The Irish, the Civil War, and South Bend

L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac (the University of our Lady of the Lake) was founded in 1842 by eight members, led by the French priest Reverend Edward Sorin; all eight were a part of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Though Father Sorin was French, four members of the founding group were Irish. In 1844, the University of Notre Dame received an official charter from the Indiana legislation. Students from the University of Notre Dame are collectively known as the “Fighting Irish.”

The Fighting Irish nickname originally referenced the Irish immigrant Union soldiers who fought during the Civil War. Many of them were a part of the 69th New York Regiment, also known as the Irish Brigade due to its high percentage of Irish soldiers. Indiana boasted two regiments that had a high percentage of Irish soldiers: the 35th Indiana Regiment and the 61st Indiana Regiment (the 61st merged with the 35th in 1862). The University of Notre Dame had a number of students, alumni, and staff who joined the Union Army. Reverend William Corby was a priest at the University who became an army chaplain for the Irish Brigade. Soldiers remembered Father Corby for giving the Brigade absolution or forgiveness of their sins during the war. Father Corby went on to become the third president of the University. Another Notre Dame priest, Father Peter P. Cooney, was a part of the 35th Indiana. The Irish Brigade’s valor and bravery in multiple battles despite high casualties resulted in others recognizing and distinguishing them as fierce fighters.

Despite the Irish veterans’ prominence and earned respect, the Irish throughout Indiana, especially in South Bend, were often of a lower social status. In 1870, South Bend’s Irish population owned less property than other European immigrants. Low income resulted in limited social mobility. Whether or not the Fighting Irish nickname comes from the Irish Civil War soldiers, Irish immigrants were present in South Bend’s history and their legacy continues into the present.