The Previously Untold Stories of All 126 Priest-Chaplains in the American Civil War
History is filled with many forgotten stories, and the Civil War is no different. In Faith of the Fathers, Reverend Robert J. Miller examines the lives of 126 priest-chaplains—every Catholic priest who served during the Civil War—whose courageous actions might have otherwise gone untold.
James M. McPherson, who contributed the foreword to this book, praises the text, stating “Robert Miller’s thorough research, impeccable scholarship, and lucid writing have filled a large gap in Civil War scholarship.”
Despite the horror and death raging around them, these priests risked their lives to bring faith and hope to one of the darkest and most devastating periods of American history, serving in hospitals and prisons, battlefields and camps.
“This lively, compelling, and very complete story of Catholic chaplains will delight Civil War and American religious historians, students, and general readers,” states John Patrick Daly, author of The War after the War.
Whether ministering to Union or Confederate soldiers (or both), in eastern or western theaters, in battle or camp, Faith of the Fathers demonstrates how these priests remained committed to their faith and to serving men at war.
Faith of the Fathers will be released on April 1, 2025. For more information, or to request an advance review copy, contact Steffi Marchman, shoffma7@nd.edu, 574-631-4905.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME PRESS: The University of Notre Dame Press is the largest Catholic university press in the world and publishes academic and general interest books that engage the most enduring questions of our time. The Press primarily publishes in areas that align with the academic strengths of the University of Notre Dame, including religion, philosophy, political science, American history, medieval studies, and Latin American studies. Through reviews, scholarly citations
Originally published by at undpressnews.nd.edu on February 17, 2025.
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