TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:The spelling and punctuation in the original is inconsistent. No changeshave been made except where noted. A complete list is at the end of thetext. 

[Illustration: MISS CLARA H. BARTON. Eng. By John Sartain. ]

[Illustration: WOMAN'S WORK IN THE CIVIL WAR

 "'SHOOT, IF YOU MUST, THIS OLD GRAY HEAD. BUT SPARE YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG, ' SHE SAID. " Barbara Frietchie. 

H. L. Stephens, Del. Samuel Sartain, Sc. ]

WOMAN'S WORK IN THE CIVIL WAR:

A RECORD OF HEROISM, PATRIOTISM AND PATIENCE

BY

L. P. BROCKETT, M. D. , AUTHOR OF "HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR, " "PHILANTHROPIC RESULTS OF THEWAR, " "OUR GREAT CAPTAINS, " "LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, " "THE CAMP, THEBATTLE FIELD, AND THE HOSPITAL, " &C. , &C. 

AND

MRS. MARY C. VAUGHAN. 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION, BY HENRY W. BELLOWS, D. D. , President U. S. Sanitary Commission. 

ILLUSTRATED WITH SIXTEEN STEEL ENGRAVINGS. 

ZEIGLER, McCURDY & CO. , PHILADELPHIA, PA. ; CHICAGO, ILL. ; CINCINNATI, OHIO; ST. LOUIS, MO. 

R. H. CURRAN, 48 WINTER STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 

1867. 

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by

L. P. BROCKETT, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for theEastern District of New York. 

KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, 607 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. 

WESTCOTT & THOMSON, Stereotypers. 

TO

THE LOYAL WOMEN OF AMERICA, WHOSE PATRIOTIC CONTRIBUTIONS, TOILS AND SACRIFICES, ENABLED THEIRSISTERS, WHOSE HISTORY IS HERE RECORDED, TO MINISTER RELIEF ANDCONSOLATION TO OUR WOUNDED AND SUFFERING HEROES;

AND WHO BY THEIR DEVOTION, THEIR LABORS, AND THEIR PATIENT ENDURANCE OFPRIVATION AND DISTRESS OF BODY AND SPIRIT, WHEN CALLED TO GIVE UP THEIRBELOVED ONES FOR THE

NATION'S DEFENSE, HAVE WON FOR THEMSELVES ETERNAL HONOR, AND THE UNDYING REMEMBRANCE OFTHE PATRIOTS OF ALL TIME, WE DEDICATE THIS VOLUME. 

PREFACE. 

The preparation of this work, or rather the collection of material forit, was commenced in the autumn of 1863. While engaged in thecompilation of a little book on "The Philanthropic Results of the War"for circulation abroad, in the summer of that year, the writer became sodeeply impressed with the extraordinary sacrifices and devotion of loyalwomen, in the national cause, that he determined to make a record ofthem for the honor of his country. A voluminous correspondence thencommenced and continued to the present time, soon demonstrated howgeneral were the acts of patriotic devotion, and an extensive tour, undertaken the following summer, to obtain by personal observation andintercourse with these heroic women, a more clear and comprehensive ideaof what they had done and were doing, only served to increase hisadmiration for their zeal, patience, and self-denying effort. 

Meantime the war still continued, and the collisions between Grant andLee, in the East, and Sherman and Johnston, in the South, the fiercecampaign between Thomas and Hood in Tennessee, Sheridan's annihilatingdefeats of Early in the valley of the Shenandoah, and Wilson'smagnificent expedition in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, as well asthe mixed naval and military victories at Mobile and Wilmington, werefruitful in wounds, sickness, and death. Never had the gentle andpatient ministrations of woman been so needful as in the last year ofthe war; and never had they been so abundantly bestowed, and with suchzeal and self-forgetfulness. 

From Andersonville, and Millen, from Charleston, and Florence, fromSalisbury, and Wilmington, from Belle Isle, and Libby Prison, came also, in these later months of the war, thousands of our bravest and noblestheroes, captured by the rebels, the feeble remnant of the tens ofthousands imprisoned there, a majority of whom had perished of cold, nakedness, starvation, and disease, in those charnel houses, victims ofthe fiendish malignity of the rebel leaders. These poor fellows, starvedto the last degree of emaciation, crippled and dying from frost andgangrene, many of them idiotic from their sufferings, or with thefierce fever of typhus, more deadly than sword or minié bullet, ragingin their veins, were brought to Annapolis and to Wilmington, andunmindful of the deadly infection, gentle and tender women ministered tothem as faithfully and lovingly, as if they were their own brothers. Ever and anon, in these works of mercy, one of these fair ministrantsdied a martyr to her faithfulness, asking, often only, to be buriedbeside her "boys, " but the work never ceased while there was a soldierto be nursed. Nor were these the only fields in which noble service wasrendered to humanity by the women of our time. In the largerassociations of our cities, day after day, and year after year, womenserved in summer's heat and winter's cold, at their desks, correspondingwith auxiliary aid societies, taking account of goods received forsanitary supplies, re-packing and shipping them to the points where theywere needed, inditing and sending out circulars appealing for aid, inwork more prosaic but equally needful and patriotic with that performedin the hospitals; and throughout every village and hamlet in thecountry, women were toiling, contriving, submitting to privation, performing unusual and severe labors, all for the soldiers. In thegeneral hospitals of the cities and larger towns, the labors of thespecial diet kitchen, and of the hospital nurse were performed steadily, faithfully, and uncomplainingly, though there also, ever and anon, somefair toiler laid down her life in the service. There were many too instill other fields of labor, who showed their love for their country;the faithful women who, in the Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons, fed thehungry soldier on his way to or from the battle-field, till in theaggregate, they had dispensed nearly eight hundred thousand meals, andhad cared for thousands of sick and wounded; the matrons of theSoldiers' Homes, Lodges, and Rests; the heroic souls who devotedthemselves to the noble work of raising a nation of bondmen tointelligence and freedom; those who attempted the still more hopelesstask of rousing the blunted intellect and cultivating the moral natureof the degraded and abject poor whites; and those who in circumstancesof the greatest peril, manifested their fearless and undying attachmentto their country and its flag; all these were entitled to a place insuch a record. What wonder, then, that, pursuing his self-appointed taskassiduously, the writer found it growing upon him; till the questioncame, not, who should be inscribed in this roll, but who could beomitted, since it was evident no single volume could do justice to all. 

In the autumn of 1865, Mrs. Mary C. Vaughan, a skilful and practicedwriter, whose tastes and sympathies led her to take an interest in thework, became associated with the writer in its preparation, and to herzeal in collecting, and skill in arranging the materials obtained, manyof the interesting sketches of the volume are due. We have in theprosecution of our work been constantly embarrassed, by the reluctanceof some who deserved a prominent place, to suffer anything to becommunicated concerning their labors; by the promises, often repeatedbut never fulfilled, of others to furnish facts and incidents which theyalone could supply, and by the forwardness of a few, whose services wereof the least moment, in presenting their claims. 

We have endeavored to exercise a wise and careful discrimination both inavoiding the introduction of any name unworthy of a place in such arecord, and in giving the due meed of honor to those who have wroughtmost earnestly and acceptably. We cannot hope that we have beencompletely successful; the letters even now, daily received, render itprobable that there are some, as faithful and self-sacrificing as any ofthose whose services we have recorded, of whom we have failed to obtaininformation; and that some of those who entered upon their work of mercyin the closing campaigns of the war, by their zeal and earnestness, havewon the right to a place. We have not, knowingly, however, omitted thename of any faithful worker, of whom we could obtain information, and wefeel assured that our record is far more full and complete, than anyother which has been, or is likely to be prepared, and that the numberof prominent and active laborers in the national cause who have escapedour notice is comparatively small. 

We take pleasure in acknowledging our obligations to Rev. Dr. Bellows, President of the United States Sanitary Commission, for many servicesand much valuable information; to Honorable James E. Yeatman, thePresident of the Western Sanitary Commission, to Rev. J. G. Forman, lateSecretary of that Commission, and now Secretary of the UnitarianAssociation, and his accomplished wife, both of whom were indefatigablein their efforts to obtain facts relative to western ladies; to Rev. N. M. Mann, now of Kenosha, Wisconsin, but formerly Chaplain and Agent ofthe Western Sanitary Commission, at Vicksburg; to Professor J. S. Newberry, now of Columbia College, but through the war the ableSecretary of the Western Department of the United States SanitaryCommission; to Mrs. M. A. Livermore, of Chicago, one of the managers ofthe Northwestern Sanitary Commission; to Rev. G. S. F. Savage, Secretaryof the Western Department of the American Tract Society, Boston; Rev. William De Loss Love, of Milwaukee, author of a work on "Wisconsin inthe War, " Samuel B. Fales, Esq. , of Philadelphia, so long and noblyidentified with the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, Dr. A. N. Read, ofNorwalk, Ohio, late one of the Medical Inspectors of the SanitaryCommission, Dr. Joseph Parrish, of Philadelphia, also a MedicalInspector of the Commission, Mrs. M. M. Husband, of Philadelphia, one ofthe most faithful workers in field hospitals during the war, MissKatherine P. Wormeley, of Newport, Rhode Island, the accomplishedhistorian of the Sanitary Commission, Mrs. W. H. Holstein, ofBridgeport, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Miss Maria M. C. Hall, ofWashington, District of Columbia, and Miss Louise Titcomb, of Portland, Maine. From many of these we have received information indispensable tothe completeness and success of our work; information too, oftenafforded at great inconvenience and labor. We commit our book, then, tothe loyal women of our country, as an earnest and conscientious effortto portray some phases of a heroism which will make American womenfamous in all the future ages of history; and with the full convictionthat thousands more only lacked the opportunity, not the will orendurance, to do, in the same spirit of self-sacrifice, what these havedone. 

L. P. B. 

BROOKLYN, N. Y. , _February, 1867_. 

CONTENTS. 

 PAGE

DEDICATION. 19

PREFACE. 21

TABLE OF CONTENTS. 25-51

INTRODUCTION BY HENRY W. BELLOWS, D. D. 55

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 

Patriotism in some form, an attribute of woman in all nations andclimes--Its modes of manifestation--Pæans for victory--Lamentationsfor the death of a heroic leader--Personal leadership by women--Theassassination of tyrants--The care of the sick and wounded of nationalarmies--The hospitals established by the Empress Helena--The Beguinesand their successors--The cantiniéres, vivandiéres, etc. --Other modes inwhich women manifested their patriotism--Florence Nightingale and herlabors--The results--The awakening of patriotic zeal among Americanwomen at the opening of the war--The organization of philanthropiceffort--Hospital nurses--Miss Dix's rejection of great numbers ofapplicants on account of youth--Hired nurses--Their services generallyprompted by patriotism rather than pay--The State relief agents(ladies) at Washington--The hospital transport system of the SanitaryCommission--Mrs. Harris's, Miss Barton's, Mrs. Fales', Miss Gilson's, and other ladles' services at the front during the battles of 1862--Services of other ladies at Chancellorsville, at Gettysburg--TheField Relief of the Sanitary Commission, and services of ladies in thelater battles--Voluntary services of women in the armies in the field atthe West--Services in the hospitals of garrisons and fortified towns--Soldiers' homes and lodges, and their matrons--Homes for Refugees--Instruction of the Freedmen--Refreshment Saloons at Philadelphia--Regular visiting of hospitals in the large cities--The Soldiers' AidSocieties, and their mode of operation--The extraordinary labors of themanagers of the Branch Societies--Government clothing contracts--Mrs. Springer, Miss Wormeley and Miss Gilson--The managers of the localSoldiers' Aid Societies--The sacrifices made by the poor to contributesupplies--Examples--The labors of the young and the old--Inscriptionson articles--The poor seamstress--Five hundred bushels of wheat--Thefive dollar gold piece--The army of martyrs--The effect of thisfemale patriotism in stimulating the courage of the soldiers--Lack ofpersistence in this work among the Women of the South--Present andfuture--Effect of patriotism and self-sacrifice in elevating andennobling the female character. 65-94

PART I. SUPERINTENDENT OF NURSES. 

MISS DOROTHEA L. DIX. 

Early history--Becomes interested in the condition of prison convicts--Visit to Europe--Returns in 1837, and devotes herself to improving thecondition of paupers, lunatics and prisoners--Her efforts for theestablishment of Insane Asylums--Second visit to Europe--Her firstwork in the war the nursing of Massachusetts soldiers in Baltimore--Appointment as superintendent of nurses--Her selections--Difficulties inher position--Her other duties--Mrs. Livermore's account of her labors--The adjutant-general's order--Dr. Bellows' estimate of her work--Herkindness to her nurses--Her publications--Her manners and address--Labors for the insane poor since the war. 97-108

PART II. LADIES WHO MINISTERED TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED IN CAMP, FIELDAND GENERAL HOSPITALS. 

CLARA HARLOWE BARTON. 

Early life--Teaching--The Bordentown school--Obtains a situation in thePatent Office--Her readiness to help others--Her native genius fornursing--Removed from office in 1857--Return to Washington in 1861--Nursing and providing for Massachusetts soldiers at the Capitol inApril, 1861--Hospital and sanitary work in 1861--Death of her father--Washington hospitals again--Going to the front--Cedar Mountain--Thesecond Bull Run battle--Chantilly--Heroic labors at Antietam--Softbread--Three barrels of flour and a bag of salt--Thirty lanterns forthat night of gloom--The race for Fredericksburg--Miss Barton as ageneral purveyor for the sick and wounded--The battle of Fredericksburg--Under fire--The rebel officer's appeal--The "confiscated" carpet--Afterthe battle--In the department of the South--The sands of Morris Island--The horrors of the siege of Forts Wagner and Sumter--The reason why shewent thither--Return to the North--Preparations for the great campaign--Her labors at Belle Plain, Fredericksburg, White House, and City Point--Return to Washington--Appointed "General correspondent for the friendsof paroled prisoners"--Her residence at Annapolis--Obstacles--TheAnnapolis plan abandoned--She establishes at Washington a "Bureau ofrecords of missing men in the armies of the United States"--The plan ofoperations of this Bureau--Her visit to Andersonville--The case ofDorrance Atwater--The Bureau of missing men an institution indispensableto the Government and to friends of the soldiers--Her sacrifices inmaintaining it--The grant from Congress--Personal appearance of MissBarton. 111-132

HELEN LOUISE GILSON. 

Early history--Her first work for the soldiers--Collecting supplies--The clothing contract--Providing for soldiers' wives and daughters--Application to Miss Dix for an appointment as nurse--She is rejected astoo young--Associated with Hon. Frank B. Fay in the Auxiliary ReliefService--Her labors on the Hospital Transports--Her manner of working--Her extraordinary personal influence--Her work at Gettysburg--Influenceover the men--Carrying a sick comrade to the hospital--Her system andself-possession--Pleading the cause of the soldier with the people--Her services in Grant's protracted campaign--The hospitals atFredericksburg--Singing to the soldiers--Her visit to the barge of"contrabands"--Her address to the negroes--Singing to them--The hospitalfor colored soldiers--Miss Gilson re-organizes and re-models it, makingit the best hospital at City Point--Her labors for the spiritual goodof the men in her hospital--Her care for the negro washerwomen andtheir families--Completion of her work--Personal appearance of MissGilson. 133-148

MRS. JOHN HARRIS. 

Previous history--Secretary Ladies' Aid Society--Her decision to go tothe "front"--Early experiences--On the Hospital Transports--Harrison'sLanding--Her garments soaked in human gore--Antietam--French's DivisionHospital--Smoketown General Hospital--Return to the "front"--Fredericksburg--Falmouth--She almost despairs of the success of ourarms--Chancellorsville--Gettysburg--Following the troops--Warrenton--Insolence of the rebels--Illness--Goes to the West--Chattanooga--Seriousillness--Return to Nashville--Labors for the refugees--Called home towatch over a dying mother--The returned prisoners from Andersonville andSalisbury. 149-160

MRS. ELIZA C. PORTER. 

Mrs. Porter's social position--Her patriotism--Labors in the hospitalsat Cairo--She takes charge of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission Roomsat Chicago--Her determination to go, with a corps of nurses, to thefront--Cairo and Paducah--Visit to Pittsburg Landing after the battle--She brings nurses and supplies for the hospitals from Chicago--AtCorinth--At Memphis--Work among the freedmen at Memphis and elsewhere--Efforts for the establishment of hospitals for the sick and woundedin the Northwest--Co-operation with Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. Howe--TheHarvey Hospital--At Natchez and Vicksburg--Other appeals for Northernhospitals--At Huntsville with Mrs. Bickerdyke--At Chattanooga--Experiences in a field hospital in the woods--Following Sherman's armyfrom Chattanooga to Atlanta--"This seems like having mother about"--Constant labors--The distribution of supplies to the soldiers ofSherman's army near Washington--A patriotic family. 161-171

MRS. MARY A. BICKERDYKE. 

Previous history of Mrs. Bickerdyke--Her regard for the privatesoldiers--"Mother Bickerdyke and her boys"--Her work at Savannah afterthe battle of Shiloh--What she accomplished at Perryville--The GayosoHospital at Memphis--Colored nurses and attendants--A model hospital--The delinquent assistant-surgeon--Mrs. Bickerdyke's philippic--Sheprocures his dismissal--His interview with General Sherman--"She ranksme"--The commanding generals appreciate her--Convalescent soldiers_vs. _ colored nurses--The Medical Director's order--Mrs. Bickerdyke'striumph--A dairy and hennery for the hospitals--Two hundred cows and athousand hens--Her first visit to the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce--"Goover to Canada--This country has no place for such creatures"--AtVicksburg--In field hospitals--The dresses riddled with sparks--The boxof clothing for herself--Trading for butter and eggs for the soldiers--The two lace-trimmed night-dresses--A new style of hospital clothingfor wounded soldiers--A second visit to Milwaukee--Mrs. Bickerdyke'sspeech--"Set your standard higher yet"--In the Huntsville Hospital--AtChattanooga at the close of the battle--The only woman on the ground forfour weeks--Cooking under difficulties--Her interview with GeneralGrant--Complaints of the neglect of the men by some of the surgeons--"Go around to the hospitals and see for yourself"--Visits Huntsville, Pulaski, etc. --With Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta--Making dishesfor the sick out of hard tack and the ordinary rations--At Nashville andFranklin--Through the Carolinas with Sherman--Distribution of suppliesnear Washington--"The Freedmen's Home and Refuge" at Chicago. 172-186

MARGARET ELIZABETH BRECKINRIDGE. _By Mrs. J. G. Forman. _

Sketch of her personal appearance--Her gentle, tender, winning ways--The American Florence Nightingale--What if I do die?--The Breckinridgefamily--Margaret's childhood and youth--Her emancipation of her slaves--Working for the soldiers early in the war--Not one of the Home Guards--Her earnest desire to labor in the hospitals--Hospital service atBaltimore--At Lexington, Kentucky--Morgan's first raid--Her visit to thewounded soldiers--"Every one of you bring a regiment with you"--Visitingthe St. Louis hospitals--On the hospital boats on the Mississippi--Perils of the voyage--Severe and incessant labor--The contrabands atHelena--Touching incidents of the wounded on the hospital boats--"Theservice pays"--In the hospitals at St. Louis--Impaired health--She goeseastward for rest and recovery--A year of weakness and weariness--Inthe hospital at Philadelphia--A ministering angel--Colonel Porterher brother-in-law killed at Cold Harbor--She goes to Baltimore tomeet the body--Is seized with typhoid fever and dies after five weeksillness. 187-199

MRS. STEPHEN BARKER. 

Family of Mrs. Barker--Her husband Chaplain of First Massachusetts HeavyArtillery--She accompanies him to Washington--Devotes herself to thework of visiting the hospitals--Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital--Sheremoves to Fort Albany and takes charge as Matron of the RegimentalHospital--Pleasant experiences--Reading to the soldiers--Two years oflabor--Return to Washington in January, 1864--She becomes one of thehospital visitors of the Sanitary Commission--Ten hospitals a week--Remitting the soldiers' money and valuables to their families--Theservice of Mr. And Mrs. Barker as lecturers and missionaries of theSanitary Commission to the Aid Societies in the smaller cities andvillages--The distribution of supplies to the disbanding armies--Herreport. 200-211

AMY M. BRADLEY. 

Childhood of Miss Bradley--Her experiences as a teacher--Residence inCharleston, South Carolina--Two years of illness--Goes to Costa Rica--Three years of teaching in Central America--Return to the UnitedStates--Becomes corresponding clerk and translator in a large glassmanufactory--Beginning of the war--She determines to go as a nurse--Writes to Dr. Palmer--His quaint reply--Her first experience as nursein a regimental hospital--Skill and tact in managing it--Promoted byGeneral Slocum to the charge of the Brigade Hospital--Hospital TransportService--Over-exertion and need of rest--The organization of theSoldiers' Home at Washington--Visiting hospitals at her leisure--CampMisery--Wretched condition of the men--The rendezvous of distribution--Miss Bradley goes thither as Sanitary Commission Agent--Her zealous andmultifarious labors--Bringing in the discharged men for their papers--Procuring the correction of their papers, and the reinstatement ofthe men--"The Soldiers' Journal"--Miss Bradley's object in itsestablishment--Its success--Presents to Miss Bradley--Personalappearance. 212-224

MRS. ARABELLA GRIFFITH BARLOW. 

Birth and education of Mrs. Griffith--Her marriage at the beginningof the war--She accompanies her husband to the camp, and whereverit is possible ministers to the wounded or sick soldiers--Joins theSanitary Commission in July, 1862, and labors among the sick and woundedat Harrison's Landing till late in August--Colonel Barlow severelywounded at Antietam--Mrs. Barlow nurses him with great tenderness, andat the same time ministers to the wounded of Sedgwick Hospital--AtChancellorsville and Gettysburg--General Barlow again wounded, and inthe enemy's lines--She removes him and succors the wounded in theintervals of her care of him--In May, 1864, she was actively engaged atBelle Plain, Fredericksburg, Port Royal, White House, and City Point--Her incessant labor brought on fever and caused her death July 27, 1864--Tribute of the Sanitary Commission Bulletin, Dr. Lieber andothers, to her memory. 225-233

MRS. NELLIE MARIA TAYLOR. 

Parentage and early history--Removal to New Orleans--Her son urged toenlist in the rebel army--He is sent North--The rebels persecute Mrs. Taylor--Her dismissal from her position as principal of one of the cityschools--Her house mobbed--"I am for the Union, tear my house down ifyou choose!"--Her house searched seven times for the flag--The Judge'sson--"A piece of Southern chivalry"--Her son enlists in the rebel armyto save her from molestation--New Orleans occupied by the Union forces--Mrs. Taylor reinstated as teacher--She nurses the soldiers in thehospitals, during her vacations and in all the leisure hours from herschool duties, her daughter filling up the intermediate time with herservices--She expends her entire salary upon the sick and wounded--Writes eleven hundred and seventy-four letters for them in one year--Distributes the supplies received from the Cincinnati Branch of SanitaryCommission in 1864, and during the summer takes the management of thespecial diet of the University Hospital--Testimony of the soldiers toher labors--Patriotism and zeal of her children--Terms on which MissAlice Taylor would present a confederate flag to a company. 234-240

MRS. ADALINE TYLER. 

Residence in Boston--Removal to Baltimore--Becomes Superintendent ofa Protestant Sisterhood in that city--Duties of the Sisterhood--The"Church Home"--Other duties of "Sister" Tyler--The opening of thewar--The Baltimore mob--Wounding and killing members of the SixthMassachusetts regiment--Mrs. Tyler hears that Massachusetts men arewounded and seeks admission to them--Is refused--She persists, andthreatening an appeal to Governor Andrew is finally admitted--She takesthose most severely wounded to the "Church Home, " procures surgicalattendance for them, and nurses them till their recovery--Other Unionwounded nursed by her--Receives the thanks of the MassachusettsLegislature and Governor--Is appointed Superintendent of the CamdenStreet Hospital, Baltimore--Resigns at the end of a year, and visits NewYork--The surgeon-general urges her to take charge of the large hospitalat Chester, Pennsylvania--She remains at Chester till the hospitalis broken up, when she is transferred to the First Division GeneralHospital, Naval Academy, Annapolis--The returned prisoners--Theirterrible condition--Mrs. Tyler procures photographs of them--Impairedhealth--Resignation--She visits Europe, and spends eighteen monthsthere, advocating as she has opportunity the National cause--Thefiendish rebel spirit--Incident relative to President Lincoln'sassassination. 241-250

MRS. WILLIAM H. HOLSTEIN. 

Social position of Mr. And Mrs. Holstein--Early labors for the soldiersat home--The battle of Antietam--She goes with her husband to care forthe wounded--Her first emotions at the sight of the wounded--Threeyears' devotion to the service--Mr. And Mrs. Holstein devote themselvesmainly to field hospitals--Labors at Fredericksburg, in the Second CorpsHospital--Services after the battle of Chancellorsville--The marchtoward Pennsylvania in June, 1863--The Field Hospital of the SecondCorps after Gettysburg--Incidents--"Wouldn't be buried by the side ofthat raw recruit"--Mrs. Holstein Matron of the Second Corps Hospital--Tour among the Aid Societies--The campaign of 1864-5--Constant labors inthe field hospitals at Fredericksburg, City Point, and elsewhere, tillNovember--Another tour among the Aid Societies--Labors among thereturned prisoners at Annapolis. 251-259

MRS. CORDELIA A. P. HARVEY. _By Rev. N. M. Mann. _

The death of her husband, Governor Louis P. Harvey--Her intense grief--She resolves to devote herself to the care of the sick and woundedsoldiers--She visits St. Louis as Agent for the State of Wisconsin--Workin the St. Louis hospitals in the autumn of 1862--Heroic labors at CapeGirardeau--Visiting hospitals along the Mississippi--The soldiers' ideasof her influence and power--Young's Point in 1863--Illness of Mrs. Harvey--She determines to secure the establishment of a General Hospitalat Madison, Wisconsin, where from the fine climate the chances ofrecovery of the sick and wounded will be increased--Her resolution andenergy--The Harvey Hospital--The removal of the patients at FortPickering to it--Repeated journeys down the Mississippi--Presented withan elegant watch by the Second Wisconsin Cavalry--Her influence over thesoldiers--The Soldiers' Orphan Asylum at Madison. 260-268

MRS. SARAH R. JOHNSTON. 

Loyal Southern women--Mrs. Johnston's birth and social position--Herinterest in the Union prisoners--"A Yankee sympathizer"--The youngsoldier--Her tender care of him, living and dead--Work for theprisoners--Her persecution by the rebels--"Why don't you pin me to theearth as you threatened"--"Sergeant, you can't make anything on thatwoman"--Copying the inscriptions on Union graves, and statistics ofUnion prisoners--Her visit to the North. 269-272

EMILY E. PARSONS. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

Her birth and education--Her preparation for service in the hospitals--Receives instruction in the care of the sick, dressing wounds, preparation of diet, etc. --Service at Fort Schuyler Hospital--Mrs. General Fremont secures her services for St. Louis--Condition of St. Louis and the other river cities at this time--First assigned to theLawson Hospital--Next to Hospital steamer "City of Alton"--The voyagefrom Vicksburg to Memphis--Return to St. Louis--Illness--AppointedSuperintendent of Nurses to the large Benton Barracks Hospital--Herduties--The admirable management of the hospital--Visit to the East--Return to her work--Illness and return to the East--Collects andforwards supplies to Western Sanitary Commission and NorthwesternSanitary Commission--The Chicago Fair--The Charity Hospital atCambridge established by her--Her cheerfulness and skill in herhospital work. 273-278

MRS. ALMIRA FALES. 

The first woman to work for the soldiers--She commenced in December, 1860--Her continuous service--Amount of stores distributed by her--Variety and severity of her work--Hospital Transport Service--Harrison's Landing--Her work in Pope's campaign--Death of her son--Hersorrowful toil at Fredericksburg and Falmouth--Her peculiarities andhumor. 279-283

CORNELIA HANCOCK. 

Early labors for the soldiers--Mr. Vassar's testimony--Gettysburg--Thecampaign of 1864--Fredericksburg and City Point. 284-286

MRS. MARY MORRIS HUSBAND. 

Her ancestry--Patriotic instincts of the family--Service in Philadelphiahospitals--Harrison's Landing--Nursing a sick son--Ministers to othersthere--Dr. Markland's testimony--At Camden Street Hospital, Baltimore--Antietam--Smoketown Hospital--Associated with Miss M. M. C. Hall--Heradmirable services as nurse there--Her personal appearance--Thewonderful apron with its pockets--The battle-flag--Her heroism incontagious disease--Attachment of the soldiers for her--Her energy andactivity--Her adventures after the battle of Chancellorsville--The FieldHospital near United States Ford--The forgetful surgeon--Matron of ThirdDivision, Third Corps Hospital, Gettysburg--Camp Letterman--Illness ofMrs. Husband--Stationed at Camp Parole, Annapolis--Hospital at BrandyStation--The battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania--Overwhelminglabor at Fredericksburg, Port Royal, White House, and City Point--SecondCorps Hospital at City Point--Marching through Richmond--"Hurrah formother Husband"--The visit to her "boys" at Bailey's Cross Roads--Distribution of supplies--Mrs. Husband's labors for the pardon orcommutation of the sentence of soldiers condemned by court-martial--Hermuseum and its treasures. 287-298

THE HOSPITAL TRANSPORT SERVICE. 

The organization of this service by the United States SanitaryCommission--Difficulties encountered--Steamers and sailing vesselsemployed--The corps of ladies employed in the service--The headquarters'staff--Ladies plying on the Transports to Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere--Work on the Daniel Webster--TheOcean Queen--Difficulties in providing as rapidly as was desired forthe numerous patients--Duties of the ladies who belonged to theheadquarters' staff--Description of scenes in the work by Miss Wormeleyand Miss G. Woolsey--Taking on patients--"Butter on _soft_ bread"--"Guess I can stand h'isting better'n _him_"--"Spare the darningneedles"--"Slippers only fit for pontoon bridges"--Visiting GovernmentTransports--Scrambling eggs in a wash-basin--Subduing the captain of atug--The battle of Fair Oaks--Bad management on Government Transports--Sufferings of the wounded--Sanitary Commission relief tent at thewharf--Relief tents at White House depot at Savage's Station--Thedeparture from White House--Arrival at Harrison's Landing--Running pastthe rebel batteries at City Point--"I'll take those mattresses you spokeof"--The wounded of the seven days' battles--"You are so kind, I--am soweak"--Exchanging prisoners under flag of truce. 299-315

OTHER LABORS OF SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL TRANSPORT CORPS. 

Miss Bradley, Miss Gilson, Mrs. Husband, Miss Charlotte Bradford, Mrs. W. P. Griffin, Miss H. D. Whetten. 316, 317

KATHERINE PRESCOTT WORMELEY. 

Birth and parentage--Commencement of her labors for the soldiers--TheWoman's Union Aid Society of Newport--She takes a contract for armyclothing to furnish employment for soldiers' families--Forwardingsanitary goods--The hundred and fifty bed sacks--Miss Wormeley'sconnection with the Hospital Transport Service--Her extraordinarylabors--Illness--Is appointed Lady Superintendent of the Lovell GeneralHospital at Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island--Her duties--Resigns inOctober, 1863--Her volume--"The United States Sanitary Commission"--Other labors for the soldiers. 318-323

THE MISSES WOOLSEY. 

Social position of the Woolsey sisters--Mrs. Joseph Howland and herlabors on the Hospital Transport--Her tender and skilful nursing of thesick and wounded of her husband's regiment--Poem addressed to her by asoldier--Her encouragement and assistance to the women nurses appointedby Miss Dix--Mrs. Robert S. Howland--Her labors in the hospitals and atthe Metropolitan Sanitary Fair--Her early death from over-exertion inconnection with the fair--Her poetical contributions to the Nationalcause--"In the hospital"--Miss Georgiana M. Woolsey--Labors on HospitalTransports--At Portsmouth Grove Hospital--After Chancellorsville--Herwork at Gettysburg with her mother--"Three weeks at Gettysburg"--Theapproach to the battle-field--The Sanitary Commission's Lodge near therailroad depot--The supply tent--Crutches--Supplying rebels and Unionmen alike--Dressing wounds--"On dress parade"--"Bread with _butter_ onit and _jelly_ on the butter"--"Worth a penny a sniff"--The Gettysburgwomen--The Gettysburg farmers--"Had never seen a rebel"--"A fellermight'er got hit"--"I couldn't leave my bread"--The dying soldiers--"Tell her I love her"--The young rebel lieutenant--The coloredfreedmen--Praying for "Massa Lincoln"--The purple and blue and yellowhandkerchiefs--"Only a blue one"--"The man who screamed so"--The Germanmother--The Oregon lieutenant--"Soup"--"Put some meat in a little waterand stirred it round"--Miss Woolsey's rare capacities for her work--Estimate of a lady friend--Miss Jane Stuart Woolsey--Labors inhospitals--Her charge of the Freedmen at Richmond--Miss Sarah C. Woolsey, at Portsmouth Grove Hospital. 324-342

ANNA MARIA ROSS. 

Her parentage and family--Early devotion to works of charityand benevolence--Praying for success in soliciting aid for theunfortunate--The "black small-pox"--The conductor's wife--The CooperShop Hospital--Her incessant labors and tender care of her patients--Her thoughtfulness for them when discharged--Her unselfish devotion tothe good of others--Sending a soldier to his friends--"He must go ordie"--The attachment of the soldiers to her--The home for dischargedsoldiers--Her efforts to provide the funds for it--Her success--Thewalk to South Street--Her sudden attack of paralysis and death--Themonument and its inscription. 343-351

MRS. G. T. M. DAVIS. 

Mrs. Davis a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts--A patrioticfamily--General Bartlett--She becomes Secretary of the Park BarracksLadies' Association--The Bedloe's Island Hospital--The controversy--Discharge of the surgeon--Withdrawal from the Association--The hospitalat David's Island--Mrs. Davis's labors there--The Soldiers' Rest onHoward Street--She becomes the Secretary of the Ladies' Associationconnected with it--Visits to other hospitals--Gratitude of the men towhom she has ministered--Appeals to the women of Berkshire--Herencomiums on their abundant labors. 352-356

MARY J. SAFFORD. 

Miss Safford a native of Vermont, but a resident of Cairo--Her thoroughand extensive mental culture--She organizes temporary hospitals amongthe regiments stationed at Cairo--Visiting the wounded on the fieldafter the battle of Belmont--Her extemporized flag of truce--Herremarkable and excessive labors after the battle of Shiloh--On theHospital steamers--Among the hospitals at Cairo--"A merry Christmas" forthe soldiers stationed at Cairo--Illness induced by her over-exertion--Her tour in Europe--Her labors there, while in feeble health--Mrs. Livermore's sketch of Miss Safford--Her personal appearance and _petite_figure--"An angel at Cairo"--"That little gal that used to come in everyday to see us--I tell you what she's an angel if there is any". 357-361

MRS. LYDIA G. PARRISH. 

Previous history--Early consecration to the work of beneficence in thearmy--Visiting Georgetown Seminary Hospital--Seeks aid from the SanitaryCommission--Visits to camps around Washington--Return to Philadelphia toenlist the sympathies of her friends in the work of the Commission--Return to Seminary Hospital--The surly soldier--He melts at last--Visitsin other hospitals--Broad and Cherry Street Hospital, Philadelphia--Assists in organizing a Ladies' Aid Society at Chester, and in forminga corps of volunteer nurses--At Falmouth, Virginia, in January, 1863, with Mrs. Harris--On a tour of inspection in Virginia and North Carolinawith her husband--The exchange of prisoners--Touching scenes--TheContinental Fair--Mrs. Parrish's labors in connection with it--Thetour of inspection at the Annapolis hospitals--Letters to the SanitaryCommission--Condition of the returned prisoners--Their hunger--The St. John's College Hospital--Admirable arrangement--Camp Parole Hospital--The Naval Academy Hospital--The landing of the prisoners--Theirfrightful sufferings--She compiles "The Soldiers' Friend" of which morethan a hundred thousand copies were circulated--Her efforts for thefreedmen. 362-372

MRS. ANNIE WITTENMEYER. 

Early efforts for the soldiers--She urges the organization of AidSocieties, and these become auxiliary at first to the Keokuk AidSociety, which she was active in establishing--The Iowa State SanitaryCommission--Mrs. Wittenmeyer becomes its agent--Her active efforts forthe soldiers--She disburses one hundred and thirty-six thousand dollarsworth of goods and supplies in about two years and a-half--She aids inthe establishment of the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home--Her plan ofspecial diet kitchens--The Christian Commission appoint her theiragent for carrying out this plan--Her labors in their establishment inconnection with large hospitals--Special order of the War Department--The estimate of her services by the Christian Commission. 373-378

MELCENIA ELLIOTT. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

Previous pursuits--In the hospitals in Tennessee in the summer andautumn of 1862--A remarkably skilful nurse--Services at Memphis--TheIowa soldier--She scales the fence to watch over him and minister to hisneeds, and at his death conveys his body to his friends, overcoming alldifficulties to do so--In the Benton Barracks Hospital--Volunteers tonurse the patients in the erysipelas ward--Matron of the Refugee Home atSt. Louis--"The poor white trash"--Matron of Soldiers' Orphans' Home atFarmington, Iowa. 379-383

MARY DWIGHT PETTES. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

A native of Boston--Came to St. Louis in 1861, and entered upon hospitalwork in January, 1862--Her faithful earnest work--Labors for thespiritual as well as physical welfare of the soldiers, reading theScriptures to them, singing to them, etc. --Attachment of the soldiersto her--She is seized with typhoid fever contracted in her care for herpatients, and dies after five weeks' illness--Dr. Eliot's impressionsof her character. 384-388

LOUISA MAERTZ. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

Her birth and parentage--Her residence in Germany and Switzerland--Herfondness for study--Her extraordinary sympathy and benevolence--Shecommences visiting the hospitals in her native city, Quincy, Illinois, in the autumn of 1861--She takes some of the wounded home to herfather's house and ministers to them there--She goes to St. Louis--Iscommissioned as a nurse--Sent to Helena, then full of wounded fromthe battles in Arkansas--Her severe labors here--Almost the only womannurse in the hospitals there--"God bless you, dear lady"--The ArkansasUnion soldier--The half-blind widow--Miss Maertz at Vicksburg--AtNew Orleans. 390-394

MRS. HARRIET R. COLFAX. 

Early life--A widow and fatherless--Her first labors in the hospitals inSt. Louis--Her sympathies never blunted--The sudden death of a soldier--Her religious labors among the patients--Dr. Paddock's testimony--Thewounded from Fort Donelson--On the hospital boat--In the battle atIsland No. Ten--Bringing back the wounded--Mrs. Colfax's care of them--Trips to Pittsburg Landing, before and after the battle of Shiloh--Heavyand protracted labor for the nurses--Return to St. Louis--At the FifthStreet Hospital--At Jefferson Barracks--Her associates--Obliged toretire 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 andCherry Street Hospital, Philadelphia--One of the Hospital Transportcorps--The steamer "John Brooks"--Mile Creek Hospital--Mrs. Husband'saccount of her--At Frederick City, Harper's Ferry, and Antietam--Agentof the Sanitary Commission at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland--Isseized with typhoid fever here--When partially recovered, she resumesher labors, but is again attacked and compelled to withdraw from herwork--Her other labors for the soldiers, both sick and well--Obtainingfurloughs--Sending home the bodies of dead soldiers--Providinghead-boards for the soldiers' graves. 400-403

MRS. R. H. SPENCER. 

Her home in Oswego, New York--Teaching--An anti-war Democrat isconvinced of his duty to become a soldier, though too old for thedraft--Husband and wife go together--At the Soldiers' Rest inWashington--Her first work--Matron of the hospital--At Wind-MillPoint--Matron in the First Corps Hospital--Foraging for the sick andwounded--The march toward Gettysburg--A heavily laden horse--Giving upher last blanket--Chivalric instincts of American soldiers--Laborsduring the battle of Gettysburg--Under fire--Field Hospital of theEleventh Corps--The hospital at White Church--Incessant labors--Savinga soldier's life--"Can you go without food for a week?"--The basinof broth--Mrs. Spencer appointed agent of the State of New York forthe care of the sick and wounded soldiers in the field--At BrandyStation--At Rappahannock Station and Belle Plain after the battleof the Wilderness--Virginia mud--Working alone--Heavy rain and noshelter--Working on at Belle Plain--"Nothing to wear"--Port Royal--WhiteHouse--Feeding the wounded--Arrives at City Point--The hospitals andthe Government kitchen--At the front--Carrying supplies to the men inthe rifle pits--Fired at by a sharpshooter--Shelled by the enemy--Thegreat explosion at City Point--Her narrow escape--Remains at City Pointtill the hospitals are broken up--The gifts received from gratefulsoldiers. 404-415

MRS. HARRIET FOOTE HAWLEY. _By Mrs. H. B. Stowe. _

Mrs. Hawley accompanies her husband, Colonel Hawley, to SouthCarolina--Teaching the freedmen--Visiting the hospitals at Beaufort, Fernandina and St. Augustine--After Olustee--At the Armory SquareHospital, Washington--The surgical operations performed in theward--"Reaching the hospital only in time to die"--At Wilmington--Frightful condition of Union prisoners--Typhus fever raging--Thedangers greater than those of the battle-field--Four thousand sick--Mrs. Hawley's heroism, and incessant labors--At Richmond--Injured bythe upsetting of an ambulance--Labors among the freedmen--ColonelHigginson's speech. 416-419

ELLEN E. MITCHELL. 

Her family--Motives in entering on the work of ministering to thesoldiers--Receives instructions at Bellevue Hospital--Receives anurse's pay and gives it to the suffering soldiers--At Elmore Hospital, Georgetown--Gratitude of the soldiers--Trials--St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington--A dying nurse--Her own serious illness--Care and attentionof Miss Jessie Home--Death of her mother--At Point Lookout--Discomfortsand suffering--Ware House Hospital, Georgetown--Transfer of patients andnurse to Union Hotel Hospital--Her duties arduous but pleasant--Transferto Knight General Hospital, New Haven--Resigns and accepts a situationin the Treasury Department, but longing for her old work returns to it--At Fredericksburg after battle of the Wilderness--At Judiciary SquareHospital, 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 apleasant and lucrative pursuit to become a hospital nurse--Herearnestness and zeal--Her incessant labors--Sickness and death--Caredfor by Miss Bergen of Brooklyn, New York. 427, 428

MISS VANCE AND MISS BLACKMAR. _By Mrs. M. M. Husband. _

Miss Vance a missionary teacher before the war--Appointed by Miss Dix toa Baltimore hospital--At Washington, at Alexandria, and at Gettysburg--At Fredericksburg after the battle of the Wilderness--At City Point inthe Second Corps Hospital--Served through the whole war with but threeweeks' furlough--Miss Blackmar from Michigan--A skilful and efficientnurse--The almost fatal hemorrhage--The boy saved by her skill--Carryinga hot brick to bed. 429, 430

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

Missionary teachers before the war--Attending lectures to prepare fornursing--After the first battle of Bull Run--At Alexandria--The woundedfrom 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 SquareHospital--The second Bull Run--Rapid but skilful care of the wounded--Painful cases--Harper's Ferry--Twelfth Army Corps Hospital--The motherin search of her son--After Chancellorsville--The battle of Gettysburg--Labors in the First and Twelfth Corps Hospitals--Sent to Murfreesboro', Tennessee--Rudeness of the Medical Director--Discomfort of theirsituation--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 ofSherman's campaign--"You are the _God-blessedest_ woman I ever saw"--Service to the close of the war and beyond--Lookout Mountain. 431-439

MRS. SARAH P. EDSON. 

Early life--Literary pursuits--In Columbia College Hospital--At CampCalifornia--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--AtWhite House and the front--Beef soup and coffee for starving woundedmen--Is permitted to go to Harrison's Landing--Abundant labor and care--Chaplain Fuller--At Hygeia Hospital--At Alexandria--Pope's campaign--Attempts to go to Antietam, but is detained by sickness--Goes toWarrenton, and accompanies the army thence to Acquia Creek--Return toWashington--Forms a society to establish a home and training schoolfor nurses, and becomes its Secretary--Visits hospitals--State ReliefSocieties approve the plan--Sanitary Commission do not approve of itas a whole--Surgeon-General opposes--Visits New York city--The masonsbecome interested--"Army Nurses' Association" formed in New York--Nursesin great numbers sent on after the battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, etc. --The experiment a success--Its eventual failure through themismanagement in New York--Mrs. Edson continues her labors in the armyto the close of the war--Enthusiastic reception by the soldiers. 440-447

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 answerthe conditions required by Miss Dix--Application to Mrs. Fales--Attempts to dissuade her--"Well girls here they are, with everythingto be done for them"--The Indiana Hospital--Difficulties anddiscouragements--A year of hard and unsatisfactory work--HospitalTransport Service--The Daniel Webster--At Harrison's Landing withMrs. Fales--Condition of the poor fellows--Mrs. Harris calls her toAntietam--French's Division and Smoketown Hospitals--Abundant work butperformed with great satisfaction--The French soldier's letter--Theevening or family prayers--Successful efforts for the religiousimprovement of the men--Dr. Vanderkieft--The Naval Academy Hospital atAnnapolis--In charge of Section five--Succeeds Mrs. Tyler as LadySuperintendent of the hospital--The humble condition of the returnedprisoners from Andersonville and elsewhere--Prevalence of typhus fever--Death of her assistants--Four thousand patients--Writes for "TheCrutch"--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 rebelprisons--Duties of the nurses under Miss Hall--Names and homes of theseladies--Death of Miss Adeline Walker--Miss Hall's tribute to hermemory--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 RoseM. Billing--Her faithfulness as a nurse in the Indiana Hospital, (PatentOffice, ) at Falls Church, and at Annapolis--She like the others falls avictim to the typhus generated in Southern prisons--Tribute to hermemory. 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 HospitalAssociation--Mrs. Eaton--Mrs. Fogg--Mrs. Mayhew--Miss Mary A. Dupee andher labors--Miss Abbie J. Howe--Her labors for the spiritual as well asphysical good of the men--Her great influence over them--Her joy in herwork. 461-466

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

Mrs. Gibbons a daughter of Isaac T. Hopper--Her zeal in the cause ofreform--Work of herself and daughter in the Patent Office Hospital in1861--Visit to Falls Church and its hospital--Sad condition of thepatients--"If you do not come and take care of me I shall die"--Returnto this hospital--Its condition greatly improved--Winchester and theSeminary Hospital--Severe labors here--Banks' retreat--The nurses heldas prisoners--Losses of Mrs. And Miss Gibbons at this time--At PointLookout--Exchanged prisoners from Belle Isle--A scarcity of garments--Trowsers a luxury--Fifteen months of hospital service--Conflicts withthe authorities in regard to the freedmen--The July riots in New Yorkin 1863--Mrs. Gibbons' house sacked by the rioters--Destruction ofeverything valuable--Return to Point Lookout--The campaign of 1864-5--Mrs. And Miss Gibbons at Fredericksburg--An improvised hospital--Mrs. Gibbons takes charge--The gift of roses--The roses withered and dyed inthe soldiers' blood--Riding with the wounded in box cars--At WhiteHouse--Labors at Beverly Hospital, New Jersey--Mrs. Gibbons' returnhome--Her daughter remains till the close of the war. 467-475

MRS. E. J. RUSSELL. 

Government nurses--Their trials and hardships--Mrs. Russell a teacherbefore the war--Her patriotism--First connected with the RegimentalHospital of Twentieth New York Militia (National Guards)--Assignedto Columbia College Hospital, Washington--After three years' serviceresigns from impaired health, but recovering enters the serviceagain in Baltimore--Nursing rebels--Her attention to the religiouscondition of the men--Four years of service--Returns to teaching afterthe war. 477-479

MRS. MARY W. LEE. 

Mrs. Lee of foreign birth, but American in feeling--Services in theVolunteer Refreshment Saloon--A noble institution--At Harrison'sLanding, with Mrs. Harris--Wretched condition of the men--Improvementunder the efforts of the ladies--The Hospital of the Epiphany atWashington--At Antietam during the battle--The two water tubs--Theenterprising sutler--"Take this bread and give it to that woman"--TheSedgwick Hospital--Ordering a guard--Hoffman's Farm Hospital--SmoketownHospital--Potomac Creek--Chancellorsville--Under fire from the batterieson Fredericksburg Heights--Marching with the army--Gettysburg--TheSecond Corps Hospital--Camp Letterman--The Refreshment Saloon again--Brandy Station--A stove half a yard square--The battles of theWilderness--At Fredericksburg--A diet kitchen without furniture--Overthe river after a stove--Baking, boiling, stewing, and fryingsimultaneously--Keeping the old stove hot--At City Point--In chargeof a hospital--The last days of the Refreshment Saloon. 480-488

CORNELIA M. TOMPKINS. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

A scion of an eminent family--At Benton Barracks Hospital--At Memphis--Return to St. Louis--At Jefferson Barracks. 489, 490

MRS. ANNA C. McMEENS. _By Mrs. E. S. Mendenhall. _

A native of Maryland--The wife of a surgeon in the army--At CampDennison--One of the first women in Ohio to minister to the soldiersin a military hospital--At Nashville in hospital--The battle ofPerryville--Death of Dr. McMeens--At home--Laboring for the SanitaryCommission--In the hospitals at Washington--Missionary work among thesailors on Lake Erie. 491, 492

MRS. JERUSHA R. SMALL. _By Mrs. E. S. Mendenhall. _

A native of Iowa--Accompanies her husband to the war--Ministers to thewounded from Belmont, Donelson, and Shiloh--Her husband wounded atShiloh--Under fire in ministering to the wounded--Uses all her spareclothing for them--As her husband recovers her own health fails--Thegalloping consumption--The female secessionist--Going home to die--Buried with the flag wrapped around her. 493, 494

MRS. S. A. MARTHA CANFIELD. _By Mrs. E. S. Mendenhall. _

Wife of Colonel H. Canfield--Her husband killed at Shiloh--Burying hersorrows in her heart--She returns to labor for the wounded in theSixteenth Army Corps, in the hospitals at Memphis--Labors among thefreedmen--Establishes the Colored Orphan Asylum at Memphis. 495

MRS. THOMAS AND MISS MORRIS. 

Faithful laborers in the hospitals at Cincinnati till the close of thewar. 496

MRS. SHEPARD WELLS. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

Driven from East Tennessee by the rebels--Becomes a member of theLadies' Union Aid Society at St. Louis, and one of its Secretaries--Superintends the special diet kitchen at Benton Barracks--Anenthusiastic and earnest worker--Labor for the refugees. 497, 498

MRS. E. C. WITHERELL. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

A lady from Louisville--Her service in the Fourth Street Hospital, St. Louis--"Shining Shore"--The soldier boy--On the "Empress" hospitalsteamer nursing the wounded--A faithful and untiring nurse--Is attackedwith fever, and dies July, 1862--Resolutions of Western SanitaryCommission. 499-501

PHEBE ALLEN. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

A teacher in Iowa--Volunteered as a nurse in Benton Barracks hospital--Very efficient--Died of malarious fever in 1864, at the hospital. 502

MRS. EDWIN GREBLE. 

Of Quaker stock--Intensely patriotic--Her eldest son, Lieutenant JohnGreble, killed at Great Bethel in 1861--A second son served through thewar--A son-in-law a prisoner in the rebel prisons--Mrs. Greble a mostassiduous worker in the hospitals of Philadelphia, and a constant andliberal giver. 503, 504

MRS. ISABELLA FOGG. 

A resident of Calais, Maine--Her only son volunteers, and she devotesherself to the service of ministering to the wounded and sick--Goes toAnnapolis with one of the Maine regiments--The spotted fever in theAnnapolis Hospital--Mrs. Fogg and Mrs. Mayhew volunteer as nurses--TheHospital Transport Service--At the front after Fair Oaks--Savage'sStation--Over land to Harrison's Landing with the army--Under fire--Onthe hospital ship--Home--In the hospitals around Washington, afterAntietam--The Maine Camp Hospital Association--Mrs. J. S. Eaton--AfterChancellorsville--In the field hospitals for nearly a week, working dayand night, and under fire--At Gettysburg the day after the battle--Onthe Rapidan--At Mine Run--At Belle Plain and Fredericksburg after thebattle of the Wilderness--At City Point--Home again--A wounded son--Severe illness of Mrs. Fogg--Recovery--Sent by Christian Commission toLouisville to take charge of a special diet kitchen--Injured by a fall--An invalid for life--Happy in the work accomplished. 505-510

MRS. E. E. GEORGE. 

Services of aged women in the war--Military agency of Indiana--Mrs. George's appointment--Her services at Memphis--At Pulaski--AtChattanooga--Following Sherman to Atlanta--Matron of Fifteenth ArmyCorps Hospital--At Nashville--Starts for Savannah, but is persuadedby Miss Dix to go to Wilmington--Excessive labors there--Dies oftyphus. 511-513

MRS. CHARLOTTE E. McKAY. 

A native of Massachusetts--Enters the service as nurse at Frederickcity--Rebel occupation of the city--Chancellorsville--The assault onMarye's Heights--Death of her brother--Gettysburg--Services in ThirdDivision Third Corps Hospital--At Warrenton--Mine Run--Brandy Station--Grant's campaign--From Belle Plain to City Point--The Cavalry CorpsHospital--Testimonials presented to her. 514-516

MRS. FANNY L. RICKETTS. 

Of English parentage--Wife of Major-General Ricketts--Resides on thefrontier for three years--Her husband wounded at Bull Run--Her heroismin going through the rebel lines to be with him--Dangers and privationsat Richmond--Ministrations to Union soldiers--He is selected as ahostage for the privateersmen, but released at her urgent solicitation--Wounded again at Antietam, and again tenderly nursed--Wounded atMiddletown, Virginia, October, 1864, and for four months in greatdanger--The end of the war. 517-519

MRS. JOHN S. PHELPS. 

Early history--Residence in the Southwest--Rescues General Lyon'sbody--Her heroism and benevolence at Pea Ridge and elsewhere. 520, 521

MRS. JANE R. MUNSELL. 

Maryland women in the war--Barbara Frietchie--Effie Titlow--Mrs. Munsell's labors in the hospitals after Antietam and Gettysburg--Herdeath from over-exertion. 522, 523

PART III. LADIES WHO ORGANIZED AID SOCIETIES, RECEIVED AND FORWARDEDSUPPLIES TO THE HOSPITALS, DEVOTING THEIR WHOLE TIME TO THE WORK, ETC. 

WOMAN'S CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF RELIEF. _By Mrs. Julia B. Curtis. _

Organization and officers of the Association--It becomes a branch of theUnited States Sanitary Commission--Its Registration Committee and theirduties--The Selection and Preparation of Nurses for the Army--TheFinance and Executive Committee--The unwillingness of the Governmentto admit any deficiency--The arrival of the first boxes for theAssociation--The sacrifices made by the women in the country towns andhamlets--The Committee of Correspondence--Twenty-five thousand letters--The receiving book, the day-book and the ledger--The alphabet repeatedseven hundred and twenty-seven times on the boxes--Mrs. Fellows and Mrs. Colby solicitors of donations--The call for nurses on board the HospitalTransports--Mrs. W. P. Griffin and Mrs. David Lane volunteer, andsubsequently other members of the Association--Mrs. D'Orémieulx'sdeparture for Europe--Mr. S. W. Bridgham's faithful labors--Creepinginto the Association rooms of a Sunday, to gather up and forward suppliesneeded for sudden emergencies--The First Council of Representatives fromthe principal Aid Societies at Washington--Monthly boxes--The _Federalprinciple_--Antietam and Fredericksburg exhaust the supplies--MissLouisa Lee Schuyler's able letter of inquiry to the Secretaries ofAuxiliaries--The plan of "Associate Managers"--Miss Schuyler's incessantlabors in connection with this--The set of boxes devised by MissSchuyler to aid the work of the Committee on Correspondence--Theemployment of Lecturers--The Association publish Mr. George T. Strong'spamphlet, "How can we best help our Camps and Hospitals"--The HospitalDirectory opened--The lack of supplies of clothing and edibles, resulting from the changed condition of the country--Activity and zealof the members of the Woman's Central Association--Miss Ellen Collins'incessant labors--Her elaborate tables of supplies and theirdisbursement--The Association offers to purchase for the Auxiliariesat wholesale prices--Miss Schuyler's admirable Plan of Organization forCountry Societies--Alert Clubs founded--Large contributions to thestations at Beaufort and Morris Island--Miss Collins and Mrs. W. P. Griffin in charge of the office through the New York Riots in July, 1863--Mrs. Griffin, is chairman of Special Relief Committee, and makespersonal visits to the sick--The Second Council at Washington--MissSchuyler and Miss Collins delegates--Miss Schuyler's efforts--Thewhirlwind of Fairs--Aiding the feeble auxiliaries by donating anadditional sum in goods equal to what they raised, to be manufactured bythem--Five thousand dollars a month thus expended--A Soldiers' AidSociety Council--Help to Military Hospitals near the city, and the Navy, by the Association--Death of its President, Dr. Mott--The news ofpeace--Miss Collins' Congratulatory Letter--The Association continuesits work to July 7--Two hundred and ninety-one thousand four hundred andseventy-five shirts distributed--Purchases made for Auxiliaries, seventy-nine thousand three hundred and ninety dollars and fifty-sevencents--Other expenditures of money for the purposes of the Association, sixty-one thousand three hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty-sevencents--The zeal of the Associated Managers--The Brooklyn ReliefAssociation--Miss Schuyler's labors as a writer--Her reports--Articlesin the Sanitary Bulletin, "The Soldiers' Friend, " "Nelly's Hospital, "&c. &c. --The patient and continuous labors of the Committees onCorrespondence and on Supplies--Territory occupied by the Woman'sCentral Association--Resolutions at the Final Meeting. 527-539

SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY OF NORTHERN OHIO. 

Its organization--At first a Local Society--No Written Constitution orBy-laws--Becomes a branch of the United States Sanitary Commission inOctober, 1861--Its territory small and not remarkable for wealth--Fivehundred and twenty auxiliaries--Its disbursement of one million onehundred and thirty-three thousand dollars in money and supplies--TheNorthern Ohio Sanitary Fair--The supplies mostly forwarded to theWestern Depôt of the United States Sanitary Commission at Louisville--"The Soldiers' Home" built under the direction of the Ladies who managedthe affairs of the Society, and supplied and conducted under theirSupervision--The Hospital Directory, Employment Agency, War ClaimAgency--The entire time of the Officers of the Society for five and ahalf years voluntarily and freely given to its work from eight in themorning till six or later in the evening--The President, Mrs. B. Rouse, and her labors in organizing Aid Societies and attending to the homework--The labors of the Secretary and Treasurer--Editorial work--TheSociety's printing press--Setting up and printing Bulletins--TheSanitary Fair originated and carried on by the Aid Society--The OhioState Soldiers' Home aided by them--Sketch of Mrs. Rouse--Sketch ofMiss Mary Clark Brayton, Secretary of the Society--Sketch of Miss EllenF. Terry, Treasurer of the Society--Miss Brayton's "On a HospitalTrain, " "Riding on a Rail"--Visit to the Army--The first sight of ahospital train--The wounded soldiers on board--"Trickling a littlesympathy on the Wounded"--"The Hospital Train a jolly thing"--The dyingsoldier--Arrangement of the Hospital Train--The arduous duties of theSurgeon. 540-552

NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION. 

Its organization and territory--One million five hundred and fifteenthousand dollars collected in money and supplies by this Association--Its Sanitary Fair and its results--The chairman of the ExecutiveCommittee Miss Abby W. May--Her retiring and modest disposition--Herrare executive powers--Sketch of Miss May--Her early zeal in theAnti-slavery movement--Her remarkable practical talent, and admirablemanagement of affairs--Her eloquent appeals to the auxiliaries--Herentire self-abnegation--Extract from one of her letters--Extract fromher Final Report--The Boston Sewing Circle and its officers--The Ladies'Industrial Aid Association of Boston--Nearly three hundred andforty-seven thousand garments for the soldiers made by the employés ofthe Association, most of whom were from soldiers' families--Additionalwages beyond the contract prices paid to the workwomen, to the amount ofover twenty thousand dollars--The lessons learned by the ladies engagedin this work. 553-559

THE NORTHWESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION. 

The origin of the Commission--Its early labors--Mrs. Porter's connectionwith it--Her determination to go to the army--The appointment of Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore as Managers--The extent and variety of theirlabors--The two Sanitary Fairs--Estimate of the amount raised by theCommission. 560-561

MRS. A. H. HOGE. 

Her birth and early education--Her marriage--Her family--She identifiesherself from the beginning with the National cause--Her first visitto the hospitals of Cairo, Mound City and St. Louis--The Mound CityHospital--The wounded boy--Turned over for the first time--"They had totake the Fort"--Rebel cruelties at Donelson--The poor French boy--Themother who had lost seven sons in the Army--"He had turned his face tothe wall to die"--Mrs. Hoge at the Woman's Council at Washington in1862--Labors of Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore--Correspondence--Circulars--Addresses--Mrs. Hoge's eloquence and pathos--The amplecontributions elicited by her appeals--Visit to the Camp of GeneralGrant at Young's Point, in the winter of 1862-3--Return with a cargo ofwounded--Second visit to the vicinity of Vicksburg--Prevalence ofscurvy--The onion and potato circulars--Third visit to Vicksburg inJune, 1863--Incidents of this visit--The rifle-pits--Singing Hymns underfire--"Did you drop from heaven into these rifle-pits?"--Mrs. Hoge'stalk to the men--"Promise me you'll visit my regiment to-morrow"--Theflag of the Board of Trade Regiment--"How about the blood?"--"Sing, Rally round the Flag Boys"--The death of R--"Take her picture from undermy pillow"--Mrs. Hoge at Washington again--Her views of the value of thePress in benevolent operations--In the Sanitary Fairs at Chicago--Heraddress at Brooklyn, in March, 1865--Gifts presented her as a testimonyto the value of her labors. 562-576

MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE. 

Mrs. Livermore's childhood and education--She becomes a teacher--Hermarriage--She is associated with her husband as Editor of _The NewCovenant_--Her scholarship and ability as a writer and speaker--Thevigor and eloquence of her appeals--"Women and the War"--The beginningsof the Northwestern Sanitary Commission--The appointment of Mrs. Livermore and Mrs. Hoge as its managers--The contributions of Mrs. Livermore to the press, on subjects connected with her work--"Thebackward movement of General McClellan"--The Hutchinsons prohibited fromsinging Whittier's Song in the Army of the Potomac--Mrs. Livermore'svisit to Washington--Her description of "Camp Misery"--She makes a tourto the Military Posts on the Mississippi--The female nurses--The scurvyin the Camp--The Northwestern Sanitary Fair--Mrs. Livermore's address tothe Women of the Northwest--Her tact in selecting the right persons tocarry out her plans at the Fair--Her extensive journeyings--Her visit toWashington in the Spring of 1865--Her invitation to the President to bepresent at the opening of the Fair--Her description of Mr. Lincoln--Hisdeath and the funeral solemnities with which his remains were receivedat Chicago--The final fair--Mrs. Livermore's testimonials of regard andappreciation from friends and, especially from the soldiers. 577-589

GENERAL AID SOCIETY FOR THE ARMY, BUFFALO. 

Organization of the Society--Its first President, Mrs. Follett--Itssecond President, Mrs. Horatio Seymour--Her efficient Aids, Miss Babcockand Miss Bird--The friendly rivalry with the Cleveland Society--Mrs. Seymour's rare ability and system--Her encomiums on the labors of thepatriot workers in country homes--The workers in the cities equallyfaithful and praiseworthy. 590-592

MICHIGAN SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY. 

The Patriotic women of Michigan--Annie Etheridge, Mrs. Russell andothers--"The Soldiers' Relief Committee" and "The Soldiers' Aid Society"of Detroit--Their Consolidation--The officers of the New Society--MissValeria Campbell the soul of the organization--Her multifarious labors--The Military Hospitals in Detroit--The "Soldiers' Home" in Detroit--Michigan in the two Chicago Fairs--Amount of money and supplies raisedby the Michigan Branch. 593-595

WOMEN'S PENNSYLVANIA BRANCH OF UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION. 

The loyal women of Philadelphia--Their numerous organizations for therelief of the Soldier--The organization of the Women's PennsylvaniaBranch--Its officers--Sketch of Mrs. Grier--Her parentage--Her residencein Wilmington, N. C. --Persecution for loyalty--Escape--She entersimmediately upon Hospital Work--Her appointment to the Presidency ofthe Women's Branch--Her remarkable tact and skill--Her extraordinaryexecutive talent--Mrs. Clara J. Moore--Sketch of her labors--Otherladies of the Association--Testimonials to Mrs. Grier's ability andadmirable management from officers of the Sanitary Commission andothers--The final report of this Branch--The condition of the stateand country at its inception--The Associate Managers--The workaccomplished--Peace at last--The details of Expenses of the SupplyDepartment--The work of the Relief Committee--Eight hundred and thirtywomen employed--Widows of Soldiers aided--Total expenditures of ReliefCommittee. 596-606

THE WISCONSIN SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY. _By Rev. J. G. Forman. _

The Milwaukie Ladies Soldiers' Aid Society--Labors of Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Delafield and others--Enlargement and re-organization as the WisconsinSoldiers' Aid Society--Mrs. Henrietta L. Colt, chosen CorrespondingSecretary--Her visits to the front, and her subsequent labors among theAid Societies of the State--Efficiency of the Society--The WisconsinSoldiers' Home--Its extent and what it accomplished--It forms theNucleus of one of the National Soldiers' Homes--Sketch of Mrs. Colt--Death of her husband--Her deep and overwhelming grief--She enters uponthe Sanitary Work, to relieve herself from the crushing weight of hergreat sorrow--Her labors on a Hospital Steamer--Her frequent subsequentvisits to the front--Her own account of these visits--"The beardlessboys, all heroes"--Sketch of Mrs. Governor Salomon--Her labors in behalfof the German and other soldiers of Wisconsin. 607-614

PITTSBURG BRANCH UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION. 

The Pittsburg Sanitary Committee and Pittsburg Subsistence Committee--Organization of the Branch--Its Corresponding Secretary, Miss Rachael W. McFadden--Her executive ability zeal and patriotism--Her colleagues inher labors--The Pittsburg Sanitary Fair--Its remarkable success--MissMurdock's labors at Nashville. 615, 616

MRS. ELIZABETH S. MENDENHALL. 

Mrs. Mendenhall's childhood and youth passed in Richmond, Va. --Herrelatives Members of the Society of Friends--Her early Hospital labors--President of the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society of Cincinnati--Her appealto the citizens of Cincinnati to organize a Sanitary Fair--Her effortsto make the Fair a success--The magnificent result--Subsequent labors inthe Sanitary Cause--Fair for Soldiers' Families in December, 1864--Labors for the Freedmen and Refugees--In behalf of fallen women. 617-620

DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. 

Dr. M. M. Marsh appointed Medical Inspector of Department of the South--Early in 1863 he proceeded thither with his wife--Mrs. Marsh findsabundant work in the receipt and distribution of Sanitary Stores, in thevisiting of Hospitals--Spirit of the wounded men--The exchange ofprisoners--Sufferings of our men in Rebel prisons--Their self-sacrificingspirit--Supplies sent to the prisoners, and letters received fromthem--The sudden suspension of this benevolent work by order fromGeneral Halleck--The sick from Sherman's Army--Dr. Marsh ordered toNewbern, N. C. , but detained by sickness--Return to New York--The"Lincoln Home"--Dr. And Mrs. Marsh's labors there--Close of the LincolnHome. 621-629

ST. LOUIS LADIES' UNION AID SOCIETY. 

Organization of the Society--Its officers--Was the principal Auxiliaryof Western Sanitary Commission--Visits of its members to the fourteenhospitals in the vicinity of St. Louis--The hospital basket and itscontents--The Society's delegates on the battle-fields--Employs thewives and daughters of soldiers in bandage rolling, and subsequently oncontracts for hospital and other clothing for soldiers--Its committeescutting, fitting and examining the work--Undertakes the special dietkitchen of the Benton Barracks Hospital--Establishes a branch atNashville--Special Diet Kitchen there--Its work for the Freedmen andRefugees--Sketches of its leading officers and managers--Mrs. Anna L. Clapp, a native of Washington County, N. Y. --Resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. , and subsequently in St. Louis--Elected President of Ladies' Union AidSociety at the beginning of the war, and retains her position till itsclose--Her arduous labors and great tact and skill--She organizes aRefugee Home and House of Industry--Aids the Freedmen, and assists inthe proper regulation of the Soldiers' Home--Miss H. A. Adams, (now Mrs. Morris Collins)--Born and educated in New Hampshire--At the outbreak ofthe war, a teacher in St. Louis--Devoted herself to the Sanitary workthroughout the war--Was secretary of the society till the close of 1864, and a part of the time at Nashville, where she established a specialdiet kitchen--Death of her brother in the army--Her influence inprocuring the admission of female nurses in the Nashville hospitals--Mrs. C. R. Springer, a native of Maine, one of the directors of theSociety, and the superintendent of its employment department, forfurnishing work to soldiers' families--Her unremitting and faithfullabors--Mrs. Mary E. Palmer--A native of New Jersey--An earnest worker, visiting and aiding soldiers' families and dispensing the charities ofthe Society among them and the destitute families of refugees--Herlabors were greater than her strength--Her death occasioned by adecline, the result of over exertion in her philanthropic work. 630-642

LADIES' AID SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA, &C. 

Organization of the Society--Its officers--Mrs. Joel Jones, Mrs. JohnHarris, Mrs. Stephen Caldwell--Mrs. Harris mostly engaged at the front--The Society organized with a view to the spiritual as well as physicalbenefit of the soldiers--Its great efficiency with moderate means--Theladies who distributed its supplies at the front--Extract from one ofits reports--Its labors among the Refugees--The self-sacrifice of oneof its members--Its expenditures. THE PENN RELIEF ASSOCIATION--Anorganization originating with the Friends, but afterward embracingall denominations--Its officers--Its efficiency--Amount of suppliesdistributed by it through well-known ladies. THE SOLDIERS' AIDSOCIETY--Another of the efficient Pennsylvania Organizations for therelief of the soldiers--Its President, Mrs. Mary A. Brady--Her laborsin the Satterlee Hospital--At "Camp Misery"--At the front--AfterGettysburg, and at Mine Run--Her health injured by her exposure andexcessive labors--She dies of heart-disease in May, 1864. 643-649

WOMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION OF BROOKLYN AND LONG ISLAND. 

Brooklyn early in the war--Numerous channels for distribution of theSupplies contributed--Importance of a Single ComprehensiveOrganization--The Relief Association formed--Mrs. Stranahan chosenPresident--Sketch of Mrs. Stranahan--Her social position--Firstdirectress of the Graham Institute--Her rare tact and efficiency as apresiding officer and in the dispatch of business--The Long IslandSanitary Fair--Her excessive labors there, and the perfect harmony andgood feeling which prevailed--Rev. Dr. Spear's statement of her worth--The resolutions of the Relief Association--Rev. Dr. Bellows' Testimony--Her death--Rev. Dr. Farley's letter concerning her--Rev. Dr. Budington'stribute to her memory. 650-658

MRS. ELIZABETH M. STREETER. 

Loyal Southern Women--Mrs. Streeter's activity in promoting associationsof loyal women for the relief of the soldiers--Her New England parentageand education--The Ladies' Union Relief Association of Baltimore--Mrs. Streeter at Antietam--As a Hospital Visitor--The Eutaw Street Hospital--The Union Refugees in Baltimore--Mrs. Streeter organizes the Ladies'Union Aid Society for the Relief of Soldiers' families--Testimony of theMaryland Committee of the Christian Commission to the value of herlabors--Death of her husband--Her return to Massachusetts. 659-664

MRS. CURTIS T. FENN. 

The loyal record of the men and women of Berkshire County--Mrs. Fenn'shistory and position before the war--Her skill and tenderness in thecare of the sick--Her readiness to enter upon the work of relief--Shebecomes the embodiment of a Relief Association--Liberal contributionsmade and much work performed by others but no organization--Mrs. Fenn'sincessant and extraordinary labors for the soldiers--Her packing andshipping of the supplies to the hospitals in and about New York and tomore distant cities--Refreshments for Soldiers who passed throughPittsfield--Her personal distribution of supplies at the soldiers'Thanksgiving dinner at Bedloe's Island in 1862, and at David's Islandin 1864--"The gentleman from Africa and his vote"--Her efforts for thedisabled soldiers and their families--The soldiers' monument. 665-675

MRS. JAMES HARLAN. 

Women in high stations devoting themselves to the relief of theSoldiers--Instances--Mrs. Harlan's early interest in the soldier--AtShiloh--Cutting red-tape--Wounded soldiers removed northward after thebattle--Death of her daughter--Her labors for the religious benefit ofthe soldier--Her health impaired by her labors. 676-678

NEW ENGLAND SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION. 

History of the organization--Its Matron, Mrs. E. A. Russell--The Women'sAuxiliary Committee--The Night Watchers' Association--The HospitalChoir--The SOLDIERS' DEPOT in Howard Street, N. Y. --The Ladies'Association connected with it. 679, 680

PART IV. LADIES DISTINGUISHED FOR SERVICES AMONG THE FREEDMEN ANDREFUGEES. 

MRS. FRANCES DANA GAGE. 

Childhood and youth of Mrs. Gage--Anti-slavery views inculcated byher parents and grand-parents--Her marriage--Her husband an earnestreformer--Her connection with the press--Ostracism on account of heropposition to slavery--Propositions made to her husband to swerve fromprinciple and thereby attain office--"Dare to stand alone"--Removal toSt. Louis--A contributor to the Missouri Republican--The noble stand ofColonel Chambers--His death--She contributes to the Missouri Democrat, but is finally excluded from its columns--Personal peril--Her advocacyof the cause of Kansas--Editor of an Agricultural paper in Columbus, Ohio--Her labors among the freedmen in the department of the South forthirteen months, (1862-3)--Helps the soldiers also--Her four sons inthe army--Return Northward in the Autumn of 1863--Becomes a lecturer--Advocating the Emancipation Act and the Constitutional Amendment, prohibiting slavery--Labors for the Freedmen and Refugees in 1864--Is injured by the overturning of a carriage at Galesburg, Ill. , inSeptember, 1864--Lecturing again on her partial recovery--Summary of hercharacter. 683-690

MRS. LUCY GAYLORD POMEROY. 

Birth and early education--Half-sister of the poets Lewis and WillisGaylord Clark--Educates herself for a Missionary--A Sunday-schoolteacher--Sorrow--Is married to S. C. Pomeroy (afterward United StatesSenator from Kansas)--Residence in Southampton, Mass. --Ill health--Removal to Kansas--The Kansas Struggle and Border Ruffian War--Mrs. Pomeroy a firm friend to the escaping slaves--The famine year of 1860--Her house an office of distribution for supplies to the starving--Accompanies her husband to Washington in 1861--Her labors andcontributions for the soldiers--In Washington and at Atchison, Kansas--Return to Washington--Founding an asylum for colored orphans anddestitute aged colored women--The building obtained and furnished--Herfailing health--She comes north, but dies on the passage. 691-696

MARIA R. MANN. 

Miss Mann a near relative of the late Hon. Horace Mann--Her career asa teacher--Her loyalty--Comes to St. Louis--Becomes a nurse in theFifth St. Hospital--Condition of the Freedmen at St. Helena, Ark. --TheWestern Sanitary Commission becomes interested in endeavoring to helpthem--They propose to Miss Mann to go thither and establish a hospital, distribute clothing and supplies to them, and instruct them as far aspossible--She consents--Perilous voyage--Her great and beneficent laborsat Helena--Extraordinary improvement in the condition of the freedmen--She remains till August, 1863--Her heroism--Gratitude of the freedmen--"You's light as a fedder, anyhow"--Return to St. Louis--Becomes theteacher and manager of a colored asylum at Washington, D. C. --Her schoolfor colored children at Georgetown--Its superior character--It is, inintention, a normal school--Miss Mann's sacrifices in continuing in thatposition. 697-703

SARAH J. HAGAR. 

A native of Illinois--Serves in the St. Louis Hospitals till August, 1863--Is sent to Vicksburg in the autumn of 1863, by the WesternSanitary Commission, as teacher for the Freedmen's children--Her greatand successful labors--Is attacked in April, 1864, with malarial fever, and dies May 3--Tribute to her character and work, from Mr. Marsh, superintendent of Freedmen at Vicksburg. 704-706

MRS. JOSEPHINE R. GRIFFIN. 

Her noble efforts--Her position at the commencement of the war--Herinterest in the condition of the Freedmen--Her attempts to overcometheir faults--Her success--Organization of schools--Finding employmentfor them--Influx of Freedmen into the District of Columbia--Theirhelpless condition--Mrs. Griffin attempts to find situations for them atthe North--Extensive correspondence--Her expeditions with companies ofthem to the Northern cities--Necessities of the freedmen remaining inthe District in the Autumn of 1866--Mrs. Griffin's circular--The denialof its truth by the Freedmen's Bureau--Their subsequent retraction--TheCongressional appropriation--Should have been put in Mrs. Griffin'shands--She continues her labors. 707-709

MRS. M. M. HALLOWELL. 

Condition of the loyal whites of the mountainous district of the South. Their sufferings and persecutions--Cruelty of the Rebels--Contributionsfor their aid in the north--Boston, New York, Philadelphia--Mrs. Hallowell's efforts--She and her associates visit Nashville, Knoxville, Huntsville and Chattanooga and distribute supplies to the families ofrefugees--Peril of their journey--Repeated visits of Mrs. Hallowell--TheHome for Refugees, near Nashville--Gratitude of the Refugees for thisaid--Colonel Taylor's letter. 710-712

OTHER FRIENDS OF THE FREEDMEN AND REFUGEES. 

Mrs. Harris' labors--Miss Tyson and Mrs. Beck--Miss Jane StuartWoolsey--Mrs. Governor Hawley--Miss Gilson--Mrs. Lucy S. Starr--Mrs. Clinton B. Fisk--Mrs. H. F. Hoes and Miss Alice F. Royce--Mrs. John S. Phelps--Mrs. Mary A. Whitaker--Fort Leavenworth--Mrs. Nettie C. Constant--Miss G. D. Chapman--Miss Sarah E. M. Lovejoy, daughter of Hon. Owen Lovejoy--Miss Mary E. Sheffield--Her labors at Vicksburg--Herdeath--Helena--Mrs. Sarah Coombs--Nashville--Mrs. Mary R. Fogg--St. Louis Refugee and Freedmen's Home--Mrs. H. M. Weed--The supervision ofthis Home by Mrs. Alfred Clapp, Mrs. Joseph Crawshaw, Mrs. Lucien Eatonand Mrs. N. Stevens. 733-716

PART V. LADIES DISTINGUISHED FOR SERVICES IN SOLDIERS' HOMES, VOLUNTEERREFRESHMENT SALOONS, ON GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL TRANSPORTS ETC. 

MRS. O. E. HOSMER. 

Mrs. Hosmer's residence at Chicago--Her two sons enter the army--Shedetermines to go to the hospitals--Her first experiences in thehospitals at Tipton and Smithtown--The lack of supplies--Mrs. Hosmerprocures them from the Sanitary Commission at St. Louis--Return toChicago--Organization of the "Ladies' War Committee"--Mrs. Hosmer itsSecretary--Efficiency of the organization--The Board of TradeRegiments--Mrs. Hosmer and Mrs. Smith Tinkham go to Murfreesboro'with supplies after the battle of Stone River--Their report on theirreturn--Touching incident--The wounded soldier--Return to Chicago--Establishment of the Soldiers' Home at Chicago--Mrs. Hosmer its firstVice President--Her zeal for its interests and devotion to the Soldiersthere--To the battle-field after Chickamauga--Taken prisoner butrecaptured--Supplies lost--Return home--Her labors at the Soldiers'Home and Soldiers' Rest for the next fifteen months--The NorthwesternSanitary and Soldiers' Home Fair--Mrs. Hosmer Corresponding Secretaryof the Executive Committee--She visits the hospitals from Cairo toNew Orleans--Success of her Mission--The emaciated prisoners fromAndersonville and Catawba at Vicksburg--Mrs. Hosmer ministers to them--The loss of the Sultana--Return and further labors at the Soldiers'Rest--Removal to New York. 719-724

MISS HATTIE WISWALL. 

Enters the service as Hospital Nurse in 1863--At Benton BarracksHospital--A Model nurse--Her cheerfulness--Removal to Nashville, Tennessee--She is sent thence to Vicksburg, first as an assistant andafterwards as principal matron at the Soldiers' Home--One hundred andfifteen thousand soldiers accommodated there during her stay--The numberof soldiers daily received ranging from two hundred to six hundred--Heradmirable management--Scrupulous neatness of the Home--Her labors amongthe Freedmen and Refugees at Vicksburg--Her care of the wounded fromthe Red River Expedition--Her tenderness and cheerful spirit--Sheaccompanies a hospital steamer loaded with wounded men, to Cairo, andcheers and comforts the soldiers on their voyage--Takes charge of awounded officer and conducts him to his home--Return to her duties--TheSoldiers' Home discontinued in June, 1865. 726-727

MRS. LUCY E. STARR. 

