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William Corby
William Corby
William Corby
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William Corby, C.S.C. (October 2, 1833 – December 28, 1897) was an American Catholic priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross and a Union Army chaplain in the American Civil War attached to the Irish Brigade. He served twice as president of the University of Notre Dame.

Key Information

Biography

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Chaplain Corby of Gettysburg (1903-10) by Samuel Murray, Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Catholic chaplains of the Irish Brigade, 1862. Corby is in the front row, right.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Daniel Corby, an Irish immigrant, and his wife Elizabeth, a Canadian. He attended public school until age 16, then joined his father's real estate business. In 1853, he enrolled in the 10-year-old college of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and began study for the priesthood three years later. Following ordination, he taught at Notre Dame, and served as a local parish priest.

Irish Brigade

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Corby left his position at Notre Dame and joined the predominantly Catholic Irish Brigade in 1861. He spent the next three years as chaplain of the 88th New York Infantry, which was one of the five original regiments in the Irish Brigade.[1] His memoir of the Irish Brigade became a best-seller.[2]

During the Battle of Antietam he rode along the line of the Brigade while giving his men a general absolution, of whom 540 became casualties before they were relieved after exhausting their supply of ammunition. After the absolution, Father Corby tended to his fallen men on the battlefield hearing their confessions where they fell. After the battle, he remained on the battlefield for several days, celebrating Mass for the wounded.

He is perhaps best known for giving general absolution to the Irish Brigade on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Of the Brigade's original 3,000 men, only about 500 remained. Of the men Father Corby absolved that day, 27 were killed, 109 were wounded, and 62 were listed as missing.[3]

The scene of Fr. Corby blessing the troops was depicted in the 1891 painting Absolution under Fire by Paul Wood,[4] and dramatized in the 1993 film Gettysburg.

A statue by Samuel Murray – Father Corby, with right hand raised in the gesture of blessing – some say it stands upon the same boulder on which the priest stood while blessing the troops that morning. It was the first statue of a non-general erected on the Gettysburg Battlefield, and was dedicated in 1910.[1]

He is widely remembered among military chaplains and celebrated by Irish-American fraternal organizations. Corby Hall at Notre Dame is named for him, and a copy of the Gettysburg statue stands outside the building. An organization of Notre Dame alumni is named The William Corby Society.[5]

President of the University of Notre Dame

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Following his service in the Civil War, he returned to Notre Dame and served as its vice-president, 1865–66; and president twice, 1866–72 and 1877-81. Under Corby's first administration, enrollment at Notre Dame increased to more than 500 students. In 1869 Corby opened the law school, which offered a two-year course of study,[6] and in 1871 he began construction of Sacred Heart Church, today the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame. The institution was still small, and Corby taught in the classroom and knew most students and faculty members. In 1869, the entire student body and the faculty presented him with the gift of a 'black horse and, when he left the presidency three years later, they presented him with a matching carriage.[7]

Corby became president again following the short term of Fr. Patrick Colovin. When Corby returned to the presidency, Notre Dame had not yet become a significant academic institution. Corby's presidency saw the April 1879 fire that destroyed the old Main Building of the school. Corby sent all students home and promised that they would return to a "bigger and better Notre Dame." Corby overcame the $200,000 fire loss and rebuilt the Main Building - which now stands with its "Golden Dome." During his administration, he also constructed Washington Hall (then named Music Hall), in which he took much pride, and started the construction of St. Edward's Hall for the minims program.[8] In addition to his presidency, he was serving as the Holy Cross Provincial, when Fr. Sorin, who had become Superior General of the Congregation, wrote to him to tell him that he would have to relinquish one of his positions. Corby wanted to remain president, but was overruled by Sorin.[7]

See also

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References

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William Corby

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William Corby (October 2, 1833 – December 28, 1897) was an American Catholic priest of the , renowned for his service as a Union Army chaplain during the and his leadership as president of the . Born in , , to Daniel Corby, a prosperous Irish immigrant from , and his wife Elizabeth, Corby grew up in a financially secure family that supported local Catholic parishes and charities. After attending common schools and briefly working in his father's real estate business, he entered the in 1853 alongside three younger brothers, joining the Holy Cross novitiate the following year. Corby professed his vows in 1858, was ordained a in 1860, and served as of discipline at Notre Dame before volunteering as a in 1861. Assigned to the 88th New York Infantry of the predominantly Catholic Irish Brigade in the , he ministered to soldiers through major battles including Antietam and Fredericksburg, often under fire, earning the nickname "fighting chaplain" for his bravery. His most famous act occurred on July 2, 1863, during the , when he administered general absolution to approximately 500 surviving members of the Irish Brigade near amid intense combat, an event later commemorated in Paul Wood's 1891 painting Absolution under Fire and statues at (1910) and Notre Dame (1911). Following the war in 1864, Corby returned to Notre Dame, where he served two terms as president (1866–1872 and 1877–1881), earning the title "Second Founder" for rebuilding the university after a devastating fire in 1879 and restoring its financial stability. He also led the local Holy Cross province and revitalized struggling parishes. In 1893, he published Memoirs of Chaplain Life: Three Years with the Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, a firsthand account highlighting Catholic contributions to the Union cause. Corby died in South Bend, Indiana, in 1897, with Civil War veterans serving as pallbearers and his coffin draped in his regiment's flag; his legacy endures through the Chaplain William Corby Award presented by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family Background

