He now tried to give to the war the character of a crusade.

The clergy were the agents whom he employed to sustain the courage of his soldiers.

The whole camp was in a ferment with religious excitement.

In every regiment priests were praying, preaching, shriving, holding up the host and the cup.

While the soldiers swore on the sacramental bread not to abandon their colours, the General addressed to the officers an appeal which might have moved the most languid and effeminate natures to heroic exertion.