Something Wrong by C. F. Hall

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 24, 1865

Something Wrong.

By C. F. Hall

Bro. White: Being drafted into the service of the United States in October last, on reporting, I presented my claims as a non-combatant, which were allowed, and made an affidavit in accordance with instructions given by the Provost Marshal. Before leaving the State my papers were given to me with instructions how to proceed with them. I was told that I should be sent South and assigned to some regiment, and there by the proper officers, would be assigned to hospital duties.

After staying some time at Madison, and being put to some trouble to get exempt from duty, while there, I was sent to this place (Virginia) when I immediately presented my papers to one of the commanders who immediately put me under guard, at the same time uttering terrible oaths, calling me a rebel, and saying they were going to clear the country of such rebels as I was. He wanted to know on what ground I wanted to be assigned to hospital duties. I stated my position, and told him there was a law for exempting non-combatants. He cursed me again, saying that that law had been repealed, and he would show me that I would take a gun. The guard that was put over me was ordered to load his gun, and if I stirred one inch to shoot me; meanwhile the colonel was sent for to come and take care of me. After about thirty minutes I was sent for by the colonel, who asked me some questions relative to my faith. I was frank in stating our position, relative to bearing arms, and engaging in war. He said that all the men that were sent to him were expected to be fighting men; but he would send my papers to Washington, and when he received an answer from them would give me the full benefit of it; but advised me to obey orders until such time, which I promised to do. Four weeks have passed, and I have heard nothing of my papers yet, and have serious doubts about their having been sent.

The opposition to non-combatants in the army is so great, that one of the commanding officers said if it was in his power he would hang me in a minute.

My case is not a solitary one. There is another brother here, who refused to take a gun, believing it to be his duty so to do. He was put under arrest forty-eight hours, and then given thirty minutes to decide between taking a gun, and being court-martialed, and subject to the punishment that would follow, being told that the whole term of his service should be filled up with one continued series of punishments, and he should carry a gun if they had to strap it to him; and if they ever came into a battle he should be put into the front. Under these afflicting circumstances he consented to take his gun and obey orders; at the same time he received a promise from them of the full benefit of a decision from the war department at Washington. Bro. — says he thinks he ought not to bear arms; but not knowing what actual duty is in such a case, and believing that those of more experience are better qualified to judge, we present our cases before you. If you should deem it proper to publish this with remarks, please send me a copy.

In hope of eternal life when the Lifegiver comes.

C. F. HALL.

Camp near Petersburg, Jan. 4, 1865.

P. S. Bro. J. B. Ingalls joins in the above. Our P. O. address is, Co. E., 6th Regt. Wis. Vol., Washington, D. C.