A Clergyman's widow--Her service in the Fifth Street Hospital, St. Louis--Her admirable adaptation to her duties--Appointed by the WesternSanitary Commission, Matron of the Soldiers' Home at Memphis--Nearly onehundred and twenty thousand soldiers received there during two and ahalf years--Mrs. Starr manages the Home with great fidelity andsuccess--Mr. O. R. Waters' acknowledgment of her services--Closing ofthe Home--Mrs. Starr takes charge of an institution for sufferingfreedmen and refugees, in Memphis--Her faithfulness. 728-730

MISS CHARLOTTE BRADFORD. 

Her reticence in regard to her labors--The public and official life ofladies occupying positions in charitable institutions properly a matterof public comment and notice--Miss Bradford's labors in the HospitalTransport Service--The Elm City--The Knickerbocker--Her associates inthis work--Other Relief Work--She succeeds Miss Bradley as matron of theSoldiers' Home at Washington--Her remarkable executive ability, dignityand tenderness for the sick and wounded soldier. 731, 732

UNION VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON OF PHILADELPHIA. 

The labors of Mrs. Lee and Miss Ross in institutions of this class--Thebeginning of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon--Rival but nothostile organization--Samuel B. Fales, Esq. , and his patriotic labors--The two institutions well supplied with funds--Nearly nine hundredthousand soldiers fed at the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, andfour hundred thousand at the Cooper Shop--The labors of the patrioticwomen connected with the organizations--Mrs. Eliza G. Plummer--Herfaithful and abundant labors--Her death from over exertion--Mrs. Mary B. Wade--Her great age, and extraordinary services--Mrs. Ellen J. Lowry--Mrs. Margaret Boyer--Other ladies and their constant and valuablelabors--The worthy ladies of the Cooper Shop Saloon. 733-737

MRS. R. M. BIGELOW. 

"Aunty Bigelow"--Mrs. Bigelow a native of Washington--Her services inthe Indiana Hospital in the Patent Office Building--"Hot cakes andmush and milk"--Mrs. Billing an associate in Mrs. Bigelow's Labors--Mrs. Bigelow the almoner of many of the Aid Societies at the North--Herskill and judgment in the distribution of supplies--She maintains aregular correspondence with the soldier boys who have been under hercare--Her house a "Home" for the sick soldier or officer who asked thathe might be sheltered and nursed there--She welcomes with open doorsthe hospital workers from abroad--Her personal sorrows in the midst ofthese labors. 738-740

MISS HATTIE R. SHARPLESS AND HER ASSOCIATES. 

The Government Hospital Transports early in the war--Great improvementsmade in them at a later period--The Government Transport Connecticut--Miss Sharpless serves as matron on this for seventeen months--Hisprevious labors in army hospitals at Fredericksburg, Falls Church, Antietam and elsewhere--Her admirable adaptation to her work--A trueChristian heroine--Thirty-three thousand sick and wounded men undercharge on the Transport--Her religious influence on the men--Miss HattieS. Reifsnyder of Catawissa, Penn. And Mrs. Cynthia Case of Newark, Ohio, her assistants are actuated by a similar spirit--Miss W. F. Harrisof Providence, R. I. , also on the Transport, for some months, andpreviously in the Indiana Hospital, in Ascension Church and CarverHospital, and after leaving the Transport at Harper's Ferry andWinchester--Her health much broken by her excessive labors--Devotesherself to the instruction and training of the Freedmen after the closeof the war. 741-743

PART VI. LADIES DISTINGUISHED FOR OTHER SERVICES IN THE NATIONAL CAUSE. 

MRS. ANNIE ETHERIDGE. 

Mrs. Etheridge's goodness and purity of character--Her childhood andgirlhood passed in Wisconsin--She marries there--Return of her father toMichigan--She visits him and while there joins the Second MichiganRegiment, to attend to its sick and wounded--Transferred subsequently tothe Third Regiment, and at the expiration of its term of service joinsthe Fifth Michigan Regiment--She is in the skirmish of Blackburn's Fordand at the first battle of Bull Run--In hospital service--On a hospitaltransport with Miss Amy M. Bradley--At the second battle of Bull Run--The soldier boy torn to pieces by a shot while she is ministering tohim--General Kearny's recognition of her services--Kearny's deathprevents her receiving promotion--At Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863--Sheleads in a skirmish, rides along the front exhorting the men to do theirduty, and finds herself under heavy fire--An officer killed by her sideand she herself slightly wounded--Her horse, wounded, runs with her--Sheseeks General Berry and after a pleasant interview takes charge of arebel officer, a prisoner, whom she escorts to the rear--"I would riskmy life for Annie, any time"--General Berry's death--The woundedartillery-man--She binds up his wounds and has him brought to thehospital--Touching letter--The retreating soldiers at Spottsylvania--Annie remonstrates with them, and brings them back into the fight, underheavy fire--Outside the lines, and closely pursued by the enemy--Hatcher's Run--She dashes through the enemy's line unhurt--She receivesa Government appointment at the close of the war--Her modesty anddiffidence of demeanor. 747-753

DELPHINE P. BAKER. 

Her birth and education--Character of her parents--Her lectures on thesphere and culture of women--Her labors in Chicago in the collection anddistribution of hospital supplies--Her hospital work--Ill health--Shecommences the publication of "The National Banner" first in Chicago, next in Washington and finally in New York--Its success but partial--Herefforts long, persistent and unwearied, for the establishment of aNational Home for Soldiers--The bill finally passes Congress--Delay inorganization--Its cause--Miss Baker meantime endeavors to procure PointLookout as a location for one of the National Soldiers' Homes--Change inthe act of incorporation--The purchase of the Point Lookout propertyconsummated. 754-759

MRS. S. BURGER STEARNS. 

A native of New York City--Her education at the State Normal School ofMichigan--Her marriage--Her husband a Colonel of volunteers--She visitsthe hospitals and devotes herself to lecturing in behalf of the Aidmovement. 760

BARBARA FRIETCHIE. 

Her age--Her patriotism--Whittier's poem. 761-763

MRS. HETTIE M. McEWEN. 

Of revolutionary lineage--Her devotion to the Union--Her defiance ofIsham Harris' efforts to have the Union flag lowered on her house--Mrs. Hooper's poem. 764-766

OTHER DEFENDERS OF THE FLAG. 

Mrs. Effie Titlow--Mrs. Alfred Clapp--Mrs. Moore (Parson Brownlow'sdaughter)--Miss Alice Taylor--Mrs. Booth--"_Never surrender the flag totraitors_". 767-769

MILITARY HEROINES. 

Those who donned the male attire not entitled to a place in our pages--Madame Turchin--Her exploits--Bridget Divers--"Michigan Bridget" or"Irish Biddy"--She recovers her captain's body, and carries it on herhorse for fifteen miles through rebel territory--Returns after thewounded, but is overtaken by the rebels while bringing them off andplundered of her ambulance horses--Others soon after provided--Accompanies a regiment of the regular army to the plains after thewar--Mrs. Kady Brownell--Her skill as a sharp-shooter, and in swordexercise--Color Bearer in the Fifth Rhode Island Infantry--A skillfulnurse--Her husband wounded--Discharged from the army in 1863. 770-774

THE WOMEN OF GETTYSBURG. 

Mrs. Jennie Wade--Her loyalty and courage--Her death during the battle--Miss Carrie Sheads, Principal of Oak Ridge Seminary--Her preservation ofColonel Wheelock's sword--Her labors in the care of the wounded--Herhealth impaired thereby--Miss Amelia Harmon--Her patriotism andcourage--"Burn the house if you will!" 775-778

LOYAL WOMEN OF THE SOUTH. 

Names of loyal Southern Women already mentioned--The loyal women ofRichmond--Their abundant labors for Union prisoners--Loyal women ofCharleston--The Union League--Food and clothing furnished--Loyalty andheroism of some of the negro women--Loyal women of New Orleans--Thenames of some of the most prominent--Loyal women of the mountainousdistricts of the south--Their ready aid to our escaping prisoners--MissMelvina Stevens--Malignity of some of the Rebel women--Heroism of Loyalwomen in East Tennessee, Northern Georgia and Alabama. 779-782

MISS HETTY A. JONES. _By Horatio G. Jones, Esq. _

Miss Jones' birth and lineage--She aids in equipping the companiesof Union soldiers organized in her own neighborhood--Her services inthe Filbert Street Hospital--Death of her brother--Visit to FortressMonroe--She determines to go to the front and attaches herself to theThird Division, Second Corps, Hospital at City Point--Has an attackof Pleurisy--On her recovery resumes her labors--Is again attackedand dies on the 21st of December, 1864--Her happy death--Mourning ofthe convalescent soldiers of the Filbert Street Hospital over herdeath. 783-786

FINAL CHAPTER

THE FAITHFUL BUT LESS CONSPICUOUS LABORERS. 

The many necessarily unnamed--Ladies who served at Antietam, PointLookout, City Point or Naval Academy Hospital, Annapolis--The faithfulworkers at Benton Barracks Hospital, St. Louis--Miss Lovell, MissBissell, Mrs. Tannehill, Mrs. R. S. Smith, Mrs. Gray, Miss Lane, MissAdams, Miss Spaulding, Miss King, Mrs. Day--Other nurses of great meritappointed by the Western Sanitary Commission--Volunteer visitors in theSt. Louis Hospitals--Ladies who ministered to the soldiers in Quincy, and in Springfield, Illinois--Miss Georgiana Willets, Misses Molineuxand McCabe--Ladies of Cincinnati who served in the hospitals--Mrs. C. J. Wright, Mrs. Starbuck, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Caldwell--MissE. L. Porter of Niagara Falls--Boston ladies--Mrs. And Miss Anna Lowell, Mrs. O. W. Holmes, Miss Stevenson, Mrs. S. Loring, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Brimmer, Miss Rogers, Miss Felton--Louisville, Ky. --Mrs. Bishop Smithand Mrs. Menefee--Columbus, Ohio--Mrs. Hoyle, Mrs. Ide, Miss Swayne--Mrs. Seward of Utica--Mrs. Cowen, of Hartford, Conn. --Miss Long, ofRochester--Mrs. Farr, of Norwalk, Ohio--Miss Bartlett, of the Soldiers'Aid Society, Peoria, Ill. --Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Comstock, of Michigan, Mrs. Dame, of Wisconsin--Miss Bucklin, of Auburn, N. Y. --Miss Louise M. Alcott, of Concord, Mass. --Miss Penfield, of Michigan--The MissesRexford of Illinois--Miss Sophia Knight, of South Reading, Mass. , afaithful laborer among the Freedmen. 787-794

INDEX OF NAMES OF LADIES. 795-800

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

 PAGE1. --MISS CLARA H. BARTON FRONTISPIECE. 

2. --BARBARA FRIETCHIE VIGNETTE TITLE. 

3. --MRS. MARY A. BICKERDYKE 172

4. --MISS MARGARET E. BRECKENRIDGE 187

5. --MRS. NELLIE MARIA TAYLOR 234

6. --MRS. CORDELIA A. P. HARVEY 260

7. --MISS EMILY E. PARSONS 273

8. --MRS. MARY MORRIS HUSBAND 287

9. --MISS MARY J. SAFFORD 357

10. --MRS. R. H. SPENCER 404

11. --MISS HATTIE A. DADA 431

12. --MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN 651

13. --MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE 577

14. --MRS. HENRIETTA L. COLT 609

15. --MRS. MARY B. WADE 736

16. --ANNIE ETHERIDGE 747

INTRODUCTION. 

A record of the personal services of our American women in the lateCivil War, however painful to the modesty of those whom it bringsconspicuously before the world, is due to the honor of the country, tothe proper understanding of our social life, and to the generalinterests of a sex whose rights, duties and capacities are now underserious discussion. Most of the women commemorated in this workinevitably lost the benefits of privacy, by the largeness and length oftheir public services, and their names and history are to a certainextent the property of the country. At any rate they must suffer thepenalty which conspicuous merit entails upon its possessors, especiallywhen won in fields of universal interest. 

Notwithstanding the pains taken to collect from all parts of thecountry, the names and history of the women who in any way distinguishedthemselves in the War, and in spite of the utmost impartiality ofpurpose, there is no pretence that all who served the country best, arenamed in this record. Doubtless thousands of women, obscure in theirhomes, and humble in their fortunes, without official position even intheir local society, and all human trace of whose labors is foreverlost, contributed as generously of their substance, and as freely oftheir time and strength, and gave as unreservedly their hearts and theirprayers to the cause, as the most conspicuous on the shining list hereunrolled. For if

 "The world knows nothing of its greatest men, "

it is still more true of its noblest women. Unrewarded by praise, unsullied by self-complacency, there is a character "of no reputation, "which formed in strictest retirement, and in the patient exercise ofunobserved sacrifices, is dearer and holier in the eye of Heaven, thanthe most illustrious name won by the most splendid services. Women therewere in this war, who without a single relative in the army, deniedthemselves for the whole four years, the comforts to which they hadbeen always accustomed; went thinly clad, took the extra blanket fromtheir bed, never tasted tea, or sugar, or flesh, that they might windanother bandage round some unknown soldier's wound, or give some parchedlips in the hospital another sip of wine. Others never let one leisuremoment, saved from lives of pledged labor which barely earned theirbread, go unemployed in the service of the soldiers. God Himself keepsthis record! It is too sacred to be trusted to men. 

But it is not such humble, yet exalted souls that will complain of thepraise which to their neglect, is allotted to any of their sisters. Theranks always contain some heroes braver and better than the mostfortunate and conspicuous officers of staff or line--but they feelthemselves best praised when their regiment, their corps, or theirgeneral is gazetted. And the true-hearted workers for the soldiers amongthe women of this country will gladly accept the recognition given tothe noble band of their sisters whom peculiar circumstances lifted intodistinct view, as a tribute offered to the whole company. Indeed, if thelives set forth in this work, were regarded as exceptional in theirtemper and spirit, as they certainly were in their incidents andlargeness of sphere, the whole lesson of the Record would be misread. These women in their sacrifices, their patriotism, and theirpersistency, are only fair representatives of the spirit of their wholesex. As a rule, American women exhibited not only an intense feeling forthe soldiers in their exposures and their sufferings, but an intelligentsympathy with the national cause, equal to that which furnished amongthe men, two million and three hundred thousand volunteers. 

It is not unusual for women of all countries to weep and to work forthose who encounter the perils of war. But the American women, aftergiving up, with a principled alacrity, to the ranks of the gathering andadvancing army, their husbands and sons, their brothers and lovers, proceeded to organize relief for them; and they did it, not in thespasmodic and sentimental way, which has been common elsewhere, but witha self-controlled and rational consideration of the wisest and bestmeans of accomplishing their purpose, which showed them to be in somedegree the products and representatives of a new social era, and a newpolitical development. 

The distinctive features in woman's work in this war, were magnitude, system, thorough co-operativeness with the other sex, distinctness ofpurpose, business-like thoroughness in details, sturdy persistency tothe close. There was no more general rising among the men, than amongthe women. Men did not take to the musket, more commonly than women tookto the needle; and for every assembly where men met for mutualexcitation in the service of the country, there was some correspondinggathering of women, to stir each other's hearts and fingers in the samesacred cause. All the caucuses and political assemblies of every kind, in which speech and song quickened the blood of the men, did not exceedin number the meetings, in the form of Soldiers' Aid Societies, andSewing Circles, which the women held, where they talked over thenational cause, and fed the fires of sacrifice in each other's hearts. Probably never in any war in any country, was there so universal and sospecific an acquaintance on the part of both men and women, with theprinciples at issue, and the interests at stake. And of the two, thewomen were clearer and more united than the men, because their moralfeelings and political instincts were not so much affected byselfishness and business, or party considerations. The work which oursystem of popular education does for girls and boys alike, and which inthe middle and upper classes practically goes further with girls thanwith boys, told magnificently at this crisis. Everywhere, well educatedwomen were found fully able to understand and explain to their sisters, the public questions involved in the war. Everywhere the newspapers, crowded with interest and with discussions, found eager and appreciativereaders among the gentler sex. Everywhere started up women acquaintedwith the order of public business; able to call, and preside over publicmeetings of their own sex; act as secretaries and committees, draftconstitutions and bye-laws, open books, and keep accounts with adequateprecision, appreciate system, and postpone private inclinations orpreferences to general principles; enter into extensive correspondencewith their own sex: co-operate in the largest and most rational plansproposed by men who had studied carefully the subject of soldiers'relief, and adhere through good report and through evil report, toorganizations which commended themselves to their judgment, in spite oflocal, sectarian, or personal jealousies and detractions. 

It is impossible to over-estimate the amount of consecrated work done bythe loyal women of the North for the Army. Hundreds of thousands ofwomen probably gave all the leisure they could command, and all themoney they could save and spare, to the soldiers for the whole fouryears and more, of the War. Amid discouragements and fearful delays theynever flagged, but to the last increased in zeal and devotion. And theirwork was as systematic as it was universal. A generous emulation amongthe Branches of the United States Sanitary Commission, managed generallyby women, usually, however, with some aid from men, brought theirbusiness habits and methods to an almost perfect finish. Nothing thatmen commonly think peculiar to their own methods was wanting in theplans of the women. They acknowledged and answered, endorsed and filedtheir letters; they sorted their stores, and kept an accurate account ofstock; they had their books and reports kept in the most approved forms;they balanced their cash accounts with the most pains-taking precision;they exacted of each other regularity of attendance and punctiliousnessof official etiquette. They showed in short, a perfect aptitude forbusiness, and proved by their own experience that men can devise nothingtoo precise, too systematic or too complicated for women to understand, apply and improve upon, where there is any sufficient motive for it. 

It was another feature of the case that there was no jealousy betweenwomen and men in the work, and no disposition to discourage, underrate, or dissociate from each other. It seemed to be conceded that men hadmore invention, comprehensiveness and power of generalization, and thattheir business habits, the fruits of ages of experience, were at leastworth studying and copying by women. On the other hand, men, usuallyjealous of woman's extending the sphere of her life and labors, welcomedin this case her assistance in a public work, and felt how vain men'stoil and sacrifices would be without woman's steady sympathy and patientministry of mercy, her more delicate and persistent pity, herwillingness to endure monotonous details of labor for the sake ofcharity, her power to open the heart of her husband, and to keep aliveand flowing the fountains of compassion and love. 

No words are adequate to describe the systematic, persistentfaithfulness of the women who organized and led the Branches of theUnited States Sanitary Commission. Their volunteer labor had all theregularity of paid service, and a heartiness and earnestness which nopaid services can ever have. Hundreds of women evinced talents there, which, in other spheres and in the other sex, would have made themmerchant-princes, or great administrators of public affairs. Storms norheats could keep them from their posts, and they wore on their faces, and finally evinced in their breaking constitutions, the marks of thecruel strain put upon their minds and hearts. They engaged in acorrespondence of the most trying kind, requiring the utmost address tomeet the searching questions asked by intelligent jealousy, and toanswer the rigorous objections raised by impatience or ignorance in therural districts. They became instructors of whole townships in themethods of government business, the constitution of the Commissary andQuartermaster's Departments, and the forms of the Medical Bureau. Theyhad steadily to contend with the natural desire of the Aid Societies forlocal independence, and to reconcile neighborhoods to the idea of beingmerged and lost in large generalizations. They kept up the spirit ofthe people distant from the war and the camps, by a steady fire ofletters full of touching incidents; and they were repaid not only by themost generous returns of stores, but by letters from humble homes andlonely hearts, so full of truth and tenderness, of wisdom and pity, ofself-sacrifice and patriotic consecration, that the most gifted andeducated women in America, many of them at the head of the Branches oramong their Directors, felt constantly reproved by the nobleness, thesweetness, the depth of sentiment that welled from the hidden andobscure springs in the hearts of farmers' wives and factory-girls. 

Nor were the talents and the sacrifices of those at the larger Depôts orCentres, more worthy of notice than the skill and pains evinced inarousing, maintaining and managing the zeal and work of county or townsocieties. Indeed, sometimes larger works are more readily controlledthan smaller ones; and jealousies and individual caprices obstruct theco-operation of villages more than of towns and cities. 

In the ten thousand Soldiers' Aid Societies which at one time or anotherprobably existed in the country, there was in each some master-spirit, whose consecrated purpose was the staple in the wall, from which thechain of service hung and on whose strength and firmness it steadilydrew. I never visited a single town however obscure, that I did not hearsome woman's name which stood in that community for "Army Service;" aname round which the rest of the women gladly rallied; the name of somewoman whose heart was felt to beat louder and more firmly than any ofthe rest for the boys in blue. 

Of the practical talent, the personal worth, the aptitude for publicservice, the love of self-sacrificing duty thus developed and nursedinto power, and brought to the knowledge of its possessors and theircommunities, it is difficult to speak too warmly. Thousands of womenlearned in this work to despise frivolity, gossip, fashion and idleness;learned to think soberly and without prejudice of the capacities oftheir own sex; and thus, did more to advance the rights of woman byproving her gifts and her fitness for public duties, than a wholelibrary of arguments and protests. 

The prodigious exertions put forth by the women who founded andconducted the great Fairs for the soldiers in a dozen principal cities, and in many large towns, were only surpassed by the planning skill andadministrative ability which accompanied their progress, and themarvellous success in which they terminated. Months of anxiouspreparation, where hundreds of committees vied with each other inlong-headed schemes for securing the co-operation of the several tradesor industries allotted to each, and during which laborious days andanxious nights were unintermittingly given to the wearing work, werefollowed by weeks of personal service in the fairs themselves, where thestrongest women found their vigor inadequate to the task, and hundredslaid the foundations of long illness and some of sudden death. Thesesacrifices and far-seeing provisions were justly repaid by almostfabulous returns of money, which to the extent of nearly three millionsof dollars, flowed into the treasury of the United States SanitaryCommission. The chief women who inaugurated the several great Fairs atNew York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and administered these vast movements, were not behind the ablestmen in the land in their grasp and comprehension of the business inhand, and often in comparison with the men associated with them, exhibited a finer scope, a better spirit and a more victorious faith. But for the women of America, the great Fairs would never have beenborn, or would have died ignominiously in their gilded cradles. Theirvastness of conception and their splendid results are to be set as aneverlasting crown on woman's capacity for large and money-yieldingenterprises. The women who led them can never sink back into obscurity. 

But I must pass from this inviting theme, where indeed I feel more athome than in what is to follow, to the consideration of what naturallyoccupies a larger space in this work--however much smaller it was inreality, _i. E. _, to the labors of the women who actually went to thewar, and worked in the hospitals and camps. 

Of the labors of women in the hospitals and in the field, this bookgives a far fuller history than is likely to be got from any othersource, as this sort of service cannot be recorded in the histories oforganized work. For, far the largest part of this work was done bypersons of exceptional energy and some fine natural aptitude for theservice, which was independent of organizations, and hardly submitteditself to any rules except the impulses of devoted love for thework--supplying tact, patience and resources. The women who did hospitalservice continuously, or who kept themselves near the base of armies inthe field, or who moved among the camps, and travelled with the corps, were an exceptional class--as rare as heroines always are--a class, representing no social grade, but coming from all--belonging to no rankor age of life in particular; sometimes young and sometimes old, sometimes refined and sometimes rude; now of fragile physical aspect andthen of extraordinary robustness--but in all cases, women with a mightylove and earnestness in their hearts--a love and pity, and an ability toshow it forth and to labor in behalf of it, equal to that which in otherdepartments of life, distinguishes poets, philosophers, sages andsaints, from ordinary or average men. 

Moved by an indomitable desire to serve in person the victims of woundsand sickness, a few hundred women, impelled by instincts which assuredthem of their ability to endure the hardship, overcome the obstacles, and adjust themselves to the unusual and unfeminine circumstances inwhich they would be placed--made their way through all obstructions athome, and at the seat of war, or in the hospitals, to the bed-sides ofthe sick and wounded men. Many of these women scandalized their friendsat home by what seemed their Quixotic resolution; or, they left theirfamilies under circumstances which involved a romantic oblivion of therecognized and usual duties of domestic life; they forsook their ownchildren, to make children of a whole army corps; they risked theirlives in fevered hospitals; they lived in tents or slept in ambulancewagons, for months together; they fell sick of fevers themselves, andafter long illness, returned to the old business of hospital and fieldservice. They carried into their work their womanly tenderness, theircopious sympathies, their great-hearted devotion--and had to face andcontend with the cold routine, the semi-savage professionalindifference, which by the necessities of the case, makes ordinarymedical supervision, in time of actual war, impersonal, official, unsympathetic and abrupt. The honest, natural jealousy felt bysurgeons-in-charge, and their ward masters, of all outside assistance, made it necessary for every woman, who was to succeed in her purpose ofholding her place, and really serving the men, to study and practice anaddress, an adaptation and a patience, of which not one candidate in tenwas capable. Doubtless nine-tenths of all who wished to offer andthought themselves capable of this service, failed in their practicalefforts. As many women fancied themselves capable of enduring hospitallife, as there are always in every college, youth who believe they canbecome distinguished authors, poets and statesmen. But only the few whohad a _genius_ for the work, continued in it, and succeeded in elbowingroom for themselves through the never-ending obstacles, jealousies andchagrins that beset the service. Every woman who keeps her place in ageneral hospital, or a corps hospital, has to prove her title to betrusted; her tact, discretion, endurance and strength of nerve andfibre. No one woman succeeded in rendering years of hospital service, who was not an exceptional person--a woman of larger heart, clearerhead, finer enthusiasm, and more mingled tact, courage, firmness andholy will--than one in a thousand of her sex. A grander collection ofwomen--whether considered in their intellectual or their moralqualities, their heads or their hearts, I have not had the happiness ofknowing, than the women I saw in the hospitals; they were the flower oftheir sex. Great as were the labors of those who superintended theoperations at home--of collecting and preparing supplies for thehospitals and the field, I cannot but think that the women who lived inthe hospitals, or among the soldiers, required a force of character anda glow of devotion and self-sacrifice, of a rarer kind. They were reallyheroines. They conquered their feminine sensibility at the sight ofblood and wounds; their native antipathy to disorder, confusion andviolence; subdued the rebellious delicacy of their more exquisitesenses; lived coarsely, and dressed and slept rudely; they studied thecaprices of men to whom their ties were simply human--men oftenignorant, feeble-minded--out of their senses--raving with pain andfever; they had a still harder service to bear with the pride, theofficial arrogance, the hardness or the folly--perhaps the impertinenceand presumption of half-trained medical men, whom the urgencies of thecase had fastened on the service. [A] Their position was always critical, equivocal, suspected, and to be justified only by their undeniable andconspicuous merits;--their wisdom, patience and proven efficiency;justified by the love and reverence they exacted from the soldiersthemselves!

[Footnote A: A large number of the United States Army and volunteersurgeons were indeed men of the highest and most humane character, andtreated the women who came to the hospitals, with careful and scrupulousconsideration. Some women were able to say that they never encounteredopposition or hindrance from any officials; but this was not the rule. ]

True, the rewards of these women were equal to their sacrifices. Theydrew their pay from a richer treasury than that of the United StatesGovernment. I never knew one of them who had had a long service, whosememory of the grateful looks of the dying, of the few awkward words thatfell from the lips of thankful convalescents, or the speechlesseye-following of the dependent soldier, or the pressure of a rough hand, softened to womanly gentleness by long illness, --was not the sweetesttreasure of all their lives. Nothing in the power of the Nation to giveor to say, can ever compare for a moment with the proud satisfactionwhich every brave soldier who risked his life for his country, alwayscarries in his heart of hearts. And no public recognition, no thanksfrom a saved Nation, can ever add anything of much importance to therewards of those who tasted the actual joy of ministering with their ownhands and hearts to the wants of one sick and dying man. 

It remains only to say a word about the influence of the work of thewomen in the War upon the strength and unanimity of the publicsentiment, and on the courage and fortitude of the army itself. 

The participation by actual work and service in the labors of the War, not only took out of women's hearts the soreness which unemployedenergies or incongruous pursuits would have left there, but it took outof their mouths the murmurs and moans which their deserted, husbandless, childless condition would so naturally have provoked. The women by theircall to work, and the opportunity of pouring their energies, sympathiesand affections into an ever open and practical channel, were quieted, reconciled, upheld. The weak were borne upon the bosoms of the strong. Banded together, and working together, their solicitude and uneasinesswere alleviated. Following in imagination the work of their own hands, they seemed to be present on the field and in the ranks; they studiedthe course of the armies; they watched the policy of the Government;they learned the character of the Generals; they threw themselves intothe war! And so they helped wonderfully to keep up the enthusiasm, or torebuke the lukewarmness, or to check the despondency and apathy which attimes settled over the people. Men were ashamed to doubt where womentrusted, or to murmur where they submitted, or to do little where theydid so much. If during the war, home life had gone on as usual; womenengrossed in their domestic or social cares; shrinking from publicquestions; deferring to what their husbands or brothers told them, orseeking to amuse themselves with social pleasures and striving to forgetthe painful strife in frivolous caprices, it would have had a fearfuleffect on public sentiment, deepening the gloom of every reverse, addingto the discouragements which an embarrassed commerce and trade broughtto men's hearts, by domestic echoes of weariness of the strife, andfavoring the growth of a disaffected, compromising, unpatriotic feeling, which always stood ready to break out with any offered encouragement. Asense of nearness of the people to the Government which the organizationof the women effected, enlarged their sympathies with its movements anddisposed them to patience. Their own direct experience of thedifficulties of all co-operative undertakings, broadened their views andrendered intelligible the delays and reverses which our national causesuffered. In short the women of the country were through the wholeconflict, not only not softening the fibres of war, but they wereactually strengthening its sinews by keeping up their own courage andthat of their households, under the inspiration of the larger and morepublic life, the broader work and greater field for enterprise andself-sacrifice afforded them by their direct labors for the benefit ofthe soldiers. They drew thousands of lukewarm, or calculating, orself-saving men into the support of the national cause by theirpractical enthusiasm and devotion. They proved what has again and againbeen demonstrated, that what the women of a country resolve shall bedone, will and must be done. They shamed recruits into the ranks, andmade it almost impossible for deserters, or cowards, or malingerers tocome home; they emptied the pockets of social idlers, or wealthy drones, into the treasuries of the Aid Societies; and they compelled the shopsand domestic trade of all cities to be favorable to the war. TheAmerican women were nearer right and more thoroughly united by thismeans, and their own healthier instincts, than the American men. TheArmy, whose bayonets were glittering needles, advanced with moreunbroken ranks, and exerted almost a greater moral force than the armythat carried loaded muskets. 

The Aid Societies and the direct oversight the women sought to give themen in the field, very much increased the reason for correspondencebetween the homes and the tents. 

The women were proud to write what those at the hearth-stone were doingfor those who tended the camp-fires, and the men were happy and cheeryto acknowledge the support they received from this home sympathy. Theimmense correspondence between the army and the homes, prodigious beyondbelief as it was, some regiments sending home a thousand letters a week, and receiving as many more back; the constant transmission to the men ofnewspapers, full of the records of home work and army news, produced ahomogeneousness of feeling between the soldiers and the citizens, whichkept the men in the field, civilians, and made the people at home, ofboth sexes, half-soldiers. 

Thus there never grew up in the army any purely military and anti-socialor anti-civil sentiments. The soldiers studied and appreciated all thetime the moral causes of the War, and were acquainted with the politicalas well as military complications. They felt all the impulses of homestrengthening their arms and encouraging their hearts. And their lettershome, as a rule, were designed to put the best face upon things, and toencourage their wives and sweet-hearts, their sisters and parents, tobear their absence with fortitude, and even with cheerfulness. 

The influence on the tone of their correspondence, exerted by the factthat the women were always working for the Army, and that the soldiersalways knew they were working, and were always receiving evidence oftheir care, may be better imagined than described. It largely ministeredto that sympathetic unity between the soldiers and the country, whichmade our army always a corrective and an inspiration to our Governmentalpolicy, and kept up that fine reciprocal influence between civil andmilitary life, which gave an heroic fibre to all souls at home, andfinally restored us our soldiers with their citizen hearts beatingregularly under their uniforms, as they dropped them off at the lastdrum-tap. 

 H. W. B. 

WOMAN'S WORK IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 

 Patriotism in some form, an attribute of woman in all nations and climes--Its modes of manifestation--Pæans for victory--Lamentations for the death of a heroic leader--Personal leadership by women--The assassination of tyrants--The care of the sick and wounded of national armies--The hospitals established by the Empress Helena-- The Beguines and their successors--The cantiniéres, vivandiéres, etc. --Other modes in which women manifested their patriotism-- Florence Nightingale and her labors--The results--The awakening of patriotic zeal among American women at the opening of the war--The organization of philanthropic effort--Hospital nurses--Miss Dix's rejection of great numbers of applicants on account of youth--Hired nurses--Their services generally prompted by patriotism rather than pay--The State relief agents (ladies) at Washington--The hospital transport system of the Sanitary Commission--Mrs. Harris's, Miss Barton's, Mrs. Fales', Miss Gilson's, and other ladies' services at the front during the battles of 1862--Services of other ladies at Chancellorsville, at Gettysburg--The Field Relief of the Sanitary Commission, and services of ladies in the later battles--Voluntary services of women in the armies in the field at the West--Services in the hospitals, of garrisons and fortified towns--Soldiers' homes and lodges, and their matrons--Homes for Refugees--Instruction of the Freedmen--Refreshment Saloons at Philadelphia--Regular visiting of hospitals in the large cities--The Soldiers' Aid Societies, and their mode of operation--The extraordinary labors of the managers of the Branch Societies--Government clothing contracts--Mrs. Springer, Miss Wormeley and Miss Gilson--The managers of the local Soldiers' Aid Societies--The sacrifices made by the poor to contribute supplies--Examples--The labors of the young and the old-- Inscriptions on articles--The poor seamstress--Five hundred bushels of wheat--The five dollar gold piece--The army of martyrs--The effect of this female patriotism in stimulating the courage of the soldiers--Lack of persistence in this work among the Women of the South--Present and future--Effect of patriotism and self-sacrifice in elevating and ennobling the female character. 

An intense and passionate love of country, holding, for the time, allother ties in abeyance, has been a not uncommon trait of character amongwomen of all countries and climes, throughout the ages of human history. In the nomadic races it assumed the form of attachment to thepatriarchal rules and chiefs of the tribe; in the more savage of thelocalized nations, it was reverence for the ruler, coupled with a filialregard for the resting-places and graves of their ancestors. 

But in the more highly organized and civilized countries, it was theinstitutions of the nation, its religion, its sacred traditions, itshistory, as well as its kings, its military leaders, and its priests, that were the objects of the deep and intense patriotic devotion of itsnoblest and most gifted women. 

The manifestations of this patriotic zeal were diverse in differentcountries, and at different periods in the same country. At one time itcontented itself with triumphal pæans and dances over victories won bythe nation's armies, as in the case of Miriam and the maidens of Israelat the destruction of the Egyptians at the Red Sea, or the victories ofthe armies led by David against the Philistines; or in the mostheart-rending lamentations over the fall of the nation's heroes on thefield of battle, as in the mourning of the Trojan maidens over the deathof Hector; at other times, some brave and heroic spirit, goaded with thesense of her country's wrongs, girds upon her own fair and tender form, the armor of proof, and goes forth, the self-constituted but eagerlywelcomed leader of its mailed hosts, to overthrow the nation's foes. Weneed only recall Deborah, the avenger of the Israelites against theoppressions of the King of Canaan; Boadicea, the daring Queen of theBritons, and in later times, the heroic but hapless maid of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc; and in the Hungarian war of 1848, the brave butunfortunate Countess Teleki, as examples of these female patriots. 

In rare instances, this sense of the nation's sufferings from a tyrant'soppression, have so wrought upon the sensitive spirit, as to stimulateit to the determination to achieve the country's freedom by theassassination of the oppressor. It was thus that Jael broughtdeliverance to her country by the murder of Sisera; Judith, by theassassination of Holofernes; and in modern times, Charlotte Cordaysought the rescue of France from the grasp of the murderous despot, Marat, by plunging the poniard to his heart. 

A far nobler, though less demonstrative manifestation of patrioticdevotion than either of these, is that which has prompted women in allages to become ministering angels to the sick, the suffering, and thewounded among their countrymen who have periled life and health in thenation's cause. 

Occasionally, even in the earliest recorded wars of antiquity, we findhigh-born maidens administering solace to the wounded heroes on thefield of battle, and attempting to heal their wounds by the appliancesof their rude and simple surgery; but it was only the favorite leaders, never the common soldier, or the subordinate officer, who received thesegentle attentions. The influence of Christianity, in its earlierdevelopment, tended to expand the sympathies and open the heart of womanto all gentle and holy influences, and it is recorded that the woundedChristian soldiers were, where it was possible, nursed and cared for bythose of the same faith, both men and women. 

In the fifth century, the Empress Helena established hospitals for thesick and wounded soldiers of the empire, on the routes between Rome andConstantinople, and caused them to be carefully nursed. In the dark agesthat followed, and amid the downfall of the Roman Empire, and theuprearing of the Gothic kingdoms that succeeded, there was little roomor thought of mercy; but the fair-haired women of the North encouragedtheir heroes to deeds of valor, and at times, ministered in their rudeway to their wounds. The monks, at their monasteries, rendered some careand aid to the wounded in return for their exemption from plunder andrapine, and in the ninth century, an order of women consecrated to thework, the Beguines, predecessors of the modern Sisters of Charity, wasestablished "to minister to the sick and wounded of the armies whichthen, and for centuries afterward, scarred the face of continentalEurope with battle-fields. " With the Beguines, however, and theirsuccessors, patriotism was not so much the controlling motive of action, as the attainment of merit by those deeds of charity and self-sacrifice. 

In the wars of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and the early part of thenineteenth century, while the hospitals had a moderate share of fairministrants, chiefly of the religious orders, the only female service onthe battle-field or in the camp, often the scene of fatal epidemics, wasthat of the _cantiniéres_, _vivandiéres_, _filles du regiment_, andother camp followers, who, at some risk of reputation, accompanied thearmies in their march, and brought to the wounded and often dyingsoldier, on the field of battle, the draught of water which quenched hisraging thirst, or the cordial, which sustained his fast ebbing strengthtill relief could come. Humble of origin, and little circumspect inmorals as many of these women were, they are yet deserving of credit forthe courage and patriotism which led them to brave all the horrors ofdeath, to relieve the suffering of the wounded of the regiments to whichthey were attached. Up to the period of the Crimean war in 1854, thoughthere had been much that was praiseworthy in the manifestations offemale patriotism in connection with the movements of great armies, there had never been any systematic ministration, prompted by patrioticdevotion, to the relief of the suffering sick and wounded of thosearmies. 

There were yet other modes, however, in which the women of ancient andmodern times manifested their love of their country. The Spartan mother, who, without a tear, presented her sons with their shields, with thestern injunction to return with them, or upon them, that is, with honoruntarnished, or dead, --the fair dames and maidens of Carthage, whodivested themselves of their beautiful tresses, to furnish bowstringsfor their soldiers, --the Jewish women who preferred a death of torture, to the acknowledgment of the power of the tyrant over their country'srulers, and their faith--the women of the Pays-de Vaud, whose mountainfastnesses and churches were dearer to them than life--the thousands ofwives and mothers, who in our revolutionary struggle, and in our recentwar, gave up freely at their country's call, their best beloved, regretting only that they had no more to give; knowing full well, thatin giving them up they condemned themselves to penury and want, tohard, grinding toil, and privations such as they had never beforeexperienced, and not improbably to the rending, by the rude vicissitudesof war, of those ties, dearer than life itself--those who in thepresence of ruffians, capable of any atrocity dared, and in many casessuffered, a violent death, and indignities worse than death, by theirfearless defense of the cause and flag of their country--and yet again, those who, in peril of their lives, for the love they bore to theircountry, guided hundreds of escaped prisoners, through the regionshaunted by foes, to safety and freedom--all these and many others, whosedeeds of heroism we have not space so much as to name, have shown theirlove of country as fully and worthily, as those who in hospital, in campor on battle-field have ministered to the battle-scarred hero, or thosewho, in all the panoply of war, have led their hosts to the deadlycharge, or the fierce affray of contending armies. 

Florence Nightingale, an English gentlewoman, of high social positionand remarkable executive powers, was the first of her sex, at leastamong English-speaking nations, to systematize the patriotic ardor ofher countrywomen, and institute such measures of reform in the care ofsick and wounded soldiers in military hospitals, as should conduce tothe comfort and speedy recovery of their inmates. She had voluntarilypassed through the course of training, required of the hospital nursesand assistants, in Pastor Fliedner's Deaconess' Institution, atKaiserswerth on the Rhine, before she entered upon her great mission inthe hospitals at Scutari. She was ably seconded in her labors by otherladies of rank from England, who, actuated only by patriotic zeal, gavethemselves to the work of bringing order out of chaos, cheerfulness outof gloom, cleanliness out of the most revolting filth, and the sunshineof health out of the lazar house of corruption and death. In this heroicundertaking they periled their lives, more certainly, than those whotook part in the fierce charge of Balaclava. Some fell victims to theiruntiring zeal; others, and Miss Nightingale among the number, wererendered hopeless invalids for life, by their exertions. 

Fifty years of peace had rendered our nation more entirely unacquaintedwith the arts of war, than was Great Britain, when, at the close offorty years of quiet, she again marshalled her troops in battle array. But though the transition was sudden from the arts of peace to the dinand tumult of war, and the blunders, both from inexperience and doggedadherence to routine, were innumerable, the hearts of the people, andespecially the hearts of the gentler sex, were resolutely set upon onething; that the citizen soldiers of the nation should be cared for, insickness or in health, as the soldiers of no nation had ever beenbefore. Soldiers' Aid Societies, Sewing Circles for the soldiers, andSocieties for Relief, sprang up simultaneously with the organization ofregiments, in every village, town, and city throughout the North. Individual benevolence kept pace with organized charity, and themanagers of the freight trains and expresses, running toward Washington, were in despair at the fearful accumulation of freight for the soldiers, demanding instant transportation. It was inevitable that there should bewaste and loss in this lavish outpouring; but it was a manifestation ofthe patriotic feeling which throbbed in the hearts of the people, andwhich, through four years of war, never ceased or diminished aught ofits zeal, or its abundant liberality. It was felt instinctively, thatthere would soon be a demand for nurses for the sick and wounded, andfired by the noble example of Florence Nightingale, though too oftenwithout her practical training, thousands of young, fair, and highlyeducated women offered themselves for the work, and strove foropportunities for their gentle ministry, as in other days they mighthave striven for the prizes of fortune. 

Soon order emerged from the chaos of benevolent impulse; the SanitaryCommission and its affiliated Societies organized and wisely directedmuch of the philanthropic effort, which would otherwise have failed ofaccomplishing its intended work through misdirection; while otherCommissions, Associations, and skillfully managed personal labors, supplemented what was lacking in its earlier movements, and ere long theChristian Commission added intellectual and religious aliment to itssupplies for the wants of the physical man. 

Of the thousands of applicants for the position of Hospital Nurses, thegreater part were rejected promptly by the stern, but experienced lady, to whom the Government had confided the delicate and responsible duty ofmaking the selection. The ground of rejection was usually theyouthfulness of the applicants; a sufficient reason, doubtless, in mostcases, since the enthusiasm, mingled in some instances, perhaps, withromance, which had prompted the offer, would often falter before theextremely unpoetic realities of a nurse's duties, and the youth andoften frail health of the applicants would soon cause them to give wayunder labors which required a mature strength, a firm will, and skill inall household duties. Yet "to err is human, " and it need not surpriseus, as it probably did not Miss Dix, to learn, that in a few instances, those whom she had refused to commission on account of theiryouthfulness, proved in other fields, their possession of the veryhighest qualifications for the care of the sick and wounded. Miss Gilsonwas one of the most remarkable of these instances; and it reflects nodiscredit on Miss Dix's powers of discrimination, that she should nothave discovered, in that girlish face, the indications of those highabilities, of which their possessor was as yet probably unconscious. Therejection of so many of these volunteer nurses necessitated theappointment of many from another class, --young women of culture andeducation, but generally from the humbler walks of life, in whose heartsthe fire of patriotism was not less ardent and glowing than in those oftheir wealthier sisters. Many of these, though they would have preferredto perform their labors without fee or reward, were compelled, from thenecessities of those at home, to accept the wholly inadequate pittance(twelve dollars a month and their food) which was offered them by theGovernment, but they served in their several stations with a fidelity, intelligence, and patient devotion which no money could purchase. Thetestimony received from all quarters to the faithfulness and great moralworth of these nurses, is greatly to their honor. Not one of them, sofar as we can learn, ever disgraced her calling, or gave cause forreproach. We fear that so general an encomium could not truthfully bebestowed on all the volunteer nurses. 

But nursing in the hospitals, was only a small part of the work to whichpatriotism called American women. There was the collection andforwarding to the field, there to be distributed by the chaplains, orsome specially appointed agent, of those supplies which the families andfriends of the soldiers so earnestly desired to send to them; socks, shirts, handkerchiefs, havelocks, and delicacies in the way of food. Thevarious states had their agents, generally ladies, in Washington, whoperformed these duties, during the first two years of the war, while asyet the Sanitary Commission had not fully organized its system of FieldRelief. In the West, every considerable town furnished its quota ofsupplies, and, after every battle, voluntary agents undertook theirdistribution. 

During McClellan's peninsular campaign, a Hospital Transport service wasorganized in connection with the Sanitary Commission, which numberedamong its members several gentlemen and ladies of high social position, whose labors in improvising, often from the scantiest possible supplies, the means of comfort and healing for the fever-stricken and wounded, resulted in the preservation of hundreds of valuable lives. 

Mrs. John Harris, the devoted and heroic Secretary of the Ladies' AidSociety of Philadelphia, had already, in the Peninsular campaign, encountered all the discomforts and annoyances of a life in the camp, torender what assistance she could to the sick and wounded, while theywere yet in the field or camp hospital. At Cedar Mountain, and in thesubsequent battles of August, in Pope's Campaign, Miss Barton, Mrs. T. J. Fales, and some others also brought supplies to the field, andministered to the wounded, while the shot and shell were crashing aroundthem, and Antietam had its representatives of the fair sex, angels ofmercy, but for whose tender and judicious ministrations, hundreds andperhaps thousands would not have seen another morning's light. In therace for Richmond which followed, Miss Barton's train was hospital anddiet kitchen to the Ninth Corps, and much of the time for the otherCorps also. At Fredericksburg, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Plummer, Mrs. Fales, and Miss Barton, and we believe also, Miss Gilson, were allactively engaged. A part of the same noble company, though not all, wereat Chancellorsville. 

At Gettysburg, Mrs. Harris was present and actively engaged, and as soonas the battle ceased, a delegation of ladies connected with the SanitaryCommission toiled most faithfully to alleviate the horrors of war. Inthe subsequent battles of the Army of the Potomac, the Field ReliefCorps of the Sanitary Commission with its numerous male and femalecollaborators, after, or at the time of all the great battles, theladies connected with the Christian Commission and a number of efficientindependent workers, did all in their power to relieve the constantlyswelling tide of human suffering, especially during that period of lessthan ninety days, when more than ninety thousand men, wounded, dying, ordead, covered the battle-fields with their gore. 

In the West, after the battle of Shiloh, and the subsequent engagementsof Buell's campaign, women of the highest social position visited thebattle-field, and encountered its horrors, to minister to those who weresuffering, and bring them relief. Among these, the names of Mrs. MarthaA. Wallace, the widow of General W. H. L. Wallace, who fell in thebattle of Shiloh; of Mrs. Harvey, the widow of Governor Louis Harvey ofWisconsin, who was drowned while on a mission of philanthropy to theWisconsin soldiers wounded at Shiloh; and the sainted Margaret E. Breckinridge of St. Louis, will be readily recalled. During Grant'sVicksburg campaign, as well as after Rosecrans' battles of Stone Riverand Chickamauga, there were many of these heroic women who braved alldiscomforts and difficulties to bring healing and comfort to the gallantsoldiers who had fallen on the field. Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore, ofChicago, visited Grant's camp in front of Vicksburg, more than once, andby their exertions, saved his army from scurvy; Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Bickerdyke, and several others are deserving of mention for theiruntiring zeal both in these and Sherman's Georgian campaigns. Mrs. Bickerdyke has won undying renown throughout the Western armies aspre-eminently the friend of the private soldier. 

As our armies, especially in the West and Southwest, won more and moreof the enemy's territory, the important towns of which were immediatelyoccupied as garrisons, hospital posts, and secondary bases of thearmies, the work of nursing and providing special diet and comfort inthe general hospitals at these posts, which were often of great extent, involved a vast amount of labor and frequently serious privation, andpersonal discomfort on the part of the nurses. Some of these whovolunteered for the work were remarkable for their earnest and faithfullabors in behalf of the soldiers, under circumstances which would havedisheartened any but the most resolute spirits. We may name withoutinvidiousness among these, Mrs. Colfax, Miss Maertz, Miss MelceniaElliott, Miss Parsons, Miss Adams, and Miss Brayton, who, with manyothers, perhaps equally faithful, by their constant assiduity in theirduties, have given proof of their ardent love of their country. 

To provide for the great numbers of men discharged from the hospitalswhile yet feeble and ill, and without the means of going to their oftendistant homes, and the hundreds of enfeebled and mutilated soldiers, whose days of service were over, and who, often in great bodilyweakness, sought to obtain the pay due them from the Government, and notunseldom died in the effort; the United States Sanitary Commission andthe Western Sanitary Commission established Soldiers' Homes atWashington, Cincinnati, Chicago, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, and other places. In these, these disabled men foundfood and shelter, medical attendance when needed, assistance incollecting their dues, and aid in their transportation homeward. To eachof these institutions, a Matron was assigned, often with femaleassistants. The duties of these Matrons were extremely arduous, but theywere performed most nobly. To some of these homes were attached adepartment for the mothers, wives and daughters of the wounded soldiers, who had come on to care for them, and who often found themselves, whenready to return, penniless, and without a shelter. To these, a helpinghand, and a kind welcome, was ever extended. 

To these should be added the Soldiers' Lodges, established at sometemporary stopping-places on the routes to and from the greatbattle-fields; places where the soldier, fainting from his wearisomemarch, found refreshment, and if sick, shelter and care; and thewounded, on their distressing journey from the battle-field to thedistant hospitals, received the gentle ministrations of women, to allaytheir thirst, relieve their painful positions, and strengthen theirwearied bodies for further journeyings. There were also, in New York, Boston, and many other of the Northern cities, Soldiers' Homes orDepots, not generally connected with the Sanitary Commission, in whichinvalid soldiers were cared for and their interests protected. In allthese there were efficient and capable Matrons. In the West, there werealso Homes for Refugees, families of poor whites generally though notalways sufferers for their Union sentiments, sent north by the militarycommanders from all the States involved in the rebellion. Reduced to thelowest depths of poverty, often suffering absolute starvation, usuallydirty and of uncleanly habits, in many cases ignorant in the extreme, and intensely indolent, these poor creatures had often little torecommend them to the sympathy of their northern friends, save theircommon humanity, and their childlike attachment to the Union cause. Yeton these, women of high culture and refinement, women who, but for thefire of patriotism which burned in their hearts, would have turned away, sickened at the mental and moral degradation which seemed proof againstall instruction or tenderness, bestowed their constant and unwearyingcare, endeavoring to rouse in them the instinct of neatness and the loveof household duties; instructing their children, and instilling into thedarkened minds of the adults some ideas of religious duty, and somegleams of intelligence. No mission to the heathen of India, of Tartary, or of the African coasts, could possibly have been more hopeless anddiscouraging; but they triumphed over every obstacle, and in manyinstances had the happiness of seeing these poor people restored totheir southern homes, with higher aims, hopes, and aspirations, and withbetter habits, and more intelligence, than they had ever beforepossessed. 

The camps and settlements of the freedmen were also the objects ofphilanthropic care. To these, many highly educated women volunteered togo, and establishing schools, endeavored to raise these former slaves tothe comprehension of their privileges and duties as free men. The workwas arduous, for though there was a stronger desire for learning, and aquicker apprehension of religious and moral instruction, among thefreedmen than among the refugees, their slave life had made them fickle, untruthful, and to some extent, dishonest and unchaste. Yet the faithfuland indefatigable teachers found their labors wonderfully successful, and accomplished a great amount of good. 

Another and somewhat unique manifestation of the patriotism of ourAmerican women, was the service of the Refreshment Saloons atPhiladelphia. For four years, the women of that portion of Philadelphialying in the vicinity of the Navy Yard, responded, by night or by day, to the signal gun, fired whenever one or more regiments of soldiers werepassing through the city, and hastening to the Volunteer or the CooperShop Refreshment Saloons, spread before the soldiers an ample repast, and served them with a cordiality and heartiness deserving all praise. Four hundred thousand soldiers were fed by these willing hands andgenerous hearts, and in hospitals connected with both RefreshmentSaloons the sick were tenderly cared for. 

In the large general hospitals of Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, in addition to the volunteer and paid nurses, there were committees of ladies, who, on alternate days, or on singledays of each week, were accustomed to visit the hospitals, bringingdelicacies and luxuries, preparing special dishes for the invalidsoldiers, writing to their friends for them, etc. To this sacred duty, many women of high social position devoted themselves steadily fornearly three years, alike amid the summer's heat and the winter's cold, never failing of visiting the patients, to whom their coming was themost joyous event of the otherwise gloomy day. 

But these varied forms of manifestation of patriotic zeal would havebeen of but little material service to the soldiers, had there not beenbehind them, throughout the loyal North, a vast network of organizationsextending to every village and hamlet, for raising money and preparingand forwarding supplies of whatever was needful for the welfare of thesick and wounded. We have already alluded to the spontaneity anduniversality of these organizations at the beginning of the war. Theywere an outgrowth alike of the patriotism and the systematizingtendencies of the people of the North. It might have been expected thatthe zeal which led to their formation would soon have cooled, and, perhaps, this would have been the case, but for two causes, viz. : thatthey very early became parts of more comprehensive organizationsofficered by women of untiring energy, and the most exalted patrioticdevotion; and that the events of the war constantly kept alive the zealof a few in each society, who spurred on the laggards, and encouragedthe faint-hearted. These Soldiers' Aid Societies, Ladies' AidAssociations, Alert Clubs, Soldiers' Relief Societies, or by whateverother name they were called, were usually auxiliary to some Society inthe larger cities, to which their several contributions of money andsupplies were sent, by which their activity and labors were directed, and which generally forwarded to some central source of supply, theirdonations and its own. The United States Sanitary Commission had itsbranches, known under various names, as Branch Commissions, GeneralSoldiers' Aid Societies, Associates, Local Sanitary Commissions, etc. , at Boston, Albany, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Chicago, and three central organizations, the Women'sCentral Association of Relief, in New York, the Sanitary Commission, atWashington, and the Western Depot of Supplies, at Louisville, Kentucky. Affiliated to these were over twelve thousand local Soldiers' AidSocieties. The Western Sanitary Commission had but one centralorganization, besides its own depot, viz. : The Ladies' Union AidSociety, of St. Louis, which had a very considerable number ofauxiliaries in Missouri and Iowa. The Christian Commission had itsbranches in Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis, and several thousand local organizationsreported to these. Aside from these larger bodies, there were theLadies' Aid Association of Philadelphia, with numerous auxiliaries inPennsylvania, the Baltimore Ladies' Relief Association, the New EnglandSoldiers' Relief Association of New York; and during the first two yearsof the war, Sanitary Commissions in Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois, andState Relief Societies in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, New York, and someof the other States with their representative organizations inWashington. Several Central Aid Societies having large numbers ofauxiliaries, acted independently for the first two years, but wereeventually merged in the Sanitary Commission. Prominent among these werethe Hartford Ladies' Aid Society, having numerous auxiliaries throughoutConnecticut, the Pittsburg Relief Committee, drawing its supplies fromthe circumjacent country, and we believe, also, the Penn Relief Society, an organization among the Friends of Philadelphia and vicinity. Thesupplies for the Volunteer and Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloons ofPhiladelphia, were contributed by the citizens of that city andvicinity. 

When it is remembered, that by these various organizations, a sumexceeding fifty millions of dollars was raised, during a little morethan four years, for the comfort and welfare of the soldiers, theirfamilies, their widows, and their orphans, we may be certain that therewas a vast amount of work done by them. Of this aggregate of labor, itis difficult to form any adequate idea. The ladies who were at the headof the Branch or Central organizations, worked day after day, during thelong and hot days of summer, and the brief but cold ones of winter, asassiduously and steadily, as any merchant in his counting-house, or thebanker at his desk, and exhibited business abilities, order, foresight, judgment, and tact, such as are possessed by very few of the mosteminent men of business in the country. The extent of their operations, too, was in several instances commensurate with that of some of ourmerchant princes. Miss Louisa Lee Schuyler and Miss Ellen Collins, ofthe Women's Central Association of Relief at New York, received anddisbursed in supplies and money, several millions of dollars in value;Mrs. Rouse, Miss Mary Clark Brayton, and Miss Ellen F. Terry, of theCleveland Soldiers' Aid Society, somewhat more than a million; Miss AbbyMay, of Boston, not far from the same amount; Mrs. Hoge, and Mrs. Livermore, of the N. W. Sanitary Commission, over a million; while Mrs. Seymour, of Buffalo, Miss Valeria Campbell, of Detroit, Mrs. Colt, ofMilwaukie, Miss Rachel W. McFadden, of Pittsburg, Mrs. Hoadley, and Mrs. Mendenhall, of Cincinnati, Mrs. Clapp, and Miss H. A. Adams, of the St. Louis Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Joel Jones, and Mrs. John Harris, of thePhiladelphia Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Stranahan, and Mrs. Archer, ofBrooklyn, if they did not do quite so large a business, at leastrivaled the merchants of the smaller cities, in the extent of theirdisbursements; and when it is considered, that these ladies were notonly the managers and financiers of their transactions, but in mostcases the book-keepers also, we think their right to be regarded aspossessing superior business qualifications will not be questioned. 

But some of these lady managers possessed still other claims to ourrespect, for their laborious and self-sacrificing patriotism. Itoccurred to several ladies in different sections of the country, as theyascertained the suffering condition of some of the families of thesoldiers, (the early volunteers, it will be remembered, received nobounties, or very trifling ones), that if they could secure for them, atremunerative prices, the making of the soldiers' uniforms, or of thehospital bedding and clothing, they might thus render them independentof charity, and capable of self-support. 

Three ladies (and perhaps more), Mrs. Springer, of St. Louis, in behalfof the Ladies' Aid Society of that city, Miss Katherine P. Wormeley, ofNewport, R. I. , and Miss Helen L. Gilson, of Chelsea, Mass. , applied tothe Governmental purveyors of clothing, for the purpose of obtainingthis work. There was necessarily considerable difficulty inaccomplishing their purpose. The army of contractors opposed themstrongly, and in the end, these ladies were each obliged to take acontract of large amount themselves, in order to be able to furnish thework to the wives and daughters of the soldiers. In St. Louis, the termsof the contract were somewhat more favorable than at the East, and onthe expiration of one, another was taken up, and about four hundredwomen were supplied with remunerative work throughout the whole periodof the war. The terms of the contract necessitated the carefulinspection of the clothing, and the certainty of its being well made, bythe lady contractors; but in point of fact, it was all cut and preparedfor the sewing-women by Mrs. Springer and her associates, who, givingtheir services to this work, divided among their employés the entiresum received for each contract, paying them weekly for their work. Thestrong competition at the East, rendered the price paid for the work, for which contracts were taken by Miss Wormeley and Miss Gilson, lessthan at the West, but Miss Gilson, and, we believe, Miss Wormeley also, raised an additional sum, and paid to the sewing-women more than thecontract price for the work. It required a spirit thoroughly imbued withpatriotism and philanthropy to carry on this work, for the drudgeryconnected with it was a severe tax upon the strength of those whoundertook it. In the St. Louis contracts, the officers and managers ofthe Ladies' Aid Society, rendered assistance to Mrs. Springer, who hadthe matter in charge, so far as they could, but not satisfied with this, one of their number, the late Mrs. Palmer, spent a portion of every dayin visiting the soldiers' families who were thus employed, and wheneveradditional aid was needed, it was cheerfully and promptly bestowed. Inthis noble work of Christian charity, Mrs. Palmer overtasked herphysical powers, and after a long illness, she passed from earth, to bereckoned among that list of noble martyrs, who sacrificed life for thecause of their country. 

But it was not the managers and leaders of these central associationsalone whose untiring exertions, and patient fidelity to their patrioticwork should excite our admiration and reverence. Though moving in asmaller circle, and dealing with details rather than aggregates, therewere, in almost every village and town, those whose zeal, energy, anddevotion to their patriotic work, was as worthy of record, and as heroicin character, as the labors of their sisters in the cities. We cannotrecord the names of those thousands of noble women, but their record ison high, and in the grand assize, their zealous toil to relieve theirsuffering brothers, who were fighting or had fought the nation'sbattles, will be recognized by Him, who regards every such act of loveand philanthropy as done to Himself. 

Nor are these, alone, among those whose deeds of love and patriotismare inscribed in the heavenly record. The whole history of thecontributions for relief, is glorified by its abundant instances ofself-sacrifice. The rich gave, often, largely and nobly from theirwealth; but a full moiety of the fifty millions of voluntary gifts, camefrom the hard earnings, or patient labors of the poor, often bestowed atthe cost of painful privation. Incidents like the following were ofevery-day occurrence, during the later years of the war: In one of themountainous countries at the North, in a scattered farming district, lived a mother and daughters, too poor to obtain by purchase, thematerial for making hospital clothing, yet resolved to do something forthe soldier. Twelve miles distant, over the mountain, and accessibleonly by a road almost impassable, was the county-town, in which therewas a Relief Association. Borrowing a neighbor's horse, either themother or daughters came regularly every fortnight, to procure from thissociety, garments to make up for the hospital. They had no money; butthough the care of their few acres of sterile land devolved uponthemselves alone, they could and would find time to work for thesufferers in the hospitals. At length, curious to know the secret ofsuch fervor in the cause, one of the managers of the associationaddressed them: "You have some relative, a son, or brother, or father, in the war, I suppose?" "No!" was the reply, "not now; our only brotherfell at Ball's Bluff. " "Why then, " asked the manager, "do you feel sodeep an interest in this work?" "Our country's cause is the cause ofGod, and we would do what we can, for His sake, " was the sublime reply. 

Take another example. In that little hamlet on the bleak and barrenhills of New England, far away from the great city or even the populousvillage, you will find a mother and daughter living in a humbledwelling. The husband and father has lain for many years 'neath the sodin the graveyard on the hill slope; the only son, the hope and joy ofboth mother and sister, at the call of duty, gave himself to the serviceof his country, and left those whom he loved as his own life, to toil athome alone. By and bye, at Williamsburg, or Fair Oaks, or in thatterrible retreat to James River, or at Cedar Mountain, it matters notwhich, the swift speeding bullet laid him low, and after days, or it maybe weeks of terrible suffering, he gave up his young life on the altarof his country. The shock was a terrible one to those lone dwellers onthe snowy hills. He was their all, but it was for the cause of Freedom, of Right, of God; and hushing the wild beating of their hearts theybestir themselves, in their deep poverty, to do something for the causefor which their young hero had given his life. It is but little, forthey are sorely straitened; but the mother, though her heart is wrappedin the darkness of sorrow, saves the expense of mourning apparel, andthe daughter turns her faded dress; the little earnings of both arecarefully hoarded, the pretty chintz curtains which had made theirhumble room cheerful, are replaced by paper, and by dint of constantsaving, enough money is raised to purchase the other materials for ahospital quilt, a pair of socks, and a shirt, to be sent to the ReliefAssociation, to give comfort to some poor wounded soldier, tossing inagony in some distant hospital. And this, with but slight variation isthe history of hundreds, and perhaps thousands of the articles sent tothe soldiers' aid societies. 

This fire of patriotic zeal, while it glowed alike in the hearts of therich and poor, inflamed the young as well as the old. Little girls, whohad not attained their tenth year, or who had just passed it, deniedthemselves the luxuries and toys they had long desired, and toiled witha patience and perseverance wholly foreign to childish nature, toprocure or make something of value for their country's defenders. On apair of socks sent to the Central Association of Relief, was pinned apaper with this legend: "These stockings were knit by a little girl fiveyears old, and she is going to knit some more, for mother said it willhelp some poor soldier. " The official reports of the Women's Soldiers'Aid Society of Northern Ohio, the Cleveland branch of the SanitaryCommission, furnish the following incident: "Every Saturday morningfinds Emma Andrews, ten years of age, at the rooms of the Aid Societywith an application for work. Her little basket is soon filled withpieces of half-worn linen, which, during the week, she cuts into towelsor handkerchiefs; hems, and returns, neatly washed and ironed, at hernext visit. Her busy fingers have already made two hundred andtwenty-nine towels, and the patriotic little girl is still earnestlyengaged in her work. " Holidays and half holidays in the country weredevoted by the little ones with great zeal, to the gathering ofblackberries and grapes, for the preparations of cordials and nativewines for the hospitals, and the picking, paring and drying peaches andapples, which, in their abundance, proved a valuable safeguard againstscurvy, which threatened the destruction or serious weakening of ourarmies, more than once. In the cities and large villages the children, with generous self-denial, gave the money usually expended for fireworksto purchase onions and pickles for the soldiers, to prevent scurvy. Ahundred thousand dollars, it is said, was thus consecrated, by theselittle ones, to this benevolent work. 

In the days of the Sanitary Fairs, hundreds of groups of little girlsheld their miniature fairs, stocked for the most part with articles oftheir own production, upon the door step, or the walk in front of theirparents' dwellings, or in the wood-shed, or in some vacant room, and thesums realized from their sales, varying from five to one hundreddollars, were paid over, without any deduction for expenses, since laborand attendance were voluntary and the materials a gift, to thetreasuries of the great fairs then in progress. 

Nor were the aged women lacking in patriotic devotion. Such inscriptionsas these were not uncommon. "The fortunate owner of these socks issecretly informed, that they are the one hundred and ninety-first pairknit for our brave boys by Mrs. Abner Bartlett, of Medford, Mass. , nowaged eighty-five years. "

A barrel of hospital clothing sent from Conway, Mass. , contained a pairof socks knit by a lady ninety-seven years old, who declared herselfready and anxious to do all she could. A homespun blanket bore theinscription, "This blanket was carried by Milly Aldrich, who isninety-three years old, down hill and up hill, one and a-half miles, tobe given to some soldier. "

A box of lint bore this touching record, "Made in a sick-room where thesunlight has not entered for nine years, but where God has entered, andwhere two sons have bade their mother good-bye, as they have gone out tothe war. "

Every one knows the preciousness of the household linen which has beenfor generations an heirloom in a family. Yet in numerous instances, linen sheets, table-cloths, and napkins, from one hundred and twenty totwo hundred years old, which no money could have purchased, werededicated, often by those who had nought else to give, to the service ofthe hospital. 

An instance of generous and self-denying patriotism related by Mrs. D. P. Livermore, of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission, deserves a recordin this connection, as it was one which has had more than onecounterpart elsewhere. "Some two or three months ago, a poor girl, aseamstress, came to our rooms. 'I do not feel right, ' she said, 'that Iam doing nothing for our soldiers in the hospitals, and have resolved todo _something_ immediately. Which do you prefer--that I should givemoney, or buy material and manufacture it into garments?'"

"You must be guided by your circumstances, " was the answer made her; "weneed both money and supplies, and you must do that which is mostconvenient for you. "

"I prefer to give you money, if it will do as much good. "

"Very well; then give money, which we need badly, and without which wecannot do what is most necessary for our brave sick men. "

"Then I will give you the entire earnings of the next two weeks. I'dgive more, but I have to help support my mother who is an invalid. Generally I make but one vest a day, but I will work earlier and laterthese two weeks. " In two weeks she came again, the poor sewing girl, her face radiant with the consciousness of philanthropic intent. Openingher porte-monnaie, she counted out _nineteen dollars and thirty-sevencents_. Every penny was earned by the slow needle, and she had stitchedaway into the hours of midnight on every one of the working days of theweek. The patriotism which leads to such sacrifices as these, is notless deserving of honor than that which finds scope for its energies inministering to the wounded on the battle-field or in the crowded wardsof a hospital. 

Two other offerings inspired by the true spirit of earnest and activephilanthropy, related by the same lady, deserve a place here. 

"Some farmers' wives in the north of Wisconsin, eighteen miles from arailroad, had given to the Commission of their bed and table linen, their husbands' shirts and drawers, their scanty supply of dried andcanned fruits, till they had exhausted their ability to do more in thisdirection. Still they were not satisfied. So they cast about to see whatcould be done in another way. They were all the wives of small farmers, lately moved to the West, all living in log cabins, where one roomsufficed for kitchen, parlor, laundry, nursery and bed-room, doing theirown house-work, sewing, baby-tending, dairy-work, and all. What _could_they do?

"They were not long in devising a way to gratify the longings of theirmotherly and patriotic hearts, and instantly set about carrying it intoaction. They resolved to beg wheat of the neighboring farmers, andconvert it into money. Sometimes on foot, and sometimes with a team, amid the snows and mud of early spring, they canvassed the country fortwenty and twenty-five miles around, everywhere eloquently pleading theneeds of the blue-coated soldier boys in the hospitals, the eloquenceeverywhere acting as an _open sesame_ to the granaries. Now theyobtained a little from a rich man, and then a great deal from a poorman--deeds of benevolence are half the time in an inverse ratio to theability of the benefactors--till they had accumulated nearly fivehundred bushels of wheat. This they sent to market, obtained the highestmarket price for it, and forwarded the proceeds to the Commission. As weheld this hard-earned money in our hands, we felt that it wasconsecrated, that the holy purpose and resolution of these noble womenhad imparted a sacredness to it. "

Very beautiful is the following incident, narrated by the same lady, ofa little girl, one of thousands of the little ones, who have, during thewar, given up precious and valued keepsakes to aid in ministering to thesick and wounded soldiers. "A little girl not nine years old, with sweetand timid grace, came into the rooms of the Commission, and laying afive dollar gold-piece on our desk, half frightened, told us itshistory. 'My uncle gave me that before the war, and I was going to keepit always; but he's got killed in the army, and mother says now I maygive it to the soldiers if I want to--and I'd like to do so. I don'tsuppose it will buy much for them, will it?'" We led the child to thestore-room, and proceeded to show her how valuable her gift was, bypointing out what it would buy--so many cans of condensed milk, or somany bottles of ale, or pounds of tea, or codfish, etc. Her facebrightened with pleasure. But when we explained to her that her fivedollar gold-piece was equal to seven dollars and a half in greenbacks, and told her how much comfort we had been enabled to carry into ahospital, with as small an amount of stores as that sum would purchase, she fairly danced with joy. 

"Oh, it will do lots of good, won't it?" And folding her hands beforeher, she begged, in her charmingly modest way, "Please tell me somethingthat you've seen in the hospitals?" A narrative of a few touchingevents, not such as would too severely shock the little creature, butwhich plainly showed the necessity of continued benevolence to thehospitals, filled her sweet eyes with tears, and drew from her theresolution, "to save all her money, and to get all the girls to do so, to buy things for the wounded soldiers. "

Innumerable have been the methods by which the loyalty and patriotism ofour countrywomen have manifested themselves; no memorial can ever recordthe thousandth part of their labors, their toils, or their sacrifices;sacrifices which, in so many instances, comprehended the life of theearnest and faithful worker. A grateful nation and a still more gratefularmy will ever hold in remembrance, such martyrs as MargaretBreckinridge, Anna M. Ross, Arabella Griffith Barlow, Mrs. Howland, Mrs. Plummer, Mrs. Mary E. Palmer, Mrs. S. C. Pomeroy, Mrs. C. M. Kirkland, Mrs. David Dudley Field, and Sweet Jenny Wade, of Gettysburg, as well asmany others, who, though less widely known, laid down their lives astruly for the cause of their country; and their names should beinscribed upon the ever during granite, for they were indeed the mostheroic spirits of the war, and to them, belong its unfading laurels andits golden crowns. 

And yet, we are sometimes inclined to hesitate in our estimate of thecomparative magnitude of the sacrifices laid upon the Nation's altar;not in regard to these, for she who gave her life, as well as herservices, to the Nation's cause, gave all she had to give; but inreference to the others, who, though serving the cause faithfully intheir various ways, yet returned unscathed to their homes. Great andnoble as were the sacrifices made by these women, and fitted as theywere to call forth our admiration, were they after all, equal to thoseof the mothers, sisters, and daughters, who, though not without tears, yet calmly, and with hearts burning with the fire of patriotism, willingly, gave up their best beloved to fight for the cause of theircountry and their God? A sister might give up an only brother, theplaymate of her childhood, her pride, and her hope; a daughter might bidadieu to a father dearly beloved, whose care and guidance she stillneeds and will continue to need. A mother might, perchance, relinquishher only son, he on whom she had hoped to lean, as the strong staff andthe beautiful rod of her old age; all this might be, with sorrow indeed, and a deep and abiding sense of loneliness, not to be relieved, exceptby the return of that father, brother, or son. But the wife, who, fullyworthy of that holy name, gave the parting hand to a husband who wasdearer, infinitely dearer to her than father, son, or brother, and sawhim go forth to the battle-field, where severe wounds or sudden andterrible death, were almost certainly to be his portion, sacrificed inthat one act all but life, for she relinquished all that made lifeblissful. Yet even in this holocaust there were degrees, gradations ofsacrifice. The wife of the officer might, perchance, have occasion tosee how her husband was honored and advanced for his bravery and goodconduct, and while he was spared, she was not likely to suffer the pangsof poverty. In these particulars, how much more sad was the condition ofthe wife of the private soldier, especially in the earlier years of thewar. To her, except the letters often long delayed or captured on theirroute, there were no tidings of her husband, except in the lists of thewounded or the slain; and her home, often one of refinement and taste, was not only saddened by the absence of him who was its chief joy, butoften stripped of its best belongings, to help out the scanty pittancewhich rewarded her own severe toil, in furnishing food and clothing forherself and her little ones. Cruel, grinding poverty, was too often theportion of these poor women. At the West, women tenderly and carefullyreared, were compelled to undertake the rude labors of the field, toprovide bread for their families. And when, to so many of these poorwomen who had thus struggled with poverty, and the depressing influencesof loneliness and weariness, there came the sad intelligence, that thehusband so dearly loved, was among the slain, or that he had beencaptured and consigned to death by starvation and slow torture atAndersonville, where even now he might be filling an unknown grave, whatwonder is it that in numerous cases the burden was too heavy for thewearied spirit, and insanity supervened, or the broken heart found restand reunion with the loved and lost in the grave. 

Yet in many instances, the heart that seemed nigh to breaking, foundsolace in its sorrow, in ministering directly or indirectly to thewounded soldier, and forgetting its own misery, brought to other heartsand homes consolation and peace. This seems to us the loftiest and mostdivine of all the manifestations of the heroic spirit; it is nearestakin in its character to the conduct of Him, who while "he was a man ofsorrows and acquainted with grief, " yet found the opportunity, with hisinfinite tenderness and compassion, to assuage every sorrow and sootheevery grief but his own. 

The effect of this patriotic zeal and fervor on the part of the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of the loyal North, in stimulating andencouraging the soldiers to heroic deeds, was remarkable. Napoleonsought to awaken the enthusiasm and love of fame of his troops in Egypt, by that spirit-stirring word, "Soldiers, from the height of yonderpyramids forty centuries look down upon you. " But to the soldierfighting the battles of freedom, the thought that in every hamlet andvillage of the loyal North, patriotic women were toiling and watchingfor his welfare, and that they were ready to cheer and encourage him inthe darkest hour, to medicine his wounds, and minister to his sicknessand sorrows in the camp, on the battle-field, or in the hospital wards, was a far more grateful and inspiring sentiment, than the mythical watchand ward of the spectral hosts of a hundred centuries of the dead past. 

The loyal soldier felt that he was fighting, so to speak, under the veryeyes of his countrywomen, and he was prompted to higher deeds of daringand valor by the thought. In the smoke and flame of battle, he bore, orfollowed the flag, made and consecrated by female hands to his country'sservice; many of the articles which contributed to his comfort, andstrengthened his good right arm, and inspirited his heart for the day ofbattle were the products of the toil and the gifts of his countrywomen;and he knew right well, that if he should fall in the fierce conflict, the gentle ministrations of woman would be called in requisition, tobind up his wounds, to cool his fevered brow, to minister to his fickleor failing appetite, to soothe his sorrows, to communicate with hisfriends, and if death came to close his eyes, and comfort, so far asmight be those who had loved him. This knowledge strengthened him in theconflict, and enabled him to strike more boldly and vigorously forfreedom, until the time came when the foe, dispirited and exhausted, yielded up his last vantage ground, and the war was over. 

The Rebel soldiers were not thus sustained by home influences. At first, indeed, Aid Societies were formed all over the South, and suppliesforwarded to their armies; but in the course of a year, the zeal of theSouthern ladies cooled, and they contented themselves with waving theirhandkerchiefs to the soldiers, instead of providing for their wants; andthenceforward, to the end of the war, though there were no rebels sobitter and hearty in their expressions of hostility to the North, as thegreat mass of Southern women, it was a matter of constant complaint inthe Rebel armies, that their women did nothing for their comfort. Thecomplaint was doubtless exaggerated, for in their hospitals there weresome women of high station who did minister to the wounded, but afterthe first year, the gifts and sacrifices of Southern women to their armyand hospitals, were not the hundredth, hardly the thousandth part ofthose of the women of the North to their countrymen. 

A still more remarkable result of this wide-spread movement among thewomen of the North, was its effect upon the sex themselves. Fifty yearsof peace had made us, if not "a nation of shop-keepers, " at least apeople given to value too highly, the pomp and show of material wealth, and our women were as a class, the younger women especially, devoting tofrivolous pursuits, society, gaiety and display, the gifts wherewith Godhad endowed them most bountifully. The war, and the benevolence andpatriotism which it evoked, changed all this. The gay and thoughtlessbelle, the accomplished and beautiful leader of society, awoke at onceto a new life. The soul of whose existence she had been almost asunconscious as Fouqué's Undine, began to assert its powers, and the gayand fashionable woman, no longer ennuyéd by the emptiness and frivolityof life, found her thoughts and hands alike fully occupied, and roseinto a sphere of life and action, of which, a month before, she wouldhave considered herself incapable. 

Saratoga and Newport, and the other haunts of fashion were not indeeddeserted, but the visitors there were mostly new faces, the wives anddaughters of those who had grown rich through the contracts andvicissitudes of the war, while their old habitués were toiling amid thesummer's heat to provide supplies for the hospitals, superintendingsanitary fairs, or watching and aiding the sick and wounded soldiers inthe hospitals, or at the front of the army. In these labors of love, many a fair face grew pale, many a light dancing step became slow andfeeble, and ever and anon the light went out of eyes, that but a littlewhile before had flashed and glowed in conscious beauty and pride. Butthough the cheeks might grow pale, the step feeble, and the eyes dim, there was a holier and more transcendent beauty about them than in theirgayest hours. "We looked daily, " says one who was herself a participantin this blessed work, in speaking of one who, after years ofself-sacrificing devotion, at last laid down her young life in patriotictoil, "we looked daily to see the halo surround her head, for it seemedas if God would not suffer so pure and saintly a soul to walk the earthwithout a visible manifestation of his love for her. " Work so ennobling, not only elevated and etherealized the mind and soul, but it glorifiedthe body, and many times it shed a glory and beauty over the plainestfaces, somewhat akin to that which transfigured the Jewish lawgiver, when he came down from the Mount. But it has done more than this. Thesoul once ennobled by participation in a great and glorious work, cannever again be satisfied to come down to the heartlessness, thefrivolities, the petty jealousies, and littlenesses of a life offashion. Its aspirations and sympathies lie otherwheres, and it mustseek in some sphere of humanitarian activity or Christian usefulness, for work that will gratify its longings. 

How pitiful and mean must the brightest of earth's gay assemblagesappear, to her who, day after day, has held converse with the souls ofthe departing, as they plumed their wings for the flight heavenward, andaccompanying them in their upward journey so far as mortals may, hasbeen privileged with some glimpse through the opening gates of pearl, into the golden streets of the city of our God!

With such experiences, and a discipline so purifying and ennobling, wecan but anticipate a still higher and holier future, for the women ofour time. To them, we must look for the advancement of all noble andphilanthropic enterprises; the lifting vagrant and wayward childhoodfrom the paths of ruin; the universal diffusion of education andculture; the succor and elevation of the poor, the weak, and thedown-trodden; the rescue and reformation of the fallen sisterhood; theimprovement of hospitals and the care of the sick; the reclamation ofprisoners, especially in female prisons; and in general, the genialministrations of refined and cultured womanhood, wherever theseministrations can bring calmness, peace and comfort. Wherever there issorrow, suffering, or sin, in our own or in other lands, theseheaven-appointed Sisters of Charity will find their mission and theirwork. 

