A Hand Raised at Gegttysburg

On July 2^nd the Irish Brigade hearing of a battle already engaged at Gettysburg, proceeded to march at the double time from Taney town Maryland. Late that afternoon, just as the Irish Brigade was about to be ordered into the fray, Father Corby of the 88th New York – realizing that he had no time to hear individual confessions, asked for an opportunity to give a general absolution to the soldiers in his charge. An officer of the brigade recalled the scene;

Father Corby stood upon a large rock in front of the Brigade. Addressing the men, he explained what he was about to do, saying that each one could receive the benefit of the absolution by making a sincere contrition and firmly resolving to embrace the first opportunity of confessing their sins, urging them to do their duty well and reminding them of the high and sacred nature of their trust as soldiers and the noble object for which they fought, ending by saying the Catholic Church refuses Christian burials to those who turn their backs upon the foe or deserts their flag. The Brigade was at “order arms”and as he closed his address,every man fell on his knees with their head bowed down. Then, stretching out his right hand towards the brigade, Father Corby pronounced the words of the general absolution; Dominus noster Jesus Christius vos absolvat. The scene was more than impressive; it was awe inspiring …..I do not think there was a man in the brigade who did not offer up a heartfelt prayer. For some, it would be their last.

Father Corby later said, “My eyes covered thousands of officers and men. The situation really reminded me of the day of judgment.......so great were the whirlwinds of war then in motion”.The event affected officers not even from the Irish Brigade. Major General Hancock of the 2^nd Corp removed his hat and bowed in reverential devotion. General Samuel K. Zook commanding another brigade in the same division as the Irish Brigade, was heard to say “My God!!!, that was the most impressive sight I have ever witnessed”Later that day the General would lose his life.

Father Corby took satisfaction in his daily work among the soldiers.”When men stand in a common danger,a fraternal feeling springs up between them and generates a charitable sentiment that often leads to most excellent results” he concluded.

Some officers of the Irish Brigade held great respect for the chaplain. St. Clair Augustine Mulholland,

commander of the 116^th PA. Infantry called Father Corby the fighting chaplain for whom “no spot was too dangerous or too exposed to the fire of the enemy”.

Second Lieutenant William L. O'Grady of the 88^th New York,added that father Corby was “a man whose courage was not surpassed by the bravest soldier of our armies, whose unflinching devotion on the march,in camp,and under fire made him eminent,whose magnificent conduct at Gettysburg has become historical, one of the most picturesque and beautiful incidents of that great drama”.