During the Civil War, the role of religion and the clergy in Gettysburg was significant, both before and after the famous battle in July 1863.
Notable clergymen who made their mark in Gettysburg and beyond include Father William Corby, a Catholic chaplain who blessed the sins of the Union Army’s Irish Brigade before they went into battle and whose statue stands on the battlefield; the Rev. Dr. Samuel Simon Schmucker, an abolitionist and the founder of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, which was used as a hospital and observation post during the battle; and the Rev. Horatio Howell, chaplain of the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry who was killed the first day of battle while assisting wounded soldiers.
Before the Battle of Gettysburg
Religious Sentiment and Division: In the years leading up to the Civil War, religious leaders in Gettysburg, as elsewhere in the United States, were divided over the issue of slavery. Many Northern clergy strongly opposed slavery and viewed the Union’s cause as morally justified, while some Southern religious leaders defended slavery on theological grounds, often citing biblical passages.
Local Congregations and Support for the War Effort: Gettysburg had a large number of congregational communities that were generally supportive of the Union cause. Churches in the area organized prayer services, raised funds and mobilized their congregants to support the war effort.
Clergy’s Role in Morale: Many clergymen saw the war as a test of faith, believing that it was a divine judgment on the nation for the sin of slavery. They often preached sermons that emphasized religious duty, the importance of prayer and the need to support the Union. Some also spoke out against the violence and the toll that war took on families, but their calls for peace were often tempered by a belief that the war was necessary to preserve the Union.
During the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
Clergy in the Battlefield: Clergy played a role in providing spiritual comfort to soldiers. Many ministers, both from the Union and from nearby areas, stayed in or near Gettysburg during the battle. Some acted as chaplains to the soldiers, offering prayers and trying to comfort the wounded. While clergy had a limited direct role on the battlefield, their presence was felt in hospitals, makeshift camps and among the civilian population.
Sacrificial Themes in Sermons and Prayers: Religious leaders often framed the conflict as part of a larger divine plan, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and redemption. Many sermons and prayers were focused on the suffering of soldiers and the hope that the Union would be victorious to end slavery and preserve the nation.
In the Midst of Danger
Clergy members risked their lives daily during the Civil War. Chaplain Horatio Howell was one of the tragic losses of life on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Late in the afternoon of July 1, the Confederates began to push the Union troops back through town. Shortly after 4 p.m., the overwhelmed First Corps soldiers fell back through the streets of Gettysburg to the heights on Cemetery Ridge and Cemetery Hill south of town. A chaotic scene ensued as jubilant Confederates followed closely on their heels. As the Union retreat swept toward Christ Lutheran Church, Chaplain Howell was assisting members of the medical staff inside the building. After hearing shots outside, Howell turned to a nearby surgeon and said, "I will step outside for a moment and see what the trouble is."
A Confederate skirmisher arrived at the foot of the church steps just as Howell and the surgeon came out. Placing one foot on the first step, the soldier called on the chaplain to surrender; but Howell, instead of throwing up his hands promptly and uttering the usual 'I surrender,' attempted some dignified explanation to the effect that he was a noncombatant and as such was exempt from capture, when the soldier shot him dead. The man who fired the shot stood on the exact spot where a memorial tablet stands today. Chaplain Howell, only 42 years old at the time, fell upon the landing at the top of the steps.
After the Battle of Gettysburg
Healing and Mourning: After the battle, Gettysburg became the site of a massive humanitarian crisis. Thousands of men were dead or wounded, and the town was filled with makeshift hospitals. Religious leaders played a vital role in ministering to both Union and Confederate soldiers, as well as to the local community, which was mourning the loss of life.
Memorial Services and Ceremonies: In the aftermath of the battle, clergy helped to organize memorial services for the fallen. Gettysburg was later selected as the site for the National Cemetery, where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. The clergy were involved in memorializing the dead and ensuring that the sacrifices of the soldiers were honored.
Moral and Religious Reflection: The clergy also led the community in moral reflection, often interpreting the battle as part of a divine struggle for justice. The war was seen as a crucible for the nation's moral character, and many religious leaders in Gettysburg reflected on the nation's sins, particularly slavery, and its future.
Long-Term Impact
Post-War Reconstruction: After the war, clergy in Gettysburg, as in much of the North, continued to play a role in the process of Reconstruction. They sought to heal the divisions caused by the war and supported efforts to rebuild the South, sometimes with a religious focus on forgiveness and reconciliation.
Gettysburg as a Symbol: Over time, Gettysburg became a symbol of sacrifice and the nation’s commitment to freedom, and the role of the clergy in shaping the post-war narrative of the Civil War was vital in that process.
Clergy members provided comfort to soldiers and civilians, framed the conflict in moral and religious terms, and played a crucial role in the healing and memorialization of the events that took place in Gettysburg during those three days in 1863.
Gettysburg Sentinels offers history enthusiasts tangible pieces of the Battle of Gettysburg, including shadowboxes and pen sets featuring wood from one of two Linden trees that stood outside Christ Lutheran Church when Chaplain Horatio Howell was shot.