Anyone know about CSA chaplains?

[lupaglupa]

I recently came into possession of a group of letters written to the Reverend John Hannah Bryson. Obituaries state that Bryson was "head of the religious department of the Army of Tennessee." Online records show he enlisted with the 9th KY as a chaplain but spent most of the War in Atlanta on hospital duty. Any additional info would be welcomed and appreciated!

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I recently came into possession of a group of letters written to the Reverend John Hannah Bryson. Obituaries state that Bryson was "head of the religious department of the Army of Tennessee." Online records show he enlisted with the 9th KY as a chaplain but spent most of the War in Atlanta on hospital duty. Any additional info would be welcomed and appreciated!

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70985522/john-hannah-bryson

 

[lupaglupa]

I'm curious to know if there was an actual religious department and how that would have been structured.

 

[bayouace]

Forrest had a line officer named David Campbell Kelley, who was a preacher who preached to the troops. Think he made it to Colonel.

 

[lupaglupa]

One thing that may be a clue - all of the records on Fold3 say that the reassignment to hospital duty was by order of Gen. Bragg.

 

[Astra23]

I found this an interesting read ... a general overview of chaplains in the Civil War:

https://www.civilwarmed.org/chaplains/

 

[lupaglupa]

I found this an interesting read ... a general overview of chaplains in the Civil War:

https://www.civilwarmed.org/chaplains/

That was very good, thanks

 

[John Winn]

My g grandfather was a Confederate chaplain. According to his diary (now lost) he originally tried to join up just before First Manassas but was "insulted" by the regiment to which he was assigned so he retreated to the home of a friend to think things out. He eventually returned to the family home in Richmond, got a commission, and worked in several of the large hospitals there until the end of the war.

The first regiment were men from eastern Tennessee, likely a rough bunch. Grandpa was just 21 and from an upper-crust Richmond family. Thus, I think he just wasn't taken seriously due to his age and his non-backwoods persona.

I'd often wondered what, exactly, he did in those hospitals so thanks @Astra23

 

[Story]

The first regiment were men from eastern Tennessee, likely a rough bunch. Grandpa was just 21 and from an upper-crust Richmond family. Thus, I think he just wasn't taken seriously due to his age and his non-backwoods persona.

I am reminded of a relevant scene from the Clint Eastwood movie GRAN TORINO

 

[John Winn]

I am reminded of a relevant scene from the Clint Eastwood movie GRAN TORINO

Yeah, probably the 19th-century version of something like that. Might have been leading up to "squeal like a pig." In the end it was probably a saving grace as he didn't end up on any battlefields or in any field hospitals (although any hospital was no-doubt horrible).