Woman's Work in the Civil War

Her birth and parentage-Her residence in Germany and Switzerland-Her fondness for study-

Her extraordinary sympathy and benevolence-She commences visiting the hospitals in

her native city, Quincy, Illinois, in the autumn of 1861-She takes some of the wounded

home to her father's house and ministers to them there-She goes to St. Louis-Is commis-

sioned as a nurse-Sent to Helena, then full of wounded from the battles in Arkansas-Her

severe labors here-Almost the only woman nurse in the hospitals there-"God bless you,

dear lady"-The Arkansas Union soldier-The half-blind widow-Miss Maertz at Vicks-

burg-At New Orleans...

390-394

MRS. HARRIET R. COLFAX.

Early life-A widow and fatherless-Her first labors in the hospitals in St. Louis-Her sympa-
thies never blunted-The sudden death of a soldier-Her religious labors among the pa-
tients-Dr. Paddock's testimony-The wounded from Fort Donelson-On the hospital boat-
In the battle at Island No. Ten-Bringing back the wounded-Mrs. Colfax's care of them-
Trips to Pittsburg Landing, before and after the battle of Shiloh-Heavy and protracted
labor for the nurses-Return to St. Louis-At the Fifth Street Hospital-At Jefferson Bar-
racks-Her associates-Obliged to retire from the service on account of her health in
1864............
395-399

CLARA DAVIS.

Miss Davis not a native of this country-Her services at the Broad and Cherry Street Hospital,

Philadelphia-One of the Hospital Transport corps-The steamer "John Brooks"-Mile

Creek Hospital-Mrs. Husband's account of her-At Frederick City, Harper's Ferry, and

Antietam-Agent of the Sanitary Commission at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland—Is

seized with typhoid fever here-When partially recovered, she resumes her labors, but is

again attacked and compelled to withdraw from her work-Her other labors for the sol-

diers, both sick and well-Obtaining furloughs-Sending home the bodies of dead soldiers--

Providing head-boards for the soldiers' graves.........................

400-403

MRS. R. H. SPENCER.

Her home in Oswego, New York-Teaching-An anti-war Democrat is convinced of his duty
to become a soldier, though too old for the draft-Husband and wife go together-At the
Soldiers' Rest in Washington-Her first work-Matron of the hospital-At Wind-Mill
Point-Matron in the First Corps Hospital-Foraging for the sick and wounded-The
march toward Gettysburg-A heavily laden horse-Giving up her last blanket-Chivalric
instincts of American soldiers-Labors during the battle of Gettysburg-Under fire-Field
Hospital of the Eleventh Corps-The hospital at White Church-Incessant labors-Saving
a soldier's life-“Can you go without food for a week?"-The basin of broth—Mrs. Spencer

PAGE

appointed agent of the State of New York for the care of the sick and wounded soldiers in

the field-At Brandy Station-At Rappahannock Station and Belle Plain after the battle

of the Wilderness-Virginia mud-Working alone-Heavy rain and no shelter-Working

on at Belle Plain-"Nothing to wear"--Port Royal-White House-Feeding the wounded-

Arrives at City Point-The hospitals and the Government kitchen-At the front-Carrying

supplies to the men in the rifle pits--Fired at by a sharpshooter-Shelled by the enemy--

The great explosion at City Point-Her narrow escape-Remains at City Point till the hos-

pitals are broken up--The gifts received from grateful soldiers......................................................................... 404-415

MRS. HARRIET FOOTE HAWLEY.

By Mrs. H. B. Stowe.

Mrs. Hawley accompanies her husband, Colonel Hawley, to South Carolina-Teaching the freed-

men-Visiting the hospitals at Beaufort, Fernandina and St. Augustine-After Olustee-

At the Armory Square Hospital, Washington-The surgical operations performed in the

ward-" Reaching the hospital only in time to die"-At Wilmington-Frightful condition

of Union prisoners-Typhus fever raging--The dangers greater than those of the battle-

fleld-Four thousand sick-Mrs. Hawley's heroism, and incessant labors-At Richmond-

Injured by the upsetting of an ambulance-Labors among the freedmen-Colonel Higgin-

Her family-Motives in entering on the work of ministering to the soldiers--Receives instruc-

tions at Bellevue Hospital-Receives a nurse's pay and gives it to the suffering soldiers-

At Elmore Hospital, Georgetown-Gratitude of the soldiers-Trials-St. Elizabeth's Hos-

pital, Washington-A dying nurse-Her own serious illness-Care and attention of Miss

Jessie Home-Death of her mother-At Point Lookout-Discomforts and suffering-Ware

Bouse Hospital, Georgetown-Transfer of patients and nurse to Union Hotel Hospital-

Her duties arduous but pleasant-Transfer to Knight General Hospital, New Haven-Re-

signs and accepts a situation in the Treasury Department, but longing for her old work

returns to it-At Fredericksburg after battle of the Wilderness-At Judiciary Square Hos-

pital, Washington-Abundant labor, but equally abundant happiness-Her feelings in the

review of her work.
420-426

JESSIE HOME.

