DAVID W* MOORE
CHAPLAIN 97th Reg. PVI
Rev 10/2/00
Son of William and Lydia (Michner) Moore, was born
October 5, 1830, at Brandywine Manor, Pa. He united with
the Presbyterian Church of the Forks of the Brandywine at
the age of nineteen. His preparatory studies were pursued
in the Howard Academy, in Chester County, Pa., and he
graduated from Princeton College in 1858. Entering the
Seminary at Princeton the same year, he took the full three
years' course there and graduated in 1861. He was
licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, April 10, 1860,
and ordained by the same Presbytery, May 8, 1861, being
at the same time installed pastor of the Lower Brandywine
Church, Del., from which he was released October 15,
1872. During this pastorate, from July to November, 1864
he served as chaplain of the 97th Pennsylvania Volunteers
in the Civil War. From December, 1872 to August 1873 he
labored as missionary evangelist in the Presbytery of New
Orleans, having his residence in McComb City, Miss. He
was than pastor of the Church at McVeytown, Pa., from
Nov. 18 1873 to Sept. 4 1883, and later pastor at Kennett
Square, Pa. from October 1883, to October, 1887. From
1887 to 1889 he engaged in work as an evangelist in
Philadelphia, Pa. His last pastoral charge was the Second
Church of Norristown, Pa., now the First Bridgeport
Church, over which he was installed May 9, 1889, and
which he served until his death. He died January 11, 1899,
in Norristown, of heart failure, following an attack of the
grip, in the 69th year of his age.
He was twice married: (1) Dec. 27, 1860, in Philadelphia,
Pa., to Miss Lizzie Hoagland, who died May 29, 1878; (2)
Nov. 13, 1879, in Norristown, Pa., to Miss Bertha Longaker,
who with one son, by his first marriage, survives him
From the Necrological Report to the Alumni Association
at Princeton Theological Seminary • May 10, 1848.
Page: 534
Rev. David W Moore, pastor of the Presbyterian Church
at Centerville, Delaware, having received the appointment
of chaplain, joined the Regiment, near Petersburg, Va. on
July 16, 1864.
The enemy were shelling our lines most vigorously. To
one not accustomed to such close proximity to the front,
this was an experience both novel and startling, calculated
to test the nerves of the bravest men. The day after his
arrival, being Sunday, Col. Bell, commanding brigade,
requested Chaplain Moore to hold service at brigade headquarters, in the second line of works. This had just commenced when, in the midst of the prayer, a shell exploded overhead, sending its fragments crashing down among the worshipers. It was a severe ordeal for the chaplain; yet he scarcely quailed, while some of the old soldiers could not help instinctively crawling for cover. Several pieces of the shell struck quite close to the congregation; one piece struck and slightly wounded one of the staff officers.
The chaplain continued the service with firmness and
fervor to the end. Rarely, perhaps, has any one officiated in
an inaugural service deserving so well the appellation of
the "baptism of fire". From that time forward he was
regarded as the plucky chaplain. He soon became much
interested in the members of the Regiment, and, by his
fatefulness and kindly care for his charge, won the respect
and confidence of both officers and men.
On November 22, Chaplain David W. Moore, having tendered his resignation on account of failing health from
exposure, which being accepted by Gen. Butler, he then
prepared to return to his home at Centerville, Delaware.
When about to leave the Regiment, he addressed the following words of farewell:
Head-Quarters 97th P.V., Chapin's Farm , V.A.
