A group of Baptists come to the White House with a petition, as does a group of Methodists. While maintaining an open door policy in regards to religious leaders, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is apparently busy this day and unable to visit with the delegations.
Perhaps the president is preoccupied with news from the Wilderness and Atlanta campaigns. While the Virginia battles are particularly bloody and resulting in many losses of live, both campaigns are going relatively well for the Union, particularly the Georgia battles.
Of the latter, today the Battle of Resaca begins.This day the combatants fight to a draw, but on the morrow the battle ends with a Union victory when the Confederates withdraw, yielding more ground to the federals as forces under Union General William T. Sherman press toward Atlanta.
News from Resaca probably does not reach the White House today, but the president does offer a reply of gratitude and affirmation to both the Baptist and Methodist delegations.
TO THE METHODIST DELEGATION
Gentlemen: In response to your address, allow me to attest the accuracy of its historical statements, indorse the sentiments it expresses, and thank you in the nation’s name for the sure promise it gives.
Nobly sustained as the government has been by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might in the least appear invidious against any. Yet without this it may fairly be said that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less devoted than the best, is by its greater numbers the most important of all. It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospital, and more prayers to heaven than any. God bless the Methodist Church. Bless all the churches, and blessed be God, who, in this our great trial, giveth us the churches.
TO THE BAPTIST DELEGATION
In the present very responsible position in which I am engaged, I have had great cause of gratitude for the support so unanimously given by all Christian denominations of the country. I have had occasion so frequently to respond to something like this assemblage, that I have said all I had to say. This particular body is, in all respects, as respectable as any that have been presented to me. The resolutions I have merely heard read, and I therefore beg to be allowed an opportunity to make a short response in writing.
The Baptist resolution is one of support for Lincoln, his administration and the Union Army as they pursue the liberation of black slaves.
Sources: Battle of Resaca (link) and (link); Abraham Lincoln, Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and presidential addresses, 1859-1865, New York: Current Literature Publishing, 1907, pp. 191-192 (link)