William Corby was born on October 2, 1833, in , , to Daniel Corby, an Irish immigrant from King's County (now ), , and Elizabeth Corby, who was born in . Daniel had immigrated to in the early 1820s, initially settling in where he met and married Elizabeth Stapleton before relocating the family to around 1825. The family enjoyed relative financial stability, with Daniel working as a and dealer who amassed a fortune through property investments and business ventures in the growing city. As the eldest son in a large family that included at least ten siblings, William grew up in a devout Irish Catholic household, where his father's extended to supporting local parishes, charities, and church construction efforts in Detroit's Catholic community. This environment instilled a strong sense of and , shaped by Irish immigrant traditions such as family gatherings and religious observances. Corby's early years were spent in Detroit, a frontier city with a burgeoning Irish population amid the challenges of 19th-century American expansion, providing him with an upbringing rooted in his heritage that later influenced his decision to serve as chaplain to the predominantly Irish Brigade during the Civil War.

Studies and Religious Formation

Corby received his early education in the common schools of Michigan until the age of sixteen. After leaving school, he briefly worked in his father's real estate business. In 1853, at the age of twenty, Corby enrolled as a student at the in , joining three of his younger brothers there. He pursued studies in the and , completing this phase of his academic formation by 1856. During his time at Notre Dame, Corby's religious deepened, leading him to enter the novitiate of the in 1854. He professed his vows with the congregation in 1858, committing to a life of priestly service. Following this, Corby continued his theological studies at Notre Dame through 1858, preparing for while deepening his spiritual discipline within the community. On November 1, 1860, Corby was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Maurice de St. Palais in , marking the completion of his religious formation and readiness to undertake ministerial duties.

Civil War Service

Appointment as Chaplain

In September 1861, at the age of 27, William Corby, a of the and professor at the , volunteered to serve as a amid the escalating Civil War. The decision was prompted by Notre Dame's strong support for the Union cause, as the institution's superior, Very Rev. , encouraged several priests to aid the war effort, particularly to meet the spiritual needs of Catholic soldiers following the Union defeat at Bull Run earlier that year. Corby resigned his academic position at Notre Dame, motivated by a blend of patriotism and religious zeal to minister to troops, after learning from fellow Rev. James M. Dillon about the formation of Irish regiments in New York. Corby was officially mustered into service as chaplain for the 88th New York Infantry Regiment on December 15, 1861, by the , becoming part of the predominantly Irish Catholic Irish Brigade within the . This brigade, organized under Gen. , drew heavily from Irish immigrants enlisting in New York and was intended to bolster Union forces with a unit reflecting the ethnic composition of many Catholic recruits. Shortly after his appointment, Corby traveled by train from to , arriving in the fall of 1861 and initially staying at St. Peter's Church before reporting for duty. Upon joining the 88th Regiment outside Washington in late , Corby's early duties centered on ministering to the influx of Irish immigrant soldiers enlisting in the , including celebrating , hearing confessions, and providing moral guidance at Camp California near , during the harsh winter of -1862. He collaborated with Rev. Dillon, who had been mustered into service on , to foster spiritual discipline among the troops. These initial experiences introduced Corby to the rigors of camp life—marked by mud, cold weather, and inadequate tents—while highlighting the soldiers' resilience and faith, as many attended religious services despite the hardships, setting the tone for his three-year tenure with the .

