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. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas A. Dooley, M.D. '48 (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From a Letter of The Rev. Edward Sorin, CSC (about 400 feet away); Old College (about 500 feet away); Edward Sorin (about 700 feet away); Notre Dame Fieldhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clarke Peace Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rev. Michael Dillon McCafferty, C.S.C. (approx. ¼ mile 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". A Civil War

Fair Catch Corby Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

2. Fair Catch Corby Statue

Notre Dame has a tradition of naming things on campus for football. The statue was dedicated in 1911.

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.)

Statue Front Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker

3. 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

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

Photographed By Kathy Walker

4. 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 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.

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

Photographed By Kathy Walker, October 3, 2008

7. Samuel Murray name on statue base

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

Rev. William E. Corby Statue on Gettysburg Battlefield image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 5, 2010

8. Rev. William E. Corby Statue on Gettysburg Battlefield

This statue of Father Corby stands on Hancock Avenue in Gettysburg National Military Park.
Click for more information.

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.

First and 10 Moses image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker

10. First and 10 Moses

In the same football nicknames for things on campus, this statue on the west Side of the Hesburgh Library is referred to first and 10 Moses.

Touchdown Jesus image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker

11. 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 June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,396 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on October 10, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on October 7, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 8. submitted on March 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9, 10, 11. submitted on October 8, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.