Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-09
GAVE THEIR SOULS TO GOD.
A DRAMATIC SCENE on THE SECOND
DAY At GETTYSBURG.
AbsOlution ON a Misunderstanding
Incident Recalled by the Death of
the So~ldier-Priest, Who Stood
on the QunkinE Rock.

There are many heroes OF Gettysburg
who will live in song and story, but per-
hapS the fame of no veteran of that field
is more distinctive, even though ever so
much greater, than that of Father William
Corby, who died recently at Notre Dames
Ind. He it was who stood up on a rock on
Cemetery Ridge, when stiff battle was in
the air. and, stretching forth his arms. lent
absolution to the soldiers Of the Irish
Brigade. giving their souls to God"
William Corby was born in Detroit.
Mich, in October. 1893. He became q stu
dent at Notre Dame In 1853; entered the
congregation of the Holy Cross in 1854: in
1855 took upon himself the duties of prefect
of discipline at the university and in 1S6o,
being then a priest. entered upon the
labors of a regular professorship. But
the next year the drums sounded all up
and down the land and Father Corby was
one of seven young priests who left Notra
Dame 10 enter the army. He had neVeE
seen a big city until the journey East: but
his knowledge of men was true, and it did
not take him long to win the respect and
affection OF his comrades of The Irish
Brigade, whose chaplain he became. How
the soldier-priest followed the fortunes OF
this body of sterling soldiers. the gallant
Measher leading, is told with charming pen
in the Memories of a Chaplain's Life a
little book sent out from Notre Dame by
Father Corby a few years ago.
But the story of the heroic scene at
eral st. Clair y. MulhoTland. who. by the
bye, would not be alive to tell the tale if,
with a rebel ball still hot in his leg. he had
not crawled behind a big-bodied dead man
when the plain in front of Marye's Heights
was swept at FREDERICKSBURG Blu Father
of Meagher's passed through the
fire at Fredericksburg and at Chancellors-
Vile (where MulholIand wen his medal OF
honor) and with the grand host of the
Army of the Potomac faced Lee at Gettys-
burg. The Irish Brigade was a part OF
Ial 1r-z1 .Ca---I s-,-t, S~-@-l 1890
and was posted under Hancock's eye on
Cemetery Ridge. on the afternoon of the
sMseSas. da istt with aha de hee ip pu shf smoke far t Ss
Round Tops word came from Hancock ask
ing succor. 1t was close to A o'clock and
the battle was roaring. Hancock ordered
General Mulholland tell the tale:
THE Irish Brigade. which had been corn
Meagher. and whose green flag has been
unfurled on every battle in which the
Army of the Potomac was engaged. from
commanded by Colonel Patrick Kelly. and
to which our regiment was attached.
ade stood in column Of regiments closed
I'm mass. As a large majority of its menu
bers We're Catholics. the chaplain of the
give a general dissolution to all the men
before going into the fight. While this is
customary in the armies of the Catholic
countries of Europe. 1t was. perhaps. the
first time 1t. was ever witnessed on this
continent. unless. indeed, the grim old war;
through the everglades Of Florida in search
of the Fountain of Youth. or De Soto. on
his march to the Mississippi. INDUCED in
this act of devotion. Father Corby stood
upon a large rock in front of the brigade.
Addressing the men. he explained what he
was about to do, saying that each one
could receive the benefit of the dissolution
by making a sincere act of contrition and
firmly resolving to embrace the first OPP
portunity- of confessing their sins. urgina
them to do their duty well. and reminding
them of the high and sacred nature of their
trust as soldiers and the noble object for
the Catholic church refuses Christian
burial to the soldier who turns his back
upon the foe or deserts his flag. The
brigade was standing at order arms and
as he closed his address. every man fell