Father William Corby
Posted to the Project on 29 Jan 08
Not all monuments at Gettysburg are dedicated to military men. A notable exception is the bronze monument to Father William Corby (1838-1897).
Corby was the chaplain of the 88th Pennsylvania in the Second Corps famous Irish Brigade. A Catholic priest, Corby requested he be allowed to speak to the men of the Brigade before they entered battle in the Wheatfield. Corby climbed atop a boulder and requested that God grant them courage. He then pronounced a general absolution.
General Absolution allows for the forgiveness of mortal sins. It is generally allowable only where there is an imminent danger of death. As Corby performed this Catholic rite, the battle in the Wheatfield was already raging nearby.
Corby survived the War and served two terms as President of Notre Dame College in Indiana.
The monument was erected using funds raised by Maj. St. Clair Mullholland (commander of the 116th Pennsylvania at Gettysburg), mainly from the Catholic community. Tradition states that the statue is placed upon the actual boulder on which Corby performed the Absolution. The monument was dedicated on October 29, 1910 and was sculpted by Samuel Murray. It is located on South Hancock Avenue between the G. Weikert Farm and the Pennsylvania Monument.
An identical copy of this staute is located at Notre Dame. It was dedicated in 1911.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
A favorite of mine. Father Corby personified the Christian warrior and helped his flock of lambs - fight like lions. Thanks for including him Jen.