Priests Who Delivered Faith and Hope
Attendees at recent Civil War collector shows may have encountered an enthusiastic, engaging man dressed in the clothing of a Civil War chaplain. Within moments of making his acquaintance, his knowledge about priests who served in the war becomes evident. He is Robert J. Miller, a retired priest, scholar, and former president of the Chicago Civil War Round Table. He is also the author of a comprehensive history of wartime Catholic chaplains, Faith of the Fathers, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. The release of the book occurred shortly before the recent ascension of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.
Building on the work of other scholars who have studied the subject, Miller’s thoroughly researched volume examines the life and deeds of 126 priests who served as chaplains—76 who officially served in regiments for at least three months (51 Union, 25 Confederate) and 50 unofficial chaplains who performed seasonal or situational work (23 Union, 27 Confederate).
Readers will encounter familiar names and faces, notably William Corby of the 88th New York Infantry, and many lesser-known clergymen. All of their stories are carefully documented by Miller, who shines a welcome light on stories of courageous priests who cared for soldiers in times that tried men’s souls.
Faith of the Fathers
By Robert J. Miller
460 pages
University of Notre Dame Press
Hardcover
The Gods of Battle and Weather Meet
One might argue that the weather during and after the Battle of Gettysburg symbolizes the momentous clash of arms—from the extreme heat and humidity reflecting the intensity of combat to the torrential rain that followed, evoking the Confederate defeat and the loss of 51,000 Americans killed and wounded.
The intersection of the gods of weather and battle is at the core of The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign by Jon M. Nese and Jeffrey J. Harding, a new book just released by History Press (Arcadia Publishing). Nese, a meteorologist and teaching professor, and Harding, a licensed battlefield guide at Gettysburg, explain the weather during the campaign through science and history. Nese brings his expert knowledge of climate and environment to help readers understand factors that influenced the weather patterns in the area in June and July 1863. Harding adds color commentary through situation reports and observations about the weather by those who were there.
Gettysburg and Civil War students have long been interested in the impact of weather on the war’s battles, and several notable books have documented the various phenomena. Weather Gods advances our collective knowledge of Gettysburg’s weather conditions.
The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign
By Jon M. Nese and Jeffrey J. Harding
238 pages
History Press
Softcover
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