THe impetus for the article came from two directions. Almost simultaneously, one of our regular readers made a suggestion to feature personal testimonies of historical figures, and suggested Civil War era figures to begin, particularly Stonewall Jackson. The very next day, my wife won tickets from our local Christian radio station for a special showing of the movie Gods and Generals. The feature character of that movie: Stonewall Jackson. Interesting.

Gods and Generals (hereafter GG) is not a movie for the impatient. It clocks in at four hours, with one intermission; a young man in front of us, who was recognized by the host as someone who had played the part of a battle extra in the movie, said before cutting the film had run 6 hours, 35 minutes. Despite the length, however, you will not find it dull unless you are inclined to need special effects to stay busy. GG is also not a movie for those looking for excessive mea culpas on the evils of war and slavery (though they do nevertheless form an integral part of the movie). Rather, GG is an up close and personal look at the lives of people on both sides of the war, especially their spiritual lives. Viewers will be doubly surprised at the positive portrayal of faith in the movie (there are no wild-eyed fanatics, no hell and damnation preachers -- on either side), and at the fact that this movie comes out of Ted Turner's stable, not a Christian studio.

On the Northern side, GG takes focus on the life of a leader in the Maine regiment. On the Southern side, Stonewall Jackson is the focus. This leads now into a reader recommendation of a database/website called "The American Civil War: Letters and Diaries" found here. As our reader notes, it is a for-fee service offered to libraries and educational institutions by Alexander Street Press, L.L.C., produced in collaboration with the University of Chicago. Fair use allows us to present a few selections from Jackson's letters, which reflect as well the depth of his spirituality seen in GG:

I am very much gratified to learn that Mr. -- has consented to aid the church provided Mr. P -- remains with you. From Grace's letter I saw that he would remain if a proper salary could be raised. Do what you all can to make up the amount and I will be responsible for the rest. I would rather pay his whole salary than have him leave Beverley at this time. I still hope that Mr. -- may become a Christian. I know that the change to effect this must be great, but who will limit the power of the Holy Ghost? Who can say but that your prayers and the prayer of others may be heard for Mr. --. For years I have been praying for him and expect to continue doing so. How great has been the change in him, to agree to aid in preaching the Gospel. Pray on for him, and pray for more faith. You speak of your temptations. God withdraws His sensible presence from us to try our faith. When a cloud comes between you and the sun, do you fear that the sun will never appear again? I am well satisfied that you are a child of God, and that you will be saved in heaven, there forever to dwell with the ransomed of the Lord. So you must not doubt. The natural sun may never return to the view of the child of God, but the Son of Righteousness will. - 4/6/1861, to Laura Arnold

I hope to have the privilege of joining in prayer for peace at the time you name, and trust that all our Christian people will; but peace should not be the chief object of prayer in our country. It should aim more especially to implore God's forgiveness of our sins, and make our people a holy people. If we are but His, all things shall work together for the good of our country, and no good thing will He withhold from it. - 11/20/1862, to Mary Anna Morrison Jackson

Knowing that you take a deep interest in the progress of the church, I write to say that on yesterday the proclamation of our President for a day of humiliation and prayer received in the army a more general response than I have seen on any similar occasion since the beginning of the war. . . . It was arranged among the chaplains that each one of them should preach twice yesterday -- once to their own troops, and once to other troops, thus giving an opportunity of having the Gospel preached as extensively as practicable. I trust that yesterday was a solemn day throughout the Confederacy, and hope its good fruits will be abundant, and that God in His mercy will give us a speedy peace, so marked by His interposing hand that all shall recognize and acknowledge it as His gift.- 1863, to Dr. R. H. Morrison

If you're intersted in more on this subject, we recommend a peek at Gods and Generals. For more on Stonewall Jackson, including some excellent links and biographical material, see here.