Out of Our Past: How Lycurgus Railsback went from missionary to war hero
This is the second part of a story about a Christ-like man from Wayne County who had come into the world on Dec. 14, 1834, when he was born in Richmond. His named was Lycurgus Railsback.
Little is known of his early life, but at the age of 21 he converted to Christianity, believing Christ’s precept that humans love “one another” was the only sane response to this life on Earth.
He entered the Civil War before completing theological studies at Cincinnati, and for much of 1863 he was head teamster for the Department of the Ohio, supplying spiritual tracts and hymnbooks to soldiers, prisoners and families of war deprivation.
In April of 1864 Railsback accepted ministerial duties of the 44th Regiment of United Stated Colored Infantry, an early regiment composed of former slaves. That October he secured books and tracts and other reading matter for the men, intent on teaching them to read.
On Nov. 29, Chaplain Railsback and his regiment left Chattanooga for Nashville. The train they were on was the last of twenty. The countryside swarmed with Rebels.
More Out of Our Past: Park 1 of the story of Lycurgus Railsback
The 1865 "Directory and Soldier’s Registry of Wayne County, Indiana" states that “six miles from Nashville, the rebel cavalry under the command of the notorious Nathan Bedford Forrest opened two of their batteries upon his (Railsback’s) regiment… In this savage attack, Chaplain Railsback demonstrated the power of his moral potency. Not having nor desiring to have any urges to command, yet his influence over the men was greater than that of any officer of the regiment. The attacked being made, the train was brought to a halt and shrieking shells were dashing in from every side, followed by small arms, and the soldiers became demoralized; a few of the men were knocked from the cars and fell a distance of forty feet; others jumped off, and all were more or less confused, some losing their guns. Chaplain Railsback went right among them, familiarly calling each by name, exhorting them to keep cool and hold on to their guns, and pointed to a place for them to rally, all knowing that ex-slaves taking up arms against the Confederacy were summarily executed if captured. The Chaplain remained on the bridge until he got the last man off, then gathered up some abandoned guns and ammunition, and carried these supplies up the hill, where he found the men trying to protect themselves behind trees and stumps…. The men formed around a blockhouse that had been built to protect the bridge. Colonel Lewis Johnson endeavored to form them into line, but was unsuccessful until the Chaplin came to his assistance, by going in among the men as before, and they were soon ready for action, and did good service the remainder of the day, against one of the fiercest forces the Confederates could throw against them, following blitzkrieg after blitzkrieg of fire.
"This attack had commenced about 10 o’clock Friday morning, December 2nd, and lasted until dark, when about one third of the men were killed and wounded, and their ammunition nearly exhausted. The Colonel arranged to have all who could walk to take advantage of the darkness and escape to Nashville next morning at 4 o’clock, leaving Chaplain Railsback and Surgeon J. T. Strong to take care of the wounded. As soon as daylight came, the two walked out and surrendered to the confederates.” (Railsback stated later): “The whole face of the earth seemed to swarm with rebels in a short time, then the trading commenced. They traded for anything we had, but to their distinct advantage, as conquerors. They took every article of good clothing I had, even to my hat and boots, and then they stripped our poor wounded, on the verge of death, and left us no food.”
(Soldier’s Directory): “Mr. Railsback eventually carried the wounded out of the blockhouse, over a high breastwork, the mud being very deep, the rain falling rapidly, and suffering with hunger, having had nothing to eat since the previous morning. While engaged in this toilsome but benevolent service, the chivalrous rebels remained seated upon their horses, taunting him with curses. The Union men were wounded, deprived of food, and famished to the point of death. It was not until Sabbath morning, December 4th, two days after the fighting, that Railsback was enabled to find a few pieces of hard bread, affording some relief to himself and the wounded men from the gnawing pangs of starvation. The attempt of (Confederate General) John Bell Hood was to take Nashville required all the rebel soldiers to be there, so that but little attention was paid to the prisoners; and as soon as the rebels began their retreat, Surgeon Strong and Reverend Railsback made their way to Nashville and procured assistance for wounded.”
The "Directory and Soldier’s Registry of Wayne County, Indiana" concludes, “When Lycurgus Railsback entered upon his duties as Chaplain of the 44th Regiment United States Colored, the men of his charge had just emerged from slavery, and were extremely unsure of their deportment and abilities, but now through his exertions and their own desire to learn, they all could read, to a man. Reverend Railsback had been doing a noble work in raising that body of men from the condition of chattels to that of citizen solders… Mr. Railsback is a native of Wayne County and a son of Mr. Enoch Railsback residing on the National Road, two miles west of Richmond.”
"The Presbytery of Kansas City and Its Predecessors: 1821-1901" further notates, “After the war Mr. Railsback finished his course of study at the Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, and spent another two years there as a City Missionary, where forty converts were found of whom four entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. The next two years were given to Mission work in New York City at the Five-Points Mission House (an infamous 19th century New York city neighborhood and the world’s most notorious slum). Here, with wife Elizabeth, he set on foot the first Chinese Mission in this nation, in 1868. Next, from 1871 to 1875, he was Pastor of the church at Juneau, Wisconsin, where he found a church of a discouraged handful. His pastorate soon began a succession of revivals and well over a hundred converts were added…. In 1875 he was called to the Third Church of Kansas City, and from that time until the close of his life, he held 222 services; made 243 visits; prayed in 75 families, received into the church 78 new members… Reverend Railsback was a preacher of unusual power…. He was magnetic, sympathetic, mightily in earnest. He had a remarkable way of changing instantly from humorous sally to the most tender and earnest appeals. He was unlike anybody else, a law unto himself.”
In the summer of 1883, a Kansas City newspaper under the heading of "Mixing Religions" reported, “A pleasant incident of practical fraternity in church work occurred here yesterday. Among recent converts to Reverend Dr. Railsback’s Presbyterian Church were two railroad men who desired to be baptized by emersion. To accommodate them, the Baptistry of the Calvary Baptist Church was tendered. But then came a problematic query. Reverend Dr. Railsback could not baptize them, the doctrines of the church prohibiting such a course, and the Pastor of the Calvary Church had to decline because the men were not members of his congregation. In this emergency, Reverend R.M. Barnes, Pastor of the local Methodist Church, was asked to officiate, and kindly consented. A Presbyterian baptized in a Baptist pool by a Methodist minister is somewhat unique; but incidents like this are by no means uncommon in the work of Mr. Railsback.”
Lycurgus Railsback passed away on August 5, 1897.
"The Presbytery of Kansas City and Its Predecessors: 1821-1901" states, “One of the most remarkable characters that was ever in the ministry… was Reverend Lycugus Railsback. None ever knew him — and few ever knew of him — without being struck with his peculiar personality, totally unlike any other they ever met. None that ever knew him can forget him.”
This Wayne County son is worthy of our remembrance.
A plaque in tribute of Railsback’s service as chaplain of the 44th Colored Cavalry is today at the American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Contact columnist Steve Martin at stephenmonroemartin@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Out of Our Past: Lycurgus Railsback went from missionary to war hero
