Memoirs of Chaplain Life: 3 Years in the Irish Brigage with the Army of the Potomac (Irish in the Civil War) [Hardcover]

Lawrence Kohl (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0823212513 | ISBN-13: 978-0823212514 | Publication Date: January 1, 1992 | Edition: 1

Of all the units that fought in the Civil War, the Irish Brigade seems to be the most recognized. Comprised of troops from New York who were mostly Irish-Catholics, this unit proved itself in some of the most important battles of the war. A principal player in this unit was the chaplin, Father William Corby. Through his devotions and his willingness to be ever-present at the encampments, as well as at the front, the souls of the Irish Brigade were always cared for. A combination biography, history of the Irish Brigade, day-to-day look into the lives of Civil War soldiers, and reflection on the Catholic faith, this book is wonderfully written in Corby's own words. All the aspects of his life come together here. Recommended for public and academic libraries.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Of all the units that fought in the Civil War, the Irish Brigade seems to be the most recognized. Comprised of troops from New York who were mostly Irish-Catholics, this unit proved itself in some of the most important battles of the war. A principal player in this unit was the chaplin, Father William Corby. Through his devotions and his willingness to be ever-present at the encampments, as well as at the front, the souls of the Irish Brigade were always cared for. A combination biography, history of the Irish Brigade, day-to-day look into the lives of Civil War soldiers, and reflection on the Catholic faith, this book is wonderfully written in Corby's own words. All the aspects of his life come together here. Recommended for public and academic libraries.
- Barbara Zaborowski, Cambria Cty. Lib., Johnstown, Pa.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...this book is wonderfully written in Corby's own words. All the aspects of his life come together here." -- Library Journal

"Kohl...has done a superb job in editing this present edition and placing it in historical context..." -- Civil War History

"This is arguably one of the best of the numerous published diaries of Civil War participants." -- The Catholic Historical Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 412 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823212513
• ISBN-13: 978-0823212514
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A valuable Civil War memoir, June 1, 2000

By 

Thomas J. Holman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memoirs of Chaplain Life: 3 Years in the Irish Brigage with the Army of the Potomac (Irish in the Civil War) (Hardcover)

Father Corby's Irish Brigade memoir provides a very valuable and interesting record of the Civil War. His testimony gives the reader a first-hand account of life in the Church and in the Army.

In some sections, the memoir is not terribly exciting; it is for the history buff who wants to know more than which general won a given battle. The book tells of the great and small trials of army life. Its value comes from the author's testimony about the lives of the soldiers and their experiences.

The book will best suit those who possess a knowledge of the war, as Father Corby's passing mention of campaigns and generals' names will be lost on the uninitiated.

I strongly recommend this book to those interested in Civil War and Irish history.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the carnage of Gettysburg, a moment of grace -- Chaplain Corby's story, June 28, 2008

By 

Donald M. Bishop (Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memoirs of chaplain life: Three years with the Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac (Irish in the Civil War) (Hardcover)

Father William Corby (1833-1897) of the Congregation of the Holy Cross was a Chaplain in the famous Irish Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. His great moment was giving general absolution to the kneeling soldiers of the Brigade on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The famous Paul Henry Wood painting at Notre Dame University captures the scene, so important in America's religious history. So do the statues of Corby at the University and on Hancock Avenue at Gettysburg.

This is Father Corby's memoir of the war, first published in 1893. When the armies clashed, chaplains usually stayed behind the lines and worked in the hospitals, so Father Corby's memoir only lightly focuses on tactics, strategy, or details from the battlefields. Rather, his is mainly a memoir of camps, marches, the hardships of soldier life, and profiles and vignettes of the Brigade's leaders. He shares many stories that give a feel for the Army of the Potomac and the humor of the times. Civil War historians and re-enactors will find his account valuable and fascinating.

Father Corby brought a priest's faith and commitment to the Brigade, and it is these themes that most infuse the book. He records masses in camp and the field; conversations with Catholics, Protestants, and the unchurched; and work with the wounded and dying. Writing letters for illiterate soldiers gave him other insights on life and faith. He ministered to men sentenced to death by military courts and accompanied them on their final walk. In the midst of appalling carnage, he was sustained by knowing he helped many face death in the state of grace.

Father Corby included shorter recollections by other Catholic chaplains in the Union Army in his own book. Editor Lawrence Frederick Korb provided an excellent introduction with a full survey of Corby's life, and he added appendices on the Wood painting and the statues of Corby by Samuel Aloysius Murray.

At the time of the Civil War, Catholics were an often-despised minority in a majority-Protestant nation, and in Chapter IX, Father Corby ringingly condemned "bigots" and affirmed Catholics as true Americans. The scene of Father Corby and the Irish Brigade at Gettysburg was seen by thousands. It softened the hearts of many, and it may now be reckoned a milestone toward an American future of interfaith understanding and respect.

-30-

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Narrative, September 15, 2003

By 

Nathan Hale (Nashville, TN. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memoirs of Chaplain Life: 3 Years in the Irish Brigage with the Army of the Potomac (Irish in the Civil War) (Hardcover)

I truly enjoyed the book Memoirs of Chaplain Life by William Corby. Father William Corby, a Catholic, served as a chaplain to the Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. Corby relates the many trials and dangers that he suffers over his three years of service. He tells the stories of narrow escapes from the enemy fire. He ministers to the men, "hears their confession," and often dose duties not required by his being chaplain. The book gives an interesting look into the religious life, as well as everyday camp life in a Civil War Army. I will say that the book is hard to get through, but it is worth the time to read. Father Corby is an interesting character.