Mr. John Dooley, S.J. (1842-1873): Confederate Army Veteran

MR. JOHN E. DOOLEY
Died at Georgetown, May 8, 1873

A notice in the Baltimore Mirror tells us that Mr. Dooley was a son of Major John Dooley of Richmond, Va., “whose kindly ministrations to wounded and suffering Union and Confederate soldiers, during the civil war, made his name familiar as a household word in both armies.” Mr. Dooley entered Georgetown College in 1856, at the age of fourteen. He left college from the class of rhetoric at the breaking out of the war, when he thought it his duty to unite his fortunes with those of his native state. He enlisted in the 1st Virginia Regiment in August, took part in all the battles in which it was engaged, and was promoted to a captaincy. He was in Pickett’s division at the battle of Gettysburg, and in the memorable charge made by that body for the possession of the heights, he was severely wounded and taken prisoner. On his release from Johnson’s Island in Lake Erie, in February, 1865, he returned home resolved to renew his connection with the army as soon as his parole should have expired. Lee’s surrender and the close of the long conflict prevented him from carrying out this resolve and he turned his mind to other thoughts.

He had long been desirous of embracing the religious life, and as no obstacle now interfered with the execution of this design, he entered the Society in September, 1865. Before two years had elapsed the first approach of a fatal malady was made manifest by a hemorrhage. He was then sent to Georgetown to do some prefect duty and husband his strength as much as possible for the course of studies before him. There he remained for over five years, spending the last two years in doing little more than studying privately to prepare for ordination. His disease, however, had progressed too far, and he died a few months before the time appointed for his ordination, on May 8, 1873, at the age of 31. But for his strong will and buoyant spirits he would have succumbed long before.

He was most exact and conscientious in the discharge of all his duties. While high minded and brave, he was at the same time most obedient and amiable. There was a poise and self-restraint in all his words and actions that was most impressive and edifying. As a prefect he knew how to mingle firmness and kindness in such a way as to win the respect and affection of all those under his charge. He was confined to his room only ten days before his death. Patient and even cheerful up to the last moment, he expired peacefully and without struggle. Adapted from the College Journal June 1873.
The Woodstock Letters, Vol. II (1873).

NOTE
The Woodstock Letters  was an in-house Jesuit magazine published from 1872 through the later 1960’s. It is a tremendous resource for America Jesuit history. At a time of his death, Dooley was a Scholastic. That is to say, he had taken vows as a Jesuit, but was not yet ordained a priest.