The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-06-14
At GETTYSBURG
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
James j. creswelI.)

At the battle of Gettysburg, young
priest, Rev. William Corby, G. s. c.,
of Notre Dame University, Ind, was
chaplain of Meagher's Brigade. Stand
ing on ledge of rock, he explained to
the men that, as they had but few
moments to live, il they would kneel
and make an act of contritin he would
give General Absolution. An
oil painting, commemorative of this
heroic act, by the celebrated artist
Gregori, now adorns the library of the
University of Minnesota A few years
ago, the writer had the pleasure of
seeing this very valuable treasure.
Father Corby was will known to the
writer.
Along the heights round Gettysburg,
that ill-starr'd loyal town,
Three days of war, of blood and strife,
two armies seek renown;
Two hostile banners wave aloft, along
those bristling lines,
One cheers with hope our Northern
homes, one waves DER Southern
pines.
Now gathering fast on Round Tops
Crest, far out tho eye may see
The "Old Dominion's" rebel lines are
cheered today by Lee;
While far and near, through fearful
strife, all loyal hearts now plead,
God grant them aid and strength and
strife, our Union boys with
Meade.
Far up on Little Round Tops Crest,
out on the fighting line,
Brave Meagher's men, the old brigade,
the gallant "Sixty-nine;"
Well known by sprigs of green they
wear, no further need to trace,
Nor home, nor country-hero mold
they're of the fighting race.
Here Minnesota, fair young state, now
empire of the West,
Her fearless, hardy pioneers now
sleep on Round Tops crest,
They gave their lives for us that day,
twas all that man can give,
They gave their lives, a soldiers
deed, that we, their sons, might
live.
Far up those death-doomed dizzy
heights, on ledge of shell-crushed
rock
) Stands Corby, chaplain of brigade, be.
fore that awful shock,
Few were the solemn words he spoke
} uncovered now each head,
Full well they knew, few moments
: more, they're Numbered with the
, dead.
: "Men of brigade, now doomed to feel
: dark treason's shock and might,
, This green hillside on which you
stand, shall be your grave to
night.
While life is yet, now kneel and pray
and ask to be forgiven,
Where truly contrite, absolve, in
very name of Heaven"
Forward, Brigade, all undismayeG
/ where cannon thunder loud,
Steady they charge, through shot ant
> shell, soldier needs no shroud
Great Union shout of victory, the
rebels break and flee,
Old Gettysburg is safe today, anC
!, crushed the hopes Of Lee.
Forward, Brigade, still undismay'd
| now scorning death with smiles,
> True guards are they of liberty, those
> faithful, brave exiles,
: Never on field of Fontenoy, Marengo
) Waterloo,
: Were deeds of valor nobler won, mol
2 hearts more brave and true.
: But o, tonight, fond hearts will ache
| and many a tear will fall
For husband, father, brother, SON
/ they hear not loves fond call,
) And many throbing bosom signs ant
/ many bending head,
/ In vain they come not back again, oul
/ loved ones with the dead.
: Where now they sleep, the might
/ winds sigh, a solemn requiem
dirge
t Round Gettysburg, still loyal town
) DER Seminary Ridge,
: We fondly trace each silent place, il
vain we shed our tears,
/ They're gone to rest, those silent
: blest, the friends of long-lost