

These sentiments came from one who's habits of profanity assured me that he had not the love of God in his heart, but was a rebel against God and His holy laws, and was encouraging and leading others on in the same course or rebellion.

A man may be a patriot and not a Christian. He may love his country and have no love to God who gave him his country, and all the blessings following therefrom.

Thousands are sacrificing their lives in the service of the United States, in a righteous and just cause, yet for them there is no star of hope for future blessedness, for they never came to Christ and received his great salvation.

It is true of the soldier, as of some in other pursuits in life, "he that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Profanity is a prevailing sin in the army. Many can hardly speak without a profane oath, and most use it to some extent, some who would not dare do it at home, in their families and among their friends.

Are there not some praying Christians among us, some who are willing to let their light shine that it may be known that they are the children of God, that they love the souls of, and desire the Salvation of, their fellow soldiers? I trust there are, but they are few, and they need the prayers of their praying friends at home.

Let pious parents pray for their re-penitent sons, wives for their husbands, and all who has a heart to pray, pray for the soldiers in the camp or in the field. Pray in faith believing that God can pour out his Spirit even in this place, and convert sinners from the error of their ways, and put a new song into their hearts - even praise to God - instead of cursing and bitterness.

I am here a professed Christian. Can I do anything for the salvation of these men? This is the great question. Shall I be here with these men months and maybe years without leading one sinner to Christ? Without being the means in the hand of God of saving one soul from eternal death, and not have our star as a crown of rejoicing?

Pray for me that my labors may not be in vain in the Lord. Pray for me that I may be the means of turning one sinner from the error of his way, and save a soul from death. Pray for the few praying souls who meet here every week to pray, that the prayer of faith may prevail with God.