Lord's Will Be Done: A Study of Organization in the U.S. Army Chaplaincy During the Civil War

摘要

This paper examines the background, organization, and duties of U.S. Army chaplains during the Civil War to determine factors which helped or hindered their efforts to provide religious support to soldiers. The research examines the background of Congressional and Army actions pertaining to the organization and support of the chaplaincy. It examines the contemporary memoirs and previous histories to determine the organization and duties of the chaplaincy. The research determines that the issue of establishment of religion fueled a continuous reluctance of Congress and the Army to promulgate laws and regulations needed to guide the chaplaincy. The result was an Army Chaplaincy of uneven capabilities and qualifications, no central direction, and few specified duties. In the absence of central direction, chaplains provided soldier support through their own faith, ingenuity, and desire to serve.