The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-08-19
A CHAPLAIN DURING the REBELLION
Participated in the Carnage of
Historic Battles.
ACCOMPANIED NINTH MASSACHUSETTS
Stayed in the''Army Until the
Close Of the War.

stayed In the Army Until the
Close of the War.
The following interesting sketch Of
the late Rev. c. L. Egan, o. P, is given
in the Catholic Columbian bv r. c.
Cleaner:
Father Egan was chaplain OF the fa-
nous Ninth Massachusetts Volunteers,
OF which Patrick Quincy was colonel,
and Father Scully, the Father Mathew
OF Massachusetts, still living and pastor
OF Annunciation church in Cambridge
port, Mass, had been chaplain in the
carly days OF the civil war but on ac-
count OF poor health had been forced TO
resign.
Col. Patrick Quincy was father Of our
Catholic poetess-Louisc Imogcn GUM
ey and after constant suffering from an
old wound, received at the battle of the
Wilderness, survived the war but few
years. A Boston poet sang of him.
Large heart and bravc Tried soul
and true!
How thickly in thy life's short span,
All strong, sweet virtues throvc and
grew,
A c triarH 11oro -I
Unmoved by thought of blame or
praise,
Unbought by gifts of power and
pride.
hy iect still trod Times devious ways
With Duty as thy law and guide"
Between Colonel Quincy and Chap
lain Egan warm attachment existed.
In 1865 Father Egan was living at the
Dominican Convent at Washington,
when messenger came to him, asking
him to call at the war department the
next day He complied with the re-
quest and was told that General Meade
had sent for a Catholic priest to min
lister to some Catholic soldiers, who
were about to die. Hc fastened to
Beaton Station, near the Rappallan-
mock river, and here eventually met Col
oncl Quincy, whose regiment was COM
posed OF Catholics. After their regular
chaplain had been forced on account OF
ill-healtl1 to resign and return home, the
regiment was without the services OF a
priest, and in the entire army OF the
Potomac there was but one priest
Father Corby, chaplain to Mcaghcr'
brigadc-2nd army corps.
For two weeks, almost without inter
mission, Father Egan heard the con-
fcssions OF the Catholic soldiers, and
when about to return home the Catl,o-
lie officers and men begged him to re-
main with them and Father Egan, tc
use his own words: Seeing the need
OF my services in the army-thc good
could do for such brave mcn-and be.
ing myself patriotic in the causc-shar.
ing the feelings ard sentiments OF my
own countrymcn-I told Colonel Gun,
ey | would become their chaplain, but
ii was necessary for me first of all, tc
obtain permission OF the Provincial o
my Order"
Needless to add, he obtained this
readily. and soon Colonel Quincy Sc
cured him the commission as chaplain
OF the Ninth Massachusetts, Volunteers
from Governor Andrews. His first par.
ticipaton in battle was at Bristow Sta.
ton, where the federal forces rcpulscd
the enemy. At Culpcppcr Ford, many
OF the union soldiers fell and the wound
ed were gathered into a church, where
he spent The most OF the night admins
tcring to the wounded and dying He
said he always had a pleasant rcmcm-
brance of an army surgeon, who held
a lighted candle for him as he was read
ing the prayers OF the ritual while Civ
ing extreme JUNCTION to the dying men
In November, 1862, when the army
settled down in winter quarters, he
visited the various brigadcs and rcgi-
mcnts, giving missions through the
whole army corps, as he said: pitching
my little chapel tent in each brigade,
having a soldier with me from my own
regiment to take care of my horse cook
our rations and, OF course, do our wash
ing in as good style as big, rough
Irish soldier could perform an art to
which he was unaccustomcd"
In February, 1864, he moved over to
the Fifth army corps and there contin-
ued his laborious work among the Cath
olic soldiers. May 5th, he was with his
own regiment and on that day, ser
ious battle was fought, in which in about