Skip to main content
Please contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections for assistance with accessing these materials.

John E. Dooley, SJ papers

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-GAMMS49

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

John Dooley, SJ was born July 12, 1842 in Richmond, VA. He began studies at Georgetown College in 1856. During the time Dooley was at Georgetown, sectional feeling was on the rise; by 1858, in fact, he belonged to a Cadet company formed on campus by Southern students. He attained the rank of Second Lieutenant. Though still at Georgetown when war broke out, by early 1862 he left the College in order to fight for the Confederacy. In August of 1862, Dooley enlisted as a private in D Company, First regiment, Virginia Infantry. (Dooley's father served in the same unit as Company commander; towards the winter of 1862 he was made Acting commander of the unit.) Dooley saw considerable action during the war,having fought in the battles of Second Manassas, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Dooley was made a Captain in Kemper's Second Brigade of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg, where he participated in the Division's ill-fated assault against Hancock's line. It was during this action --known as Pickett's Charge -- that Dooley was wounded in the thigh. He was taken prisoner by the Union Army that night of July 3, 1863. As a prisoner of war, Dooley was sent to the Federal Prison on Johnson's Island near Sandusky, Ohio. Upon his release in 1865 Dooley returned to Georgetown College, where in September of that year he entered the Society of Jesus. He died at Georgetown on May 8, 1873, only nine months before his intended date of ordination. The John Dooley, SJ Papers contains some correspondence and manuscripts, as well as the journal Dooley kept during the time he was held as a prisoner of war. Parts of this journal were edited by Fr. Joseph T. Durkin, SJ, and published under the title 'John Dooley, Confederate Soldier: His War journal' (Georgetown University Press, 1945). A copy of this book can be found in the Dooley Papers.

Dates

  • 1862-1865

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Biographical Note

John Dooley, SJ was born July 12, 1842 in Richmond, VA. He began studies at Georgetown College in 1856. During the time Dooley was at Georgetown, sectional feeling was on the rise; by 1858, in fact, he belonged to a Cadet company formed on campus by Southern students. He attained the rank of Second Lieutenant. Though still at Georgetown when war broke out, by early 1862 he left the College in order to fight for the Confederacy. In August of 1862, Dooley enlisted as a private in D Company, First regiment, Virginia Infantry. (Dooley's father served in the same unit as Company commander; towards the winter of 1862 he was made Acting commander of the unit.) Dooley saw considerable action during the war,having fought in the battles of Second Manassas, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Dooley was made a Captain in Kemper's Second Brigade of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg, where he participated in the Division's ill-fated assault against Hancock's line. It was during this action --known as Pickett's Charge -- that Dooley was wounded in the thigh. He was taken prisoner by the Union Army that night of July 3, 1863. As a prisoner of war, Dooley was sent to the Federal Prison on Johnson's Island near Sandusky, Ohio. Upon his release in 1865 Dooley returned to Georgetown College, where in September of that year he entered the Society of Jesus. He died at Georgetown on May 8, 1873, only nine months before his intended date of ordination.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger Document Case)

Language of Materials

English

Title
John E. Dooley, SJ, papers
Status
Completed
Author
Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections
Description rules
Local Practice
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057