Hold The Fort For I Am Coming
Submitted by Ted Mock
October 23, 2024
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Just before General Sherman of the Union Army began his famous march to the sea in 1864, his army lay camped in the neighborhood of Atlanta. On the 5th of October, the army of Confederate General Hood, in a carefully prepared movement, passed the right flank of Sherman’s army. They gained his rear and commenced with the destruction of the railroad leading north, burning blockhouses and capturing the small garrisons along the line.
Sherman’s army was put in rapid motion pursuing Hood, to save the supplies and larger posts; the principal post was located at Altoona Pass. General Corse, of Illinois, was stationed here with about fifteen hundred men with Colonel Tourtelotte being second in command. A million and a half rations were stored here, and it was vital that the earthworks commanding the pass and protecting the supplies should be held.
Six thousand men, under command of Confederate General French, were detailed by Hood to take the position. The works were completely surrounded and summoned to surrender. Corse refused and a sharp fight commenced. The defenders were slowly driven into a small fort on the crest of the hill. Many had fallen, and the result seemed to render a prolongation of the fight hopeless.
At this moment, an officer caught sight of a white signal flag far away across the valley, twenty miles distant, upon the top of Kenesaw Mountain. The signal was answered, and soon the message was waved across from mountain to mountain:
“Hold the fort; I am coming. W. T. Sherman.”
Cheers went up; every man was nerved to a full appreciation of the position; under severe fire, which killed or wounded more than half the men in the fort they held the fort for three hours until the advance guard of Sherman’s army came up.
French was then obliged to retreat.
After telling the story, Major Whittle made the application. This is an illustration of our spiritual conflict, of the need to remain faithful to our charge, and continue on until Christ comes again.
Christians should not be dismayed by Satan and his power – we have the promise that Jesus Christ is coming again!
Consider – Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.
