August 2007
William Hockett Set a Standard for Pacifism During the Civil War
William B. Hockett sharpened his pencil with his utility knife, wrote June 22, 1862, at the top of the page, and committed that day’s happenings into his journal. One sentence pricked his spirit like a thorn: I was shown a vision that I would be carried off to the war and have to suffer many things.
The condition of the country during this war between the North and the South troubled Hockett, but now he knew a new depth of distress. His eyes slowly moved around the kitchen of the farmhouse near the Friends meetinghouse twelve miles from Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina. The thought of leaving his wife and children drove him to his knees. Oh, God, our Father, make a way for me to stay with them. But we look to Thee for help.
The military conscripted Hockett on September 27, 1862, but officers permitted him to remain at home until June 8, 1863. He then became part of a group of men forced to join a division of the Southern Army that had invaded Pennsylvania under General Lee. They armed all the rest of the men and attempted to arm me, but I refused to take any weapons, he wrote home.
This declaration of William’s pacifist stand set the pattern for the next two years, as he continued to disobey orders to pick up a gun or do any work that aided the war effort.
“You’ll comply, or I will see that you’re shot tonight or tomorrow morning,” barked Colonel Kirkland.
The next morning, the colonel commanded Hockett to stand in front of the company with its guns pointed at his breast. He raised his arms and repeated Jesus’ words: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
No one fired a gun, but instead murmured among themselves, “We could not shoot such a man.”
Next, they strapped a gun to William’s back and tried to make him walk in drill. He ignored the order. “I swear I’ll ride right over you,” an officer bellowed, but he could not make his horse step on William. The captain struck William on the back of the head, stunning him. He soon recovered and did not feel the hurt afterward.
Verbal orders pierced the air. “Run him through with your bayonets.” “Blow a ball through him.” No soldier obeyed.
Finally, no one again asked him to carry a gun.
Time passed and the ever-present dreadful sights and sounds of battle penetrated his mind like pellets from a gun. Hockett endured hunger and degrading circumstances, always disregarding orders that furthered the cause of war. Lord, grant me strength to bear these afflictions for your name’s sake, he prayed.
Eventually, the Union cavalry captured Hockett and others, transporting them to Fort Delaware. He wrote in his journal, This place is anything but desirable. He soon discovered, however, four other Friends men of his acquaintance: Thomas Hinshaw, Jacob Hinshaw, Nathan Barker, and Cyrus Barker.
The next day, two Friends men from Wilmington visited Hockett and the others. “We heard that some of our Southern brethren were sick and in prison,” they explained. “We came as soon as possible.” They handed over oranges, lemons, and bread, a welcome sight to the prisoners. Robert Pearsall Smith, another Friends man, visited them the following day, offering money and blankets. “Furnished by Friends,” he told them.
The amount of time these five Quaker men spent under the Union’s authority remains uncertain, but finally, after some negotiations with the general, they received their release. They immediately visited Friends along the way to Philadelphia. There they heard, “Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings appointed three men to visit the President and Secretary of War on your account.”
William wrote in his journal, Under God’s help, they have effected our release for which we feel truly thankful.
Philadelphia Friends furnished each of these five men with a trunk full of clothing, fifty dollars in cash, and a ticket home.
On June 5, 1865, William once again stood in front of their home under the shade of a big oak tree where he had told his family goodbye. He clasped his wife and children in his arms. “We thank Thee, gracious heavenly Father, for Thy provision for all of us as we endured the separation from one another.”
William became a recorded minister among Friends, “to hasten the day when righteousness shall reign in the earth, and the sound of battle shall no more be heard in any land.”
—Betty M. Hockett
William B. Hockett belongs to a long-ago generation of this writer’s husband. Story details were excerpted from chapter XII, Southern Heroes, by Stephen B. Weeks. Betty M. Hockett has served The Voice as Historical Editor since its inception in 1995. Betty and her husband, Gene, reside in Newberg, Oregon, where she continues in her research and writing ministry.
