Today William S. Christian (1830-1910) of Virginia–physician, Baptist layman and veteran military officer–is promoted to Colonel in (and commander of) the 55th Virginia Infantry Regiment of the Confederates States Army. His promotion comes on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, a battle that changes Christian’s life and stamps the imprint of the war upon…
Today Liberty Baptist Church in Wilkinson County, Ga, gathers for a monthly business meeting. The third item on the agenda is a request from Richard L. Lavender “to take him under the watch care of the church until he returns from the war and wright (sic) to him on the subject.” Presumably church clerk Wiley…
Today a medical doctor, Henry Palmer, joins the newly-mustered 7th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. An active laymen in the Janesville Baptist Church, Palmer’s career to date has taken him to the top of the world – literally. Born in New Hartford, New York, in 1827, Palmer as a youngster worked on his father’s farm. From his…