Near South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg

Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

1. Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Marker

Inscription. The first bronze sculpture of Chaplain William Corby by Samuel Murray was dedicated in 1910 on the Gettysburg battlefield by Civil War veterans of the five regiments of the Union's Army Irish Brigade. His statue is on the same boulder of Cemetery Ridge where he stood to give the soldiers General Absolution on July 2, 1863, the second day of the three-day battle.

Minutes later the Irish Brigade went into action at Little Round Top and the Wheatfield. The Brigade lost 27 killed, 109 wounded, and 62 missing. Gettysburg's individual statues are of generals, except President Lincoln, Chaplain Corby, and a civilian.

This duplicate statue was dedicated here in 1911. Father Corby was President of Notre Dame twice: 1866-72, 1877-82. He planned the Grotto, finished in 1896, and died in 1897.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1868.

Location. 41° 42.136′ N, 86° 14.44′ W. Marker is near South Bend, Indiana, in St. Joseph County. It can be reached from Corby Drive. Marker is in front of Corby Hall on the campus on the University of Notre Dame. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Notre Dame IN 46556, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas A. Dooley, M.D. '48 (within shouting distance

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of this marker); The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); From a Letter of The Rev. Edward Sorin, CSC (about 400 feet away); Old College (about 500 feet away); St. Mary's Island (about 700 feet away); Edward Sorin (about 700 feet away); Notre Dame Fieldhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Bend.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Statue is Dulpicated at Gettysburg.

Also see . . .
1. Father William Corby. Father Corby, like many devout Catholics, had mixed feelings about the Civil War, but none-the-less felt the calling to support the men, spiritually. At Gettysburg, his action of offered absolution to the entire Irish Brigade was the first time the action had been granted in America. This moment linked Catholicism and American Patriotism together for many who witnessed or later read about the event. (Submitted on October 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Video - Catholic Chaplin in the "Civil War"

Statue Front Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker

2. Statue Front Inscription

This memorial depicts Father Corby, a Chaplain of the Irish Brigade, giving General Absolution and Blessing before battle at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
President, University of Notre Dame 1866-72 1872-81

. A Civil War Re-enactor discusses a number of points of service of the Catholic Chaplin in the North's Irish Brigade. (Submitted on December 29, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Right side of the base of the statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker

3. Right side of the base of the statue

To the memory of Rev. Father William Corby, C.S.C.
Chaplain 88th Regiment New York Infantry
2nd Brigade 1st Division 2nd Corps
The Irish Brigade
July 2nd, 1863

Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Marker and statue after renovation of the building and grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 21, 2024

4. Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Marker and statue after renovation of the building and grounds

Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Marker and Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

5. Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Marker and Statue

Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

6. Corby Hall

Corby Hall is the priests' dormitory. The marker is on the left side of the sidewalk. The statue is not pictured but is off to the left.

Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

7. Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg Statue

The statue was dedicated in 1911.

Samuel Murray name on statue base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

8. Samuel Murray name on statue base

The sculptor's name appears on the right side of the base of the statue.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

9. Grotto

Father Corby planned and built the Grotto at Norte Dame as a replica of the Grotto at Lourdes, France where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette.

Touchdown Jesus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Walker

10. Touchdown Jesus

The mural of Jesus on the south side of the Hesburgh Library which faces the football stadium is referred to on campus as Touchdown Jesus.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,849 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on October 10, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 19, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.