Delta Kappa Epsilon - University of Alabama

7 Sighs of Psi From The Historian of Robert Savidge Foster, a of Vicksburg, being present quite seen before. He writes in the eloquent wealthy Alabama planter. from the beginning of the and poetical style of the talented and dedicated The Foster family had its siege until the surrender of preacher that he was, and much of his letter roots in Virginia; William's the city on July 4th, 1863. seems almost sermon-like, replete with poignant grandfather, John Foster, was references to the Almighty while in the midst a Revolutionary War veteran. Shortly after Foster joined of battle. There are so many great quotes from His father, Robert, served as the 35th Mississippi, his letter that I had a lot of trouble choosing the a Brigadier General in the the regiment entered limited number that could feasibly be included Alabama State Militia, and Confederate service. In here. Much of his writing is done in the present Grave of William Lovelace Foster, Lidonia, Texas. saw to it that William and early October, 1862, it got its tense, as he describes the siege and the fighting his brothers got a "thorough" first real combat experience with not just the facts but also the feelings education. William entered the University of when it participated in the Battle of Corinth, and emotions he felt at the time these events Alabama in 1847 and graduated with distinction, Mississippi, where it "acted nobly and did occurred. Most modern histories of military receiving his B. A. degree in 1850, having good service," participating in a desperate clashes tend to be more objective in style, such also been a member of Alabama's newly (and charge upon the enemy's works, during which hyperbole as written by Foster being generally secretly) organized chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. their brigade sustained heavy casualties. respectfully left to those who were actually In 1854 he also received an M. A. degree from After Corinth, the 35th Mississippi eventually there. Check out the following passage, for the University. His younger brother, George joined the Confederate forces assigned to example, describing the first Yankee assault on Washington Foster, and his cousin, David defend Vicksburg. the Confederate lines on May 19, 1863: Lawrence Foster, were also both Psi DKEs, Class of 1853. The siege of Vicksburg began in mid-May "On they come. Our cannon pours forth the of 1863, and lasted for 47 long days. Foster, deadly grape into their ranks. They fill the The Fosters were pious Baptists, and William conscious of the drama and the tragedy taking vacant gaps, without pausing a moment. They felt called to the ministry. He began preaching place around him and of which he was a part, come now in startling proximity to our works. in Tuscaloosa County, and was ordained to the decided to write his wife a letter, describing Not a musket yet has been fired by our men. full ministry around 1853. Rapidly establishing life as he experienced it in the beleaguered city. They have received orders to wait until they can a reputation as an effective preacher, he became He began his letter on June 20, probably using see the whites of their eyes. Not a single head pastor of the Baptist Church of Clinton, Alabama, notes he had written where he met and married his wife, Sarah Mildred earlier. He wrote Maxwell, on July 15, 1856. Shortly thereafter, he "at broken intervals and his new wife moved to Mississippi, in order of time" with many to minister to various congregations there. In the interruptions, "in the words of historian Ken Urquhart, "Foster was midst of danger," a man of great amiability, personal magnetism, knowing that at any high moral character, and dedication. Early in moment he might be his ministry, he established the firm principle killed or wounded. By of never disappointing a congregation by failing the time Vicksburg to appear at the appointed hour for services, surrendered on July often braving inclement weather and swimming 4th, Foster's letter swollen creeks to reach his congregations. His had grown to 79 tireless dedication to his calling earned him the pages. The letter was deep devotion of the people of his churches." In eventually acquired short, Foster seems to have epitomized the DKE by the Historic New ideal of having combined in him "in the most Orleans Collection, equal proportions the Gentleman, the Scholar which had it edited and the Jolly Good-Fellow." by historian Ken Urquhart and Not long before the outbreak of the Civil War, published in 1980 The author's son, Tim Favrot, at Vicksburg National Military Park, at the the Fosters moved to Starkville, Mississippi, as a small book location occupied by W. L. Foster's unit, the 35th Mississippi Infantry, during where they were residing in the spring of entitled Vicksburg: the siege of Vicksburg. This photo was taken in June 2013, during the 150th anniversary of the siege. 1862, when, despite being a college graduate Southern City under and an ordained minister, William enlisted as Siege. This historical an ordinary private in Company F of the 35th gem presents a unique opportunity to share the is seen above the works- except now & then a Mississippi Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The combat experiences of one of our DKE brothers, solitary sentinel, who stands ready to give the position of chaplain to the regiment had already in his own words, as those experiences unfolded. fatal signal. They come now in seventy yards been filled by another minister, but when that of our lines. Now a thousand heads rise above. man died, Foster was appointed regimental I've read countless books, articles, and other Above the earthworks, a thousand deadly guns chaplain, effective February 1, 1863. It was in accounts of the Civil War, but Foster's letter is are aimed & the whole lines are lighted up with this capacity that he served during the siege written in a style and with a feeling I've never (Continued on page 8)

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