William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War

[12] the Royalists, he determined to rally “men of religion” to his cause, convinced that “with a set of poor tapsters and town apprentice people” he could never overcome the forces of the King. With these “men of religion” he always conquered. They marched into battle singing psalms and shouting such watchwords as, “The Lord of Hosts!” How far their invincibility was grounded in their religion, Cromwell shall judge for us: “Truly I think he that prays and preaches best will fight best. I know nothing that will give like courage and confidence as the knowledge of God in Christ will; and I bless God to see any in this army able and willing to impart the knowledge they have for the good of others.” From this unfailing source he drew the strength and wisdom so conspicuous in his own deeds. “He seldom fought without some text of Scripture to support him.”

In his reverses and victories he saw the hand of God. When his cause looked gloomy he urged his soldiers “to see if any iniquity could be found in them,” and to put away “the accursed thing.” When victory crowned his arms, he would exclaim, “This is nothing but the hand of God.” He taught his soldiers to regard themselves as the “instruments of God's glory and their country's good.”

In the great revival which prevailed in England under the preaching of Whitefield, the Wesleys, and their associates, godly soldiers bore a conspicuous part. And in America, no lay preacher was more zealous and successful than Captain Thomas Webb, of the British army. Converted under the preaching of John Wesley at Bristol, England, he soon began to recommend in public the grace which had renewed his own heart. Afterwards in America he preached with great fervor, and as he always appeared before the people in his military dress, he attracted large crowds, and many of his hearers felt the power of the gospel proclaimed by this soldier of the Cross.