Baptists and the American Civil War: November 22, 1863

Abram Glazener

Abram Glazener

Today the Tallaseehatchie Baptist Church, Talladega County, Childersburg, Alabama meets and passes a resolution memorializing the deaths of three Confederate soldier members earlier this fall.

In the battle of Chickamauga Sept. 19th 1863 our Brethren Abram M. Glazener, Wm. A. McLeanty, and Richard W. Griffith fell martyrs to the cause of Southern Independence, by the hands of our implacable foes.

No higher Eulogy need be pronounced on these Noble, Gallant, Christian Patriots, than to say they enlisted under the Banner of their native South and fell in defence of Religions and Political Liberty and all the rights and priviledges which Patriotic Freemen hold sacred.

Therefore Resolved:

1st – That in the death of these bretheren our church has lost three faithful, worthy members, our country a trio of good citizens and brave soldiers, the families of Brethern Glazener and McLeanty, kind devoted husbands and fathers and the parents and family of Bro. Griffin, a dutiful son and affectionate Brother.

2nd – That our sincere condolence is hereby tendered to the families and relatives of the deceased.

3rd – That a blank page in our church book draped in black lines on the margin be dedicated to the memory of these Brethern on which shall be inscribed the following:

In memory of our Brethern

Abram M. Glazener
Wm. A. McLeanly and
Richard W. Grilfin;

who fell in the battle of Chickamauga Sept. 19, 1863.

4th – That a copy of this Preamble and Resolutions be furnished the families of each of the deceased.

Tallaseehatchee Baptist Church, [Childersburg, Alabama]

November 22, 1863

Abner Williams
Thos. L. Pope
Wiley B. Boaz Committee

Lavenia Glazener

Lavenia Glazener

Prior to his death, Abram M. Glazener, while serving in the Confederate Army as a private in Company I, 18th Alabama Vol. Infantry Regiment, wrote to his wife, Lavenia, with some regularity. His last letter, written two days before his death at age 38, expresses concern about his family’s welfare and offers spiritual encouragement to his wife and children. Glazener died before his family received the letter.

LaFayette Walker Co. Ga. Sept. 17th 1863

Dear wife

I one time more have the opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform you that I am well ever hoping these lines will find you and all the children well. I wrote to you when I was at Graysville. We have been marching for the last 10 days. I feel very much jaded but I have stood it very well. I have enjoyed fine health. We have had some little fighting. We lost some men our Regt., had one man wounded. We have a large army here I don’t know how soon we will have to fight. I think we will whip them when we fight. My dear I don’t know when I will have the chance to go home if my life is spared through this struggle. I am going to try to get home on a furlough. I feel very uneasy about you and the children I fear that you are sick. I often think of you in your sickness and wish to be with you but that privalidge I can not enjoy. It has just bin from home six months it seems like it has been longer.

My dear I don’t have but a few minutes to write if I had the time I would like to write you a long letter but this will let you know that I am still well. You will have to manage the best you can until I get home. I want to make some arrangements about sowing wheat. When you write to me write all the nuse I have not heard from you since I left Charleston. We will leave here soon this evening. I cannot tell where we will go to. I do wish I was at home if I was I would stay a while. I want you to ever remember to put your trust in God and the children. Tell them for me to remember that their Pa will pray for them and their well fare while he is away from them. So I will have to go.

Give my love to all and receive a grate portion for your self.

I will close ever remembering you and the children.

Your husband as ever

A. M. Glazener

Lavenia Glazener is one of many war-time wives who lose their husbands and who cherish the letters from their deceased loved ones, preserving them and handing them down from generation to generation.

Sources: Minutes, Tallaseehatchie Baptist Church, Talladega County, Alabama, November 22, 1863, and A. M. Glazener letter, September 17, 1863, in “Civil War Letters of Abram M. Glazener, Pvt, Co I, 18th Alabama Volunteer Infantry, Reg. CSA; Transcribed by Arward C. Williams,” Transylvania County, NC GenWeb Project (link)