"HOLD THE FORT"!

As I have said before, I like to know the story that inspired the writing of a song.  The author of "Hold The Fort", Philip Bliss, was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, and was tragically killed at the early age of 38. Traveling with his wife from New York to Ohio on December 29th, 1876, their train crashed into a broken bridge and plunged into a ravine.  The train caught fire, and few escaped alive.  Bliss was among those who escaped, but he was killed while trying to rescue his wife.  When his traveling cases were taken from the wreck, a hymn he was working on was found inside ---

     "I know not what awaits me, God kindly veils mine eyes;
        And o'er each step of my onward way He makes new scenes to rise.
     And every joy He sends me, comes a sweet and glad surprise."

One of his best known hymns is probably "Hold the Fort", and here is the story that inspired the hymn.
     "During the American Civil War, General Sherman began his famous march to the sea, but the armies of General Hood had destroyed the railway communications and captured some of the garrisons.  Hood's army made one particular drive to capture Altoona Pass, where Sherman's army had a huge supply of rations.  The pass was held by 1500 men under the command of General Corse, and against these 1500, Hood flung his battalions numbering 6000 men.  A terrible battle ensued.  Time and time again, Hood's men stormed the pass, and each time they were driven back.  The defenders fought magnificently, but their ranks were being gradually thinned.  Fighting every inch of the way, they were steadily driven back into a small fort at the top of the pass. 
      General Corse had a great decision to make -- either continue the defense and certainly lose every man in the end, or surrender now and let the supplies fall to the enemy.  His men were tired and bespattered with blood and dust, and all the time, the attack grew in intensity.  It seemed madness to continue.  Suddenly, one of the officers caught sight of a tiny white flag, waving in the breeze on a faraway mountaintop.  It was a signal flag.  Quickly Corse ordered his signaler to acknowledge.  Away on the mountaiin, the unknown signaler saw the acknowledgement and began his message.  In feverish excitement, the brave men in the fort pieced together the signaled letters.  The message ran:
     "Hold the fort:  I am coming:  Sherman."
A cheer went up from the gallant defenders; help was on the way.  Hood's army, aware of approaching reinforcements, launched a final and desperate attack on the fort.  For three awful hours the fierce battle raged, and it seemed as if at any moment the defenders would be overrun.  Then Sherman arrived -- and the day was won!  The brave defenders had obeyed the message -- they held the fort!!"

     In these days of spiritual warfare, when the devil is launching vicious attacks on God's people across the world, I think I hear the Captain of our salvation sending us a signal flag from heaven and saying, "Hold the Fort" for I am coming!!  "The Fight Is On", but "Keep On The Firing Line"!!  Praise the Lord!! 
Remember -- "...if God be for us, His banner o'er us, we'll sing the victor's song at last"!

God bless you today, dear friend --make sure you are on the Victory side!!