A Scotch maiden, but devotedly attached to the Union-Abandons a pleasant and lucrative

pursuit to become a hospital nurse-Her earnestness and zeal-Her incessant labors-

Sickness and death-Cared for by Miss Bergen of Brooklyn, New York....................... 427, 428

MISS VANCE AND MISS BLACKMAR.

By Mrs. M. M. Husband.

Misa Vance a missionary teacher before the war-Appointed by Miss Dix to a Baltimore hos-

pital-At Washington, at Alexandria, and at Gettysburg-At Fredericksburg after the

battle of the Wilderness-At City Point in the Second Corps Hospital-Served through the

whole war with but three weeks' furlough-Miss Blackmar from Michigan-A skilful and

efficient nurse-The almost fatal hemorrhage-The boy saved by her skill-Carrying a hot

brick to bed..

429, 430

H. A. DADA AND S. E. HALL.

Missionary teachers before the war-Attending lectures to prepare for nursing-After the first

battle of Bull Run-At Alexandria-The wounded from the battle-field-Incessant work—

Ordered to Winchester, Virginia-The Court-House Hospital-At Strasburg-General

Banks' retreat-Remaining among the enemy to care for the wounded-At Armory Square

Hospital-The second Bull Run-Rapid but skilful care of the wounded-Painful cases—

Harper's Ferry-Twelfth Army Corps Hospital-The mother in search of her son-After

Chancellorsville-The battle of Gettysburg-Labors in the First and Twelfth Corps Hos-

pitals-Sent to Murfreesboro', Tennessee-Rudeness of the Medical Director-Discomfort of

their situation-Discourtesy of the Medical Director and some of the surgeons-" We have

no ladies here-There are some women here, who are cooks!"-Removal to Chattanooga-

Are courteously and kindly received-Wounded of Sherman's campaign-"You are the

God-blessedest woman I ever saw"-Service to the close of the war and beyond-Lookout

Mountain................

PAGE

431-439

MRS. SARAH P. EDSON.

Early life-Literary pursuits-In Columbia College Hospital-At Camp California-Quaker
guns-Winchester, Virginia-Prevalence of gangrene-Union Hotel Hospital-On the
Peninsula-In hospital of Sumner's Corps-Her son wounded-Transferred to Yorktown-
Sufferings of the men-At White House and the front-Beef soup and coffee for starving
wounded men-Is permitted to go to Harrison's Landing-Abundant labor and care-Chap-
lain Fuller-At Hygeia Hospital-At Alexandría-Pope's campaign-Attempts to go to
Antietam, but is detained by sickness-Goes to Warrenton, and accompanies the army
thence to Acquia Creck-Return to Washington-Forms a society to establish a home and
training school for nurses, and becomes its Secretary-Visits hospitals-State Relief Societies
approve the plan-Sanitary Commission do not approve of it as a whole-Surgeon-General
opposes-Visits New York city-The masons become interested-" Army Nurses' Associa-
tion" formed in New York-Nurses in great numbers sent on after the battles of Wilder-
ness, Spottsylvania, etc.-The experiment a success-Its eventual failure through the
mismanagement in New York-Mrs. Edson continues her labors in the army to the close
of the war-Enthusiastic reception by the soldiers...........

.....................

440-44"

MARIA M. C. HALL.

A native of Washington city-Desire to serve the sick and wounded-Receives a sick soldier

into her father's house-Too young to answer the conditions required by Miss Dix-Appli-

cation to Mrs. Fales-Attempts to dissuade her-" Well girls here they are, with everything

to be done for them"-The Indiana Hospital-Difficulties and discouragements-A year of

hard and unsatisfactory work-Hospital Transport Service-The Daniel Webster-At Har-

rison's Landing with Mrs. Fales-Condition of the poor fellows-Mrs. Harris calls her to

Antietam-French's Division and Smoketown Hospitals-Abundant work but performed

with great satisfaction-The French soldier's letter-The evening or family prayers-Suc-

cessful efforts for the religious improvement of the men-Dr. Vanderkieft-The Naval

Academy Hospital at Annapolis-In charge of Section five-Succeeds Mrs. Tyler as Lady

Superintendent of the hospital-The humble condition of the returned prisoners from

Andersonville and elsewhere-Prevalence of typhus fever-Death of her assistants-Four

housand patients-Writes for "The Crutch”-Her joy in the success of her work......... 448-454

THE HOSPITAL CORPS AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY HOSPITAL,

ANNAPOLIS.

