While officially over, the war continues winding down in many respects. In the North, the United States government is in the midst of a military commission trial of the conspirators in Lincoln‘s assassination, while President Andrew Johnson and Congress are engaged in the beginning stages of the difficult task of reforming Southern state governments, the…
With the war over, Baptist churches of the South that survive the great conflict strive to return to some sense of normalcy. Many churches face a generational future of far fewer white male members than prior to the war. In addition, black members, if they have not already, are certain to leave within weeks, months…
Founded on May 29, 1842, the First Baptist Church of Selma, Alabama is more fortunate than many Baptist congregations of the South. Having remained open during the war, the church now moves into the post-war era, one month following the Battle of Selma in which Union forces invaded and destroyed the town’s army arsenal and…