The Uncivil Civil War: Brothers in Arms

But enough—it won’t do for you and I to quarrel—though in politics, we are divided. I had understood at our last interview, that although you would not take sides… you would not do what you have now done, —take position against her, but that you would resign and return to private life! …I pray Almighty God, that your convictions of duty— will never prompt you to set foot on your native land…breathing fire & destruction upon a people who to repeated overtures of peace and earnest demands to pursue their own destiny in their own way, have been replied to with taunts and the sword brandished over their heads with the scornful division of presumptuous superiority, as from a superior race.

Farewell Percy—and however much we may differ on the present issue—let no unkind word escape—to lacerate the heart of the other. Defend the soil…if you will. Then you and I will never meet as armed foes;—cross her southern border with hostile purpose—and we shall face each other as brothers never should.

Your affect brother,
Thos F Drayton, 1861

Percival’s last line to his brother says it all: I am only doing duty to my country, which should be higher than that even to my family…One is to affect all time, the other only my generation which will soon pass away….

Percival Drayton, captain of the USS Pochahontas, was saddened that not only had the country become so divided, but this divisiveness made its way down to his family unit. His older brother, Thomas, loyal to his native region of the south, took up arms against Percy’s formidable northern charge for freedom for all. Although the brothers met as enemies at Port Royal, November 1861, they both survived the battle. Later, there is evidence of the two trying to mend their differences of loyalty through epistolary pardons, but it is not known if the communications were ever respectfully received before they perished.

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In this era of divisiveness, manipulated truths, flagrant untruths, and pernicious gaslighting, I have found the Bible to be the resource that continues to keep the compass directing me to the one true north. It is divinely every bit as relevant today as it was when it was written, 2,000 years ago.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment…. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:22-24

Excerpts used with permission: “Grace Under Fire: Letters of Faith in Times of War,” by Andrew Carroll.