Glorious indeed will be the results of such labors of love and Christiancharity. Society will be purified and elevated; giant evils which haveso long thwarted human progress, overthrown; the strongholds of sin, captured and destroyed by the might of truth, and the "new earth whereindwelleth righteousness, " so long foretold by patriarch, prophet, andapostle, become a welcome and enduring reality. 

And they who have wrought this good work, as, one after another, theylay down the garments of their earthly toil to assume the glisteningrobes of the angels, shall find, as did Enoch of old, that those whowalk with God, shall be spared the agonies of death and translatedpeacefully and joyfully to the mansions of their heavenly home, whilewaiting choirs of the blessed ones shall hail their advent to thetranscendent glories of the world above. 

PART I. 

SUPERINTENDENT OF NURSES. 

DOROTHEA L. DIX

Among all the women who devoted themselves with untiring energy, andgave talents of the highest order to the work of caring for our soldiersduring the war, the name of Dorothea L. Dix will always take the firstrank, and history will undoubtedly preserve it long after all othershave sunk into oblivion. This her extraordinary and exceptional officialposition will secure. Others have doubtless done as excellent a work, and earned a praise equal to her own, but her relations to thegovernment will insure her historical mention and remembrance, whilenone will doubt the sincerity of her patriotism, or the faithfulness ofher devotion. 

Dorothea L. Dix is a native of Worcester, Mass. Her father was aphysician, who died while she was as yet young, leaving her almostwithout pecuniary resources. 

Soon after this event, she proceeded to Boston, where she opened aselect school for young ladies, from the income of which she was enabledto draw a comfortable support. 

One day during her residence in Boston, while passing along a street, she accidentally overheard two gentlemen, who were walking before her, conversing about the state prison at Charlestown, and expressing theirsorrow at the neglected condition of the convicts. They were undoubtedlyof that class of philanthropists who believe that no man, however vile, is _all_ bad, but, though sunk into the lowest depths of vice, has yetin his soul some white spot which the taint has not reached, but whichsome kind hand may reach, and some kind heart may touch. 

Be that as it may, their remarks found an answering chord in the heartof Miss Dix. She was powerfully affected and impressed, so much so, thatshe obtained no rest until she had herself visited the prison, andlearned that in what she had heard there was no exaggeration. She foundgreat suffering, and great need of reform. 

Energetic of character, and kindly of heart, she at once lent herself tothe work of elevating and instructing the degraded and suffering classesshe found there, and becoming deeply interested in the welfare of theseunfortunates, she continued to employ herself in labors pertaining tothis field of reform, until the year 1834. 

At that time her health becoming greatly impaired, she gave up herschool and embarked for Europe. Shortly before this period, she hadinherited from a relative sufficient property to render her independentof daily exertion for support, and to enable her to carry out any plansof charitable work which she should form. Like all persons firmly fixedin an idea which commends itself alike to the judgment and the impulses, she was very tenacious of her opinions relating to it, and impatient ofopposition. It is said that from this cause she did not always meet therespect and attention which the important objects to which she wasdevoting her life would seem to merit. That she found friends andhelpers however at home and abroad, is undoubtedly true. 

She remained abroad until the year 1837, when returning to her nativecountry she devoted herself to the investigation of the condition ofpaupers, lunatics and prisoners. In this work she was warmly aided andencouraged by her friend and pastor the Rev. Dr. Channing, of whosechildren she had been governess, as well as by many other persons whosehearts beat a chord responsive to that long since awakened in her own. 

Since 1841 until the breaking out of the late war, Miss Dix devotedherself to the great work which she accepted as the special mission ofher life. In pursuance of it, she, during that time, is said to havevisited every State of the Union east of the Rocky Mountains, examiningprisons, poor-houses, lunatic asylums, and endeavoring to persuadelegislatures and influential individuals to take measures for the reliefof the poor and wretched. 

Her exertions contributed greatly to the foundation of State lunaticasylums in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana and North Carolina. She presented a memorial to Congressduring the Session of 1848-9, asking an appropriation of five hundredthousand acres of the public lands to endow hospitals for the indigentinsane. 

This measure failed, but, not discouraged, she renewed the appeal in1850 asking for ten millions of acres. The Committee of the House towhom the memorial was referred, made a favorable report, and a bill suchas she asked for passed the House, but failed in the Senate for want oftime. In April, 1854, however, her unwearied exertions were rewarded bythe passage of a bill by both houses, appropriating ten millions ofacres to the several States for the relief of the indigent insane. Butthis bill was vetoed by President Pierce, chiefly on the ground that theGeneral Government had no constitutional power to make suchappropriations. 

Miss Dix was thus unexpectedly checked and deeply disappointed in theimmediate accomplishment of this branch of the great work of benevolenceto which she had more particularly devoted herself. 

From that time she seems to have given herself, with added zeal, to herlabors for the insane. This class so helpless, and so innocentlysuffering, seem to have always been, and more particularly during thelater years of her work, peculiarly the object of her sympathies andlabors. In the prosecution of these labors she made another voyage toEurope in 1858 or '59, and continued to pursue them with indefatigablezeal and devotion. 

The labors of Miss Dix for the insane were continued withoutintermission until the occurrence of those startling events which atonce turned into other and new channels nearly all the industries andphilanthropies of our nation. With many a premonition, and many amuttering of the coming storm, unheeded, our people, inured to peace, continued unappalled in their quiet pursuits. But while the actualcommencement of active hostilities called thousands of men to arms, fromthe monotony of mechanical, agricultural and commercial pursuits and theprofessions, it changed as well the thoughts and avocations of those whowere not to enter the ranks of the military. 

And not to men alone did these changes come. Not they alone were filledwith a new fire of patriotism, and a quickened devotion to the interestsof our nation. Scarcely had the ear ceased thrilling with the tidingsthat our country was indeed the theatre of civil war, when women as wellas men began to inquire if there were not for them some part to beplayed in this great drama. 

Almost, if not quite the first among these was Miss Dix. Self-reliant, accustomed to rapid and independent action, conscious of her ability forusefulness, with her to resolve was to act. Scarcely had the firstregiments gone forward to the defense of our menaced capital, when shefollowed, full of a patriotic desire to _offer_ to her country whateverservice a woman could perform in this hour of its need, and determinedthat it should be given. 

She passed through Baltimore shortly after that fair city had covereditself with the indelible disgrace of the 16th of April, 1861, and onher arrival at Washington, the first labor she offered on her country'saltar, was the nursing of some wounded soldiers, victims of theBaltimore mob. Thus was she earliest in the field. 

Washington became a great camp. Every one was willing, nay anxious, tobe useful and employed. Military hospitals were hastily organized. There were many sick, but few skilful nurses. The opening of therebellion had not found the government, nor the loyal people preparedfor it. All was confusion, want of discipline, and disorder. Organizingminds, persons of executive ability, _leaders_, were wanted. 

The services of women could be made available in the hospitals. Theywere needed as nurses, but it was equally necessary that some one shoulddecide upon their qualifications for the task, and direct their efforts. 

Miss Dix was present in Washington. Her ability, long experience inpublic institutions and high character were well known. Scores ofpersons of influence, from all parts of the country, could vouch forher, and she had already offered her services to the authorities for anywork in which they could be made available. 

Her selection for the important post of Superintendent of Female Nurses, by Secretary Cameron, then at the head of the War Department, on the10th of June, 1861, commanded universal approbation. 

This at once opened for her a wide and most important field of duty andlabor. Except hospital matrons, [B] all women regularly employed in thehospitals, and entitled to pay from the Government, were appointed byher. An examination of the qualifications of each applicant was made. Awoman must be mature in years, plain almost to homeliness in dress, andby no means liberally endowed with personal attractions, if she hoped tomeet the approval of Miss Dix. Good health and an unexceptionable moralcharacter were always insisted on. As the war progressed, theapplications were numerous, and the need of this kind of service great, but the rigid scrutiny first adopted by Miss Dix continued, and manywere rejected who did not in all respects possess the qualificationswhich she had fixed as her standard. Some of these women, who in otherbranches of the service, and under other auspices, became eminentlyuseful, were rejected on account of their youth; while some, alas! werereceived, who afterwards proved themselves quite unfit for the position, and a disgrace to their sex. 

[Footnote B: In many instances she appointed these also. ]

But in these matters no blame can attach to Miss Dix. In the firstinstance she acted no doubt from the dictates of a sound and maturejudgment; and in the last was often deceived by false testimonials, by aspecious appearance, or by applicants who, innocent at the time, werenot proof against the temptations and allurements of a position whichall must admit to be peculiarly exposed and unsafe. 

Besides the appointment of nurses the position of Miss Dix imposed uponher numerous and onerous duties. She visited hospitals, far and near, inquiring into the wants of their occupants, in all cases wherepossible, supplementing the Government stores by those with which shewas always supplied by private benevolence, or from public sources; sheadjusted disputes, and settled difficulties in which her nurses wereconcerned; and in every way showed her true and untiring devotion to hercountry, and its suffering defenders. She undertook long journeys byland and by water, and seemed ubiquitous, for she was seldom missed fromher office in Washington, yet was often seen elsewhere, and always bentupon the same fixed and earnest purpose. We cannot, perhaps, betterdescribe the personal appearance of Miss Dix, and give an idea of hervaried duties and many sacrifices, than by transcribing the followingextract from the printed correspondence of a lady, herself an active andmost efficient laborer in the same general field of effort, and holdingan important position in the Northwestern Sanitary Commission. 

"It was Sunday morning when we arrived in Washington, and as theSanitary Commission held no meeting that day, we decided after breakfastto pay a visit to Miss Dix. 

"We fortunately found the good lady at home, but just ready to start forthe hospitals. She is slight and delicate looking, and seems physicallyinadequate to the work she is engaged in. In her youth she must havepossessed considerable beauty, and she is still very comely, with a softand musical voice, graceful figure, and very winning manners. SecretaryCameron vested her with sole power to appoint female nurses in thehospitals. Secretary Stanton, on succeeding him ratified theappointment, and she has installed several hundreds of nurses in thisnoble work--all of them Protestants, and middle-aged. Miss Dix's wholesoul is in this work. She rents two large houses, which are depots forsanitary supplies sent to her care, and houses of rest and refreshmentfor nurses and convalescent soldiers, employs two secretaries, ownsambulances and keeps them busily employed, prints and distributescirculars, goes hither and thither from one remote point to another inher visitations of hospitals, --and pays all the expenses incurred fromher private purse. Her fortune, time and strength are laid on the altarof the country in this hour of trial. 

"Unfortunately, many of the surgeons in the hospitals do not workharmoniously with Miss Dix. They are jealous of her power, impatient ofher authority, find fault with her nurses, and accuse her of beingarbitrary, opinionated, severe and capricious. Many to rid themselves ofher entirely, have obtained permission of Surgeon-General Hammond toemploy Sisters of Charity in their hospitals, a proceeding not to MissDix's liking. Knowing by observation that many of the surgeons arewholly unfit for their office, that too often they fail to bring skill, morality, or humanity to their work, we could easily understand how thissingle-hearted, devoted, tireless friend of the sick and wounded soldierwould come in collision with these laggards, and we liked her none theless for it. "

Though Miss Dix received no salary, devoting to the work her time andlabors without remuneration, a large amount of supplies were placed inher hands, both by the Government and from private sources, which shewas always ready to dispense with judgment and caution, it is true, butwith a pleasant earnestness alike grateful to the recipient of thekindness, or to the agent who acted in her stead in this work of mercy. 

It was perhaps unfortunate for Miss Dix that at the time when shereceived her appointment it was so unprecedented, and the entire servicewas still in such a chaotic state, that it was simply impossible todefine her duties or her authority. As, therefore, no plan of action orrules were adopted, she was forced to abide exclusively by her own ideasof need and authority. In a letter to the writer, from an officialsource, her position and the changes that became necessary are thusexplained:

"The appointment of nurses was regulated by her ideas of theirprospective usefulness, good moral character being an absoluteprerequisite. This absence of system, and independence of action, workedso very unsatisfactorily, that in October, 1863, a General Order wasissued placing the assignment, or employment of female nurses, exclusively under control of Medical Officers, and limiting thesuperintendency to a 'certificate of approval, ' without which no womannurse could be employed, except by order of the Surgeon-General. Thismaterially reduced the number of appointments, secured the muster andpay of those in service, and established discipline and order. "

The following is the General Order above alluded to. 

 GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 351. 

 WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, _October 29, 1863_. 

 The employment of women nurses in the United States General Hospitals will in future be strictly governed by the following rules:

 1. Persons approved by Miss Dix, or her authorized agents, will receive from her, or them, "certificates of approval, " which must be countersigned by Medical Directors upon their assignment to duty as nurses within their Departments. 

 2. Assignments of "women nurses" to duty in General Hospitals will only be made upon application by the Surgeons in charge, through Medical Directors, to Miss Dix or her agents, for the number they require, not exceeding one to every thirty beds. 

 3. No females, except Hospital Matrons, will be employed in General Hospitals, or, after December 31, 1863, born upon the Muster and Pay Rolls, without such certificates of approval and regular assignment, unless specially appointed by the Surgeon-General. 

 4. Women nurses, while on duty in General Hospitals, are under the exclusive control of the senior medical officer, who will direct their several duties, and may be discharged by him when considered supernumerary, or for incompetency, insubordination, or violation of his orders. Such discharge, with the reasons therefor, being endorsed upon the certificate, will be at once returned to Miss Dix. 

 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

 E. D. TOWNSEND, _Assistant Adjutant-General_. 

 OFFICIAL:

By this Order the authority of Miss Dix was better defined, but shecontinued to labor under the same difficulty which had from the firstclogged her efforts. Authority had been bestowed upon her, but not thepower to enforce obedience. There was no penalty for disobedience, andpersons disaffected, forgetful, or idle, might refuse or neglect to obeywith impunity. It will at once be seen that this fact must have resulteddisastrously upon her efforts. She doubtless had enemies (as who hasnot)? and some were jealous of the power and prominence of her position, while many might even feel unwilling, under any circumstances, toacknowledge, and yield to the authority of a woman. Added to this shehad, in some cases, and probably without any fault on her part, failedto secure the confidence and respect of the surgeons in charge ofhospitals. In these facts lay the sources of trials, discouragements, and difficulties, all to be met, struggled with, and, if possible, triumphed over by a woman, standing quite alone in a most responsible, laborious, and exceptional position. It indeed seems mostwonderful--almost miraculous--that under such circumstances, such a vastamount of good was accomplished. Had she not accomplished half so much, she still would richly have deserved that highest of plaudits--Well donegood and faithful servant!

Miss Dix has one remarkable peculiarity--undoubtedly remarkable in oneof her sex which is said, and with truth--to possess greatapprobativeness. She does not apparently desire fame, she does not enjoybeing talked about, even in praise. The approval of her own conscience, the consciousness of performing an unique and useful work, seems quiteto suffice her. Few women are so self-reliant, self-sustained, self-centered. And in saying this we but echo the sentiments, if not thewords, of an eminent divine who, like herself, was during the whole wardevoted to a work similar in its purpose, and alike responsible andarduous. 

"She (Miss Dix) is a lady who likes to do things and not have themtalked about. She is freer from the love of public reputation than anywoman I know. Then her plans are so strictly her own, and always sowholly controlled by her own individual genius and power, that theycannot well be participated in by others, and not much understood. 

"Miss Dix, I suspect, was as early _in_, as _long_ employed, and asself-sacrificing as any woman who offered her services to the country. She gave herself--body, soul and substance--to the good work. I wish wehad any record of her work, but we have not. 

"I should not dare to speak for her--about her work--except to say thatit was extended, patient and persistent beyond anything I know of, dependent on a single-handed effort. "

All the testimony goes to show that Miss Dix is a woman endowed withwarm feelings and great kindness of heart. It is only those who do notknow her, or who have only met her in the conflict of opposing wills, who pronounce her, as some have done, a cold and heartless egotist. Opinionated she may be, because convinced of the general soundness ofher ideas, and infallibility of her judgment. If the success of greatdesigns, undertaken and carried through single-handed, furnish warrantfor such conviction, she has an undoubted right to hold it. 

Her nature is large and generous, yet with no room for narrow grudges, or mean reservations. As a proof of this, her stores were as readilydispensed for the use of a hospital in which the surgeon refused andrejected her nurses, as for those who employed them. 

She had the kindest care and oversight over the women she hadcommissioned. She wished them to embrace every opportunity for the restand refreshment rendered necessary by their arduous labors. A home forthem was established by her in Washington, which at all times opened itsdoors for their reception, and where she wished them to enjoy thatperfect quiet and freedom from care, during their occasional sojourns, which were the best remedies for their weariness and exhaustion of bodyand soul. 

In her more youthful days Miss Dix devoted herself considerably toliterary pursuits. She has published several works anonymously--thefirst of which--"The Garland of Flora, " was published in Boston in 1829. This was succeeded by a number of books for children, among which were"Conversations about Common Things, " "Alice and Ruth, " and "EveningHours. " She has also published a variety of tracts for prisoners, andhas written many memorials to legislative bodies on the subject of thefoundation and conducting of Lunatic Asylums. 

Miss Dix is gifted with a singularly gentle and persuasive voice, andher manners are said to exert a remarkably controlling influence overthe fiercest maniacs. 

She is exceedingly quiet and retiring in her deportment, delicate andrefined in manner, with great sweetness of expression. She is far fromrealizing the popular idea of the strong-minded woman--loud, boisterousand uncouth, claiming as a right, what might, perhaps, be more readilyobtained as a courteous concession. On the contrary, her successes withlegislatures and individuals, are obtained by the mildest efforts, whichyet lack nothing of persistence; and few persons beholding this delicateand retiring woman would imagine they saw in her the champion of theoppressed and suffering classes. 

Miss Dix regards her army work but as an episode in her career. She didwhat she could, and with her devotion of self and high patriotism shewould have done no less. She pursued her labors to the end, and herposition was not resigned until many months after the close of the war. In fact, she tarried in Washington to finish many an uncompleted task, for some time after her office had been abolished. 

When all was done she returned at once to that which she considers herlife's work, the amelioration of the condition of the insane. 

A large portion of the winter of 1865-6 was devoted to an attempt toinduce the Legislature of New York to make better provision for theinsane of that State, and to procure, or erect for them, several asylumsof small size where a limited number under the care of experiencedphysicians, might enjoy greater facilities for a cure, and a betterprospect of a return to the pursuits and pleasures of life. 

Miss Dix now resides at Trenton, New Jersey, where she has since the warfixed her abode, travelling thence to the various scenes of her labors. Wherever she may be, and however engaged, we may be assured that herobject is the good of some portion of the race, and is worthy of theprayers and blessings of all who love humanity and seek the promotion ofits best interests. And to the close of her long and useful life, thethanks, the heartfelt gratitude of every citizen of our common countryso deeply indebted to her, and to the many devoted and self-sacrificingwomen whose efforts she directed, must as assuredly follow her. Shebelongs now to History, and America may proudly claim her daughter. 

PART II. 

LADIES WHO MINISTERED TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED IN CAMP FIELD AND GENERALHOSPITALS. 

CLARA HARLOWE BARTON. [C]

Of those whom the first blast of the war trump roused and called tolives of patriotic devotion and philanthropic endeavor, some were ledinstinctively to associated labor, and found their zeal inflamed, theirpatriotic efforts cheered and encouraged by communion with those whowere like-minded. To these the organizations of the Soldiers' AidSocieties and of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions were anecessity; they provided a place and way for the exercise anddevelopment of those capacities for noble and heroic endeavor, andgenerous self-sacrifice, so gloriously manifested by many of ourAmerican women, and which it has given us so much pleasure to record inthese pages. 

[Footnote C: In the preparation of this sketch of Miss Barton, we haveavailed ourselves, as far as practicable, of a paper prepared for us bya clerical friend of the lady, who had known her from childhood. Thepassages from this paper are indicated by quotation marks. ]

But there were others endowed by their Creator with greater independenceof character and higher executive powers, who while not less modest andretiring in disposition than their sisters, yet preferred to mark outtheir own career, and pursue a comparatively independent course. Theyworked harmoniously with the various sanitary and other organizationswhen brought into contact with them, but their work was essentiallydistinct from them, and was pursued without interfering in any way withthat of others. 

To this latter class pre-eminently belongs Miss Clara Harlowe Barton. 

Quiet, modest, and unassuming in manner and appearance, there is beneaththis quiet exterior an intense energy, a comprehensive intellect, aresolute will, and an executive force, which is found in few of thestronger sex, and which mingled with the tenderness and grace of refinedwomanhood eminently qualifies her to become an independent power. 

Miss Barton was born in North Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Her father, Stephen Barton, Sr. , was a man highly esteemed in thecommunity in which he dwelt, and by which his worth was most thoroughlyknown. In early youth he had served as a soldier in the West underGeneral Wayne, the "Mad Anthony" of the early days of the Republic, andhis boyish eyes had witnessed the evacuation of Detroit by the Britishin 1796. "His military training may have contributed to the sterlinguprightness, the inflexible will, and the devotion to law and order andrightful authority for which he was distinguished. " The little Clara wasthe youngest by several years in a family of two brothers and threesisters. She was early taught that primeval benediction, miscalled acurse, which requires mankind to earn their bread. Besides domesticduties and a very thorough public school training she learned thegeneral rules of business by acting as clerk and book-keeper for hereldest brother. Next she betook herself to the district school, theusual stepping-stone for all aspiring men and women in New England. Shetaught for several years, commencing when very young, in various placesin Massachusetts and New Jersey. The large circle of friends thus formedwas not without its influence in determining her military career. Somany of her pupils volunteered in the first years of the war that at thesecond battle of Bull Run she found seven of them, each of whom had lostan arm or a leg. 

"One example will show her character as a teacher. She went toBordentown, N. J. , in 1853, where there was not, and never had been, apublic school. Three or four unsuccessful attempts had been made, andthe idea had been abandoned as not adapted to that latitude. Thebrightest boys in the town ran untaught in the streets. She offered toteach a free school for three months at her own expense, to convince thecitizens that it could be done; and she was laughed at as a visionary. Six weeks of waiting and debating induced the authorities to fit up anunoccupied building at a little distance from the town. She commencedwith six outcast boys, and in five weeks the house would not hold thenumber that came. The commissioners, at her instance, erected thepresent school-building of Bordentown, a three-story brick building, costing four thousand dollars; and there, in the winter of 1853-4, sheorganized the city free-school with a roll of six hundred pupils. Butthe severe labor, and the great amount of loud speaking required, in thenewly plastered rooms, injured her health, and for a time deprived herof her voice--the prime agent of instruction. Being unable to teach, sheleft New Jersey about the 1st of March, 1854, seeking rest and a milderclimate, and went as far south as Washington. While there, a friend anddistant relative, then in Congress, voluntarily obtained for her anappointment in the Patent Office, where she continued until the fall of1857. She was employed at first as a copyist, and afterwards in the moreresponsible work of abridging original papers, and preparing records forpublication. As she was an excellent chirographer, with a clear head forbusiness, and was paid by the piece and not by the month, she made moneyfast, as matters were then reckoned, and she was very liberal with it. Imet her often during those years, as I have since and rarely saw herwithout some pet scheme of benevolence on her hands which she pursuedwith an enthusiasm that was quite heroic, and sometimes amusing. Theroll of those she has helped, or tried to help, with her purse, herpersonal influence or her counsels, would be a long one; orphanchildren, deserted wives, destitute women, sick or unsuccessfulrelatives, men who had failed in business, and boys who never had anybusiness--all who were in want, or in trouble, and could claim theslightest acquaintance, came to her for aid and were never repulsed. Strange it was to see this generous girl, whose own hands ministered toall her wants, always giving to those around her, instead of receiving, strengthening the hands and directing the steps of so many who wouldhave seemed better calculated to help her. She must have had a nativegenius for nursing; for in her twelfth year she was selected as thespecial attendant of a sick brother, and remained in his chamber by dayand by night for two years, with only a respite of one half-day in allthat time. Think, O reader! of a little girl in short dresses andpantalettes, neither going to school nor to play, but imprisoned foryears in the deadly air of a sick room, and made to feel, every moment, that a brother's life depended on her vigilance. Then followed a stilllonger period of sickness and feebleness on her own part; and from thattime to the present, sickness, danger and death have been always nearher, till they have grown familiar as playmates, and she has come tounderstand all the wants and ways and waywardness of the sick; haslearned to anticipate their wishes and cheat them of their fears. Thosewho have been under her immediate care, will understand me when I saythere is healing in the touch of her hand, and anodyne in the low melodyof her voice. In the first year of Mr. Buchanan's administration she washustled out of the Patent Office on a suspicion of anti-slaverysentiments. She returned to New England, and devoted her time to studyand works of benevolence. In the winter following the election of Mr. Lincoln, she returned to Washington at the solicitation of her friendsthere, and would doubtless have been reinstated if peace had beenmaintained. I happened to see her a day or two after the news came thatFort Sumter had been fired on. She was confident, even enthusiastic. Shehad feared that the Southern aristocracy, by their close combination andsuperior political training, might succeed in gradually subjugating thewhole country; but of that there was no longer any danger. The warmight be long and bloody, but the rebels had voluntarily abandoned apolicy in which the chances were in favor of their ultimate success, forone in which they had no chance at all. For herself, she had saved alittle in time of peace, and she intended to devote it and herself tothe service of her country and of humanity. If war must be, she neitherexpected nor desired to come out of it with a dollar. If she survived, she could no doubt earn a living; and if she did not, it was no matter. This is actually the substance of what she said, and pretty nearly thewords--without appearing to suspect that it was remarkable. "

Three days after Major Anderson had lowered his flag in CharlestonHarbor, the Sixth Massachusetts Militia started for Washington. Theirpassage through Baltimore, on the 19th of April, 1861, is a remarkablepoint in our national history. The next day about thirty of the sick andwounded were placed in the Washington Infirmary, where the JudiciarySquare Hospital now stands. Miss Barton proceeded promptly to the spotto ascertain their condition and afford such voluntary relief as mightbe in her power. Hence, if she was not the first person in the countryin this noble work, no one could have been more than a few hours beforeher. The regiment was quartered at the Capitol, and as those earlyvolunteers will remember, troops on their first arrival were often verypoorly provided for. The 21st of April happened to be Sunday. Noomnibuses ran that day, and street cars as yet were not; so she hiredfive colored persons, loaded them with baskets of ready prepared food, and proceeded to the Capitol. The freight they bore served ascountersign and pass; she entered the Senate Chamber, and distributedher welcome store. Many of the soldiers were from her own neighborhood, and as they thronged around her, she stood upon the steps to the VicePresident's chair and read to them from a paper she had brought, thefirst written history of their departure and their journey. These twodays were the first small beginnings of her military experience, --stepswhich naturally led to much else. Men wrote home their own impressionsof what they saw; and her acts found ready reporters. Young soldierswhom she had taught or known as boys a few years before, called to seeher on their way to the front. Troops were gathering rapidly, andhospitals--the inevitable shadows of armies--were springing up andgetting filled. Daily she visited them, bringing to the sick news, anddelicacies and comforts of her own procuring, and writing letters forthose who could not write themselves. Mothers and sisters heard of her, and begged her to visit this one and that, committing to her careletters, socks, jellies and the like. Her work and its fame grew week byweek, and soon her room, for she generally had but one, became sadlyencumbered with boxes, and barrels and baskets, of the most variedcontents. Through the summer of 1862, the constant stock she had on handaveraged about five tons. The goods were mainly the contributions ofliberal individuals, churches and sewing-circles to whom she waspersonally known. But, although articles of clothing, lint, bandages, cordials, preserved fruits, liquors, and the like might be sent, therewas always much which she had to buy herself. 

During this period as in her subsequent labors, she neither sought orreceived recognition by any department of the Government, by which Imean only that she had no acknowledged position, rank, rights or duties, was not employed, paid, or compensated in any way, had authority over noone, and was subject to no one's orders. She was simply an Americanlady, mistress of herself and of no one else; free to stay at home, ifshe had a home, and equally free to go where she pleased, if she couldprocure passports and transportation, which was not always an easymatter. From many individual officers, she received most valuableencouragement and assistance; from none more than from General Rucker, the excellent Chief Quartermaster at Washington. He furnished herstorage for her supplies when necessary, transportation for herself andthem, and added to her stores valuable contributions at times when theywere most wanted. She herself declares, with generous exaggeration, thatif she has ever done any good, it has been due to the watchful care andkindness of General Rucker. 

About the close of 1861, Miss Barton returned to Massachusetts to watchover the declining health of her father, now in his eighty-eighth year, and failing fast. In the following March she placed his remains in thelittle cemetery at Oxford, and then returned to Washington and to herformer labors. But, as the spring and summer campaigns progressed, Washington ceased to be the best field for the philanthropist. In thehospitals of the Capitol the sick and wounded found shelter, food andattendance. Private generosity now centered there; and the United StatesSanitary Commission had its office and officers there to minister to thethousand exceptional wants not provided for by the Army Regulations. There were other fields where the harvest was plenteous and the laborersfew. Yet could she as a young and not unattractive lady, go with safetyand propriety among a hundred thousand armed men, and tell them that noone had sent her? She would encounter rough soldiers, and camp-followersof every nation, and officers of all grades of character; and could shebear herself so wisely and loftily in all trials as to awe theimpertinent, and command the respect of the supercilious, so that shemight be free to come and go at her will, and do what should seem goodto her? Or, if she failed to maintain a character proof against eveninuendoes, would she not break the bridge over which any successor wouldhave to pass? These questions she pondered, and prayed and wept over formonths, and has spoken of the mental conflict as the most trying one ofher life. She had foreseen and told all these fears to her father; andthe old man, on his death-bed, advised her to go wherever she felt it aduty to go. He reminded her that he himself had been a soldier, and saidthat all true soldiers would respect her. He was naturally a man ofgreat benevolence, a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Degree ofRoyal Arch Mason; and in his last days he spoke much of the purposes andnoble charities of the Order. She had herself received the initiationaccorded to daughters of Royal Arch Masons, and wore on her bosom aMasonic emblem, by which she was easily recognized by the brotherhood, and which subsequently proved a valuable talisman. At last she reachedthe conclusion that it was right for her to go amid the actual tumult ofbattle and shock of armies. And the fact that she has moved and laboredwith the principal armies in the North and in the South for two yearsand a half, and that now no one who knows her would speak of her withoutthe most profound respect, proves two things--that there may be heroismof the highest order in American women--and that American armies are notto be judged of, by the recorded statements concerning European ones. 

Her first tentative efforts at going to the field were cautious andbeset with difficulties. Through the long Peninsula campaign as eachtransport brought its load of suffering men, with the mud of theChickahominy and the gore of battle baked hard upon them like the shellsof turtles, she went down each day to the wharves with an ambulanceladen with dressings and restoratives, and there amid the turmoil anddirt, and under the torrid sun of Washington, toiled day by day, alleviating such suffering as she could. And when the steamers turnedtheir prows down the river, she looked wistfully after them, longing togo to those dread shores whence all this misery came. But she was aloneand unknown, and how could she get the means and the permission to go?The military authorities were overworked in those days and plagued withunreasonable applications, and as a class are not very indulgent tounusual requests. The first officer of rank who gave her a kind answerwas a man who never gave an unkind reply without great provocation--Dr. R. H. Coolidge, Medical Inspector. Through him a pass was obtained fromSurgeon-General Hammond, and she was referred to Major Rucker, Quartermaster, for transportation. The Major listened to her story sopatiently and kindly that she was overcome, and sat down and wept. Itwas then too late in the season to go to McClellan's army, so she loadeda railroad car with supplies and started for Culpepper Court-House, thencrowded with the wounded from the battle of Cedar Mountain. With asimilar car-load she was the first of the volunteer aid that reachedFairfax Station at the close of the disastrous days that culminated inthe second Bull Run, and the battle of Chantilly. On these twoexpeditions, and one to Fredericksburg, Miss Barton was accompanied byfriends, at least one gentleman and a lady in each case, but at last atime came, when through the absence or engagements of these, she must goalone or not at all. 

On Sunday, the 14th of September, 1862, she loaded an army wagon withsupplies and started to follow the march of General McClellan. Her onlycompanions were Mr. Cornelius M. Welles, the teacher of the firstcontraband school in the District of Columbia--a young man of raretalent and devotion--and one teamster. She travelled three days alongthe dusty roads of Maryland, buying bread as she went to the extent ofher means of conveyance, and sleeping in the wagon by night. After dark, on the night of the sixteenth, she reached Burnside's Corps, and foundthe two armies lying face to face along the opposing ridges of hillsthat bound the valley of the Antietam. There had already been heavyskirmishing far away on the right where Hooker had forded the creek andtaken position on the opposite hills; and the air was dark and thickwith fog and exhalations, with the smoke of camp-fires and premonitorydeath. There was little sleep that night, and as the morning sun rosebright and beautiful over the Blue Ridge and dipped down into theValley, the firing on the right was resumed. Reinforcements soon beganto move along the rear to Hooker's support. Thinking the place of dangerwas the place of duty, Miss Barton ordered her mules to be harnessed andtook her place in the swift train of artillery that was passing. Onreaching the scene of action, they turned into a field of tall corn, anddrove through it to a large barn. They were close upon the line ofbattle; the rebel shot and shell flew thickly around and over them; andin the barn-yard and among the corn lay torn and bleeding men--the worstcases--just brought from the places where they had fallen. The armymedical supplies had not yet arrived, the small stock of dressings wasexhausted, and the surgeons were trying to make bandages of corn-husks. Miss Barton opened to them her stock of dressings, and proceeded withher companions to distribute bread steeped in wine to the wounded andfainting. In the course of the day she picked up twenty-five men who hadcome to the rear with the wounded, and set them to work administeringrestoratives, bringing and applying water, lifting men to easierpositions, stopping hemorrhages, etc. , etc. At length her bread was allspent; but luckily a part of the liquors she had brought were found tohave been packed in meal, which suggested the idea of making gruel. Afarm-house was found connected with the barn, and on searching thecellar, she discovered three barrels of flour, and a bag of salt, whichthe rebels had hidden the day before. Kettles were found about thehouse, and she prepared to make gruel on a large scale, which wascarried in buckets and distributed along the line for miles. On theample piazza of the house were ranged the operating tables, where thesurgeons performed their operations; and on that piazza she kept herplace from the forenoon till nightfall, mixing gruel and directing herassistants, under the fire of one of the greatest and fiercest battlesof modern times. Before night her face was as black as a negro's, andher lips and throat parched with the sulphurous smoke of battle. Butnight came at last, and the wearied armies lay down on the ground torest; and the dead and wounded lay everywhere. Darkness too had itsterrors, and as the night closed in, the surgeon in charge at the oldfarm-house, looked despairingly at a bit of candle and said it was theonly one on the place; and no one could stir till morning. A thousandmen dangerously wounded and suffering terribly from thirst lay around, and many must die before the light of another day. It was a fearfulthing to die alone and in the dark, and no one could move among thewounded, for fear of stumbling over them. Miss Barton replied, that, profiting by her experience at Chantilly, she had brought with herthirty lanterns, and an abundance of candles. It was worth a journey toAntietam, to light the gloom of that night. On the morrow, the fightinghad ceased, but the work of caring for the wounded was resumed andcontinued all day. On the third day the regular supplies arrived, andMiss Barton having exhausted her small stores, and finding thatcontinued fatigue and watching were bringing on a fever, turned hercourse towards Washington. It was with difficulty that she was able toreach home, where she was confined to her bed for some time. When sherecovered sufficiently to call on Colonel Rucker, and told him that withfive wagons she could have taken supplies sufficient for the immediatewants of all the wounded in the battle, that officer shed tears, andcharged her to ask for enough next time. 

It was about the 23d of October, when another great battle was expected, that she next set out with a well appointed and heavily laden train ofsix wagons and an ambulance, with seven teamsters, and thirty-eightmules. The men were rough fellows, little used or disposed to becommanded by a woman; and they mutinied when they had gone but a fewmiles. A plain statement of the course she should pursue in case ofinsubordination, induced them to proceed and confine themselves, for thetime being, to imprecations and grumbling. When she overtook the army, it was crossing the Potomac, below Harper's Ferry. Her men refused tocross. She offered them the alternative to go forward peaceably, or tobe dismissed and replaced by soldiers. They chose the former, and fromthat day forward were all obedience, fidelity and usefulness. Theexpected battle was not fought, but gave place to a race for Richmond. The Army of the Potomac had the advantage in regard to distance, keeping for a time along the base of the Blue Ridge, while the enemyfollowed the course of the Shenandoah. There was naturally a skirmish atevery gap. The rebels were generally the first to gain possession of thepass, from which they would attempt to surprise some part of the armythat was passing, and capture a portion of our supply trains. Thus everyday brought a battle or a skirmish, and its accession to the list ofsick and wounded; and for a period of about three weeks, until WarrentonJunction was reached, the national army had no base of operations, norany reinforcements or supplies. The sick had to be carried all that timeover the rough roads in wagons or ambulances. Miss Barton with her wagontrain accompanied the Ninth Army Corps, as a general purveyor for thesick. Her original supply of comforts was very considerable, and her mencontrived to add to it every day such fresh provisions as could begathered from the country. At each night's encampment, they lightedtheir fires and prepared fresh food and necessaries for the movinghospital. Through all that long and painful march from Harper's Ferry toFredericksburg, those wagons constituted the hospital larder and kitchenfor all the sick within reach. 

It will be remembered that after Burnside assumed command of the Army ofthe Potomac, the route by Fredericksburg was selected, and the march wasconducted down the left bank of the Rappahannock to a position oppositethat city. From Warrenton Junction Miss Barton made a visit toWashington, while her wagons kept on with the army, which she rejoinedwith fresh supplies at Falmouth. She remained in camp until after theunsuccessful attack on the works behind Fredericksburg. She was on thebank of the river in front of the Lacy House, within easy rifle shotrange of the enemy, at the time of the attack of the 11thDecember--witnessed the unavailing attempts to lay pontoon bridgesdirectly into the city, and the heroic crossing of the 19th and 20thMassachusetts Regiments and the 7th Michigan. During the briefoccupation of the city she remained in it, organizing the hospitalkitchens; and after the withdrawal of the troops, she established aprivate kitchen for supplying delicacies to the wounded. Although it wasnow winter and the weather inclement, she occupied an old tent while hertrain was encamped around; and the cooking was performed in the openair. When the wounded from the attack on the rebel batteries wererecovered by flag of truce, fifty of them were brought to her camp atnight. They had lain several days in the cold, and were wounded, famished and frozen. She had the snow cleaned away, large fires builtand the men wrapped in blankets. An old chimney was torn down, thebricks heated in the fire, and placed around them. As she believed thatwounded men, exhausted and depressed by the loss of blood, requiredstimulants, and as Surgeon-General Hammond, with characteristicliberality had given her one hundred and thirty gallons of confiscatedliquor, she gave them with warm food, enough strong hot toddy to makethem all measurably drunk. The result was that they slept comfortablyuntil morning, when the medical officers took them in charge. It was herpractice to administer a similar draught to each patient on his leavingfor Acquia Creek, _en route_ to the Washington hospitals. 

A circumstance which occurred during the battle of Fredericksburg, willillustrate very strikingly the courage of Miss Barton, a courage whichhas never faltered in the presence of danger, when what she believed tobe duty called. In the skirmishing of the 12th of December, the daypreceding the great and disastrous battle, a part of the Union troopshad crossed over to Fredericksburg, and after a brief fight had drivenback a body of rebels, wounding and capturing a number of them whom theysent as prisoners across the river to Falmouth, where Miss Barton as yethad her camp. The wounded rebels were brought to her for care andtreatment. Among them was a young officer, mortally wounded by a shot inthe thigh. Though she could not save his life, she ministered to him aswell as she could, partially staunching his wound, quenching his ragingthirst, and endeavoring to make his condition as comfortable aspossible. Just at this time, an orderly arrived with a message from theMedical Director of the Ninth Army Corps requesting her to come over toFredericksburg, and organize the hospitals and diet kitchens for thecorps. The wounded rebel officer heard the request, and beckoning toher, for he was too weak to speak aloud, he whispered a request that shewould not go. She replied that she must do so; that her duty to thecorps to which she was attached required it. "Lady, " replied the woundedrebel, "you have been very kind to me. You could not save my life, butyou have endeavored to render death easy. I owe it to you to tell youwhat a few hours ago I would have died sooner than have revealed. Thewhole arrangement of the Confederate troops and artillery is intended asa trap for your people. Every street and lane of the city is covered byour cannon. They are now concealed, and do not reply to the bombardmentof your army, because they wish to entice you across. When your entirearmy has reached the other side of the Rappahannock and attempts to movealong the streets, they will find Fredericksburg only a slaughter pen, and not a regiment of them will be allowed to escape. Do not go over, for you will go to certain death!" While her tender sensibilitiesprevented her from adding to the suffering of the dying man, by notapparently heeding his warning, Miss Barton did not on account of itforego for an instant her intention of sharing the fortunes of the NinthCorps on the other side of the river. The poor fellow was almost gone, and waiting only to close his eyes on all earthly objects, she crossedon the frail bridge, and was welcomed with cheers by the Ninth Corps, who looked upon her as their guardian angel. She remained with themuntil the evening of their masterly retreat, and until the wounded menof the corps in the hospitals were all safely across. While she was inFredericksburg, after the battle of the 13th, some soldiers of the corpswho had been roving about the city, came to her quarters bringing withgreat difficulty a large and very costly and elegant carpet. "What isthis for?" asked Miss Barton. "It is for you, ma'am, " said one of thesoldiers; "you have been so good to us, that we wanted to bring yousomething. " "Where did you get it?" she asked. "Oh! ma'am, weconfiscated it, " said the soldiers. "No! no!" said the lady; "that willnever do. Governments confiscate. Soldiers when they take such things, steal. I am afraid, my men, you will have to take it back to the housefrom which you took it. I can't receive a stolen carpet. " The men lookedsheepish enough, but they shouldered the carpet and carried it back. Inthe wearisome weeks that followed the Fredericksburg disaster, whenthere was not the excitement of a coming battle, and the wounded whetherdetained in the hospitals around Falmouth or forwarded through the deepmud to the hospital transports on the Potomac, still with saddenedcountenances and depressed spirits looked forward to a dreary future, Miss Barton toiled on, infusing hope and cheerfulness into sad hearts, and bringing the consolations of religion to her aid, pointed them tothe only true source of hope and comfort. 

In the early days of April, 1863, Miss Barton went to the South with theexpectation of being present at the combined land and naval attack onCharleston. She reached the wharf at Hilton Head on the afternoon of the7th, in time to hear the crack of Sumter's guns as they opened inbroadside on Dupont's fleet. That memorable assault accomplished nothingunless it might be to ascertain that Charleston could not be taken bywater. The expedition returned to Hilton Head, and a period ofinactivity followed, enlivened only by unimportant raids, newspapercorrespondence, and the small quarrels that naturally arise in anunemployed army. 

Later in the season Miss Barton accompanied the Gilmore and Dahlgrenexpedition, and was present at nearly all the military operations onJames, Folly, and Morris Islands. The ground occupied on the latter bythe army, during the long siege of Fort Wagner, was the low sand-hillsforming the sea-board of the Island. No tree, shrub, or weed grew there;and the only shelter was light tents without floors. The light sand thatyielded to the tread, the walker sinking to the ankles at almost everystep, glistened in the sun, and burned the feet like particles of fire, and as the ocean winds swept it, it darkened the air and filled the eyesand nostrils. There was no defense against it, and every wound speedilybecame covered with a concrete of gore and sand. Tent pins would nothold in the treacherous sand, every vigorous blast from the sea, overturned the tents, leaving the occupants exposed to the storm or thetorrid sun. It was here, under the fire of the heaviest of the rebelbatteries, that Miss Barton spent the most trying part of the summer. Her employment was, with three or four men detailed to assist her, toboil water in the lee of a sand-hill, to wash the wounds of the men whowere daily struck by rebel shot, to prepare tea and coffee, and variousdishes made from dried fruits, farina, and desiccated milk and eggs. Onthe 19th of July, when the great night assault was made on Wagner, andeverybody expected to find rest and refreshments within the rebelfortress, she alone, so far as I can learn, kept up her fires andpreparations. She alone had anything suitable to offer the wounded andexhausted men who streamed back from the repulse, and covered thesand-hills like a flight of locusts. 

Through all the long bombardment that followed; until Sumter wasreduced, and Wagner and Gregg was ours, amid the scorching sun and theprevalence of prostrating diseases, though herself more than once struckdown with illness, she remained at her post, a most fearless andefficient co-worker with the indefatigable agent of the SanitaryCommission, Dr. M. M. Marsh, in saving the lives and promoting thehealth of the soldiers of the Union army. "How could you, " said a friendto her subsequently, "how could you expose your life and health to thatdeadly heat?" "Why, " she answered, evidently without a thought of theheroism of the answer, "the other ladies thought they could not endurethe climate, and as I knew somebody must take care of the soldiers, Iwent. "

In January, 1864, Miss Barton returned to the North, and after spendingfour or five weeks in visiting her friends and recruiting her wastedstrength, again took up her position at Washington, and commenced makingpreparations for the coming campaign which from observation, she wasconvinced would be the fiercest and most destructive of human life ofany of the war. The first week of the campaign found her at thesecondary base of the army at Belle Plain, and thence with the greatarmy of the wounded she moved to Fredericksburg. Extensive as had beenher preparations, and wide as were the circle of friends who hadentrusted to her the means of solace and healing, the slaughter had beenso terrific that she found her supplies nearly exhausted, and for thefirst time during the war was compelled to appeal for further suppliesto her friends at the North, expending in the meantime freely, as shehad done all along, of her own private means for the succor of the poorwounded soldiers. Moving on to Port Royal, and thence to the JamesRiver, she presently became attached to the Army of the James, whereGeneral Butler, at the instance of his Chief Medical Director, SurgeonMcCormick, acknowledging her past services, and appreciating herabilities, gave her a recognized position, which greatly enhanced herusefulness, and enabled her, with her energetic nature, to contribute asmuch to the welfare and comfort of the army in that year, as she hadbeen able to do in all her previous connection with it. In January, 1865, she returned to Washington, where she was detained from the frontfor nearly two months by the illness and death of a brother and nephew, and did not again join the army in the field. 

By this time, of course, she was very generally known, and the circle ofher correspondence was wide. Her influence in high official quarterswas supposed to be considerable, and she was in the daily receipt ofinquiries and applications of various kinds, in particular in regard tothe fate of men believed to have been confined in Southern prisons. Thegreat number of letters received of this class, led her to decide tospend some months at Annapolis, among the camps and records of paroledand exchanged prisoners, for the purpose of answering the inquiries offriends. Her plan of operation was approved by President Lincoln, March11, 1865, and notice of her appointment as "General Correspondent forthe friends of Paroled Prisoners, " was published in the newspapersextensively, bringing in a torrent of inquiries and letters from wives, parents, State officials, agencies, the Sanitary Commission and theChristian Commission. On reaching Annapolis, she encountered obstaclesthat were vexatious, time-wasting, and in fact, insupportable. Withoutrank, rights or authority credited by law, the officials there were at aloss how to receive her. The town was so crowded that she could find noprivate lodgings, and had to force herself as a scarce welcome guestupon some one for a few days, while her baggage stood out in the snow. Nearly two months were consumed in negotiations before an order wasobtained from the War Department to the effect that the militaryauthorities at Annapolis _might_ allow her the use of a tent, and itsfurniture, and a moderate supply of postage stamps. This was notmandatory, but permissive; and negotiations could now be opened with thegentlemen at Annapolis. In the meantime the President had beenassassinated, Richmond taken, and Lee's army surrendered. The rebellionwas breaking away. All prisoners were to be released from parole, andsent home, and nothing would remain at Annapolis but the records. Unfortunately these proved to be of very little service--but a small percentage of those inquired for, were found on the rolls, and obviouslythese, for the most part, were not men who had been lost, but who hadreturned. She was also informed, on good authority, that a large numberof prisoners had been exchanged without roll or record, and that somerolls were so fraudulent and incorrect, as to be worthless. Poorwretches in the rebel pens seemed even to forget the names their mothercalled them. The Annapolis scheme was therefore abandoned, withmortification that thousands of letters had lain so long unanswered, that thousands of anxious friends were daily waiting for tidings oftheir loved and lost. The pathos and simplicity of these letters wasoften touching. An old man writes that he has two sons and threegrandsons in the army, and of two of the five he could get no tidings. Another says she knew her son was brave, and if he died, he diedhonorably. He was all she had and she gave him freely to the country. Ifhe be really lost she will not repine; but she feels she has a right tobe told what became of him. Many of the writers seemed to have a veryprimitive idea of the way information was to be picked up. They imaginedthat Miss Barton was to walk through all hospitals, camps, armies andprisons, and narrowly scrutinizing every face, would be able to identifythe lost boy by the descriptions given her. Hence the fond motherminutely described her boy as he remained graven on her memory on theday of his departure. The result of these delays was the organization, by Miss Barton, at her own cost, of a Bureau of Records of Missing Menof the Armies of the United States, at Washington. Here she collectedall rolls of prisoners, hospital records, and records of burials in therebel prisons and elsewhere, and at short intervals published Rolls ofMissing Men, which, by the franks of some of her friends among theMembers of Congress, were sent to all parts of the United States, andposted in prominent places, and in many instances copied into localpapers. The method adopted for the discovery of information concerningthese missing men, and the communication of that information to theirfriends who had made inquiries concerning them may be thus illustrated. 

A Mrs. James of Kennebunk, Maine, has seen a notice in the paper thatMiss Clara Barton of Washington will receive inquiries from friends of"missing men of the Army, " and will endeavor to obtain information forthem without fee or reward. She forthwith writes to Miss Barton that sheis anxious to gain tidings of her husband, Eli James, Sergeant CompanyF. Fourth Maine Infantry, who has not been heard of since the battle of----. This letter, when received, is immediately acknowledged, registered in a book, endorsed and filed away for convenient reference. The answer satisfied Mrs. James for the time, that her letter was notlost and that some attention is given to her inquiry. If the fate ofSergeant James is known or can be learned from the official rolls theinformation is sent at once. Otherwise the case lies over until thereare enough to form a roll, which will probably be within a few weeks. Aroll of Missing Men is then made up--with an appeal for informationrespecting them, of which from twenty thousand to thirty thousand copiesare printed to be posted all over the United States, in all places wheresoldiers are most likely to congregate. It is not impossible, that insay two weeks' time, one James Miller, of Keokuk, Iowa, writes that hehas seen the name of his friend James posted for information; that hefound him lying on the ground, at the battle of ---- mortally woundedwith a fragment of shell; that he, James, gave the writer a few articlesfrom about his person, and a brief message to his wife and children, whom he is now unable to find; that the national troops fell back fromthat portion of the field leaving the dead within the enemy's lines, whoconsequently were never reported. When this letter is received it isalso registered in a book, endorsed and filed, and a summary of itscontents is sent to Mrs. James, with the intimation that furtherparticulars of interest to her can be learned by addressing JamesMiller, of Keokuk, Iowa. 

Soon after entering fully upon this work in Washington, and havingobtained the rolls of the prison hospitals of Wilmington, Salisbury, Florence, Charleston, and other Rebel prisons of the South, Miss Bartonascertained that Dorrance Atwater, a young Connecticut soldier, who hadbeen a prisoner at Andersonville, Georgia, had succeeded in obtaining acopy of all the records of interments in that field of death, during hisemployment in the hospital there, and that he could identify the gravesof most of the thirteen thousand who had died there the victims of Rebelcruelty. 

Atwater was induced to permit Government officers to copy his roll, andon the representation of Miss Barton that no time should be lost inputting up head-boards to the graves of the Union Soldiers, CaptainJames M. Moore, Assistant Quartermaster, was ordered to proceed toAndersonville with young Atwater and a suitable force, to lay out thegrounds as a cemetery and place head-boards to the graves; and MissBarton was requested by the Secretary of War to accompany him. She didso, and the grounds were laid out and fenced, and all the graves exceptabout four hundred which could not be identified were marked withsuitable head-boards. On their return, Miss Barton resumed her duties, and Captain Moore caused Atwater's arrest on the charge of having stolenfrom the Government the list he had loaned them for copying, and after ahasty trial by Court-Martial, he was sentenced to be imprisoned in theAuburn State Prison for two years and six months. The sentence wasimmediately carried into effect. 

Miss Barton felt that this whole charge, trial and sentence, was grosslyunjust; that Atwater had committed no crime, not even a technical one, and that he ought to be relieved from imprisonment. She accordinglyexerted herself to have the case brought before the President. This wasdone; and in part through the influence of General Benjamin F. Butler, an order was sent on to the Warden of the Auburn Prison to set theprisoner at liberty, Atwater subsequently published his roll of theAndersonville dead, to which Miss Barton prefixed a narrative of theexpedition to Andersonville. Her Bureau had by this time become aninstitution of great and indispensable importance not only to thefriends of missing men but to the Sanitary Commission, and to theGovernment itself, which could not without daily and almost hourlyreference to her records settle the accounts for bounties, back pay, andpensions. Thus far, however, it had been sustained wholly at her owncost, and in this and other labors for the soldiers she had expended herentire private fortune of eight or ten thousand dollars. Soon after theassembling of Congress, Hon. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, who hadalways been her firm friend, moved an appropriation of fifteen thousanddollars to remunerate her for past expenditure, and enable her tomaintain the Bureau of Records of Missing Men, which had proved of suchservice. To the honor of Congress it should be said, that theappropriation passed both houses by a unanimous vote. Miss Barton stillcontinues her good work, and has been instrumental in sending certaintyif not solace to thousands of families, who mourned their loved ones aslying in unknown graves. 

In person Miss Barton is about of medium height, her form and figureindicating great powers of endurance. Though not technically beautiful, her dark expressive eye is attractive, and she possesses, evidentlyunconsciously to herself, great powers of fascination. Her voice issoft, low, and of extraordinary sweetness of tone. As we have said sheis modest, quiet and retiring in manner, and is extremely reticent inspeaking of anything she has done, while she is ever ready to bestow thefull meed of praise on the labors of others. Her devotion to her workhas been remarkable, and her organizing abilities are unsurpassed amongher own sex and equalled by very few among the other. She is stillyoung, and with her power and disposition for usefulness is destined wehope to prove greatly serviceable to the country she so ardently loves. 

HELEN LOUISE GILSON. 

Miss Helen Louise Gilson is a native of Boston, but removed in childhoodto Chelsea, Massachusetts, where she now resides. She is a niece of Hon. Frank B. Fay, former Mayor of Chelsea, and was his ward. Mr. Fay, fromthe commencement of the war took the most active interest in theNational cause, devoting his time, his wealth and his personal effortsto the welfare of the soldiers. In the autumn of 1861 he went in personto the seat of war, and from that time forward, in every battle in whichthe Army of the Potomac was engaged, he was promptly upon the field withhis stores and appliances of healing, and moved gently though rapidlyamong the dead and wounded, soothing helpless, suffering and bleedingmen parched with fever, crazed with thirst, or lying neglected in thelast agonies of death. After two years of this independent workperformed when as yet the Sanitary Commission had no field agencies, anddid not attempt to minister to the suffering and wounded until they hadcome under the hands of the surgeons, Mr. Fay laid before the SanitaryCommission, in the winter of 1863-4, his plans for an Auxiliary ReliefCorps, to afford personal relief in the field, to the wounded soldier, and render him such assistance, as should enable him to bear with lessinjury the delay which must ensue before he could come under thesurgeon's care or be transferred to a hospital, and in cases of theslighter wounds furnish the necessary dressings and attention. TheSanitary Commission at once adopted these plans and made Mr. Fay chiefof the Auxiliary Relief Corps. In this capacity he performed an amountof labor of which few men were capable, till December, 1864, when heretired from it but continued his independent work till the close of thewar. During his visits at home he was active in organizing and directingmeasures for raising supplies and money for the Sanitary Commission andthe independent measures of relief. 

Influenced by such an example of lofty and self-sacrificing patriotism, and with her own young heart on fire with love for her country, MissGilson from the very commencement of the war, gave herself to the workof caring for the soldiers, first at home, and afterward in the field. In that glorious uprising of American women, all over the North, in thespring of 1861, to organize Soldiers' Aid Societies she was active andamong the foremost in her own city. She had helped to prepare andcollect supplies, and to arrange them for transportation. She had alsoobtained a contract for the manufacture of army clothing, from theGovernment, by means of which she provided employment for soldiers'wives and daughters, raising among the benevolent and patriotic peopleof Chelsea and vicinity, a fund which enabled her to pay a far moreliberal sum than the contractors' prices, for this labor. 

When Mr. Fay commenced his personal services with the Army of thePotomac, Miss Gilson, wishing to accompany him, applied to Miss D. L. Dix, Government Superintendent of Female Nurses, for a diploma, but asshe had not reached the required age she was rejected. This, however, did not prevent her from fulfilling her ardent desire of ministering tothe sick and wounded, but served in a measure to limit her to servicesupon the field, where she could act in concert with Mr. Fay, orotherwise under the direction of the Sanitary Commission. 

During nearly the whole term of Miss Gilson's service she was in companywith Mr. Fay and his assistants. The party had their own tent, forminga household, and carrying with them something of home-life. 

In this manner she, with her associates, followed the Army of thePotomac, through its various vicissitudes, and was present at, or near, almost every one of its great battles except the first battle of BullRun. 

In the summer of 1862 Miss Gilson was for some time attached to theHospital Transport service, and was on board the Knickerbocker when upthe Pamunky River at White House, and afterward at Harrison's Landingduring the severe battles which marked McClellan's movement from theChickahominy to the James River. Amidst the terrible scenes of thoseeventful days, the quiet energy, the wonderful comforting and soothingpower, and the perfect adaptability of Miss Gilson to her work wereconspicuous. 

Whatever she did was done well, and so noiselessly that only the resultswere seen. When not more actively employed she would sit by thebed-sides of the suffering men, and charm away their pain by themagnetism of her low, calm voice, and soothing words. She sang for them, and, kneeling beside them, where they lay amidst all the agonizingsights and sounds of the hospital wards, and even upon the field ofcarnage, her voice would ascend in petition, for peace, for relief, forsustaining grace in the brief journey to the other world, carrying withit their souls into the realms of an exalted faith. 

As may be supposed, Miss Gilson exerted a remarkable personal influenceover the wounded soldiers as well as all those with whom she was broughtin contact. She always shrank from notoriety, and strongly deprecatedany publicity in regard to her work; but the thousands who witnessed herextraordinary activity, her remarkable executive power, her ability inevoking order out of chaos, and providing for thousands of sick andwounded men where most persons would have been completely overwhelmed inthe care of scores or hundreds, could not always be prevented fromspeaking of her in the public prints. The uniform cheerfulness andbuoyancy of spirit with which all her work was performed, added greatlyto its efficiency in removing the depressing influences, so common inthe hospitals and among the wounded. 

From some of the reports of agents of the Sanitary Commission we selectthe following passages referring to her, as expressing in more moderatelanguage than some others, the sentiments in regard to her workentertained by all who were brought into contact with her. 

"Upon Miss Gilson's services, we scarcely dare trust ourselves tocomment. Upon her experience we relied for counsel, and it was chieflydue to her advice and efforts, that the work in our hospital went on sosuccessfully. Always quiet, self-possessed, and prompt in the dischargeof duty, she accomplished more than any one else could for the relief ofthe wounded, besides being a constant example and embodiment ofearnestness for all. Her ministrations were always grateful to thewounded men, who devotedly loved her for her self-sacrificing spirit. Said one of the Fifth New Jersey in our hearing, 'There isn't a man inour regiment who wouldn't lay down his life for Miss Gilson. '

"We have seen the dying man lean his head upon her shoulder, while shebreathed into his ear the soothing prayer that calmed, cheered andprepared him for his journey through the dark valley. 

"Under the direction of Miss Gilson, the special diet was prepared, andwe cannot strongly enough express our sense of the invaluable serviceshe rendered in this department. The food was always eagerly expectedand relished by the men, with many expressions of praise. "

After the battle of Gettysburg Mr. Fay and his party went thither ontheir mission of help and mercy. And never was such a mission moreneeded. Crowded within the limits, and in the immediate vicinity, ofthat small country-town, were twenty-five thousand wounded men, thirteen thousand seven hundred and thirteen of our own, and nearlytwelve thousand wounded rebel prisoners. The Government in anticipationof the battle had provided medical and surgical supplies and attendancefor about ten thousand. Had not the Sanitary Commission supplementedthis supply, and sent efficient agents to the field, the loss of life, and the amount of suffering, terrible as they were with the bestappliances, must have been almost incredibly great. 

Here as elsewhere Miss Gilson soon made a favorable impression on thewounded men. They looked up to her, reverenced and almost worshippedher. She had their entire confidence and respect. Even the roughest ofthem yielded to her influence and obeyed her wishes, which were alwaysmade known in a gentle manner and in a voice peculiarly low and sweet. 

It has been recorded by one who knew her well, that she once stepped outof her tent, before which a group of brutal men were fiercelyquarrelling, having refused, with oaths and vile language, to carry asick comrade to the hospital at the request of one of the male agents ofthe Commission, and quietly advancing to their midst, renewed therequest as her own. Immediately every angry tone was stilled. Theirvoices were lowered, and modulated respectfully. Their oaths ceased, andquietly and cheerfully, without a word of objection, they lifted theirhelpless burden, and tenderly carried him away. 

At the same time she was as efficient in action as in influence. Withoutbustle, and with unmoved calmness, she would superintend the preparationof food for a thousand men, and assist in feeding them herself. Just soshe moved amidst the flying bullets upon the field, bringing succor tothe wounded; or through the hospitals amidst the pestilent air of thefever-stricken wards. Self-controlled, she could control others, andorder and symmetry sprung up before her as a natural result of theoperation of a well-balanced mind. 

In all her journeys Miss Gilson made use of the opportunities affordedher wherever she stopped to plead the cause of the soldier to thepeople, who readily assembled at her suggestion. She thus stimulatedenergies that might otherwise have flagged, and helped to swell thesupplies continually pouring in to the depots of the SanitaryCommission. But Miss Gilson's crowning work was performed during thatlast protracted campaign of General Grant from the Rapidan to Petersburgand the Appomattox, a campaign which by almost a year of constantfighting finished the most terrible and destructive war of modern times. She had taken the field with Mr. Fay at the very commencement of thecampaign, and had been indefatigable in her efforts to relieve what shecould of the fearful suffering of those destructive battles of May, 1864, in which the dead and wounded were numbered by scores ofthousands. To how many poor sufferers she brought relief from the ragingthirst and the racking agony of their wounds, to how many aching heartsher words of cheer and her sweet songs bore comfort and hope, to howmany of those on whose countenances the Angel of death had already sethis seal, she whispered of a dying and risen Saviour, and of themansions prepared for them that love him, will never be known till thejudgment of the great day; but this we know, that thousands now livingspeak with an almost rapturous enthusiasm, of "the little lady who intheir hours of agony, ministered to them with such sweetness, and neverseemed to weary of serving them. "

A young physician in the service of the Sanitary Commission, Dr. WilliamHowell Reed, who was afterwards for many months associated with her andMr. Fay in their labors of auxiliary relief, thus describes his firstopportunity of observing her work. It was at Fredericksburg in May, 1864, when that town was for a time the base of the Army of the Potomac, and the place to which the wounded were brought for treatment beforebeing sent to the hospitals at Washington and Baltimore. The buildingused as a hospital, and which she visited was the mansion of John L. Marie, a large building, but much of it in ruins from the previousbombardment of the city. It was crowded with wounded in every part. Dr. Reed says:--

"One afternoon, just before the evacuation, when the atmosphere of ourrooms was close and foul, and all were longing for a breath of ourcooler northern air, while the men were moaning in pain, or wererestless with fever, and our hearts were sick with pity for thesufferers, I heard a light step upon the stairs; and looking up I saw ayoung lady enter, who brought with her such an atmosphere of calm andcheerful courage, so much freshness, such an expression of gentle, womanly sympathy, that her mere presence seemed to revive the droopingspirits of the men, and to give a new power of endurance through thelong and painful hours of suffering. First with one, then at the side ofanother, a friendly word here, a gentle nod and smile there, a tendersympathy with each prostrate sufferer, a sympathy which could read inhis eyes his longing for home love, and for the presence of some absentone--in those few minutes hers was indeed an angel ministry. Before sheleft the room she sang to them, first some stirring national melody, then some sweet or plaintive hymn to strengthen the fainting heart; andI remember how the notes penetrated to every part of the building. Soldiers with less severe wounds, from the rooms above, began to crawlout into the entries, and men from below crept up on their hands andknees, to catch every note, and to receive of the benediction of herpresence--for such it was to them. Then she went away. I did not knowwho she was, but I was as much moved and melted as any soldier of themall. This is my first reminiscence of Helen L. Gilson. "

Thus far Miss Gilson's cares and labors had been bestowed almostexclusively on the white soldiers; but the time approached when she wasto devote herself to the work of creating a model hospital for thecolored soldiers who now formed a considerable body of troops in theArmy of the Potomac. She was deeply interested in the struggle of theAfrican race upward into the new life which seemed opening for them, andher efforts for the mental and moral elevation of the freedmen and theirfamilies were eminently deserving of record. 

Dr. Reed relates how, as they were passing down the Rappahannock and upthe York and Pamunky rivers to the new temporary base of the army atPort Royal, they found a government barge which had been appropriated tothe use of the "contrabands, " of whom about a thousand were stowed awayupon it, of all ages and both sexes, all escaped from their formermasters in that part of Virginia. The hospital party heard them singingthe negroes' evening hymn, and taking a boat from the steamer rowed tothe barge, and after a little conversation persuaded them to renew theirsong, which was delivered with all the fervor, emotion and _abandon_ ofthe negro character. 

When their song had ceased, Miss Gilson addressed them. She pictured thereality of freedom, told them what it meant and what they would have todo, no longer would there be a master to deal out the peck of corn, nolonger a mistress to care for the old people or the children. They wereto work for themselves, provide for their own sick, and support theirown infirm; but all this was to be done under new conditions. Nooverseer was to stand over them with the whip, for their new master wasthe necessity of earning their daily bread. Very soon new and highermotives would come; fresh encouragements, a nobler ambition, would growinto their new condition. Then in the simplest language she explainedthe difference between their former relations with the then master andtheir new relations with the northern people, showing that labor herewas voluntary, and that they could only expect to secure kind employersby faithfully doing all they had to do. Then, enforcing truthfulness, neatness, and economy, she said, --

"You know that the Lord Jesus died and rose again for you. You love tosing his praise and to draw near to him in prayer. But remember thatthis is not all of religion. You must do right as well as pray right. Your lives must be full of kind deeds towards each other, full of gentleand loving affections, full of unselfishness and truth: this is truepiety. You must make Monday and Tuesday just as good and pure as Sundayis, remembering that God looks not only at your prayers and youremotions, but at the way you live, and speak, and act, every hour ofyour lives. "

Then she sang Whittier's exquisite hymn:--

 "O, praise an' tanks, --the Lord he come To set de people free; An' massa tink it day ob doom, An' we ob jubilee. De Lord dat heap de Red Sea wabes, He just as 'trong as den; He say de word, we last night slabes, To-day de Lord's free men. "

Here were a thousand people breathing their first free air. They werenew born with this delicious sense of freedom. They listened withmoistened eyes to every word which concerned their future, and felt thatits utterance came from a heart which could embrace them all in itssympathies. Life was to them a jubilee only so far as they could make itso by a consciousness of duty faithfully done. They had hard work beforethem, much privation, many struggles. They had everything to learn--thenew industries of the North, their changed social condition, and how toaccept their new responsibilities. 

As she spoke the circle grew larger, and they pressed round her moreeagerly. It was all a part of their new life. They welcomed it; and, byevery possible expression of gratitude to her, they showed how desirousthey were to learn. Those who were present can never forget the scene--athousand dusky faces, expressive of such fervency and enthusiasm, theirlarge eyes filled with tears, answering to the throbbing heart below, all dimly outlined by the flickering rays of a single lamp. And when itwas over, we felt that we could understand our relations to them, andthe new duties which this great hour had brought upon us. 

It was not till the sanguinary battles of the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18thof June, 1864, that there had been any considerable number of thecolored troops of the Army of the Potomac wounded. In those engagementshowever, as well as in the subsequent ones of the explosion of the mine, and the actions immediately around Petersburg, they suffered terribly. The wounded were brought rapidly to City Point, where a temporaryhospital had been provided. We give a description of this hospital inthe words of Dr. Reed, who was associated subsequently with Miss Gilsonin its management. 

"It was, in no other sense a hospital, than that it was a depot forwounded men. There were defective management and chaotic confusion. Themen were neglected, the hospital organization was imperfect, and themortality was in consequence frightfully large. Their condition washorrible. The severity of the campaign in a malarious country hadprostrated many with fevers, and typhoid, in its most malignant forms, was raging with increasing fatality. 

"These stories of suffering reached Miss Gilson at a moment when theprevious labors of the campaign had nearly exhausted her strength; buther duty seemed plain. There were no volunteers for the emergency, andshe prepared to go. Her friends declared that she could not survive it;but replying that she could not die in a cause more sacred, she startedout alone. A hospital was to be created, and this required all the tact, finesse and diplomacy of which a woman is capable. Official prejudiceand professional pride was to be met and overcome. A new policy was tobe introduced, and it was to be done without seeming to interfere. Herdoctrine and practice always were instant, silent, and cheerfulobedience to medical and disciplinary orders, without any qualificationwhatever; and by this she overcame the natural sensitiveness of themedical authorities. 

"A hospital kitchen was to be organized upon her method of special diet;nurses were to learn her way, and be educated to their duties; whilecleanliness, order, system, were to be enforced in the daily routine. Moving quietly on with her work of renovation, she took theresponsibility of all changes that became necessary; and such harmonyprevailed in the camp that her policy was vindicated as time rolled on. The rate of mortality was lessened, and the hospital was soon consideredthe best in the department. This was accomplished by a tact and energywhich sought no praise, but modestly veiled themselves behind the ordersof officials. The management of her kitchen was like the ticking of aclock--regular discipline, gentle firmness, and sweet temper always. Thediet for the men was changed three times a day; and it was her aim tocater as far as possible to the appetites of individual men. Her dailyrounds in the wards brought her into personal intercourse with everypatient, and she knew his special need. At one time, when nine hundredmen were supplied from her kitchen (with seven hundred rations daily), Itook down her diet list for one dinner, and give it here in a note, [D]to show the variety of the articles, and her careful consideration ofthe condition of separate men. "

[Footnote D: "List of rations in the Colored Hospital at City Point, being a dinner on Wednesday, April 25th, 1865:--

 Roast Beef, Shad, Veal Broth, Stewed Oysters, Beef Tea, Mashed Potatoes, Lemonade, Apple Jelly, Farina Pudding. Tomatoes, Tea, Coffee, Toast, Gruel, Scalded Milk, Crackers and Sherry Cobbler, Roast Apple

Let it not be supposed that this was an ordinary hospital diet. Althoughsuch a list was furnished at this time, yet it was only possible whilethe hospital had an ample base, like City Point. The armies, whenoperating at a distance, could give but two or three articles; and inactive campaigns these were furnished with great irregularity. "]

The following passage from the pen of Harriet Martineau, in regard tothe management of the kitchen at Scutari, by Florence Nightingale, istrue also of those organized by Miss Gilson in Virginia. The parallel isso close, and the illustration of the daily administration of thisdepartment of her work so vivid, that, if the circumstances under whichit was written were not known, I should have said it was a faithfulpicture of our kitchen in the Colored Hospital at City Point:--

"The very idea of that kitchen was savory in the wards; for out of itcame, at the right moment, arrowroot, hot and of the pleasantestconsistence; rice puddings, neither hard on the one hand or clammy onthe other; cool lemonade for the feverish; cans full of hot tea for theweary, and good coffee for the faint. When the sinking sufferer waslying with closed eyes, too feeble to make moan or sigh, the hospitalspoon was put between his lips, with the mouthful of strong broth or hotwine, which rallied him till the watchful nurse came round again. Themeat from that kitchen was tenderer than any other, the beef tea wasmore savory. One thing that came out of it was the lesson on the savingof good cookery. The mere circumstance of the boiling water being reallyboiling there, made a difference of two ounces of rice in every fourpuddings, and of more than half the arrowroot used. The same quantity ofarrowroot which made a pint thin and poor in the general kitchen, madetwo pints thick and good in Miss Nightingale's. 

"Again, in contrasting the general kitchen with the light or specialdiet prepared for the sicker men, there was all the difference betweenhaving placed before them 'the cold mutton chop with its opaque fat, thebeef with its caked gravy, the arrowroot stiff and glazed, alluntouched, as might be seen by the bed-sides in the afternoons, whilethe patients were lying back, sinking for want of support, ' and seeing'the quick and quiet nurses enter as the clock struck, with their hotwater tins, hot morsels ready cut, bright knife, and fork, andspoon, --and all ready for instant eating!'

"The nurses looked for Miss Gilson's word of praise, and labored for it;and she had only to suggest a variety in the decoration of the tents tostimulate a most honorable rivalry among them, which soon opened a widefield for displaying ingenuity and taste, so that not only was itsstandard the highest, but it was the most cheerfully picturesquehospital at City Point. 

"This colored hospital service was one of those extraordinary tasks, outof the ordinary course of army hospital discipline, that none but awoman could execute. It required more than a man's power of endurance, for men fainted and fell under the burden. It required a woman'sdiscernment, a woman's tenderness, a woman's delicacy and tact; itrequired such nerve and moral force, and such executive power, as arerarely united in any woman's character. The simple grace with which shemoved about the hospital camps, the gentle dignity with which sheministered to the suffering about her, won all hearts. As she passedthrough the wards, the men would follow her with their eyes, attractedby the grave sweetness of her manner; and when she stopped by somebed-side, and laid her hand upon the forehead and smoothed the hair of asoldier, speaking some cheering, pleasant word, I have seen the tearsgather in his eyes, and his lips quiver, as he tried to speak or totouch the fold of her dress, as if appealing to her to listen, while heopened his heart about the mother, wife, or sister far away. I have seenher in her sober gray flannel gown, sitting motionless by the dimcandle-light, --which was all our camp could afford, --with her eyes openand watchful, and her hands ever ready for all those endless wants ofsickness at night, especially sickness that may be tended unto death, orunto the awful struggle between life and death, which it was the lot ofnearly all of us at some time to keep watch over until the danger hadgone by. And in sadder trials, when the life of a soldier whom she hadwatched and ministered to was trembling in the balance between earth andheaven, waiting for Him to make all things new, she has seemed, by somespecial grace of the Spirit, to reach the living Christ, and draw ablessing down as the shining way was opened to the tomb. And I have seensuch looks of gratitude from weary eyes, now brightened by visions ofheavenly glory, the last of many recognitions of her ministry. Absorbedin her work, unconscious of the spiritual beauty which invested herdaily life, --whether in her kitchen, in the heat and overcrowdingincident to the issues of a large special diet list, or sitting at thecot of some poor lonely soldier, whispering of the higher realities ofanother world, --she was always the same presence of grace and love, ofpeace and benediction. I have been with her in the wards when the menhave craved some simple religious services, --the reading of Scripture, the repetition of a psalm, the singing of a hymn, or the offering of aprayer, --and invariably the men were melted to tears by the touchingsimplicity of her eloquence. 

"These were the tokens of her ministry among the sickest men; but it wasnot here alone that her influence was felt in the hospital. Was therejealousy in the kitchen, her quick penetration detected the cause, andin her gentle way harmony was restored; was there profanity among theconvalescents, her daily presence and kindly admonition or reproof, withan occasional glance which spoke her sorrow for such sin, were enough tocheck the evil; or was there hardship or discontent, the knowledge thatshe was sharing the discomfort too, was enough to compel patientendurance until a remedy could be provided. And so, through all the war, from the seven days' conflict upon the Peninsula, in those early Julydays of 1862, through the campaigns of Antietam and Fredericksburg, ofChancellorsville and Gettysburg, and after the conflicts of theWilderness, and the fierce and undecided battles which were fought forthe possession of Richmond and Petersburg, in 1864 and 1865, she laboredsteadfastly on until the end. Through scorching heat and pinching cold, in the tent or upon the open field, in the ambulance or on the saddle, through rain and snow, amid unseen perils of the enemy, under fire uponthe field, or in the more insidious dangers of contagion, she workedquietly on, doing her simple part with all womanly tact and skill, untilnow the hospital dress is laid aside, and she rests, with the sense of anoble work done, and with the blessings and prayers of the thousandswhose sufferings she has relieved, or whose lives she has saved. "

Amid all these labors, Miss Gilson found time and opportunity to carefor the poor negro washerwomen and their families, who doing the washingof the hospital were allowed rations and a rude shelter by thegovernment in a camp near the hospital grounds. Finding that they weresuffering from overcrowding, privation, neglect, and sickness, sheprocured the erection of comfortable huts for them, obtained clothingfrom the North for the more destitute, and by example and preceptencouraged them in habits of neatness and order, while she alsoinculcated practical godliness in all their life. In a short time fromone of the most miserable this became the best of the Freedmen's camps. 

As was the case with nearly every woman who entered the service at theseat of war, Miss Gilson suffered from malarious fever. As often aspossible she returned to her home for a brief space, to recruit herwasted energies, and it was those brief intervals of rest which enabledher to remain at her post until several months after the surrender ofLee virtually ended the war. 

She left Richmond in July, 1865, and spent the remainder of the summerin a quiet retreat upon Long Island, where she partially recovered herimpaired health, and in the autumn returned to her home in Chelsea. 

In person Miss Gilson is small and delicately proportioned. Withoutbeing technically beautiful, her features are lovely both in form andexpression, and though now nearly thirty years of age she looks muchyounger than she actually is. Her voice is low and soft, and her speechgentle and deliberate. Her movements correspond in exact harmony withvoice and speech. But, under the softness and gentleness of her externaldemeanor, one soon detects a firmness of determination, and a fixednessof will. No doubt, once determined upon the duty and propriety of anycourse, she will pursue it calmly and persistently to the end. It is tothese qualifications, and physical and moral traits, that she owes theundoubted power and influence exercised in her late mission. 

MRS. JOHN HARRIS. 

He would have been a man of uncommon sagacity and penetration, who inthe beginning of 1861, should have chosen Mrs. Harris as capable of thegreat services and the extraordinary power of endurance with which hername has since been identified. A pale, quiet, delicate woman, often aninvalid for months, and almost always a sufferer; the wife of a somewhateminent physician, in Philadelphia, and in circumstances which did notrequire constant activity for her livelihood, refined, educated, andshrinking from all rough or brutal sights or sounds, she seemed one ofthose who were least fitted to endure the hardships, and encounter theroughnesses of a life in the camp or field hospitals. 

But beneath that quiet and frail exterior, there dwelt a firm anddauntless spirit. She had been known by her neighbors, and especially inthe church of which she was an honored member, as a woman of remarkablepiety and devotion, and as an excellent and skilful attendant upon thesick. When the war commenced, she was one of the ladies who assembled toform the Ladies' Aid Society of Philadelphia, and was chosen, we believeunanimously, Corresponding Secretary. She seems to have entered upon thework from the feeling that it was a part of her duty, a sacrifice shewas called to make, a burden which she ought to bear. And through thewar, mainly from her temperament, which inclined her to look on the darkside, she never seemed stimulated or strengthened in her work by thatabiding conviction of the final success of our arms, which was to somany of the patient workers, the day-star of hope. Like Bunyan's MasterFearing, she was always apprehensive of defeat and disaster, of thetriumph of the adversary; and when victories came, her eyes were so dimwith tears for the bereaved and sorrow-stricken, and her heart so heavywith their griefs that she could not join in the songs of triumph, orsmile in unison with the nation's rejoicings. We speak of this not todepreciate her work or zeal, but rather to do the more honor to both. The despondent temperament and the intense sympathy with sorrow wereconstitutional, or the result of years of ill-health, and that undertheir depressing influence, with no step of her way lighted with thesunshine of joy, she should have not only continued faithful to herwork, but have undergone more hardships and accomplished more, for thesoldiers than most others, reflects the highest credit upon herpatience, perseverance and devotion to the cause. 

We have elsewhere in this volume given an account of the origin andprogress of the Ladies' Aid Society, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Harris, though continued as its Corresponding Secretary through the war, was, during the greater part of the time, its correspondent in the field, andleft to the other officers, the work of raising and forwarding the moneyand supplies, while she attended in person to their distribution. Thisdivision of labor seems to have satisfied her associates, who forwardedto her order their hospital stores and money with the most perfectconfidence in her judicious disposition of both. Other Societies, suchas the Penn Relief, the Patriotic Daughters of Lancaster, and AidSocieties from the interior of Pennsylvania, as well as the Christianand Sanitary Commissions, made her their almoners, and she distributed alarger amount of stores, perhaps, than any other lady in the field. 

