The following is a personal experience regarding the gift of prophecy, and EGW. Having read EGW’s account of the battle of Manassas, some years later, I obtained an account of my great great great grandfathers eye witness experience of this same battle, from my father. As I was reading his account, something about it seemed familiar, I remembered having read EGW’s account and went back to compare the two. The following are the results.
Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 266, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: Slavery and the War
The North and the South were presented before me. The North have been deceived in regard to the South. They are better prepared for war than has been represented. Most of their men are well skilled in the use of arms, some of them from experience in battle, others from habitual sporting. They have the advantage of the North in this respect, but have not, as a general thing, the valor and the power of endurance that Northern men have.
I had a view of the disastrous battle at Manassas, Virginia. It was a most exciting, distressing scene. The Southern army had everything in their favor and were prepared for a dreadful contest. The Northern army was moving on with triumph, not doubting but that they would be victorious. Many were reckless and marched forward boastingly, as though victory were already theirs. As they neared the battlefield, many were almost fainting through weariness and want of refreshment. They did not expect so fierce an encounter. They
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rushed into battle and fought bravely, desperately. The dead and dying were on every side. Both the North and the South suffered severely. The Southern men felt the battle, and in a little while would have been driven back still further. The Northern men were rushing on, although their destruction was very great. Just then an angel descended and waved his hand backward. Instantly there was confusion in the ranks. It appeared to the Northern men that their troops were retreating, when it was not so in reality, and a precipitate retreat commenced. This seemed wonderful to me.
Then it was explained that God had this nation in His own hand, and would not suffer victories to be gained faster than He ordained, and would permit no more losses to the Northern men than in His wisdom He saw fit, to punish them for their sins. And had the Northern army at this time pushed the battle still further in their fainting, exhausted condition, the far greater struggle and destruction which awaited them would have caused great triumph in the South. God would not permit this, and sent an angel to interfere. The sudden falling back of the Northern troops is a mystery to all. They know not that God's hand was in the matter.
The following is from the Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Volume LIV, Dec. 1988, pages 89 & 95. Cleon Moore was my great great great grandfather. I think I have the amount of greats right.
“Cleon Moore was born in 1840, the son of Thomas A. Moore, the long serving clerk of the court of Jefferson County. Cleon Moore served through the entire Civil War from the 1st Manassas to Appomatox. He entered the army as a private in Bott's Greys, which was a part of Stonewall Jackson's Brigade, and completed his service as a lieutenant.”
Excerpt from his account of the battle of Manassas.
‘To resume-the firing of musketry was now very heavy-the battle was going on in earnest. We were marched slowly to the scene of action, ascended a hill just beyond what was known as " Henry House" and formed line of battle on the brow of the hill, in the edge of a pine thicket. For some time after we got fixed the musketry ceased firing. But for about two and a half hours the artillery wared Pendalton's battery on our rear and a Federal battery (afterwards ascertained to be Sherman's) replied to each other. While occupying this position, General Wm. Smith of Va. & Gen'l Beauregarde rode along the lines. General Smith introduced the General, some of the men leaped out of ranks and shook them by the hand. Both of them appeared in fine spirits. Colonel Cummings' Regt, 33rd Va. occupied a position to our left. He was ordered to charge and did it bravely, but was compelled to retreat. There was some misunderstanding about our regiments moving forward. Some of the men were clamorous to charge, but orders were given to keep in place. In the meantime, the enemy had executed a flank movement, and we were first apprised of it by a sprinkle of musketry along the line, then a volley. We commenced firing. It was difficult to see anyone, although some of the men said they saw men with red pants. The fire was very destructive, someone called out to fall back and the left of the regiment was driven back in confusion. The right rallied under Lieutenant Colonel Lackland and made a charge, some reinforcements come up and soon after the shouts of our soldiers, announced the Federal army in full retreat. It was something I could not understand, a whole army as if swayed by an invisible influence suddenly took to flight, threw down their guns and ran to Washington city. Our artillery and cavalry under Gen'l J. E. B. Stewart followed.”
My great great great grandfather, happened to be at the precise line of battle at which the Federal troops decided to commence a full retreat. As an eye witness to the account, he was baffled by their retreat. Even suggesting that it seemed like an invisible influence caused the retreat. According to EGW, this is exactly what happened.
I haven’t had time, nor am I sure that I will find the time to address all of the accusations that have been brought forward on this board. At one time I thought to address these issues, until I realized it would be an endless checking out of the claims of those who wish to defrock EGW. I will however search through my old posts, and share with you the many lies I found being propounded by these supposed experts on EGW. Understand that these posts are addressing others in a different time and place, what they are addressing though, is still relevant.
Bye for now. Y. b. in C. Keith