Ministry in Key Battles

Corby participated in several major engagements of the as chaplain to the Irish Brigade, a unit composed primarily of Irish immigrant Catholics from New York regiments. His service began with the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, where he provided spiritual support amid the brigade's initial heavy combat. At the in September 1862, Corby administered a general to the troops before their advance, offering plenary indulgence to all who desired it under the imminent threat of death. He continued his duties through the in December 1862, ministering to soldiers during the brigade's costly assault on Marye's Heights, and the in May 1863, where he remained close to the lines despite the chaos of defeat. The most renowned moment of Corby's wartime ministry occurred during the on July 2, 1863. As the Irish Brigade, numbering about 530 men, prepared to charge into the Wheatfield near , climbed onto a large rock in front of the formation to deliver a general . Raising his right hand, he pronounced the words of plenary , urging the soldiers—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—to seek God's mercy and fight bravely, while explicitly extending the blessing to Confederate forces as well. The rite lasted only a few minutes, after which the brigade advanced under fire, suffering severe losses: 27 killed, 109 wounded, and 62 missing by day's end. Throughout these campaigns, Corby's pastoral role extended beyond formal rites; he heard confessions in camp and on the march, buried the fallen under shellfire, and comforted the wounded in field hospitals, often risking his own life. He provided sacraments and consolation to non-Catholic soldiers as well, fostering unity across denominations, and faced personal dangers such as near-captures during retreats. and exhaustion from relentless exposure eventually forced Corby to end his active service in September 1864; he received an honorable discharge on March 12, 1865.

Career at Notre Dame

Early Administrative Roles

Following his discharge from military service in 1864, William Corby returned to the University of Notre Dame, where he assumed the role of under President Rev. Patrick Dillon and resumed teaching and . Corby's administrative ascent accelerated after Dillon's sudden death in 1866, leading to his appointment as acting president and, by November of that year, as the university's third full president, a position he held until December 1872. In these early roles, Corby focused on post-war recovery, stabilizing the university's finances through prudent management that laid an enduring foundation for growth amid economic challenges facing Catholic institutions. He also expanded the curriculum by establishing the in 1869, offering a two-year program to broaden professional training, and founded the Notre Dame Scholastic publication to foster intellectual engagement. These initiatives contributed to enrollment stability, which stood at around 500 students upon his return and fluctuated around 400-500 by 1872, reflecting his effective leadership bolstered by the credibility earned from his Civil War service.

Presidencies and Achievements

Following his first presidency at the , Corby was appointed president of College in , from 1872 to 1877, where he stabilized the institution's finances and operations amid early struggles. Under his , the college, founded by the , saw improved enrollment and infrastructure, laying a foundation for its future success before Corby returned to Notre Dame. Corby resumed the presidency of Notre Dame from 1877 to 1881, a term marked by significant physical and academic advancements. On April 23, 1879, a devastating destroyed the , the infirmary, , and other structures, causing an estimated $200,000 in damage covered only partially by $45,000 in insurance. Corby immediately pledged to rebuild, directing architect William J. Edbrooke to design a fireproof Gothic Revival structure with modern amenities like steam heating, , and running water; construction began on May 17, 1879, using over 4 million bricks, and the new was completed in time for the fall semester with 324 students. During this period, Corby oversaw key construction projects that expanded the campus, including the completion of Washington Hall in 1881 as a multi-purpose auditorium for lectures and performances, enhancing the university's cultural and educational facilities. He also advanced planning for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, whose construction had begun in 1871, ensuring its progress toward dedication in 1888 as a central symbol of Catholic devotion. Additionally, St. Edward's Hall was constructed in 1882 for the university's minims program, providing dedicated space for younger students and reflecting Corby's commitment to structured education. Corby expanded the law school, originally founded in 1869 under his first term as the nation's first Catholic law program offering a two-year course, by integrating it more fully into the curriculum and increasing its resources to meet growing demand. His administration emphasized rigorous discipline, Catholic moral formation, and practical skills, including the revival of student military drill in 1880 to foster exercise, , and order among the cadets in gray uniforms. After his second term, served as and in advisory capacities at Notre Dame until 1893, while also leading the Indiana Province of the from 1886 onward, guiding the order's expansion and university oversight. Under his influence, enrollment grew steadily, reaching over 500 students by the early 1880s and supporting the institution's evolution into a prominent Catholic university.

Later Years and Legacy

Writings and Publications

Corby's principal literary contribution was his memoir Memoirs of Chaplain Life: Three Years with the Irish Brigade in the , published in 1893 by La Monte, O'Donnell & Company in . The work draws on his personal recollections to recount his service as a from 1861 to 1864, weaving together vivid anecdotes of camp life, soldier interactions, and key engagements such as the —where a central episode describes his administration of general to the brigade before combat—alongside reflections on faith amid wartime hardship. The appeared in subsequent editions, including a 1894 printing by the Scholastic Press at the and a 1992 scholarly edition edited by Lawrence Frederick Kohl for Press, which included an introduction contextualizing its historical value. Praised for its engaging style and firsthand insights into the spiritual dimensions of military service, the book has been widely cited in studies of Civil War chaplaincy and Irish American participation in the Union Army, contributing to a deeper understanding of Catholic during the era. Beyond the memoir, Corby contributed articles to Catholic periodicals, such as the Ave Maria and other Holy Cross publications, addressing themes of religious devotion, national loyalty, and the experiences of Irish immigrants in America. During his tenures as president of the University of Notre Dame (1866–1872 and 1877–1881), he authored administrative reports and addresses that emphasized educational reform and moral formation within a Catholic framework. Additionally, his personal correspondence and sermons from the 1880s and 1890s, preserved in the University of Notre Dame Archives, further illustrate his ongoing engagement with topics of faith and public service. These writings, though less extensive than the memoir, reinforced Corby's role in documenting the intersection of religion and American history.

