“From the Archives” — Reverend George Doane, Civil War Chaplain

During the Civil War, Alexandria was occupied by Union forces. Father Peter Kroes, S.J., Saint Mary’s pastor, and the parishioners of Saint Mary Church were primarily Southern sympathizers — the “enemy.” As a result, Father Kroes often had a contentious relationship with the Union’s military and civil officials. But he won the support of the Irish Catholic Federal troops, and became a good friend of one Union chaplain, Father George Hobart Doane (1830-1905).

Before the war, Father Doane led a fascinating life. After graduating from the prestigious Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Doane decided he would prefer the ministry to medicine. He was ordained an Episcopal deacon. In 1855, he converted to the Catholic Church and studied for the priesthood in Paris and Rome. He was ordained in 1857 for the Diocese of Newark, where he was rector of the cathedral and chancellor of the diocese. After the Civil War began, he was a chaplain in the 1st New Jersey Brigade, accompanying the troops to Northern Virginia. While in Alexandria, and likely also around Saint Mary’s mission in Fairfax Station, Father Doane became acquainted with Father Kroes. When Union troops were in the city, Father Doane frequently offered Mass in Saint Mary Church. Father Kroes, in return, visited the houses and public buildings that had been converted to military hospitals, bringing the sacraments and comfort to wounded and dying Union soldiers. There is a Union soldier buried in Saint Mary Cemetery, and it is possible Father Doane saw that the young man’s body was brought to Saint Mary for a Catholic burial.

After the war, Father Doane had a distinguished career in his home diocese. He was asked to be president of Mount Saint Mary’s College, but declined. He and Father Kroes remained friends, and he visited Alexandria to see his old friend. Father Doane died in Newark on January 20, 1905. After learning of his death, editors of the Alexandria Gazette printed an interview the paper had previously conducted with him, and paid tribute to Father Doane for his connection with “warm friends in Alexandria, despite international differences.…”