[emailed Jan 12, 1997]
A SPECIAL PROVIDENCE

A few days before the battles around Richmond [Reverend] Dr. [R. L.] Dabney [Jackson's chief of staff] preached a sermon in which he took strong Calvnistic grounds on special Providence, and told the men that they need not dodge in the battle, since every shot and shell, and bullet sped on its way under the guidance of a special Providence, and hit just where and just whom the loving Father, who watches the fall of the sparrow, and numbers the hairs on the heads of the saints, should direct.

A distinguished officer told me that during the battle of Malvern Hill [July 1, 1862] he had occasion to report to General Jackson, and after hunting for some time found him and his staff under one of the heaviest fires he had ever experienced. Soon Jackson directed those about him to dismount and shelter themselves, and Dr. Dabney found a place behind a large and very thick oak gate-post, where he sat bolt upright with his back against the post. Just then there came up Major Hugh Nelson, of Ewell's staff--a gallant gentleman and devout churchman, who had heard Dr. Dabney's sermon, and whose theological view did not fully indorse its doctrine--and, taking in the situation at a glance, rode direct for the gate-post of "Stonewall's" Chief of Staff, and giving the military salute coolly said: "Dr. Dabney, every shot, and shell, and bullet is directed by the God of battles, and you must pardon me for expressing my surprise that you should want to put a gate-post between you and a special Providence."

The good doctor at once retorted: "No! Major, you misunderstand the doctrine I teach. And the truth is, that I regard this gate-post as a special Providence, under present circumstances."

--Rev. J. William Jones, "Reminisces of the Army of Northern Virginia," Southern Historical Society Papers.