Dr. Pat McNamara on Father William Corby

“On the hot afternoon of July 2, 1863, the Union Army’s Irish Brigade, a unit composed predominantly of Catholic immigrants, waited for the order to go into action. It was the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, a three-day conflagration that saw over 50,000 casualties between both sides. The previous day, Robert E. Lee's Confederates had driven the Union troops through the town of Gettysburg onto a hill called Cemetery Ridge. Now, Lee strove to dislodge them from their stronghold and destroy the Union Army.”

Among the many statues on the Gettysburg battlefield, one is dedicated to a chaplain – Father William Corby, C.S.C., of the 88th New York Infantry, who ministered to the troops in his own brigade and throughout the Army of the Potomac.

In a recent commentary, Dr. Pat McNamara (a Catholic Church historian from Queens, NY) reflected on Father Corby and his contributions to the Union.

To access Dr. McNamara’s complete post, please visit:

In Ages Past: Absolution at Gettysburg: Father William Corby, C.S.C. (2 JUL 12)