The history of her work during the war, is given very fully, in hercorrespondence with the Ladies' Aid Society, published in theirsemi-annual reports. From these we gather that she had visited in 1861, and the winter of 1862, before the movement of the army to thepeninsula, more than one hundred hospitals of the army of the Potomac, in and around Washington, and had not only ministered to the physicalwants of the sick and wounded men, but had imparted religiousinstruction and consolation to many of them. Everywhere her coming hadbeen welcomed; in many instances, eyes dimmed by the shadow of the wingsof the death-angel, saw in her the wife or mother, for whose coming theyhad longed and died, with the hallowed word "mother" on their lips. 

When in the spring of 1862, the army of the Potomac moved to thePeninsula, Mrs. Harris went thither, first distributing as far aspracticable, her stores among the men. Soon after her arrival on thePeninsula, she found ample employment for her time. The Chesapeake andHygeia hospitals at Fortress Monroe, filled at first mostly with thesick, and the few wounded in the siege of Yorktown, were, after thebattles of Williamsburg and West Point crowded with such of the wounded, both Union and Confederate soldiers as could be brought so far from thebattle-fields. She spent two or three weeks here, aiding the noble womenwho were acting as Matrons of these hospitals. From thence she went onboard the Vanderbilt, then just taken as a Government Transport for thewounded from the bloody field of Fair Oaks. 

She thus describes the scene and her work:

 "There were eight hundred on board. Passage-ways, state-rooms, floors from the dark and foetid hold to the hurricane deck, were all more than filled; some on mattresses, some on blankets, others on straw; some in the death-struggle, others nearing it, some already beyond human sympathy and help; some in their blood as they had been brought from the battle-field of the Sabbath previous, and all hungry and thirsty, not having had anything to eat or drink, except hard crackers, for twenty-four hours. 

 "The gentlemen who came on with us hurried on to the White House, and would have had us go with them, but something held us back; thank God it was so. Meeting Dr. Cuyler, Medical Director, he exclaimed, 'Here is work for you!' He, poor man, was completely overwhelmed with the general care of all the hospitals at Old Point, and added to these, these mammoth floating hospitals, which are coming in from day to day with their precious cargoes. Without any previous notice, they anchor, and send to him for supplies, which it would be extremely difficult to improvise, even in our large cities, and quite impossible at Old Point. 'No bakeries, no stores, except small sutlers. ' The bread had all to be baked; the boat rationed for two days; _eight hundred_ on board. 

 "When we went aboard, the first cry we met was for tea and bread. 'For God's sake, give us _bread_, ' came from many of our wounded soldiers. Others shot in the face or neck, begged for liquid food. With feelings of a _mixed_ character, shame, indignation, and sorrow blending, we turned away to see what resources we could muster to meet the demand. A box of tea, a barrel of cornmeal, sundry parcels of dried fruit, a few crackers, ginger cakes, dried rusk, sundry jars of jelly and of pickles, were seized upon, soldiers and contrabands impressed into service, all the cooking arrangements of three families appropriated, by permission, and soon three pounds of tea were boiling, and many gallons of gruel blubbering. In the meantime, all the bread we could buy, twenty-five loaves, were cut into slices and _jellied_, pickles were got in readiness, and in an incredibly short time, we were back to our poor sufferers. 

 "When we carried in bread, hands from every quarter were outstretched, and the cry, 'Give me a piece, O please! I have had nothing since Monday;' another, 'Nothing but hard crackers since the fight, ' etc. When we had dealt out nearly all the bread, a surgeon came in, and cried, 'Do please keep some for the poor fellows in the hold; they are so badly off for everything. ' So with the remnant we threaded our way through the suffering crowd, amid such exclamations as 'Oh! please don't touch my foot, ' or, 'For mercy's sake, don't touch my arm;' another, 'Please don't move the blanket; I am so terribly cut up, ' down to the hold, in which were not less than one hundred and fifty, nearly all sick, some very sick. It was like plunging into a vapor bath, so hot, close, and full of moisture, and then in this dismal place, we distributed our bread, oranges, and pickles, which were seized upon with avidity. And here let me say, at least twenty of them told us next day that the pickles had done them more good than all the medicine they had taken. The tea was carried all around in buckets, sweetened, but no milk in it. How much we wished for some concentrated milk. The gruel, into which we had put a goodly quantity of wine, was relished, you cannot know how much. One poor wounded boy, exhausted with the loss of blood and long fasting, looked up after taking the first nourishment he could swallow since the battle of Saturday, then four days, and exclaimed, with face radiant with gratitude and pleasure, 'Oh! that is life to me; I feel as if _twenty years were given me_ to live. ' He was shockingly wounded about the neck and face, and could only take liquid food from a feeding-cup, of which they had none on board. We left them four, together with a number of tin dishes, spoons, etc. After hours spent in this way, we returned to the Hygeia Hospital, stopping on our way to stew a quantity of dried fruit, which served for supper, reaching the Hygeia wet through and through, _every garment_ saturated. Disrobed, and bathing with bay rum, was glad to lie down, every bone aching, and head and heart throbbing, unwilling to cease work where so much was to be done, and yet wholly unable to do more. There I lay, with the sick, wounded, and dying all around, and slept from sheer exhaustion, the last sounds falling upon my ear being groans from the operating room. "

Her ministrations to the wounded on the Vanderbilt were unexpectedlyprolonged by the inability of the officers to get the necessary supplieson board, but two days after she was on the Knickerbocker, a SanitaryCommission Transport, and on her way to White House Landing where incompany with Miss Charlotte Bradford, she spent the whole night on theTransport Louisiana, dressing and caring for the wounded. When she leftthe boat at eleven o'clock the next night she was obliged to wash allher skirts which were saturated with the mingled blood of the Union andConfederate soldiers which covered the floor, as she kneeled betweenthem to wash their faces. She had torn up all her spare clothing whichcould be of use to them for bandages and compresses. From White Houseshe proceeded to the battle-ground of Fair Oaks, and presently pitchedher tent on the Dudley Farm, near Savage Station, to be near the groupof field hospitals, to which the wounded in the almost daily skirmishesand the sick smitten with that terrible Chickahominy fever were sent. 

The provision made by the Medical Bureau of the Government at this timefor the care and comfort of the wounded and fever-stricken was small andoften inappropriate. Where tents were provided, they were either of thewedge pattern or the bivouacking tent of black cloth, and in the hot sunof a Virginia summer absorbed the sun's rays till they were like ovens;many of the sick were put into the cabins and miserable shanties of thevicinity, and not unfrequently in the attics of these, where amid theintense heat they were left without food or drink except when theSanitary Commission's agents or some of the ladies connected with otherorganizations, like Mrs. Harris, ministered to their necessities. Onecase of this kind, not by any means the worst, but told with a simplepathos deserves to be quoted:

 "Passing a forlorn-looking house, we were told by a sentinel that a young Captain of a Maine regiment laid in it very sick; we went in, no door obstructing, and there upon a stretcher in a corner of the room opening directly upon the road lay an elegant-looking youth struggling with the last great enemy. His mind wandered; and as we approached him he exclaimed: 'Is it not cruel to keep me here when my mother and sister, whom I have not seen for a year, are in the next room; they might let me go in?' His mind continued to wander; only for an instant did he seem to have a glimpse of the reality, when he drew two rings from his finger, placed there by a loving mother and sister, handed them to an attendant, saying: 'Carry them home, ' and then he was amid battle scenes, calling out, 'Deploy to the left;' 'Keep out of that ambuscade;' 'Now go, my braves, double quick, and strike for your flag! On, on, ' and he threw up his arms as if cheering them, 'you'll win the day;' and so he continued to talk, whilst death was doing its terrible work. As we looked upon the beautiful face and manly form, and thought of the mother and sister in their distant home, surrounded by every luxury wealth could purchase, worlds seemed all too cheap to give to have him with them. But this could not be. The soldier of three battles, he was not willing to admit that he was sick until his strength failed, and he was actually dying. He was carried to this cheerless room, a rude table the only furniture; no door, no window-shutters; the western sun threw its hot rays in upon him, --no cooling shade for his fevered brow: and so he lay unconscious of the monster's grasp, which would not relax until he had done his work. His last expressions told of interest in his men. He was a graduate of Waterville College. Twenty of his company graduated at the same institution. He was greatly beloved; his death, even in this Golgotha, was painfully impressive. There was no time to talk to him of that spirit-land upon which he was so soon to enter. Whispered a few verses of Scripture into his ear; he looked with a sweet smile and thanked me, but his manner betokened no appreciation of the sacred words. He was an only son. His mother and sister doted on him. He had everything to bind him to life, but the mandate had gone forth. "

Of the scenes of the retreat from the Chickahominy to Harrison'sLanding, Mrs. Harris was an active and deeply interested witness; sheremained at Savage Station caring for the wounded, for some time, andthen proceeded to Seven Pines, where a day was passed in preparing thewounded for the operations deemed necessary, obtaining, at greatpersonal peril, candles to light the darkness of the field hospital, andwas sitting down, completely exhausted with her trying and wearisomelabors, when an army chaplain, an exception it is to be hoped to most ofhis profession, in his unwillingness to serve the wounded, came to herand said, "They have just brought in a soldier with a leg blown off; heis in a horrible condition; could you wash him?" Wearied as she was, sheperformed the duty tenderly, but it was scarcely finished when deathclaimed him. Her escape to White House, and thence to Harrison'sLanding, was made not a minute too soon; she was obliged to abandon herstores, and to come off on the steamer in a borrowed bonnet. 

At this trying time, her constitutional tendency to despondency tookfull possession of her. "The heavens are filled with blackness, " shewrites; "I find myself on board the Nelly Baker, on my way to CityPoint, with supplies for our poor army, if we still have one; I am notalways hopeful, you see. * * * Alarming accounts come to us. Prepare forthe worst, but hope for the best. We do not doubt we are in a verycritical condition, out of which only the Most High can bring us. " Thisis not the language of fear or cowardice. There was no disposition onher part to seek her own personal safety, but while she despaired ofsuccess, she was ready to brave any danger for the sake of the woundedsoldiers. This courage in the midst of despair, is really greater thanthat of the battle-field. 

The months of July and August, 1862, except a brief visit home, werespent at Harrison's Landing, amid the scenes of distress, disease, wounds and suffering, which abounded there. The malaria of theChickahominy swamps had done much to demoralize the finest army ever putinto the field; tens of thousands were ill with it, and these, with thehosts of wounded accumulated more rapidly than the transports, numerousas they were, could carry them away. Their condition at Harrison'sLanding was pitiable; the medical bureau seemed to have shared in thegeneral demoralization. The proper diet, the necessary hospitalarrangements, everything required for the soldiers' restoration tohealth, was wanting; the pasty, adhesive mud was everywhere, and thehospital tents, old, mildewed, and leaky, were pitched in it, and nofloors provided; hard tack, salt junk, fat salt pork, and cold, greasybean soup, was the diet provided for men suffering from typhoid fever, and from wounds which rendered liquid food indispensable. Soft bread waspromised, but was not obtained till just before the breaking up of theencampment. Nor was the destitution of hospital clothing less complete. In that disastrous retreat across the peninsula, many of the men hadlost their knapsacks; the government did not provide shirts, drawers, undershirts, as well as mattresses, sheets, blankets, etc. , in anythinglike the quantity needed, and men had often lain for weeks without achange of clothing, in the mud and filth. So far as a few zealousworkers could do it, Mrs. Harris, and her willing and active coadjutorssought to remedy these evils; the clothing, and the more palatable andappropriate food they could and did provide for most of those whoremained. Having accomplished all for these which she could, and thearmy having left the James River, after spending a few days at thehospitals near Fortress Monroe, Mrs. Harris came up the Potomac in oneof the Government transports, reaching Alexandria on the 31st of August. Here she found ample employment in bestowing her tender care upon thethousands of wounded from Pope's campaigns. 

On the 8th of September, she followed, with her supplies, the army onits march toward South Mountain and Antietam. She reached Antietam theday after the battle, and from that time till the 3rd of November, aidedby a corps of most devoted and earnest laborers in the work of mercy, among whom were Mrs. M. M. Husband, Miss M. M. C. Hall, Mrs. Mary W. Lee, Miss Tyson, and others. Mrs. Harris gave herself to the work ofcaring for the wounded. Sad were the sights she was often called towitness. She bore ample testimony to the patience and the uncomplainingspirit of our soldiers; to their filial devotion, to the deep love ofhome, and the dear ones left behind, which would be manifested in thedying hour, by brave, noble-hearted men, and to the patriotism whicheven in the death agony, made them rejoice to lay down their lives fortheir country. 

Early in November, 1862, Mrs. Harris left Smoketown General Hospital, near Antietam, and came to Washington. In the hospitals in and aroundthat city thirty thousand sick and wounded men were lying, some of themwell and tenderly cared for, some like those in the Parole andConvalescent Camps near Alexandria, (the "Camp Misery" of those days), suffering from all possible privations. She did all that she could tosupply the more pressing needs of these poor men. After a few weeksspent in the vicinity of the Capitol, news of the disastrous battle ofFredericksburg came to Washington. Though deeply depressed by theintelligence, she hastened to the front to do what she could for thethousands of sufferers. From this time till about the middle of June, 1863, Mrs. Harris had her quarters in the Lacy House, Falmouth, andaided by Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Lee, worked faithfully for the soldiers, taking measures to relieve and cure the ailing, and to prevent illnessfrom the long and severe exposures to which the troops were subject onpicket duty, or special marches, through that stormy and inclementwinter. This work was in addition to that in the camp and fieldhospitals of the Sixth Corps. Another part of her work and one ofspecial interest and usefulness, was the daily and Sabbath worship ather rooms, in which such of the soldiers as were disposed, participated. The contrabands were also the objects of her sympathy and care, and sheassembled them for religious worship and instruction on the Sabbath. 

But the invasion of Pennsylvania was approaching, and she went forwardto Harrisburg, which was at first thought to be threatened, on the 25thof June. After two or three days, finding that there was no probabilityof an immediate battle there, she returned to Philadelphia, and thenceto Washington, which she reached on the 30th of June. The next threedays were spent in the effort to forward hospital stores, and obtaintransportation to Gettysburg. The War Department then, as in most of thegreat battles previously, refused to grant this privilege, and thoughshe sought with tears and her utmost powers of persuasion, thepermission to forward a single car-load of stores, she was denied, evenon the 3rd of July. She could not be restrained, however, from goingwhere she felt that her services would be imperatively needed, and atfive P. M. , of the 3rd of July, she left Washington carrying only somechloroform and a few stimulants, reached Westminster at four A. M. , ofthe 4th, and was carried to the battle-field of Gettysburg, in theambulance which had brought the wounded General Hancock to Westminster. The next week was spent day and night amid the horrors of that field ofblood, horrors which no pen can describe. That she and her indefatigableaid, (this time a young lady from Philadelphia), were able to alleviatea vast amount of suffering, to give nourishment to many who werefamishing; to dress hundreds of wounds, and to point the dying sinner tothe Saviour, or whisper words of consolation to the agonized heart, wascertain. On the night of the 10th of July, Mrs. Harris and her friendMiss B. Left for Frederick, Maryland, where a battle was expected; butas only skirmishing took place, they kept on to Warrenton and WarrentonJunction, where their labors were incessant in caring for the greatnumbers of wounded and sick in the hospitals. Constant labor had so farimpaired her health, that on the 18th of August she attempted to getaway from her work for a few days rest; but falling in with the sick menof the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, she went to work with her usual zeal toprepare food and comforts for them, and when they were supplied returnedto her work; going to Culpepper Court House, where there were fourhospitals, and remaining there till the last of September. 

The severe battle of Chickamauga, occurring on the 19th and 20th ofSeptember, roused her to the consciousness of the great field for labor, offered by the Western armies, and about the 1st of October, she went toNashville, Tennessee, taking her friends Miss Tyson and Mrs. Beck withher. It was her intention to go on to Chattanooga, but she found itimpossible at that time to procure transportation, and she and herfriends at once commenced work among the refugees, the "poor whitetrash, " who were then crowding into Nashville. For a month and more theylabored zealously, and with good results, among these poor, ignorant, but loyal people, and then Mrs. Harris, after a visit to Louisville toprovide for the inmates of the numerous hospitals in Nashville, aThanksgiving dinner, pushed forward to the front, reaching Bridgeport, on the 28th of November, and Chattanooga the next day. Here she foundabundant work, but her protracted labors had overtasked her strength, and she was for several weeks so ill that her life was despaired of. Shewas unable to resume her labors until the latter part of January, 1864, and then she worked with a will for the half starved soldiers in thehospitals, among whom scurvy and hospital gangrene were prevailing. After two months of faithful labor among these poor fellows, she wentback to Nashville, and spent four or five months more among therefugees. She returned home early in May, 1864, hoping to take a briefperiod of rest, of which she was in great need; but two weeks later, shewas in Fredericksburg, attending to the vast numbers of wounded broughtfrom the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and followed onwith that sad procession of the wounded, the dead, and the dying, toPort Royal, White House, and City Point. Never had been there so muchneed for her labors, and she toiled on, though suffering from constantprostration of strength, until the close of June, when she was obligedto relinquish labor for a time, and restore the almost exhausted vitalforces. In September, she was again in the field, this time with theArmy of the Shenandoah, at Winchester, where she ministered to thewounded for some weeks. She was called home to attend her mother in herlast illness, and for three or four months devoted herself to thissacred duty. Early in the spring of 1865, she visited North Carolina, and all the sympathy of her nature was called out in behalf of the poorreleased prisoners from Andersonville and Salisbury, to whom sheministered with her usual faithfulness. At the close of the war, shereturned to her home, more an invalid than ever from the effects of asun-stroke received while in attendance on a field hospital inVirginia. 

MRS. ELIZA C. PORTER

Mrs. Eliza C. Porter, the subject of the following sketch, is the wifeof the Rev. Jeremiah Porter, a Presbyterian clergyman of Chicago, Illinois. 

Of all the noble band of Western women who during the late war devotedtime, thought, and untiring exertions to the care of our country'sdefenders, very few, if any are more worthy of honorable mention, andthe praise of a grateful nation, than Mrs. Porter. Freely she gave all, withholding not even the most precious of her possessions andefforts--her husband, her sons, her time and strength, the labor ofhands and brain, and, above all, her prayers. Few indeed at a time whensacrifices were general, and among the women of our country the rulerather than the exception, made greater sacrifices than she. Her homewas broken up, and the beloved circle scattered, each member in his orher own appropriate sphere, actively engaged in the great work which thewar unfolded. 

A correspondent thus describes Mrs. Porter; "Mrs. Porter is fromforty-five to fifty years of age, a quiet, modest, lady-like woman, verygentle in her manners, and admirably qualified to soothe, comfort andcare for the sick and wounded. " But this description, by no meansincludes, or does justice to the admirable fitness for the work whichher labors have developed, her quiet energy, her great executive andorganizing ability, and her tact ever displayed in doing and saying theright thing at precisely the right time. Of the value of this latterqualification few can form an estimate who have not seen excellent andpraiseworthy exertions so often wither unfruitfully for the lack aloneof an adjunct so nearly indispensable. 

Mrs. Porter was early stimulated to exertion and sacrifice. In thespring of 1861, immediately after the breaking out of the war, whilesitting one morning at her breakfast table, her husband, eldest son andtwo nephews being present, she exclaimed fervently; "If I had a hundredsons, I would gladly send them all forth to this work of putting downthe rebellion. "

The three young men then present all entered the army. One of them afterthree years' service was disabled by wounds and constant labor. Theother two gave themselves anew to their country, all they could give. 

During the summer of 1861 Mrs. Porter visited Cairo where hospitals hadbeen established, and in her labors and experiences there carried whatthings were most needed by the sick and wounded soldiers. In October ofthat year, Illinois was first roused to co-operation in the work of theSanitary Commission. The Northwestern Sanitary Commission wasestablished, and at the request of Mr. E. W. Blatchford and others, Mrs. Porter was induced to take charge of the Commission Rooms which wereopened in Chicago. Her zeal and abilities, as well as the hospitalexperiences of the summer, had fitted her for the arduous task, and asopening to her a field of great usefulness, she accepted theappointment. How she devoted herself to that work, at what sacrifice offamily comfort, and with what success, is well known to the Commission, and to thousands of its early contributors. 

In April, 1862, she became satisfied that she could be more useful inthe field, by taking good nurses to the army hospitals, and herselflaboring with them. Her husband, who the previous winter had beencommissioned as Chaplain of the First Illinois Light Artillery, was thenat Cairo, where he had been ordered to labor in hospitals; and Mrs. Porter, visiting Cairo and Paducah, entered earnestly into the work ofplacing the nurses she had brought with her from Chicago. Some of thesedevoted themselves constantly to the service, and proved equallysuccessful and valuable. 

At Cairo, Mrs. Porter made the acquaintance of Miss Mary J. Safford, since known as the "Cairo Angel, " and co-operating with her there, andwith Mr. Porter and various surgeons and philanthropists, aided inreceiving, and temporarily caring for seven hundred men from the fieldof Pittsburgh Landing, and in transferring them to the hospitals ofMound City, Illinois. 

From four o'clock in the morning until ten at night, Mrs. Porter and herfriends labored, and then, their work accomplished and their sufferingcharges made as comfortable as circumstances would permit, they wereforced, by the absence of hotel accommodations, to spend the nightupon the steamer where the state-rooms being occupied, they slept uponchairs. 

Soon afterward she went, accompanied by Miss Safford, to PittsburghLanding. There she obtained from the Medical Director, Dr. CharlesMcDougal, an order for several female nurses for his department. Shehastened to Chicago, secured them, and accompanying them to Tennesseeplaced them at Savannah with Mrs. Mary Bickerdyke, who had been with thewounded since the battle of Shiloh. From thence she went to Corinth, then just taken by General Grant. She was accompanied by severalbenevolent ladies from Chicago, like herself bent on doing good to thesick and wounded. At Corinth she joined her husband, and he beingordered to join his regiment at Memphis, she went thither in hiscompany. 

Here, principally in the hospital of the First Light Artillery at FortPickering, she labored through the summer of 1862, and afterwardsreturned to visit some of the southern towns of Illinois in search ofstores from the farmers, which she added to the supplies forwarded bythe Commission. 

While at Memphis, Mrs. Porter became deeply interested in the welfareof the escaped slaves and their families congregated there. 

Receiving aid from friends at the North, she organized a school forthem, and spent all her leisure hours in giving them instruction. One ofthe nurses she had brought thither desired to aid in the work, andobtaining needful books and charts she organized a school for MissHumphrey at Shiloh. 

Mrs. Porter was very successful in this work. In her youth she hadgathered an infant school among the half-breed children at Mackinac andPoint St. Ignace, and understood well how to deal with these mindsscarce awakened from the dense slumber of ignorance. 

The school flourished, and others entered into the work, and otherschools were established. Ministering to their temporal wants as well, clothing, feeding, medicating these unfortunate people, visiting theirhospitals as well as those of the army, Mrs. Porter remained at Memphisand in its vicinity until June, 1863. 

Her schools having by that time become well-established, and generalinterest in the scheme awakened, Mrs. Porter felt herself constrained toonce more devote herself exclusively to the soldiers, a large number ofwhom were languishing in Southern hospitals in an unhealthy climate. Failing in her attempts to get them rapidly removed to the North, through correspondence with the Governors of Ohio and Illinois, she wentNorth for the purpose of obtaining interviews with these gentlemen. AtGreen Bay, Wisconsin, she joined Mrs. Governor Harvey, who was strivingto obtain a State Hospital for Wisconsin. Here she proposed to SenatorT. O. Howe to draft a petition to the President, praying for theestablishment of such hospitals. Judge Howe was greatly pleased tocomply, and accordingly drew up the petition to which Mrs. Howe andothers obtained over eight thousand names. Mrs. Harvey desired Mrs. Porter to accompany her to Washington with the petition, but shedeclined, and Mrs. Harvey went alone, and as the result of her efforts, succeeded in the establishment of the Harvey Hospital at Madison, Wisconsin. 

Other parties took up the matter in Illinois, and Mrs. Porter returnedto her beloved work at the South, visiting Natchez and Vicksburg. At thelatter place she joined Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. Bickerdyke, all threeministering by Sanitary stores and personal aid to the sick and woundedin hospitals and regiments. 

While on her way, at Memphis, she learned that the battery, in whichwere her eldest son and a nephew, had gone with Sherman's army towardCorinth, and started by rail to overtake them. At Corinth, standing inthe room of the Sanitary Commission, she saw the battery pass in whichwere her boys. It was raining, and mud-bespattered and drenched, her sonrode by in an ague chill, and could only give her a look of recognitionas he passed on to the camp two miles beyond. The next morning she wentout to his camp, but missed him, and returning found him at the SanitaryRooms in another chill. The next day she nursed him through a thirdchill, and then parting she sent her sick boy on his way towardKnoxville and Chattanooga. 

After a short stay at Vicksburg she once more returned to Illinois toplead with Governor Yates to bring home his disabled soldiers, then wentback, by way of Louisville and Nashville, to Huntsville, Alabama, whereshe met and labored indefatigably with Mrs. Lincoln Clark and herdaughter, of Chicago, and Mrs. Bickerdyke. 

After a few weeks spent there in comforting the sick, pointing the dyingto the Saviour, and ministering to surgeons, officers, and soldiers, shefollowed our conquering arms to Chattanooga, Resaca, Kingston, AllatoonaPass, Marietta and Atlanta. 

As a memorial of her earlier movements in this campaign, we extract thefollowing letter from the Report for January and February, 1864, of theNorthwestern Sanitary Commission. 

"From a mass of deeply interesting correspondence on hand, we selectthe following letter from Rev. Mrs. Jeremiah Porter, who, with Mrs. Bickerdyke, the widely known and very efficient Hospital Matron, hasbeen laboring in the hospitals of the 15th Army Corps, most of the timesince the battle of Chickamauga. Mrs. Bickerdyke was assigned tohospital duty in this corps, at the request of General Sherman, and isstill actively engaged there. This letter affords glimpses of thehardships and privations of our brave men, whose sufferings in Southernand Eastern Tennessee during the months of December and January, havebeen unparalleled. "

 "IN CAMP, NOVEMBER 4TH FIELD HOSPITAL, "CHATTANOOGA, _January 24, 1864. _

 "I reached this place on New Year's Eve, making the trip of the few miles from Bridgeport to Chattanooga, in twenty-four hours. New Year's morning was very cold. I went immediately to the Field Hospital about two miles out of town, where I found Mrs. Bickerdyke hard at work, as usual, endeavoring to comfort the cold and suffering, sick and wounded. The work done on that day told most happily on the comfort of the poor wounded men. 

 "The wind came sweeping around Lookout Mountain, and uniting with currents from the valleys of Mission Ridge, pressed in upon the hospital tents, overturning some, and making the inmates of all tremble with cold and anxious fear. The cold had been preceded by a great rain, which added to the general discomfort. Mrs. Bickerdyke went from tent to tent in the gale, carrying hot bricks and hot drinks to warm and to cheer the poor fellows. 'She is a power of good, ' said one soldier. 'We fared mighty poor till she came here, ' said another. 'God bless the Sanitary Commission, ' said a third, 'for sending women among us!' The soldiers fully appreciate 'Mother Bickerdyke, ' as they call her, and her work. 

 "Mrs. Bickerdyke left Vicksburg at the request of General Sherman, and other officers of his corps, as they wished to secure her services for the then approaching battle. The Field Hospital of the 15th (Sherman's) Army Corps, was situated on the north bank of the Genesee river, on a slope at the base of Mission Ridge, where, after the struggle was over, seventeen hundred of our wounded and exhausted soldiers were brought. Mrs. Bickerdyke reached there before the din and smoke of battle were well over, and before all were brought from the field of blood and carnage. There she remained the only female attendant for four weeks. Never has she rendered more valuable service. Dr. Newberry arrived in Chattanooga with Sanitary goods which Mrs. Bickerdyke had the pleasure of using, as she says, 'just when and where needed, ' and never were Sanitary goods more deeply felt to be _good goods_. 'What could we do without them?' is a question I often hear raised, and answered with a hearty 'God bless the Sanitary Commission!' which is now, everywhere, acknowledged as a great power for good. 

 "The Field Hospital was in a forest, about five miles from Chattanooga, wood was abundant, and the camp was warmed by immense burning 'log heaps, ' which were the only fire-places or cooking-stoves of the camp or hospitals. Men were detailed to fell the trees and pile the logs to heat the air, which was very wintry. And beside them Mrs. Bickerdyke made soup and toast, tea and coffee, and broiled mutton, without a gridiron, often blistering her fingers in the process. A house in due time was demolished to make bunks for the worst cases, and the brick from the chimney was converted into an oven, when Mrs. Bickerdyke made bread, yeast having been found in the Chicago boxes, and flour at a neighboring mill, which had furnished flour to secessionists through the war until now. Great multitudes were fed from these rude kitchens. Companies of hungry soldiers were refreshed before those open fire-places, and from those ovens. On one occasion, a citizen came and told the men to follow him, he would show them a reserve of beef and sheep which had been provided for General Bragg's army, and about thirty head of cattle and twenty sheep was the prize. Large potash kettles were found, which were used over the huge log fires, and various kitchen utensils for cooking were brought into camp from time to time, almost every day adding to our conveniences. After four weeks of toil and labor, all the soldiers who were able to leave were furloughed home, and the rest brought to the large hospital where I am now located. About nine hundred men are here, most of them convalescents, and waiting anxiously to have the men and mules supplied with food, so that they may have the benefit of the cars, which have been promised to take them home. 

 "There was great joy in the encampment last week, at the announcement of the arrival of a train of cars from Bridgeport. You at home can have little appreciation of the feelings of the men as that sound greeted their ears. Our poor soldiers had been reduced to half and quarter rations for weeks, and those of the poorest quality. The mules had fallen by the wayside from very starvation. You cannot go a mile in any direction without seeing these animals lying dead from starvation--and this state of things had to continue until the railroad was finished to Chattanooga, and the cars could bring in sustenance for man and beast. You will not wonder then at the huzzas of the men in the hospitals and camps, as the whistle of the long looked for train was heard. 

 "The most harrowing scenes are daily witnessed here. A wife came on yesterday only to learn that her dear husband had died the morning previous. Her lamentations were heart-breaking. 'Why could he not have lived until I came? Why?' In the evening came a sister, whose aged parents had sent her to search for their only son. She also came too late. The brother had gone to the soldier's grave two days previous. One continued wail of sorrow goes up from all parts of this stricken land. 

 "I have protracted this letter, I fear, until you are weary. I write in great haste, not knowing how to take the time from pressing duties which call me everywhere. Yours, etc. , "ELIZA C. PORTER. "

In illustration of her services at this time, and of the undercurrent ofterror and sadness of this triumphal march, we can do no better than togive some extracts from her journal, kept during this period, andpublished without her knowledge in the Sanitary Commission Bulletin. Itwas commenced on the 15th of May, 1864, as she was following Mrs. Bickerdyke to Ringgold, Georgia. Together they arrived at Sugar Creek, where but two miles distant the battle was raging, and spent the nightat General Logan's headquarters, within hearing of its terrific sounds. All night, and all day Sunday, they passed thus, not being permitted togo upon the field, but caring for the wounded as rapidly as possible, asthey were brought to the rear. She says:

"The wounded were brought into hospitals, quickly and roughly preparedin the forest, as near the field as safety would permit. What a scenewas presented! Precious sons of northern mothers, beloved husbands ofnorthern wives were already here to undergo amputation, to have woundsprobed and dressed, or broken limbs set and bandaged. Some were writhingunder the surgeon's knife, but bore their sufferings bravely anduncomplainingly. There were many whose wounds were considered slight, such as a shot through the hand, arm, or leg, which but for the contrastwith severer cases, would seem dreadful. Never was the presence of womenmore joyfully welcomed. It was touching to see those precious boyslooking up into our faces with such hope and gladness. It brought totheir minds mother and home, as each testified, while his wounds werebeing dressed; 'This seems a little like having mother about, ' was thereiterated expression of the wounded, as one after another was washedand had his wounds dressed. Mrs. Bickerdyke and myself assisted in theoperation. Poor boys! how my heart ached that I could do so little. 

"After doing what we could in Hospital No. 1, to render the condition ofthe poor fellows tolerable, we proceeded to No. 2, and did what we couldthere, distributing our sanitary comforts in the most economical manner, so as to make them go as far as possible. We found that what we broughtin the ambulance was giving untold comfort to our poor exhausted woundedmen, whose rough hospital couches were made by pine boughs with thestems cut out, spread upon the ground over which their blankets werethrown. This forms the bed, and the poor fellows' blouses, saturatedwith their own blood, is their only pillow, their knapsacks being leftbehind when they went into battle. More sanitary goods are on the way, and will be brought to relieve the men as soon as possible. "

Amidst all this care for others, there was little thought for her owncomfort. She says in another place:

"Our bed was composed of dry leaves, spread with a rubber and soldier'sblanket--our own blankets, with pillows and all, having been given outto sufferers long before night. "

In this diary we find another illustration of her extreme modesty. Though intended but for the eyes of her own family, she says much ofMrs. Bickerdyke's work, and but little of her own. Two, three, or fourhundred men, weary and exhausted, would be sent to them, and they mustexert every nerve to feed them, while they snatched a little rest. Pickles, sauer-kraut, coffee and hard bread they gave to these--for thesick and wounded they reserved their precious luxuries. With a fire madeout of doors, beneath a burning sun, and in kettles such as they couldfind, and of no great capacity, they made coffee, mush, and cooked driedfruit and vegetables, toiling unweariedly through the long hot days andfar into the nights. Many of the men knew Mrs. Bickerdyke, for many ofthem she had nursed through wounds and sickness during the two yearsshe had been with this army, and she was saluted as "Mother" on allsides. Not less grateful were they to Mrs. Porter. Again she says:

"The failing and faint-hearted are constantly coming in. They reportthemselves sick, and a few days of rest and nourishing food will restoremost of them, but some have made their last march, and will soon be laidin a soldier's grave! Mrs. Bickerdyke has sent gruel and other food, which I have been distributing according to the wants of the prostratemultitude, all on the _floor_. Some are very sick men. It is a pleasureto do something for them. They are all dear to some circle, and are anoble company. "

Again she gives a sort of summary of her work in a letter, datedKingston, Georgia, June 1st: "We have received, fed, and comforted atthis hospital, during the past week, between four and five thousandwounded men, and still they come. All the food and clothing have passedunder our supervision, and, indeed, almost every garment has been givenout by our hands. Almost every article of special diet has been cookedby Mrs. Bickerdyke personally, and all has been superintended by her. Ispeak of this particularly, as it is a wonderful fulfillment of thepromise, 'As thy day is, so shall thy strength be. '"

Again, writing from Alatoona, Georgia, June 14th: "I have just visited atent filled with 'amputated cases, ' They are noble young men, the prideand hope of loving families at the North, but most of them are so lowthat they will never again return to them. Each had a special requestfor 'something that he could relish, ' I made my way quickly down fromthe heights, where the hospital tents are pitched, and sought for thefood they craved. I found it among the goods of the SanitaryCommission--and now the dried currants, cherries, and other fruit arestewing; we have unsoddered cans containing condensed milk and preservedfruit--and the poor fellows will not be disappointed in theirexpectations. "

In the foregoing sketch we have given but a very brief statement of thelabors and sacrifices of Mrs. Porter which were not intermitted untilthe close of the war. We have said that her sons were in the army. Hereldest son re-enlisted at the close of his first term, and the youngest, after a hundred days' service, returned to college to fit himself forfuture usefulness in his regenerated country. Mr. Porter's services, aswell as those of his wife were of great value, and her son, James B. Porter, though serving as a private only, in Battery A, First IllinoisLight Artillery, has had frequent and honorable mention. 

At the close of Sherman's campaign Mrs. Porter finished her army serviceby caring for the travel-worn and wearied braves as they came into campat Washington where, with Mrs. Stephen Barker and others, she devotedherself to the distribution of sanitary stores, attending the sick andin various ways comforting and relieving all who needed her aid afterthe toils of the Grand March. 

MRS. MARY A. BICKERDYKE. 

Among the hundreds who with untiring devotion have consecrated theirservices to the ministrations of mercy in the Armies of the Union, thereis but one "Mother" Bickerdyke. Others may in various ways have made asgreat sacrifices, or displayed equal heroism, but her measures andmethods have been peculiarly her own, and "none but herself can be herparallel. "

She is a widow, somewhat above forty years of age, of humble origin, andof but moderate education, with a robust frame and great powers ofendurance, and possessing a rough stirring eloquence, a stern, determined will and extraordinary executive ability. No woman connectedwith the philanthropic work of the army has encountered more obstaclesin the accomplishment of her purposes, and none ever carried themthrough more triumphantly. She has two little sons, noble boys, to whomshe is devotedly attached, but her patriotic zeal was even stronger thanher love for her children, and she gave herself up to the cause of hercountry most unhesitatingly. 

[Illustration: MRS. MARY A. BICKERDYKE. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

At the commencement of the war, she was, it is said, housekeeper in thefamily of a gentleman in Cleveland, but she commenced her labors amongthe sick and wounded men of the army very early, and never relinquishedher work until the close of the conflict. It has been one of herpeculiarities that she devoted her attention almost exclusively to thecare of the private soldiers; the officers, she said, had enough tolook after them; but it was the men, poor fellows, with but a private'spay, a private's fare, and a private's dangers, to whom she wasparticularly called. They were dear to somebody, and she would be amother to them. And it should be said, to the honor of the privatesoldiers of the Western Armies, that they returned her kindness withvery decided gratitude and affection. If they were her "boys" as shealways insisted, she was "Mother Bickerdyke" to the whole army. Nothingcould exceed the zeal and earnestness with which she has always defendedtheir interests. For her "boys, " she would brave everything; if thesurgeons or attendants at the hospitals were unfaithful, she denouncedthem with a terrible vehemence, and always managed to secure theirdismission; if the Government officers were slow or delinquent inforwarding needed supplies, they were sure to be reported atheadquarters by her, and in such a way that their conduct would bethoroughly investigated. Yet while thus stern and vindictive towardthose who through negligence or malice wronged the soldiers of the army, no one could be more tender in dealing with the sick and wounded. On thebattle-field, in the field, camp, post or general hospitals, hervigorous arm was ever ready to lift the wounded soldier as tenderly ashis own mother could have done, and her ready skill was exerted withequal facility in dressing his wounds, or in preparing such nourishmentfor him as should call back his fleeting strength or tempt his fickleand failing appetite. She was a capital forager, and for the sake of asick soldier she would undergo any peril or danger, and violate militaryrules without the least hesitation. For herself she cravednothing--would accept nothing--if "the boys in the hospital" could beprovided for, she was supremely happy. The soldiers were ready to doanything in their power for her, while the contrabands regarded heralmost as a divinity, and would fly with unwonted alacrity to obey hercommands. 

We are not certain whether she was an assistant in one of thehospitals, or succored the wounded in any of the battles in Kentucky orMissouri, in the autumn of 1861; we believe she was actively engaged inministering to the wounded after the fall of Fort Donelson, and atShiloh after the battle she rendered great and important services. Itwas here, or rather at Savannah, Tennessee, where one of the largesthospitals was established, soon after the battle, and placed in hercharge, that she first met Mrs. Eliza C. Porter, who was afterwardduring Sherman's Grand March her associate and companion. Mrs. Porterbrought from Chicago a number of nurses, whom she placed under Mrs. Bickerdyke's charge. 

The care of this hospital occupied Mrs. Bickerdyke for some months, andwe lose sight of her till the battle of Perrysville where amiddifficulties which would have appalled any ordinary spirit, shesucceeded in dressing the wounds of the soldiers and supplying them withnourishment. But with her untiring energy, she was not satisfied withthis. Collecting a large number of negro women who had escaped from theplantations along the route of the Union Army, she set them to workgathering the blankets and clothing left on the field, and such of theclothing of the slain and desperately wounded as could be spared, andhaving superintended the washing and repairing of these articles, distributed them to the wounded who were in great need of additionalclothing. She also caused her corps of contrabands to pick up all thearms and accoutrements left on the field, and turn them over to theUnion Quartermaster. Having returned after a time to Louisville, she wasappointed Matron of the Gayoso Hospital, at Memphis. This hospitaloccupied the Gayoso House, formerly the largest hotel in Memphis. It wasMrs. Bickerdyke's ambition to make this the best hospital of the six oreight in the city, some of them buildings erected for hospital purposes. A large hotel is not the best structure for a model hospital, but beforeher energy and industry all obstacles disappeared. By an Army regulationor custom, convalescent soldiers were employed as nurses, attendantsand ward-masters in the hospitals; an arrangement which though on someaccounts desirable, yet was on others objectionable. The soldiers notyet fully recovered, were often weak, and incapable of the properperformance of their duties; they were often, also, peevish and fretful, and from sheer weakness slept at their posts, to the detriment of thepatients. It was hardly possible with such assistance to maintain thatperfect cleanliness so indispensable for a hospital. Mrs. Bickerdykedetermined from the first that she would not have these convalescents asnurses and attendants in her hospital. Selecting carefully the moreintelligent of the negro women who flocked into Memphis in greatnumbers, she assigned to them the severer work of the hospital, thewashing, cleaning, waiting upon the patients, and with the aid of someexcellent women nurses, paid by Government, she soon made her hospitalby far the best regulated one in the city. The cleanliness andventilation were perfect. The patients were carefully and tenderlynursed, their medicine administered at the required intervals, and thepreparation of the special diet being wholly under Mrs. Bickerdyke'ssupervision, herself a cook of remarkable skill, was admirably done. Nothing escaped her vigilance, and under her watchful care, the affairsof the hospital were admirably managed. She would not tolerate anyneglect of the men, either on the part of attendants, assistant surgeonsor surgeons. 

On one occasion, visiting one of the wards containing the badly woundedmen, at nearly eleven o'clock, A. M. , she found that the assistantsurgeon, in charge of that ward, who had been out on a drunken spree thenight before, and had slept very late, had not yet made out the specialdiet list for the ward, and the men, faint and hungry, had had nobreakfast. She denounced him at once in the strongest terms, and as hecame in, and with an attempt at jollity inquired, "Hoity-toity, what'sthe matter?" she turned upon him with "Matter enough, you miserablescoundrel! Here these men, any one of them worth a thousand of you, aresuffered to starve and die, because you want to be off upon a drunk!Pull off your shoulder-straps, " she continued, as he tried feebly tolaugh off her reproaches, "pull off your shoulder-straps, for you shallnot stay in the army a week longer. " The surgeon still laughed, but heturned pale, for he knew her power. She was as good as her word. Withinthree days she had caused his discharge. He went to headquarters andasked to be reinstated. Major-General Sherman, who was then in command, listened patiently, and then inquired who had procured his discharge. "Iwas discharged in consequence of misrepresentation, " answered thesurgeon, evasively. "But who caused your discharge?" persisted thegeneral. "Why, " said the surgeon, hesitatingly, "I suppose it was thatwoman, that Mrs. Bickerdyke. " "Oh!" said Sherman, "well, if it was her, I can do nothing for you. She ranks me. "

We may say in this connection, that the commanding generals of thearmies in which Mrs. Bickerdyke performed her labors, Generals Sherman, Hurlburt, Grant, and Sherman again, in his great march, having becomefully satisfied how invaluable she was in her care of the privatesoldiers, were always ready to listen to her appeals and to grant herrequests. She was, in particular, a great favorite with both Grant andSherman, and had only to ask for anything she needed to get it, if itwas within the power of the commander to obtain it. It should be said injustice to her, that she never asked anything for herself, and that herrequests were always for something that would promote the welfare of themen. 

Some months after the discharge of the assistant surgeon, the surgeon incharge of the hospital, who was a martinet in discipline, and somewhatirritated for some cause, resolved, in order to annoy her, to compel thedischarge of the negro nurses and attendants, and require her to employconvalescent soldiers, as the other hospitals were doing. For thispurpose he procured from the medical director an order that none butconvalescent soldiers should be employed as nurses in the Memphishospitals. The order was issued, probably, without any knowledge of theannoyance it was intended to cause Mrs. Bickerdyke. It was to takeeffect at nine o'clock the following morning. Mrs. Bickerdyke heard ofit just at night. The Gayoso Hospital was nearly three-fourths of a milefrom headquarters. It was raining heavily, and the mud was deep; but shewas not the woman to be thwarted in her plans by a hospital surgeon, without a struggle; so, nothing daunted, she sallied out, having firsthad the form of an order drawn up, permitting the employment ofcontrabands as nurses, at the Gayoso Hospital. Arrived at headquarters, she was told that the commanding general, Sherman's successor, was illand could not be seen. Suspecting that his alleged illness was onlyanother name for over-indulgence in strong drink, she insisted that shemust and would see him, and in spite of the objections of hisstaff-officers, forced her way to his room, and finding him in bed, roused him partially, propped him up, put a pen in his hand, and madehim sign the order she had brought. This done, she returned to herhospital, and the next morning, when the surgeon and medical directorcame around to enforce the order of the latter, she quietly handed themthe order of the commanding-general, permitting her to retain hercontrabands. 

While in charge of this hospital, she made several journeys to Chicagoand other cities of the Northwest, to procure aid for the sufferingsoldiers. The first of these were characteristic of her energy andresolution. She had found great difficulty in procuring, in the vicinityof Memphis, the milk, butter, and eggs needed for her hospital. She hadforaged from the secessionists, had traded with them her own clothingand whatever else she could spare, for these necessaries for her "boys, "until there was nothing more left to trade. The other hospitals were inabout the same condition. She resolved, therefore, to have a dairy forthe hospitals. Going among the farmers of Central Illinois, she beggedtwo hundred cows and a thousand hens, and returned in triumph with herflock of hens and her drove of cows. On reaching Memphis, her cattle andfowls made such a lowing and cackling, that the secessionists of thecity entered their complaints to the commanding general, who assignedher an island in the Mississippi, opposite the city, where her dairy andhennery were comfortably accommodated. It was we believe, while on thisexpedition that, at the request of Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore, theAssociate Managers of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission, she visitedMilwaukie, Wisconsin. The Ladies' Aid Society of that city hadmemorialized their Chamber of Commerce to make an appropriation to aidthem in procuring supplies for the wounded soldiers, and were that dayto receive the reply of the chamber. 

Mrs. Bickerdyke went with the ladies, and the President of the Chamber, in his blandest tones, informed them that the Chamber of Commerce hadconsidered their request, but that they had expended so much recently infitting out a regiment, that they thought they must be excused frommaking any contributions to the Ladies' Aid Society. Mrs. Bickerdykeasked the privilege of saying a few words in the way of answer. For halfan hour she held them enchained while she described, in simple buteloquent language, the life of the private soldier, his privations andsufferings, the patriotism which animated him, and led him to endure, without murmuring, hardships, sickness, and even death itself, for hiscountry. She contrasted this with the sordid love of gain which not onlyshrank from these sacrifices in person, but grudged the pittancenecessary to alleviate them, while it made the trifling amount it hadalready contributed, an excuse for making no further donations, andclosed with this forcible denunciation: "And you, merchants and rich menof Milwaukie, living at your ease, dressed in your broad-cloth, knowinglittle and caring less for the sufferings of these soldiers from hungerand thirst, from cold and nakedness, from sickness and wounds, from painand death, all incurred that you may roll in wealth, and your homes andlittle ones be safe; you will refuse to give aid to these poor soldiers, because, forsooth, you gave a few dollars some time ago to fit out aregiment! Shame on you--you are not men--you are cowards--go over toCanada--this country has no place for such creatures!" The Chamber ofCommerce was not prepared for such a rebuke, and they reconsidered theiraction, and made an appropriation at once to the Ladies' Aid Society. 

Immediately after the surrender of Vicksburg, Mrs. Bickerdykesurrendered her hospital at Memphis into other hands, and went thitherto care for the wounded. She accompanied Sherman's corps in theirexpedition to Jackson, and amid all the hardships and exposures of thefield, ministered to the sick and wounded. Cooking for them in the openair, under the burning sun and the heavy dews, she was much exposed tothe malarious fevers of that sickly climate, but her admirableconstitution enabled her to endure fatigue and exposure, better eventhan most of the soldiers. Though always neat and cleanly in person, shewas indifferent to the attractions of dress, and amid the flying sparksfrom her fires in the open air, her calico dresses would often takefire, and as she expressed it, "the soldiers would put her out, " _i. E. _extinguish the sparks which were burning her dresses. In this way ithappened that she had not a single dress which had not been more or lessriddled by these sparks. With her clothing in this plight she visitedChicago again late in the summer of 1863, and the ladies of the SanitaryCommission replenished her wardrobe, and soon after sent her a box ofexcellent clothing for her own use. Some of the articles in this box, the gift of those who admired her earnest devotion to the interests ofthe soldiers, were richly wrought and trimmed. Among these were twoelegant night dresses, trimmed with ruffles and lace. On receiving thebox, Mrs. Bickerdyke, who was again for the time in charge of ahospital, reserving for herself only a few of the plainest and cheapestarticles, traded off the remainder, except the two night dresses, withthe rebel women of the vicinity, for butter, eggs, and other delicaciesfor her sick soldiers, and as she purposed going to Cairo soon, andthought that the night dresses would bring more for the same purpose inTennessee or Kentucky, she reserved them to be traded on her journey. Onher way, however, at one of the towns on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, she found two poor fellows who had been discharged from some of thehospitals with their wounds not yet fully healed, and their exertions intraveling had caused them to break out afresh. Here they were, in amiserable shanty, sick, bleeding, hungry, penniless, and with only theirsoiled clothing. Mrs. Bickerdyke at once took them in hand. Washingtheir wounds and staunching the blood, she tore off the lower portionsof the night dresses for bandages, and as the men had no shirts, shearrayed them in the remainder of these dresses, ruffles, lace, and all. The soldiers modestly demurred a little at the ruffles and lace, butMrs. Bickerdyke suggested to them that if any inquiries were made, theycould say that they had been plundering the secessionists. 

Visiting Chicago at this time, she was again invited to Milwaukie, andwent with the ladies to the Chamber of Commerce. Here she was verypolitely received, and the President informed her that the Chamberfeeling deeply impressed with the good work, she and the other ladieswere doing in behalf of the soldiers, had voted a contribution of twelvehundred dollars a month to the Ladies' Aid Society. Mrs. Bickerdyke wasnot, however, disposed to tender them the congratulations, to whichperhaps they believed themselves entitled for their liberality. "Youbelieve yourselves very generous, no doubt, gentlemen, " she said, "andthink that because you have voted this pretty sum, you are doing allthat is required of you. But I have in my hospital a hundred poorsoldiers who have done more than any of you. Who of you would contributea leg, an arm, or an eye, instead of what you have done? How manyhundred or thousand dollars would you consider an equivalent foreither? Don't deceive yourselves, gentlemen. The poor soldier who hasgiven an arm, a leg, or an eye to his country (and many of them havegiven more than one) has given more than you have or can. How much more, then, he who has given his life? No! gentlemen, you must set yourstandard higher yet or you will not come up to the full measure ofliberality in giving. "

On her return to the South Mrs. Bickerdyke spent a few weeks atHuntsville, Alabama, in charge of a hospital, and then joined Sherman'sFifteenth Corps in their rapid march toward Chattanooga. It will beremembered that Sherman's Corps, or rather the Army of the Tennesseewhich he now commanded were hurried into action immediately on theirarrival at Chattanooga. To them was assigned the duty of making theattack against that portion of the enemy who were posted on the northerntermination of Mission Ridge, and the persistent assaults on FortBuckner were attended with severe slaughter, though they made thevictory elsewhere possible. The Field Hospital of the Fifteenth ArmyCorps was situated on the north bank of the Genesee River, on a slope atthe base of Mission Ridge, where after the struggle was over seventeenhundred of our wounded and exhausted soldiers were brought. Mrs. Bickerdyke reached there before the din and smoke of battle were wellover, and before all were brought from the field of blood and carnage. There she remained the only female attendant for four weeks. Thesupplies she had been able to bring with her soon gave out, but Dr. Newberry, the Western Secretary of the Sanitary Commission, presentlyarrived with an ample supply which she used freely. 

The Field Hospital was in a forest, about five miles from Chattanooga;wood was abundant, and the camp was warmed by immense burning log heaps, which were the only fire-places or cooking-stoves of the camp orhospitals. Men were detailed to fell the trees and pile the logs to heatthe air, which was very wintry. Beside these fires Mrs. Bickerdyke madesoup and toast, tea and coffee, and broiled mutton without a gridiron, often blistering her fingers in the process. A house in due time wasdemolished to make bunks for the worst cases, and the bricks from thechimney were converted into an oven, where Mrs. Bickerdyke made bread, yeast having been found in the Chicago boxes, and flour at a neighboringmill which had furnished flour to secessionists through the war untilthat time. Great multitudes were fed from these rude kitchens, and fromtime to time other conveniences were added and the labor made somewhatless exhausting. After four weeks of severe toil all the soldiers whowere able to leave were furloughed home, and the remainder, about ninehundred, brought to a more comfortable Field Hospital, two miles fromChattanooga. In this hospital Mrs. Bickerdyke continued her work, beingjoined, New Year's eve, by Mrs. Eliza C. Porter, who thenceforward washer constant associate, both being employed by the Northwestern SanitaryCommission to attend to this work of special field relief in that army. Mrs. Porter says that when she arrived there it was very cold, and thewind which had followed a heavy rain was very piercing, overturning someof the hospital tents and causing the inmates of all to tremble withcold and anxious fear. Mrs. Bickerdyke was going from tent to tent inthe gale carrying hot bricks and hot drinks to warm and cheer the poorfellows. It was touching to see the strong attachment the soldiers feltfor her. "She is a power of good, " said one soldier. "We fared mightypoor till she came here, " said another. "God bless the SanitaryCommission, " said a third, "for sending women among us. " True to herattachment to the private soldiers, Mrs. Bickerdyke early sought aninterview with General Grant, and told him in her plain way, that thesurgeons in some of the hospitals were great rascals, and neglected themen shamefully; and that unless they were removed and faithful men putin their places, he would lose hundreds and perhaps thousands of hisveteran soldiers whom he could ill afford to spare. "You must not, " shesaid, "trust anybody's report in this matter, but see to it yourself. Disguise yourself so that the surgeons or men won't know you, and goaround to the hospitals and see for yourself how the men are neglected. "

"But, Mrs. Bickerdyke, " said the general, "that is the business of mymedical director, he must attend to that. I can't see to everything inperson. "

"Well, " was her reply, "leave it to him if you think best; but if you doyou will lose your men. "

The general made no promises, but a night or two later the hospitalswere visited by a stranger who made very particular inquiries, andwithin a week about half a dozen surgeons were dismissed and moreefficient men put in their places. At the opening of spring, Mrs. Bickerdyke and Mrs. Porter returned to Huntsville and superintended thedistribution of Sanitary Supplies in the hospitals there, and at Pulaskiand other points. 

No sooner was General Sherman prepared to move on his Atlanta Campaignthan he sent word to Mrs. Bickerdyke to come up and accompany the armyin its march. She accordingly left Huntsville on the 10th of May forChattanooga, and from thence went immediately to Ringgold, near whichtown the army was then stationed. As the army moved forward to Daltonand Resaca, she sent forward teams laden with supplies, and followedthem in an ambulance the next day. On the 16th of May she and herassociate Mrs. Porter proceeded at once to the Field Hospitals whichwere as near as safety would permit to the hard-fought battle-ground ofthe previous day, washed the wounded, dressed their wounds, andadministered to them such nourishment as could be prepared. There was atfirst some little delay in the receipt of sanitary stores, but withwonderful tact and ingenuity Mrs. Bickerdyke succeeded in makingpalatable dishes for the sick from the hard tack, coffee and other itemsof the soldier's ration. Soon however the sanitary goods came up, andthenceforward, with her rare executive ability the department of specialrelief for that portion of the army to which she was assigned wasmaintained in its highest condition of efficiency, in spite ofdisabilities which would have completely discouraged any woman of lessresolution. The diary of her associate, Mrs. Porter, is full ofallusions to the extraordinary exertions of Mrs. Bickerdyke during thiscampaign. We quote two or three as examples. 

"To-day every kettle which could be raised has been used in makingcoffee. Mrs. Bickerdyke has made barrel after barrel, and it is acomfort to know that multitudes are reached, and cheered, and saved. Twohundred and sixty slightly wounded men just came to this point on thecars on their way North, all hungry and weary, saying, 'We are sothirsty, ' 'Do give us something to eat, ' Mrs. Bickerdyke was engaged ingiving out supper to the three hundred in wards here, and told them shecould not feed them then. They turned away in sorrow and were leaving, when learning who they were--wounded men of the Twentieth Army Corps, and their necessity--she told them to wait a few moments, she wouldattend to them. She gave them coffee, krout, and potato pickles, whichare never eaten but by famished men, and for once they were a luxury. Istood in the room where our supplies were deposited, giving to somecrackers, to some pickles, and to each hungry man something. One of thegreen cards that come on all the stores of the Northwestern CommissionMrs. Bickerdyke had tacked upon the wall, and this told the inquirersfrom what branch of the Commission the supplies were obtained. The menwere mostly from New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and mostgrateful recipients were they of the generosity of the Northwest. Youcan imagine the effort made to supply two barrels of coffee with onlythree camp-kettles, two iron boilers holding two pailfuls, one smalliron tea-kettle and one sauce-pan, to make it in. These all placed overa dry rail-fire were boiled in double-quick time, and were filled andrefilled till all had a portion. Chicago canned milk never gave morecomfort than on this occasion, I assure you. Our cooking conveniencesare much the same as at Mission Ridge, but there is to be a change soon. The Medical Director informs me that this is to be a recoveringhospital, and cooking apparatus will soon be provided. "

"Mrs. Bickerdyke was greeted on the street by a soldier on horseback;'Mother, ' said he, 'is that you? Don't you remember me? I was in thehospital, my arm amputated, and I was saved by your kindness. I am soglad to see you, ' giving her a beautiful bouquet of roses, the onlytoken of grateful remembrance he could command. Mrs. Bickerdyke dailyreceives such greetings from men, who say they have been saved fromdeath by her efforts. "

"To-day three hundred and twelve men have been fed and comforted here. This morning Mrs. Bickerdyke made mush for two hundred, having gatheredup in various places kettles, so that by great effort out of doors shecan cook something. Potatoes, received from Iowa, and dried fruit andcanned, have been distributed among the men. Many of them are from Iowa. 'What could we do without these stores?' is the constant inquiry. "

"Almost every article of special diet has been cooked by Mrs. Bickerdykepersonally, and all has been superintended by her. "

After the close of the Atlanta Campaign and the convalescence of thegreater part of the wounded, Mrs. Bickerdyke returned to Chicago for abrief period of rest, but was soon called to Nashville and Franklin toattend the wounded of General Thomas's Army after the campaign whichended in Hood's utter discomfiture. When Savannah was surrendered shehastened thither, and after organizing the supply department of itshospitals, she and Mrs. Porter, who still accompanied her, establishedtheir system of Field Relief in Sherman's Campaign through theCarolinas. When at last in June, 1865, Sherman's veterans reached theNational Capitol and were to be mustered out, the Sanitary Commissioncommenced its work of furnishing the supplies of clothing and otherneedful articles to these grim soldiers, to make their homeward journeymore comfortable and their appearance to their families more agreeable. The work of distribution in the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps wasassigned to Mrs. Bickerdyke and Mrs. Porter, and was performed, saysMrs. Barker, who had the general superintendence of the distribution, admirably. With this labor Mrs. Bickerdyke's connection with thesanitary work of the army ceased. She had, however, been too longengaged in philanthropic labor, to be content to sit down quietly, andlead a life of inaction; and after a brief period of rest, she began togather the more helpless of the freedmen, in Chicago, and has sincedevoted her time and efforts to a "Freedmen's Home and Refuge" in thatcity, in which she is accomplishing great good. Out of the host ofzealous workers in the hospitals and in the field, none have borne totheir homes in greater measure the hearty and earnest love of thesoldiers, as none had been more zealously and persistently devoted totheir interests. 

[Illustration: MISS MARGARET E. BRECKENRIDGE. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

MARGARET E. BRECKINRIDGE. 

A true heroine of the war was Margaret Elizabeth Breckinridge. Patient, courageous, self-forgetting, steady of purpose and cheerful in spirit, she belonged by nature to the heroic order, while all the circumstancesof her early life tended to mature and prepare her for her destinedwork. Had her lot been cast in the dark days of religious intoleranceand persecution, her steadfast enthusiasm and holy zeal would haveearned for her a martyr's cross and crown; but, born in this gloriousnineteenth century, and reared in an atmosphere of liberal thought andactive humanity, the first spark of patriotism that flashed across thestartled North at the outbreak of the rebellion, set all her soul aglow, and made it henceforth an altar of living sacrifice, a burning and ashining light, to the end of her days. Dearer to her gentle spirit thanany martyr's crown, must have been the consciousness that this God-givenlight had proved a guiding beacon to many a faltering soul feeling itsway into the dim beyond, out of the drear loneliness of camp orhospital. With her slight form, her bright face, and her musical voice, she seemed a ministering angel to the sick and suffering soldiers, whileher sweet womanly purity and her tender devotion to their wants made heralmost an object of worship among them. "Ain't she an angel?" said agray-headed soldier as he watched her one morning as she was busygetting breakfast for the boys on the steamer "City of Alton. " "Shenever seems to tire, she is always smiling, and don't seem to walk--sheflies, all but--God bless her!" Another, a soldier boy of seventeensaid to her, as she was smoothing his hair and saying cheering wordsabout mother and home to him, "Ma'am, where do you come from? How couldsuch a lady as you are come down here, to take care of us poor, sick, dirty boys?" She answered--"I consider it an honor to wait on you, andwash off the mud you've waded through for me. "

Another asked this favor of her, "Lady, please write down your name, andlet me look at it, and take it home, to show my wife who wrote myletters, and combed my hair and fed me. I don't believe you're likeother people. " In one of her letters she says, "I am often touched withtheir anxiety not to give trouble, not to _bother_, as they say. Thatsame evening I found a poor, exhausted fellow, lying on a stretcher, onwhich he had just been brought in. There was no bed for him just then, and he was to remain there for the present, and looked uncomfortableenough, with his knapsack for a pillow. 'I know some hot tea will do yougood, ' I said. 'Yes, ma'am, ' he answered, 'but I am too weak to sit upwith nothing to lean against; it's no matter, --don't bother about me, 'but his eyes were fixed longingly on the smoking tea. Everybody wasbusy, not even a nurse in sight, but the poor man must have his tea. Ipushed away the knapsack, raised his head, and seated myself on the endof the stretcher; and, as I drew his poor tired head back upon myshoulder and half held him, he seemed, with all his pleasure and eagerenjoyment of the tea, to be troubled at my being so bothered with him. He forgot I had come so many hundred miles on purpose to be bothered. "

One can hardly read this simple unaffected statement of hers, withoutinstinctively recalling the touching story told of a soldier in one ofthe hospitals of the Crimea who, when Florence Nightingale had passed, turned and kissed the place upon his pillow where her shadow fell. Thesweet name of the fair English nurse might well be claimed by many ofour American heroines, but, when we think of Margaret's pure voice, singing hymns with the soldiers on the hospital-boat, filling thedesolate woods along the Mississippi shores with solemn music in thestill night, we feel that it belongs especially to her and that we maycall her, without offense to the others, _our Florence Nightingale_. 

Her great power of adaptation served her well in her chosen vocation. Unmindful of herself, and always considerate of others, she could suitherself to the need of the moment and was equally at home in making teaand toast for the hungry, dressing ghastly wounds for the sufferers, andin singing hymns and talking of spiritual things with the sick anddying. 

She found indeed her true vocation. She saw her way and walkedfearlessly in it; she knew her work and did it with all her heart andsoul. When she first began to visit the hospitals in and around St. Louis, she wrote "I shall never be satisfied till I get right into ahospital, to live till the war is over. If you are constantly with themen, you have hundreds of opportunities and moments of influence inwhich you can gain their attention and their hearts, and do more goodthan in any missionary field. " Once, on board a steamer near Vicksburg, during the fearful winter siege of that city, some one said to her, "Youmust hold back, you are going beyond your strength, you will die if youare not more prudent!" "Well, " said she, with thrilling earnestness, "what if I do? Shall men come here by tens of thousands and fight, andsuffer, and die, and shall not some women be willing to die to sustainand succor them?" No wonder that such sincerity won all hearts andcarried all before it! Alas! the brave spirit was stronger than thefrail casket that encased it, and that yielded inevitably to the heavydemands that were made upon it. 

A rare and consistent life was hers, a worthy and heroic death. Let usstop a moment to admire the truth and beauty of the one, and to doreverence to the deep devotion of the other. The following sketch isgathered from the pages of a "Memorial" published by her friendsshortly after her death, which occurred at Niagara Falls, July 27th, 1864. 

"Margaret Elizabeth Breckinridge was born in Philadelphia, March 24th, 1832. Her paternal grandfather was John Breckinridge, of Kentucky, onceAttorney-General of the United States. Her father, the Rev. JohnBreckinridge, D. D. , was his second son, a man of talent and influence, from whom Margaret inherited good gifts of mind and heart, and anhonored name. Her mother, who was the daughter of Rev. Samuel Miller, ofPrinceton, N. J. , died when Margaret was only six years old, at whichtime she and her sister Mary went to live with their grandparents atPrinceton. Their father dying three years afterwards, the home of thegrandparents became their permanent abode. They had one brother, nowJudge Breckinridge of St. Louis. Margaret's school-days were pleasantlypassed, for she had a genuine love of study, an active intellect, and avery retentive memory. When her school education was over, she stillcontinued her studies, and never gave up her prescribed course until thegreat work came upon her which absorbed all her time and powers. In theyear 1852 her sister married Mr. Peter A. Porter of Niagara Falls, agentleman of culture and accomplishments, a noble man, a true patriot. At his house the resort of literary and scientific men, the shelter ofthe poor and friendless, the centre of sweet social life and domesticpeace, Margaret found for a time a happy home. 

"Between her and her sister, Mrs. Porter, there was genuine sisterlylove, a fine intellectual sympathy, and a deep and tender affection. Thefirst great trial of Miss Breckinridge's life was the death of thisbeloved sister which occurred in 1854, only two years after hermarriage. She died of cholera, after an illness of only a few hours. Margaret had left her but a few days before, in perfect health. Theshock was so terrible that for many years she could not speak hersister's name without deep emotion; but she was too brave and too trulyreligious to allow this blow, dreadful as it was, to impair herusefulness or unfit her for her destined work. Her religion waseminently practical and energetic. She was a constant and faithfulSunday-school teacher, and devoted her attention especially to thecolored people in whom she had a deep interest. She had become byinheritance the owner of several slaves in Kentucky, who were a sourceof great anxiety to her, and the will of her father, though carefullydesigned to secure their freedom, had become so entangled with statelaws, subsequently made, as to prevent her, during her life, fromcarrying out what was his wish as well as her own. By her will shedirected that they should be freed as soon as possible, and somethinggiven them to provide against the first uncertainties of self-support. "

So the beginning of the war found Margaret ripe and ready for her noblewomanly work; trained to self-reliance, accustomed to using her powersin the service of others, tender, brave, and enthusiastic, chastened bya life-long sorrow, she longed to devote herself to her country, and todo all in her power to help on its noble defenders. During the firstyear of the struggle duty constrained her to remain at home, but heartand hands worked bravely all the time, and even her ready pen waspressed into the service. 

But Margaret could not be satisfied to remain with the Home-Guards. Shemust be close to the scene of action and in the foremost ranks. Shedetermined to become a hospital-nurse. Her anxious friends combated herresolution in vain; they felt that her slender frame and excitabletemperament could not bear the stress and strain of hospital work, butshe had set her mark and must press onward let life or death be theissue. In April, 1862, Miss Breckinridge set out for the West, stoppinga few weeks at Baltimore on her way. Then she commenced her hospitalservice; then, too, she contracted measles, and, by the time she reachedLexington, Kentucky, her destination, she was quite ill; but the delaywas only temporary, and soon she was again absorbed in her work. Aguerrilla raid, under John Morgan, brought her face to face with therealities of war, and soon after, early in September she found herselfin a beleaguered city, actually in the grasp of the Rebels, Kirby Smithholding possession of Lexington and its neighborhood for about sixweeks. It is quite evident that Miss Breckinridge improved this occasionto air her loyal sentiments and give such help and courage to Unionistsas lay in her power. In a letter written just after this invasion shesays, "At that very time, a train of ambulances, bringing our sick andwounded from Richmond, was leaving town on its way to Cincinnati. It wasa sight to stir every loyal heart; and so the Union people throngedround them to cheer them up with pleasant, hopeful words, to bid themGod speed, and last, but not least, to fill their haversacks andcanteens. We went, thinking it possible we might be ordered off by theguard, but they only stood off, scowling and wondering. 

"'Good-by, ' said the poor fellows from the ambulances, 'we're comingback as soon as ever we get well. '

"'Yes, yes, ' we whispered, for there were spies all around us, 'andevery one of you bring a regiment with you. '"

As soon as these alarms were over, and Kentucky freed from rebelinvaders, Miss Breckinridge went on to St. Louis, to spend the winterwith her brother. As soon as she arrived, she began to visit thehospitals of the city and its neighborhood, but her chief work, and thatfrom the effects of which she never recovered, was the service sheundertook upon the hospital boats, which were sent down the Mississippito bring up the sick and wounded from the posts below. She made twoexcursions of this kind, full of intense experiences, both of pleasureand pain. These boats went down the river empty unless they chanced tocarry companies of soldiers to rejoin their regiments, but they returnedcrowded with the sick and dying, emaciated, fever-stricken men, sadly inneed of tender nursing but with scarcely a single comfort at command. Several of the nurses broke down under this arduous and difficultservice, but Margaret congratulated herself that she had held out to theend. These expeditions were not without danger as well as privation. Oneof her letters records a narrow escape. "To give you an idea of theaudacity of these guerrillas; while we lay at Memphis that afternoon, inbroad daylight, a party of six, dressed in our uniform, went on board agovernment boat, lying just across the river, and asked to be taken aspassengers six miles up the river, which was granted; but they had nosooner left the shore than they drew their pistols, overpowered thecrew, and made them go up eighteen miles to meet another government boatcoming down loaded with stores, tied the boats together and burned them, setting the crew of each adrift in their own yawl, and nobody knew ittill they reached Memphis, two hours later. Being able to hear nothingof the wounded, we pushed on to Helena, ninety miles below, and heredangers thickened. We saw the guerrillas burning cotton, with our owneyes, along the shore, we saw their little skiffs hid away among thebushes on the shore; and just before we got to Helena, had a most narrowescape from their clutches. A signal to land on the river was inordinary times never disregarded, as the way business of freight andpassengers was the chief profit often of the trip, and it seems hard forpilots and captains always to be on their guard against a decoy. At thislanding the signal was given, all as it should be, and we were justrounding to, when, with a sudden jerk, the boat swung round into thestream again. The mistake was discovered in time, by a governmentofficer on board, and we escaped an ambush. Just think! we might havebeen prisoners in Mississippi now, but God meant better things for usthan that. "

Her tender heart was moved by the sufferings of the wretched coloredpeople at Helena. She says, "But oh! the contrabands! my heart did achefor them. Such wretched, uncared-for, sad-looking creatures I never saw. They come in such swarms that it is impossible to do anything for them, unless benevolent people take the thing into their hands. They have alittle settlement in one end of the town, and the government furnishesthem rations, but they cannot all get work, even if they were all ableand willing to do it; then they get sick from exposure, and now thesmall pox is making terrible havoc among them. They have a hospital oftheir own, and one of our Union Aid ladies has gone down to superintendit, and get it into some order, but it seems as if there was nothingbefore them but suffering for many a long day to come, and that sad, sadtruth came back to me so often as I went about among them, that nopeople ever gained their freedom without a baptism of fire. "

Miss Breckinridge returned to St. Louis on a small hospital-boat onwhich there were one hundred and sixty patients in care of herself andone other lady. A few extracts from one of her letters will show whatbrave work it gave her to do. 

"It was on Sunday morning, 25th of January, that Mrs. C. And I went onboard the hospital boat which had received its sad freight the daybefore, and was to leave at once for St. Louis, and it would beimpossible to describe the scene which presented itself to me as I stoodin the door of the cabin. Lying on the floor, with nothing under thembut a tarpaulin and their blankets, were crowded fifty men, many of themwith death written on their faces; and looking through the half-opendoors of the state-rooms, we saw that they contained as many more. Young, boyish faces, old and thin from suffering, great restless eyesthat were fixed on nothing, incoherent ravings of those who were wildwith fever, and hollow coughs on every side--this, and much more that Ido not want to recall, was our welcome to our new work; but, as wepassed between the two long rows, back to our own cabin, pleasant smilescame to the lips of some, others looked after us wonderingly, and onepoor boy whispered, 'Oh, but it is good to see the ladies come in!' Itook one long look into Mrs. C's eyes to see how much strength andcourage was hidden in them. We asked each other, not in words, but inthose fine electric thrills by which one soul questions another, 'Can webring strength, and hope, and comfort to these poor suffering men?' andthe answer was, 'Yes, by God's help we will!' The first thing was togive them something like a comfortable bed, and, Sunday though it was, we went to work to run up our sheets into bed-sacks. Every man that hadstrength enough to stagger was pressed into the service, and by nightmost of them had something softer than a tarpaulin to sleep on. 'Oh, Iam so comfortable now!' some of them said; 'I think I can sleepto-night, ' exclaimed one little fellow, half-laughing with pleasure. Thenext thing was to provide something that sick people could eat, forcoffee and bread was poor food for most of them. We had two littlestoves, one in the cabin and one in the chambermaid's room, and here, the whole time we were on board, we had to do the cooking for a hundredmen. Twenty times that day I fully made up my mind to cry with vexation, and twenty times that day I laughed instead; and surely, a kettle of teawas never made under so many difficulties as the one I made thatmorning. The kettle lid was not to be found, the water simmered and sangat its leisure, and when I asked for the poker I could get nothing butan old bayonet, and, all the time, through the half-open door behind me, I heard the poor hungry fellows asking the nurses, 'Where is that teathe lady promised me?' or 'When will my toast come?' But there must bean end to all things, and when I carried them their tea and toast, andheard them pronounce it 'plaguey good, ' and 'awful nice, ' it was morethan a recompense for all the worry. 

"One great trouble was the intense cold. We could not keep life in someof the poor emaciated frames. 'Oh dear! I shall freeze to death!' onepoor little fellow groaned, as I passed him. Blankets seemed to have noeffect upon them, and at last we had to keep canteens filled withboiling water at their feet. " * * *

"There was one poor boy about whom from the first I had been veryanxious. He drooped and faded from day to day before my eyes. Nothingbut constant stimulants seemed to keep him alive, and, at last Isummoned courage to tell him--oh, how hard it was!--that he could notlive many hours. 'Are you willing to die?' I asked him. He closed hiseyes, and was silent a moment; then came that passionate exclamationwhich I have heard so often, 'My mother, oh! my mother!' and, to thelast, though I believe God gave him strength to trust in Christ, andwillingness to die, he longed for his mother. I had to leave him, and, not long after, he sent for me to come, that he was dying, and wanted meto sing to him. He prayed for himself in the most touching words; heconfessed that he had been a wicked boy, and then with one last messagefor that dear mother, turned his face to the pillow and died; and so, one by one, we saw them pass away, and all the little keepsakes andtreasures they had loved and kept about them, laid away to be sent hometo those they should never see again. Oh, it was heart-breaking to seethat!"

After the "sad freight" had reached its destination, and the care andresponsibility are over, true woman that she is, she breaks down andcries over it all, but brightens up, and looking back upon it declares:"I certainly never had so much comfort and satisfaction in anything inall my life, and the tearful thanks of those who thought in theirgratitude that they owed a great deal more to us than they did, theblessings breathed from dying lips, and the comfort it has been tofriends at home to hear all about the last sad hours of those they love, and know their dying messages of love to them; all this is a rich, andfull, and overflowing reward for any labor and for any sacrifice. " Againshe says: "There is a soldier's song of which they are very fond, oneverse of which often comes back to me:

 'So I've had a sight of drilling, And I've roughed it many days; Yes, and death has nearly had me, Yet, I think, the service pays. '

Indeed it does, --richly, abundantly, blessedly, and I thank God that hehas honored me by letting me do a little and suffer a little for thisgrand old Union, and the dear, brave fellows who are fighting for it. "

Early in March she returned to St. Louis, expecting to make another tripdown the river, but her work was nearly over, and the seeds of diseasesown in her winter's campaign were already overmastering her delicateconstitution. She determined to go eastward for rest and recovery, intending to return in the autumn and fix herself in one of the Westernhospitals, where she could devote herself to her beloved work while thewar lasted. At this time she writes to her Eastern friends: "I shallsoon turn my face eastward, and I have more and more to do as my timehere grows shorter. I have been at the hospital every day this week, andat the Government rooms, where we prepare the Government work for thepoor women, four hundred of whom we supply with work every week. I havealso a family of refugees to look after, so I do not lack employment. "

Early in June, Miss Breckinridge reached Niagara on her way to the East, where she remained for a month. For a year she struggled against diseaseand weakness, longing all the time to be at work again, making vainplans for the time when she should be "well and strong, and able to goback to the hospitals. " With this cherished scheme in view she went inthe early part of May, 1864, into the Episcopal Hospital inPhiladelphia, that she might acquire experience in nursing, especiallyin surgical cases, so that in the autumn, she could begin her labor oflove among the soldiers more efficiently and confidently than before. She went to work with her usual energy and promptness, following thesurgical nurse every day through the wards, learning the best methods ofbandaging and treating the various wounds. She was not satisfied withmerely seeing this done, but often washed and dressed the wounds withher own hands, saying, "I shall be able to do this for the soldiers whenI get back to the army. " The patients could not understand this, andwould often expostulate, saying, "Oh no, Miss, that is not for the likeof you to do!" but she would playfully insist and have her way. Nor wasshe satisfied to gain so much without giving something in return. Shewent from bed to bed, encouraging the despondent, cheering the weak andmiserable, reading to them from her little Testament, and singing sweethymns at twilight, --a ministering angel here as well as on thehospital-boats on the Mississippi. 

On the 2d of June she had an attack of erysipelas, which however was notconsidered alarming, and under which she was patient and cheerful. 

Then came news of the fighting before Richmond and of the probabilitythat her brother-in-law, Colonel Porter, [E] had fallen. Her friendsconcealed it from her until the probability became a sad certainty, andthen they were obliged to reveal it to her. The blow fell upon her withoverwhelming force. One wild cry of agony, one hour of unmitigatedsorrow, and then she sweetly and submissively bowed herself to the willof her Heavenly Father, and was still; but the shock was too great forthe wearied body and the bereaved heart. Gathering up her small remnantof strength and courage she went to Baltimore to join the afflictedfamily of Colonel Porter, saying characteristically, "I can do more goodwith them than anywhere else just now. " After a week's rest in Baltimoreshe proceeded with them to Niagara, bearing the journey apparently well, but the night after her arrival she became alarmingly ill, and it wassoon evident that she could not recover from her extreme exhaustion andprostration. For five weeks her life hung trembling in the balance, andthen the silver cord was loosed and she went to join her dear ones gonebefore. 

"Underneath are the everlasting arms, " she said to a friend who bentanxiously over her during her sickness. Yes, "the everlasting arms"upheld her in all her courageous heroic earthly work; they cradle herspirit now in eternal rest. 

[Footnote E: This truly Christian hero, the son of General Peter A. Porter of Niagara Falls, was one of those rare spirits, who surroundedby everything which could make life blissful, were led by the promptingsof a lofty and self-sacrificing patriotism to devote their lives totheir country. He was killed in the severe battle of June 3, 1864. Hisfirst wife who had deceased some years before was a sister of MargaretBreckinridge, and the second who survived him was her cousin. One of thedelegates of the Christian Commission writes concerning him:--"ColonelPeter B. Porter, of Niagara Falls, commanding the 8th New York heavyartillery, was killed within five or six rods of the rebel lines. Sevenwounds were found upon his body. One in his neck, one between hisshoulders, one on the right side, and lower part of the stomach, one onthe left, and near his heart, and two in his legs. The evening before hesaid, 'that if the charge was made he would not come out alive; but thatif required, he would go into it. ' The last words heard from him were:'_Boys, follow me. _' We notice the following extract from his will, which was made before entering the service, which shows the man:

"Feeling to its full extent the probability that I may not return fromthe path of duty on which I have entered--if it please God that it beso--I can say with truth I have entered on the career of danger with noambitious aspirations, nor with the idea that I am fitted by nature orexperience to be of any important service to the Government; but inobedience to the call of duty demanding every citizen to contribute whathe could in means, labor, or life to sustain the government of hiscountry; a sacrifice made, too, the more willingly by me when I considerhow singularly benefited I have been by the institutions of this land, and that up to this time all the blessings of life have been showeredupon me beyond what falls usually to the lot of man. "]

MRS. STEPHEN BARKER

Mrs. Barker is a lady of great refinement and high culture, the sisterof the Hon. William Whiting, late Attorney-General of Massachusetts, andthe wife of the Rev. Stephen Barker, during the war, Chaplain of theFirst Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. 