The cruelties which had been practiced on the Union men in rebel prisons-Duties of the nurses

under Miss Hall-Names and homes of these ladies-Death of Miss Adeline Walker-Miss

Hall's tribute to her memory--Miss Titcomb's eulogy on her-Death of Miss M. A. B.

Young-Sketch of her history-"Let me be buried here among my boys"-Miss Rose M.

Billing-Her faithfulness as a nurse in the Indiana Hospital, (Patent Office,) at Falls

Church, and at Annapolis-She like the others falls a victim to the typhus generated in

Southern prisons-Tribute to her memory.............................................

PAGE

455-460

OTHER LABORS OF SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ANNAPOLIS

HOSPITAL CORPS.

The Maine stay of the Annapolis Hospital-Miss Titcomb-Miss Newhall-Miss Usher-Other

ladies from Maine-The Maine camp and Hospital Association-Mrs. Eaton-Mrs. Fogg-

Mrs. Mayhew-Miss Mary A. Dupee and her labors-Miss Abbie J. Howe-Her labors for

the spiritual as well as physical good of the men-Her great influence over them-Her joy

in her work...

461-466

..........

MRS. A. H. AND MISS S. H. GIBBONS.

Mrs. Gibbons a daughter of Isaac T. Hopper-Her zeal in the cause of reform-Work of herself

and daughter in the Patent Office Hospital in 1861-Visit to Falls Church and its hospital-

Sad condition of the patients-"If you do not come and take care of me I shall die"-Re-

turn to this hospital-Its condition greatly improved-Winchester and the Seminary Hos-

pital-Severe labors here-Banks' retreat-The nurses held as prisoners-Losses of Mrs.

and Miss Gibbons at this time-At Point Lookout-Exchanged prisoners from Belle Isle-

A scarcity of garments-Trowsers a luxury-Fifteen months of hospital service-Conflicts

with the authorities in regard to the freedmen-The July riots in New York in 1863-Mrs.

Gibbons' house sacked by the rioters-Destruction of everything valuable-Return to Point

Lookout-The campaign of 1864–5-Mrs. and Miss Gibbons at Fredericksburg-An impro-

vised hospital-Mra. Gibbons takes charge-The gift of roses-The roses withered and dyed

in the soldiers' blood-Riding with the wounded in box cars-At White House-Labors at

Beverly Hospital, New Jersey-Mrs. Gibbons' return home-Her daughter remains till the

close of the war...........
467-475

MRS. E. J. RUSSELL.

Government nurses-Their trials and hardships-Mrs. Russell a teacher before the war-Her

patriotism-First connected with the Regimental Hospital of Twentieth New York Militia

(National Guards)-Assigned to Columbia College Hospital, Washington-After three years'

service resigns from impaired health, but recovering enters the service again in Baltimore-

Nursing rebels-Her attention to the religious condition of the men-Four years of ser-

vice-Returns to teaching after the war.................................................................... 477-479

MRS. MARY W. LEE.

Mrs. Lee of foreign birth, but American in feeling-Services in the Volunteer Refreshment
Saloon-A noble institution-At Harrison's Landing, with Mrs. Harris-Wretched condition
of the men-Improvement under the efforts of the ladies-The Hospital of the Epiphany

at Washington-At Antietam during the battle-The two water tubs-The enterprising

sutler-"Take this bread and give it to that woman"-The Sedgwick Hospital-Ordering

a guard-Hoffman's Farm Hospital-Smoketown Hospital-Potomac Creek-Chancellors-

ville-Under fire from the batteries on Fredericksburg Heights-Marching with the army-

Gettysburg-The Second Corps Hospital-Camp Letterman-The Refreshment Saloon

again-Brandy Station-A stove half a yard square-The battles of the Wilderness-At

Fredericksburg-A diet kitchen without furniture-Over the river after a stove-Baking,

boiling, stewing, and frying simultaneously-Keeping the old stove hot-At City Point-

In charge of a hospital-The last days of the Refreshment Saloon...........

CORNELIA M. TOMPKINS. By Rev. J. G. Forman.

PAGE

480-488