James Sargent served briefly as the chaplain for the 59th O.V.I. in which his 19 year old son also served (as First Sergeant!). His son died on the second day of the battle of Shiloh and Sargent accompanied his son’s remains home, never returning to the regiment. He apparently served as an itinerant minister, serving several south Ohio churches – including his family’s church in Frankfort, Ohio. Jacob was not particularly religious when he entered the war, but he was a man of deep, abiding faith by the end.
Bethel, August 10th, 1864
Dear Jacob
I acknowledge the receipt of your letter, through your wife, which came to hand in due time. I was truly glad to hear from you, as a Soldier and as an old friend. Be sure that I sympathize with you in the hardships, and perils, of warfare. I know what privations and trials mean under such circumstances, but remember dear friend, that it is not for ourselves, or our children alone, that we are suffering to save this government, but for unborn millions who are to be deprived of civil and religious liberty should we fail in this struggle. Therefore, let this consideration with the conviction that God, humanity and right are on our side, nerve you for the conflict ever remembering that “God will defend the right.” We have good news this day from every quarter. Gen Shelly has whipped the raiders at Maryland, taken all their cannon, wagon trains, and five hundred prisoners. The garrison at Mobile has fallen into the hands of our fleet, commanded by Admiral Farragut. Gen Grant is doing well before Petersburg and Richmond, and we believe we will soon reduce those places to submission and from Sherman we expect soon to hear of the fall of Atlanta, with the complete routing of Hood and his army and with this the release of our prisoners at Macon. These are our anticipations from the present news.
Dear friend, you cannot conceive how much pleasure it afforded me to hear that your mind was so deeply exercised on the subject of religion and that you have formed such decided resolutions to do your duty. I have been long since convinced that your mind was thus exercised and that you was not doing your duty in neglecting to submit to these convictions. I have often prayed that you might become an open follower of Christ and now in view of what I know, and from what you say, I have no doubt but it is your duty to confess Christ and become connected with his Church in accordance with the command of the Gospel. You say that you have some doubts as to the propriety of this step. This is always the case in neglect of duty. Put your trust in the Lord and do your duty, and all will be well. I hope that I shall hear (that if you have not already) you will soon pursue this course. I would advise you to seek an interview with a Baptist Chaplain, lay your case before him, and ask of him baptism, after this, obtain a certificate from him then forward it to the Church at Frankfort or to me and you will be duly received as a member of said Church. I was at Frankfort a few days since and saw your family and friends. They were well and expressed much interest in your behalf. I suppose that you are informed as to events transpiring there as you receive letters from your family. You will please excuse my delay which has been owing to my doubts as to the letters reaching you in your continuous moving and fighting NB. If you see anything of the old 59th Ohio Regt, please remember me to Captian Riley of Company H and James Wasson and others. Tell them that their families are well and live in hopes of seeing them soon. Write to me whenever convenient and believe me as ever your true friend,
James Sargent
[in postscript on letter]
Tell Mr. Sergeant that I am yet unable to comply with his instructions merely for the want of an opportunity, but by the help of your prayers I hope to eventually succeed, let it be soon or later, I shall try to do my duty. Jacob Shively
A Thousand Thunders 