This regiment was organized in July, 1861, as the FourteenthMassachusetts Infantry (but afterwards changed as above) under thecommand of Colonel William B. Green, of Boston, and was immediatelyordered to Fort Albany, which was then an outpost of defense guardingthe Long Bridge over the Potomac, near Washington. 

Having resolved to share the fortunes of this regiment in the service ofits hospitals, Mrs. Barker followed it to Washington in August, andremained in that city six months before suitable quarters were arrangedfor her at the fort. 

During her stay in Washington, she spent much of her time in visitinghospitals, and in ministering to their suffering inmates. Especially wasthis the case with the E. Street Infirmary, which was destroyed by firein the autumn of that year. After the fire the inmates were distributedto other hospitals, except a few whose wounds would not admit of aremoval. These were collected together in a small brick school-house, which stands on the corner of the lot now occupied by the JudiciarySquare Hospital, and there was had the first Thanksgiving Dinner whichwas given in an army hospital. 

After dinner, which was made as nice and home-like as possible, theyplayed games of checkers, chess, and backgammon on some new boardspresented from the supplies of the Sanitary Commission, and Mrs. Barkerread aloud "The Cricket on the Hearth. " This occupied all the afternoonand made the day seem so short to these poor convalescents that they allconfessed afterwards that they had no idea, nor expectation that theycould so enjoy a day which they had hoped to spend at home; and theyalways remembered and spoke of it with pleasure. 

This was a new and entirely exceptional experience to Mrs. Barker. Likeall the ladies who have gone out as volunteer nurses or helps in thehospitals, she had her whole duty to learn. In this she was aided by asound judgment, and an evident natural capacity and executive ability. Without rules or instructions in hospital visiting, she had to learn byexperience the best methods of aiding sick soldiers without coming intoconflict with the regulations peculiar to military hospitals. Of course, no useful work could be accomplished without the sanction and confidenceof the surgeons, and these could only be won by strict and honorableobedience to orders. 

The first duty was to learn what Government supplies could properly beexpected in the hospitals; next to be sure that where wanting they werenot withheld by the ignorance or carelessness of the sub-officials; andlastly that the soldier was sincere and reliable in the statement of hiswants. By degrees these questions received their natural solution; andthe large discretionary power granted by the surgeons, and the generousconfidence and aid extended by the Sanitary Commission, in furnishingwhatever supplies she asked for, soon gave Mrs. Barker all thefacilities she desired for her useful and engrossing work. 

In March, 1862, Mrs. Barker removed to Fort Albany, and systematicallycommenced the work which had first induced her to leave her home. Thiswork was substantially the same that she had done in Washington, but wasconfined to the Regimental Hospitals. But it was for many reasonspleasanter and more interesting. As the wife of the Chaplain of theRegiment, the men all recognized the fitness of her position, and sheshared with him all the duties, not strictly clerical, of his office, finding great happiness in their mutual usefulness and sustaining power. She also saw the same men oftener, and became better acquainted, andmore deeply interested in their individual conditions, and she had herefacilities at her command for the preparation of all the little luxuriesand delicacies demanded by special cases. 

While the regiment held Fort Albany, and others of the forts forming thedefenses of Washington, the officers' quarters were always such as tofurnish a comfortable home, and Mrs. Barker had, consequently, none ofthe exposures and hardships of those who followed the army and laboredin the field. As she, herself, has written in a private letter--"It wasno sacrifice to go to the army, because my husband was in it, and itwould have been much harder to stay at home than to go with him. * * * Icannot even claim the merit of acting from a sense of _duty_--for Iwanted to work for the soldiers, and should have been desperatelydisappointed had I been prevented from doing it. "

And so, with a high heart, and an unselfish spirit, which disclaimed allmerit in sacrifice, and even the existence of the sacrifice, she enteredupon and fulfilled to the end the arduous and painful duties whichdevolved upon her. 

For nearly two years she continued in unremitting attendance upon theregimental hospitals, except when briefly called home to the sick anddying bed of her father. 

All this time her dependence for hospital comforts was upon the SanitaryCommission, for though the regiment was performing the duties of agarrison it was not so considered by the War Department, and thehospital received none of the furnishings it would have been entitled toas a Post Hospital. Most of the hospital bedding and clothing, as wellas delicacies of diet came from the Sanitary Commission, and a littlemoney contributed from private sources helped to procure the neededfurniture. Mrs. Barker found this "camp life" absorbing and interesting. She became identified with the regiment and was accustomed to speak ofit as a part of herself. And even more closely and intimately did sheidentify herself with her suffering patients in the hospital. 

On Sundays, while the chaplain was about his regular duties, she wasaccustomed to have a little service of her own for the patients, whichmostly consisted in reading aloud a printed sermon of the Rev. HenryWard Beecher, which appeared in the Weekly Traveller, and which wasalways listened to with eager interest. 

The chaplain's quarters were close by the hospital, and at any hour ofthe day and till a late hour of the night Mr. And Mrs. Barker couldassure themselves of the condition and wants of any of the patients, andbe instantly ready to minister to them. Mrs. Barker, especially, borethem continually in her thoughts, and though not with them, her heartand time were given to the work of consolation, either by adding to thecomforts of the body or the mind. 

In January, 1864, it became evident to Mrs. Barker that she could servein the hospitals more effectually by living in Washington, than byremaining at Fort Albany. She therefore offered her services to theSanitary Commission without other compensation than the expenses of herboard, and making no stipulation as to the nature of her duties, butonly that she might remain within reach of the regimental hospital, towhich she had so long been devoted. 

Just at this time the Commission had determined to secure a more sureand thorough personal distribution of the articles intended forsoldiers, and she was requested to become a visitor in certain hospitalsin Washington. It was desirable to visit bed-sides, as before, buthenceforth as a representative of the Sanitary Commission, with a widerrange of duties, and a proportionate increase of facilities. Soldierswere complaining that they saw nothing of the Sanitary Commission, whenthe shirts they wore, the fruits they ate, the stationery they used, andnumerous other comforts from the Commission abounded in the hospitals. Mrs. Barker found that she had only to refuse the thanks which sheconstantly received, and refer them to the proper object, to see amarked change in the feeling of the sick toward the Sanitary Commission. And she was so fully convinced of the beneficial results of thisremarkable organization, that she found the greatest pleasure in doingthis. 

In all other respects her work was unchanged. There was the same need ofcheering influences--the writing of letters and procuring of books, andobtaining of information. There were the thousand varied calls forsympathy and care which kept one constantly on the keenest strain ofactive life, so that she came to feel that no gift, grace, oraccomplishment could be spared without leaving something wanting of aperfect woman's work in the hospitals. 

Nine hospitals, in addition to the regimental hospital, which she stillthought of as her "own, " were assigned her. Of these Harewood containednearly as many patients as all the others. During the summer of 1864, its wards and tents held twenty-eight hundred patients. It was Mrs. Barker's custom to commence here every Monday morning at the First Ward, doing all she saw needful as she went along, and to go on as far as shecould before two o'clock, when she went to dinner. In the afternoon shewould visit one of the smaller hospitals, all of whose inmates she couldsee in the course of one visit, and devote the whole afternoon entirelyto that hospital. 

The next morning she would begin again at Harewood, where she stoppedthe day before, doing all she could there, previous to two o'clock, anddevoting the afternoon to a smaller hospital. When Harewood wasfinished, two hospitals might be visited in a day, and in this mannershe would complete the entire round weekly. 

It was not necessary to speak to every man, for on being recognized as aSanitary Visitor the men would tell her their wants, and her eye wassufficiently practiced to discern where undue shyness prevented any fromspeaking of them. An assistant always went with her, who drove thehorses, and who, by his knowledge of German, was a great help inunderstanding the foreign soldiers. They carried a variety of commonarticles with them, so that the larger proportion of the wants could besupplied on the spot. In this way a constant distribution was going on, in all the hospitals of Washington, whereby the soldiers received whatwas sent for them with certainty and promptness. 

In the meantime the First Heavy Artillery had been ordered to join thearmy before Petersburg. On the fourth day after it left the forts roundWashington, it lost two hundred men killed, wounded and taken prisoners. As soon as the sick or wounded men began to be sent back to Washington, Mrs. Barker was notified of it by her husband, and sought them out tomake them the objects of her special care. 

At the same time the soldiers of this regiment, in the field, wereconstantly confiding money and mementoes to Mr. Barker, to be sent toMrs. Barker by returning Sanitary Agents, and forwarded by her to theirfamilies in New England. Often she gave up the entire day to thepreparation of these little packages for the express, and to the writingof letters to each person who was to receive a package, containingmessages, and a request for a reply when the money was received. Largeas this business was, she never entrusted it to any hands but her own, and though she sent over two thousand dollars in small sums, andnumerous mementoes, she never lost an article of all that weretransmitted by express. 

But whatever she had on hand, it was, at this time, an especial duty toattend to any person who desired a more thorough understanding of thework of hospitals; and many days were thus spent with strangers who hadno other means of access to the information they desired, except throughone whose time could be given to such purposes. 

These somewhat minute details of Mrs. Barker's labors are given as beingpeculiar to the department of service in which she worked, and to whichshe so conscientiously devoted herself for such a length of time. 

In this way she toiled on until December, 1864, when a request was madeby the Women's Central Association that a hospital visitor might be sentto the Soldiers' Aid Societies in the State of New York. Few of thesehad ever seen a person actually engaged in hospital work, and it wasthought advisable to assure them that their labors were not only needed, but that their results really reached and benefited the sick soldiers. 

Mrs. Barker was chosen as this representative, and the programmeincluded the services of Mr. Barker, whose regiment was now mustered outof service, as a lecturer before general audiences, while Mrs. Barkermet the Aid Societies in the same places. During the month of December, 1864, Mr. And Mrs. Barker, in pursuance of this plan, visited Harlem, Brooklyn, Astoria, Hastings, Irvington, Rhinebeck, Albany, Troy, Rome, Syracuse, Auburn, and Buffalo, presenting the needs of the soldier, andthe benefits of the work of the Sanitary Commission to the peoplegenerally, and to the societies in particular, with great acceptance, and to the ultimate benefit of the cause. This tour accomplished, Mrs. Barker returned to her hospital work in Washington. 

After the surrender of Lee's army, Mrs. Barker visited Richmond andPetersburg, and as she walked the deserted streets of those fallencities, she felt that her work was nearly done. Almost four years, instorm and in sunshine, in heat and in cold, in hope and indiscouragement she had ceaselessly toiled on; and all along her pathwere strewed the blessings of thousands of grateful hearts. 

The increasing heats of summer warned her that she could not withstandthe influences of another season of hard work in a warm climate, and onthe day of the assassination of President Lincoln, she left Washingtonfor Boston. 

Mrs. Barker had been at home about six weeks when a new call for effortcame, on the return of the Army of the Potomac encamped aroundWashington previous to its final march for home. To it was presentlyadded the Veterans of Sherman's grand march, and all were in a state ofdestitution. The following extract from the _Report of the Field ReliefService of the United States Sanitary Commission with the Armies of thePotomac, Georgia, and Tennessee, in the Department of Washington, Mayand June, 1865_, gives a much better idea of the work required thancould otherwise be presented. 

"Armies, the aggregate strength of which must have exceeded two hundredthousand men, were rapidly assembling around this city, previous, to thegrand review and their disbandment. These men were the travel-wornveterans of Sherman, and the battle-stained heroes of the glorious oldArmy of the Potomac, men of whom the nation is already proud, and whomhistory will teach our children to venerate. Alas! that veterans requiremore than 'field rations;' that heroes will wear out or throw away theirclothes, or become diseased with scurvy or chronic diarrhoea. 

"The Army of the West had marched almost two thousand miles, subsistingfrom Atlanta to the ocean almost wholly upon the country through whichit passed. When it entered the destitute regions of North Carolina andVirginia it became affected with scorbutic diseases. A return to theordinary marching rations gave the men plenty to eat, but no vegetables. Nor had foraging put them in a condition to bear renewed privation. 

"The Commissary Department issued vegetables in such small quantitiesthat they did not affect the condition of the troops in any appreciabledegree. Surgeons immediately sought the Sanitary Commission. The demandsoon became greater than the supply. At first they wanted nothing butvegetables, for having these, they said, all other discomforts wouldbecome as nothing. 

"After we had secured an organization through the return of agents andthe arrival of transportation, a division of labor was made, resultingultimately in three departments, more or less distinct. These were:

"First, the supply of vegetables;

"Second, the depots for hospital and miscellaneous supplies; and, "Third, the visitation of troops for the purpose of direct distributionof small articles of necessity or comfort. "

These men, war-worn--and many of them sick--veterans, were withoutmoney, often in rags, or destitute of needful clothing, and they werenot to be paid until they were mustered out of the service in theirrespective States. Generous, thorough and rapid distribution wasdesirable, and all the regular hospital visitors, as well as otherstemporarily employed in the work, entered upon the duties of fielddistribution. In twenty days, such was the system and expedition used, every regiment, and all men on detached duty, had been visited andsupplied with necessaries on their camping grounds; and frequentexpressions of gratitude from officers and men, attested that a greatwork had been successfully accomplished. 

This was the conclusion of Mrs. Barker's army work, and what it was, howthorough, kind, and every way excellent we cannot better tell than byappending to this sketch her own report to the Chief of Field ReliefCorps. 

 "WASHINGTON, D. C. , _June 29, 1865_. 

 "A. M. SPERRY--Sir: It was my privilege to witness the advance of the army in the spring of 1862, and the care of soldiers in camp and hospital having occupied all my time since then, it was therefore gratifying to close my labors by welcoming the returning army to the same camping grounds it left four years ago. The circumstances under which it went forth and returned were so unlike, the contrast between our tremulous farewell and our exultant welcome so extreme, that it has been difficult to find an expression suited to the hour. The Sanitary Commission adopted the one method by which alone it could give for itself this expression. It sent out its agents to visit every regiment and all soldiers on detached duty, to ascertain and relieve their wants, and by words and acts of kindness to assure them of the deep and heartfelt gratitude of the nation for their heroic sufferings and achievements. 

 "The Second, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth army corps have been encamped about the capital. They numbered over two hundred thousand men. 

 "Our first work was to establish stations for sanitary stores in the camps, wherever it was practicable, to which soldiers might come for the supply of their wants without the trouble of getting passes into Washington. Our Field Relief Agents, who have followed the army from point to point, called on the officers to inform them of our storehouse for supplies of vegetables and pickles. The report of the Superintendent of Field Relief will show how great a work has been done for the army in these respects. How great has been the need of a full and generous distribution of the articles of food and clothing may be realized by the fact, that here were men unpaid for the last six months, and yet to remain so till mustered out of the service in their respective States; whose government accounts were closed, with no sutlers in their regiments, and no credit anywhere. Every market-day, numbers of these war-worn veterans have been seen asking for some green vegetable from the tempting piles, which were forbidden fruits to them. 

 "In order to make our work in the army as thorough, rapid, and effective as possible, it was decided to accept the services of the 'Hospital Visitors. ' They have been at home in the hospitals ever since the war began, but never in the camp. But we believed that even here they would be safe, and the gifts they brought would be more valued because brought by them. 

 "Six ladies have been employed by the Sanitary Commission as Hospital Visitors. These were temporarily transferred from their hospitals to the field. 

 "The Second and Fifth Corps were visited by Mrs. Steel and Miss Abby Francis. 

 "The Sixth Corps by Mrs. Johnson, Miss Armstrong, and Mrs. Barker; on in each division. 

 "The Ninth Corps by Miss Wallace, whose illness afterward obliged her to yield her place to Mrs. Barker. 

 "The Fourteenth Corps by Miss Armstrong. 

 "The Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps by ladies belonging to those corps--Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke--whose admirable services rendered other presence superfluous. 

 "The Twentieth Corps was visited by Mrs. Johnson. 

 "The articles selected for their distribution were the same for all the corps; while heavy articles of food and clothing were issued by orders from the field agents, smaller articles--like towels, handkerchiefs, stationery, sewing materials, combs, reading matter, etc. --were left to the ladies. 

 "This division of labor has been followed, except in cases where no field agent accompanied the lady, and there was no sanitary station in the corps. Then the lady agent performed double duty. She was provided with a vehicle, and followed by an army wagon loaded with supplies sufficient for her day's distribution, which had been drawn from the Commission storehouse upon a requisition approved by the chief clerk. On arriving at the camp, her first call was at headquarters, to obtain permission to distribute her little articles, to learn how sick the men were, in quarters or in hospital, and to find out the numbers in each company. The ladies adopted two modes of issuing supplies: some called for the entire company, giving into each man's hand the thing he needed; others gave to the orderly sergeant of each company the same proportion of each article, which he distributed to the men. The willing help and heartfelt pleasure of the officers in distributing our gifts among their men have added much to the respect and affection already felt for them by the soldiers and their friends. 

 "In Mrs. Johnson's report of her work in the Twentieth Army Corps, she says: 'In several instances officers have tendered the thanks of their regiments, when they were so choked by tears as to render their voices unheard. '

 "I remember no scenes in camp more picturesque than some of our visits have presented. The great open army wagon stands under some shade-tree, with the officer who has volunteered to help, or the regular Field Agent, standing in the midst of boxes, bales, and bundles. Wheels, sides, and every projecting point are crowded with eager soldiers, to see what 'the Sanitary' has brought for them. By the side of the great wagon stands the light wagon of the lady, with its curtains all rolled up, while she arranges before and around her the supplies she is to distribute. Another eager crowd surrounds her, patient, kind, and respectful as the first, except that a shade more of softness in their look and tone attest to the ever-living power of woman over the rough elements of manhood. In these hours of personal communication with the soldier, she finds the true meaning of her work. This is her golden opportunity, when by look, and tone, and movement she may call up, as if by magic, the pure influences of home, which may have been long banished by the hard necessities of war. Quietly and rapidly the supplies are handed out for Companies A, B, C, etc. , first from one wagon, then the other, and as soon as a regiment is completed the men hurry back to their tents to receive their share, and write letters on the newly received paper, or apply the long needed comb, or mend the gaping seams in their now 'historic garments. ' When at last the supplies are exhausted, and sunset reminds us that we are yet many miles from home, we gather up the remnants, bid good by to the friendly faces which already seem like old acquaintances, promising to come again to visit new regiments to-morrow, and hurry home to prepare for the next day's work. 

 "Every day, from the first to the twentieth day of June, our little band of missionaries has repeated a day's work such as I have now described. Every regiment, except some which were sent home before we were able to reach them, has shared alike in what we had to give. And I think I speak for all in saying that among the many pleasant memories connected with our sanitary work, the last but not the least will be our share in the Field Relief. 

 "Yours respectfully, "MRS. STEPHEN BARKER. "

AMY M. BRADLEY

Very few individuals in our country are entirely ignorant of thebeneficent work performed by the Sanitary Commission during the latewar; and these, perhaps, are the only ones to whom the name of Amy M. Bradley is unfamiliar. Very early in the war she commenced her work forthe soldiers, and did not discontinue it until some months after thelast battle was fought, completing fully her four years of service, andmaking her name a synonym for active, judicious, earnest work from thebeginning to the end. 

Amy M. Bradley is a native of East Vassalboro', Kennebec County, Maine, where she was born September 12th, 1823, the youngest child of a largefamily. At six years of age she met with the saddest of earthly losses, in the death of her mother. From early life it would appear to have beenher lot to make her way in life by her own active exertions. Her fatherceased to keep house on the marriage of his older daughters, and fromthat time until she was fifteen she lived alternately with them. Thenshe made her first essay in teaching a small private school. 

At sixteen she commenced life as a teacher of public schools, andcontinued the same for more than ten years, or until 1850. 

To illustrate her determined and persistent spirit during the first fouryears of her life as a teacher she taught country schools during thesummer and winter, and during the spring and fall attended the academyin her native town, working for her board in private families. 

At the age of twenty-one, through the influence of Noah Woods, Esq. , sheobtained an appointment as principal of one of the Grammar Schools inGardiner, Maine, where she remained until the fall of 1847. At the endof that time she resigned and accepted an appointment as assistant inthe Winthrop Grammar School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, obtained forher by her cousin, Stacy Baxter, Esq. , the principal of the HarvardGrammar School in the same city. There she remained until the winter of1849-50, when she applied for a similar situation in the Putnam GrammarSchool, East Cambridge (where higher salaries were paid) and wassuccessful. She remained, however, only until May, when a severe attackof acute bronchitis so prostrated her strength as to quite unfit her forher duties during the whole summer. She had previously sufferedrepeatedly from pneumonia. Her situation was held for her until theautumn, when finding her health not materially improved, she resignedand prepared to spend the winter at the South in the family of a brotherresiding at Charleston, South Carolina. 

Miss Bradley returned from Charleston the following spring. Her winterin the South had not benefited her as she had hoped and expected, andshe found herself unable to resume her occupation as a teacher. 

During the next two years her active spirit chafed in forced idleness, and life became almost a burden. In the autumn of 1853, going toCharlestown and Cambridge to visit friends, she met the physician whohad attended her during the severe illness that terminated herteacher-life. He examined her lungs, and gave it as his opinion thatonly a removal to a warmer climate could preserve her life throughanother winter, and that the following months of frost and cold spent inthe North must undoubtedly in her case develop pulmonary consumption. 

To her these were words of doom. Not possessed of the means fortravelling, and unable, as she supposed, to obtain a livelihood in afar off country, she returned to Maine, and resigned herself with whatcalmness she might, to the fate in store for her. 

But Providence had not yet developed the great work to which she wasappointed, and though sorely tried, and buffeted, she was not to bepermitted to leave this mortal scene until the objects of her life werefulfilled. Through resignation to death she was, perhaps, best preparedto live, and even in that season when earth seemed receding from herview, the wise purposes of the Ruler of all in her behalf were beingworked out in what seemed to be an accidental manner. 

In the family of her cousin, Mr. Baxter, at Charlestown, Massachusetts, there had been living, for two years, three Spanish boys from CostaRica, Central America. Mr. Baxter was an instructor of youth and theywere his pupils. About this period their father arrived to fetch home adaughter who was at school in New York, and to inquire what progressthese boys were making in their studies. He applied to Mr. Baxter torecommend some lady who would be willing to go to Costa Rica for two orthree years to instruct his daughters in the English language. Mr. Baxter at once recommended Miss Bradley as a suitable person and aswilling and desirous to undertake the journey. The situation was offeredand accepted, and in November, 1853, she set sail for Costa Rica. 

After remaining a short time with the Spanish family, she accepted aproposition from the American Consul, and accompanied his family to SanJosè, the Capital, among the mountains, some seventy miles from PuntaArenas, where she opened a school receiving as pupils, English, Spanish, German, and American children. This was the first English schoolestablished in Central America. For three months she taught from ablackboard, and at the end of that time received from New York, books, maps, and all the needful apparatus for a permanent school. 

This school she taught with success for three years. At the end of thattime learning that the health of her father, then eighty-three years ofage, was rapidly declining, and that he was unwilling to die withoutseeing her, she disposed of the property and "good-will" of her school, and as soon as possible bade adieu to Costa Rica. She reached home onthe 1st of June, 1857, after an absence of nearly four years. Herfather, however, survived for several months. 

Her health which had greatly improved during her stay in the salubriousclimate of San Josè, where the temperature ranges at about 70°Fahrenheit the entire year, again yielded before the frosty rigors of awinter in the Pine Tree State, and for a long time she was forced tolead a very secluded life. She devoted herself to reading, to the studyof the French and German languages, and to teaching the Spanish, ofwhich she had become mistress during her residence in Costa Rica. 

In the spring of 1861, she went to East Cambridge, where she obtainedthe situation of translator for the New England Glass Company, translating commercial letters from English to Spanish, or from Spanishto English as occasion required. 

This she would undoubtedly have found a pleasant and profitableoccupation, but the boom of the first gun fired at Sumter upon the oldflag stirred to a strange restlessness the spirit of the granddaughterof one who starved to death on board the British Prison Ship Jersey, during the revolution. She felt the earnest desire, but saw not the wayto personal action, until the first disastrous battle of Bull Runprompted her to immediate effort. 

She wrote to Dr. G. S. Palmer, Surgeon of the Fifth Regiment MaineVolunteers, an old and valued friend, to offer her services in caringfor the sick and wounded. His reply was quaint and characteristic. "There is no law at this end of the route, to prevent your coming; butthe law of humanity requires your immediate presence. "

As soon as possible she started for the seat of war, and on the 1st ofSeptember, 1861, commenced her services as nurse in the hospital of theFifth Maine Regiment. 

The regiment had been enlisted to a great extent from the vicinity ofGardiner, Maine, where, as we have said, she had taught for severalyears, and among the soldiers both sick and well were a number of herold pupils. 

The morning after her arrival, Dr. Palmer called at her tent, andinvited her to accompany him through the hospital tents. There were fourof these, filled with fever cases, the result of exposure and hardshipat and after the battle of Bull Run. 

In the second tent, were a number of patients delirious from the fever, whom the surgeon proposed to send to Alexandria, to the GeneralHospital. To one of these she spoke kindly, asking if he would like tohave anything; with a wild look, and evidently impressed with the ideathat he was about to be ordered on a long journey, he replied, "I wouldlike to see my mother and sisters before I go home. " Miss Bradley wasmuch affected by his earnestness, and seeing that his recovery wasimprobable, begged Dr. Palmer to let her care for him for his mother andsisters' sake, until he went to his last home. He consented, and shesoon installed herself as nurse of most of the fever cases, several ofthem her old pupils. From morning till night she was constantly employedin ministering to these poor fellows, and her skill in nursing was oftenof more service to them than medicine. 

Colonel Oliver O. Howard, the present Major-General and Commissioner ofthe Freedmen's Bureau, had been up to the end of September, 1861, incommand of the Fifth Maine Regiment, but at that time was promoted tothe command of a brigade; and Dr. Palmer was advanced to the post ofbrigade surgeon, while Dr. Brickett succeeded to the surgeoncy of theFifth Regiment. 

By dint of energy, tact and management, Miss Bradley had brought thehospital into fine condition, having received cots from friends inMaine, and supplies of delicacies and hospital clothing from theSanitary Commission. General Slocum, the new brigade commander, early inOctober made his first round of inspection of the regimental hospitalsof the brigade. He found Dr. Brickett's far better arranged and suppliedthan any of the others, and inquired why it was so. Dr. Brickettanswered that they had a Maine woman who understood the care of thesick, to take charge of the hospital, and that she had drawn suppliesfrom the Sanitary Commission. General Slocum declared that he could haveno partiality in his brigade, and proposed to take two large buildings, the Powell House and the Octagon House, as hospitals, and instal MissBradley as lady superintendent of the Brigade Hospital. This was doneforthwith, and with further aid from the Sanitary Commission, as theMedical Bureau had not yet made any arrangement for brigade hospitals, Miss Bradley assisted by the zealous detailed nurses from the brigadesoon gave these two houses a decided "home" appearance. The twobuildings would accommodate about seventy-five patients, and were soonfilled. Miss Bradley took a personal interest in each case, as if theywere her own brothers, and by dint of skilful nursing raised many ofthem from the grasp of death. 

A journal which she kept of her most serious cases, illustrates veryforcibly her deep interest and regard for all "her dear boys" as shecalled them. She would not give them up, even when the surgeonpronounced their cases hopeless, and though she could not always savethem from death, she undoubtedly prolonged life in many instances by herassiduous nursing. 

On the 10th of March, 1862, Centreville, Virginia, having been evacuatedby the rebels, the brigade to which Miss Bradley was attached wereordered to occupy it, and five days later the Brigade Hospital wasbroken up and the patients distributed, part to Alexandria, and part toFairfax Seminary General Hospital. In the early part of April MissBradley moved with the division to Warrenton Junction, and after aweek's stay in and about Manassas the order came to return to Alexandriaand embark for Yorktown. Returning to Washington, she now offered herservices to the Sanitary Commission, and on the 4th of May was summonedby a telegraphic despatch from Mr. F. L. Olmstead, the energetic andefficient Secretary of the Commission, to come at once to Yorktown. Onthe 6th of May she reached Fortress Monroe, and on the 7th was assignedto the Ocean Queen as lady superintendent. We shall give some account ofher labors here when we come to speak of the Hospital Transport service. Suffice it to say, in this place that her services which were veryarduous, were continued either on the hospital ships or on the shoreuntil the Army of the Potomac left the Peninsula for Acquia Creek andAlexandria, and that in several instances her kindness to wounded rebelofficers and soldiers, led them to abandon the rebel service and becomehearty, loyal Union men. She accompanied the flag of truce boat threetimes, when the Union wounded were exchanged, and witnessed some painfulscenes, though the rebel authorities had not then begun to treat ourprisoners with such cruelty as they did later in the war. Early inAugust she accompanied the sick and wounded men on the steamers fromHarrison's Landing to Philadelphia, where they were distributed amongthe hospitals. During all this period of hospital transport service, shehad had the assistance of that noble, faithful, worker Miss AnnieEtheridge, the "Gentle Annie" of the Third Michigan regiment, of whom weshall have more to say in another place. For a few days, after thetransfer of the troops to the vicinity of Washington, Miss Bradleyremained unoccupied, and endeavored by rest and quiet to recover herhealth, which had been much impaired by her severe labors. 

A place was, however, in preparation for her, which, while it wouldbring her less constantly in contact with the fearful wounds andterrible sufferings of the soldiers in the field, would require moreadministrative ability and higher business qualities than she had yetbeen called to exercise. 

The Sanitary Commission in their desire to do what they could for thesoldier, had planned the establishment of a Home at Washington, wherethe private soldier could go and remain for a few days while awaitingorders, without being the prey of the unprincipled villains whoneglected no opportunity of fleecing every man connected with the army, whom they could entice into their dens; where those who were recoveringfrom serious illness or wounds could receive the care and attention theyneeded; where their clothing often travel-stained and burdened with the"Sacred Soil of Virginia, " could be exchanged for new, and the oldwashed, cleansed and repaired. It was desirable that this Home should beinvested with a "home" aspect; that books, newspapers and music shouldbe provided, as well as wholesome and attractive food, and that thepresence of woman and her kindly and gentle ministrations, should exertwhat influence they might to recall vividly to the soldier the _home_ hehad left in a distant state, and to quicken its power of influencing himto higher and purer conduct, and more earnest valor, to preserve theinstitutions which had made that home what it was. 

Rev. F. N. Knapp, the Assistant Secretary of the Commission, on whomdevolved the duty of establishing this Home, had had opportunity ofobserving Miss Bradley's executive ability in the Hospital TransportService, as well as in the management of a brigade hospital, and heselected her at once, to take charge of the Home, arrange all itsdetails, and act as its Matron. She accepted the post, and performed itsduties admirably, accommodating at times a hundred and twenty at once, and by her neatness, good order and cheerful tact, dispensing happinessamong those who, poor fellows, had hitherto found little to cheer them. 

But her active and energetic nature was not satisfied with her work atthe Soldiers' Home. Her leisure hours, (and with her prompt businesshabits, she secured some of these every day), were consecrated tovisiting the numerous hospitals in and around Washington, and if shefound the surgeons or assistant surgeons negligent and inattentive, theywere promptly reported to the medical director. The condition of thehospitals in the city was, however, much better than that of thehospitals and convalescent camps over the river, in Virginia. A visitwhich she made to one of these, significantly named by the soldiers, "Camp Misery, " in September, 1862, revealed to her, wretchedness, suffering and neglect, such as she had not before witnessed; and shepromptly secured from the Sanitary Commission such supplies as wereneeded, and in her frequent visits there for the next three months, distributed them with her own hands, while she encouraged and promotedsuch changes in the management and arrangements of the camp as greatlyimproved its condition. 

This "Camp Misery" was the original Camp of Distribution, to which weresent, 1st, men discharged from all the hospitals about Washington, aswell as the regimental, brigade, division and post hospitals, asconvalescent, or as unfit for duty, preparatory to their final dischargefrom the army; 2d, stragglers and deserters, recaptured and collectedhere preparatory to being forwarded to their regiments; 3d, new recruitsawaiting orders to join regiments in the field. Numerous attempts hadbeen made to improve the condition of this camp, but owing to the smallnumber and inefficiency of the officers detailed to the command, it hadconstantly grown worse. The convalescents, numbering nine or tenthousand, were lodged, in the depth of a very severe winter, in wedgeand Sibley tents, without floors, with no fires, or means of making any, amid deep mud or frozen clods, and were very poorly supplied withclothing, and many of them without blankets. Under such circumstances, it was not to be expected that their health could improve. Thestragglers and deserters and the new recruits were even worse off thanthe convalescents. The assistant surgeon and his acting assistants, upto the last of October, 1862, were too inexperienced to be competent fortheir duties. 

In December, 1862, orders were issued by the Government for theconstruction of a new Rendezvous of Distribution, at a point near FortBarnard, Virginia, on the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad, the erection ofnew and more comfortable barracks, and the removal of the men from theold camp to it. The barracks for the convalescents were fifty in numberand intended for the accommodation of one hundred men each, and theywere completed in February, 1863, and the new regulations and theappointment of new and efficient officers, greatly improved thecondition of the Rendezvous. 

In December, 1862, while the men were yet in Camp Misery, Miss Bradleywas sent there as the Special Relief Agent of the Sanitary Commission, and took up her quarters there. As we have said the condition of the menwas deplorable. She arrived on the 17th of December, and after settingup her tents, and arranging her little hospital, cook-room, store-room, wash-room, bath-room, and office, so as to be able to serve the men mosteffectually, she passed round with the officers, as the men were drawnup in line for inspection, and supplied seventy-five men with woollenshirts, giving only to the _very_ needy. In her hospital tents she soonhad forty patients, all of them men who had been discharged from thehospitals as well; these were washed, supplied with clean clothing, warmed, fed and nursed. Others had discharge papers awaiting them, butwere too feeble to stand in the cold and wet till their turn came. Sheobtained them for them, and sent the poor invalids to the Soldiers' Homein Washington, _en route_ for their own homes. From May 1st to December31st, 1863, she conveyed more than two thousand discharged soldiers fromthe Rendezvous of Distribution to the Commission's Lodges at Washington;most of them men suffering from incurable disease, and who but for herkind ministrations must most of them have perished in the attempt toreach their homes. In four months after she commenced her work she hadhad in her little hospital one hundred and thirty patients, of whomfifteen died. For these patients as well as for other invalids who wereunable to write she wrote letters to their friends, and to the friendsof the dead she sent full accounts of the last hours of their lost ones. The discharged men, and many of those who were on record unjustly asdeserters, through some informality in their papers, often found greatdifficulty in obtaining their pay, and sometimes could not ascertainsatisfactorily how much was due them, in consequence of errors on thepart of the regimental or company officers. Miss Bradley wasindefatigable in her efforts to secure the correction of these papers, and the prompt payment of the amounts due to these poor men, many ofwhom, but for her exertion, would have suffered on their arrival attheir distant homes. Between May 1st and December 31st, 1863, sheprocured the reinstatement of one hundred and fifty soldiers who hadbeen dropped from their muster rolls unjustly as deserters, and securedtheir arrears of pay to them, amounting in all to nearly eight thousanddollars. 

On the 8th of February, 1864, the convalescents were, by general ordersfrom the War Department, removed to the general hospitals in and aboutWashington, and the name changed from Camp Distribution to Rendezvous ofDistribution, and only stragglers and deserters, and the recruitsawaiting orders, or other men fit for duty were to be allowed there. Fornearly two months Miss Bradley was confined to her quarters by severeillness. On her recovery she pushed forward an enterprise on which shehad set her heart, of establishing a weekly paper at the Rendezvous, tobe called "The Soldiers' Journal, " which should be a medium ofcontributions from all the more intelligent soldiers in the camp, andthe profits from which (if any accrued), should be devoted to the reliefof the children of deceased soldiers. On the 17th of February the firstnumber of "The Soldiers' Journal" appeared, a quarto sheet of eightpages; it was conducted with considerable ability and was continued tillthe breaking up of the Rendezvous and hospital, August 22, 1865, just ayear and a half. The profits of the paper were twenty-one hundred andfifty-five dollars and seventy-five cents, beside the value of theprinting-press and materials, which amount was held for the benefit oforphans of soldiers who had been connected with the camp, and wasincreased by contributions from other sources. Miss Bradley, though theproprietor, was not for any considerable period the avowed editor of thepaper, Mr. R. A. Cassidy, and subsequently Mr. Thomas V. Cooper, actingin that capacity, but she was a large contributor to its columns, andher poetical contributions which appeared in almost every number, indicated deep emotional sensibilities, and considerable poetic talent. Aside from its interesting reading matter, the Journal gave instructionsto the soldiers in relation to the procurement of the pay and clothingto which they were entitled; the requisites demanded by the governmentfor the granting of furloughs; and the method of procuring promptsettlement of their accounts with the government without theinterference of claim agents. During the greater part of 1864, and in1865, until the hospital was closed, Miss Bradley, in addition to herother duties, was Superintendent of Special Diet to the Augur GeneralHospital, and received and forwarded from the soldiers to their friends, about forty-nine hundred and twenty-five dollars. 

The officers and soldiers of the Rendezvous of Distribution were notforgetful of the unwearied labors of Miss Bradley for their benefit. Onthe 22d of February, 1864, she was presented with an elegant gold watchand chain, the gift of the officers and private soldiers of CampConvalescent, then just broken up. The gift was accompanied with a veryappropriate address from the chaplain of the camp, Rev. William J. Potter. She succeeded in winning the regard and esteem of all with whomshe was associated. When, in August, 1865, she retired from the serviceof The Sanitary Commission, its secretary, John S. Blatchford, Esq. , addressed her in a letter expressive of the high sense the Commissionentertained of her labors, and the great good she had accomplished, andthe Treasurer of the Commission forwarded her a check as for salary forso much of the year 1865 as was passed, to enable her to take the restand relaxation from continuous labor which she so greatly needed. Inperson Miss Bradley is small, erect, and possesses an interesting andattractive face, thoughtful, and giving evidence in the lines of themouth and chin, of executive ability, energy and perseverance. Hermanners are easy, graceful and winning, and she evinces in a markeddegree the possession of that not easily described talent, of which ourrecord furnishes numerous examples, which the Autocrat of the BreakfastTable calls "faculty. "

MRS. ARABELLA G. BARLOW. 

A romantic interest encircles the career of this brilliant and estimablelady, which is saddened by her early doom, and the grief of her younghusband bereaved before Peace had brought him that quiet domesticfelicity for which he doubtless longed. 

Arabella Griffith was born in Somerville, New Jersey, but was brought upand educated under the care of Miss Eliza Wallace of Burlington, NewJersey, who was a relative upon her father's side. As she grew up shedeveloped remarkable powers. Those who knew her well, both as relativesand in the social circle, speak of her warm heart, her untiring energy, her brilliant conversational powers, and the beauty and delicacy ofthought which marked her contributions to the press. By all who knew hershe was regarded as a remarkable woman. 

That she was an ardent patriot, in more than words, who can doubt? Shesealed her devotion to her country's cause by the sublimest sacrificesof which woman is capable--sacrifices in which she never faltered evenin the presence of death itself. 

Arabella Griffith was a young and lovely woman, the brilliant centre ofa large and admiring circle. Francis C. Barlow was a rising young lawyerwith a noble future opening before him. These two were about to unitetheir destinies in the marriage relation. 

Into the midst of their joyful anticipations, came the echoes of thefirst shot fired by rebellion. The country sprang to arms. These ardentsouls were not behind their fellow-countrymen and countrywomen in theirwillingness to act and to suffer for the land and the Government theyloved. 

On the 19th of April, 1861, Mr. Barlow enlisted as a private in theTwelfth Regiment New York Militia. On the 20th of April they weremarried, and on the 21st Mr. Barlow left with his regiment forWashington. 

In the course of a week Mrs. Barlow followed her husband, and remainedwith him at Washington, and at Harper's Ferry, where the Twelfth waspresently ordered to join General Patterson's command, until its returnhome, August 1st, 1861. 

In November, 1861, Mr. Barlow re-entered the service, asLieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-first New York Volunteers, and Mrs. Barlow spent the winter with him in camp near Alexandria, Virginia. Sheshrank from no hardship which it was his lot to encounter, and was withhim, to help, to sustain, and to cheer him, whenever it was practicablefor her to be so, and neglected no opportunity of doing good to otherswhich presented itself. 

Colonel Barlow made the Peninsular Campaign in the spring and summer of1862 under McClellan. After the disastrous retreat from before Richmond, Mrs. Barlow joined the Sanitary Commission, and reached Harrison'sLanding on the 2d of July, 1862. 

Exhausted, wounded, sick and dying men were arriving there by scores ofthousands--the remnants of a great army, broken by a series of terriblebattles, disheartened and well-nigh demoralized. Many of the best andnoblest of our American women were there in attendance, ready to dotheir utmost amidst all the hideous sights, and fearful sufferings ofthe hospitals, for these sick, and maimed, and wounded men. Mrs. Barlowremained, doing an untold amount of work, and good proportionate, untilthe army left in the latter part of August. 

Soon after, with short space for rest, she rejoined her husband in thefield during the campaign in Maryland, but was obliged to go north uponbusiness, and was detained and unable to return until the day followingthe battle of Antietam. 

She found her husband badly wounded, and of course her first effortswere for him. She nursed him tenderly and unremittingly, giving suchassistance as was possible in her rare leisure to the other wounded. Wecannot doubt that even then she was very useful, and with her accustomedenergy and activity, made these spare moments of great avail. 

General Barlow was unfit for further service until the following spring. His wife remained in attendance upon him through the winter of 1862-3, and in the spring accompanied him to the field, and made the campaignwith him from Falmouth to Gettysburg. 

At this battle her husband was again severely wounded. He was within theenemy's lines, and it was only by great effort and exposure that she wasable to have him removed within our own. She remained here, taking careof him, and of the other wounded, during the dreadful days thatfollowed, during which the sufferings of the wounded from the intenseheat, and the scarcity of medical and other supplies were almostincredible, and altogether indescribable. It was after this battle thatthe efficient aid, and the generous supplies afforded by the SanitaryCommission and its agents, were so conspicuous, and the results of thisbeneficent organization in the saving of life and suffering perhaps moredistinctly seen than on any other occasion. Mrs. Barlow, aside from herown special and absorbing interest in her husband's case, found time todemonstrate that she had imbibed its true spirit. 

Again, through a long slow period of convalescence she watched besideher husband, but the spring of 1864 found her in the field prepared forthe exigencies of Grant's successful campaign of that year. 

At times she was with General Barlow in the trenches before Petersburg, but on the eve of the fearful battles of the Wilderness, and the otherswhich followed in such awfully bewildering succession, she was to befound at the place these foreshadowed events told that she was mostneeded. At Belle Plain, at Fredericksburg, and at White House, she wasto be found as ever actively working for the sick and wounded. A friendand fellow-laborer describes her work as peculiar, and fitting admirablyinto the more exclusive hospital work of the majority of the women whohad devoted themselves to the care of the soldiers. Her great activityand inexhaustible energy showed themselves in a sort of roving work, inseizing upon and gathering up such things as her quick eye saw wereneeded. "We called her 'the Raider, '" says this friend, who was also awarm admirer. "At Fredericksburg she had in some way gained possessionof a wretched-looking pony, and a small cart or farmer's wagon, withwhich she was continually on the move, driving about town or country insearch of such provisions or other articles as were needed for the sickand wounded. The surgeon in charge had on one occasion assigned her thetask of preparing a building, which had been taken for a hospital, for alarge number of wounded who were expected almost immediately. I wentwith my daughter to the building. It was empty, containing not theslightest furniture or preparation for the sufferers, save a largenumber of bed-sacks, without straw or other material to fill them. 

"On requisition a quantity of straw was obtained, but not nearly enoughfor the expected need, and we were standing in a kind of mute despair, considering if it were indeed possible to secure any comfort for thepoor fellows expected, when Mrs. Barlow came in. 'I'll find some morestraw, ' was her cheerful reply, and in another moment she was urging hertired beast toward another part of the town where she remembered havingseen a bale of the desired article earlier in the day. Half an hourafterward the straw had been confiscated, loaded upon the little wagonby willing hands, and brought to the hospital. She then helped to filland arrange the sacks, and afterwards drove about the town in search ofarticles, which, by the time the ambulances brought in their freight ofmisery and pain, had served to furnish the place with some means ofalleviation. "

Through all these awful days she labored on unceasingly. Her healthbecame somewhat impaired, but she paid no heed to the warning. Herthoughts were not for herself, her cares not for her own sufferings. Earlier attention to her own condition might perhaps, have arrested thethreatening symptoms, but she was destined to wear the crown ofmartyrdom, and lay down the beautiful life upon which so many hopesclung, her last sacrifice upon the altar of her country. The extractswhich we append describe better the closing scenes of her life than wecan. The first is taken from the _Sanitary Commission Bulletin_, ofAugust 15, 1864, and we copy also the beautiful tribute to the memory ofthe departed contributed by Dr. Francis Lieber, of Columbia College, tothe _New York Evening Post_. The briefer extract is from a letter whichappeared in the columns of the _New York Herald_ of July 31st, 1864. 

"Died at Washington, July 27, 1864, Mrs. Arabella Griffith Barlow, wifeof Brigadier-General Francis C. Barlow, of fever contracted while inattendance upon the hospitals of the Army of the Potomac at the front. 

"With the commencement of the present campaign she became attached tothe Sanitary Commission, and entered upon her sphere of active workduring the pressing necessity for willing hands and earnest hearts, atFredericksburg. The zeal, the activity, the ardent loyalty and thescornful indignation for everything disloyal she then displayed, cannever be forgotten by those whose fortune it was to be with her on thatoccasion. Ever watchful of the necessities of that trying time, hermind, fruitful in resources, was always busy in devising means toalleviate the discomforts of the wounded, attendant upon so vast acampaign within the enemy's country, and her hand was always ready tocarry out the devices of her mind. 

"Many a fractured limb rested upon a mattress improvised from materialssought out and brought together from no one knew where but the earnestsympathizing woman who is now no more. 

"At Fredericksburg she labored with all her heart and mind. The sound ofbattle in which her husband was engaged, floating back fromChancellorsville, stimulated her to constant exertions. She faltered notan instant. Remaining till all the wounded had been removed fromFredericksburg, she left with the last hospital transport for PortRoyal, where she again aided in the care of the wounded, as they werebrought in at that point. From thence she went to White House, on one ofthe steamers then in the service of the Commission, and immediatelygoing to the front, labored there in the hospitals, after the battle ofCold Harbor. From White House she passed to City Point, and arrivedbefore the battles in front of Petersburg. Going directly to the front, she labored there with the same energy and devotion she had shown atFredericksburg and White House. 

"Of strong constitution, she felt capable of enduring all things for thecause she loved; but long-continued toil, anxiety and privation preparedher system for the approach of fever, which eventually seized upon her. 

"Yielding to the solicitation of friends she immediately returned toWashington, where, after a serious illness of several weeks, she, whenapparently convalescing, relapsed, and fell another martyr to a love ofcountry. "

Dr. Lieber says: "Mrs. Barlow, (Arabella Griffith before she married), was a highly cultivated lady, full of life, spirit, activity andcharity. 

"General Barlow entered as private one of our New York volunteerregiments at the beginning of the war. The evening before he left NewYork for Washington with his regiment, they were married in theEpiscopal Church in Lafayette Place. Barlow rose, and asLieutenant-Colonel, made the Peninsular campaign under GeneralMcClellan. He was twice severely wounded, the last time at Antietam. Since then we have always read his name most honorably mentioned, whenever Major-General Hancock's Corps was spoken of. Mrs. Barlow in themeantime entered the Sanitary service. In the Peninsular campaign shewas one of those ladies who worked hard and nobly, close to thebattle-field, as close indeed as they were permitted to do. When herhusband was wounded she attended, of course, upon him. In the presentcampaign of General Grant she has been at Belle Plain, White House, andeverywhere where our good Sanitary Commission has comforted the dyingand rescued the many wounded from the grave, which they would otherwisehave found. The last time I heard of her she was at White House, and nowI am informed that she died of typhus fever in Washington. No doubt shecontracted the malignant disease in performing her hallowed andself-imposed duty in the field. 

"Her friends will mourn at the removal from this life of so noble abeing. All of us are the poorer for her loss; but our history has beenenriched by her death. Let it always be remembered as one of thosedetails which, like single pearls, make up the precious string ofhistory, and which a patriot rejoices to contemplate and to transmitlike inherited jewels to the rising generations. Let us remember asAmerican men and women, that here we behold a young advocate, highlyhonored for his talents by all who knew him. He joins the citizen armyof his country as a private, rises to command, is wounded again andagain, and found again and again at the head of his regiment ordivision, in the fight where decision centres. And here is hisbride--accomplished, of the fairest features, beloved and sought for insociety--who divests herself of the garments of fashion, and becomes theassiduous nurse in the hospital and on the field, shrinking from nosickening sight, and fearing no typhus--that dreadful enemy, which inwar follows the wings of the angel of death, like the fever-bearingcurrents of air--until she, too, is laid on the couch of the camp, andbidden to rest from her weary work, and to let herself be led by theangel of death to the angel of life. God bless her memory to our women, our men, our country. 

"There are many glories of a righteous war. It is glorious to fight orfall, to bleed or to conquer, for so great and good a cause as ours; itis glorious to go to the field in order to help and to heal, to fan thefevered soldier and to comfort the bleeding brother, and thus helping, may be to die with him the death for our country. Both these glorieshave been vouchsafed to the bridal pair. "

The _Herald_ correspondent, writing from Petersburg, July 31, says:

"General Miles is temporarily in command of the First Division duringthe absence of General Barlow, who has gone home for a few days for thepurpose of burying his wife. The serious loss which the gallant younggeneral and an extensive circle of friends in social life have sustainedby the death of Mrs. Barlow, is largely shared by the soldiers of thisarmy. She smoothed the dying pillow of many patriotic soldiers beforeshe received the summons to follow them herself; and many a survivinghero who has languished in army hospitals will tenderly cherish thememory of her saintly ministrations when they were writhing with thepain of wounds received in battle or lost in the delirium of consumingfevers. "

To these we add also the cordial testimony of Dr. W. H. Reed, one of herassociates, at City Point, in his recently published "Hospital Life inthe Army of the Potomac:"

"Of our own more immediate party, Mrs. General Barlow was the only onewho died. Her exhausting work at Fredericksburg, where the largestpowers of administration were displayed, left but a small measure ofvitality with which to encounter the severe exposures of the poisonedswamps of the Pamunky, and the malarious districts of City Point. Here, in the open field, she toiled with Mr. Marshall and Miss Gilson, underthe scorching sun, with no shelter from the pouring rains, with nothought but for those who were suffering and dying all around her. Onthe battle-field of Petersburg, hardly out of range of the enemy, and atnight witnessing the blazing lines of fire from right to left, among thewounded, with her sympathies and powers of both mind and body strainedto the last degree, neither conscious that she was working beyond herstrength, nor realizing the extreme exhaustion of her system, shefainted at her work, and found, only when it was too late, that theraging fever was wasting her life away. It was strength of will whichsustained her in this intense activity, when her poor, tired body wastrying to assert its own right to repose. Yet to the last, her sparklingwit, her brilliant intellect, her unfailing good humor, lighted up ourmoments of rest and recreation. So many memories of her beautifulconstancy and self-sacrifice, of her bright and genial companionship, ofher rich and glowing sympathies, of her warm and loving nature, comeback to me, that I feel how inadequate would be any tribute I could payto her worth. "

MRS. NELLIE MARIA TAYLOR. 

The Southwest bore rank weeds of secession and treason, spreading poisonand devastation over that portion of our fair national heritage. Butfrom the same soil, amidst the ruin and desolation which followed thebreaking out of the rebellion, there sprang up growths of loyalty andpatriotism, which by flowering and fruitage, redeemed the land from thecurse that had fallen upon it. 

Among the women of the Southwest have occurred instances of the mostdevoted loyalty, the most self-sacrificing patriotism. They havesuffered deeply and worked nobly, and their efforts alone have beensufficient to show that no part of our fair land was irrecoverablydoomed to fall beneath the ban of a government opposed to freedom, truth, and progress. 

Prominent among these noble women, is Mrs. Nellie Maria Taylor, of NewOrleans, whose sufferings claim our warmest sympathy, and whose work ourhighest admiration and gratitude. 

Mrs. Taylor, whose maiden name was Dewey, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, in the year 1821, of New England parentage. At an early age she removed with her parents to the West, where, as shesays of herself, she "grew up among the Indians, " and perhaps, by herfree life, gained something of the firmness of health and strength ofcharacter and purpose, which have brought her triumphantly through thetrials and labors of the past four years. 

[Illustration: MRS. NELLIE MARIA TAYLOR. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

She married early, and about the year 1847 removed with her husband, Dr. Taylor, and her two children, to New Orleans, where she has sinceresided. Consequently she was there through the entire secessionmovement, during which, by her firm and unswerving loyalty, shecontrived to render herself somewhat obnoxious to those surrounding her, of opposite sentiments. 

Mrs. Taylor watched anxiously the progress of the movements whichpreceded the outbreak, and fearlessly, though not obtrusively, expressedher own adverse opinions. At this time her eldest son was nineteen yearsof age, a noble and promising youth. He was importuned by his friendsand associates to join some one of the many companies then forming, butas he was about to graduate in the high school, he and his family madethat an objection. As soon as he graduated a lieutenancy was offered himin one of the companies, but deferring an answer, he left immediatelyfor a college in the interior. Two months after the college closed itsdoors, and the students, urged by the faculty, almost _en-masse_ enteredthe army. Mrs. Taylor, to remove her son, sent him at once to the north, and rejoiced in the belief that he was safe. 

Immediately after this her persecutions commenced. Her husband had beenill for more than two years, while she supported her family by teaching, being principal of one of the city public schools. One day she wascalled from his bed-side to an interview with one of the Board ofDirectors of the schools. 

By him she was accused (?) of being a Unionist, and informed that it wasbelieved that she had sent her son away "to keep him from fighting forhis country. " Knowing the gentleman to be a northern man, she answeredfreely, saying that the country of herself and son was the wholecountry, and for _it_ she was willing he should shed his last drop ofblood, but not to divide and mutilate it, would she consent that heshould ever endanger himself. 

The consequence of this freedom of speech was her dismissal from hersituation on the following day. With her husband ill unto death, herhouse mortgaged, her means of livelihood taken away, she could onlylook upon the future with dark forebodings which nothing but her faithin God and the justice of her cause could subdue. 

A short time after a mob assembled to tear down her house. She steppedout to remonstrate with them against pulling down the house over thehead of a dying man. The answer was, "Madam, we give you five minutes todecide whether you are for the South or the North. If at the end of thattime you declare yourself for the South, your house shall remain; if forthe North, it must come down. "

Her answer was memorable. 

"Sir, I will say to you and your crowd, and to the _world_ if you chooseto summon it--I am, always have been, and ever shall be, for the_Union_. Tear my house down if you choose!"

Awed perhaps by her firmness, and unshrinking devotion, the spokesman ofthe mob looked at her steadily for a moment, then turning to the crowdmuttered something, and they followed him away, leaving her unmolested. This man was a renegade Boston Yankee. 

Such was her love for the national flag that during all this period ofpersecution, previous to General Butler's taking possession of the cityshe never slept without the banner of the free above her head, althoughher house was searched no less than seven times by a mob of chivalrousgentlemen, varying in number from two or three score to three hundred, led by a judge who deemed it not beneath his dignity to preside over acourt of justice by day, and to search the premises of a defenselesswoman by night, in the hope of finding the Union flag, in order to havean excuse for ejecting her from the city, because she was well known toentertain sentiments inimical to the interests of secession. 

Before the South ran mad with treason, Mrs. Taylor and the wife of thisjudge were intimate friends, and their intimacy had not entirely ceasedso late as the early months of 1862. It was late in February of thatyear that Mrs. Taylor was visiting at the judge's house, and during hervisit the judge's son, a young man of twenty, taunted her with variousepithets, such as a "Lincoln Emissary, " "a traitor to her country, " "afriend of Lincoln's hirelings, " etc. She listened quietly, and then asquietly remarked that "he evidently belonged to that very numerous classof young men in the South who evinced their courage by applying abusiveepithets to women and defenseless persons, but showed a due regard totheir own safety, by running away--as at Donelson--whenever they werelikely to come into contact with "Lincoln's hirelings. ""

The same evening, at a late hour, while Mrs. Taylor was standing by thebed-side of her invalid husband, preparing some medicine for him, sheheard the report of a rifle and felt the wind of a minie bullet as itpassed close to her head and lodged in the wall. In the morning she dugthe ball out of the wall and took it over to the judge's house which wasopposite to her own. When the young man came in Mrs. Taylor handed it tohim, and asked if he knew what it was. He turned pale, but soonrecovered his composure sufficiently to reply that "it looked like arifle-ball. " "Oh, no, " said Mrs. Taylor, "you mistake! It is a piece ofSouthern chivalry fired at a defenseless woman, in the middle of thenight, by the son of a judge, whose courage should entitle him to acommission in the Confederate army. "

Still, brave as she was, she could not avoid some feeling, if not oftrepidation, at least of anxiety, at being thus exposed to midnightassassination, while her life was so necessary to her helpless family. 

These are but a few instances out of many, of the trials she had toendure. Her son hearing of them, through the indiscretion of aschool-friend, hastened home, determined to enlist in the Confederatearmy to save his parents from further molestation. He enlisted forninety days, hoping thus to shield his family from persecution, but theConscription Act, which shortly after went into effect, kept him in theposition for which his opinions so unfitted him. From the spring of1862, he remained in the Confederate army, gaining rapid promotion, anddistinguished for his bravery, until the close of the war, when hereturned home unchanged in sentiment, and unharmed by shot or shell--inthis last particular more fortunate than thousands of others forced byconscription into the ranks, and sacrificing their lives for a causewith which they had no sympathy. 

From the time of her son's enlistment Mrs. Taylor was nearly free frommolestation, and devoted herself to the care of her family, until theoccupation of New Orleans by the Union forces. She was then reinstatedin her position as teacher, and after the establishment of Unionhospitals, she spent all her leisure moments in ministering to the wantsof the sick and wounded. 

In 1863, we hear of her as employing all her summer vacation, as well asher entire leisure-time when in school, in visiting the hospitals, attending the sick and wounded soldiers, and preparing for them suchdelicacies and changes of food and other comforts as she could procurefrom her own purse, and by the aid of others. From that time forwarduntil the close of the war, or until the hospitals were closed by orderof the Government, she continued this work, expending her whole salaryupon these suffering men, and never omitting anything by which she mightminister to their comfort. 

Thousands of soldiers can bear testimony to her unwearied labors; it isnot wanting, and will be her best reward. One of these writers says, "Ido assure you it affords me the greatest pleasure to be able to add mytestimony for that good, that noble that _blessed_ woman, Mrs. Taylor. Iwas wounded at Port Hudson in May, 1863, and lay in the Barracks GeneralHospital at New Orleans for over three months, when I had an excellentopportunity to see and know her work. * * * She worked _every_ day inthe hospital--all her school salary she spent for the soldiers--nightafter night she toiled, and long after others were at rest she was busyfor the suffering. " And another makes it a matter of personalthankfulness that he should have been applied to for information inregard to this "blessed woman, " and repeats his thanks "for himself andhundreds of others, " that her services are to be recorded in this book. 

Having great facility in the use of her pen, Mrs. Taylor made herselfespecially useful in writing letters for the soldiers. During the yearfrom January 1864 to January 1865, she wrote no less than eleven hundredand seventy-four letters for these men, and even now, since the close ofthe war, her labors in that direction do not end. She is in constantcommunication with friends of soldiers in all parts of the country, collecting for them every item of personal information in her power, after spending hours in searching hospital records, and all otheravailable sources for obtaining the desired knowledge. 

During the summer of 1864, her duties were more arduous than at anyother time. She distributed several thousands of dollars worth of goods, for the Cincinnati Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission, andon the 1st of June, when her vacation commenced, she undertook themanagement of the Dietetic Department in the University Hospital, thelargest in New Orleans. From that time till October 1st, she, with herdaughter and four other ladies, devoted like herself to the work, withtheir own hands, with the assistance of one servant only, cooked, prepared, and administered all the extra diet to the patients, numberingfrequently five or six hundred on diet, at one time. 

Two of these ladies were constantly at the hospital, Mrs. Taylorfrequently four days in the week, and when not there, in otherhospitals, not allowing herself _one_ day at home during the wholevacation. When obliged to return to her school, her daughter, Miss AliceTaylor, took her place, and with the other ladies continued, Mrs. Taylorgiving her assistance on Saturday and Sunday, till January 1st, 1865, when the hospital was finally closed. 

Mrs. Taylor has been greatly aided by her children; her daughter, asnobly patriotic as herself, in the beginning of the war refusing topresent a Confederate flag to a company unless beneath an archornamented, and with music the same as on occasion of presenting abanner to a political club the preceding year--_viz_: the arch decoratedwith United States flags, and the national airs played. Her son"Johnnie" is as well known and as beloved by the soldiers as his mother, and well nigh sacrificed his noble little life to his unwearied effortsin their behalf. 

It is out of the fiery furnace of trial that such nobly devoted personsas Mrs. Taylor and her family come forth to their mission ofbeneficence. Persecuted, compelled to make the most terrible and tryingsacrifices, in dread and danger continually, the work of the loyal womenof the South stands pre-eminent, among the labors of the noble daughtersof America. And of these, Mrs. Taylor and her associates, and of Unionwomen throughout the South, it may well and truly be said, in the wordsof Holy Writ: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellestthem all. 

MRS. ADALINE TYLER. 

Mrs. Tyler, the subject of the following sketch, is a native ofMassachusetts, and for many years was a resident of Boston, in whichcity from her social position and her piety and benevolence she waswidely known. She is a devout member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, greatly trusted and respected both by clergy and laity. 

In 1856, she removed from Boston to Baltimore, Maryland. It was thedesire of Bishop Whittingham of that Diocese to institute there aProtestant Sisterhood, or Order of Deaconesses, similar to those alreadyexisting in Germany, England, and perhaps other parts of Europe. Mrs. Tyler, then a widow, was invited to assume the superintendence of thisorder--a band of noble and devout women who turning resolutely from theworld and its allurements and pleasures, desired to devote their livesand talents to works of charity and mercy. 

To care for the sick, to relieve all want and suffering so far as lay intheir power, to administer spiritual comfort, to give of their ownsubstance, and to be the almoners of those pious souls whose duties layin other directions, and whose time necessarily absorbed in other cares, did not allow the same self-devotion--this was the mission which theyundertook, and for years prosecuted with untiring energy, and undoubtedsuccess. 

In addition to her general superintendence of the order, Mrs. Tyleradministered the affairs of the Church Home, a charitable Institutionconducted by the Sisterhood, and occupied herself in a variety of piousand benevolent duties, among which were visiting the sick, andcomforting the afflicted and prisoners. Among other things she devotedone day in each week to visiting the jail of Baltimore, at that time acrowded and ill-conducted prison, and the abode of a great amount ofcrime and suffering. 

Mrs. , then known as Sister Tyler, had been five years in Baltimore, filling up the time with her varied duties and occupations, when thestorm that had so long threatened the land, burst in all thethunderbolts of its fury. Secession had torn from the Union some of thefairest portions of its domain, and already stood in hostile attitudeall along the borders of the free North. The President, on the 15th ofApril, 1861, issued his first proclamation, announcing the presence ofrebellion, commanding the insurgents to lay down their arms and returnto their allegiance within twenty days, and calling on the militia ofthe several loyal States to the number of seventy-five thousand, toassemble for the defense of their country. 

This proclamation, not unexpected at the North, yet sent a thrill ofmingled feeling all through its bounds. The order was promptly obeyed, and without delay the masses prepared for the struggle which lay beforethem, but of which, as yet, no prophetic visions foretold the progressor result. Immediately regiment after regiment was hurried forward forthe protection of the Capitol, supposed to be the point most menaced. Among these, and of the very earliest, was the Sixth RegimentMassachusetts Volunteers, of which the nucleus was the Lowell CityGuards. 

On the memorable and now historical 19th of April, this regiment whilehurrying to the defense of Washington was assailed by a fierce and angrymob in the streets of Baltimore, and several of its men were murdered;and this for marching to the defense of their country, to which thecitizens of Baltimore, their assailants, were equally pledged. 

This occurred on a Friday, the day as before stated, set apart by Mrs. Tyler for her weekly visit to the jail. The news of the riot reachedher as she was about setting out upon this errand of mercy, and causedher to postpone her visit for several hours, as her way lay through someportion of the disturbed district. 

When, at last, she did go, a degree of quiet prevailed, though she sawwounded men being conveyed to their homes, or to places where they mightbe cared for, and it was evident that the public excitement had notsubsided with hostilities. Much troubled concerning the fate of theNorthern men--men, it must be remembered, of her own State--who had beenstricken down, she hastened to conclude as soon as possible her dutiesat the jail, and returning homeward despatched a note to a friend askinghim to ascertain and inform her what had become of the wounded soldiers. The reply soon came, with the tidings that they had been conveyed to oneof the Station Houses by the Police, and were said to have been caredfor, though the writer had not been allowed to enter and satisfy himselfthat such was the case. 

This roused the spirit of Mrs. Tyler. Here was truly a work of "charityand mercy, " and it was clearly her duty, in pursuance of the objects towhich she had devoted her life, to ensure the necessary care of thesewounded and suffering men who had fallen into the hands of those soinimical to them. 

It was now late in the afternoon. Mrs. Tyler sent for a carriage whichshe was in the habit of using whenever need required, and the driver ofwhich was honest and personally friendly, though probably asecessionist, and proceeded to the Station House. By this time it wasquite dark, and she was alone. Alighting she asked the driver to giveher whatever aid she might need, and to come to her should he even seeher beckon from a window, and he promised compliance. 

She knocked at the door, but on telling her errand was deniedadmittance, with the assurance that the worst cases had been sent to theInfirmary, while those who were in the upper room of the Station Househad been properly cared for, and were in bed for the night. She againasked to be allowed to see them, adding that the care of the sufferingwas her life work, and she would like to assure herself that they needednothing. She was again denied more peremptorily than before. 

"Very well, " she replied, "I am myself a Massachusetts woman, seeking todo good to the citizens of my own state. If not allowed to do so, Ishall immediately send a telegram to Governor Andrew, informing him thatmy request is denied. "

This spirited reply produced the desired result, and after a littleconsultation among the officials, who probably found the Governor of aState a much more formidable antagonist than a woman, coming alone on anerrand of mercy, the doors were opened and she was conducted to thatupper room where the fallen patriots lay. 

Two were already dead. Two or three were in bed, the rest lay in theirmisery upon stretchers, helpless objects of the tongue abuse of theprofane wretches who, "dressed in a little brief authority, " walked upand down, thus pouring out their wrath. All the wounded had beendrugged, and were either partially or entirely insensible to theirmiseries. Some eight or ten hours had elapsed since the wounds werereceived, but no attention had been paid to them, further than tostaunch the blood by thrusting into them large pieces of cotton cloth. Even their clothes had not been removed. One of them (Coburn) had beenshot in the hip, another (Sergeant Ames) was wounded in the back of theneck, just at the base of the brain, apparently by a heavy glass bottle, for pieces of the glass yet remained in the wound, and lay in bed, stillin his soldier's overcoat, the rough collar of which irritated theghastly wound. These two were the most dangerously hurt. 

Mrs. Tyler with some difficulty obtained these men, and procuring, bythe aid of her driver, a furniture van, had them laid upon it andconveyed to her house, the Deaconesses' Home. Here a surgeon was called, their wounds dressed, and she extended to them the care and kindness ofa mother, until they were so nearly well as to be able to proceed totheir own homes. She during this time refused protection from thepolice, and declared that she felt no fears for her own safety whilethus strictly in the line of the duties to which her life was pledged. 

This was by no means the last work of this kind performed by SisterTyler. Other wounded men were received and cared for by her--one aGerman, member of a Pennsylvania Regiment, (who was accidentally shot byone of his own comrades) whom she nursed to health in her own house. 

For her efforts in behalf of the Massachusetts men she received thepersonal acknowledgments of the Governor, President of the Senate, andSpeaker of the House of Representatives of that State, and afterwardsresolutions of thanks were passed by the Legislature, or General Court, which, beautifully engrossed upon parchment, and sealed with the seal ofthe Commonwealth, were presented to her. 

In all that she did, Mrs. Tyler had the full approval of her Bishop, aswell as of her own conscience, while soon after at the suggestion ofBishop Whittingham, the Surgeon-General offered, and indeed urged uponher, the superintendency of the Camden Street Hospital, in the city ofBaltimore. Her experience in the management of the large institution shehad so long superintended, her familiarity with all forms of suffering, as well as her natural tact and genius, and her high character, eminently fitted her for this position. 

Her duties were of course fulfilled in the most admirable manner, andsave that she sometimes came in contact with the members of some of thevolunteer associations of ladies who, in their commendable anxiety tominister to the suffering soldiers, occasionally allowed their zeal toget the better of their discretion, gave satisfaction to all concerned. She did not live in the Hospital, but spent the greater part of the timethere during the year of her connection with it. Circumstances at lastdecided her to leave. Her charge she turned over to Miss Williams, ofBoston, whom she had herself brought thither, and then went northwardto visit her friends. 

She had not long been in the city of New York before she was urgentlydesired by the Surgeon-General to take charge of a large hospital atChester, Pennsylvania, just established and greatly needing theministering aid of women. She accepted the appointment, and proceedingto Boston selected from among her friends, and those who had previouslyoffered their services, a corps of excellent nurses, who accompanied herto Chester. 

In this hospital there was often from five hundred to one thousand sickand wounded men, and Mrs. Tyler had use enough for the ample stores ofcomforts which, by the kindness of her friends in the east, werecontinually arriving. Indeed there was never a time when she was notamply supplied with these, and with money for the use of her patients. 

She remained at Chester a year, and was then transferred to Annapolis, where she was placed in charge of the Naval School Hospital, remainingthere until the latter part of May, 1864. 

This was a part of her service which perhaps drew more heavily than anyother upon the sympathies and heart of Mrs. Tyler. Here, during theperiod of her superintendency, the poor wrecks of humanity from theprison pens of Andersonville and Belle Isle were brought, an assemblageof such utter misery, such dreadful suffering, that words fail in thedescription of it. Here indeed was a "work of charity and mercy, " suchas had never before been presented to this devoted woman; such, indeed, as the world had never seen. 

Most careful, tender, and kindly were the ministrations of Mrs. Tylerand her associates--a noble band of women--to these wretched men. Filth, disease, and starvation had done their work upon them. Emaciated, tillonly the parchment-like skin covered the protruding bones, many of themtoo feeble for the least exertion, and their minds scarcely strongerthan their bodies, they were indeed a spectacle to inspire, as theydid, the keenest sympathy, and to call for every effort of kindness. 

Mrs. Tyler procured a number of photographs of these wretched men, representing them in all their squalor and emaciation. These were thefirst which were taken, though the Government afterwards caused some tobe made which were widely distributed. With these Mrs. Tyler did muchgood. She had a large number of copies printed in Boston, after herreturn there, and both in this country and in Europe, which sheafterwards visited, often had occasion to bring them forward asunimpeachable witnesses of the truth of her own statements. Sun picturescannot lie, and the sun's testimony in these brought many a heartshudderingly to a belief which it had before scouted. In Europe, particularly, both in England and upon the Continent, these picturescompelled credence of those tales of the horrors and atrocities of rebelprison pens, which it had long been the fashion to hold as meresensation stories, and libels upon the chivalrous South. 

Whenever referring to her work at Annapolis for the returned prisoners, Mrs. Tyler takes great pleasure in expressing her appreciation of thevaluable and indefatigable services of the late Dr. Vanderkieft, Surgeonin charge of the Naval School Hospital. In his efforts to resuscitatethe poor victims of starvation and cruelty, he was indefatigable, neversparing himself, but bestowing upon them his unwearied personalattention and sympathy. In this he was aided by his wife, herself a trueSister of Charity. 

Mrs. Tyler also gives the highest testimony to the services and personalworth of her co-workers, Miss Titcomb, Miss Hall, and others, who gavethemselves with earnest zeal to the cause, and feels how inadequatewould have been her utmost efforts amid the multitude of demands, butfor their aid. It is to them chiefly due that so many healthyrecreations, seasons of amusement and religious instruction were givento the men. 

During and subsequent to the superintendency of Mrs. Tyler at Annapolisa little paper was published weekly at the hospital, under the title of"The Crutch. " This was well supplied with articles, many of them of realmerit, both by officials and patients. Whenever an important movementtook place, or a battle, it was the custom to issue a small extra givingthe telegraphic account; when, if it were a victory, the feeblesufferers who had sacrificed so much for their country, would spend thelast remnants of their strength, and make the very welkin ring, withtheir shouts of gladness. 

Exhausted by her labors, and the various calls upon her efforts, Mrs. Tyler, in the spring of 1864, was at length obliged to send in herresignation. Her health seemed utterly broken down, and her physiciansand friends saw in an entire change of air and scene the best hope ofher recovery. She had for some time been often indisposed, and herillness at last terminated in fever and chills. Though well accustomedduring her long residence to the climate of Maryland, she no longerpossessed her youthful powers of restoration and reinvigoration. Herphysicians advised a sea voyage as essential to her recovery, and a tourto Europe was therefore determined upon. 

She left the Naval School Hospital on the 27th of May, 1864, and setsail from New York on the 15th of June. 

The disease did not succumb at once, as was hoped. She endured extremeillness and lassitude during her voyage, and was completely prostratedon her arrival in Paris where she lay three weeks ill, before being ableto proceed by railroad to Lucerne, Switzerland, and rejoin her sisterwho had been some months in Europe, and who, with her family, were to bethe traveling companions of Mrs. Tyler. Arrived at Lucerne, she wasagain prostrated by chills and fever, and only recovered after removalto the dryer climate of Berlin. The next year she was again ill with thesame disease after a sojourn among the dykes and canals of Holland. 

Mrs. Tyler spent about eighteen months in Europe, traveling over variousparts of the Continent, and England, where she remained four or fivemonths, returning to her native land in November, 1865, to find thedesolating war which had raged here at the time of her departure at anend. Her health had been by this time entirely re-established, and sheis happy in the belief that long years of usefulness yet remain to her. 

Ardent and fearless in her loyalty to her Government, Mrs. Tyler hadample opportunities, never neglected, to impress the truth in regard toour country and its great struggle for true liberty, upon the minds ofpersons of all classes in Europe. Her letters of introduction from herfriends, from Bishop Whittingham and others, brought her into frequentcontact with people of cultivation and refinement who, like the masses, yet held the popular belief in regard to the oppression and abuse of theSouth by the North, a belief which Mrs. Tyler even at the risk ofoffending numerous Southern friends by her championship, was sure tocombat. Like other intelligent loyal Americans she was thus the means ofspreading right views, and accomplishing great good, even while infeeble health and far from her own country. For her services in thisregard she might well have been named a Missionary of Truth and Liberty. 

One instance of her experience in contact with Southern sympathizerswith the Rebellion, we take the liberty to present to the readers ofthis sketch. Mrs. Tyler was in London when the terrible tidings of thatlast and blackest crime of the Rebellion--the assassination of AbrahamLincoln was received. She was paying a morning visit to an Americanfriend, a Southerner and a Christian, when the door was suddenly thrustopen and a fiendish-looking man rushed in, vociferating, "Have you heardthe news? Old Abe is assassinated! Seward too! Johnson escaped. Now ifGod will send an earthquake and swallow up the whole North--men, women, and children, _I_ will say His name be praised!"

All this was uttered as in one breath, and then the restless form, andfierce inflamed visage as suddenly disappeared, leaving horridimprecations upon the ears of the listeners, who never supposed thefearful tale could be true. Mrs. Tyler's friend offered the onlyextenuation possible--the man had "been on board the Alabama and wasvery bitter. " But in Mrs. Tyler's memory that fearful deed is evermingled with that fiendish face and speech. 

The next day the Rebel Commissioner Mason, replying to some remarks ofthe American Minister, Mr. Adams, in the Times, took occasion mostemphatically to deprecate the insinuation that the South had anyknowledge of, or complicity in this crime. 

MRS. WILLIAM H. HOLSTEIN. 

At the opening of the war Mrs. Holstein was residing in a most pleasantand delightful country home at Upper Merion, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In the words of one who knows and appreciates herwell--"Mr. And Mrs. Holstein are people of considerable wealth, andunexceptionable social position, beloved and honored by all who knowthem, who voluntarily abandoned their beautiful home to live for yearsin camps and hospitals. Their own delicacy and modesty would forbid themto speak of the work they accomplished, and no one can ever know thegreatness of its results. "

As Mrs. Holstein was always accompanied by her husband, and this devotedpair were united in this great patriotic and kindly work, as in all theother cases, duties and pleasures of life, it would be almostimpossible, even if it were necessary, to give any separate account ofher services for the army. This is shown in the following extracts froma letter, probably not intended for publication, but which, in a spiritfar removed from that of self-praise, gives an account of the motivesand feelings which actuated her, and of the opening scenes of her publicservices. 

"The story of my work, blended as it is, (and should be) so intimatelywith that of my husband, in his earnest wish to carry out what we feltto be simply a matter of duty, is like an 'oft told tale' not worthrepeating. Like all other loyal women in our land, at the first soundand threatening of war, there sprang up in my heart an uncontrollableimpulse _to do, to act_; for _anything_ but idleness when our countrywas in peril and her sons marching to battle. 

"It seemed that the only help woman could give was in providing comfortsfor the sick and wounded, and to this, for a time, I gave my undividedattention. I felt sure there was work for _me_ to do in this war; andwhen my mother would say 'I hope, my child, it will not be in thehospitals, '--my response was ever the same--'Wherever or whatever it maybe, it shall be done with all my heart. '

"At length came the battle of Antietam, and from among us six ladieswent to spend ten days in caring for the wounded. But craven-like, Ishrank instinctively from such scenes, and declined to join the party. But when my husband returned from there, one week after the battle, relating such unheard of stories of suffering, and of the help that wasneeded, I hesitated no longer. In a few days we collected a car load ofboxes, containing comforts and delicacies for the wounded, and had thesatisfaction of taking them promptly to their destination. 

"The _first_ wounded and the _first_ hospitals I saw I shall neverforget, for then flashed across my mind, '_This_ is the work God hasgiven you to do, ' and the vow was made, 'While the war lasts we standpledged to aid, as far as is in our power, the sick and suffering. _We_have no _right_ to the comforts of _our_ home, while so many of thenoblest of our land so willingly renounce theirs. ' The scenes ofAntietam are graven as with an 'iron pen' upon my mind. The place everrecalls throngs of horribly wounded men strewn in every direction. Sofearful it all looked to me _then_, that I thought the choking sobs andblinding tears would never admit of my being of any use. To suppressthem, and to learn to be calm under all circumstances, was one of thehardest lessons the war taught. 

"We gave up our sweet country home, and from that date were 'dwellersin tents, ' occupied usually in field hospitals, choosing that workbecause there was the greatest need, and knowing that while many werewilling to work at home, but few could go to the front. "

From that time, the early autumn of 1862, until July, 1865, Mrs. Holstein was constantly devoted to the work, not only in camps andhospitals, but in traveling from place to place and enlisting the moreenergetic aid of the people by lecturing and special appeals. 

At Antietam Mrs. Holstein found the men she had come to care for, thosebrave, suffering men, lying scattered all over the field, in barns andsheds, under the shelter of trees and fences, in need of every comfort, but bearing their discomforts and pain without complaint or murmuring, and full of gratitude to those who had it in their power to do anything, ever so little, for their relief. 

Here she encountered the most trying scenes--a boy of seventeen cryingalways for his mother to come to him, or to be permitted to go to her, till the great stillness of death fell upon him; agonized wives seekingthe remains of the lost, sorrowing relatives, of all degrees, someconfirmed in their worst fears, some reassured and grateful--a constantsuccession of bewildering emotions, of hope, fear, sadness and joy. 

The six ladies from her own town, were still for a long time busy intheir work of mercy distributing freely, as they had been given, thesupplies with which they had been provided. This was eminently a work offaith. Often the stores, of one, or of many kinds, would be exhausted, but in no instance did Providence fail to immediately replenish thosemost needed. 

During the stay of Mr. And Mrs. Holstein in Sharpsburg, an ambulance wasdaily placed at their disposal, and they were continually going aboutwith it and finding additional cases in need of every comfort. Supplieswere continually sent from friends at home, and they remained until thewounded had all left save a few who were retained at Smoketown andLocust Spring Hospitals. 

While the army rested in the vicinity of Sharpsburg, scores of feverpatients came pouring in, making a fearful addition to the hospitalpatients, and greatly adding to the mortality. 

