[for another, similar, incident, see letter, Andrew Brown to his father and sister, 16 June 1862, Alexandria VA, in his father's pension certificate file, WC 134,972]
A SECESH CHURCH SHUT UP.
On Saturday, Col. GREGORY, Provost-Marshal of Alexandria, informed Rev. Mr. BITING [?], Pastor of the Baptist Church, that if he could not pray for the President of the United States and the success of the Federal arms, he would be compelled to close his church. Mr. BITING informed Col. GREGORY that he could not comply with his request, whereupon Col. GREGORY immediately took military possession of the church and closed the doors. Several other churches of secesh proclivities have been taken.
[New York Times 16 June 1862, page 5]
CHURCHES FOR HOSPITALS
An order was sent yesterday to the Provost-Marshal of Alexandria, directing him to take possession of churches in which secession sympathy has been evinced, and to convert them into hospitals. Another church or two have been taken in like manner in this city, but it is proper to state that it may become a military necessity to convert for hospital purposes churches which have been in no way identified with secessionism.
The final services in the Episcopal Churches designated for hospital use were held to-day. At Dr. HALL's they were prolonged, and concluded by an announcement that the place of meeting hereafter would be made known through the papers. During the service, the Government cartmen were depositing the lumber needed for the necessary alterations in the street before the church.
['A Philadelphia minister in trouble', Philadelphia Press Monday 21 July 1862 page 3]
[source: ActivePaper Archive, Penn State University (viewed 8 November 2008)]
A PHILADELPHIA MINISTER IN TROUBLE.--We learn that Rev. Mr. Bitting, formerly of this city, who is now pastor of the Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, was lately informed by Colonel Gregory, the provost marshal of that place, that if he could not pray for the President of the United States and the success of the Federal arms, he would be compelled to close his church. The reverend gentleman asked until the next morning to consider the subject, which was granted by Colonel Gregory. Mr. Bitting, in company with the mayor of Alexandria, called upon Colonel Gregory, and informed him that he could not comply with his request. Colonel Gregory replied that he (Mr. Bitting) being a Philadelphian and a minister of the Gospel of Christ, and an instructor of the people in righteousness, it was certainly incumbent upon him to lead them in the way which would produce peace and good order, and thate only object of the Government was to restore order, and bring back peace to our distracted country. Mr. Bitting replied that he had made it a rule not to interfere with politics, and had endeavored to preach the Gospel. Colonel Gregory informed him that politics had nothing to do with the matter; that the subject had resolved itself into the question of a Government or no Government, and that he who was not for the Government must be against it. Occupying the position which he did, and being from the loyal State of Pennsylvania, he was extremely sorry that he had placed himself in a position which forbid him to pray for the President and thank God for the success of the Federal arms. This being the case, he must take military possession of the church, which was immediately done by the adjutant.
['Disloyal ministers', Philadelphia Press Tuesday 22 July 1862, page 2]
[source: ActivePaper Archive, Penn State University (viewed 8 November 2008)]
Disloyal Ministers.
To the Editor of the Press:
SIR: Rev. Mr. Bitting, formerly of this city, now pastor of a church in Alexandria, Va., we learn from The Press of this morning, refuses to pray for the President and for the success of our arms, whereupon Colonel Gregory, very properly, pronounced that the man that is not for the Government must be against it, and that he must take military possession of Mr. Bitting's church.
This was immediately done by the adjutant. From the proceedings of the Presbytery of Allegheny, as published in the Presbyterian Banner and other papers, it will be seen that the Rev. Dr. Plummer, pastor of a church in Allegheny city, does not, and declares that he will not, pray for the President, or for the success of our arms, or give thanks for our victories.
Does not equal justice require that he too should be silenced? Shall he be permitted, even in this indirect way, to give aid and comfort to the eneny? Is a traitor in Allegheny town entitled to greater lenity than a traitor in Alexandria?
J.H.