General Pickett and God’s Guidance

MAJOR GENERAL George E. Pickett wrote many intimate letters home to his dear wife. In this particular letter, Pickett was nearing the end of the war and Appomattox was just ahead. Defeat was inevitable, yet Pickett’s men exhibited extraordinary faith.

It is long past the midnight hour and, like a boy, I have been reading over your dear, cheery letter, caressing the written page because it has been touched by your hand.

All is quiet now, but soon all will be bustle, for we march at daylight. Oh, my darling, were there ever such men as those of my division?

This morning after the review I thanked them for their valiant services yesterday on the first of April, never to be forgotten by any of us, . . . Their answer to me was cheer after cheer, one after another calling out, “That’s all right, Marse George, we only followed you.” Then in the midst of these calls and silencing them, rose loud and clear dear old

Gentry’s voice, singing the old hymn which they all knew I loved

“Guide me, oh, thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrim through this barren land.”

Voice after voice joined in till from all along the line the plea rang forth:

“Be my sword and shield and banner

Be the Lord my righteousness.”

I don’t think, my Sally, the tears sounded in my voice as it mingled with theirs; but they were in my eyes, and there was something new in my heart.

When the last line had been sung, I gave the order to march, proceeding to this point where I had expected to cross the Appomattox and rejoin the main army.

Life can be filled with disappointments. In each we can depend on God’s Word to give us the right counsel until the great day when there will be no disappointments.