The party, consisting of Mr. And Mrs. Holstein and a friend of theirs, alady, remained until their services were no longer required, and then, about the 1st of December, returned home. Busied in arrangement for thecollection and forwarding of stores, and in making trips to Antietam, Harper's Ferry, and Frederick City, on similar business, the days woreaway until the battle of Fredericksburg. Soon after this they went toVirginia, and entered the Second Corps Hospital near Falmouth. There ina Sibley tent whose only floor was of the branches of the pines--in thatlittle Hospital on the bleak hill-side, the winter wore slowly away. Theneedful army movements had rendered the muddy roads impassable. Nochaplain came to the camp until these roads were again in good order. Men sickened and died with no other religious services performed intheir hearing than the simple reading of Scripture and prayers whichMrs. Holstein was in the habit of using for them, and which were alwaysgladly listened to. 

Just previous to the battle of Chancellorsville, Mrs. Holstein returnedhome for a few days, and was detained on coming back to her post by thedifficulty of getting within the lines. She found the hospital movedsome two miles from its former location, and that many of her formerpatients had died, or suffered much in the change. After the battlethere was of course a great accession of wounded men. Some had lain longupon the field--one group for eleven days, with wounds undressed, andalmost without food. The rebels, finding they did not die, reluctantlyfed them with some of their miserable corn bread, and afterwards sentthem within the Union lines. 

The site of the hospital where Mrs. Holstein was now stationed, was verybeautiful. The surgeon in charge had covered the sloping hill-side witha flourishing garden. The convalescents had slowly and painfully plantedflower seeds, and built rustic arbors. All things had begun to assumethe aspect of a beautiful home. 

But suddenly, on the 13th of June, 1863, while at dinner, the order wasreceived to break up the hospital. In two hours the wounded men, sogreat was their excitement at the thought of going toward _home_, wereon their way to Washington. 

All was excitement, in fact. The army was all in motion as soon aspossible. Through the afternoon the work of destruction went on. Aslittle as possible was left for the enemy, and when Mrs. Holstein awokethe following morning, the plain below was covered by a living mass, andthe bayonets were gleaming in the brilliant sunlight, as the long lineswere put in motion, and the Army of the Potomac began its northernmarch. 

Mr. And Mrs. Holstein accompanied it, bearing all its dangers anddiscomforts in company with the men with whom they had for the time casttheir lot. The heat, dust, and fatigue were dreadful, and danger fromthe enemy was often imminent. At Sangster's Station, the breaking downof a bridge delayed the crossing of the infantry, and the order wasgiven to reduce the officers' baggage to twenty pounds. 

Then came many of the officers to beg leave to entrust to the care ofMr. And Mrs. Holstein, money and valuables. They received both in largeamounts, and had the satisfaction of carrying all safely, and havingthem delivered at last to their rightful owners. 

At Union Mills a battle was considered imminent, and Mrs. Holstein'stent in the rear of the Union army, was within bugle call of the rebellines. In the morning it was deemed best for them to proceed by railroadto Alexandria and Washington, whence they could readily return wheneverneeded. 

At Washington, Mr. Holstein was threatened by an attack of malariousfever, and they returned at once to their home. While there, and hestill unable to move, the battle of Gettysburg was fought. In less thana week he left his bed, and the devoted pair proceeded thither to renewtheir services, where they were then so greatly needed. 

Mrs. Holstein's first night in this town was passed upon the parlorfloor of a hotel, with only a satchel for a pillow, where fatigue madeher sleep soundly. The morning saw them at the Field Hospital of theSecond Corps, where they were enthusiastically welcomed by their oldfriends. Here, side by side, just as they had been brought in from thefield, lay friends and enemies. 

Experience had taught Mr. And Mrs. Holstein how and what to do. Verysoon their tent was completed, their "Diet Kitchen" arranged, thevaluable supplies they had brought with them ready for distribution, andtheir work moving on smoothly and beneficially amid all the horrors ofthis terrible field. 

"There, " reports Mrs. Holstein, "as in all places where I have known ourbrave Union soldiers, they bore their sufferings bravely, I might almostsay _exultingly_, because they were for 'The Flag' and our country. "

The scenes of horror and of sadness enacted there, have left theirimpress upon the mind of Mrs. Holstein in unfading characters. And yet, amidst these there were some almost ludicrous, as for instance, that ofthe soldier, White, of the Twentieth Massachusetts, who, supposed to bedead, was borne, with two of his comrades, to the grave side, butrevived under the rude shock with which the stretcher was set down, andlooking down into the open grave in which lay a brave lieutenant of hisown regiment, declared, with grim fun, that he would not be "buried bythat raw recruit, " and ordered the men to "carry him back. " This man, though fearfully wounded in the throat, actually lived and recovered. 

The government was now well equipped with stores and supplies, but Mrs. Holstein writes her testimony, with that of all others, to the mostvaluable supplementary aid of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, in caring for the vast army of wounded and suffering upon this dreadfulfield. 

By the 7th of August all had been removed who were able to beartransportation, to other hospitals. Three thousand remained, who wereplaced in the United States General Hospital on York Turnpike. TheSecond Corps Hospital was merged in this, and Mrs. Holstein remained asits matron until its close, and was fully occupied until the removal ofthe hospital and the dedication of the National Cemetery. 

She then returned home, but after rest she was requested by the SanitaryCommission to commence a tour among the Aid Societies of the State, forthe purpose of telling the ladies all that her experience had taught herof the soldier's needs, and the best way of preparing and forwardingclothing, delicacies and supplies of all kinds. She felt it impossibleto be idle, and however disagreeable this task, she would not shrinkfrom it. The earnestness with which she was listened to, and theconsciousness of the good to result from her labors, sustained her allthrough the arduous winter's work, during which she often met two orthree audiences for an "hour and a half talk, " in the course of the day. Her husband as usual accompanied her, and in the spring, with thecommencement of Grant's campaign over the Rapidan, they both wentforward as agents of the Sanitary Commission. 

Through all this dread campaign they worked devotedly. They could notrest to be appalled by its horrors. They could not think of the grandeurof its conceptions or the greatness of its victories--they could onlywork and wait for leisure to grasp the wonder of the passing events. AsMrs. Holstein herself says: "While living amidst so much excitement--inthe times which form history--we were unconscious of it all--it was ourdaily life!"

Of that long period, Mrs. Holstein records two grand experiences asconspicuous--the salute which followed the news of the completion ofSherman's "March to the Sea, " and the explosion of the mine at CityPoint. 

With the first, one battery followed another with continuousreverberation, till all the air was filled with the roar of artillery. The other was more awful. The explosion was fearful. The smoke rose inform like a gigantic umbrella, and from its midst radiated every kind ofmurderous missile--shells were thrown and burst in all directions, muskets and every kind of arms fell like a shower around. Comparativelyfew were killed--many of the men were providentially out of the way. Until the revelations upon the trial of Wirz, it was supposed to havebeen caused by an accident, but then men learned that it was part of afiendish plot to destroy lives and Government property. 

The summer of 1864 was noted for its intense heat and dust, but Mr. AndMrs. Holstein remained with the army, absorbed in their work, tillNovember, when Mr. Holstein's health again failed and they went home forrest. It was not thought prudent for them to return, and Mrs. Holstein, still accompanied by him, resumed her travels and spent some time in"talking" to the women and children of the State. She had thesatisfaction of establishing several societies which worked vigorouslyduring the remainder of the war. 

In January, 1865, they went to Annapolis to do what they could for thereturned Andersonville prisoners, and to learn their actual conditionand sufferings that Mrs. Holstein might have a better hold upon theminds of the people, to whom she talked. Let us give these briefallusions to her experiences here, in her own words. 

"All of horror I had seen, or known, throughout the war, faded intoinsignificance when contrasted with the results of this heinous _sin_--asystematic course of starvation of brave men, made captive by thechances of war. * * * My note-book is filled with fearful records ofsuffering, and hardships unparalleled, written just as I took thestatements from the fleshless lips of these living skeletons. Inappearance they reminded me more of the bodies I had seen washed outupon Antietam, and other battle-fields, than of anything else--only_they_ had ceased to suffer and were at rest, --_these_ were stillliving, breathing, helpless _skeletons_. 

 'In treason's prison-hold Their martyred spirits grew To stature like the saints of old, While, amid agonies untold, They _starved_ for _me_--and _you_. '

"We remained at Annapolis from January to July, when, the war beingclosed, the men were mustered out of service. The few remaining weresent to Baltimore, and the hospitals were vacated and restored to theirformer uses. 

"Much of the summer was occupied in unfinished hospital work, and inlooking after some special cases of great interest. The final close ofthe war brought with it, for the first time in all these long years, _perfect rest_ to overtasked mind and wearied body. "

MRS. CORDELIA A. P. HARVEY

The State of Wisconsin is justly proud of a name, which, while standingfor what is noble and true in man, has received an added lustre in beingmade to express also, the sympathy, the goodness, and the power ofwoman. The death of the honored husband, and the public labors of theheroic wife, in the same cause--the great cause that has absorbed theattention and the resources of the country for four years--have giveneach to the other a peculiar and thrilling interest to every loyalAmerican heart. 

It will be remembered that shortly after the battle of Shiloh, GovernorHarvey proceeded to the front with supplies and medical aid to assist incaring for the wounded among the soldiers from his State, afterrendering great service in alleviating their sufferings by the aid andcomfort he brought with him, and reviving their spirits by his presence. As he was about to embark at Savannah for home, in passing from one boatto another, he fell into the river and was drowned. This was on the 19thof April, 1862, a day made memorable by some of the most importantevents in our country's history. Two days before he wrote to Mrs. Harveythe last sacred letter as follows:

 "PITTSBURG LANDING, _April 17, 1862_. 

 "DEAR WIFE:--Yesterday was _the day_ of my life. Thank God for the impulse that brought me here. I am well and have done more good by coming than I can well tell you. In haste, "LOUIS. "

[Illustration: MRS. CORDELIA A. P. HARVEY. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

With these words ringing in her ears as from beyond the tomb, theconviction forced itself upon her mind that the path of duty for her layin the direction he had so faithfully pointed out. But for a whilewomanly feeling overcame all else, and she gave way beneath the shock ofher affliction, coming so suddenly and taking away at once the pride, the hope, and the joy of life. For many weeks it seemed that the tiethat bound her to the departed was stronger than that which held her tothe earth, and her friends almost despaired of seeing her again herself. 

Hers was indeed a severe affliction. A husband, beloved and honored byall, without a stain upon his fair fame, with a bright future and hopeof long life before him, had fallen--suddenly as by a bullet--at thefront, where his great heart had led him to look after the wants of hisown brave troops--fallen to be remembered with the long list of heroeswho have died that their country might live, and in making themselvesimmortal, have made a people great. Nor was this sacrifice without itsfruit. It was this that put it into her heart to work for the soldiers, and from the grave of HARVEY have sprung those flowers of Love and Mercywhose fragrance has filled the land. 

Looking back now, it is easy to see how much this bereavement had to doin fitting Mrs. Harvey for her work. It is the experience of sorrow thatprepares us to minister to others in distress. At home none could saythey had given more for their country than she, few could feel a sorrowshe had not known or with which she could not sympathize, out ofsomething in her own experience. In the army, in camps and hospitals, who so fit to speak in the place of wife or mother to the sick and dyingsoldier, as she, in whom the tenderest feelings of the heart had beentouched by the hand of Death?

With the intention of devoting herself to this work, she asked of theGovernor permission to visit hospitals in the Western Department, asagent for the State, which was cordially granted, and early in theautumn of 1862, set out for St. Louis to commence her new work. 

To a lady who had seen nothing of military life, of course, all wasstrange. The experiment she was making was one in which very manykind-hearted women have utterly failed--rushing to hospitals from theimpulse of a tender sympathy, only to make themselves obnoxious to thesurgeons by their impertinent zeal, and, by their inexperience andindiscretion, useless, and sometimes detrimental, to the patients. Withthe wisdom that has marked her course throughout, she at oncecomprehended the delicacy of the situation, and was not long inperceiving what she could best do, and wherein she could accomplish themost good. The facility with which she brought, not only her own bestpowers, but the influence universally accorded to her position, to bearfor the benefit of the suffering soldiers, is subject of remark andwonder among all who have witnessed her labors. 

At that time St. Louis was the theater of active military operations, and the hospitals were crowded with sick and wounded from the camps andbattle-fields of Missouri and Tennessee. The army was not then composedof the hardy veterans whose prowess has since carried victory into everyrebellious State, but of boys and young men unused to hardship, who, inthe flush of enthusiasm, had entered the army. Time had not then broughtto its present perfection the work of the Medical Department, and butfor the spontaneous generosity of the people in sending forwardassistance and supplies for the sick and wounded, the army couldscarcely have existed. Such was the condition of things when Mrs. Harveycommenced her work of mercy in visiting the hospitals of that city, filled with the victims of battle and disease. How from morning tillnight for many a weary week she waited by the cots of these poorfellows, attending to their little wants, and speaking words of cheerand comfort, those who knew her then all well remember. The work at oncebecame delightful and profitable to her, calling her mind away from itsown sorrows to the physical suffering of those around her. In hereagerness to soothe their woes, she half forgot her own, and came tothem always with a joyous smile and words of cheerful consolation. During her stay in St. Louis her home was at the hospitable mansion ofGeorge Partridge, Esq. , an esteemed member of the Western SanitaryCommission, whose household seem to have vied with each other inattention and kindness to their guest. 

Hearing of great suffering at Cape Girardeau, she went there about the1st of August, just as the First Wisconsin Cavalry were returning fromtheir terrible expedition through the swamps of Arkansas. She had lastseen them in all their pride and manly beauty, reviewed by her husband, the Governor, before they left their State. Now how changed! Thestrongest, they that could stand, just tottering about, the very shadowsof their former selves. The building taken as a temporary hospital, wasfilled to overflowing, and the surgeons were without hospital supplies, the men subsisting on the common army ration alone. The heat wasoppressive, and the diseases of the most fearfully contagious character. The surgeons themselves were appalled, and the attendants shrank fromthe care of the sick and the removal of the dead. In one room she founda corpse which had evidently lain for many hours, the nurses fearing togo near and see if the man was dead. With her own hands she bound up theface, and emboldened by her coolness, the burial party were induced tocoffin the body and remove it from the house. Here was a field forself-forgetfulness and heroic devotion to a holy cause; and here thelight of woman's sympathy shone brightly when all else was fear andgloom. Patients dying with the noxious camp fever breathed into her eartheir last messages to loved ones at home, as she passed from cot tocot, undaunted by the bolts of death which fell around her thick as onthe battle-field. She set herself to work procuring furloughs for suchas were able to travel, and discharges for the permanently disabled, toget them away from a place of death. To this end she brought all theart of woman to work. Once convinced that the object she sought was justand right, she left no honorable means untried to secure it. Surgeonswere flattered and coaxed, whenever coaxing and flattering availed; or, failing in this, she knew when to administer a gentle threat, or anintimation that a report might go up to a higher official. One resourcefailing she always had another, and never attempted anything withoutcarrying it out. 

Mrs. Harvey relates many touching incidents of her experience at thisplace which want of space forbids us to repeat. One of her first actswas to telegraph Mr. Yeatman, President of the Western SanitaryCommission, at St. Louis, for hospital stores, and in two days, by hispromptness and liberality, she received an abundant supply. 

After several weeks' stay at Cape Girardeau, during which time thecondition of the hospital greatly improved, Mrs. Harvey continued hertour of visitation which was to embrace all the general hospitals on theMississippi river, as well as the regimental hospitals of the troops ofher own State. Her face, cheerful with all the heart's burden of grief, gladdened every ward where lay a Union soldier, from Keokuk as far downas the sturdy legions of GRANT had regained possession of the Father ofWaters. 

At Memphis she was able to do great service in procuring furloughs formen who would else have died. Often has the writer heard brave mendeclare, with tearful eyes, their gratitude to her for favors of thiskind. Many came to have a strange and almost superstitious reverence fora person exercising so powerful an influence, and using it altogetherfor the good of the common soldier. The estimate formed of her authorityby some of the more ignorant class, often exhibited itself in anextremely ludicrous manner. She would sometimes receive letters fromhomesick men begging her to give them a furlough to visit theirfamilies! and often, from deserters and others confined in militaryprisons, asking to be set at liberty, and promising faithful servicethereafter!

The spring of 1863 found General Grant making his approaches upon thelast formidable position held by the rebels on the Mississippi. Young'sPoint, across the river from Vicksburg, the limit of uninterruptednavigation at that time, will be remembered by many as a place of greatsuffering to our brave boys. The high water covering the low lands onwhich they were encamped during the famous canal experiment, inducedmuch sickness. Intent to be where her kind offices were most needed, Mrs. Harvey proceeded thither about the first of April. After a fewweeks' labor, she, herself, overcome by the terrible miasma, was takenseriously ill, and was obliged to return homeward. Months of rest, and avisit to the sea-side, were required to bring back a measure of herwonted strength, and so for the summer her services were lost to thearmy. 

But though for a while withheld from her chosen work, Mrs. Harvey neverforgot the sick soldier. Her observation while with the army, convincedher of the necessity of establishing general hospitals in the NorthernStates, where soldiers suffering from diseases incurable in the South, might be sent with prospect of recovery. Her own personal experiencedeepened her conviction, and, although the plan found little favor thenamong high officials, she at once gave her heart to its accomplishment. Although repeated efforts had been made in vain to lead the Governmentinto this policy, Mrs. Harvey determined to go to Washington and makeher plea in person to the president. 

As the result of her interview with Mr. Lincoln, which was of the mostcordial character, a General Hospital was granted to the State ofWisconsin; and none who visit the city of Madison can fail to observe, with patriotic pride, the noble structure known as Harvey Hospital. Asproof of the service it has done, and as fully verifying the argumentsurged by Mrs. Harvey to secure its establishment, the reader isreferred to the reports of the surgeon in charge of the hospital. 

Her mission at Washington accomplished, Mrs. Harvey returned immediatelyhome, where she soon received official intelligence that the hospitalwould be located at Madison and be prepared for the reception ofpatients at the earliest possible moment. Upon this, she wentimmediately to Memphis, Tennessee, where she was informed by the medicaldirector of the Sixteenth Army Corps, that there were over one hundredmen in Fort Pickering (used as a Convalescent Camp) who had beenvacillating between camp and hospital for a year, and who would surelydie unless removed North. At his suggestion, she accompanied these sickmen up the river, to get them, if possible, north of St. Louis. Shelanded at Cairo, and proceeded to St. Louis by rail, and, on the arrivalof the transport, had transportation to Madison ready for the men. Asthey were needy, and had not been paid, she procured of the WesternSanitary Commission a change of clothing for every one. Out of the wholenumber, only seven died, and only five were discharged. The remainderreturned, strong and healthy, to the service. 

Returning South, she visited all points on the river down to NewOrleans, coming back to make her home for the time at Vicksburg, as theplace nearest the centre of her field of labor. The Superintendent andMatrons of the Soldiers' Home extended to her a hearty welcome, happy tohave their institution honored by her presence, and receive hersympathizing and kindly aid. So substantial was the reputation she hadwon among the army, that her presence alone, at a military post in theWest, was a power for good. Officers and attendants in charge ofhospitals knew how quick she was to apprehend and bring to light anydelinquency in the performance of their duties, and profited by thisknowledge to the mutual advantage of themselves and those thrown upontheir care. 

During the summer of 1864, the garrison of Vicksburg suffered much fromdiseases incident to the season in that latitude. Perhaps in no regimentwas the mortality greater than in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry. Strongmen sickened and died within a few days, and others lingered on forweeks, wasting by degrees, till only skin and bone were left. Thesurvivors, in evidence of their appreciation of her sympathy andexertions for them in their need, presented her an elegant enameled goldwatch, beautifully set with diamonds. The presentation was an occasionon which she could not well avoid a public appearance, and those whowere present, must have wondered that one of such power in privateconversation should have so little control, even of her own feelings, before an assembly. Mrs. Harvey has never distinguished herself as a_public_ speaker. Resolute, impetuous, confident to a degree borderingon the imperious, with power of denunciation to equip an orator, she yetshrinks from the gaze of a multitude with a woman's modesty, and thehumility of a child. She does not underestimate the worth of truewomanhood by attempting to act a distinctively manly part. 

Although known as the agent of the State of Wisconsin, Mrs. Harvey haspaid little regard to state lines, and has done a truly national work. Throughout the time of her stay with the army, applications for her aidcame as often from the soldiers of other states as from those of herown, and no one was ever refused relief if to obtain it was in herpower. Acting in the character of a friend to every Union soldier, fromwhatever state, she has had the entire confidence of the great SanitaryCommissions, and rendered to their agents invaluable aid in thedistribution of goods. The success that has everywhere attended Mrs. Harvey's efforts, directly or indirectly, to benefit the soldier, hasgiven to her life an unusual charm, and established for her a nationalreputation. 

In years to come, the war-scarred veteran will recount to listeningchildren around the domestic hearth, along with many a thrilling deed ofvalor performed by his own right arm, the angel visits of this lady tohis cot, when languishing with disease, or how, when ready to die, herintercessions secured him a furlough, and sent him home to feel thecurative power of his native air and receive the care of loving handsand hearts. Not a few unfortunates will remember, if they do not tell, how her care reached them, not only in hospital but in prison as well, bringing clothing and comfort to them when shivering in their rags;while others, again, will not be ashamed to relate, as we have heardthem, with tears, their gratitude for release from unjust imprisonment, secured by her faithful exertions. 

The close of the war has brought Mrs. Harvey back to her home, andclosed her work for the soldiers. Her attention now is turned in thedirection of soothing the sorrows the war has caused among thehouseholds of her State. Many a soldier who has died for his country, has left his little ones to the charity of the world. Through herexertions the State of Wisconsin now has a Soldiers' Orphan Asylum, where all these children of our dead heroes shall be gathered in. By avisit to Washington she has recently obtained from the United StatesGovernment, the donation of its interest in Harvey Hospital, and hasturned it into an institution of this kind, and has set her hand andheart to the work of securing from the people a liberal endowment forit. 

Happy indeed has she been in her truly Christian work, begun in sadnessand opening into the joy that crowns every good work. The benedictionsof thousands of the brave and victorious rest upon her, and the purestspirits of the martyred ones have her in their gentle care! May Americabe blest with many more like her to teach us by example the nature andpractice of a true Christian heroism. 

MRS. SARAH R. JOHNSTON. 

Our northern women have won the highest meed of praise for theirdevotion and self-sacrifice in the cause of their country, but great astheir labors and sacrifices have been, they are certainly inferior tothose of some of the loyal women of the South, who for the love theybore to their country and its flag, braved all the contempt, obloquy andscorn which Southern women could heap upon them--who lived for years inutter isolation from the society of relatives, friends, and neighbors, because they would render such aid and succor as was in their power tothe defenders of the national cause, in prison, in sorrow and insuffering. Often were the lives of those brave women in danger, and thecalmness with which they met those who thirsted for their blood gaveevidence of their position of a spirit as undaunted and lofty as anywhich ever faced the cannon's mouth or sought death in the high placesof the field. Among these heroines none deserves a higher place in therecords of womanly patriotism and courage than Mrs. Sarah R. Johnston. 

At the breaking out of the war Mrs. Johnston was teaching a school atSalisbury, North Carolina, where she was born and always resided. Whenthe first prisoners were brought into that place, the Southern womenturned out in their carriages and with a band escorted them through thetown, and when they filed past saluted them with contemptuous epithets. From that time Mrs. Johnston determined to devote herself to theamelioration of the condition of the prisoners; and the testimony ofthousands of the Union soldiers confined there proved how nobly sheperformed the duties she undertook. It was no easy task, for she wasentirely alone, being the only woman who openly advocated Unionsentiments and attempted to administer to the wants of the prisoners. For fifteen months none of the women of Salisbury spoke to her or calledupon her, and every possible indignity was heaped on her as a "Yankeesympathizer. " Her scholars were withdrawn from her school, and it wasbroken up, and her means were very limited; nevertheless, sheaccomplished more by systematic arrangements than many would have donewith a large outlay of money. 

When the first exchange of prisoners was made, she went to the depot toarrange some pallets for some of the sick who were leaving, when shestumbled in the crowd, and looking down she found a young Federalsoldier who had fainted and fallen, and was in danger of being troddento death. She raised him up and called for water, but none of the peoplewould get a drop to save a "Yankee's" life. Some of the soldiers whowere in the cars threw their canteens to her, and she succeeded inreviving him; during this time the crowd heaped upon her every insultingepithet they could think of, and her life even was in danger. But shebraved all, and succeeded in obtaining permission from Colonel Godwin, then in command of the post, who was a kind-hearted man, to let herremove him to her own house, promising to take care of him as if he wereher own son, and if he died to give him Christian burial. He was in thelast stages of consumption, and she felt sure he would die if taken tothe prison hospital. None of the citizens of the place would even assistin carrying him, and after a time two gentlemen from Richmond steppedforward and helped convey him to her house. There she watched over himfor hours, as he was in a terrible state from neglect, having hadblisters applied to his chest which had never been dressed and were fullof vermin. 

The poor boy, whose name was Hugh Berry, from Ohio, only lived a fewdays, and she had a grave dug for him in her garden in the night, forburial had been refused in the public graveyard, and she had beenthreatened that if she had him interred decently his body should be dugup and buried in the street. They even attempted to take his body fromthe house for that purpose, but she stood at her door, pistol in hand, and said to them that the first man who dared to cross her threshold forsuch a purpose should be shot like a dog. They did not attempt it, andshe performed her promise to the letter. 

During the first two years she was enabled to do a great many acts ofkindness for the prisoners, but after that time she was watched veryclosely as a Yankee sympathizer, and the rules of the prison werestricter, and what she could do was done by strategy. 

Her means were now much reduced, but she still continued in her goodwork, cutting up her carpets and spare blankets to make into moccasins, and when new squads of prisoners arrived, supplied them with bread andwater as they halted in front of her house, which they were compelled todo for hours, waiting the routine of being mustered into the prison. They were not allowed to leave their ranks, and she would turn anold-fashioned windlass herself for hours, raising water from her well;for the prisoners were often twenty-four to forty-eight hours on therailroad without rations or water. 

Generally the officer in command would grant her request, but once asergeant told her, in reply, if she gave any of them a drop of water ora piece of bread, or dared to come outside her gate for that purpose, hewould pin her to the earth with his bayonet. She defied him, and takingher pail of water in one hand, and a basket of bread in the other, shewalked directly past him on her errand of mercy; he followed her, placing his bayonet between her shoulders, just so that she could feelthe cold steel. She turned and coolly asked him why he did not pin herto the earth, as he had threatened to do, but got no reply. Then someof the rebels said, "Sergeant, you can't make anything on that woman, you had better let her alone, " and she performed her work unmolested. 

Not content with these labors, she visited the burial-place where thedeceased Union prisoners of that loathsome prison-pen at Salisbury wereburied, and transcribed with a loving fidelity every inscription whichcould be found there, to let the sorrowing friends of those martyrs totheir country know where their beloved ones are laid. The number ofthese marked graves is small, only thirty-one in all, for the greaterpart of the four or five thousand dead starved and tortured there tillthey relinquished their feeble hold on life, were buried in trenchesfour or five deep, and no record of their place of burial was permitted. Mrs. Johnston also copied from the rebel registers at Salisbury afterthe place was captured the statistics of the Union prisoners, admitted, died, and remaining on hand in each month from October, 1864, to April, 1865. The aggregates in these six months were four thousand andfifty-four admitted, of whom two thousand three hundred and ninety-sevendied, and one thousand six hundred and fifty-seven remained. 

Mrs. Johnston came North in the summer of 1865, to visit her daughter, who had been placed at a school in Connecticut by the kindness of someof the officers she had befriended in prison; transportation having beengiven her by Generals Schofield and Carter, who testified to theservices she had rendered our prisoners, and that she was entitled tothe gratitude of the Government and all loyal citizens. 

[Illustration: MISS EMILY E. PARSONS. Eng^d. By John Sartain. ]

EMILY E. PARSONS. 

Among the honorable and heroic women of New England whose hearts wereimmediately enlisted in the cause of their country, in its recentstruggle against the rebellion of the slave States, and who preparedthemselves to do useful service in the hospitals as nurses, was MissEmily E. Parsons, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a daughter of ProfessorTheophilus Parsons, of the Cambridge Law School, and granddaughter ofthe late Chief Justice Parsons, of Massachusetts. 

Miss Parsons was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, was educated in Boston, and resided at Cambridge at the beginning of the war. She at onceforesaw that there would be need of the same heroic work on the part ofthe women of the country as that performed by Florence Nightingale andher army of women nurses in the Crimea, and with her father's approvalshe consulted with Dr. Wyman, of Cambridge, how she could acquire thenecessary instruction and training to perform the duties of a skilfulnurse in the hospitals. Through his influence with Dr. Shaw, thesuperintendent of the Massachusetts General Hospital, she was receivedinto that institution as a pupil in the work of caring for the sick, inthe dressing of wounds, in the preparation of diet for invalids, and inall that pertains to a well regulated hospital. She was thoroughly andcarefully instructed by the surgeons of the hospital, all of whom tookgreat interest in fitting her for the important duties she proposed toundertake, and gave her every opportunity to practice, with her ownhands, the labors of a good hospital nurse. Dr. Warren and Dr. Townshend, two distinguished surgeons, took special pains to give herall necessary information and the most thorough instruction. At the endof one year and a half of combined teaching and practice, she wasrecommended by Dr. Townshend to Fort Schuyler Hospital, on Long IslandSound, where she went in October, 1862, and for two months performed theduties of hospital nurse, in the most faithful and satisfactory manner, when she left by her father's wishes, on account of the too greatexposure to the sea, and went to New York. 

While in New York Miss Parsons wrote to Miss Dix, the agent of theGovernment for the employment of women nurses, offering her serviceswherever they might be needed, and received an answer full ofencouragement and sympathy with her wishes. At the same time she alsomade the acquaintance of Mrs. John C. Fremont, who wrote to the WesternSanitary Commission at St. Louis, of her qualifications and desire ofusefulness in the hospital service, and she was immediately telegraphedto come on at once to St. Louis. 

At this time, January, 1863, every available building in St. Louis wasconverted into a hospital, and the sick and wounded were brought fromVicksburg, and Arkansas Post, and Helena up the river to be cared for atSt. Louis and other military posts. At Memphis and Mound City, (nearCairo) at Quincy, Illinois, and the cities on the Ohio River, thehospitals were in equally crowded condition. Miss Parsons wentimmediately to St. Louis and was assigned by Mr. James E. Yeatman, (thePresident of the Western Sanitary Commission, and agent for Miss Dix), to the Lawson Hospital. In a few weeks, however, she was needed for astill more important service, and was placed as head nurse on thehospital steamer "City of Alton, " Surgeon Turner in charge. A largesupply of sanitary stores were entrusted to her care by the WesternSanitary Commission, and the steamer proceeded to Vicksburg, where shewas loaded with about four hundred invalid soldiers, many of them sickpast recovery, and returned as far as Memphis. On this trip the strengthand endurance of Miss Parsons were tried to the utmost, and theministrations of herself and her associates to the poor, helpless andsuffering men, several of whom died on the passage up the river, wereconstant and unremitting. At Memphis, after transferring the sick to thehospitals, an order was received from General Grant to load the boatwith troops and return immediately to Vicksburg, an order prompted bysome military exigency, and Miss Parsons and the other female nurseswere obliged to return to St. Louis. 

For a few weeks after her return she suffered from an attack ofmalarious fever, and on her recovery was assigned to duty assuperintendent of female nurses at the Benton Barracks Hospital, thelargest of all the hospitals in St. Louis, built out of the amphitheatreand other buildings in the fair grounds of the St. Louis AgriculturalSociety, and placed in charge of Surgeon Ira Russell, an excellentphysician from Natick, Mass. In this large hospital there were often twothousand patients, and besides the male nurses detailed from the army, the corps of female nurses consisted of one to each of the fifteen ortwenty wards, whose duty it was to attend to the special diet of thefeebler patients, to see that the wards were kept in order, the bedsproperly made, the dressing of wounds properly done, to minister to thewants of the patients, and to give them words of good cheer, both byreading and conversation--softening the rougher treatment and manners ofthe male nurses, by their presence, and performing the more delicateoffices of kindness that are natural to woman. 

In this important and useful service these women nurses, many of themhaving but little experience, needed one of their own number of superiorknowledge, judgment and experience, to supervise their work, counsel andadvise with them, instruct them in their duties, secure obedience toevery necessary regulation, and good order in the general administrationof this important branch of hospital service. For this position MissParsons was most admirably fitted, and discharged its duties with greatfidelity and success for many months, as long as Dr. Russell continuedin charge of the hospital. The whole work of female nursing was reducedto a perfect system, and the nurses under Miss Parsons' influence becamea sisterhood of noble women, performing a great and loving service tothe maimed and suffering defenders of their country. In the organizationof this system and the framing of wise rules for carrying it into effectDr. Russell and Mr. Yeatman lent their counsel and assistance, and Dr. Russell, as the chief surgeon, entertained those enlightened and liberalviews which gave the system a full chance to accomplish the bestresults. Under his administration, and Miss Parsons' superintendence ofthe nursing, the Benton Barracks Hospital became famous for itsexcellence, and for the rapid recovery of the patients. 

It was not often that the army surgeons could be induced to give so faira trial to female nursing in the hospitals. Too often they allowed theirprejudices to interfere, and used their authority to thwart instead ofaid the best plans for making the services of women all that was neededin the hospitals. But in the case of Dr. Russell, enlightened judgmentand humane sympathies combined to make him friendly to the highestexertions of woman, in this holy service of humanity. And the resultentirely justified the most sanguine expectations. 

Having served six months in this capacity, Miss Parsons went to her homeat Cambridge, on a furlough from the Sanitary Commission, to recruit herhealth. After a short period of rest she returned to St. Louis andresumed her position at Benton Barracks, in which she continued tillAugust, 1864, when in consequence of illness, caused by malaria, shereturned to her home in Cambridge a second time. On her recovery sheconcluded to enter upon the same work in the eastern department, but thereturn of peace, and the disbanding of a large portion of the armyrendered her services in the hospitals no longer necessary. 

From this time she devoted herself at home to working for the freedmenand refugees, collecting clothing and garden seeds for them, many boxesof which she shipped to the Western Sanitary Commission, at St. Louis, to be distributed in the Mississippi Valley, where they were greatlyneeded, and were received as a blessing from the Lord by the poorrefugees and freedmen, who in many instances were without the means tohelp themselves, or to buy seed for the next year's planting. 

In the spring of 1865, she took a great interest in the Sanitary Fairheld at Chicago, collected many valuable gifts for it, and was sent forby the Committee of Arrangements to go out as one of the managers of thedepartment furnished by the New Jerusalem Church--the different churcheshaving separate departments in the Fair. This duty she fulfilled, withgreat pleasure and success, and the general results of the Fair were allthat could be desired. 

Returning home from the Chicago Fair, and the war being ended, MissParsons conceived a plan of establishing in her own city of Cambridge, aCharity Hospital for poor women and children. For this most praiseworthyobject she has already collected a portion of the necessary funds, whichshe has placed in the hand of a gentleman who consents to act asTreasurer, and is entirely confident of the ultimate success of herenterprise. There is no doubt but that she possesses the character, goodjudgment, Christian motive and perseverance to carry it through, and shehas the encouragement, sympathies and prayers of many friends to sustainher in the noble endeavor. 

In concluding this sketch of the labors of Miss Parsons in the care andnursing of our sick and wounded soldiers, and in the Sanitary and otherbenevolent enterprises called forth by the war, it is but just to saythat in every position she occupied she performed her part with judgmentand fidelity, and always brought to her work a spirit animated by thehighest motives, and strengthened by communion with the Infinite Spirit, from whom all love and wisdom come to aid and bless the children ofmen. Everywhere she went among the sick and suffering she brought thesunshine of a cheerful and loving heart, beaming from a countenanceexpressive of kindness, and good will and sympathy to all. Her presencein the hospital was always a blessing, and cheered and comforted many adespondent heart, and compensated in some degree, for the absence of theloved ones at home. Her gentle ministrations so faithful and cheering, might well have received the reverent worship bestowed on the shadow ofFlorence Nightingale, so admirably described by Longfellow in his SaintFilomena:

 "And slow, as in a dream of bliss The speechless sufferer turned to kiss Her shadow as it falls Upon the darkening walls. "

MRS. ALMIRA FALES. 

Mrs. Fales, it is believed, was the first woman in America who performedany work directly tending to the aid and comfort of the soldiers of thenation in the late war. In truth, her labors commenced before any overtacts of hostility had taken place, even so long before as December, 1860. Hostility enough there undoubtedly was in feeling, but the firesof secession as yet only smouldered, not bursting into the lurid flamesof war until the following spring. 

Yet Mrs. Fales, from her home in Washington, was a keen observer of the"signs of the times, " and read aright the portents of rebellion. In herposition, unobserved herself, she saw and heard much, which probablywould have remained unseen and unheard by loyal eyes and ears, had thehaughty conspirators against the nation's life dreamed of any dangerarising from the knowledge of their projects, obtained by this humblewoman. 

So keen was the prescience founded on these things that, as has beensaid, she, as early as December, 1860, scarcely a month after theelection of Abraham Lincoln, gave a pretext for secession which itsleaders were eager to avail themselves of, "began to prepare lint andhospital stores for the soldiers of the Union, not one of whom had thenbeen called to take up arms. "

Of course, she was derided for this act. Inured to peace, seemingly moreeager for the opening of new territory, the spread of commerce, the gainof wealth and power than even for the highest national honor, the Northwould not believe in the possibility of war until the boom of the gunsof Sumter, reverberating from the waves of the broad Atlantic, andwaking the echoes all along its shores, burst upon their ears to tell inawful tones that it had indeed commenced. 

But there was one--a woman in humble life, yet of wonderful benevolence, of indomitable energy, unflagging perseverance, and unwavering purpose, who foresaw its inevitable coming and was prepared for it. 

Almira Fales was no longer young. She had spent a life in doing good, and was ready to commence another. Her husband had employment under thegovernment in some department of the civil service, her sons entered thearmy, and she, too, --a soldier, in one sense, as truly as they--sinceshe helped and cheered on the fight. 

From that December day that commenced the work, until long after the warclosed, she gave herself to it, heart and soul--mind and body. No one, perhaps, can tell her story of work and hardship in detail, not evenherself, for she acts rather than talks or writes. "Such women, alwaysdoing, never think of pausing to tell their own stories, which, indeed, can never be told; yet the hint of them can be given, to stir in thehearts of other women a purer emulation, and to prove to them that thesurest way to happiness is to serve others and forget yourself. "

In detail we have only this brief record of what she has done, yet whatvolumes it contains, what a history of labor and of self-sacrifice!

"After a life spent in benevolence, it was in December, 1860, thatAlmira Fales began to prepare lint and hospital stores for the soldiersof the Union, not one of whom had then been called to take up arms. People laughed, of course; thought it a 'freak;' said that none of thesethings would ever be needed. Just as the venerable Dr. Mott said, at thewomen's meeting in Cooper Institute, after Sumter had been fired: 'Goon, ladies! Get your lint ready, if it will do your dear hearts anygood, though I don't believe myself that it will ever be needed. ' Sincethat December Mrs. Fales has emptied over seven thousand boxes ofhospital stores, and distributed with her own hands over one hundred andfifty thousand dollars worth of comforts to sick and wounded soldiers. Besides, she supplied personally between sixty and seventy forts withreading matter. She was months at sea--the only woman on hospital shipsnursing the wounded and dying men. She was at Corinth, and at PittsburgLanding, serving our men in storm and darkness. She was at Fair Oaks. She was under fire through the seven days' fight on the Peninsula, withalmost breaking heart ministering on those bloody fields to 'the saddestcreatures that she ever saw. '

"Through all those years, _every day_, she gave her life, her strength, her nursing, her mother-love to our soldiers. For her to be a soldier'snurse meant something very different from wearing a white apron, a whitecap, sitting by a moaning soldier's bed, looking pretty. It meant daysand nights of untiring toil; it meant the lowliest office, the mostmenial service; it meant the renouncing of all personal comfort, thesharing of her last possession with the soldier of her country; it meantpatience, and watching, and unalterable love. A mother, every boy whofought for his country was _her_ boy; and if she had nursed him ininfancy, she could not have cared for him with a tenderer care. Journeyafter journey this woman has performed to every part of the land, carrying with her some wounded, convalescing soldier, bearing him tosome strange cottage that she never saw before, to the pale, weepingwoman within, saying to her with smiling face, 'I have brought back_your_ boy. Wipe your eyes, and take care of him. ' Then, with afantastic motion, tripping away as if she were not tired at all, and haddone nothing more than run across the street. Thousands of heroes onearth and in heaven gratefully remember this woman's loving care to themin the extremity of anguish. The war ended, her work does not cease. Every day you may find her, with her heavily-laden basket, in hovels ofwhite and black, which dainty and delicate ladies would not dare toenter. No wounds are so loathsome, no disease so contagious, no humanbeing so abject, that she shrinks from contact; if she can minister totheir necessity. "

During the Peninsular campaign Mrs. Fales was engaged on board theHospital Transports, during most of the trying season of 1862. She wasat Harrison's Landing in care of the wounded and wearied men worn downby the incessant battles and hard marches which attended the "change ofbase" from the Chickahominy to the James. She spent a considerable timein the hospitals at Fortress Monroe; and was active in her ministrationsupon the fields in the battles of Centreville, Chantilly, and the secondbattle of Bull Run, indeed most of those of Pope's campaign in Virginiain the autumn of 1862. 

At the battle of Chancellorsville, or rather at the assault upon Marye'sHeights, in that fierce assault of Sedgwick's gallant Sixth Corps on theworks which had on the preceding December defied the repeated charges ofBurnside's best troops, Mrs. Fales lost a son. About one-third of theattacking force were killed or badly wounded in the assault, and amongthe rest the son of this devoted mother, who at that very hour mighthave been ministering to the wounded and dying son of some other mother. This loss was to her but a stimulus to further efforts and sacrifices. She mourned as deeply as any mother, but not as selfishly, as some mighthave done. In this, as in all her ways of life, she but carried out itsruling principle which was self-devotion, and deeds not words. 

Mrs. Fales may not, perhaps, be held up as an example of harmoniousdevelopment, but she has surely shown herself great in self-forgetfulnessand heroic devotion to the cause of her country. In person she is tall, plain in dress, and with few of the fashionable and stereotyped gracesof manner. No longer young, her face still bears ample traces of formerbeauty, and her large blue eyes still beam with the clear brightness ofyouth. But her hands tell the story of hardship and sacrifice. 

"Poor hands! darkened and hardened by work, they never shirked any task, never turned from any drudgery, that could lighten the load of another. Dear hands! how many blood-stained faces they have washed, how manywounds they have bound up, how many eyes they have closed in dying, howmany bodies they have sadly yielded to the darkness of death!"

She is full of a quaint humor, and in all her visits to hospitals heraim seemed to be to awake smiles, and arouse the cheerfulness of thepatients; and she was generally successful in this, being everywhere agreat favorite. One more quotation from the written testimony of a ladywho knew her well and we have done. 

"An electric temperament, a nervous organization, with a brain crowdedwith a variety of memories and incidents that could only come to one ina million--all combine to give her a pleasant abruptness of motion andof speech, which I have heard some very fine ladies term insanity. 'Nowdon't you think she is crazy, to spend all her time in such ways?' saidone. When we remember how rare a thing utter unselfishness andself-forgetfulness is, we must conclude that she is crazy. If thelistless and idle lives which we live ourselves are perfectly sane, thenAlmira Fales must be the maddest of mortals. But would it not be betterfor the world, and for us all, if we were each of us a little crazier inthe same direction?"

MISS CORNELIA HANCOCK. 

Among the most zealous and untiring of the women who ministered to thewounded men "at the front, " in the long and terrible campaign of theArmy of the Potomac in 1864-5, was Miss Cornelia Hancock, ofPhiladelphia. Of this lady's early history or her previous labors in thewar, we have been unable to obtain any very satisfactory information. She had, we are told, been active in the United States General Hospitalsin Philadelphia, and had there learned what wounded men need in the wayof food and attention. She had also rendered efficient services atGettysburg. Of her work among the wounded men at Belle Plain andFredericksburg, Mr. John Vassar, one of the most efficient agents of theChristian Commission, writes as follows:

"Miss Cornelia Hancock was the first lady who arrived at Fredericksburgto aid in the care of the wounded. As one of the many interestingepisodes of the war, it has seemed that her good deeds should not beunheralded. She was also among the very first to arrive at Gettysburgafter the fearful struggle, and for days and weeks ministeredunceasingly to the suffering. During the past winter she remainedconstantly with the army in winter quarters, connecting herself with theSecond Division of the Second Corps. So attached were the soldiers, andso grateful for her ministration in sickness, that they built a housefor her, in which she remained until the general order for all to leavewas given. 

"When the news of Grant's battles reached the North, Miss Hancock leftPhiladelphia at once for Washington. Several applications were made byMembers of Congress at the War Department for a permit for her to go tothe wounded. It was each time declined, as being unfeasible andimproper. With a woman's tact, she made application to go with one ofthe surgeons then arriving, as assistant, as each surgeon was entitledto one. The plan succeeded, and I well remember the mental ejaculationmade when I saw her at such a time on the boat. I lost sight of her atBelle Plain, and had almost forgotten the circumstance, when, shortlybefore our arrival at Fredericksburg, she passed in an ambulance. Onbeing assigned to a hospital of the Second Corps, I found she hadpreceded me, and was earnestly at work. It was no fictitious effort, butshe had already prepared soup and farina, and was dispensing it to thecrowds of poor fellows lying thickly about. 

"All day she worked, paying little attention to others, only assiduousin her sphere. When, the next morning, I opened a new hospital at theMethodist Church, I invited her to accompany me; she did so; and ifsuccess and amelioration of suffering attended the effort, it was in nosmall degree owing to her indefatigable labors. Within an hour from thetime one hundred and twenty had been placed in the building, she hadseen that good beef soup and coffee was administered to each, and duringthe period I was there, no delicacy or nutriment attainable was wantingto the men. 

"Were any dying, she sat by to soothe their last moments, to receive thedying message to friends at home, and when it was over to convey byletter the sad intelligence. Let me rise ever so early, she had alreadypreceded me at work, and during the many long hours of the day, shenever seemed to weary or flag; in the evening, when all in her ownhospital had been fully cared for, she would go about the town withdelicacies to administer to officers who were so situated they could notprocure them. At night she sought a garret (and it was literally one)for her rest. 

"One can but feebly portray the ministrations of such a person. Shebelonged to no association--had no compensation. She commanded respect, for she was lady-like and well educated; so quiet and undemonstrative, that her presence was hardly noticed, except by the smiling faces of thewounded as she passed. While she supervised the cooking of the meats andsoups and coffee, all nice things were made and distributed by herself. How the men watched for the dessert of farina and condensed milk, andthose more severely wounded for the draughts of milk punch!

"Often would she make visits to the offices of the Sanitary andChristian Commissions, and when delicacies arrived, her men were amongthe first to taste them. Oranges, lemons, pickles, soft bread andbutter, and even apple-sauce, were one or the other daily distributed. Such unwearied attention is the more appreciated, when one remembers thenumber of females who subsequently arrived, and the desultory and fitfullabor performed. Passing from one hospital to another, and bestowinggeneral sympathy, with small works, is not what wounded men want. It wasvery soon perceptible how the men in that hospital appreciated the solidworth of the one and the tinsel of the other. 

"This imperfect recognition is but a slight testimonial to the lady-likedeportment and the untiring labors in behalf of sick and woundedsoldiers of Miss Hancock. "

[Illustration: MRS. MARY MORRIS HUSBAND. Eng. By John Sartain. ]

MRS. MARY MORRIS HUSBAND. 

There are some noble souls whose devotion to duty, to the welfare of thesuffering and sorrowing, and to the work which God has set before them, is so complete that it leaves them no time to think of themselves, andno consciousness that what they have done or are doing, is in any wayremarkable. To them it seems the most natural thing in the world toundergo severe hardships and privations, to suffer the want of allthings, to peril health and even life itself, to endure the most intensefatigue and loss of rest, if by so doing they may relieve another's painor soothe the burdened and aching heart; and with the utmostingenuousness, they will avow that they have done nothing worthy ofmention; that it is the poor soldier who has been the sufferer, and hasmade the only sacrifices worthy of the name. 

The worthy and excellent lady who is the subject of this sketch, is oneof the representative women of this class. Few, if any, have passedthrough more positive hardships to serve the soldiers than she; but fewhave as little consciousness of them. 

Mrs. Mary Morris Husband, is a granddaughter of Robert Morris, the greatfinancier of our Revolutionary War, to whose abilities and patriotism itwas owing that we had a republic at all. She is, in her earnestpatriotism, well worthy of her ancestry. Her husband, a well-known andhighly respectable member of the Philadelphia bar, her two sons andherself constituted her household at the commencement of the war, andher quiet home in the Quaker City, was one of the pleasantest of themany delightful homes in that city. The patriotic instincts were strongin the family; the two sons enlisted in the army at the very beginningof the conflict, one of them leaving his medical studies to do so; andthe mother, as soon as there was any hospital work to do was fullyprepared to take her part in it. She had been in poor health for someyears, but in her anxiety to render aid to the suffering, her ownailings were forgotten. She was an admirable nurse and a skilfulhousewife and cook, and her first efforts for the sick and woundedsoldiers in Philadelphia, were directed to the preparation of suitableand palatable food for them, and the rendering of those attentions whichshould relieve the irksomeness and discomforts of sickness in ahospital. The hospital on Twenty-second and Wood streets, Philadelphia, was the principal scene of these labors. 

But the time had come for other and more engrossing labors for the sickand wounded, and she was to be inducted into them by the avenue ofpersonal anxiety for one of her sons. In that fearful "change of base"which resulted in the seven days' battle on the peninsula, when from thecombined influence of marsh malaria, want of food, overmarching, theheat and fatigue of constant fighting, and the depression of spiritsincident to the unexpected retreat, more of our men fell down withmortal sickness than were slain or wounded in the battles, one of Mrs. Husband's sons was among the sufferers from disease, and word was sentto her that he was at the point of death. She hastened to nurse him, andafter a great struggle and frequent relapses, he rallied and began torecover. Meantime she had not been so wholly engrossed with her care forhim as to be neglectful of the hundreds and thousands around, who, likehim, were suffering from the deadly influences of that pestilentialclimate and soil, or of the wounded who were wearing out their lives inagony, with but scant attention or care; and every moment that could bespared from her sick boy, was given to the other sufferers around her. 

It was in this period of her work that she rendered the service to ayoung soldier, now a physician of Brooklyn, New York, so graphicallydescribed in the following extract from a letter addressed to the writerof this sketch:

"I was prostrated by a severe attack of camp dysentery, stagnant waterand _unctuous_ bean soup not being exactly the diet for a sick person tothrive on. I got "no better" very rapidly, till at length, oneafternoon, I lay in a kind of stupor, conscious that I was somewhere, though where, for the life of me I could not say. As I lay in thisstate, I imagined I heard my name spoken, and opening my eyes withconsiderable effort, I saw bending over me a female form. I think theastonishment restored me to perfect consciousness (though some liquorpoured into my mouth at the same time, may have been a useful adjunct). As soon as I could collect myself sufficiently, I discovered the lady tobe a Mrs. Husband, who, with a few other ladies, had just arrived on oneof the hospital boats. Having lost my own mother when a mere child, youmay imagine the effect her tender nursing had upon me, and when she laidher hand upon my forehead, all pain seemed to depart. I sank into asweet sleep, and awoke the next morning refreshed and strengthened inmind and in body. From that moment my recovery was rapid, and in tendays I returned to my duty. "

As her son began to recover, she resolved, in her thankfulness for thismercy, to devote herself to the care of the sick and wounded of thearmy. She was on one of the hospital transports off Harrison's Landing, when the rebels bombarded it, and though it was her first experience"under fire, " she stood her ground like a veteran, manifesting notrepidation, but pursuing her work of caring for the sick as calmly asif in perfect safety. Finding that she was desirous of renderingassistance in the care of the disabled soldiers, she was assigned, webelieve, by the Sanitary Commission, to the position of LadySuperintendent of one of the hospital transports which bore the woundedand sick to New York. She made four trips on these vessels, and herfaithful attention to the sick, her skilful nursing, and her entireforgetfulness of self, won for her the hearty esteem and regard of allon board. The troops being all transferred to Acquia Creek andAlexandria, Mrs. Husband went to Washington, and endeavored to obtain apass and transportation for supplies to Pope's army, then falling back, foot by foot, in stern but unavailing resistance to Lee's strong andtriumphant force. These she was denied, but Miss Dix requested her totake charge temporarily of the Camden Street Hospital, at Baltimore, thematron of which had been stricken down with illness. After a few weeks'stay here, she relinquished her position, and repaired to Antietam, where the smoke of the great battle was just rolling off over theheights of South Mountain. Here, at the Smoketown Hospital, where thewounded from French's and some other divisions were gathered, she foundabundant employment, and at the request of that able surgeon andexcellent man, Dr. Vanderkieft, she remained in charge two months. Mrs. Harris was with her here for a short time, and Miss Maria M. C. Hall, during her entire stay. Her presence at this hospital brought perpetualsunshine. Arduous as were her labors, for there were very manydesperately wounded, and quite as many dangerously sick, she nevermanifested weariness or impatience, and even the sick and wounded men, usually exacting, because forgetful of the great amount of labor whichtheir condition imposes upon the nurses, wondered that she nevermanifested fatigue, and that she was able to accomplish so much as shedid. Often did they express their anxiety lest she should be compelledfrom weariness and illness to leave them, but her smiling, cheerful facereassured them. She and Miss Hall occupied for themselves and theirstores, a double hospital tent, and let the weather be what it might, she was always at her post in the hospitals promptly at her hours, anddispensed with a liberal hand to those who needed, the delicacies, thestimulants, and medicines they required. She had made a flag for hertent by sewing upon a breadth of calico a figure of a bottle cut out ofred flannel, and the bottle-flag flew to the wind at all times, indicative of the medicines which were dispensed from the tent below. Wehave endeavored to give a view of this tent, from which came daily suchquantities of delicacies, such excellent milk-punch to nourish andsupport the patients whose condition was most critical, such finelyflavored flaxseed tea for the army of patients suffering from pulmonicdiseases ("_her_ flaxseed tea, " says one of her boys, "was _never_insipid"), lemonades for the feverish, and something for every needypatient. See her as she comes out of her tent for her round of hospitalduties, a substantial comely figure, with a most benevolent and motherlyface, her hands filled with the good things she is bearing to some ofthe sufferers in the hospital; she has discarded hoops, believing withFlorence Nightingale, that they are utterly incompatible with the dutiesof the hospital; she has a stout serviceable apron nearly covering herdress, and that apron is a miracle of pockets; pockets before, behind, and on each side; deep, wide pockets, all stored full of something whichwill benefit or amuse her "boys;" an apple, an orange, an interestingbook, a set of chess-men, checkers, dominoes, or puzzles, newspapers, magazines, everything desired, comes out of those capacious pockets. Asshe enters a ward, the whisper passes from one cot to another, that"mother" is coming, and faces, weary with pain, brighten at herapproach, and sad hearts grow glad as she gives a cheerful smile to one, says a kind word to another, administers a glass of her punch orlemonade to a third, hands out an apple or an orange to a fourth, or abook or game to a fifth, and relieves the hospital of the gloom whichseemed brooding over it. But not in these ways alone does she bringcomfort and happiness to these poor wounded and fever-stricken men. Sheencourages them to confide to her their sorrows and troubles, and theheart that, like the caged bird, has been bruising itself against thebars of its cage, from grief for the suffering or sorrow of the lovedones at home or oftener still, the soul that finds itself on theconfines of an unknown hereafter, and is filled with distress at thethought of the world to come, pours into her attentive ear, the story ofits sorrows, and finds in her a wise and kind counsellor and friend, andlearns from her gentle teachings to trust and hope. 

Hers was a truly heroic spirit. Darkness, storm, or contagion, had noterrors for her, when there was suffering to be alleviated, or anguishto be soothed. Amid the raging storms of the severe winter of 1862-3, she often left her tent two or three times in the night and went roundto the beds of those who were apparently near death, from the fear thatthe nurses might neglect something which needed to be done for them. When diphtheria raged in the hospital, and the nurses fearing itscontagious character, fled from the bed-sides of those suffering fromit, Mrs. Husband devoted herself to them night and day, fearless of theexposure, and where they died of the terrible disease received andforwarded to their friends the messages of the dying. 

It is no matter of surprise that when the time came for her to leavethis hospital, where she had manifested such faithful andself-sacrificing care and tenderness for those whom she knew only as thedefenders of her country, those whom she left, albeit unused to themelting mood, should have wept at losing such a friend. "There were nodry eyes in that hospital, " says one who was himself one of its inmates;"all, from the strong man ready again to enter the ranks to the poorwreck of humanity lying on his death-bed gave evidence of their love forher, and sorrow at her departure in copious tears. " On her way home shestopped for an hour or two at camps A and B in Frederick, Maryland, where a considerable number of the convalescents from Antietam had beensent, and these on discovering her, surrounded her ambulance and greetedher most heartily, seeming almost wild with joy at seeing their kindfriend once more. After a brief stay at Philadelphia, during which shevisited the hospitals almost constantly, she hastened again to thefront, and at Falmouth early in 1863, after that fearful and disastrousbattle of Fredericksburg she found ample employment for her active andenergetic nature. As matron of Humphreys' Division Hospital (FifthCorps) she was constantly engaged in ministering to the comfort of thewounded, and her solicitude for the welfare and prosperity of the mendid not end with their discharge from the hospital. The informalities orblunders by which they too often lost their pay and were sometimes setdown as deserters attracted her attention, and so far as possible shealways procured the correction of those errors. Early in April, 1863, she made a flying visit to Philadelphia, and thus details in a letter toa friend, at the time the kind and amount of labor which almost alwaysfilled up every hour of those journeys. "Left Monday evening for home, took two discharged soldiers with me; heard that I could not get a passto return; so instead of going directly through, stayed in Washingtontwenty-four hours, and fought a battle for a pass. I came off conquerorof course, but not until wearied almost to death--my boys in themeantime had gotten their pay--so I took them from the Commission Lodge(where I had taken them on arriving) to the cars, and off for Baltimore. There I placed them in the care of one of the gentlemen of the ReliefAssociations, and arrived home at 1. 30 A. M. I carried money home forsome of the boys, and had business of my own to attend to, keeping meconstantly going on Wednesday and Thursday; left at midnight (Thursdaynight) for Washington, took the morning boat and arrived here thisafternoon. " This record of five days of severe labor such as few mencould have gone through without utter prostration, is narrated in herletter to her friend evidently without a thought that there was anythingextraordinary in it; yet it was in a constant succession of labors aswearing as this that she lived for full three years of her army life. 

Immediately after the battles of Chancellorsville she went to UnitedStates Ford, but was not allowed to cross, and joined two Maine ladiesat the hospital on the north side of the Rappahannock, where theydressed wounds until dark, slept in an ambulance, and early in themorning went to work again, but were soon warned to leave, as it wassupposed that the house used as a hospital would be shelled. They left, and about half a mile farther on found the hospital of the Third andEleventh Corps. Here the surgeon in charge urged Mrs. Husband to remainand assist him, promising her transportation. She accordingly left herambulance and dressed wounds until midnight. By this time the army wasin full retreat and passing the hospital. The surgeon forgot hispromise, and taking care of himself, left her to get away as best shecould. It was pitch dark and the rain pouring in torrents. She wasfinally offered a part of the front seat of an army (medicine) wagon, and after riding two or three miles on the horrible roads the tongue ofthe wagon broke, and she was compelled to sit in the drenching rain fortwo or three hours till the guide could bring up an ambulance, in whichshe reached Falmouth the next day. 

The hospital of which she was lady matron was broken up at the time ofthis battle, but she was immediately installed in the same position inthe hospital of the Third Division of the Third Corps, then filled tooverflowing with the Chancellorsville wounded. Here she remained untilcompelled to move North with the army by Lee's raid into Pennsylvania inJune and July, 1863. 

On the 3d of July, the day of the last and fiercest of the Gettysburgbattles, Mrs. Husband, who had been, from inability to get permission togo to the front, passing a few anxious days at Philadelphia, started forGettysburg, determined to go to the aid and relief of the soldier boys, who, she well knew, needed her services. She reached the battle-field onthe morning of the 4th by way of Westminster, in General Meade'smail-wagon. She made her way at first to the hospital of the ThirdCorps, and labored there till that as well as the other field hospitalswere broken up, when she devoted herself to the wounded in CampLetterman. Here she was attacked with miasmatic fever, but struggledagainst it with all the energy of her nature, remaining for three weeksill in her tent. She was at length carried home, but as soon as she wasconvalescent, went to Camp Parole at Annapolis, as agent of the SanitaryCommission, to fill the place of Miss Clara Davis, (now Mrs. EdwardAbbott), who was prostrated by severe illness induced by her severe andcontinued labors. 

In December, 1863, she accepted the position of matron to her oldhospital, (Third Division of the Third Corps), then located at BrandyStation, where she remained till General Grant's order issued on the15th of April caused the removal of all civilians from the army. 

A month had not elapsed, before the terrible slaughter of the"Wilderness" and "Spottsylvania, " had made that part of Virginia a fieldof blood, and Mrs. Husband hastened to Fredericksburg where no officialnow barred her progress with his "red tape" prohibitions; here sheremained till the first of June, toiling incessantly, and then moving onto Port Royal and White House, where the same sad scenes were repeated, and where, amid so much suffering and horror, it was difficult to banishthe feeling of depression. At White House, she took charge of the lowdiet kitchen for the whole Sixth Corps, to which her division had beentransferred. The number of wounded was very large, this corps havingsuffered severely in the battle of Cold Harbor, and her duties werearduous, but she made no complaint, her heart being at rest, if shecould only do something for her brave soldier boys. 

When the base was transferred to City Point, she made her way to theThird Division, Sixth Corps' Hospital at the front, where she remaineduntil the Sixth Corps were ordered to the Shenandoah Valley, when shetook charge of the low diet kitchen of the Second Corps' Hospital atCity Point, and remained there until the end. Her labors among the menin this hospital were constant and severe, but she won all hearts byher tenderness, cheerfulness, and thoughtful consideration of the needsof every particular ease. Each one of those under her care felt that shewas specially _his_ friend, and interesting and sometimes amusing werethe confidences imparted to her, by the poor fellows. The one brightevent of the day to all was the visit of "Mother" Husband to their ward. The apron, with its huge pockets, always bore some welcome gift foreach, and however trifling it might be in itself, it was precious ascoming from her hands. Her friends in Philadelphia, by their constantsupplies, enabled her to dispense many articles of comfort and luxury tothe sick and wounded, which could not otherwise have been furnished. 

On the 6th of May, 1865, Mrs. Husband was gratified by the sight of ourgallant army marching through Richmond. As they passed, in long array, they recognized her, and from hundreds of the soldiers of the Second, Third, and Sixth Corps, rang out the loud and hearty "Hurrah for MotherHusband!" while their looks expressed their gratitude to one who hadbeen their firm and faithful friend in the hour of suffering and danger. 

Mrs. Husband felt that she must do something more for her "boys" beforethey separated and returned to their distant homes; she therefore leftRichmond immediately, and traveling with her accustomed celerity, soonreached Philadelphia, and gathering up from her liberal friends and herown moderate means, a sufficient sum to procure the necessary stores, she returned with an ample supply, met the soldiers of the corps towhich she had been attached at Bailey's Cross Roads, and there spent sixor seven days in distributing to them the clothing and comforts whichthey needed. Her last opportunity of seeing them was a few days later atthe grand review in Washington. 

There was one class of services which Mrs. Husband rendered to thesoldiers, which we have not mentioned, and in which we believe she hadno competitor. In the autumn of 1863, her attention was called to theinjustice of the finding and sentence of a court martial, which hadtried a private soldier for some alleged offence and sentenced him to beshot. She investigated the case and, with some difficulty, succeeded inprocuring his pardon from the President. 

She began from this time to take an interest in these cases of trial bysummary court martial, and having a turn for legal investigation, towhich her early training and her husband's profession had inclined her, and a clear judicial mind, she made each one her study, and though shefound that there were some cases in which summary punishment wasmerited, yet the majority were deserving of the interposition ofexecutive clemency, and she became their advocate with the patient andkind-hearted Lincoln. In scores of instances she secured, not withoutmuch difficulty, and some abuse from officials "dressed in a littlebrief authority, " who disliked her keen and thorough investigation oftheir proceedings, the pardon or the commutation of punishment of thosesentenced to death. Rarely, if ever, did the President turn a deaf earto her pleadings; for he knew that they were prompted by no sinistermotive, or simple humane impulse. Every case which she presented hadbeen thoroughly and carefully examined, and her knowledge of it was socomplete, that he felt he might safely trust her. 

Through all these multifarious labors and toils, Mrs. Husband hasreceived no compensation from the Government or the Sanitary Commission. She entered the service as a volunteer, and her necessities have beenmet from her own means, and she has also given freely to the soldiersand to their families from her not over-full purse. Her reward is in thesublime consciousness of having been able to accomplish an amount ofgood which few could equal. All over the land, in hundreds of homes, inthousands of hearts, her name is a household word, and as the motherlooks upon her son, the wife upon her husband, the child upon itsfather, blessings are breathed forth upon her through whose skilful careand watchful nursing these loved ones are spared to be a joy andsupport. The contributions and mementoes presented by her soldier boysform a large and very interesting museum in her home. There are ringsalmost numberless, carved from animal bones, shells, stone, vulcanite, etc. , miniature tablets, books, harps, etc. , inlaid from trees or housesof historic memory, minie bullets, which have traversed bone and fleshof patient sufferers, and shot and shell which have done their part indestroying the fortresses of the rebellion. Each memento has itshistory, and all are precious in the eyes of the recipient, as a tokenof the love of those whom she has watched and nursed. 

Her home is the Mecca of the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, and ifany of them are sick or in distress in Philadelphia, Mother Husbandhastens at once to their relief. Late may she return to the skies; andwhen at last in the glory of a ripe and beautiful old age, she lies downto rest, a grateful people shall inscribe on her monument, "Here liesall that was mortal of one whom all delighted to honor. "

HOSPITAL TRANSPORT SERVICE. 

Among the deeds which entitle the United States Sanitary Commission tothe lasting gratitude of the American people, was the organization andmaintenance of the "Hospital Transport Service" in the Spring and Summerof 1862. When the Army of the Potomac removed from the high lands aboutWashington, to the low marshy and miasmatic region of the Peninsula, itrequired but little discernment to predict that extensive sickness wouldprevail among the troops; this, and the certainty of sanguinary battlessoon to ensue, which would multiply the wounded beyond all previousprecedents, were felt, by the officers of the Sanitary Commission, asaffording sufficient justification, if any were needed for making aneffort to supplement the provision of the Medical Bureau, which couldnot fail to be inadequate for the coming emergency. Accordingly early inApril, 1862, Mr. F. L. Olmstead, the Secretary of the Commission, havingpreviously secured the sanction of the Medical Bureau, made applicationto the Quartermaster-General to allow the Commission to take in handsome of the transport steamboats of his department, of which a largenumber were at that time lying idle, to fit them up and furnish them inall respects suitable for the reception and care of sick and woundedmen, providing surgeons and other necessary attendance without cost toGovernment. After tedious delays and disappointments of variouskinds--one fine large boat having been assigned, partially furnished bythe Commission, and then withdrawn--an order was at length received, authorizing the Commission to take possession of any of the Governmenttransports, not in actual use, which might at that time be lying atAlexandria. Under this authorization the Daniel Webster was assigned tothe Commission on the 25th of April, and having been fitted up, thestores shipped, and the hospital corps for it assembled, it reached YorkRiver on the 30th of April. 

Other boats were subsequently, (several of them, very soon) assigned tothe Commission, and were successively fitted up, and after receivingtheir freights of sick and wounded, sent to Washington, Philadelphia, New York and other points with their precious cargoes, which were to betransferred to the general hospitals. Among these vessels were the"Ocean Queen, " the "S. R. Spaulding, " the "Elm City, " the "DanielWebster, " No. 2, the "Knickerbocker, " the clipper ships Euterpe and St. Mark, and the Commission chartered the "Wilson Small, " and the"Elizabeth, " two small steamers, as tender and supply boats. TheGovernment were vacillating in their management in regard to thesevessels, often taking them from the Commission just when partially orwholly fitted up, on the plea of requiring them for some purpose andassigning another vessel, often poorly adapted to their service, onboard of which the labor of fitting and supplying must be againundergone, when that too would be withdrawn. 

To each of these hospital transports several ladies were assigned by theCommission to take charge of the diet of the patients, assist indressing their wounds, and generally to care for their comfort andwelfare. Mr. Olmstead, and Mr. Knapp, the Assistant Secretary, had alsoin their company, or as they pleasantly called them, members of theirstaff, four ladies, who remained in the service, not leaving thevicinity of the Peninsula, until the transfer of the troops to AcquiaCreek and Alexandria late in August. These ladies remained for the mostpart on board the Daniel Webster, or the Wilson Small, or wherever theheadquarters of the Commission in the field might be. Their dutiesconsisted in nursing, preparing food for the sick and wounded, dressingwounds, in connexion with the surgeons and medical students, and ingeneral, making themselves useful to the great numbers of wounded andsick who were placed temporarily under their charge. Often they providedthem with clean beds and hospital clothing, and suitable food inpreparation for their voyage to Washington, Philadelphia, or New York. These four ladies were Miss Katherine P. Wormeley, of Newport, R. I. , Mrs. William P. Griffin, of New York, one of the executive board of theWoman's Central Association of Relief, Mrs. Eliza W. Howland, wife ofColonel (afterward General) Joseph Howland, and her sister, MissGeorgiana Woolsey, both of New York. 

Among those who were in charge of the Hospital Transports for one ormore of their trips to the cities we have named, and by their tendernessand gentleness comforted and cheered the poor sufferers, and often bytheir skilful nursing rescued them from the jaws of death, were Mrs. George T. Strong, the wife of the Treasurer of the Commission, who madefour or five trips; Miss Harriet Douglas Whetten, who served throughoutthe Peninsular Campaign as head of the Women's Department on the S. R. Spaulding; Mrs. Laura Trotter, (now Mrs. Charles Parker) of Boston, whooccupied a similar position on the Daniel Webster; Mrs. Bailey, at thehead of the Women's Department on the Elm City; Mrs. Charlotte Bradford, a Massachusetts lady who made several trips on the Elm City andKnickerbocker; Miss Amy M. Bradley, whose faithful services areelsewhere recorded; Mrs. Annie Etheridge, of the Fifth Michigan, MissBradley's faithful and zealous co-worker; Miss Helen L. Gilson, who hereas well as everywhere else proved herself one of the most eminentlyuseful women in the service; Miss M. Gardiner, who was on several of thesteamers; Mrs. Balustier, of New York, one of the most faithful andself-sacrificing of the ladies of the Hospital Transport service; Mrs. Mary Morris Husband, of Philadelphia, who made four voyages, and whosevaluable services are elsewhere recited; Mrs. Bellows, the wife of thePresident of the Commission, who made one voyage; Mrs. Merritt, andseveral other ladies. 

But let us return to the ladies who remained permanently at theCommission's headquarters in the Peninsula. Their position and dutieswere in many respects more trying and arduous than those who accompaniedthe sick and wounded to the hospitals of the cities. The Daniel Webster, which, as we have said, reached York River April 30, discharged herstores except what would be needed for her trip to New York, and havingplaced them in a store-house on shore, began to supply the sick in campand hospital, and to receive such patients on board as it was deemedexpedient to send to New York. These were washed, their clothingchanged, they were fed and put in good clean beds, and presently sentoff to their destination. The staff then commenced putting the OceanQueen, which had just been sent to them, into a similar condition offitness for receiving the sick and wounded. She had not, on her arrival, a single bunk or any stores on board; and before any preparation couldbe made, the regimental and brigade surgeons on shore (who never wouldwait) began to send their sick and wounded on board; remonstrance wasuseless, and the whole party worked with all their might to make whatprovision was possible. One of the party went on shore, found a rebelcow at pasture, shot her, skinned her with his pocket-knife, and broughtoff the beef. A barrel of Indian meal, forgotten in discharging thefreight of the vessel, was discovered in the hold and made into gruelalmost by magic, and cups of it were ladled out to the poor fellows asthey tottered in, with their faces flushed with typhoid fever; by dintof constant hard work, bunks were got up, stores brought on board, twodraught oxen left behind by Franklin's Division found and slaughtered, and nine hundred patients having been taken on board, the vessel'sanchors were weighed and she went out to sea. This was very much theexperience of the party during their stay in the Peninsula. Hard, constant, and hurrying work were the rule, a day of comparative rest wasthe exception. Dividing themselves into small parties of two or three, they boarded and supplied with the stores of the Commission, the boatswhich the Medical officers of the army had pressed into the servicefilled with wounded and sent without comfort, food or attendance, ontheir way to the hospitals in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe;superintended the shipping of patients on the steamers which returnedfrom the North; took account of the stores needed by these boats and sawthat they were sent on board; fitted up the new boats furnished to theCommission by the Quartermaster's orders; received, sorted anddistributed the patients brought to the landing on freight-cars, according to orders; fed, cleansed, and gave medical aid and nursing toall of them, and selected nurses for those to be sent North; and whenany great emergency came did their utmost to meet it. 

The amount of work actually performed was very great; but it wasperformed in such a cheerful triumphant spirit, a spirit that rejoicedso heartily in doing something to aid the nation's defenders, insacrificing everything that they might be saved, that it was robbed ofhalf its irksomeness and gloom, and most of the zealous workers retainedtheir health and vigor even in the miasmatic air of the bay and itsestuaries. Miss Wormeley, one of the transport corps, has supplied, partly from her own pen, and partly from that of Miss Georgiana Woolsey, one of her co-workers, some vivid pictures of their daily life, which, with her permission, we here reproduce from her volume on the "UnitedStates Sanitary Commission, " published in 1863. 

"The last hundred patients were brought on board" (imagine any of theships, it does not matter which) "late last night. Though thesenight-scenes are part of our daily living, a fresh eye would find themdramatic. We are awakened in the dead of night by a sharp steam-whistle, and soon after feel ourselves clawed by little tugs on either side ofour big ship, bringing off the sick and wounded from the shore. And, atonce, the process of taking on hundreds of men--many of them crazed withfever--begins. There is the bringing of the stretchers up theside-ladder between the two boats; the stopping at the head of it, wherethe names and home addresses of all who can speak are written down, andtheir knapsacks and little treasures numbered and stacked; then theplacing of the stretchers on the platform; the row of anxious facesabove and below deck; the lantern held over the hold; the word given to'Lower;' the slow-moving ropes and pulleys; the arrival at the bottom;the turning down of the anxious faces; the lifting out of the sick man, and the lifting him into his bed; and then the sudden change from cold, hunger and friendlessness, into positive comfort and satisfaction, winding up with his invariable verdict, if he can speak, --'This is justlike home!'

"We have put 'The Elm City' in order, and she began to fill up lastnight. I wish you could hear the men after they are put into bed. Thosewho _can_ speak, speak with a will; the others grunt, or murmur theirsatisfaction. 'Well, this bed is most _too_ soft; I don't know as Ishall sleep, for thinking of it, ' 'What have you got there?' 'That isbread; wait till I put butter on it. ' 'Butter, on _soft_ bread!' heslowly ejaculates, as if not sure that he isn't Aladdin with a genie atwork upon him. Instances of such high unselfishness happen daily, that, though I forget them daily, I feel myself strengthened in my trust inhuman nature, without making any reflections about it. Last night, a mancomfortably put to bed in a middle berth (there were three tiers, andthe middle one incomparably the best) seeing me point to the upper berthas the place to put the man on an approaching stretcher, cried out:'Stop! put me up there. Guess I can stand h'isting better'n _him_. ' Itwas agony to both. 

"I have a long history to tell you, one of these days, of thegratefulness of the men. I often wish, --as I give a comfort to some poorfellow, and see the sense of rest it gives him, and hear the favoritespeech: 'O, that's good, it's just as if mother was here, '--that the manor woman who supplied that comfort were by to see how blessed it is. Believe me, you may all give and work in the earnest hope that youalleviate suffering, but none of you realize what you do; perhaps youcan't conceive of it, unless you could see your gifts _in use_. * * * *

"We are now on board 'The Knickerbocker, ' unpacking and arrangingstores, and getting pantries and closets in order. I am writing on thefloor, interrupted constantly to join in a laugh. Miss ---- is sortingsocks, and pulling out the funny little balls of yarn, and bigdarning-needles stuck in the toes, with which she is making a fringeacross my back. _Do_ spare us the darning-needles! Reflect upon us, rushing in haste to the linen closet, and plunging our hands into thebale of stockings! I certainly will make a collection of sanitaryclothing. I solemnly aver that yesterday I found a pair of drawers madefor a case of amputation at the thigh. And the slippers! Only fit forpontoon bridges!"

This routine of fitting up the ships as they arrived, and of receivingthe men on board as they came from the front, was accompanied byconstant hard work in meeting requisitions from regiments, withceaseless battlings for transportation to get supplies to the front forcamps and hospitals; and was diversified by short excursions, which wewill call "special relief;" such, for instance, as the following:--

"At midnight two steamers came alongside 'The Elm City, ' each with ahundred sick, bringing word that 'The Daniel Webster No. 2' (a sidewheelvessel, not a Commission boat) was aground at a little distance, withtwo hundred more, having no one in charge of them, and nothing to eat. Of course they had to be attended to. So, amidst the wildest and mostbeautiful storm of thunder and lightning, four of us pulled off to herin a little boat, with tea, bread, brandy, and beef-essence. (No one cantell how it tries my nerves to go toppling round at night in littleboats, and clambering up ships' sides on little ladders). We fedthem, --the usual process. Poor fellows! they were so crazy!--And then'The Wissahickon' came alongside to transfer them to 'The Elm City. 'Only a part of them could go in the first load. Dr. Ware, with hisconstant thoughtfulness, made me go in her, to escape returning in thesmall boat. Just as we pushed off, the steam gave out, and we driftedend on to the shore. Then a boat had to put off from 'The Elm City, 'with a line to tow us up. All this time the thunder was incessant, therain falling in torrents, whilst every second the beautiful crimsonlightning flashed the whole scene open to us. Add to this, that therewere three men alarmingly ill, and (thinking to be but a minute inreaching the other ship) I had not even a drop of brandy for them. Doyou wonder, therefore, that I forgot your letters?"

Or, again, the following:--

"Sixty men were heard of as lying upon the railroad without food, and noone to look after them. Some of us got at once into the stern-wheeler'Wissahickon, ' which is the Commission's carriage, and, with provisions, basins, towels, soap, blankets, etc. , went up to the railroad bridge, cooking tea and spreading bread and butter as we went. A tremendousthunder-storm came up, in the midst of which the men were found, put onfreight-cars, and pushed to the landing;--fed, washed, and taken on thetug to 'The Elm City. ' Dr. Ware, in his hard working on shore, had foundfifteen other sick men without food or shelter, --there being 'no room'in the tent-hospital. He had studied the neighborhood extensively forshanties; found one, and put his men in it for the night. In the morningwe ran up on the tug, cooking breakfast for them as we ran, scramblingeggs in a wash-basin over a spirit-lamp:--and such eggs! nine in tenaddled! It must be understood that wash-basins in the rear of an armyare made of _tin_. "

And here is one more such story: "We were called to go on board 'TheWissahickon, ' from thence to 'The Sea-shore' and run down in the latterto West Point, to bring off twenty-five men said to be lying there sickand destitute. Two doctors went with us. After hunting an hour for 'TheSea-shore' in vain, and having got as low as Cumberland, we decided(_we_ being Mrs. Howland and I, for the doctors were new and docile, andglad to leave the responsibility upon us women) to push on in the tug, rather than leave the men another night on the ground, as a heavy stormof wind and rain had been going on all the day. The pilot remonstrated, but the captain approved; and, if the firemen had not suddenly let outthe fires, and detained us two hours, we might have got our men onboard, and returned, comfortably, soon after dark. But the delay lost usthe precious daylight. It was night before the last man was got onboard. There were fifty-six of them, ten _very_ sick ones. The boat hada little shelter-cabin. As we were laying mattresses on the floor, whilst the doctors were finding the men, the captain stopped us, refusing to let us put typhoid fever below the deck, on account of thecrew, he said, and threatening to push off, at once, from the shore. Mrs. Howland and I looked at him! I did the terrible, and she thepathetic, --and he abandoned the contest. The return passage was ratheran anxious one. The river is much obstructed with sunken ships andtrees; the night was dark, and we had to feel our way, slackening speedevery ten minutes. If we had been alone it wouldn't have mattered; butto have fifty men unable to move upon our hands, was too heavy aresponsibility not to make us anxious. The captain and pilot said theboat was leaking, and remarked awfully that 'the water was six fathomsdeep about there;' but we saw their motive and were not scared. We weresafe alongside 'The Spaulding' by midnight; but Mr. Olmstead's tone ofvoice, as he said, 'You don't know how glad I am to see you, ' showed howmuch he had been worried. And yet it was the best thing we could havedone, for three, perhaps five, of the men would have been dead beforemorning. To-day (Sunday) they are living and likely to live. _Is_ thisSunday? What days our Sundays have been! I think of you all at rest, and the sound of church bells in your ears, with a strange, distantfeeling. "

This was the general state of things at the time when the battle of FairOaks was fought, June 1, 1862. All the vessels of the Commission except"The Spaulding"--and she was hourly expected--were on the spot, andready. "The Elm City" happened to be full of fever cases. A vague rumorof a battle prevailed, soon made certain by the sound of thecannonading; and she left at once (4 A. M. ) to discharge her sick atYorktown, and performed the great feat of getting back to White House, cleaned, and with her beds made, before sunset of the same day. By thattime the wounded were arriving. The boats of the Commission filled upcalmly. The young men had a system by which they shipped their men; andthere was neither hurry nor confusion, as the vessels, one by one, --"TheElm City, " "The Knickerbocker, " "The Daniel Webster, "--filled up andleft the landing. After them, other boats, detailed by the Governmentfor hospital service, came up. These boats were not under the control ofthe Commission. There was no one specially appointed to take charge ofthem; no one to receive the wounded at the station; no one to see thatthe boats were supplied with proper stores. A frightful scene ofconfusion and misery ensued. The Commission came forward to do what itcould; but it had no power, only the right of charity. It could notcontrol, scarcely check, the fearful confusion that prevailed, as trainafter train came in, and the wounded were brought and thrust upon thevarious boats. But it did nobly what it could. Night and day its membersworked: not, it must be remembered, in its own well-organized service, but in the hard duty of making the best of a bad case. Not the smallestpreparation was found, on at least three of the boats, for the commonfood of the men; and, as for sick-food, stimulants, drinks, there wasnothing of the kind on any one of the boats, and not a pail nor a cup todistribute food, had there been any. 

