88th New York Volunteer Infantry received absolution (in quantum possum) -- Gettysburg July 2, 1865

from WEB Article Irish American Civil War website (dot-com): Major St. Clair Mulholland, who commanded the 116th Pennsylvania and was present at Gettysburg, describes what happened: ‘Father Corby stood on 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 Act of Contrition and firmly resolving to embrace the first opportunity of confessing his sins, urging them to do their duty, and reminding them of the high and sacred nature of their trust as soldiers and the noble object for which they fought. The brigade was standing at ‘Order arms!’ As he closed his address, every man, Catholic and non-Catholic, fell on his knees with his head bowed down. Then, stretching his right hand toward the brigade, Father Corby pronounced the words of absolution…the scene was more than impressive, it was awe inspiring. Near by stood a brilliant throng of officers who had gathered to witness this very unusual occurence, and while there was profound silence in the ranks of the Second Corps, yet over to the left, out by the peach orchard and Little Round Top, where Weed and Vincent and Hazlitt were dying, the roar of the battle rose and swelled and re-echoed through the woods, making music more sublime than ever sounded through cathedral aisle. The act seemed to be in harmony with the surroundings. I do not think there was a man in the brigade who did not offer-up a heart-felt prayer. For some, it was their last; they knelt there in their grave clothes. In less than half an hour many of them were numbered with the dead of July 2. Who can doubt their prayers were good? What was wanting in the eloquence of the priest to move them to repentence was supplied in the incidents of the fight. That heart would be incorrigible, indeed, that the scream of a Whitworth bolt, adding to Father Corby’s touching appeal, would not move to contrition.’ [as Brigade Chaplain -- Fr. Corby would later write in his autobiography: MEMOIRS OF CHAPLAIN LIFE ] http://irishamericancivilwar.com/2010/07/02/father-corbys-gettysburg-absolution/ also in SOUTH BEND (Indiana) TRIBUNE front-page article -- 150th anniversary of Gettysburg Second day of Battle including photo of NOTRE DAME's Rev. William Corby Statue A statue of the Rev. William Corby, depicted giving general absolution to troops at the Battle of Gettsyburg, stands in front of Corby Hall at the University of Notre Dame. It was erected in 1911, and is identical to a statue at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/keynews/community/article_6ba6799c-e293-11e2-a366-0019bb30f31a.html