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Andersonville in Macon County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Father Peter Whelan

 
 
Father Peter Whelan Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011
1. Father Peter Whelan Marker
Inscription. Father Peter Whelan, an Irish-born Catholic priest from Savannah, arrived at Andersonville on June 16, 1864, to minister to the sick and dying. While other priests visited for brief periods, Whelan remained for nearly four months during the hottest season and the time of highest mortality.

At the end of his stay, Whelan borrowed money to purchase ten thousand pounds of wheat flour. Baked into bread and distributed at the prison hospital, this food became known as "Whelan's bread." It lasted several months and probably saved many lives.

"By coming here he exposed himself to great danger of infection... His services were sought by all, for, in his kind and sympathizing looks, his meek but earnest appearance, the despairing prisoners read that all humanity had not forsaken mankind."
Pvt. Henry M. Davidson
1st Ohio Light Artillery


The prisoners never forgot Father Whelan. When the survivors returned home and wrote their memoirs, they often mentioned Whelan's name and works.

 
Erected by National Park Service.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial SitesCharity & Public WorkWar, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 16, 1864.
 
Location. 32° 11.799′ 
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N, 84° 7.737′ W. Marker is in Andersonville, Georgia, in Macon County. Marker is on Prison Site Road south of Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east. This historical marker is just east of the residential area of the village of Andersonville, in a National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Andersonville GA 31711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Patriotic Work of the National Woman's Relief Corps (a few steps from this marker); Lizabeth A. Turner (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Address (a few steps from this marker); Wisconsin (within shouting distance of this marker); Rhode Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Barton (within shouting distance of this marker); Escape Tunnels (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Day Order (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Andersonville.
 
Father Peter Whelan Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011
2. Father Peter Whelan Marker
A close-up view of the illustration of Father Peter Whelan that is on the historical marker.
Father Peter Whelan Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2011
3. Father Peter Whelan Marker
View looking south of the historical marker with several of the Andersonville monuments and memorials in the background.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 914 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.

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Mar. 18, 2024