Father Peter Whelan

Father Peter Whelan, an Irish-born Catholic priest from Savannah, arrived at Andersonville on June 16, 1864, to minister to the sick and dying. While other priests visited for brief periods, Whelan remained for nearly four months during the hottest season and the time of highest mortality. At the end of his stay, Whelan borrowed money to purchase ten thousand pounds of wheat flour. Baked into bread and distributed at the prison hospital, this food became known as "Whelan's bread." It lasted several months and probably saved many lives. Private Henry M. Davidson of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery wrote, "By coming here he exposed himself to great danger of infection... His services were sought by all, for, in his kind and sympathizing looks, his meek but earnest appearance, the despairing prisoners read that all humanity had not forsaken mankind." The prisoners never forgot Father Whelan, and when survivors returned home and wrote their memoirs, they often mentioned his name and works.

Andersonville, Georgia · United States