I assure you all that the story below was told to me on the the very first day of my very first English lesson in the ides of... forget it!. Just read it! "Relax and enjoy"! H.C.
Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard, (photo) was a Louisiana-born general for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. General Beauregard was known as one of the most devout catholics during the hostilities. It was practically a rule for him to use passages of the Holy Bible as passwords for his men. A prayer, a gesture, a sentence, the names of Saints or a drawing of a fish on the sand would serve as password. No one was to be allowed to the army facilities if he didn't know the password.
One night a faithful soldier, who has been absent in a three week leave was returning to the camp and obviously could not know what would be the password for that night. As he approaches the entrance gates the sentinel stops him raises his gun and asks for the password.
- Stop! Identify yourself! Tell me the password!
- James E. Hunter - Corporal - 1st Regiment - Georgia Volunteers
- All right, now say the password.
The poor man did not say anything.
The guard insisted and raised his gun again.
- The password... or I'll shoot you down...
The soldier (also a catholic) realizing that he would be killed, immediately made the Sign of The Cross. Then the sentinel put down his gun and run at him saying...
- You're saved because The Sign Of The Cross is the password tonight.
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