BAREFOOT IN THE SNOW

2 Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

CIVIL WAR SOLDIER and author W. R. Broughton wrote:

          On the East Tennessee campaign, we were cut off three months from railroads, mails and supplies.  I saw hundreds of bare-footed men marching over frozen snow near Dandridge on the French Broad River, and saw the blood from their feet marking the snow.  Sometimes an order would come for the bare-footed to go to the butcher’s pen.  A man would put his foot on the hairy side of a fresh cow hide and a piece heart-shaped would be cut out.  Then holes were cut near the edges, and it was sewed with thongs of the same material over his feet.  They were better than nothing for a time, but when near the fire they shrank amazingly, and when wet by the rains, they became too large.  Yet men clad in this fashion on empty stomachs, drove the enemy, and after we felt among the shucks where the enemy had camped and picked and ate raw corn that had dropped from the horses mouths.

The Confederate soldiers were poor and often ill equipped.  Many wore out their shoes so they had to walk barefooted in the snow.  In spite of hunger and lack of clothing, these dedicated men continued to do their duty.

The sacrifice of these soldiers reminds us of Jesus making Himself poor so that we might become spiritually rich.  We are a rich country indeed, in light of the sacrifices that have been made by God-fearing, courageous men and women in uniform.  Let us thank god for their sacrifices and let us also thank God for Jesus who sacrificed His all for our salvation.

Taken from Battlefields & Blessings” by Tony Tuley