Faith, Valor, and Devotion

"The nineteenth century was the great age of letter writing, and there is no better guide to how life was lived by the people of that time than their letters. This is eminently true of William Porcher DuBose, a young seminarian, who served unflinchingly as a combat officer and chaplain in the Confederate army from the beginning to the end and later became a highly regarded theologian. These letters, skillfully transcribed, introduced, and annotated, give a rich picture of what 'faith, valor, and devotion' meant to the South Carolinians who steadfastly endured as great a sacrifice and suffering as any large group of Americans ever have."—Clyde N. Wilson, emeritus distinguished professor of history, University of South Carolina

"This edition of the wartime letters of the man who was to become the leading theologian of the Episcopal church records in detail his progress from seminarian to adjutant in Holcombe's Legion, to deacon in the church, to chaplain in the legion. In an impressive editorial collaboration, Emerson and Stokes bring a perfect combination of skill in military analysis and an intimate knowledge of family interconnectivity in South Carolina. Though the letters are often intensely personal—from love-struck bachelor and later devoted husband—they also record daily camp life as well as the legion's engagements in many battles. The introduction provides an excellent background for the man and his letters, and the richly informative endnotes offer supplemental records of battles, troop movements, and family reunions."—George W. Williams, author of St. Michael's, Charleston, 1751–1951, and professor emeritus of English, Duke University