Revival Stories
The 1863 Great Revival of the Civil War
The American Civil War was one of the most devastating and yet important wars waged by this nation. Fought over the issue of slavery, it resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the North and the South. Although the war has been studied and discussed much, one aspect that is often overlooked is the great revival which broke out within the army ranks.
During the early months of the war, many young soldiers found themselves far from home and faced with a wide array of temptations: gambling, drunkenness, prostitution, and fighting. President Lincoln did everything in his power to establish chaplains in the Northern army who could provide spiritual guidance. The South also tried, with more limited success, to raise up spiritual leaders to encourage and comfort their soldiers in need. In addition, Christian organizations from both sides worked hard to get Bibles and tracts into the hands of these men, often additionally providing medical aid and access to worship and prayer services.
The first wave of revival came in the spring of 1862 in Virginia shortly after seeing significant battle between the opposing sides. Soldiers were exposed to the reality of possible death in combat while also deeply thankful to God for helping them survive the conflicts. The troops would gather in nightly prayer meetings with a heightened desire to regularly read God’s Word, and chaplains would preach and share the Gospel to all who would listen.
Although many smaller-sized revivals surfaced during the war, the Great Revival took place in Virginia and Tennessee from late 1863 until summer of 1864. Prayers took place not only on the battlefields but also among the families and towns back home, often with a call for public prayers and fasting. Soon God’s Spirit swept throughout the Confederate army, but awakening also erupted across the Union forces. In the midst of the grim ugliness of war, many soldiers turned to Christ and put their faith in Him. Every evening was marked with packed services of prayer and worship, and in some places the preaching and intercession would continue 24 hours a day.It was common to find a river nearby afterwards to baptize the new believers. Every brigade was affected, with more than 10% of all the forces coming foward to receive prayer or find salvation. Soliders formed “Reading Clubs” to pass around a single copy of a well-worn Bible to read aloud. Others held “Experience Meetings” where the attenders would take turns to share a testimony of how God had led them to faith.
As a result of this Great Revival, it is estimated that over 150,000 in the Confederate army found Christ, and that almost 200,000 in the Northern forces turned to Jesus. Among those who returned home after the war, many went into full-time ministry or became pillars of faith in their family and community. Looking back, in the midst of the tragic and bloody Civil War, God heard people’s prayers and brought desperately-needed redemption and salvation through this mighty move of revival through the Holy Spirit.
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
- When have you been the most spiritually hungry in your life? What did it look like on a daily basis? What factors do you think prompted this hunger for God?
- What great conflicts have you witnessed in your life? How do you believe God was at work in the midst of this hard time?