Читать книгу Mennonites in the World War - Jonas Smucker Hartzler - Страница 34

Before the Civil War, in some of the southern states, especially in Virginia, the military laws registered all able-bodied young men as belonging to the militia and required them to drill at certain times of the year or pay a fine for each absence. This seemed very easy and the Mennonites paid their fines without complaint; but when the Con federate government called for all the militia to come to the front and take up arms, it included Mennonites as well as others. A few went, but a far greater number went into hiding in the mountains and forests, and some remained at home and decided to simply await the results. Some of those who remained on the farm were taken into the ranks under protest, and it was understood between them that none of them would do any fighting. Al though they were soon in battle, they remained true to their pledge. The officers in command threatened them with court-martial and death, but the threat was never carried out.