For Christ and Country: A Biography of Brigadier General Gustavus Loomis

A veteran of five wars, Brigadier General Gustavus Loomis was a professional soldier respected by his peers and feared by his enemies, and he has been overlooked by history.

Gustavus Loomis (1789-1872) served for almost six decades in the uniform of the United States Army.  But Loomis, a country boy from Thetford, Vermont, was more than a career military officer. Loomis was a sincere and dedicated Christian. His faith in Jesus Christ was visible and undeniable.

In his long life, Loomis always placed God first, followed by devotion to his family, and then to service to his country. He was a man of the military who saw frequent combat and who spoke about Jesus to all who would listen.

His home in garrison and his tent in the field were places of psalm singing and Scripture reading. His bravery in the face of the enemy gave him high commendations, but his real passion was for the Lord and for his family. While some ridiculed him for his support of revivals, none ever questioned his professionalism as a soldier and an officer.

For Christ and Country honors the legacy of this remarkable man.

Advance Praise of For Christ and Country:

“A Vermonter and a man of God, Loomis is one of the many unsung heroes of the war. Thanks to Lawson’s dedication to detail he has preserved the story of not only a great Vermonter, but also a great American.”
—HONORABLE SCOTT WHEELER
Vermont House of Representatives
Publisher of Vermont’s Northland Journal

COLONEL LAWSON HAS RESCUED THE memory of his fellow Vermonter and given us a detailed portrait of a unique soldier. Most of us have never heard of General Loomis, but none of us—after reading this narrative of his life—is likely to forget him. A worthy read, it combines military history with the personal story of a man who balanced well his obligations to God, to family, and to country; and performed them with joy...In its reading we find pleasure and profit. Having received both, I recommend it.
—DR. EDWARD M. PANOSIAN
Professor of Church History (ret'd.), Bob Jones University

AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN CHAPLAIN (COLONEL) Ken Lawson has accomplished a feat with this thrilling story of a forgotten American hero, Brigadier General Gustavus Loomis. Lawson digs through a scant historical record in a compelling effort. …Relying on obituaries, tangential journal references, census records, newspaper articles and various published and unpublished documents, aided by a little speculation, Lawson recreates the epic story of a man who lived and died for his savior Jesus Christ, and for his nation in its formative years.
...this book is an inspiring and fascinating look at a forgotten age in American history. Highly recommended!
—CHAPLAIN (BRIGADIER GENERAL) EUGENE R. WOOLRIDGE
US Army Reserve, Assistant Chief of Chaplains, Mobilization and Readiness

CHAPLAIN (COLONEL) KENNETH LAWSON HAS done a masterful job intertwining the biography of brevet Brigadier General Gustavus Loomis with the times in which he lived. Loomis stands out as a Christian officer for all seasons, with service that spanned most of the nineteenth century. Loomis functions not only as a role model for leadership from the War of 1812 through the end of the Civil War, but also as a prism through which one may see many historical events in a new light. I am pleased to recommend this scholarly but entertaining book to anyone interested in American military or religious history.
—DR. JOHN W. BRINSFIELD
Army Chaplain Corps Historian
Adjunct Professor, Wesley Theological Seminary

Chaplain (LTC) Kenneth E. Lawson served as an enlisted soldier from 1979-85. He entered the chaplain candidate program through the Ohio Army National Guard in 1989, and served as a National Guard chaplain and a civilian pastor for 10 years. In 1999, Ken went on Active Duty in the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program. His Active Duty assignments include Fort Devens, Massachusetts (1999-2001); Heidelberg, Germany (2001-2004); and the US Army Chaplain School (2004-present). Ken also has 8 years teaching experience as an adjunct Bible College instructor. While assigned in Germany, Ken spent extensive time in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia as part of the NATO peacekeeping mission. Ken was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1961. He received a Bachelor of Science from Salem State College, a Master of Arts from Bob Jones University, a Master of Divinity from Cincinnati Bible Seminary, a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Bethany Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Preston University. His military education includes Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia (1979-80); Chaplain Officer Basic Course (1990); Chaplain Officer Advanced Course (1996); US Army Command and General Staff College (2000); and the Installation Chaplain (O5) Course (2002). Ken is endorsed by the Associated Gospel Churches and serves on their Cooperating Board. He is the author of five books, the most recent being "Religion and the U.S. Army Chaplaincy in the Florida Seminole Wars, 1817-1858." Ken and Vera Lawson were married in 1986. They are the parents of four children, and reside in Columbia, SC.