Death and Commemoration

Corby spent his final years residing at the , where he had long served in leadership roles, including two terms as president. In 1893, amid declining health, he retired from active administrative duties but remained on campus, publishing his Memoirs of Chaplain Life that year, which contributed to preserving his wartime legacy. He continued to live at Notre Dame until his death from on December 28, 1897, at age 64. Corby was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery on the Notre Dame campus, with his casket carried by surviving members of the Irish Brigade and draped in their green flag. Even before his death, Corby received recognition through the naming of Corby Hall at Notre Dame. The original building was constructed in 1895 as a residence for Holy Cross priests and dedicated in the late 1890s. After its demolition in 2018, a new Corby Hall replicating the original design was built and opened in 2020. A more enduring posthumous honor is the bronze statue erected at the in 1910 by survivors of the Irish Brigade. Sculpted by Samuel Murray, the monument depicts Corby standing on a boulder—believed to be the original site—administering general absolution to the troops on July 2, 1863, just before their assault on the Wheatfield. An identical statue was dedicated at the in 1911. In the , the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War established the William Corby Award in 1992 to honor individuals exemplifying dedicated service to the organization's mission, reflecting Corby's commitment as a . Annual commemorations of his life and actions take place at Notre Dame and Gettysburg, often centered on the statues with ceremonies, wreath-layings, and reenactments. Corby's influence extends to , notably through the dramatization of the Gettysburg scene in the 1993 Gettysburg.

References

  1. https://suvcw.org/chaplain-corby-award
  2. https://archivesspace.library.nd.edu/repositories/2/resources/133
  3. https://www.praoh.org/history/Articles/Corby.pdf
  4. https://archives.nd.edu/hope/hope09.htm
  5. https://sites.nd.edu/ndarchives/corby-gettysburg/
  6. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=15871
  7. https://www.irishcentral.com/william-corby-fighting-irish-priest-notre-dame
  8. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77512084/daniel-corby
  9. https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/daniel-corby-24-6mc0mt
  10. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mcnamarasblog/2009/12/father-william-corby-c-s-c-1833-1897.html
  11. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73823319/william-corby
  12. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2013/07/01/father-corbys-blessing/45750707/
  13. https://archive.org/details/memoirschaplain00corbuoft
  14. https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/spring/chaplains.html
  15. https://antietam.aotw.org/officers.php?officer_id=16176
  16. https://irishamericancivilwar.com/2010/07/02/father-corbys-gettysburg-absolution/
  17. https://emergingcivilwar.com/2017/03/17/battlefield-absolution-father-william-corby/
  18. https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/echoes-gettysburg-1863/
  19. https://think.nd.edu/absolution-under-fire/
  20. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2015/06/15/corby-served-union-army-notre-dame/46410465/
  21. https://www.watertownhistory.org/articles/Corby%2C%2520Rev.htm
  22. https://kids.kiddle.co/William_Corby
  23. https://archives.nd.edu/hope/hope10.htm
  24. https://seamusdubhghaill.com/2020/10/02/birth-of-rev-william-corby-chaplain-notre-dame-president/
  25. https://www.angelfire.com/va3/frcorby/FatherCorby.html
  26. https://sites.nd.edu/ndarchives/1879-fire/
  27. https://archives.nd.edu/hope/hope13.htm
  28. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/c2086f44-1be2-4a09-8c20-1d91866d07c2
  29. https://basilica.nd.edu/about/history/
  30. https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/175-and-counting/
  31. https://fightingfor.nd.edu/stories/history-of-nd-and-military/
  32. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/church-history/article/abs/william-corby-csc-memoirs-of-chaplain-life-three-years-with-the-irish-brigade-in-the-army-of-the-potomac-edited-by-kohl-lawrence-frederick-new-york-fordham-university-press-1992-xxv-412-pp-2750/BC5B8B5870EEFA12E785F8AD2DBF6136
  33. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/TheProximityPrinciple.pdf
  34. https://archives.nd.edu/corbyh.htm
  35. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2018/05/17/corby-hall-one-of-oldest-buildings-at-notre-dame-to-be-demolished-and-replaced/45722375/
  36. https://fightingfor.nd.edu/stories/home-again/
  37. https://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/monuments-to-individuals/father-william-corby/
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107007/trivia/?item=tr2212345
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