No one, it is believed, can tell the story, _as it occurred_, of thenext three days;--no one can tell distinctly what boats they were, onwhich they lived and worked through those days and nights. They rememberscenes and sounds, but they remember nothing as a whole; and, to thisday, if they are feverish and weary, comes back the sight of men inevery condition of horror, borne, shattered and shrieking, bythoughtless hands, who banged the stretchers against pillars and posts, dumped them anywhere, and walked over the men without compassion. Imagine an immense river-steamboat filled on every deck: every berth, every square inch of room, covered with wounded men, --even the stairsand gangways and guards filled with those who were less badly wounded;and then imagine fifty well men, on every kind of errand, hurried andimpatient, rushing to and fro, every touch bringing agony to the poorfellows, whilst stretcher after stretcher comes along, hoping to find anempty place; and then imagine what it was for these people of theCommission to keep calm themselves, and make sure that each man, on sucha boat as that, was properly refreshed and fed. Sometimes two or eventhree such boats were lying side by side, full of suffering and horrors. 

This was the condition of things with the subordinates. With the chiefsit was aggravated by a wild confusion of conflicting orders fromheadquarters, and conflicting authority upon the ground, until thewonder is that _any_ method could have been obtained. But an earnestpurpose can do almost everything, and out of the struggle came daylightat last. The first gleam of it was from a hospital tent and kitchen, which, by the goodness and thoughtfulness of Captain (now Colonel)Sawtelle, Assistant-Quartermaster, was pitched for the Commission, justat the head of the wharf, and near the spot where the men arrived in thecars. This tent (Dr. Ware gave to its preparation the only hour when hemight have rested through that long nightmare) became the strength andthe comfort of the Commission people. As the men passed it, from cars toboat, they could be refreshed and stimulated, and from it meals weresent to all the boats at the landing. During that dreadful battle-week, three thousand men were fed from that tent. It was not the Vale ofCashmere, but many dear associations cluster round it. 

After the pressure was over, the Commission went back to its oldroutine, but upon a new principle. A member of the Commission came downto White House for a day or two, and afterward wrote a few words aboutthat work. As he saw it with a fresh eye, his letter will be given here. He says:--

"I wish you could have been with me at White House during my late visit, to see how much is being done by our agents there to alleviate thesufferings of the sick and wounded soldiers. I have seen a good deal ofsuffering among our volunteers, and observed the marvellous variety andenergy of the beneficence bestowed by the patriotic and philanthropic incamp, in hospital, and on transports for the sick; but nothing has everimpressed me so deeply as this. Perhaps I can better illustrate mymeaning by sketching a few of the daily labors of the agents of theCommission as I saw them. The sick and wounded were usually sent downfrom the front by rail, a distance of about twenty miles, over a roughroad, and in the common freight-cars. A train generally arrived at WhiteHouse at nine P. M. , and another at two A. M. In order to prepare forthe reception of the sick and wounded, Mr. Olmstead, with Drs. Jenkinsand Ware, had pitched, by the side of the railway, at White House, alarge number of tents, to shelter and feed the convalescent. These tentswere their only shelter while waiting to be shipped. Among them was oneused as a kitchen and work-room, or pantry, by the ladies in ourservice, who prepared beef-tea, milk-punch, and other food and comforts, in anticipation of the arrival of the trains. By the terminus of therailway the large Commission steamboat 'Knickerbocker' lay in thePamunkey, in readiness for the reception of four hundred and fiftypatients, provided with comfortable beds and a corps of devotedsurgeons, dressers, nurses, and litter-bearers. Just outside of thisvessel lay 'The Elizabeth, ' a steam-barge, loaded with the hospitalstores of the Commission, and in charge of a store-keeper, always readyto issue supplies. Outside of this again lay 'The Wilson Small, ' theheadquarters of our Commission. As soon as a train arrived, themoderately sick were selected and placed in the tents near the railroadand fed; those more ill were carried to the upper saloon of 'TheKnickerbocker, ' while the seriously ill, or badly wounded, were placedin the lower saloon, and immediately served by the surgeons anddressers. During the three nights that I observed the working of thesystem, about seven hundred sick and wounded were provided with quartersand ministered to in all their wants with a tender solicitude and skillthat excited my deepest admiration. To see Drs. Ware and Jenkins, lantern in hand, passing through the trains, selecting the sick withreference to their necessities, and the ladies following to assuage thethirst, or arouse, by judiciously administered stimulants, the failingstrength of the brave and uncomplaining sufferers, was a spectacle ofthe most touching character. If you had experienced the debilitatinginfluence of the Pamunkey climate, you would be filled with wonder atthe mere physical endurance of our corps, who certainly could not havebeen sustained in the performance of duties, involving labor by day andthrough sleepless nights, without a strong sense of their usefulness andsuccess. 

"At Savage's Station, too, the Commission had a valuable depot, wherecomfort and assistance was dispensed to the sick when changing from theambulances to the cars. I wish I could do justice to the subject of myhasty narrative, or in any due measure convey to your mind theimpressions left on mine in observing, even casually, the operations inthe care of the sick at these two points. 

"When we remember what was done by the same noble band of laborers afterthe battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, in ministering to the wantsof _thousands of wounded_, I am sure that we shall join with them ingratitude and thankfulness that they were enabled to be there. "

But the end of it all was at hand; the "change of base, " of which theCommission had some private intelligence, came to pass. The sick andwounded were carefully gathered up from the tents and hospitals, andsent slowly away down the winding river--"The Wilson Small" lingering aslong as possible, till the telegraph wires had been cut, and the enemywas announced, by mounted messengers, to be at "Tunstall's;" in fact, till the roar of the battle came nearer, and we knew that Stoneman withhis cavalry was falling back to Williamsburg, and that the enemy wereabout to march into our deserted places. 

"All night we sat on the deck of 'The Small' slowly moving away, watching the constantly increasing cloud and the fire-flashes over thetrees towards the White House; watching the fading out of what had beento us, through these strange weeks, a sort of home, where all had workedtogether and been happy; a place which is sacred to some of us now forits intense living remembrances, and for the hallowing of them all bythe memory of one who, through months of death and darkness, lived andworked in self-abnegation, lived in and for the suffering of others, andfinally gave himself a sacrifice for them. "[F]

[Footnote F: Dr. Robert Ware. ]

"We are coaling here to-night ('Wilson Small, ' off Norfolk, June 30th, 1862). We left White House Saturday night, and rendezvoused at WestPoint. Captain Sawtelle sent us off early, with despatches for FortressMonroe; this gave us the special fun of being the first to comeleisurely into the panic then raging at Yorktown. 'The Small' wasinstantly surrounded by terror-stricken boats; the people of the big'St. Mark' leaned, pale, over their bulwarks, to question us. Nothingcould be more delightful than to be as calm and monosyllabic as we were. * * * * * We leave at daybreak for Harrison's Bar, James River, whereour gunboats are said to be; we hope to get further up, but General Dixwarns us that it is not safe. What are we about to learn? No one herecan tell. * * * * * (Harrison's Bar, July 2d). We arrived here yesterdayto hear the thunder of the battle, [G] and to find the army justapproaching this landing; last night it was a verdant shore, to-day itis a dusty plain. * * * * * 'The Spaulding' has passed and gone ahead ofus; her ironsides can carry her safely past the rifle-pits which linethe shore. No one can tell us as yet what work there is for us; thewounded have not come in. " * * * * *

[Footnote G: Malvern Hill. ]

"_Hospital Transport 'Spaulding, ' July 3d. _--Reached Harrison's Bar at11 A. M. , July 1st, and were ordered to go up the James River, as far asCarter's Landing. To do this we must pass the batteries at City Point. We were told there was no danger if we should carry a yellow flag;_yellow flag_ we had none, so we trusted to the _red_ SanitaryCommission, and prepared to run it. 'The Galena' hailed us to keepbelow, as we passed the battery. Shortly after, we came up with 'TheMonitor, ' and the little captain, with his East India hat, trumpet inhand, repeated the advice of 'The Galena, ' and added, that if he heardfiring, he would follow us. Our cannon pointed its black muzzle at theshore, and on we went. As we left 'The Monitor, ' the captain came to me, with his grim smile, and said, 'I'll take those mattresses you spokeof. ' We had joked, as people will, about our danger, and I had suggestedmattresses round the wheel-house, never thinking that he would try it. But the captain was in earnest; when was he anything else? So thecontrabands brought up the mattresses, and piled them against thewheel-house, and the pilot stood against the mast, with a mattress slungin the rigging to protect him. In an hour we had passed the danger andreached Carter's Landing, and there was the army, 'all that was left ofit. ' * * * Over all the bank, on the lawns of that lovely spot, underthe shade of the large trees that fringed the outer park, lay hundredsof our poor boys, brought from the battle-fields of six days. It seemeda hopeless task even to feed them. We went first into the hospital, andgave them refreshment all round. One man, burnt up with fever, burstinto tears when I spoke to him. I held his hand silently, and at last hesobbed out, 'You are so kind, --I--am so weak. ' We were ordered by thesurgeon in charge to station ourselves on the lawn, and wait the arrivalof the ambulances, so as to give something (we had beef-tea, soup, brandy, etc. , etc. ) to the poor fellows as they arrived. * * * * * Latethat night came peremptory orders from the Quartermaster, for 'TheSpaulding' to drop down to Harrison's Landing. We took some of thewounded with us; others went by land or ambulances, and some--it seemsincredible--walked the distance. Others were left behind and takenprisoners; for the enemy reached Carter's Landing as we left it. "

The work of the Commission upon the hospital transports was about toclose. 

But before it was all over, the various vessels had made several tripsin the service of the Commission, and one voyage of "The Spaulding" mustnot pass unrecorded. 

"We were ordered up to City Point, under a flag of truce, to receive ourwounded men who were prisoners in Richmond. * * * * * At last thewhistle sounded and the train came in sight. The poor fellows set up aweak cheer at the sight of the old flag, and those who had the strengthhobbled and tumbled off the train almost before it stopped. We took fourhundred and one on board. Two other vessels which accompanied us tookeach two hundred more. The rebel soldiers had been kind to our men, --sothey said, --but the citizens had taken pains to insult them. One manburst into tears as he was telling me of their misery: 'May God defendme from such again. ' God took him to Himself, poor suffering soul! Hedied the next morning, --died because he would not let them take off hisarm. 'I wasn't going to let them have it in Richmond; I said I _would_take it back to old Massachusetts. ' Of course we had a hard voyage withour poor fellows in such a condition, but, at least, they were cleanedand well fed. "

OTHER LABORS OF SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL TRANSPORT CORPS. 

Most of the ladies connected with this Hospital Transport service, distinguished themselves in other departments of philanthropic labor forthe soldiers, often not less arduous, and sometimes not cheered by sopleasant companionship. Miss BRADLEY, as we have seen accomplished anoble work in connection with the Soldiers' Home at Washington, and theRendezvous of Distribution; Miss GILSON and Mrs. HUSBAND were active inevery good word and work; Mrs. CHARLOTTE BRADFORD succeeded Miss Bradleyin the charge of the Soldiers' Home at Washington, where sheaccomplished a world of good. Mrs. W. P. GRIFFIN, though compelled byillness contracted during her services on the Peninsula, returned withquickened zeal and more fervid patriotism to her work in connection withthe "Woman's Central Association of Relief, " in New York, of which shewas up to the close of the war one of the most active and untiringmanagers. Miss HARRIET DOUGLAS WHETTEN, who after two or three voyagesback and forth in different vessels, was finally placed in charge of theWoman's Department on board of the Spaulding, where she remained untilthat vessel was given up by the Commission, and indeed continued onboard for two or three voyages after the vessel became a Governmenthospital transport. Her management on board the Spaulding was admirable, eliciting the praise of all who saw it. When the Portsmouth GroveGeneral Hospital in Rhode Island was opened, under the charge of MissWormeley, as Lady Superintendent, that lady invited her to become herassistant; she accepted the invitation and remained there a year, whenshe was invited to become Lady Superintendent of the Carver GeneralHospital, at Washington, D. C. , a position of great responsibility, which she filled with the greatest credit and success, retaining it tothe close of the war. 

An intimate friend, who was long associated with her, says of her, "MissWhetten's absolute and untiring devotion to the sick men was beyond allpraise. She is a _born nurse_. She was perhaps less energetic and rapidthan others, but no one could quite come up to her in tender care, andin that close watching and sympathetic knowledge about a patient whichbelongs only to a true nurse. And when I say that she was less energeticthan some, I am in fact saying something to her honor. Her nature wascalmer and less energetic, but she worked as hard and for a longer timetogether than any of us, and this was directly in opposition to herhabits and disposition, and was in fact a triumph over herself. She didmore than any one personally for the men--the rest of us worked moregenerally--when a man's sufferings or necessities were relieved, wethought no more about him--but she took a warm personal interest in theindividual. In the end this strain upon her feelings wore down herspirits, but it was a feature of her success, and there must be many apoor fellow, who if he heard her name 'would rise up and call herblessed. '"

 * * * * *

Three or four of the ladies especially connected with the headquartersof the Commission in the Hospital Transport Service, from theirimportant services elsewhere, are entitled to a fuller notice. Amongthese we must include the accomplished historian of the earlier work ofthe Commission. 

KATHERINE P. WORMELEY

Among the many of our countrywomen who have been active and ardent inthe soldier's cause, some may have devoted themselves to the service fora longer period, but few with more earnestness and greater ability thanthe lady whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and few haveentered into a greater variety of details in the prosecution of thework. 

Katherine Prescott Wormeley was born in England. Her father thoughholding the rank of a Rear-Admiral in the British Navy, was a native ofVirginia. Her mother is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. Miss Wormeleymay therefore be said to be alien to her birth-place, and to be anAmerican in fact as in feelings. She now resides with her mother atNewport, Rhode Island. 

Miss Wormeley was among the earliest to engage in the work of procuringsupplies and aid for the volunteer soldiery. The work began in Newportearly in July, 1861. The first meeting of women was held informally atthe house of Miss Wormeley's mother. An organization was obtained, roomssecured (being lent for the purpose), and about two thousand dollarssubscribed. The Society, which assumed the name of the "Woman's UnionAid Society" immediately commenced the work with vigor, and shortlyforwarded to the Sanitary Commission at Washington their first cases ofclothing and supplies. Miss Wormeley remained at the head of thissociety until April, 1862. It was kept in funds by private gifts, andby the united efforts of all the churches of Newport, and the UnitedStates Naval Academy which was removed thither from Annapolis, Maryland, in the spring of 1861. 

During the summer of 1861 several ladies (summer residents of Newport), were in the habit of sending to Miss Wormeley many poor women, with therequest that she would furnish them with steady employment upon hospitalclothing, the ladies paying for the work. After they left, the poorwomen whom they had thus benefited, felt the loss severely, and thethought occurred to Miss Wormeley that the outfitting of a great armymust furnish much suitable work for them could it be reached. 

After revolving the subject in her own mind, she wrote toQuartermaster-General Meigs at Washington, making inquiries, and was byhim referred to the Department Quartermaster-General, Colonel D. H. Vinton, United States Army, office of army clothing and equipage, NewYork. Colonel Vinton replied in the kindest manner, stating thedifficulties of the matter, but expressing his willingness to give MissWormeley a contract if she thought she could surmount them. 

Miss Wormeley found her courage equal to the attempt, and succeeded farmore easily than she had expected in carrying out her plans. She engagedrooms at a low rent, and found plenty of volunteer assistance on allsides. Ladies labored unweariedly in cutting and distributing the workto the applicants. Gentlemen packed the cases, and attended to theshipments. During the winter of 1861-2 about fifty thousand army shirtswere thus made, not one of which was returned as imperfect, and she wasthus enabled to circulate in about one hundred families, a sum equal tosix thousand dollars, which helped them well through the winter. 

Colonel Vinton, as was the case with other officers very generallythroughout the war, showed great kindness and appreciation of theseefforts of women. And though this contract must have given him far moretrouble than contracts with regular clothing establishments, hisgoodness, which was purely benevolent, never flagged. 

During all this time the work of the Women's Union Aid Society was alsocarried on at Miss Wormeley's rooms, and a large number of cases werepacked and forwarded thence, either to New York or directly toWashington. Miss Wormeley, herself, still superintended this matter, andthough an Associate Manager of the New England Women's Branch of theSanitary Commission, preferred this direct transmission as a saving bothof time and expense. 

The Society was earnest and indefatigable in its exertions, actingalways with great promptness and energy while under the direction ofMiss Wormeley. On one occasion, as an instance, a telegraphic messagefrom Washington brought at night an urgent call for a supply ofbed-sacks. Early in the morning all the material in Newport was boughtup, as many sewing-machines as possible obtained, and seventy-fivebed-sacks finished and sent off that day, and as many more the followingday. 

Miss Wormeley was just closing up her contract when, in April, 1862, the"Hospital Transport Service" was organized, principally by the effortsof Mr. Frederick Law Olmstead, the General Secretary of the SanitaryCommission. The sudden transfer of the scene of active war from the highgrounds bordering the Potomac to a low and swampy region intersected bya network of creeks and rivers, made necessary appliances for the careof the sick and wounded, which the Government was not at that timeprepared to furnish. Hence arose the arrangement by which certain largesteamers, chartered, but then unemployed by the Government, weretransferred to the Sanitary Commission to be fitted up as HospitalTransports for the reception and conveyance of the sick and wounded. Tothe superintendence of this work, care of the sick, and other duties ofthis special service, a number of agents of the Commission, withvolunteers of both sexes, were appointed, and after protracted andvexatious delays in procuring the first transports assembled atAlexandria, Virginia, on the 25th of April, and embarked on the DanielWebster for York River, which they reached on the 30th of April. 

Miss Wormeley was one of the first to become connected with this branchof the service, and proceeded at once to her field of duty. She remainedin this employment until August of the same year, and passed through allthe horrors of the Peninsula campaign. By this, of course, is notunderstood the _battles_ of the campaign, nor the army movements, butthe reception, washing, feeding, and ministering to the sick and thewounded--scenes which are too full of horror for tongue to tell, or pento describe, but which must always remain indelibly impressed upon theminds and hearts of those who were actors in them. 

The ladies, it may be observed, who were attached to the HospitalTransport Corps at the headquarters of the Commission, were all from thehigher walks of society, women of the greatest culture and refinement, and unaccustomed to toil or exhausting care. Yet not one of them shrankfrom hardship, or revolted at any labor or exertion which could serve tobring comfort to the sufferers under their charge. 

Active and endowed with extraordinary executive ability, Miss Wormeleywas distinguished for her great usefulness during this time of fiercetrial, when the malaria of the Chickahominy swamps was prostrating itsthousands of brave men, and the battles of Williamsburg, White House, and Fair Oaks, and the disastrous retreat to Harrison's Landing weremarked by an almost unexampled carnage. 

While the necessity of exertion continued, Miss Wormeley and herassociates bore up bravely, but no sooner was this ended than nearly allsuccumbed to fever, or the exhaustion of excessive and protractedfatigue. Nevertheless, within a few days after Miss Wormeley's returnhome, the Surgeon-General, passing through Newport, came to call uponher and personally solicit her to take charge of the Woman's Departmentof the Lowell General Hospital, then being organized at PortsmouthGrove, R. I. After a brief hesitation, on account of her health, MissWormeley assented to the proposal, and on the 1st of September, 1862, went to the hospital. She was called, officially, the "LadySuperintendent, " and her duties were general; they consisted less ofactual nursing, than the organization and superintendence of herdepartment. Under her charge were the Female Nurses, the Diet Kitchens, and Special diet, the Linen Department, and the Laundry, where she had asteam Washing Machine, which was capable of washing and mangling fourthousand pieces a day. 

The hospital had beds for two thousand five hundred patients. Fourfriends of Miss Wormeley joined her here, and were her AssistantSuperintendents--Misses G. M. And J. S. Woolsey, Miss Harriet D. Whetten, of New York, and Miss Sarah C. Woolsey, of New Haven. Each ofthese had charge of seven Wards, and was responsible to the surgeons forthe nursing and diet of the sick men. To the exceedingly valuableco-operation of these ladies, Miss Wormeley has, on all occasions, attributed in a great measure the success which attended and rewardedher services in this department of labor, as also to the kindness of theSurgeon in charge, Dr. Lewis A. Edwards, and of his Assistants. 

She remained at Portsmouth Grove a little more than a year, carrying onthe arrangements of her department with great ability and perfectsuccess. On holidays, through the influence of herself and herassistants, the inmates received ample donations for the feastsappropriate to the occasions, and at all times liberal gifts of books, games, &c. , for their instruction and entertainment. But in September, 1863, partly from family reasons, and partly because her health gaveway, she was forced to resign and return home. 

From that time her labors in hospital ceased. But, in the followingDecember, at the suggestion of Mr. And Mrs. George Ticknor, of Boston, and of other friends, she prepared for the Boston Sanitary Fair, acharming volume entitled, "The United States Sanitary Commission; ASketch of its Purposes and its Work. "

This book, owing to unavoidable hindrances, was not commenced till solate that but eleven days were allowed for its completion. But, with heraccustomed energy, having most of her materials at hand, Miss Wormeleycommenced and finished the book within the specified time, without otherassistance than that volunteered by friends in copying and arrangingpapers. Graceful in style, direct in detail, plain in statement andlogical in argument, it shows, however, no traces of hasty writing. Itmet with great and deserved success, and netted some hundreds of dollarsto the fair. 

Miss Wormeley attributes much of the success of her work, in alldepartments, to the liberality of her friends. During the war shereceived from the community of Newport, alone, over seventeen thousanddollars, beside, large donations of brandy, wine, flannel, etc. , for theCommission and hospital use. The Newport Aid Society, which she assistedin organizing, worked well and faithfully to the end, and renderedvaluable services to the Sanitary Commission. Since the completion ofher book, her health has not permitted her to engage in active service. 

THE MISSES WOOLSEY. 

We are not aware of any other instance among the women who have devotedthemselves to works of philanthropy and patriotism during the recentwar, in which four sisters have together consecrated their services tothe cause of the nation. In social position, culture, refinement, andall that could make life pleasant, Misses Georgiana and Jane C. Woolsey, and their married sisters, Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Robert Howland, wereblessed above most women; and if there were any who might have deemedthemselves excused from entering upon the drudgery, the almost menialservice incident to the Hospital Transport service, to the position ofAssistant Superintendent of a crowded hospital, of nurse in fieldhospitals after a great battle, or of instructors and superintendents offreedmen and freedwomen; these ladies might have pleaded an apology forsome natural shrinking from the work, from its dissimilarity to alltheir previous pursuits. But to the call of duty and patriotism, theyhad no such objections to urge. 

Mrs. Joseph Howland was the wife of a Colonel in the Union army, andfelt it a privilege to do something for the brave men with whom herhusband's interests were identified, and accompanying him to the campwhenever this was permitted, she ministered to the sick or wounded menof his command with a tenderness and gentleness which won all hearts. When the invitation was given to her and her sister to unite with othersin the Hospital Transport service, she rejoiced at the opportunity forwider usefulness in the cause she loved; how faithfully, earnestly, andpersistently she toiled is partially revealed in the little workpublished by some of her associates, under the title of "HospitalTransports, " but was fully known only by those who shared in her labors, and those who were the recipients of her kind attentions. One of these, a private in the Sixteenth New York Regiment (her husband's regiment), and who had been under her care on one of the Commission's transports atWhite House, expressed his gratitude in the following graceful lines

 "From old St. Paul till now Of honorable women, not a few Have left their golden ease, in love to do The saintly work which Christ-like hearts pursue. 

 "And such an one art thou? God's fair apostle, Bearing his love in war's horrific train; Thy blessed feet follow its ghastly pain, And misery and death without disdain. 

 "To one borne from the sullen battle's roar, Dearer the greeting of thy gentle eyes When he, a-weary, torn, and bleeding lies, Than all the glory that the victors prize. 

 "When peace shall come and homes shall smile again, A thousand soldier hearts, in northern climes, Shall tell their little children in their rhymes Of the sweet saints who blessed the old war times. "

 _On the Chickahominy, June 12th, 1862. _

Impaired health, the result of the excessive labors of that battlesummer, prevented Mrs. Howland from further active service in the field;but whenever her health permitted, she visited and labored in thehospitals around Washington, and her thoughtful attention and words ofencouragement to the women nurses appointed by Miss Dix, and receiving apaltry stipend from the Government, were most gratefully appreciated bythose self-denying, hard-working, and often sorely-tried women--many ofthem the peers in culture, refinement and intellect of any lady in theland, but treated with harshness and discourtesy by boy-surgeons, wholacked the breeding or instincts of the gentleman. Her genuine modestyand humility have led her, as well as her sisters, to deprecate anynotoriety or public notice of their work, which they persist inregarding as unworthy of record; but so will it not be regarded by thesoldiers who have been rescued from inevitable death by their persistenttoil, nor by a nation grateful for the services rendered to its bravedefenders. 

Mrs. Robert S. Howland was the wife of a clergyman, and an earnestworker in the hospitals and in the Metropolitan Sanitary Fair, and herfriends believed that her over-exertion in the preparation andattendance upon that fair, contributed to shorten a life as precious andbeautiful as was ever offered upon the altar of patriotism. Mrs. Howlandpossessed rare poetic genius, and some of her effusions, suggested byincidents of army or hospital life, are worthy of preservation as amongthe choicest gems of poetry elicited by the war. "A Rainy Day in Camp, ""A Message from the Army, " etc. , are poems which many of our readerswill recall with interest and pleasure. A shorter one of equal merit andpopularity, we copy not only for its brevity, but because it expressesso fully the perfect peace which filled her heart as completely as itdid that of the subject of the poem:

 IN THE HOSPITAL. 

 "S. S----, a Massachusetts Sergeant, worn out with heavy marches, wounds and camp disease, died in ---- General Hospital, in November, 1863, in 'perfect peace. ' Some who witnessed daily his wonderful sweet patience and content, through great languor and weariness, fancied sometimes they 'could already see the brilliant particles of a halo in the air about his head. '

 "I lay me down to sleep, With little thought or care. Whether my waking find Me here--or THERE!

 "A bowing, burdened head, That only asks to rest, Unquestioning, upon A loving Breast. 

 "My good right-hand forgets Its cunning now-- To march the weary march I know not how. 

 "I am not eager, bold, Nor strong--all that is past: I am ready NOT TO DO At last--at last!

 "My half-day's work is done, And this is all my part; I give a patient God My patient heart. 

 "And grasp his banner still, Though all its blue be dim; These stripes, no less than stars. Lead after Him. "

Mrs. Howland died in the summer of 1864. 

Miss Georgiana M. Woolsey, was one of the most efficient ladiesconnected with the Hospital Transport service, where her constantcheerfulness, her ready wit, her never failing resources of contrivanceand management in any emergency, made the severe labor seem light, andby keeping up the spirits of the entire party, prevented the scenes ofsuffering constantly presented from rendering them morbid or depressed. She took the position of assistant superintendent of the PortsmouthGrove General Hospital, in September, 1862, when her friend, MissWormeley, became superintendent, and remained there till the spring of1863, was actively engaged in the care of the wounded at Falmouth afterthe battle of Chancellorsville, was on the field soon after the battleof Gettysburg, and wrote that charming and graphic account of the laborsof herself and a friend at Gettysburg in the service of the SanitaryCommission which was so widely circulated, and several times reprintedin English reviews and journals. We cannot refrain from introducing itas one of those narratives of actual philanthropic work of which we havealtogether too few. 

 THREE WEEKS AT GETTYSBURG. 

"_July, 1863. _

"DEAR ----: _What we did at Gettysburg_, for the three weeks we werethere, you will want to know. 'We, ' are Mrs. [H] ---- and I, who, happening to be on hand at the right moment, gladly fell in with theproposition to do what we could at the Sanitary Commission Lodge afterthe battle. There were, of course, the agents of the Commission, alreadyon the field, distributing supplies to the hospitals, and working nightand day among the wounded. I cannot pretend to tell you what was done byall the big wheels of the concern, but only how two of the smallest oneswent round, and what turned up in the going. 

[Footnote H: Her mother, Mrs. Woolsey. ]

"Twenty-four hours we were in making the journey between Baltimore andGettysburg, places only four hours apart in ordinary running time; andthis will give you some idea of the difficulty there was in bringing upsupplies when the fighting was over, and of the delays in transportingwounded. Coming toward the town at this crawling rate, we passed somefields where the fences were down and the ground slightly tossed up:'That's where Kilpatrick's Cavalry-men fought the rebels, ' some onesaid; 'and close by that barn a rebel soldier was found day beforeyesterday, sitting dead'--no one to help, poor soul, --'near the wholecity full. ' The railroad bridge broken up by the enemy, Government hadnot rebuilt as yet, and we stopped two miles from the town, to findthat, as usual, just where the Government had left off the Commissioncame in. There stood their temporary lodge and kitchen, and here, hobbling out of their tents, came the wounded men who had made theirway down from the corps-hospitals, expecting to leave at once in thereturn-cars. 

"This is the way the thing was managed at first: The surgeons left incare of the wounded three or four miles out from the town, went up anddown among the men in the morning, and said, 'Any of you boys who canmake your way to the cars can go to Baltimore. ' So off start all whothink they feel well enough; anything better than the 'hospitals, ' socalled, for the first few days after a battle. Once the men have thesurgeons' permission to go, they are off; and there may be an intervalof a day, or two days, should any of them be too weak to reach the trainin time, during which these poor fellows belong to no one, --the hospitalat one end, the railroad at the other, --with far more than a chance offalling through between the two. The Sanitary Commission knew this wouldbe so of necessity, and, coming in, made a connecting link between thesetwo ends. 

"For the first few days the worst cases only came down in ambulancesfrom the hospitals; hundreds of fellows hobbled along as best they couldin heat and dust, for hours, slowly toiling; and many hired farmers'wagons, as hard as the farmers' fists themselves, and were jolted downto the railroad, at three or four dollars the man. Think of thedisappointment of a soldier, sick, body and heart, to find, at the endof this miserable journey, that his effort to get away, into which hehad put all his remaining stock of strength, was useless; that 'the carshad gone, ' or 'the cars were full;' that while he was coming others hadstepped down before him, and that he must turn all the weary way backagain, or sleep on the road-side till the next train 'to-morrow!' Thinkwhat this _would_ have been, and you are ready to appreciate the reliefand comfort that _was_. No men were turned back. You fed and yousheltered them just when no one else could have done so; and out of theboxes and barrels of good and nourishing things, which you people athome had supplied, we took all that was needed. Some of you sent a stove(that is, the money to get it), some of you the beef-stock, some of youthe milk and fresh bread; and all of you would have been thankful thatyou had done so, could you have seen the refreshment and comfortreceived through these things. 

"As soon as the men hobbled up to the tents, good hot soup was given allround; and that over, their wounds were dressed, --for the gentlemen ofthe Commission are cooks or surgeons, as occasion demands, --and, finally, with their blankets spread over the straw, the men stretchedthemselves out and were happy and contented till morning, and the nexttrain. 

"On the day that the railroad bridge was repaired, we moved up to thedepot, close by the town, and had things in perfect order; a first-ratecamping-ground, in a large field directly by the track, with unlimitedsupply of delicious cool water. Here we set up two stoves, with fourlarge boilers, always kept full of soup and coffee, watched by four orfive black men, who did the cooking, under our direction, and sang (notunder our direction) at the top of their voices all day, --

 'Oh darkies, hab you seen my Massa?' 'When this _cruel_ war is _over_. '

Then we had three large hospital tents, holding about thirty-five each, a large camp-meeting supply tent, where barrels of goods were stored, and our own smaller tent, fitted up with tables, where jelly-pots, andbottles of all kinds of good syrups, blackberry and black currant, stoodin rows. Barrels were ranged round the tent-walls; shirts, drawers, dressing-gowns, socks, and slippers (I wish we had had more of thelatter), rags and bandages, each in its own place on one side; on theother, boxes of tea, coffee, soft crackers, tamarinds, cherry brandy, etc. Over the kitchen, and over this small supply-tent, we women ratherreigned, and filled up our wants by requisition on the Commission'sdepot. By this time there had arrived a 'delegation' of just the rightkind from Canandaigua, New York, with surgeons' dressers andattendants, bringing a first-rate supply of necessities and comforts forthe wounded, which they handed over to the Commission. 

"Twice a day the trains left for Baltimore or Harrisburg, and twice aday we fed all the wounded who arrived for them. Things weresystematized now, and the men came down in long ambulance trains to thecars; baggage-cars they were, filled with straw for the wounded to lieon, and broken open at either end to let in the air. A Governmentsurgeon was always present to attend to the careful lifting of thesoldiers from ambulance to car. Many of the men could get along verynicely, holding one foot up, and taking great jumps on their crutches. The latter were a great comfort; we had a nice supply at the Lodge; andthey traveled up and down from the tents to the cars daily. Onlyoccasionally did we dare let a pair go on with some very lame soldier, who begged for them; we needed them to help the new arrivals each day, and trusted to the men being supplied at the hospitals at the journey'send. Pads and crutches are a standing want, --pads particularly. Wemanufactured them out of the rags we had, stuffed with sawdust frombrandy-boxes; and with half a sheet and some soft straw, Mrs. ---- madea poor dying boy as easy as his sufferings would permit. Poor youngfellow, he was so grateful to her for washing and feeding and comfortinghim. He was too ill to bear the journey, and went from our tent to thechurch hospital, and from the church to his grave, which would have beencoffinless but for the care of ----; for the Quartermaster's Departmentwas overtaxed, and for many days our dead were simply wrapped in theirblankets and put into the earth. It is a soldierly way, after all, oflying wrapped in the old war-worn blanket, --the little dust returned todust. 

"When the surgeons had the wounded all placed, with as much comfort asseemed possible under the circumstances, on board the train, our detailof men would go from car to car, with soup made of beef-stock or freshmeat, full of potatoes, turnips, cabbage, and rice, with fresh breadand coffee, and, when stimulants were needed, with ale, milk-punch, orbrandy. Water-pails were in great demand for use in the cars on thejourney, and also empty bottles to take the place of canteens. All ourwhisky and brandy bottles were washed and filled up at the spring, andthe boys went off carefully hugging their extemporized canteens, fromwhich they would wet their wounds, or refresh themselves till thejourney ended. I do not think that a man of the sixteen thousand whowere transported during our stay, went from Gettysburg without a goodmeal. Rebels and Unionists together, they all had it, and were pleasedand satisfied. 'Have you friends in the army, madam?' a rebel soldier, lying on the floor of the car, said to me, as I gave him some milk. 'Yes, my brother is on ----'s staff, ' 'I thought so, ma'am. You canalways tell; when people are good to soldiers they are sure to havefriends in the army, ' 'We are rebels, you know, ma'am, ' another said. 'Do you treat rebels _so_?' It was strange to see the good brotherlyfeeling come over the soldiers, our own and the rebels, when side byside they lay in our tents. 'Hullo, boys! this is the pleasantest way tomeet, isn't it? We are better friends when we are as close as this thana little farther off. ' And then they would go over the battles together, 'We were here, ' and 'you were there, ' in the friendliest way. 

"After each train of cars daily, for the three weeks we were inGettysburg, trains of ambulances arrived too late--men who must spendthe day with us until the five P. M. Cars went, and men too late for thefive P. M. Train, who must spend the night till the ten A. M. Cars went. All the men who came in this way, under our own immediate and particularattention, were given the best we had of care and food. The surgeon incharge of our camp, with his most faithful dresser and attendants, looked after all their wounds, which were often in a shocking state, particularly among the rebels. Every evening and morning they weredressed. Often the men would say, 'That feels good. I haven't had mywound so well dressed since I was hurt. Something cool to drink is thefirst thing asked for after the long, dusty drive; and pailfuls oftamarinds and water, 'a beautiful drink, ' the men used to say, disappeared rapidly among them. 

"After the men's wounds were attended to, we went round giving themclean clothes; had basins and soap and towels, and followed these withsocks, slippers, shirts, drawers, and those coveted dressing-gowns. Suchpride as they felt in them! comparing colors, and smiling all over asthey lay in clean and comfortable rows, ready for supper, --'on dressparade, ' they used to say. And then the milk, particularly if it wereboiled and had a little whisky and sugar, and the bread, with _butter_on it, and _jelly_ on the butter: how good it all was, and how lucky wefelt ourselves in having the immense satisfaction of distributing thesethings, which all of you, hard at work in villages and cities, weregetting ready and sending off, in faith. 

"Canandaigua sent cologne with its other supplies, which went right tothe noses and hearts of the men. 'That is good, now;'--'I'll take someof that;'--'worth a penny a sniff;' 'that kinder gives one life;'--andso on, all round the tents, as we tipped the bottles up on the cleanhandkerchiefs some one had sent, and when they were gone, over squaresof cotton, on which the perfume took the place of hem, --'just as good, ma'am. ' We varied our dinners with custard and baked rice puddings, scrambled eggs, codfish hash, corn-starch, and always as much softbread, tea, coffee, or milk as they wanted. Two Massachusetts boys Iespecially remember for the satisfaction with which they ate theirpudding. I carried a second plateful up to the cars, after they had beenput in, and fed one of them till he was sure he had had enough. Youngfellows they were, lying side by side, one with a right and one with aleft arm gone. 

"The Gettysburg women were kind and faithful to the wounded and theirfriends, and the town was full to overflowing of both. The first day, when Mrs. ---- and I reached the place, we literally begged our breadfrom door to door; but the kind woman who at last gave us dinner wouldtake no pay for it. 'No, ma'am, I shouldn't wish to have that sin on mysoul when the war is over. ' She, as well as others, had fed thestrangers flocking into town daily, sometimes over fifty of them foreach meal, and all for love and nothing for reward; and one night weforced a reluctant confession from our hostess that she was meaning tosleep on the floor that we might have a bed, her whole house being full. Of course we couldn't allow this self-sacrifice, and hunted up someother place to stay in. We did her no good, however, for we afterwardsfound that the bed was given up that night to some other stranger whoarrived late and tired: 'An old lady, you know; and I couldn't let anold lady sleep on the floor. ' Such acts of kindness and self-denial werealmost entirely confined to the women. 

"Few good things can be said of the Gettysburg farmers, and I only useScripture language in calling them 'evil beasts. ' One of this kind camecreeping into our camp three weeks after the battle. He lived five milesonly from the town, and had 'never seen a rebel. ' He heard we had someof them, and had come down to see them. 'Boys, ' we said, --marching himinto the tent which happened to be full of rebels that day, waiting forthe train, --'Boys, here's a man who never saw a rebel in his life, andwants to look at you;' and there he stood with his mouth wide open, andthere they lay in rows, laughing at him, stupid old Dutchman. 'And whyhaven't you seen a rebel?' Mrs. ---- said; 'why didn't you take your gunand help to drive them out of your town?' 'A feller might'er gothit!'--which reply was quite too much for the rebels; they roared withlaughter at him, up and down the tent. 

"One woman we saw, who was by no means Dutch, and whose pluck helped toredeem the other sex. She lived in a little house close up by the fieldwhere the hardest fighting was done, --a red-cheeked, strong, countrygirl. 'Were you frightened when the shells began flying?' 'Well, no. You see we was all a-baking bread around here for the soldiers, and hadour dough a-rising. The neighbors they ran into their cellars, but Icouldn't leave my bread. When the first shell came in at the window andcrashed through the room, an officer came and said, 'You had better getout of this;' but I told him I _could not_ leave my bread; and I stoodworking it till the third shell came through, and then I went downcellar; but' (triumphantly) 'I left my bread in the oven. ' 'And whydidn't you go before?' 'Oh, you see, if I had, the rebels would 'a' comein and daubed the dough all over the place. ' And here she had stood, atthe risk of unwelcome plums in her loaves, while great holes (which wesaw) were made by shot and shell through and through the room in whichshe was working. 

"The streets of Gettysburg were filled with the battle. People thoughtand talked of nothing else; even the children showed their little spitesby calling to each other, 'Here, you rebel;' and mere scraps of boysamused themselves with percussion-caps and hammers. Hundreds of oldmuskets were piled on the pavements, the men who shouldered them a weekbefore, lying underground now, or helping to fill the long trains ofambulances on their way from the field. The private houses of the townwere, many of them, hospitals; the little red flags hung from the upperwindows. Beside our own men at the Lodge, we all had soldiers scatteredabout whom we could help from our supplies; and nice little puddings andjellies, or an occasional chicken, were a great treat to men condemnedby their wounds to stay in Gettysburg, and obliged to live on what theempty town could provide. There was a colonel in a shoe-shop, a captainjust up the street, and a private round the corner whose young sisterhad possessed herself of him, overcoming the military rules in some way, and carrying him off to a little room, all by himself, where I found herdoing her best with very little. She came afterward to our tent and gotfor him clean clothes, and good food, and all he wanted, and wasperfectly happy in being his cook, washerwoman, medical cadet, andnurse. Besides such as these, we occasionally carried from our suppliessomething to the churches, which were filled with sick and wounded, andwhere men were dying, --men whose strong patience it was very hard tobear, --dying with thoughts of the old home far away, saying, as lastwords, for the women watching there and waiting with a patience equal inits strength, 'Tell her I love her. '

"Late one afternoon, too late for the cars, a train of ambulancesarrived at our Lodge with over one hundred wounded rebels, to be caredfor through the night. Only one among them seemed too weak and faint totake anything. He was badly hurt, and failing. I went to him after hiswound was dressed, and found him lying on his blanket stretched over thestraw, --a fair-haired, blue-eyed young lieutenant, with a face innocentenough for one of our own New England boys. I could not think of him asa rebel; he was too near heaven for that. He wanted nothing, --had notbeen willing to eat for days, his comrades said; but I coaxed him to trya little milk gruel, made nicely with lemon and brandy; and one of thesatisfactions of our three weeks is the remembrance of the empty cup Itook away afterward, and his perfect enjoyment of that supper. 'It was_so_ good, the best thing he had had since he was wounded, '--and hethanked me so much, and talked about his 'good supper' for hours. Poorfellow, he had had no care, and it was a surprise and pleasure to findhimself thought of; so, in a pleased, childlike way, he talked about ittill midnight, the attendant told me, as long as he spoke of anything;for at midnight the change came, and from that time he only thought ofthe old days before he was a soldier, when he sang hymns in his father'schurch. He sang them now again in a clear, sweet voice. 'Lord, havemercy upon me;' and then songs without words--a sort of low intoning. His father was a Lutheran clergyman in South Carolina, one of the rebelstold us in the morning, when we went into the tent, to find him slidingout of our care. All day long we watched him, --sometimes fighting hisbattles over, often singing his Lutheran chants, till, in at thetent-door, close to which he lay, looked a rebel soldier, just arrivedwith other prisoners. He started when he saw the lieutenant, and quicklykneeling down by him, called, 'Henry! Henry!' But Henry was looking atsome one a great way off, and could not hear him. 'Do you know thissoldier?' we said. 'Oh, yes, ma'am; and his brother is wounded and aprisoner, too, in the cars, now. ' Two or three men started after him, found him, and half carried him from the cars to our tent. 'Henry' didnot know him, though; and he threw himself down by his side on thestraw, and for the rest of the day lay in a sort of apathy, withoutspeaking, except to assure himself that he could stay with his brother, without the risk of being separated from his fellow-prisoners. And therethe brothers lay, and there we strangers sat watching and listening tothe strong, clear voice, singing, 'Lord, have mercy upon me. ' The Lord_had_ mercy; and at sunset I put my hand on the lieutenant's heart, tofind it still. All night the brother lay close against the coffin, andin the morning went away with his comrades, leaving us to bury Henry, having 'confidence;' but first thanking us for what we had done, andgiving us all that he had to show his gratitude, --the palmetto ornamentfrom his brother's cap and a button from his coat. Dr. W. Read theburial service that morning at the grave, and ---- wrote his name on thelittle head-board: 'Lieutenant Rauch, Fourteenth Regiment South CarolinaVolunteers. '

"In the field where we buried him, a number of colored freedmen, workingfor Government on the railroad, had their camp, and every night theytook their recreation, after the heavy work of the day was over, inprayer-meetings. Such an 'inferior race, ' you know! We went over onenight and listened for an hour, while they sang, collected under the flyof a tent, a table in the middle where the leader sat, and benches allround the sides for the congregation--men only, --all very black and veryearnest. They prayed with all their souls, as only black men and slavescan; for themselves and for the dear, white people who had come over tothe meeting; and for 'Massa Lincoln, ' for whom they seemed to have areverential affection, --some of them a sort of worship, which confusedFather Abraham and Massa Abraham in one general cry for blessings. Whatever else they asked for, they must have strength, and comfort, andblessing for 'Massa Lincoln. ' Very little care was taken of these poormen. Those who were ill during our stay were looked after by one of theofficers of the Commission. They were grateful for every little thing. Mrs. ---- went into the town and hunted up several dozen brighthandkerchiefs, hemmed them, and sent them over to be distributed thenext night after meeting. They were put on the table in the tent, andone by one, the men came up to get them. Purple, and blue, and yellowthe handkerchiefs were, and the desire of every man's heart fasteneditself on a yellow one; they politely made way for each other, though, --one man standing back to let another pass up first, although heran the risk of seeing the particular pumpkin-color that riveted hiseyes taken from before them. When the distribution is over, each mantied his head up in his handkerchief, and they sang one more hymn, keeping time all round, with blue and purple and yellow nods, andthanking and blessing the white people in 'their basket and in theirstore, ' as much as if the cotton handkerchiefs had all been gold leaf. One man came over to our tent next day, to say, 'Missus, was it you whosent me that present? I never had anything so beautiful in all my lifebefore;' and he only had a blue one, too. 

"Among our wounded soldiers one night, came an elderly man, sick, wounded, and crazy, singing and talking about home. We did what we couldfor him, and pleased him greatly with a present of a red flannel shirt, drawers, and red calico dressing-gown, all of which he needed, and inwhich he dressed himself up, and then wrote a letter to his wife, madeit into a little book with gingham covers, and gave it to one of thegentlemen to mail for him. The next morning he was sent on with thecompany from the Lodge; and that evening two tired women came into ourcamp--his wife and sister, who hurried on from their home to meet him, arriving just too late. Fortunately we had the queer little gingham bookto identify him by, and when some one said, 'It is the man, you know, who screamed so, ' the poor wife was certain about him. He had been crazybefore the war, but not for two years, now, she said. He had beenfretting for home since he was hurt; and when the doctor told him therewas no chance of his being sent there, he lost heart, and wrote to hiswife to come and carry him away. It seemed almost hopeless for two lonewomen, who had never been out of their own little town, to succeed infinding a soldier among so many, sent in so many different directions;but we helped them as we could, and started them on their journey thenext morning, back on their track, to use their common sense and Yankeeprivilege of questioning. 

"A week after, Mrs. ---- had a letter full of gratitude, and saying thatthe husband was found and secured for _home_. That same night we had hadin our tents two fathers, with their wounded sons, and a nice old Germanmother with her boy. She had come in from Wisconsin, and brought withher a patchwork bed-quilt for her son, thinking he might have lost hisblanket; and there he laid all covered up in his quilt, looking sohomelike, and feeling so, too, no doubt, with his good old mother closeat his side. She seemed bright and happy, --had three sons in theArmy, --one had been killed, --this one wounded; yet she was so pleasedwith the tents, and the care she saw taken there of the soldiers, that, while taking her tea from a barrel-head as table, she said, 'Indeed, if_she_ was a man, she'd be a soldier too, right off. '

"For this temporary sheltering and feeding of all these wounded men, Government could make no provision. There was nothing for them, if toolate for the cars, except the open field and hunger, in preparation fortheir fatiguing journey. It is expected when the cars are ready that themen will be promptly sent to meet them, and Government cannot providefor mistakes and delays; so that, but for the Sanitary Commission'sLodge and comfortable supplies, for which the wounded are indebted tothe hard workers at home, men badly hurt must have suffered night andday, while waiting for the 'next train. ' We had on an average sixty ofsuch men each night for three weeks under our care, --sometimes onehundred, sometimes only thirty; and with the 'delegation, ' and the helpof other gentlemen volunteers, who all worked devotedly for the men, thewhole thing was a great success, and you and all of us can't help beingthankful that we had a share, however small, in making it so. Sixteenthousand good meals were given; hundreds of men kept through the day, and twelve hundred sheltered at night, their wounds dressed, theirsupper and breakfast secured--rebels and all. You will not, I am sure, regret that these most wretched men, these 'enemies, ' 'sick and inprison, ' were helped and cared for through your supplies, though, certainly, they were not in your minds when you packed your barrels andboxes. The clothing we reserved for our own men, except now and thenwhen a shivering rebel needed it; but in feeding them we could make nodistinctions. 

"Our three weeks were coming to an end; the work of transporting thewounded was nearly over; twice daily we had filled and emptied ourtents, and twice fed the trains before the long journey. The men came inslowly at the last, --a lieutenant, all the way from Oregon, being amongthe very latest. He came down from the corps hospitals (now greatlyimproved), having lost one foot, poor fellow, dressed in a full suit ofthe Commission's cotton clothes, just as bright and as cheerful as thefirst man, and all the men that we received had been. We never heard acomplaint. 'Would he like a little rice soup?' 'Well, no, thank you, ma'am;' hesitating and polite. 'You have a long ride before you, and hadbetter take a little; I'll just bring it and you can try. ' So the good, thick soup came. He took a very little in the spoon to please me, andafterwards the whole cupful to please himself. He 'did not think it wasthis kind of soup I meant. He had some in camp, and did not think hecared for any more; his "cook" was a very small boy, though, who justput some meat in a little water and stirred it round. ' 'Would you like ahandkerchief?' and I produced our last one, with a hem and cologne too. 'Oh, yes; that is what I need; I have lost mine, and was just borrowingthis gentleman's. ' So the lieutenant, the last man, was madecomfortable, thanks to all of you, though he had but one foot to carryhim on his long journey home. 

"Four thousand soldiers, too badly hurt to be moved, were still left inGettysburg, cared for kindly and well at the large, new Governmenthospital, with a Sanitary Commission attachment. 

"Our work was over, our tents were struck, and we came away after aflourish of trumpets from two military bands who filed down to our door, and gave us a farewell 'Red, white, and blue. '"

One who knows Miss Woolsey well says of her, "Her sense, energy, lightness, and quickness of action; her thorough knowledge of the work, her amazing yet simple resources, her shy humility which made her regardher own work with impatience, almost with contempt--all this and muchelse make her memory a source of strength and tenderness which nothingcan take away. " Elsewhere, the same writer adds, "Strength andsweetness, sound practical sense, deep humility, merriment, playfulness, a most ready wit, an educated intelligence--were among hercharacteristics. Her _work_ I consider to have been better than anywhich I saw in the service. It was thorough, but accomplished rapidly. She saw a need before others saw it, and she supplied it often by someingenious contrivance which answered every purpose, though no one butGeorgy would ever have dreamt of it. Her pity for the sufferings of themen was something pathetic in itself, but it was never morbid, neverunwise, never derived from her own shock at the sight, always practicaland healthy. " Miss Woolsey remained in the service through the war, apart of the time in charge of hospitals, but during Grant's greatcampaign of the spring, summer, and autumn of 1864, she was mosteffectively engaged at the front, or rather at the great depots for thewounded, at Belle Plain, Port Royal, Fredericksburg, White House, andCity Point. Miss Jane S. Woolsey, also served in general hospitals aslady superintendent until the close of the war, and afterwardtransferred her efforts to the work among the Freedmen at Richmond, Virginia. 

A cousin of these ladies, Miss Sarah C. Woolsey, daughter of PresidentWoolsey of Yale College, was also engaged during the greater part of thewar in hospital and other philanthropic labors for the soldiers. She wasfor ten months assistant superintendent of the Portsmouth Grove GeneralHospital, and her winning manners, her tender and skilful care of thepatients, and her unwearied efforts to do them good, made her a generalfavorite. 

ANNA MARIA ROSS. 

Anna Maria Ross, the subject of this sketch, was a native ofPhiladelphia, in which city the greater part of her life was spent, andin which, on the 22d of December, 1863, she passed to her eternal rest. 

It was a very beautiful life of which we have now to speak--a life ofearnest activity in every work of benevolence and Christian kindness. She had gathered about her, in her native city, scores of devotedfriends, who loved her in life, and mourned her in death with thesentiments of a true bereavement. 

Miss Ross was patriotic by inheritance, as well as through personalloyalty. Her maternal relatives were largely identified with the war ofAmerican Independence. Her mother's uncle, Jacob Root, held a captain'scommission in the Continental army, and it is related of her greatgrandmother that she served voluntarily as a moulder in an establishmentwhere bullets were manufactured to be used in the cause of freedom. 

Her mother's name was Mary Root, a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Her father was William Ross, who emigrated early in lifefrom the county of Derry, Ireland. There may have been nothing in herearly manifestations of character to foreshow the noble womanhood intowhich she grew. There remains, at any rate, a small record of herearliest years. The wonderful powers which she developed in maturewomanhood possess a greater interest for those who know her chiefly inconnection with the labors which gave her so just a claim to the titleof "The Soldier's Friend. "

Endowed by nature with great vigor of mind and uncommon activity andenergy, of striking and commanding personal appearance and pleasingaddress, she had been, before the war, remarkably successful in theprosecution of those works of charity and benevolence which made herlife a blessing to mankind. Well-known to the public-spirited and humaneof her native city, her claims to attention were fully recognized, andher appeals in behalf of the needy and suffering were never allowed topass unheeded. 

"I have little hope of success, " she said once to her companion, ingoing upon an errand of mercy: "yet we may get one hundred dollars. Thelady we are about to visit is not liberal, though wealthy. Let us praythat her heart may be opened to us. Many of my most earnest prayers havebeen made while hurrying along the street on such errands as this. " Thelady gave her three hundred dollars. 

On one occasion she was at the house of a friend, when a family wasincidentally mentioned as being in great poverty and affliction. Thefather had been attacked with what is known as "black small pox, " andwas quite destitute of the comforts and attentions which his situationrequired, some of the members of his own family having left the housefrom fear of the infection. The quick sympathies of Miss Ross readilyresponded to this tale of want and neglect. "While God gives me healthand strength, " she earnestly exclaimed, "no man shall thus suffer!" Withno more delay than was required to place in a basket articles ofnecessity and comfort she hastened to the miserable dwelling; nor didshe leave the poor sufferer until he was beyond the reach of human aidforever. And her thoughtful care ceased not even here. From her ownfriends she sought and obtained the means of giving him a respectableburial. 

The lady to whom the writer is indebted for the above incident, relatesthat on the day when all that was mortal of Anna Maria Ross wasconsigned to its kindred dust, as she was entering a street-car, theconductor remarked, "I suppose you have been to see the last of MissRoss. " Upon her replying in the affirmative, he added, while tearsflowed down his cheeks, "I did not know her, but she watched over mywife for four weeks when she had a terrible sickness. She was almost anentire stranger to her when she came and offered her assistance. "

Her work for the soldier was chiefly performed in connection with theinstitution known as the Cooper Shop Hospital, a branch of the famousCooper Shop Refreshment Saloon, for Soldiers. Miss Ross was appointedLady Principal of this Institution, and devoted herself to it with anenergy that never wearied. Day and night she was at her post--watchingwhile others slept, dressing with her own hands the most loathsomewounds; winning the love and admiration of all with whom she wasassociated. Her tasks were arduous, her sympathies were drawn upon tothe utmost, her responsibilities were great. 

One who knew her well, and often saw her within the walls of the "CooperShop, " thus gives us some incidents of her work there. The benevolenceexpressed in her glowing countenance, and the words of hearty welcomewith which she greeted a humble coadjutor in her loving labors, willnever be forgotten. It was impossible not to be impressed at once by thetender earnestness with which she engaged in her self-imposed duties, and her active interest in everything which concerned the well-being ofthose committed to her charge. When they were about to leave herwatchful care forever, a sister's thoughtfulness was exhibited in herpreparations for their comfort and convenience. The wardrobe of thedeparting soldier was carefully inspected, and everything needful wassupplied. It was her custom also to furnish to each one who left, a sumof money, "that he might have something of his own" to meet anyunexpected necessity by the way. And if the donation-box at the entranceof the hospital chanced to be empty, her own purse made good thedeficiency. The writer well remembers the anxious countenance withwhich she was met one morning by Miss Ross, when about taking her placefor the day's duty. "I am so sorry!" was her exclamation. "WhenC---- left for Virginia last night I forgot, in the confusion, to givehim money; and I am afraid that he has nothing of his own, for he hadnot received his pay. I thought of it after I was in bed, and itdisturbed my sleep. "

The tenderness of Miss Ross's nature was never more touchingly exhibitedthan in the case of Lieutenant B----, of Saratoga, New York. He wasbrought to the hospital by his father for a few days' rest beforeproceeding to his home. Mortally wounded, he failed so rapidly that hecould not be removed. During two days and nights of agonizing sufferingMiss Ross scarcely left his side, and while she bathed his burning browand moistened his parched lips she mingled with these tender officeswords of Christian hope and consolation. "Call me Anna, " she said, "andtell me all which your heart prompts you to say. " And as life ebbed awayhe poured into her sympathizing ear the confidences which his mother, alas! could not receive. With tearful eyes and sorrowing heart thisnew-found friend watched by him to the last--then closed the heavy eyes, and smoothed the raven locks, and sent the quiet form, lovely even indeath, to her who waited its arrival in bitter anguish. 

To those who best knew the subject of this sketch, it seems a hopelesstask to enumerate the instances of unselfish devotion to the good ofothers with which that noble life was filled. It was the same tale againand again repeated. Alike the pain, the anxiety, the care; alike thesupport, the encouragement, the consolation. No marvel was it that thesinking soldier, far from home and friends, mistook the gentle ministryfor that which marks earth's strongest tie, and at her approach, whispered "mother. "

It would be impossible to enumerate a tithe of the special instances ofher kindly ministrations, but there are some that so vividly illustrateprominent points in her character that we cannot refrain from therecord. One of these marked traits was her perseverance in theaccomplishment of any plan for the good of her charges, and may well bementioned here. 

For a long time an Eastern soldier, named D----, was an inmate of herhospital, and as, though improving, his recovery was slow, and it seemedunlikely that he would soon be fit for service in the ranks, she got himthe appointment of hospital steward, and he remained where he couldstill have care. 

After the battle of Gettysburg he relapsed, and from over-work andover-wrought feeling, sank into almost hopeless depression. The death ofa beloved child, and an intense passionate longing to revisit his homeand family, aided this deep grief, and gave it a force and power thatthreatened to deprive him of life or reason. It was at this crisis thatwith her accustomed energy Miss Ross directed all her efforts towardrestoring him to his family. After the preliminary steps had been takenshe applied to the captain of a Boston steamer, but he refused toreceive a sick passenger on account of the want of suitableaccommodations. The case was urgent. He must go or die. "There is noroom, " repeated the captain. 

"Give him a place upon the floor, " was the rejoinder, "and I willfurnish everything needful. " "But a sick man cannot have properattendance under such circumstances, " persisted the captain. "I will gowith him if necessary, " she replied, "and will take the entire charge ofhis comfort. " "Miss Ross, I am sorry to refuse you, but I cannot complywith your request. This answer must be final. "

What was to be done? The unsuccessful pleader covered her face with herhands for a few moments; then raising her head said, slowly and sadly, "Captain ----, I have had many letters from the friends of New Englandsoldiers, thanking me with overflowing hearts for restoring to them thedearly loved husband, son, or brother while yet alive. From D. 's wife Ishall receive no such message. This is his only chance of life. Hecannot bear the journey by land. He must go by water or die. He will diehere--far from friends and home. " This appeal could not be resisted. "I_will_ take him, Miss Ross, " was the answer; "but it must be only uponthe condition that you will promise not to ask such a favor of me againwhatever the case may be. " "Never!" was the quick reply, "never will Ibind myself by such a promise while an Eastern soldier needs a friend ora passage to his home! You are the first man to whom I should apply. ""Then let him come without a promise. You have conquered; I will do forhim all that can be done. "

Could such friendship fail to win the hearts of those to whom thisinestimable woman gave the cheerful service of her life's best days? "Doyou want to see Florence Nightingale?" said one, who had not yet leftthe nursing care which brought him back to life and hope, to a companionwhom he met. "If you do, just come to our hospital and see Miss Ross. "

This was the only reward she craved--a word of thoughtful gratitude fromthose she sought to serve; and in this was lost all remembrance of daysof toil and nights of weariness. So from week to week and from month tomonth the self-consecration grew more complete--the self-forgetfulnessmore perfect. But the life spent in the service of others was drawingnear its end. The busy hands were soon to be folded, the heavy eyelidsforever closed, the weary feet were hastening to their rest. 

The spring of 1863 found Miss Ross still occupied in the weary round ofher labors at the hospital. She had most remarkable strength and vigorof constitution, and that, with every other gift and talent shepossessed was unsparingly used for the promotion of any good cause towhich she was devoted. During this spring, in addition to all her otherand engrossing labors, she was very busy in promoting the interests of alarge fair for the purpose of aiding in the establishment of a permanentHome for discharged soldiers, who were incapacitated for active labor. She canvassed the city of Philadelphia, and also traveled in differentparts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey in order to obtain assistance inthis important undertaking. "Is it not wrong, " a friend once asked, "that you should do so much, while so many are doing nothing?" "Oh, there are hundreds who would gladly work as I do, " was her reply, "butthey have not my powers of endurance. "

The fair in which she was so actively interested took place in June, anda large sum was added to the fund previously obtained for the benefit ofthe "Soldiers' Home. " The work now progressed rapidly, and the personalaid and influence of Miss Ross were exerted to forward it in everypossible way. Yet while deeply absorbed in the promotion of this object, which was very near to her heart, she found time to brighten, withcharacteristic tenderness and devotion, the last hours of the Rev. Dr. Clay, the aged and revered minister of the ancient church, in which themarriage of her parents had taken place so many years before. With hisown family she watched beside his bed, and with them received hisparting blessing. 

The waning year found the noble undertaking, the object of so manyprayers and the goal of such ardent desire, near a prosperouscompletion. A suitable building had been obtained, and many busy dayswere occupied in the delightful task of furnishing it. At the close of aday spent in this manner, the friend who had been Miss Ross's companionproposed that the remaining purchases should be deferred to anothertime, urging, in addition to her extreme fatigue, that many of thestores were closed. "Come to South Street with me, " she replied. "Theykeep open there until twelve o'clock, and we may find exactly what wewant. " The long walk was taken, and when the desired articles weresecured she yielded to her friend's entreaties, and at a late hoursought her home. As she pursued her solitary way came there noforeshadowing of what was to be? no whisper of the hastening summons? notoken of the quick release? Wearily were the steps ascended, whichechoed for the last time the familiar tread. Slowly the door closedthrough which she should pass on angelic mission nevermore. Was there nowarning?

"I am tired, " she said, "and so cold that I feel as if I never could bewarm again. " It was an unusual complaint for her to whom fatigue hadseemed almost unknown before. But it was very natural that exhaustionshould follow a day of such excessive labor, and she would soon berefreshed. So thought those who loved her, unconscious of thethreatening danger. The heavy chill retained its grasp, the resistlesstorpor of paralysis crept slowly on, and then complete insensibility. Inthis utter helplessness, which baffled every effort of human skill, night wore away, and morning dawned. There was no change and days passedbefore the veil was lifted. 

She could not believe that her work was all done on earth and deathnear, "but, " she said, "God has willed it--His will be done. " There wasno apparent mental struggle. Well she knew that she had done heruttermost, and that God was capable of placing in the field otherlaborers, and perhaps better ones than she; and she uttered nomeaningless words when, without a murmur, she resigned herself to Hiswill. 

A few words of fond farewell, she calmly spoke to the weeping friendsabout her. Then with fainter and fainter breathing, life fled so gentlythat they knew not when the shadowy vale was passed. So, silently andpeacefully the Death-angel had visited her, and upon her features laythe calm loveliness of perfect rest. 

On the 22d of December, 1863, the friends, and sharers of her laborswere assembled at the dedication of the Soldiers' Home. It was thecrowning work of her life, and it was completed; and thus, at the samehour, this earthly crown was laid upon her dying brow, and the freedsoul put on the crown of a glorious immortality. 

Her funeral was attended by a sorrowing multitude, all of whom hadknown, and many, yea, most of whom, had been blest by her labors. Foreven they are blest to whom it has happened to know and appreciate acharacter like hers. 

They made her a tomb, in the beautiful Monument Cemetery, beneath theshadow of a stately cedar. Nature itself, in the desolation of advancingwinter, seemed to join in the lament that such loveliness and worth waslost to earth. 

But with returning summer, the branches of her overshadowing cedar aremelodious with the song of birds, while roses and many flowering plantsscatter fragrance to every passing breeze as their petals falling hidethe dark soil beneath. The hands of friends have planted these--anodorous tribute to the memory of her they loved and mourn, and haveraised beside, in the enduring marble, a more lasting testimony of herworth. 

The tomb is of pure white marble, surmounted by a tablet of the same, which in alto relievo, represents a female figure ministering to asoldier, who lies upon a couch. Beneath, is this inscription:

 ERECTED BY HER FRIENDS

 IN MEMORY OF ANNA M. ROSS, DIED, DECEMBER 22, 1863. 

Her piety was fruitful of good works. The friendless child, the fugitiveslave, and the victim of intemperance were ever objects of her tenderestsolicitude. 

When civil war disclosed its horrors, she dedicated her life to the sickand wounded soldiers of her country, and died a martyr to Humanity andPatriotism. 

So closes the brief and imperfect record of a beautiful life; but thelight of its lovely example yet remains. 

MRS. G. T. M. DAVIS. 

Among the large number of the ladies of New York city who distinguishedthemselves for their devotion to the welfare of the soldiers of ourarmy, of whom so many in all forms of suffering were brought thereduring the war, it seems almost invidious to select any individual. Butit is perhaps less so in the case of the subject of this sketch, than ofmany others, since from the very beginning of the war till long afterits close, she quietly sacrificed the ease and luxury of her life todevote herself untiringly, and almost without respite, to the dutiesthus voluntarily assumed and faithfully performed. 

Mrs. Davis is the wife of Colonel G. T. M. Davis, who served with greatdistinction in the Mexican war, but who, having entered into commercialpursuits, is not at present connected with the army. Her maiden name wasPomeroy, and she is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Her brother, Robert Pomeroy, Esq. , of that town, a wealthy manufacturer, was notedfor his liberal benefactions during the war, and with all his familyomitted no occasion of showing his devotion to his country and to itswounded and suffering defenders. His daughter, near the close of thewar, became the wife of one of the most distinguished young officers inthe service, General Bartlett. 

General Bartlett, at twenty-two, and fresh from the classic precincts ofHarvard, entered the service as a private. He rose rapidly through thegenius and force of his commanding character. He lost a leg, we believeat the siege of Yorktown, left the service, until partially recovered, when he again re-entered it as the Colonel of the Forty-ninthMassachusetts Regiment, which was raised in Berkshire County. For monthshe rode at the head of his regiment with his crutch attached to the backof his saddle. It was after his return from the South-west, (where thegallant Forty-ninth distinguished itself at Port Hudson, Plain's Stone, and other hard-won fields), with a maimed arm, that he was rewarded withthe hand of one of Berkshire's fairest daughters, a member of thispatriotic family. Several other young men, members of the same family, have also greatly distinguished themselves in the service of theircountry. 

At the very outset of the war, or as soon as the sick among thevolunteers who were pouring into New York, demanded relief, Mrs. Davisbegan to devote time and care to them. Daily leaving her elegant home, she sought out and ministered to her country's suffering defenders, atthe various temporary barracks erected for their accommodation. 

When the Park Barracks Ladies' Association was formed, she became itsSecretary, and so continued for a long period, most faithful andenergetic in her ministrations. This association included in its workthe Hospital on Bedloe's Island, and Mrs. Davis was one of the first whocommenced making regular visits there. 

Most of the men brought to Bedloe's Island in the earlier part of thewar, were sick with the various diseases consequent upon theunaccustomed climate and the unwonted exposure they had encountered. They needed a very careful and regular diet, one which the army rations, though perhaps suitable and sufficient for men in health, were unable tosupply. It was but natural that these ladies, full of the warm sympathywhich prompted them to the unusual tasks they had undertaken, shouldshrink from seeing a half-convalescent fever patient fed with hard-breadand salt pork, or the greasy soups of which pork was the basis. Theybrought delicacies, often prepared by their own hands or in their ownkitchens, and were undoubtedly injudicious, sometimes, in theiradministration. Out of this arose the newspaper controversy between thepublic and the surgeons in charge, at Bedloe's Island, which is probablyyet fresh in many minds. It was characterized by a good deal ofacrimony. 

Mrs. Davis avers that neither she nor her friends gave food to thepatients without the consent of the physicians. The affair terminated, as is well-known, by the removal of the surgeon in charge. 

The Ladies Park Barracks' Association was, as a body, opposed toextending its benefactions beyond New York and its immediate vicinity. Mrs. Davis was of a different opinion, and was, beside, not altogetherpleased with the management of the association. She therefore, after atime, relinquished her official connection with it, though never for oneinstant relaxing her efforts for the same general object. 

For a long series of months Mrs. Davis repaired almost daily to thelarge General Hospital at David's Island, where thousands of sick andwounded men were sometimes congregated. Here she and her chiefassociates, Mrs. Chapman, and Miss Morris, established the most amicablerelations with the surgeon in charge, Dr. McDougall, and were welcomedby him, as valued coadjutors. 

On the opening of the Soldiers' Rest, in Howard Street, an associationof ladies was formed to aid in administering to the comfort of the poorfellows who tarried there during their transit through the city, or werereceived in the well-conducted hospital connected with the institution. Of this association Mrs. Davis was the Secretary, during the whole termof its existence. 

This association, as well as the institution itself, was admirablyconducted, and perhaps performed as much real and beneficial work as anyother in the vicinity of New York. It was continued in existence tillseveral months after the close of the war. 

Besides her visits at David's Island and Howard Street, which were mostassiduous, Mrs. Davis as often as possible visited the Central Park, orMount St. Vincent Hospital, the Ladies' Home Hospital, at the corner ofLexington Avenue and Fifty-first Street, and the New England Rooms inBroadway. At all of these she was welcomed, and her efforts mostgratefully received. Seldom indeed did a day pass, during the long fouryears of the war, and for months after the suspension of hostilities, that her kind face was not seen in one or more of the hospitals. 

Her social position, as well as her genuine dignity of manners enforcedthe respect of all the officials, and won their regard. Her untiringdevotion and kindness earned her the almost worshipping affection of thethousands of sufferers to whom she ministered. 

Letters still reach her, at intervals, from the men who owe, perhapslife, certainly relief and comfort to her cherishing care. Ignorant men, they may be, little accustomed to the amenities of life, capable only ofcomposing the strangely-worded, ill-spelled letters they send, but thegratitude they express is so abundant and so genuine, that one overlooksthe uncouthness of manner, and the unattractive appearance of theepistles. And seldom does she travel but at the most unexpected pointsscarred and maimed veterans present themselves before her, and with thedeepest respect beg the privilege of once more offering their thanks. She may have forgotten the faces, that in the great procession ofsuffering flitted briefly before her, but they will never forget theface that bent above their couch of pain. 

The native county of Mrs. Davis, Berkshire, Massachusetts, was famousfor the abundance and excellence of the supplies it continually sentforward to the sick and suffering soldiers. The appeals of Mrs. Davis tothe women of Berkshire, were numerous and always effective. Her letterswere exceedingly graphic and spirited, and were published frequently inthe county papers, reaching not only the villages in the teeming valleysbut the scattered farm-houses among the hills; and they continuallygave impulse and direction to the noble charities of those women, who, in their quiet homes, had already sent forth their dearest and best tothe service of the country. 

Mrs. Davis for herself disclaims all merit, but has no word of praisetoo much for these. They made the real sacrifices, these women who fromtheir small means gave so much, who rose before the sun, alike in thecold of winter and the heat of summer, who performed the most menialtasks and the hardest toil that they might save for the soldiers, thatthey might gain time to work for the soldiers. It was they who gavemuch, not the lady who laid aside only the soft pleasures of a luxuriouslife, whose well-trained servants left no task unfinished during herabsence, whose bath, and dress, and dinner were always ready on herreturn from the tour of visiting, who gave only what was not missed fromher abundance, and made no sacrifice but that of her personal ease. Sospeaks Mrs. Davis, in noble self-depreciation of herself and her class. There is a variety of gifts. God and her country will decide whose workwas most worthy. 

[Illustration: MISS MARY J. SAFFORD. Eng. By John Sartain. ]

MISS MARY J. SAFFORD

Miss Mary J. Safford, is a native of New England, having been born inVermont, though her parents, very worthy people, early emigrated to theWest, and settled in Northern Illinois, in which State she has sinceresided, making her home most of the time in Crete, Joliet, Shawneetownand Cairo; the last named place is her present home. 

Miss Safford, early in life, evinced an unusual thirst for knowledge, and gave evidence of an intellect of a superior order; and, with anenergy and zeal seldom known, she devoted every moment to the attainmentof an education, the cultivation of her mind--and the gaining of suchinformation as the means at hand afforded. Her love of the beautiful andgood was at once marked, and every opportunity made use of to satisfyher desires in these directions. 

Her good deeds date from the days of her childhood, and the remarkablyhigh sense of duty of which she is possessed, makes her continually insearch of some object of charity upon which to exert her beneficence andkindly care. 

The commencement of the late rebellion, found her a resident of Cairo, Illinois, and immediately upon the arrival of the Union soldiers there, she set about organizing and establishing temporary hospitals throughoutthe different regiments, in order that the sick might have immediate andproper care and attention until better and more permanent arrangementscould be effected. Every day found her a visitor and a laborer amongthese sick soldiers, scores of whom now bear fresh in their memories the_petite_ form, and gentle and loving face of that good angel of mercy towhom they are indebted, through her kind and watchful care and nursing, for the lives they are now enjoying. 

The morning after the battle of Belmont, found her, --the onlylady--early on the field, fearlessly penetrating far into the enemies'lines, with her handkerchief tied upon a little stick, and waving aboveher head as a flag of truce, --ministering to the wounded, which our armyhad been compelled to leave behind, to some extent--and many a Unionsoldier owes his life to her almost superhuman efforts on that occasion. She continued her labors with the wounded after their removal to thehospitals, supplying every want in her power, and giving words ofcomfort and cheer to every heart. 

As soon as the news of the terrible battle of Pittsburg Landing reachedher, she gathered together a supply of lints and bandages, and providedherself with such stimulants and other supplies as might be required, not forgetting a good share of delicacies, and hastened to the scene ofsuffering and carnage, where she toiled incessantly day and night in herpilgrimage of love and mission of mercy for more than three weeks, andthen only returned with a steamboat-load of the wounded on their way tothe general hospitals. She continued her labors among the hospitals atCairo and the neighborhood, constantly visiting from one to the other. Any day she could be seen on her errands of mercy passing along thestreets with her little basket loaded with delicacies, orreading-matter, or accompanied with an attendant carrying ample suppliesto those who had made known to her their desire for some favorite dishor relish. On Christmas day, 1861, there were some twenty-five regimentsstationed at Cairo, and on that day she visited all the camps, andpresented to every sick soldier some little useful present or token. Thenumber of sad hearts that she made glad that day no one will ever knowsave He who knoweth all things. Her zeal and energy in this good workwas so far in excess of her physical abilities, that she labored beyondher endurance, and her health finally became so much impaired that shewas induced to leave the work and make a tour in Europe, where at thiswriting she still is, though an invalid. Her good deeds even followedher in her travels in a foreign land, and no sooner had the GermanStates become involved in war, than she was called upon and consulted asto the establishment of hospital regulations and appointments there--andeven urged to take charge of and establish and direct the whole system. 

Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission, who hasknown as much of Miss Safford's work, as any one connected with theservice, writes thus of her:

"Miss Safford commenced her labors immediately, when Cairo was occupied. I think she was the _very first woman_ who went into the camps andhospitals, in the country; I know she was in the West. There was nosystem, no organization, nothing to do with. She systematized everythingin Cairo, furnished necessaries with her own means, or rather with herbrother's, who is wealthy; went daily to the work, and though surgeonsand authorities everywhere were opposed to her efforts, she disarmed allopposition by her sweetness and grace and beauty. _She did just what shepleased. _ At Pittsburg Landing, where she was found in advance of otherwomen, she was hailed by dying soldiers, who did not know her name, buthad seen her at Cairo, as the 'Cairo Angel. ' She came up with boat-loadafter boat-load of sick and wounded soldiers who were taken to hospitalsat Cairo, Paducah, St. Louis, etc. , cooking all the while for them, dressing wounds, singing to them, and praying with them. She did notundress on the way up from Pittsburg Landing, but worked incessantly. 

"She was very frail, as _petite_ as a girl of twelve summers, andutterly unaccustomed to hardships. Sleeping in hospital tents, workingon pestilential boats, giving up everything to this life, carrying thesorrows of the country, and the burdens of the soldier on her heart likepersonal griefs, with none of the aids in the work that came afterwards, she broke down at the end of the first eighteen months, and will neveragain be well. Her brother sent her immediately to Paris, where sheunderwent the severest treatment for the cure of the injury to thespine, occasioned by her life in the army and hospitals. The physicianssubsequently prescribed travel, and she has been since that time inEurope. She is highly educated, speaks French and German as well asEnglish, and some Italian. She is the most indomitable little creatureliving, heroic, uncomplaining, self-forgetful, and will yet 'die inharness. ' When the war broke out in Italy, she was in Florence, and atMadame Mario's invitation, immediately went to work to assist theItalian ladies in preparing for the sick and wounded of their soldiers. In Norway, she was devising ways and means to assist poor girls toemigrate to America, where they had relatives--and so everywhere. Shemust be counted among those who have given up health, and ultimatelylife for the country. "

We add also the following extracts from a letter from Cairo, publishedin one of the Chicago papers, early in the war. 

 AN ANGEL AT CAIRO. 

 "I cannot close this letter from Cairo without a passing word of one whose name is mentioned by thousands of our soldiers with gratitude and blessing. Miss Mary Safford is a resident of this town, whose life since the beginning of the war, has been devoted to the amelioration of the soldier's lot, and his comfort in the hospitals. She is a young lady, _petite_ in figure, unpretending, but highly cultivated, by no means officious, and so wholly unconscious of her excellencies, and the great work she is achieving, that I fear this public allusion to her may pain her modest nature. Her sweet, young face, full of benevolence, pleasant voice, and winning manner instate her in every one's heart directly; and the more one sees her, the more he admires her great soul and her noble nature. Not a day elapses but she is found in the hospitals, unless indeed she is absent on an errand of mercy up the Tennessee, or to the hospitals in Kentucky. 

