"Three Cheers for the Union": Catholic Chaplains and Irish Loyalty during the American Civil War.

During the American Civil War (1861-65), the Irish-American Catholic contribution to the Union effort included 145,000 soldiers and 40 priest chaplains. Studies of Irish participation, while highlighting the role of nationalism, have not offered significant discussion of chaplains in asserting and shaping Irish-American loyalty to the Union. This study provides character sketches of three lesser-known Union chaplains: Fathers Thomas J. Mooney, Thomas M. Brady, and William T. O'Higgins--each of Irish parentage. These chaplains were vocal and strident in their Unionism. They were not politically agnostic, as Catholics are sometimes depicted, but were champions of the cause--when others fell silent. The war provided them with an opportunity to prove their dual allegiance to Ireland and America and strengthen it among their comrades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]