November 22, 1864
Officers and Men of the 97th P.V
We are about to bid you farewell, after having been associated with you during a memorable period of your history, viz.: that of infliction of heavy casualties; we have seen your noble ranks broken by that stern destroyer, Death!
but while we have seen the flower of the 97th P. V. cut
down, by the cruel hands of war, we have beheld the sun
of glory to arise and shine upon the heads of those who
have survived the terrible conflict and upon the graves of
your comrades. The dead upon the bloody battle fields of
Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, Pertersburg, Deep Bottom and Chapin's Bluff attest the bravery and glory of the historic 97th P. V. The sun of honor has risen over you, as a, regiment, never to set until time shall be no longer. And, while painful emotions arise in our hearts, as we recall the names of the honored dead, yet theirs are "sweet memories indeed," for we delight to dwell upon their heroism as soldiers of their country, and we need no appliance of marble or epitaph to preserve the record of their heroic character, for such is engraved upon our hearts never to be effaced or forgotten.
In bidding you farewell, feelings of sadness mingle with
those of joy; strong attachments have already sprung up,
the severing of which ties now gives pain. The very circumstances under which our friendship, has been
formed-those of war-which renders a separation liable
at any moment, knits more strongly the cords of attachment.
Besides, we are loath to leave a faithful band of
men, in whom we feel such a deep interest and who have
treated us with such kindness and respect, exposed to the
further ravages of war. And we can but regret that our
labors have not been more efficient in doing good as an
army chaplain. But it is pleasant to recall to mind your
deeds of noble daring, of which we have been an eye witness; and the lives and characters of the officers and men of the 97th P. V. It is a pleasure to know that you, as a regiment, have won unfading laurels and that renown is
yours. Then it gives us pleasure to remember how you
have received us as a minister of Christ; we have had the
most hearty co-operation on the part of the officers of the
97th P. V. in the performance of our duties as chaplain.
The attention you have given to our feeble instructions
from the word of God has been always good and reflects
great credit upon you as soldiers. Then, nothing unpleasant
has been permitted to mar our happiness, interrupt our
peaceful associations or to destroy our usefulness among
you. And we.derive some pleasure from the sense of having
endeavored to be faithful in counseling you as a spiritual
teacher. As man, we are fallible-"To err is human,"
and we claim no exception in this respect. But, whatever
we have done or left undone, the record is now sealed, the
recording angel has completed his task and we have to
wait the final day of review, when we all shall read together
what has been written, every thought, word and deed.
Oh! that we may hail such a day with joy, and not with
grief and sorrow. And that such a privilege and blessing
may be yours as that of meeting God-on the great plains
of the judgment day-reconciled, and your friend in and
through His Son, Jesus Christ, and our dear Saviour; we
exhort you once again to become as good soldiers of the
cross as you have been and are of the crown. Fight as
manfully the battles of faith as you have fought those of
your country. Conquer the rebellion of sin and wickedness
in your own hearts-as certainly as you will conquer this
rebellion against our free institutions of Liberty and
Union-and a spiritual victory will be yours also; unfading
crowns of glory will cover your heads and the sun of eternal peace will rise to shine upon you forevermore. To the God of all grace, Father,, Son and Holy Ghost, we prayerfully commit and commend you all, in life, in death and in eternity.
Officers and men of the 97th P. V. , we bid you a kind
and effectionate farewell.
D. W. Moore, Chaplain 97th P. V.
In Response th this farewell, Col. Pennypaker addressed
the following testimonial letter to the late chaplain:
Head-Quarters 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 10th A. C. in the
Field, Va., November 22, 1864
I deem it my simple duty to Chaplain David M. Moore to
say that he leaves the 97th Reg., Pa. Vols, with the kind
wishes and warm thanks of all its members. By his departure,
the service loses a valuable officer; the cause of
Christian religion, a true disciple in the field; and the soldier,
a sincere and devoted friend. With one accord, we all
say fervently, "May God be with him."
G. Pennypaker,
Col. 97th Regt. Pa. Vols.
Chaplain Moore had served diligently and faithfully for a
period of six months of most arduous and exposing service.
He was greatly respected and beloved by both officers
and men of the Regiment and brigade. The author especially
remembers his kind attention and care, upon the
occasion of his illness, with feelings of appreciative gratitude.
His kindly courtesy was manifest in his intercourse
with all, and his departure from the Regiment was universally
regretted.
*Not an initial
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