Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum
Zoom Program
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
The Civil War Diary of Rev. James Sheeran, C.Ss.R.,
Chaplain, Confederate, Redemptorist
Patrick J. Hayes, Ph.D. Historian, author, researcher
This exciting Civil War diary of a Redemptorist priest, Rev. James Sheeran, C.Ss.R., who was chaplain to the 14th Louisiana Regiment of the Confederacy, is a national treasure. Irish-born Sheeran (1817-1881) was one of only a few dozen Catholic chaplains commissioned for the Confederacy and one of only two who kept a journal. Highlighting his exploits from August 1, 1862 through April 24, 1865, the journal tells of all the major events of his life in abundant detail: on the battlefield, in the hospitals, and among Catholics and Protestants whom he encountered in local towns, on the trains, and in the course of his ministrations. The tone is forthright, even haughty, but captures in sure and steady fashion, both the personality of the man and the events to which he was a witness, especially the major battles. The diary is arguably the most unique narrative of the war written by a chaplain of any denomination and certainly is the most extensive.
As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today! We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum.
4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19124
(215) 289-6484 • www.garmuslib.org
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