The Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table welcomes the return of Reverend Robert Miller and his presentation, "The Original Fighting Irish – Notre Dame’s Civil War Chaplains." When thinking of Notre Dame, most think of football and the Fighting Irish. Many remember Ronald Reagan as George Gipp, and Pat O’Brien as Knute Rockne. The dying Gipp inspires Coach Knute Rockne to beat Army and “win one for the Gipper”. But few know much of the original “fighting Irish”, Notre Dame's Civil War chaplains - the most famous being Father William Corby. Founded in 1842, Notre Dame was only a fledgling school when the Civil War broke out. Its founder, Fr. Edward Sorin, realized the need for chaplains for the Irish Catholic troops. Several Holy Cross priests served with the New York-dominated “Irish Brigade”, and others served with Midwest Union troops. Other religious orders also sent chaplains to serve the troops, but only the Jesuits outnumbered the Holy Cross chaplains of Notre Dame.
More than 60 Holy Cross nuns also served as nurses in hospitals, including Mound City, Memphis, Cairo and Paducah during the Civil War. A statue entitled “Nuns of the Battlefield”, in Washington DC honors their service during the Civil War.
Rev. Robert Miller was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1950, Fr Bob Miller obtained a Bachelors degree (in Philosophy) and two Masters degrees (Religious Education and Divinity) from universities in Wisconsin and New York. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1976, as part of the Redemptorist religious order. For 20 years, he taught Church History in the Archdiocese of Chicago; and also was the founder/chair of the faith-based corporation building affordable housing (Genesis Housing). He was pastor at St Dorothy Church on Chicago’s southside for 15 years, after serving at Holy Angels Church for 16 years, and St. Joachim for 5 years.
Rev. Miller is passionate about studying the Civil War, especially its faith-based, religious aspects. He was President of the Civil War Round Table of Chicago. He has authored five books on spirituality and Bible meditation, with his sixth book – “Both Prayed to the Same God’, reflecting that love of the Civil War. He is now working on completing Faith of the Fathers, a study of the 126 Catholic Civil War chaplains. He is now enjoying retirement, writing, traveling and preaching!
Membership fees for the 2024-2025 season are $30.00.
Checks can be made out to GRCWRT.
Get your membership/renewal form on our website
membership page or at one of our meetings.
Dues are based on the meeting year, September - June.
We are always looking for new speakers. If you would like to give a presentation to the GRCWRT, or can recommend someone, please contact our program director.
Vicksburg National Cemetery in Mississippi is the final resting place for approximately 17,000 Union soldiers, the most Union soldiers at any national cemetery.
Civil War troops sometimes entitled their officers with nicknames based on their personalities. John B. Hood's troops nicknamed him "Old Wooden Head" for his aggressive style of leadership. Jerome B. Robertson's men called him "Aunt Polly" because he worried over them so much.
Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant was made commander of all Union armies on March 2, 1864. Only two other men, George Washington and Winfield Scott, had held the rank of Lieutenant General before Grant, and Scott's was a brevet (honorary) appointment.
Wednesday
June 18, 2025
Reverend Robert Miller
The Original Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s
Civil War Chaplains
We Meet At:
Orchard View Church of God
2777 Leffingwell Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Located at the southwest corner of
3 Mile Road NE and Leffingwell Avenue NE
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Program begins at 7:00 pm
Civil War Notes
Our Next Meeting
Special Announcements:
Statue of Father Corby, Gettysburg
Our Speaker, Reverend Robert Miller
University of Notre Dame, Circa 1903
