It was to Harry like Hannibal in winter
quarters at Capua, without the Capua. There was certainly no luxury
here. While food was more abundant than for a long time, it was of the
simplest. Instead of dissipation there was a great religious revival.
Ministers of different creeds, but united in a common object, appeared in
the camp, and preached with power and energy. The South was emotional
then and perhaps the war had made it more so. The ministers secured
thousands of converts. All day long the preaching and singing could be
heard through the groves of pine and cedar, and Harry knew that when
the time for battle came they would fight all the better because of it.
Yielding to the enemy was no part of the Christianity that these
ministers preached.
Harry also saw the growth of the hero-worship accorded to his great
commander. He did not believe that any other general, except perhaps
Napoleon in his earlier career, had ever received such trust and
admiration. Many soldiers who had felt his guiding hand in battle now
saw him for the first time. He had an appearance and manner to inspire
respect, and, back of that, was something much greater, a firm conviction
in the minds of all that he had illimitable patience, a willingness
to accept responsibility, and a military genius that had never been
surpassed.
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