The Beginnings of Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Throughout the 18 th and 19 th centuries, denominational headquarters were not involved in the appointment of chaplains to the Army or Navy. During the wars of that early era, military regiments consisted mostly of men drawn from one town, village, county, or region, as were their chaplains. Regimental and brigade commanders generally selected their chaplains from available volunteers and chose men who would be acceptable to their soldiers. The chaplain’s denominational affiliation, then, tended to match that of the members of his unit. When the appointment of Army chaplains became centralized through the Adjutant General of the Army, interested parties would write Adjutant General to learn if any chaplain opening existed. The Adjutant General would reply, telling the inquirer what openings existed and where. For the Navy, inquiries were addressed to the Director of Naval Personnel. Applicants could then correspond directly with command in which the opening existed. T...