 "Every sick and wounded soldier in Cairo knows and loves her; and as she enters the ward, every pale face brightens at her approach. As she passes along, she inquires of each one how he has passed the night, if he is well supplied with reading matter, and if there is anything she can do for him. All tell her their story frankly--the man old enough to be her father, and the boy of fifteen, who should be out of the army, and home with his mother. One thinks he would like a baked apple if the doctor will allow it--another a rice pudding, such as she can make--a third a tumbler of buttermilk--a fourth wishes nothing, is discouraged, thinks he shall die, and breaks down utterly, in tears, and him she soothes and encourages, till he resolves for her sake, to keep up a good heart, and hold on to life a little longer--a fifth wants her to write to his wife--a sixth is afraid to die, and with him, and for him, her devout spirit wrestles, till light shines through the dark valley--a seventh desires her to sit by him and read, and so on. Every request is attended to, be it ever so trivial, and when she goes again, if the doctor has sanctioned the gratification of the sick man's wish, the buttermilk, baked apple, rice pudding, etc. , are carried along. Doctors, nurses, medical directors, and army officers, are all her true friends; and so judicious and trustworthy is she, that the Chicago Sanitary Commission have given her _carte blanche_ to draw on their stores at Cairo for anything she may need in her errands of mercy. She is performing a noble work, and that too in the quietest and most unconscious manner. Said a sick soldier from the back woods, in the splendid hospital at Mound City, who was transferred thither from one of the miserable regimental hospitals at Cairo, 'I'm taken care of here a heap better than I was at Cairo; but I'd rather be there than here, for the sake of seeing that little gal that used to come in every day to see us. I tell you what, she's an angel, if there is any. ' To this latter assertion we say amen! most heartily. "

Miss Safford is the sister of A. B. Safford, Esq. , a well-known andhighly respected banker at Cairo, Illinois, and of Hon. A. P. K. Saffordof Nevada. 

MRS. LYDIA G. PARRISH. 

At the outbreak of hostilities Mrs. Parrish was residing at Media, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Her husband, Dr. Joseph Parrish, hadcharge of an institution established there for idiots, or those offeeble mental capacity, and it cannot be doubted that Mrs. Parrish, withher kindly and benevolent instincts, and desire for usefulness, foundthere an ample sphere for her efforts, and a welcome occupation. 

But as in the case of thousands of others, all over the country, Mrs. Parrish found the current of her life and its occupations marvellouslychanged, by the war. There was a new call for the efforts of woman, suchan one as in our country, or in the world, had never been made. Englishwomen had set the example of sacrifice and work for their countrymen inarms, but their efforts were on a limited scale, and bore but a verysmall proportion to the great uprising of loyal women in our country, and their varied, grand persistent labors during the late civil war inAmerica. Not a class, or grade, or rank, of our countrywomen, but wasrepresented in this work. The humble dweller in the fishing cabins onthe bleak and desolate coast, the woman of the prairie, and of thecities, the wife and daughter of the mechanic, and the farmer, of themerchant, and the professional man, the lady from the mansion of wealth, proud perhaps of her old name, of her culture and refinement--all metand labored together, bound by one common bond of patriotism and ofsympathy. 

Mrs. Parrish was one of the first to lay her talents and her effortsupon the altar of her country. In 1861, and almost as soon as the needof woman's self-sacrificing labors became apparent, she volunteered herservices in behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Union. 

She visited Washington while the army was yet at the capital and in itsvicinity. Her husband, Dr. Parrish, had become connected with the newlyorganized Sanitary Commission, and in company with him and othergentlemen similarly connected, she examined the different forts, barracks, camps, and hospitals then occupied by our troops, for thepurpose of ascertaining their condition, and selecting a suitable spherefor the work in which she intended to engage. 

On the first day of 1862, she commenced her hospital labors, selectingfor that purpose the Georgetown Seminary Hospital. She wrote letters forthe patients, read to them, and gave to them all the aid and comfort inher power; and she was thus enabled to learn their real wants, and toseek the means of supplying them. Their needs were many, and awakenedall her sympathies and incited her to ever-renewed effort. After oneday's trial of these new scenes, she wrote thus in her journal, January2, 1862: "My heart is so oppressed with the sight of suffering I seearound me that I am almost unfitted for usefulness; such sights are newto me. I feel the need of some resource, where I may apply fordelicacies and comforts, which are positively necessary. The SanitaryCommission is rapidly becoming the sinew of strength for the sick andwounded, and I will go to their store-rooms. " Application was made tothe Commission, and readily and promptly responded to. She wasauthorized to draw from their stores, and was promised aid andprotection from the organization. 

Both camps and hospitals were rapidly filling up; the weather wasinclement and the roads bad, but at the solicitation of other earnestworkers, she made occasional visits to camps in the country, anddistributed clothing, books and comforts of various kinds. The "BerdanSharp-shooters" were encamped a few miles from the city, and neededimmediate assistance. She was requested by the Secretary of theCommission to "visit the camps, make observations, inquire into theirneeds, and report to the Commission. " She reached the camp throughalmost impassable roads, and was received by the officers with respectand consideration, upon announcing the object of her visit. She madecalls upon the men in hospitals and quarters, returned to Washington, reported "two hundred sick, tents and streets needing police, small poxbreaking out, men discouraged, and officers unable to procure thenecessary aid, that she had distributed a few jellies to the sick, checker boards to a few of the tents, and made a requisition forsupplies to meet the pressing want. " This little effort was the means ofaffording speedy relief to many suffering men. She did not however feelat liberty to abandon her hospital service, as we learn from a note inher diary, that "this outside work does not seem to be my mission. Ihave become thoroughly interested in my daily rounds at the cityhospitals, particularly at Georgetown Seminary, where my heart andenergies are fully enlisted. " She passed several weeks in this service, going from bed to bed with her little stores, which she dispensed underinstructions from the surgeon, without being known by name to the manyrecipients of her attention and care. 

The stores of the Commission were not then as ample as they afterwardbecame, when its noble aims had become more fully understood, and itsgrand mission of benevolence more widely known, and the sick and woundedwere in need of many things not obtainable from either this source orthe Government supplies. Mrs. Parrish determined, therefore, to returnto her northern home and endeavor to interest the people of herneighborhood in the cause she had so much at heart. She found the peopleready to respond liberally to her appeals, and soon returned toWashington well satisfied with the success of her efforts. 

She felt now that her time, and if need be her life, must beconsecrated to this work, and as her diary expresses it, she "could notremain at home, " and that if she could be of service in her new sphereof labor she "must return. "

After her brief absence, she re-entered the Georgetown SeminaryHospital. Death had removed some of her former patients, others hadreturned to duty, but others whom she left there welcomed her withenthusiasm as the "orange lady, " a title she had unconsciously earnedfrom the fact that she had been in the habit of distributing orangesfreely to such of the patients as were allowed to have them. 

The experience of life often shows us the importance of little actswhich so frequently have an entirely disproportionate result. Mrs. Parrish found this true in her hospital ministrations. Little gifts andattentions often opened the way to the closed hearts of those to whomshe ministered, and enabled her to reach the innermost concealedthought-life of her patients. 

A soldier sat in his chair, wrapped in his blanket, forlorn, haggardfrom disease, sullen, selfish in expression, and shrinking from hernotice as she passed him. To her morning salutation, he would returnonly a cold recognition. He seemed to be bristling with defenses againstencroachment. And thus it remained till one day a small gift penetratedto the very citadel of his fortress. 

"Shall I read to you?" she commenced, kindly, to which he replied, surlily, "Don't want reading. " "Shall I write to any of your friends?"she continued. "I hav'n't any friends, " he said in the sourest tone. Repulsed, but not baffled, she presently, and in the same kind manner, took an orange from her basket, and gently asked him if he would acceptit. There was a perceptible brightening of his face, but he onlyanswered, in the same surly tone, as he held forth his hand, "Don't careif I do. "

And yet, in a little time, his sullen spirit yielded--he spread all histroubles before the friend he had so long repulsed, and opening hisheart, showed that what had seemed so selfish and moody in him, arosefrom a deep sense of loneliness and discouragement, which disappearedthe moment the orange had unlocked his heart, and admitted her to hisconfidence and affection. 

About six weeks she spent thus in alternate visits to the varioushospitals in the vicinity of Washington, though her labors wereprincipally confined to the Georgetown Hospital, where they commenced, and where her last visit was made. 

As her home duties called her at that time, she returned thither, briefly. Soon after she reached home, she received a letter from one ofher former patients to whom she had given her address, requesting her tocall at the Broad and Cherry Street Hospital, in Philadelphia. She didso, and on entering the building found herself surrounded by familiarfaces. Her old Washington friends had just arrived, and welcomed herwith cordial greetings. The stronger ones approached her withoutstretched hands--some, too feeble to rise, covered their faces andwept with joy--she was the only person known to them in all the greatlonely city. The surgeon-in-charge, observing this scene, urged her tovisit the hospital often, where her presence was sure to do the mengreat good. 

During her stay at home she assisted in organizing a Ladies' Aid Societyat Chester. She was appointed Directress for the township where sheresided, and as the hospital was about to be located near Chester, she, with others, directed her attention to preparing and furnishing it. Sewing-circles were formed, and as a result of the efforts made, by thetime the soldiers arrived, a plentiful supply of nice clothing, delicacies, etc. , etc. , was ready for them. 

Mrs. Parrish united with other women of the vicinity in organizing acorps of volunteer nurses, who continued to perform their duties withregularity and faithfulness until some time after, a new order dispensedwith their services. 

Her labors during the summer and autumn of 1862 visibly affected herhealth, and were the cause of a severe illness which continued forseveral weeks. 

Her health being at length restored, she went to Washington, spent a fewdays in visiting the hospitals there, and then, with a pass sent her byMajor-General Sumner, from Falmouth, she joined Mrs. Dr. Harris andstarted, January 17th, 1863, for Falmouth via Acquia Creek. 

The army was in motion and much confusion existed, but they foundcomfortable quarters at the Lacy House, where they were under theprotection of the General and his staff. 

Here Mrs. Parrish found much to do, there being a great deal of sicknessamong the troops. The weather was stormy, and the movement of the armywas impeded; and though she underwent much privation for want ofsuitable food, and on account of the inclement season she continuedfaithful at her post and accomplished much good. 

In December of the same year she accompanied her husband, with theMedical Director of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, on atour of inspection to the hospitals of Yorktown, Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newbern, North Carolina. While at Old Point shelearned that there was about to be an exchange of prisoners, anddesiring to render some services in this direction obtained permissionfrom General Butler to proceed, in company with a friend, Miss L. C. Onthe flag-of-truce boat to City Point, witness the exchange, and rendersuch aid as was possible to our men on their return passage. 

There were five hundred Confederate prisoners on board, who, as herjournal records, "sang our National airs, and seemed to be a jolly andhappy healthy company. "

Our men were in a very different condition--"sick and weary, " andneeding the Sanitary Commission supplies, which had been brought forthem, yet shouting with feeble voices their gladness at being once moreunder the old flag, and in freedom. Mrs. Parrish fed and comfortedthese poor men as best she could, till the steamer anchored off OldPoint again. 

It had been intended to continue the exchange much further, but adispute arising concerning the treatment of negro prisoners, theoperations of the cartel were arrested, and the exchange suspended. Shefound, therefore, no further need of her services in this direction, andso returned home. 

For many months to come, as one of the managers of the women's branch ofthe United States Sanitary Commission, she found ample employment inpreparation for the great Philadelphia Fair, in which arduous serviceshe continued until its close, in July, 1864. The exhausting labors ofthese months, and the heat of the weather during the continuance of theFair, made it necessary for her to have a respite for the remainder ofthe summer. 

It was in the early winter of this year that she accompanied her husbandon a tour of inspection to the hospitals of Annapolis, and became sointerested in the condition of the returned prisoners, who needed somuch done for them in the way of personal care, that she gladlyconsented, at the solicitation of the medical officers and agent of theCommission, to serve there for a season. 

Of the usefulness of her work among the prisoners, testimony isabundant. What she saw, and what she did, is most touchingly set forthin the following letters from her pen, extracted from the Bulletin ofthe United States Sanitary Commission:

 ANNAPOLIS, _December 1, 1864_. 

 "The steamer _Constitution_ arrived this morning with seven hundred and six men, one hundred and twenty-five of whom were sent immediately to hospitals, being too ill to enjoy more than the sight of their 'promised land. ' Many indeed, were in a dying condition. Some had died a short time before the arrival of the boat. Those who were able, proceeded to the high ground above the landing, and after being divided into battalions, each was conducted in turn to the Government store-house, under charge of Captain Davis, who furnished each man with a new suit of clothes recorded his name, regiment and company. They then passed out to another building near by, where warm water, soap, towels, brushes and combs awaited them. 

 "After their ablutions they returned to the open space in front of the building, to look around and enjoy the realities of their new life. Here they were furnished with paper, envelopes, sharpened pencils, hymn-books and tracts from the Sanitary Commission, and sat down to communicate the glad news of their freedom to friends at home. In about two hours most of the men who were able, had sealed their letters and deposited them in a large mail bag which was furnished, and they were soon sent on their way to hundreds of anxious kindred and friends. 

 "Captain Davis very kindly invited me to accompany him to another building, to witness the administration of the food. Several cauldrons containing nice coffee, piles of new white bread, and stands covered with meat, met the eye. Three dealers were in attendance. The first gave to each soldier a loaf of bread, the second a slice of boiled meat, the third, dipping the new tin-cup from the hand of each, into the coffee cauldron, dealt out hot coffee; and how it was all received I am unable to describe. The feeble ones reached out their emaciated hands to receive gladly, that which they were scarcely able to carry, and with brightening faces and grateful expressions went on their way. The stouter ones of the party, however, must have their jokes, and such expressions as the following passed freely among them: 'No stockade about this bread, ' 'This is no confederate dodge, ' etc. One fellow, whose skin was nearly black from exposure, said, 'That's more bread than I've seen for two months. ' Another, 'That settles a man's plate. ' A bright-eyed boy of eighteen, whose young spirit had not been completely crushed out in rebeldom, could not refrain from a hurrah, and cried out, 'Hurrah for Uncle Sam, hurrah! No Confederacy about this bread. ' One poor feeble fellow, almost too faint to hold his loaded plate, muttered out, 'Why, this looks as if we were going to live, there's no grains of corn for a man to swallow whole in this loaf. ' Thus the words of cheer and hope came from almost every tongue, as they received their rations and walked away, each with his 'thank you, thank you;' and sat down upon the ground, which forcibly reminded me of the Scripture account where the multitude sat down in companies, 'and did eat and were filled. '

 "Ambulances came afterwards to take those who were unable to walk to Camp Parole, which is two miles distant. One poor man, who was making his way behind all the rest to reach the ambulance, thought it would leave him, and with a most anxious and pitiful expression, cried out, 'Oh, wait for me!' I think I shall never forget his look of distress. When he reached the wagon he was too feeble to step in, but Captain Davis, and Rev. J. A. Whitaker, Sanitary Commission agent, assisted him till he was placed by the side of his companions, who were not in much better condition than himself. When he was seated, he was so thankful, that he wept like a child, and those who stood by to aid him could do no less. Soldiers--brave soldiers, officers and all, were moved to tears. That must be a sad discipline which not only wastes the manly form till the sign of humanity is nearly obliterated, but breaks the manly spirit till it is as tender as a child's. "

 "_December 6, 1864. _

 "The St. John's College Hospital, is under the management of Dr. Palmer, surgeon-in-charge, and his executive officer, Dr. Tremaine. These gentlemen are worthy of praise for the systematic arrangement of its cleanly apartments, and for the very kind attention they bestow on their seven hundred patients. I visited the hospital a day or two ago, and, from what I saw there, can assure the relatives at home, that the sufferers are well provided for. If they could only be seen, how comfortable they look in their neat white-spread beds, much pain would be spared them. One of the surgeons informed me that all the appliances are bestowed either by the Government or the Sanitary Commission. 

 "As I passed through the different wards, I noticed that each one was well supplied with rocking-chairs, and alluding to the great comfort they must be to the invalids, the surgeon replied: 'Yes, this is one of the rich gifts made to us by the Sanitary Commission. ' An invalid took up the words and remarked: 'I think it's likely that all about me is from the Sanitary, for I see my flannel shirt, this wrapper, and pretty much all I've got on, has the stamp of the United States Sanitary Commission on it. '

 "The diet kitchen is under the care of Miss Rich, who, with her assistants, was busy preparing delicacies of various kinds, for two hundred patients who were not able to go to the convalescent's table. The whole atmosphere was filled with the odor of savory viands. On the stove I counted mutton-chops, beef-steaks, oysters, chicken, milk, tea, and other very palatable articles cooking. A man stood by a table, buttering nicely toasted bread; before him were eight to ten rows of the staff of life, rising up like pillars of strength to support the inner man. The chief cook in this department, informed me that he buttered twelve hundred slices of bread, or toast daily, for the diet patients, and prepared eighty-six different dishes at each meal. While in conversation with this good-natured person, the butcher brought in a supply of meat, amounting, he informed me, to one hundred pounds per day for the so-called diet kitchen, though this did not sound much like it. Before we left this attractively clean place the oysterman was met emptying his cans. Upon inquiring how many oysters he had, he replied, 'Six gallons is my every day deposit here;' and oh! they were so inexpressibly fine-looking, I could not resist robbing some poor fellow of one large bivalve to ascertain their quality. Next we were shown the store-room, where there was a good supply of Sanitary stores, pads, pillows, shirts, drawers, arm-slings, stock of crutches, fans, and other comforts, which, the doctor said, had been deposited by the United States Sanitary Commission Agent. These were useful articles that were not furnished by the Government. 

 "The executive officer having given us permission to find our way among the patients, we passed several hours most profitably and interestingly, conversing with those who had none to cheer them for many months, and writing letters for those who were too feeble to use the pen. When the day closed our labors we felt like the disciple of old, who said, 'Master, it is good to be here, ' and wished that we might set up our tabernacle and glorify the Lord by doing good to the sick, the lame, and those who had been in prison. "

 "_December 8, 1864. _

 "No human tongue or pen can ever describe the horrible suffering we have witnessed this day. 

 "I was early at the landing, eight and a-half o'clock in the morning, before the boat threw out her ropes for security. The first one brought two hundred bad cases, which the Naval surgeon told me should properly go to the hospital near by, were it not that others were coming, every one of whom was in the most wretched condition imaginable. They were, therefore, sent in ambulances to Camp Parole hospital, distant two miles, after being washed and fed at the barracks. 

 "In a short time another boat-load drew near, and oh! such a scene of suffering humanity I desire never to behold again. The whole deck was a bed of straw for our exhausted, starved, emaciated, dying fellow-creatures. Of the five hundred and fifty that left Savannah, the surgeon informed me not over two hundred would survive; fifty had died on the passage; three died while the boat was coming to the land. I saw five men dying as they were carried on stretchers from the boat to the Naval Hospital. The stretcher-bearers were ordered by Surgeon D. Vanderkieft to pause a moment that the names of the dying men might be obtained. To the credit of the officers and their assistants it should be known that everything was done in the most systematic and careful manner. Each stretcher had four attendants, who stood in line and came up promptly, one after the other, to receive the sufferers as they were carried off the boat. There was no confusion, no noise; all acted with perfect military order. Ah! it was a solemn funeral service to many a brave soldier, that was thus being performed by kind hearts and hands. 

 "Some had become insane; their wild gaze, and clenched teeth convinced the observer that reason had fled; others were idiotic; a few lying in spasms; perhaps the realization of the hope long cherished, yet oft deferred, or the welcome sound of the music, sent forth by the military band, was more than their exhausted nature could bear. When blankets were thrown over them, no one would have supposed that a human form lay beneath, save for the small prominences which the bony head and feet indicated. Oh! God of justice, what retribution awaits the perpetrators of such slow and awful murder. 

 "The hair of some was matted together, like beasts of the stall which lie down in their own filth. Vermin are over them in abundance. Nearly every man was darkened by scurvy, or black with rough scales, and with scorbutic sores. One in particular was reduced to the merest skeleton; his face, neck, and feet covered with thick, green mould. A number who had Government clothes given them on the boat were too feeble to put them on, and were carried ashore partially dressed, hugging their clothing with a death-grasp that they could not be persuaded to yield. It was not unfrequent to hear a man feebly call, as he was laid on a stretcher, "Don't take my clothes;" "Oh, save my new shoes;" "Don't let my socks go back to Andersonville. " In their wild death-struggle, with bony arms and hands extended, they would hold up their new socks, that could not be put on because of their swollen limbs, saying 'Save 'em till I get home. ' In a little while, however, the souls of many were released from their worn-out frames, and borne to that higher home where all things are registered for a great day of account. 

 "Let our friends at home have open purses and willing hands to keep up the supplies for the great demand that must necessarily be made upon them. Much more must yet be done. 

 "Thousands now languish in Southern prisons, that may yet be brought thus far toward home. Let every Aid Society be more diligent, that the stores of the Sanitary Commission may not fail in this great work. "

Her services at Annapolis were cut short, and prematurely discontinued;for returning to her home for a short stay, to make preparations for alonger sojourn at Annapolis, she was again attacked by illness, whichrendered it impossible for her to go thither again. 

On her recovery, knowing that an immense amount of ignorance existedamong officers and men concerning the operations of the SanitaryCommission, she compiled a somewhat elaborate, yet carefully condensedstatement of its plans and workings, together with a great amount ofuseful information in relation to the facilities embraced in its systemof special relief, giving a list of all Homes and Lodges, and tellinghow to secure back pay for soldiers, on furlough or discharged, bounties, pensions, etc. , etc. Bound up with this, is a choicecollection of hymns, adapted to the soldier's use, the whole forming aneat little volume of convenient size for the pocket. 

The manuscript was submitted to the committee, accepted, and one hundredthousand copies ordered to be printed for gratuitous distribution in allthe hospitals and camps. The "Soldiers' Friend, " as it was called, wassoon distributed in the different departments and posts of the army, andwas even found in the Southern hospitals and prisons, while it was thepocket companion of men in the trenches, as well as of those in quartersand hospital. Many thousands were instructed by this little directory, where to find the lodges, homes and pension offices of the Commission, and were guarded against imposture and loss. So urgent was the demandfor it, and so useful was it, that the committee ordered a secondedition. 

Perhaps no work published by the Sanitary Commission has been of morereal and practical use than this little volume, or has had so large acirculation. It was the last public work performed for the Commission byMrs. Parrish. At the close of the war her labors did not end; buttransferring her efforts to the amelioration of the condition of thefreedmen, she still found herself actively engaged in a work growingdirectly out of the war. 

MRS. ANNIE WITTENMEYER

Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, who, during the early part of the war was widelyknown as the State Sanitary Agent of Iowa, and afterward as theoriginator of the Diet Kitchens, which being attached to hospitalsproved of the greatest benefit as an adjunct of the medical treatment, was at the outbreak of the rebellion, residing in quiet seclusion atKeokuk. With the menace of armed treason to the safety of her country'sinstitutions, she felt all her patriotic instincts and sentimentsarousing to activity. She laid aside her favorite intellectual pursuits, and prepared herself to do what a woman might in the emergency whichcalled into existence a great army, and taxed the Government far beyondits immediate ability in the matter of Hospital Supplies and the properprovision for, and care of the sick and wounded. 

Early in 1861 rumors of the sufferings of the volunteer soldiery, calledso suddenly to the field, and from healthy northern climates toencounter the unwholesome and miasmatic exhalations of more southernregions, as well as the pain of badly-dressed wounds, began to thrilland grieve the hearts which had willingly though sadly sent them forthin their country's defense. Mrs. Wittenmeyer saw at once that a field ofusefulness opened before her. Her first movement was to write letters toevery town in her State urging patriotic women in every locality toorganize themselves into Aid Societies, and commence systematically thework of supplying the imperative needs of the suffering soldiers. Theseappeals, and the intense sympathy and patriotism that inspired thehearts of the women of the North, proved quite sufficient. In Iowa theearlier Reports were addressed to her, and societies throughout theState forwarded their goods to the Keokuk Aid Society with which she wasconnected. As the agent of this society Mrs. Wittenmeyer went to thefield and distributed these supplies. 

Thus her work had its inception--and being still the chosen agent ofdistribution, she gave herself no rest. In fact, from the summer of 1861until the close of the war, she was continually and actively employed insome department of labor for the soldiers, and did not allow herself somuch as one week for rest. 

From June, 1861, to April 1st, 1862, she had received and distributedgoods to the value of $6, 000. From that to July 1st, $12, 564, and fromthat until September 25th, 1862, $2, 000, making a total of $20, 564received before her appointment of that date by the Legislature as StateAgent. From that time until her resignation of the office, January 13th, 1864, she received $115, 876. 93. Thus, in about two years and a half, shereceived and distributed more than $136, 000 worth of goods and sanitarystores contributed for the benefit of suffering soldiers. 

But while laboring so constantly in the army, Mrs. Wittenmeyer did notoverlook the needs of the destitute at home. In October, 1863, a numberof benevolent individuals, of whom she was one, called a Convention ofAid Societies, which had for its foremost object to take some stepstoward providing for the wants of the orphans of soldiers. ThatConvention led to the establishment of the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home, an Institution of which the State is now justly proud, and which isbestowing upon hundreds of children bountiful care and protection. 

While laboring in the hospitals at Chattanooga in the winter of 1863-4, Mrs. Wittenmeyer matured her long-cherished plan for supplying food forthe lowest class of hospital patients, and this led to the establishmentof Diet Kitchens. Believing her idea could be better carried out by theChristian Commission, than under any other auspices, she soon afterresigned her position as State agent, and became connected with thatorganization. 

From a little work entitled "Christ in the Army, " composed of sketchesby different individuals, and published by the Christian Commission, andfrom the Fourth Report of the Maryland Branch of the ChristianCommission, we make the following extracts, relative to Mrs. Wittenmeyer's labors in this sphere of effort:

"The sick and wounded suffer greatly from the imperfect cooking of thesoldier nurses. To remedy this evil, a number of ladies have offeredthemselves as delegates of the Christian Commission, and arrangementshave been made with the medical authorities to establish Diet Kitchens, where suitable food may be prepared by ladies' hands for our sicksoldiers, --the Government furnishing the staple articles, and theChristian Commission providing the ladies and the delicacies andcordials. One of these at Knoxville is thus described by a correspondentof _The Lutheran_:--

"There have been several large hospitals in this city, but recently theyhave been all consolidated into one. In connection with this hospital isa 'Special Diet Kitchen. ' Many of our readers will doubtless wonder whatthese 'Special Diet Kitchens' are. They have been originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, of Keokuk, formerly State Sanitary Agent of Iowa. Inher arduous labors in the Army of the Cumberland, she met with a largenumber of patients who suffered for want of suitably prepared, delicateand nutritious food. None of the benevolent institutions in connectionwith the army have been able to reach this class of persons. She says, in her report to the General Assembly of the State: 'This matter hasgiven me serious and anxious thought for the past year, but I haverecently submitted to the Christian Commission a plan by which I believethis class of patients may be reached and relieved. The plan proposed, is the establishment of "Special Diet Kitchens, " in connection with thatCommission, to be superintended by earnest, prudent Christian women, who will secure the distribution of proper food to this class ofpatients--taking such delicate articles of food as our good peoplesupply _to the very bed-sides_ of the poor languishing soldiers, andadministering, with words of encouragement and sympathy, to theirpressing wants; such persons to co-operate with the surgeons in alltheir efforts for the sick. ' This plan of operations has been sanctionedand adopted by the United States Christian Commission. There is one insuccessful operation at Nashville, under the direction, I believe, of adaughter of the Honorable J. K. Moorehead, of Pittsburg. The one here isunder the direction of Mrs. R. E. Conrad, of Keokuk, Iowa, and her twosisters. They are doing a great and good work now in Knoxville. Fromthree to five hundred patients are thus daily supplied with delicatefood, who would otherwise have scarcely anything to eat. The success oftheir labors has demonstrated beyond a doubt the practicability of theplan of Mrs. Wittenmeyer. The good resulting from their arduous laborproves that much can be done by these special efforts to rescue thosewho are laid upon languishing beds of sickness and pain, and have passedalmost beyond the reach of ordinary means. The great need we have inconnection with these 'Diet Kitchens, ' is the want of canned fruits, jellies, preserves, etc. If our good people, who have already done somuch, will provide these necessary means, they will be distributed tothe most needy, and in such a way as to accomplish the most good. "

The War Department is so well satisfied with the value of these DietKitchens, in saving the lives of thousands of invalids, that it hasissued the following special Order:--

 SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 362. 

 WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C. , _October 24, 1864_. [EXTRACT. ]

 * * * * 56. Permission to visit the United States General Hospitals, within the lines of the several Military Departments of the United States, for the purpose of superintending the preparation of food in the Special Diet Kitchens of the same, is hereby granted Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, Special Agent United States Christian Commission, and such ladies as she may deem proper to employ, by request of the United States surgeons. The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the necessary transportation. 

 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: E. D. TOWNSEND, _Assistant Adjutant-General. _ OFFICIAL:

 DIET KITCHENS. 

Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer suggested and introduced the use of the DietKitchen into the hospitals. The Kitchen was used extensively among theBranch Offices of the West. The design of the Kitchen was, to haveprepared for the men who were under treatment, such articles of food anddelicacies as are grateful to the sick, and at the same time may beallowed with safety. The ladies who were engaged in this departmentperformed their labors under the direction of the surgeons, whoappointed their stations and approved their preparations. The processwas very much like that of the house in which the surgeon directs, andthe family provides, the nourishing food that is needed for the patient. 

Mrs. Wittenmeyer had the Diet Kitchens under her supervision. She wasthe agent of the Commission for the purpose. She operated underregulations which were approved by the Commission and by the WarDepartment. These regulations were printed and circulated among themanagers of the Kitchens. So effective were the orders under which thedepartment was conducted, that not the least difficulty ormisunderstanding occurred, notwithstanding the responsible relations ofthe co-operators, part being officials of the army and part under thedirection of a voluntary service. Each of the managers was furnishedwith a copy of the rules, which, with the endorsement of the branchoffice with which the service was connected, constituted the commissionof the manager. 

The Special Diet Kitchens, were first adopted in the Department of theCumberland, and in that of the Mississippi, and with results sounexpectedly beneficial, that Mrs. Wittenmeyer was earnestly solicitedto extend the work to the Army of the Potomac. This she did in thewinter of 1864, and it continued until the close of the war with greatsuccess. 

Much of this success was undoubtedly owing to the class of ladiesengaged in the work. Many of them were from the highest circles ofsociety, educated, refined and accomplished, and each was required tomaintain the life and character of an earnest Christian. They thuscommanded the respect of officers and men, and proved a powerfulinstrument of good. As we have seen, the Christian Commission has borneample testimony to the value of the efforts of Mrs. Wittenmeyer, and herassociates in this department of hospital service. 

Mrs. Wittenmeyer continued actively engaged in the service of theChristian Commission, in the organizing of Diet Kitchens, and similarlabors, until the close of the war, and the disbanding of thatorganization, when she returned to her home in Keokuk, to resume thequiet life she had abandoned, and to gain needed repose, after her fouryears' effort in behalf of our suffering defenders. 

MISS MELCENIA ELLIOTT. 

Among the heroic and devoted women who have labored for the soldiers ofthe Union in the late war, and endured all the dangers and privations ofhospital life, is Miss Melcenia Elliott, of Iowa. Born in Indiana, andreared in the Northern part of Iowa, she grew to womanhood amid thescenes and associations of country life, with an artless, impulsive andgenerous nature, superior physical health, and a heart warm with thelove of country and humanity. Her father is a prosperous farmer, andgave three of his sons to the struggle for the Union, who servedhonorably to the end of their enlistment, and one of them re-enlisted asa veteran, performing oftentimes the perilous duties of a spy, that hemight obtain valuable information to guide the movements of our forces. The daughter, at the breaking out of the war, was pursuing her studiesat Washington College, in Iowa, an institution open to both sexes, andunder the patronage of the United Presbyterian Church. But the sound offife and drum, the organization of regiments composed of her friends andneighbors, and the enlistment of her brothers in the grand army of theUnion fired her ardent soul with patriotism, and an intense desire tohelp on the cause in which the soldiers had taken up the implements ofwarfare. 

For many months her thoughts were far more with the soldiers in thefield than on the course of study in the college, and as soon as therebegan to be a demand for female nurses in the hospitals, she was promptto offer her services and was accepted. 

The summer and autumn of 1862, found her in the hospitals in Tennessee, ready on all occasions for the most difficult posts of service, ministering at the bed-side of the sick and desponding, cheering themwith her warm words of encouragement and sympathy, and her pleasantsmile and ready mirthfulness, the very best antidote to the depressionof spirits and home-sickness of the worn and tired soldier. In allhospital work, in the offices of nursing and watching, and giving ofmedicines, in the preparation of special diet, in the care and attentionnecessary to have the hospital beds clean and comfortable, and the wardsin proper order, she was untiring and never gave way to weariness orfailed in strength. It was pleasant to see with what ease andsatisfaction she could lift up a sick soldier's head, smooth and arrangehis pillow, lift him into an easier position, dress his wounds, and makehim feel that somebody cared for him. 

During the winter of 1862-3, she was a nurse in one of the hospitals atMemphis, and rendered most useful and excellent service. An example ofher heroism and fortitude occurred here, that is worthy of beingmentioned. In one of the hospitals there was a sick soldier who camefrom her father's neighborhood in Iowa, whom she had known, and forwhose family she felt a friendly interest. She often visited him in thesick ward where he was, and did what she could to alleviate hissufferings, and comfort him in his illness. But gradually he becameworse, and at a time when he needed her sympathy and kind attention morethan ever, the Surgeon in charge of the hospital, issued an order thatexcluded all visitors from the wards, during those portions of the daywhen she could leave the hospital where she was on duty, to make thesevisits to her sick neighbor and friend. The front entrance of thehospital being guarded, she could not gain admission; but she had toomuch resolution, energy and courage, and too much kindness of heart, tobe thwarted in her good intentions by red tape. Finding that by scalinga high fence in the rear of the hospital, she could enter without beingobstructed by guards, and being aided in her purpose by the nurses onduty in the ward, she made her visits in the evening to the sick man'sbed-side till he died. As it was his dying wish that his remains mightbe carried home to his family, none of whom were present, she herselfundertook the difficult and responsible task. Getting leave of absencefrom her own duties, without the requisite funds for the purpose, shewas able, by her frank and open address, her self-reliance, intelligenceand courage to accomplish the task, and made the journey alone, with thebody in charge; all the way from Memphis to Washington, Iowa, overcomingall difficulties of procuring transportation, and reaching herdestination successfully. By this act of heroism, she won the gratitudeof many hearts, and gave comfort and satisfaction to the friends andrelatives of the departed soldier. 

Returning as far as St. Louis, she was transferred to the large militaryhospital at Benton Barracks and did not return to Memphis. Here for manymonths, during the spring, summer and autumn of 1863, she served mostfaithfully, and was considered one of the most efficient and capablenurses in the hospital. At this place she was associated with a band ofnoble young women, under the supervision of that excellent lady, MissEmily Parsons, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who came out from herpleasant New England home to be at the head of the nursing department ofthis hospital, (then in charge of Surgeon Ira Russell, United StatesVolunteers), and to do her part towards taking care of the sick andwounded men who had perilled their lives for their country. A warmfriendship grew up between these noble women, and Miss Parsons neverceased to regard with deep interest, the tall, heroic, determined girl, who never allowed any obstacle to stand between her and any usefulservice she could render to the defenders of her country. 

Another incident of her fearless and undaunted bravery will illustrateher character, and especially the self-sacrificing spirit by which shewas animated. During the summer of 1863, it became necessary toestablish a ward for cases of erysipelas, a disease generating anunhealthy atmosphere and propagating itself by that means. The surgeonin charge, instead of assigning a female nurse of his own selection tothis ward, called for a _volunteer_, among the women nurses of thehospital. There was naturally some hesitancy about taking so trying anddangerous a position, and, seeing this reluctance on the part of others, Miss Elliott promptly offered herself for the place. For several monthsshe performed her duties in the erysipelas ward with the same constancyand regard for the welfare of the patients that had characterized her inother positions. It was here the writer of this sketch first becameacquainted with her, and noticed the cheerful and cordial manner inwhich she waited upon the sufferers under her care, going from one toanother to perform some office of kindness, always with words of genuinesympathy, pleasantry and good will. 

Late in the fall of 1863, Miss Elliott yielded to the wishes of theWestern Sanitary Commission, and became matron of the Refugee Home ofSt. Louis--a charitable institution made necessary by the events of thewar, and designed to give shelter and assistance to poor families ofrefugees, mostly widows and children, who were constantly arriving fromthe exposed and desolated portions of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, sent North often by military authorityas deck passengers on Government boats to get them away from themilitary posts in our possession further South. For one year MissElliott managed the internal affairs of this institution with greatefficiency and good judgment, under circumstances that were very tryingto her patience and fortitude. Many of the refugees were of the classcalled "the poor white trash" of the South, filthy, ragged, proud, indolent, ill-mannered, given to the smoking and chewing of tobacco, often diseased, inefficient, and either unwilling or unable to conformto the necessary regulations of the Home, or to do their own propershare of the work of the household, and the keeping of their apartmentsin a state of cleanliness and order. 

It was a great trial of her Christian patience to see families ofchildren of all ages, dirty, ragged, and ill-mannered, lounging in thehalls and at the front door, and their mothers doing little betterthemselves, getting into disputes with each other, or hovering round astove, chewing or smoking tobacco, and leaving the necessary workallotted to them neglected and undone. But out of this material and thisconfusion Miss Elliott, by her efficiency and force of character, brought a good degree of cleanliness and order. Among other things sheestablished a school in the Home, gathered the children into it in theevening, taught them to spell, read and sing, and inspired them with adesire for knowledge. 

At the end of a year of this kind of work Miss Elliott was called to theposition of matron of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Farmington, Iowa, which she accepted and filled for several months, with her usualefficiency and success, when, after long and arduous service for thesoldiers, for the refugees and for the orphans of our country'sdefenders, she returned to the home of her family, and to the societyand occupations for which she was preparing herself before the war. 

MARY DWIGHT PETTES. 

To one who was accustomed to visit the military hospitals of St. Louis, during the first years of the war, the meeting with Mary Dwight Pettesin her ministry to the sick and wounded soldiers must always return as apleasant and sacred memory. And such an one will not fail to recall howshe carried to the men pleasant reading, how she sat by their bed-sidesspeaking words of cheer and sympathy, and singing songs of country, home, and heaven, with a voice of angelic sweetness. Nor, how afterhaving by her own exertions procured melodeons for the hospital chapels, she would play for the soldiers in their Sabbath worship, and bring herfriends to make a choir to assist in their religious services. 

Slender in form, her countenance radiant with intelligence, and her darkeyes beaming with sympathy and kindness, it was indeed a pleasantsurprise to see one so young and delicate, going about from hospital tohospital to find opportunities of doing good to the wan and suffering, and crippled heroes, who had been brought from hard-fought battle-fieldsto be cared for at the North. 

But no one of the true Sisters of Mercy, who gave themselves to thisservice during the war, felt more intense and genuine satisfaction inher labors than she, and not one is more worthy of our gratefulremembrance, now that she has passed away from the scene of her joys andher labors forever. 

Mary Dwight Pettes was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in the year 1841, and belonged to a family who were eminent for their intelligence, andreligious and moral worth. The circumstances of her early life andeducation are unknown to the writer of this sketch, but must have beensuch as to develop that purity of mind and manners, that sweetness andamiability of temper, that ready sympathy and disinterestedness ofpurpose and conduct, which, together with rare conversational andmusical powers, she possessed in so high a degree. 

Having an uncle and his family resident in St. Louis, the first year ofthe war found her in that city, engaged in the work of ministering tothe soldiers in the hospitals with her whole heart and soul. During thefirst winter of the great rebellion (1862) St. Louis was filled withtroops, and there were thirteen hospitals thronged with the sick andwounded from the early battle-fields of the war. On the 30th of Januaryof that year she thus wrote to the Boston _Transcript_, over her owninitials, some account of her labors and observations at that time. Speaking of the hospitals she said, "It is here that the evils andhorrors of the war become very apparent. Here stout hearts are broken. You see great numbers of the brave young men of the Western States, whohave left their homes to fight for their country. They were willing tobe wounded, shot, to die, if need be, but after months of inaction theyfind themselves conquered by dysentery or fever. Some fifty or sixtyeach week are borne to their long home. This may have been unavoidable, but it is hard to bear. * * * * Last night I returned home in theevening. It was dark, rainy, cold and muddy. I passed an ambulance inthe street. The two horses had each a leader walking beside them, whichindicated that a very sick soldier was within. It was a sad sight; andyet this poor man could not be moved, when he arrived at thehospital-door, until his papers were examined to see if they conformedto 'Army Regulations, ' I protest against the coldness with which theRegulations treat the sick and wounded soldiers. "

No doubt her sympathetic heart protested against all delays and allseeming indifference to the welfare of the poor fellows on whosebravery and devotion the salvation of the country depended. 

In her devotion to the sick and wounded in the hospitals, and her laborsof love among them, she sacrificed many of her own comforts andpleasures. Notwithstanding the delicacy of her own health she _would_ goabout among them doing them good. 

She took great interest in seeing the soldiers engaged in religiousworship, and in assisting to conduct the exercises of praise andthanksgiving. When these services were ended she used to go from ward toward, and passing to the bed-side of those who were too weak to join theworship in the chapel would read to them the blessed words of comfortcontained in the Book of Life, and sing to them the sweet hymn, "Jesus, I love thy charming name. "

In one of her papers she has left this record. "For a year I havevisited the hospitals constantly, and during that time they have beencrowded with sick and wounded soldiers. I never had any idea whatsuffering was until I had been in the wards after the battles of FortDonelson, Pittsburg Landing, and Pea Ridge. The poor fellows are sopatient too, and so grateful for any little service or attention. "

In another letter, speaking of the great civil war in which we were thenengaged, she wrote, "Still I have hope, trusting in the justice of God. Being a constant visitor to the hospitals in and about this city, I havetaken great pleasure in relieving the physical as well as the spiritualwants of the sick and wounded, as far as it has been in my power, proving to them that they have sympathizing friends near them, althoughtheir home-friends may be far away. I have encouraged them to becheerful, and bear their sufferings with heroic fortitude, trusting inGod, and a happier and better future. It has seemed to me that I do themsome good when I find them watching for my coming, and that every facebrightens as I enter the ward, while many say to me, 'We are always gladto see you come. It cheers and comforts us mightily to have you come sobright and smiling, asking us how we do, and saying always some pleasantword, and giving us something good to read. Then we love to hear yousing to us. Sometimes it makes the tears come in our eyes, but it kindo' lifts us up, and makes us feel better. We sometimes wonder you comehere so much among us poor fellows, but we have come to the conclusionthat your heart is in the cause for which we are fighting, and that youwant to help and cheer us so that we may get well and go back to ourregiments, and finish up the work of putting down this infernalrebellion. '"

"One day as I lifted up the head of a poor boy, who was languidlydrooping, and smoothed and fixed his pillow, he said, 'Thank you; that'snice. You are so gentle and good to me that I almost fancy I am at home, and that sister Mary is waiting upon me. '"

"Such expressions of their interest and gratitude, " she adds, "encourageme in this work, and I keep on, though often my strength almost failsme, and my heart is filled with sadness, as I see one after another ofthe poor fellows wasting away, and in a few days their cots are emptyand they sleep the sleep that knows no waking this side of the grave. "

Thus she labored on in her work of self-sacrificing love and devotion, with no compensation but the satisfaction that she was doing good, untillate in the month of December, 1862, she was attacked with the typhoidfever, which she, no doubt, had contracted in the infected air of thehospitals, and died on the 14th of January, 1863. During her five weeksof illness her thoughts were constantly with the soldiers, and in herdelirium she would imagine she was among them in their sick wards, andwould often speak to them words of consolation and sympathy. 

In a letter of Rev. Dr. Eliot, the Unitarian Pastor, of St. Louis, published in the _Christian Register_ on the following May, he gives theimpression she had left upon those with whom she had been sometimesassociated in her labors. Miss Pettes was a Unitarian in her religiousfaith, and this fact was known to one of the excellent Chaplains whoregularly officiated in the hospitals at St. Louis, and who belonged tothe Old School Presbyterian Church. He had, however, been very glad ofher co-operation and assistance in his work, and in conducting religiousworship in the hospitals, and thus spoke of her to Dr. Eliot, somemonths after her death. "Chaplain P. Said to me to-day, 'Can you notsend me some one to take the place of Mary Pettes, who died literally amartyr to the cause six months ago?' 'I don't think, ' said he, 'that youcan find another as good as she, for her whole heart was in it, and shewas like sunshine to the hospital. But, ' he added, 'all your people [theUnitarians] work as if they really cared for the soldiers and loved thecause, and I want more of them. '"

Such was the impression of her goodness and worth, and moral beauty leftby this New England girl upon the minds of those who saw her going aboutin the hospitals of St. Louis, during the first year and a-half of thewar, trying to do her part in the great work given us to do as a nation, and falling a martyr, quite as much as those who fell on the field ofbattle, to the cause of her country and liberty:--such the brief recordof a true and spotless life given, in its virgin purity and loveliness, as a sacrifice well pleasing to God. 

LOUISA MAERTZ. 

During the winter of 1863, while stationed at Helena, Arkansas, thewriter was greatly impressed with the heroic devotion to the welfare ofthe sick soldier, of a lady whom he often met in the hospitals, whereshe was constantly engaged in services of kindness to the sufferinginmates, attending to their wants, and alleviating their distress. Hesoon learned that her name was Louisa Maertz, of Quincy, Illinois, whohad come from her home all the way to Helena--at a time when thenavigation of the river was rendered dangerous by the firing ofguerrillas from the shore upon the passing steamers--that she mightdevote herself to the work of a hospital nurse. At a later period, whenhe learned that she had left a pleasant home for this arduous service, and saw how bravely she endured the discomforts of hospital life inHelena, where there was not a single well-ordered and well-providedhospital; how she went from one building to another through the filthyand muddy town, to carry the delicacies she had obtained from theSanitary Commission, and dispense them to the sick, with her own hands, he was still more impressed with these evidences of her "good, heroicwomanhood, " and her disinterested benevolence. Recently he has procureda few particulars of her history, which will serve for a brief sketch. 

Miss Maertz was born in Quincy, Illinois, in 1838. Her parents were ofGerman birth, and among the early settlers of the place. From infancyshe was of a delicate constitution, and suffered much from ill health;and at the age of eighteen years she was sent to Europe in the hope thatshe might derive benefit from the mineral springs of Germany and fromtravel and change of climate. Two years in Germany, Switzerland andItaly were spent in traveling and in the society of her relatives, someof whom were the personal friends of the Monods of Paris, Guizot, theGurneys of England, Merle D'Aubigne, of Geneva, and other literarypeople of Europe, with several of whom she became acquainted. From thisvisit abroad she received much benefit, and her general health wasgreatly improved. 

From an early period she had cherished two strong aspirations, thedesire of knowledge, and the wish to devote herself to works of charity. Her heart was always ready to sympathize with the sufferings and sorrowsof humanity; and the cause of the orphan, the slave, the poor and thehelpless excited a deep interest in her mind, and a desire to devoteherself in some way to their relief. After her return from Europe itbecame an absorbing aspiration and the subject of earnest prayer thatGod would show her some way in which she could be useful to humanity. 

As she was thus becoming prepared for the work upon which she afterwardsentered, the great rebellion, which involved the country in the latecivil war, broke forth; the early battles in Missouri, and at FortDonelson and Belmont led to the establishment of hospitals in St. Louis, at Mound City, and at Quincy, Illinois; and the opportunity came to MissMaertz, which she had so long desired, to undertake some work of charityand benevolence. During the months of October and November, 1861, shecommenced the daily visitation of the hospitals in Quincy, carried withher delicacies for the sick and distributed them, procured the redressof any grievances they suffered, read the Scriptures and conversed withthem, wrote letters for them to their friends, dressed their wounds, andfurnished them books, papers, and sources of amusement. Although herphysical strength at this period was very moderate, she seemed, onentering the hospital, and witnessing the sufferings of brave men, whohad dared everything for their country, to be infused with a new andstrange vigor that sustained her through every exertion. 

In particular cases of tedious convalescence, retarded by inferiorhospital accommodations, she--with her parents' consent--obtainedpermission to take them home, and nurse them till they were restored tohealth. Thus she labored on through the fall and winter of 1861-2 tillthe battles of Shiloh and Pea Ridge filled the hospitals with woundedmen, at St. Louis and Mound City, and at Louisville and Evansville andPaducah, and she began to feel that she must go where her services weremore needed, and give herself wholly to this work of caring for andnursing the wounded patriots of the war. 

After waiting some time for an opportunity to go she wrote to Mr. JamesE. Yeatman, at St. Louis, the agent of Miss Dorothea L. Dix for theappointment of women nurses in the hospitals of the Western Department, and was accepted. On reporting herself at St. Louis she was commissionedas a nurse, and in the fall of 1862 proceeded to Helena, where the armyof the Southwest had encamped the previous July, under Major-GeneralCurtis, and where every church and several private buildings had to beconverted into hospitals to accommodate the sick of his army. 

It was here, during the winter of 1863, that the writer of this sketchfirst met with Miss Maertz, engaged in the work of a hospital nurse, enduring with rare heroism sacrifices and discomforts, labors andwatchings in the service of the sick soldiers that won the reverence andadmiration of all who saw this gentle woman thus nobly employed. It wasof her the following paragraph was written in the History of the WesternSanitary Commission. 

"Another one we also know whose name is likewise in this simple record, who, at Helena, Arkansas, in the fall and winter of 1862-3, was almostthe only female nurse in the hospitals there, going from one building toanother, in which the sick were quartered, when the streets were almostimpassable with mud, administering sanitary stores and making delicatepreparations of food, spending her own money in procuring milk and otherarticles that were scarce and difficult to obtain, and doing an amountof work which few persons could sustain, living without the pleasantsociety to which she had been accustomed at home, never murmuring, always cheerful and kind, preserving in the midst of a military campsuch gentleness, strength and purity of character that all rudeness ofspeech ceased in her presence, and as she went from room to room she wasreceived with silent benedictions, or an audible 'God bless you, dearlady, ' from some poor sufferer's heart. "

The last time I saw Miss Maertz, while engaged in her hospital work, wasat the grave of a soldier, who was buried at Helena in the spring of1863. He was one of the persecuted Union men of Arkansas, who hadenlisted in the Union army on the march of General Curtis throughArkansas, and had fallen sick at Helena. For several weeks Miss Maertzhad nursed and cared for him with all a woman's tenderness and delicacy, and perceiving that he must die had succeeded in sending a message tohis wife, who lived sixty miles in the interior of Arkansas, within theenemy's lines. On the afternoon of his death and but a few hours beforeit she arrived, having walked the whole distance on foot with greatdifficulty, because she was partially blind; but had the satisfaction ofreceiving the parting words of her husband and attending his burial. Miss Maertz sent word to me, asking me to perform the burial service, and the next day I met her leading the half-blind widow, in her povertyand sorrow, to the grave. Some months later this poor soldier's widowcame to the Refugee Home, at St. Louis, and was cared for, and beingrecognized and the scene of the lonely burial referred to, she relatedwith tears of gratitude the kindness she received from the good lady, who nursed her husband in his last illness at Helena. 

At a later period in the service, Miss Maertz was transferred to thehospitals at Vicksburg, where she continued her work of benevolence tillshe was obliged to return home to restore her own exhausted energies. Atthis time her parents urged her to go with them to Europe, wishing totake her away from scenes of suffering, and prostrating disease, but shedeclined to go, and, on regaining a measure of health, entered theservice again and continued in it at New Orleans to the end of the war. 

In real devotion to the welfare of the soldiers of the Union; in highreligious and patriotic motives; in the self-sacrificing spirit withwhich she performed her labors; in the heroism with which she enduredhardship for the sake of doing good; in the readiness with which shegave up her own interests and the offer of personal advantages andpleasure to serve the cause of patriotism and humanity, she had fewequals. 

MRS. HARRIET R. COLFAX. 

This lady whose services merit all the praise which has been bestowedupon them, is a resident of Michigan City, Indiana, the still youthfulwidow of a near relative of the Honorable Schuyler Colfax, the presentSpeaker of the House of Representatives. 

Her father, during her youth, was long an invalid, and his enforcedseclusion from all business pursuits was spent in bestowing instructionupon his children. His conversations with his children, and the lessonsin history which he gave them were made the means of instilling greatmoral ideas, and amidst all others an ardent love of their nativecountry and its institutions. At the same period of the life of Mrs. Colfax, she was blest with a mother whose large and active benevolenceled her to spend much time in visiting and ministering to the sick. Herdaughter often accompanied her, and as often was sent alone upon likeerrands. Thus she learned the practice of the sentiments which causedher, in the hour of her country's trial, to lend such energetic andcheerful aid to its wounded defenders. 

Previous to the commencement of the war Mrs. Colfax had lost her husbandand her father. Her mother remained to advise and guide the young widowand her fatherless children, and it was to her that she turned forcounsel, when, on the announcement of the need of female nurses in thehospitals that were so soon filled with sick and wounded, Mrs. Colfaxfelt herself impelled to devote herself to this service and ministry. 

Her mother and other friends disapproved of her going, and said allthey could in opposition. She listened, and delayed, but finally feltthat she must yield to the impulse. The opposition was withdrawn, and onthe last of October, 1861, she started for St. Louis to enter thehospitals there. 

Her heart was very desolate as she entered this strange city alone, atten o'clock at night. Mr. Yeatman, with whom communication had beenopened relative to her coming, had neglected to give her definitedirections how to proceed. But she heard some surgeons talking of thehospitals, and learned that they belonged to them. From them sheobtained the address of Mr. Yeatman. A gentleman, as she left the cars, stepped forward and kindly and respectfully placed her in the omnibuswhich was to take her across the river. She turned to thank him, but hewas gone. Yet these occurrences, small as they were, had given herrenewed courage--she no longer felt quite friendless, but wentcheerfully upon her way. 

She proceeded to the Fifth Street Hospital, where Mr. Yeatman had hisquarters, and was admitted by the use of his name. The night nurse, Mrs. Gibson, took kind charge of her for that night, and in the morning shewas introduced to the matron, Mrs. Plummer, and to Mr. Yeatman. She hadher first sight of wounded men on the night of her arrival, and thethought of their sufferings, and of how much could be done to alleviatethem, made her forget herself, an obliviousness from which she did notfor weeks recover. 

She was assigned to the first ward in which there had been till then nofemale nurse, and soon found full employment for hands, mind and heart. The reception room for patients was on the same floor with her ward, andthe sufferers had to be taken through it to reach the others, so thatshe was forced to witness every imaginable phase of suffering andmisery, and her sympathies never became blunted. Many of these men livedbut a short time after being brought in, and one man standing with hisknapsack on to have his name and regiment noted down, fell to the flooras it was supposed in a swoon, but was found to be dead. 

For some time when men were dying all around with typhus fever andwounds, no clergyman of any denomination visited them. Mrs. Colfax andother ladies would often at their request offer up prayers, but theyfelt that regular religious ministrations were needed. After a timethrough the intercession of a lady, a resident of St. Louis, the Rev. Dr. Schuyler came often to supply this want, giving great comfort to thesufferers. 

About this time, the ward surgeon was removed, and another substitutedin his place, Dr. Paddock. This gentleman thus speaks of the servicesand character of Mrs. Colfax:

 ST. LOUIS, _March_ 2d, 1866. 

 "Among the many patriotic and benevolent Christian ladies who volunteered their services to aid, comfort, and alleviate the suffering of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Union Army in the late wicked and woful Rebellion, I know of none more deserving of honorable mention and memory, than Mrs. Harriet R. Colfax. I first met her in the Fifth Street General Hospital of this city, where I was employed in the spring of 1862; and subsequently in the General Hospital, at Jefferson Barracks, in 1863. In both these hospitals she was employed in the wards under my care, and subject to my immediate orders and observation. In both, she was uniformly the same industrious, indefatigable, attentive, kind, and sympathizing nurse and friend of the sick and wounded soldier. She prepared delicacies and cordials, and often obtained them to prepare from her friends abroad, in addition to such as were furnished by the Sanitary Commission. She administered them with her own hands in such a manner as only a sympathizing and loving woman can; and thus won the heartfelt gratitude and affection of every soldier to whom it was her duty and her delight to administer. No female nurse in either of the hospitals above named, and there was a large number in each of them, was more universally beloved and respected, than was Mrs. Colfax. I had not the opportunity to witness her services and privations, and vexations on hospital steamers, or elsewhere than in the two places named above; but I know that they were considerable; and that everywhere and under all circumstances, she was alike active and honored. "

In Dr. Paddock, Mrs. Colfax truly found a friend, and she was able toaccomplish a greater amount of good under his kind directions. The Wardwas crowded. The wounded arrived from Fort Donelson in a miserablecondition. From exposure, many were dangerously ill with pneumonia, anddied very soon; few recovered, but the wounded did much better than thesick, and were so patient and cheerful, that even those suffering fromthe worst wounds, or amputations, would hardly have been known not to bewell, save by their pale faces and weak voices. Many would not give waytill the last moment, but with strong courage, and brave cheerfulness, would close their eyes on things of earth, and pass silently into theunseen world. 

In the spring, Mrs. Colfax, finding herself much worn by severe work andfrequent colds, gladly availed herself of the change offered by a tripon the Hospital-boat, Louisiana, then just fitted up by the SanitaryCommission. 

At Cairo, they received orders to proceed to Island No. 10, and thereunexpectedly found themselves in the well-known battle which took placeat that point on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of March, 1862. 

The Batteries of the enemy, on the banks and Island, were engaged withthe Union gunboats. The firing was incessant and protracted, but notvery disastrous. At last the firing from one of the gunboats resulted inthe killing and wounding of a number of the enemy, which last werebrought on board the Louisiana for care. After remaining there ten days, the Louisiana returned to Cairo, and receiving on board the wounded fromMound City Hospital, carried them to Cincinnati. Mrs. Colfax and herfriends were very busy in the care of these poor men, many of them verylow, giving unceasing attentions to them, and even then feeling thatthey had not done half enough. 

Immediately after their return to Cairo, they left for Savannah andPittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee River. They took from the latterplace two hundred and fifty men, leaving again before the battle ofShiloh. This took place immediately after they left, and they ran up toSt. Louis, landed their freight of wounded, and returned immediately foranother load. 

Two hundred and seventy-five desperately wounded men from the battle ofShiloh, formed this load. They quickly made their way Northward withtheir freight of misery and suffering. This was beyond the power of theimagination to conceive, and the nurses were too busy in their cares tosleep or eat. The sorrowful labor was at last performed, the woundedwere transferred to the hospitals at St. Louis, and Mrs. Colfax returnedto her duties there. 

After remaining some time in the Fifth Street Hospital, and makingoccasional trips on the Hospital-boats, Mrs. Colfax was sent to theHospital at Jefferson Barracks, where she remained a long time, andwhere her services, so eminently kind, efficient and womanly, met thesuccess they so much deserved. 

She remained in the service as a hospital nurse two years and a half. Except while on the hospital boats, and during brief stays at thevarious hospitals of the South-west, while attached to the TransportService, she spent the entire time at Fifth Street Hospital, St. Louis, and at Jefferson Barracks. In each and every place her services werealike meritorious, and though she encountered many annoyances, andunpleasant incidents, she does not now regret the time and labor shebestowed in doing her share of the woman's work of the war. 

Like all earnest, unselfish workers, in this eminently unselfishservice, Mrs. Colfax delights to bear testimony to the efficient laborsof others. 

All who worked with her were her friends, and she has the fullestappreciation of their best qualities, and their earnest efforts. Amongthose she names thus feelingly, are Mrs. Plummer, the matron of theFifth Street Hospital, St. Louis, Miss Addie E. Johnson, Mrs. Gibson, and others, her fellow-workers there. 

Early in 1864, quite worn out with her protracted labors, Mrs. Colfaxreturned to her home in Michigan City, where she still resides, honored, beloved and respected, as her character and services demand. 

MISS CLARA DAVIS. 

This lady, now the wife of the Rev. Edward Abbott, of Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, was one of the earliest, most indefatigable and useful ofthe laborers for Union soldiers during the war. Her labors commencedearly in the winter of 1861-62, in the hospitals of Philadelphia, inwhich city she was then residing. 

Her visits were at first confined to the Broad and Cherry StreetHospital, and her purpose at first was to minister entirely to thereligious wants of the sick, wounded and dying soldiers. Her interest inthe inmates of that institution was never permitted to die out. 

It was not patriotism, --for Miss Davis was not a native of thiscountry--but rather a profound sympathy with the cause in which theywere engaged which led her, in company with the late Rev. Dr. Vaughan ofPhiladelphia (of whose family she was an inmate) to visit this place andaid him in his philanthropic and official duties. The necessity of thecase led her to labor regularly and assiduously to supply the lack ofmany comforts which was felt here, and the need of woman's nursing andcomforting ways. By the month of May, ensuing, she was giving up herwhole time to these ministrations, and this at a considerable sacrifice, and extending her efforts so as to alleviate the temporal condition ofthe sufferers, as well as to minister to their spiritual ones. 

In the early part of this summer, memorable as the season of thePeninsula Campaign, she, in company with Mrs. M. M. Husband, ofPhiladelphia, entered upon the transport service on the James andPotomac Rivers, principally on board the steamer "John Brooks"--passingto and fro with the sick and wounded between Harrison's Landing, Fortress Monroe and Philadelphia. This joint campaign ended with asojourn of two months at Mile Creek Hospital, Fortress Monroe. 

Her friend, Mrs. H. Thus speaks of her. "A more lovely Christiancharacter, a more unselfishly devoted person, than Miss Davis, I havenever known. Her happy manner of approaching the soldiers, especiallyupon religious subjects, was unequalled; the greatest scoffer wouldlisten to her with respect and attention, while the majority followedher with a glance of veneration as if she were a being of a superiororder. I heard one say, 'there must be wings hidden beneath her cloak. '"

After leaving Fortress Monroe, Miss Davis returned to Philadelphia, andrecruited her supplies for the use of the soldiers. She was anxious tobe permitted to serve in the field hospitals, but owing to unusualstrictness of regulation at that time, she was not permitted to do so. Later in the season she accompanied Mrs. Husband to Frederick City, Harper's Ferry and Antietam, at which latter place, by the invitation ofSurgeon Vanderkieft, and Miss Hall, she remained several weeks doingvery acceptable service. 

During the winter of 1863 she renewed her efforts to gain permission toserve in the field hospitals of the army, then in winter quartersbetween Falmouth and Acquia Creek, but was again repulsed. In the springshe once more renewed her efforts, but without success. Again visitingWashington, she was requested to become the agent of the SanitaryCommission, at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland. 

She commenced her laborious duties at Camp Parole about the 1st of May, 1863. She made numerous friends here, among all classes with whom shecame in contact, and did a most admirable work among the returnedprisoners. She remained here the whole summer, never allowing herselfone day's absence, until October. She suffered from ague, and her laborswere far too great for her strength. Camp, or typhoid fever, seized her, and after long striving against weakness and pain, she was obliged toreturn to her home to recruit. She made great efforts to again take upher work where she had been obliged to leave it, but her strength wouldnot admit. 

She did not recover from this illness until the following February, noreven then could she be said to have fully recovered. As soon as thestate of her health permitted, indeed before her physician gave hisconsent, she resumed her labors at Camp Parole, but in a few weeks thefever set in again, and further service was rendered impossible. Thusclosed the ministrations in field and hospital, of one, of whom a friendwho knew her well, and appreciated her fully, simply says, "Her deedswere beyond praise. "

Her health was so undermined by her labors, that it has never been fullyrecovered, and she still suffers, as she perhaps will to the end of herlife, from the weakness and diseases induced, by her unwonted exertions, and the fevers which so greatly prostrated her. 

Nearly two years, as we have seen, she gave to her labors in camp andhospital, labors which, as we have seen, were principally directed tothe relief of physical sufferings, though she never forgot to minglewith them the spiritual ministrations which were the peculiar feature ofher usefulness. 

The interest of Miss Davis was not limited to soldiers in hospitals, anymore than were her labors confined to efforts for their relief. From hernumerous friends, and from societies, she was in constant receipt ofmoney, delicacies, reading matter, and many other things, both valuableand useful to the soldiers, and not embraced in the government supplies, nor sold by sutlers. These she distributed among both sick and well, astheir needs required. 

"She corresponded largely with the friends of sick soldiers; sherepresented their needs to those who had the means to relieve them; sheused her influence in obtaining furloughs for the convalescents, anddischarges for the incurables; she importuned tape-bound officials forpasses, that the remains of the poor unpaid soldier might be buriedbeside his parents; she erected head-boards at every soldier's grave atthat time in the cemetery at West Philadelphia, as a temporary memorialand record. "

In the heat of Virginian summers, and the inclement winters, it was withher the same steady unchanged work, till sickness put an end to herlabors. Till the last her intercourse with the soldiers was always bothpleasant, and in the highest sense profitable. 

MRS. R. H. SPENCER. 

Of all the band of noble women who during the war gave their time andbest labors with devotedness and singleness of purpose to the care ofthe suffering defenders of their country, few, perhaps, have been asefficient and useful in their chosen sphere as Mrs. Spencer. 

That she left a home of quiet ease and comfort, and gave herself, withher whole soul, to the cause she loved, is not more than very manyothers have done, but she incited her husband to offer himself to hiscountry, and gladly accompanied him, sharing all his privations, andcreating for him, amid the rudest surroundings, home with all itscomforts and enjoyments. 

At the commencement of the war, Mrs. Spencer was living at Oswego, NewYork, which had been her residence for many years. Her husband, CaptainR. H. Spencer, had been formerly commander of several of the finestvessels which sail from that port in the trade upon the upper lakes. Butfor some years he had remained on shore, and devoted himself to theoccupation of teaching, in which he had a very fine reputation. Mrs. Spencer was also a teacher, and both were connected with the publicschools for which that city is celebrated. 

Mr. Spencer was a member of that wing of the Democratic party whichopposed the war, and his age already exempted him from military duty. 

[Illustration: MRS. R. H. SPENCER. Eng^d. By A. B. Walter. ]

When, therefore, immediately after the battle of Antietam he announcedto Mrs. Spencer that he had resolved to enlist in the Regiment thenrapidly forming in that city, she knew well, as did all who knew him, that only an imperative sense of personal duty had led to the decision. 

Oswego had to mourn the most irreparable losses in that battle. Theflower of her young men had been cut down, and many homes made desolate. Mr. Spencer, like many others, felt impelled to add himself to thepatriot ranks, and help to fill the gaps left by the fallen. 

Mrs. Spencer, whose name and person had long been familiar to the sickand suffering at home, had often longed for the power of ministering tothose who had taken their lives in their hands, and gone forth in theservice of their country. And she now not only gave her husband to thework, but resolved to aid him in it. She might not stand by his side, inthe armed ranks, but there was, for her, service as arduous andimportant, for which she was peculiarly fitted, not only by the extremekindness and benevolence of her nature, but by experience in the care ofthe sick. 

When her husband had enlisted and was sworn into the service, she, too, took the oath to faithfully serve her country, and her place by hisside. 

The regiment (one hundred and forty-seventh New York) left Oswego the27th of September, 1862, and arrived in Washington the 1st of October. Mrs. Spencer, fatigued and ill, overcome with the excitement ofpreparation, perhaps, and the grief of parting with her friends, foundherself thus in a strange city and upon the threshold of a strange newlife. She obtained a little sleep upon a bench outside the Soldiers'Rest, and though scarcely refreshed commenced her duties early on thefollowing morning by feeding from her own stores six wounded men fromthe battle of Antietam, who had arrived during the night. After makingtea for them, and doing all she could for their comfort, she was obligedto leave, as the regiment was _en route_ for Arlington Heights. 

Mrs. Spencer remained in the neighborhood of Washington until the middleof the December following. The regiment had gone forward some timepreviously, leaving herself and husband in charge of the hospitalstores. Her husband was ward-master of the hospital, and she was matronand nurse. 

When the hospital tents and stores were sent to Acquia Creek, to theregiment, Mr. And Mrs. Spencer remained for a time to care for the sickand wounded in Washington, and volunteered to take care of the woundedfrom the first battle of Fredericksburg, who were brought to the PatentOffice. 

On the 12th of January Mr. Spencer went to join the regiment atFalmouth, while Mrs. Spencer proceeded to New York for supplies, and onthe 17th returned and joined the regiment at Belle Plain, proceedingalmost immediately to Wind Mill Point, in company with the sick andwounded removed thither. Here she remained six months, engaged in herarduous duties as matron in the hospital of the First Corps, to whichher husband was also attached. 

From this place they were transferred to Belle Plain, and after a shortstay from thence to Acquia Creek, where they remained attached to thehospital until the 13th of June, when they were ordered to report totheir regiment, then lying near Falmouth. 

Mrs. Spencer had by this time, by much practice, become an experthorse-woman, often foraging on her own account for supplies for the sickand wounded under her care. By the order of Dr. Hurd, the MedicalDirector of the First Corps, she took with her the horse she had beenaccustomed to ride, and a few days afterwards commenced on horseback themarch to Gettysburg--now become historical. 

Nearly two weeks were consumed in this march, one of which was spent inan encampment on Broad Run. 

Mrs. Spencer's horse carried, besides herself, her bedding, sundryutensils for cooking, and a scanty supply of clothing, about threehundred and fifty pounds of supplies for the sick. In addition to thisshe often took charge of huge piles of coats belonging to the weary men, which otherwise they would have thrown away as superfluous during theintense heat of midday, to miss them sorely afterward amid the twilightdews, or the drenching rains. 

The battle had already commenced as the long slow-moving train, to whichthey were attached, approached Gettysburg, and the awful roar of cannonand the scattering rattle of musketry reached their ears. 

The day previous an ammunition-wagon in their train had exploded, andMrs. Spencer had torn up the thick comforter which usually formed herbed, that the driver of the wagon, who was fearfully burned, might bewrapped in the cotton and bandaged by the calico of which it was made. Mr. Spencer remained to care for the man, and at night--a dark and rainynight--she found herself for the first time separated from her husband, and unprotected by any friend. But the respectful and chivalricinstincts of American soldiers proved sufficient for her defense againstany evil that might have menaced her. They spread their rubber blanketsupon the muddy ground, and made a sort of tent with others, into whichshe crept and slept guarded and secure through the long dark hours. Atmorning they vied with each other in preparing her breakfast, andwaiting upon her with every possible respect and attention, and she wenton her way, rested and refreshed. 

In the course of the morning Mr. Spencer rejoined her. After the firingwas heard, telling the tale of the awful conflict that was progressing, she felt that she could no longer remain with the halting train, butmust press on to some point where her work of mercy might commence. 

This was found in an unoccupied barn, not far from the field, where, bythe assistance of her husband, she got a fire and soon had hercamp-kettles filled with fragrant coffee, which she distributed toevery weary and wounded man who applied for the refreshing beverage. 

Wounded in considerable numbers from the Eleventh Corps were placed inthis barn to gain which they crossed the fields between two rows ofartillery, stationed there. Mrs. Spencer had two knapsacks and twohaversacks suspended from her saddle, and supplied with materials formaking tea, coffee and beef-tea--with these and crackers, she contrivedto provide refreshment. Meanwhile the balls and shells were falling fastaround the barn, and orders came to move further back. 

But this brave woman with her husband chose to move forward rather, insearch of her own regiment, though the enemy were then gaining upon theUnion troops. As they went on toward the battle, they found theirregiment stationed on a hill above them, and halting they made a fireand prepared refreshments which they gave to all they could reach. 

While working here the Surgeon of the First Division came hurrying past, and peremptorily called on Mrs. Spencer to go and help form a hospital. When she and Mr. Spencer found that many men of their own regiment werein the train of ambulances which was going slowly past with thesufferers, they followed. 

They crossed to the White Church, on the Baltimore turnpike, about fourmiles from Gettysburg, and reached there after dark. They had sixtywounded undergoing every variety of suffering and torture. The churchwas small, having but one aisle, and the narrow seats were fixtures. Asmall building adjoining provided boards which were laid on the tops ofthe seats, and covered with straw, and on these the wounded were laid. 

The supply train had been sent back fourteen miles. A number of surgeonswere there, but none had instruments, and could do very little for thewounded, and Mrs. Spencer found the stores contained in her knapsacksand haversacks most useful in refreshing these sufferers. 

In the course of a few days the confusion subsided. The hospital wasthoroughly organized. The Sanitary and Christian Commissions and thepeople came and aided them, and order came out of the chaos thatfollowed this awful battle. 

On the 5th of July, the buildings and tents which formed this hospitalcontained over six hundred Union troops, and more than one hundredwounded prisoners, and Mrs. Spencer found herself constantly and fullyemployed, nursing the wounded, and daily riding into town for supplies. 

It was here that she gained, and very justly as it would seem, thecredit of saving the life of a wounded soldier, a townsman of her own. The man was shot in the mouth and throat, a huge gaping orifice on theside of his neck showing where the ball found exit. The surgeons gavehim but a few days to live, as he could swallow nothing, the liquidswhich were all he even could attempt to take, passing out by the wound. Tearfully he besought Mrs. Spencer's aid. Young and strong, and full oflife, he could not contemplate a death of slow starvation. Mrs. Spencerwent to the surgeons and besought their aid. None of them could givehope, for none conceived the strength of will in nurse or patient. 

"Do as I tell you ----, and you shall not die, " said Mrs. Spencer. "Canyou bear to go without food a week?"

Gratefully the man signed "yes, " and with the tough unyielding patienceof a hero, he bore the pains of wound and hunger. In the meantime thechief appliance was the basin of pure cold water from which he wasdirected to keep his wound continually wet, that horrid wound which itseemed no human skill could heal. 

In a few days the inflammation began to subside, even the surgeonsdecided the symptoms good, and began to watch the case with interest. The ragged edges of the wound, when the swelling subsided, could beclosed up. Then, by direction of his kind nurse, he plunged his faceinto a basin of broth, and supped from it strength, since it did notall escape from the still unhealed wound. Every day witnessed animprovement. In a little time he took his food like a human being; eachday witnessed new strength and healing, and then he was saved, and thenurse proved wiser, for once, than the doctor!

For three weeks Mrs. Spencer remained in the White Church Hospital. Shethen accompanied some wounded to New York City, and took a brief respitefrom her duties, and the awful scenes she had witnessed. 

On her return to Gettysburg, she received as a mark of the esteem feltfor her by those who had witnessed her labors and devotion to the work, and the confidence reposed in her, the appointment of Agent of the Stateof New York, in the care of its sick and wounded soldiers in the field. Large discretionary powers, both as to the purchase and the distributionof supplies, were granted her; and every effort was made to have thisappointment distinguished as a mark of the high appreciation and esteemwhich she had won in the discharge of her duties. 

As her husband was detailed as clerk in the Medical Purveyor's Office, at Gettysburg, she remained there in the active performance of herduties for a considerable time. 

Beside the supplies furnished by the State of New York, a large amountwere entrusted to her, by various Ladies' Aid Societies, and kindredassociations. 

After leaving Gettysburg, Mrs. Spencer was variously but usefullyemployed at various places, and in various ways, but always making herduties as State agent for the New York troops prominent, and of thefirst importance. She was for some time at Brandy Station. While thereher husband received his discharge from the Volunteer Service, butimmediately entered the regular service, as Hospital Steward, and wasattached to the Medical Purveyor's Department. 

From Brandy Station, Mrs. Spencer went to Alexandria, and remained thereuntil after the battle of the Wilderness, when she was ordered by theSurgeon-General to repair to Rappahannock Station, with needful suppliesfor the wounded. On arriving there, no wounded were found, and it wasrumored that the ambulances containing them had been intercepted by theenemy, and turned another way. 

The party therefore returned to Alexandria, and there received orders torepair with stores to Belle Plain. The Steamer on which Mrs. Spencerwas, arrived at day-break at its destination, but she could not for sometime get on shore. As soon as possible she landed, anxious to let herservices be of some avail to the many wounded who stood in immediateneed of assistance, and thinking she might at least make coffee or teafor some of them. 

After distributing what supplies she had, she found in another part ofthe field several Theological Students, delegates of the SanitaryCommission, who were making coffee in camp kettles for the wounded. Herservices were thankfully accepted by them. All the day, and far into thenight they worked, standing inches deep in the tenacious Virginia mud, till thousands had been served. 

All the afternoon the wounded were arriving. Thousands were laid uponthe ground, upon the hill-side, perhaps under the shelter of a bush, perhaps with only the sky above them, from which the rain poured intorrents. 

All with scarcely an exception were patient, cheerful, andthoughtful--when asked as to their own condition, seeming more troubledby the risk she ran in taking cold, than of their own sufferings. 

Late in the night, she remembered that she was alone, and must restsomewhere. A wagon driver willingly gave her his place in the wagon, andthoroughly drenched with rain, and covered with mud, she there restedfor the first time in many hours. Her sad and anxious thoughts with herphysical discomforts prevented sleep, but with the dawn she had restedso much, as to be able to resume her labors. 

Another, and another day passed. The wounded from those fearful battlescontinued to arrive, and to be cared for, as well as was possible underthe circumstances. The workers were shortly afterward made ascomfortable as was possible. For two weeks Mrs. Spencer remained, andlabored at Belle Plain, remained till her clothing of which, notexpecting to remain, she had brought no change, was nearly worn out. Theneed was so pressing, of care for the wounded, that she scarcely thoughtof herself. 

In the latter part of May, she left Belle Plain, and went to Port Royal, where similar scenes were enacted, save that there a shelter wasprovided. She had joined forces with the Sanitary Commission, and thefacilities were now good and the workers numerous, yet it was barelypossible, with all these, and with Government and Commission supplies, and private contributions, to feed the applicants. 

The Medical Purveyor's boat with her husband on board, having arrived, Mrs. Spencer proceeded on that boat to White House, where she was placedin Superintendence of the Government Cooking Barge, continuing at thesame time her supervision of the wants of the New York soldiery. 

Here they fed the first wounded who arrived from the field, and hereMrs. Spencer continued many days directing the feeding of thousandsmore, ever remembering the regiments from her own State, as her specialcharge, and assisted by many volunteers and others in her arduous task. 

On the 18th of June, 1864, Mrs. Spencer arrived at City Point. Thewounded were still arriving, and there was enough for all to do. AHospital was here established, a mile from the landing. The Governmentkitchen was kept up, till the hospitals and their kitchens were in fulloperation, when it was discontinued, and Mrs. Spencer relieved from herdouble task. 

From that time, Mrs. Spencer confined herself mostly to the duties ofher agency, and continued to make City Point her headquarters and baseof operations until the close of the war closed the agency, and lefther free once again to seek the welcome seclusion of her home. 

She occasionally visited the General Hospitals to distribute supplies toher New York soldiers and others, but these being now well organized, did not, owing to the plenty of attendants greatly need her services, and they were mostly confined to visits to soldiers in the field, at theFront, Field Hospitals, and in the Rifle Pits. [I]

[Footnote I: Every facility was furnished her by the various officers incommand, and a special and permanent pass by General Grant. ]

Her equestrian skill now often came in use. Often a ride of from twentyto forty miles in the day would enable her to visit some outlyingregiment or picket station, or even to reach the Rifle Pits thathoneycombed plain and hill-side all about Petersburg and Richmond, andreturn the same day. On these occasions she was warmly andenthusiastically welcomed by the soldiers, not only for what shebrought, but for the comfort and solace of her presence. 

She was often in positions of great peril from whizzing shot andbursting shell, but was never harmed during these dangerous visits. Onone occasion, she was probably by reason of her black hat and feather, mistaken for an officer, as she for a moment carelessly showed the upperpart of her person, from a slight eminence near the rifle pits, and wasfired at by one of the enemy's sharp-shooters. The ball lodged in atree, close by her side, from which she deliberately dug it out with herpenknife, retaining it as a memento of her escape. 

Few of us whose days have been passed in the serene quietude of home, can imagine the comfort and joy her presence and cheering words broughtto the "boys" undergoing the privations and discomforts of their stationat the "Front, " in those days of peril and siege. As she approached, hername would be heard passing from man to man, with electric swiftness, and often the shouts that accompanied it, would receive from the enemya warlike response in the strange music of the whistling shot, or thebursting shell. 

Through all this she seemed to bear a charmed life. "I never believed Ishould be harmed by shot or shell, " she says, and her simple faith wasjustified. 

She even escaped nearly unharmed the fearful peril of the greatexplosion at City Point, when, as it is now supposed, by rebeltreachery, the ammunition barge was fired, and hundreds of human beingswithout an instant's warning, were hurried into eternity. 

When this event occurred, she was on horseback near the landing, and inturning to flee was struck, probably by a piece of shell, in the side. Almost as by a miracle she escaped with only a terrible and extensivebruise, and a temporary paralysis of the lower limbs. The elastic steelwires of her crinoline, had resisted the deadly force of the blow, whichotherwise would undoubtedly have killed her. A smaller missile, nearlycut away the string of her hat, which was found next day covered by theghastly smear of human blood and flesh, which also sprinkled all hergarments. 

After the surrender of Richmond, Mrs. Spencer, with a party of friends, visited that city, and she records that she experienced a very humansense of satisfaction, as she saw some rebel prisoners marching intothat terrible Libby Prison, to take the place of the Union prisoners whohad there endured such fearful and nameless sufferings. 

On the 8th of April the President came to visit the hospitals at CityPoint, shaking hands with the convalescents, who were drawn up toreceive him, and speaking cheering words to all. A week later he hadfallen the victim of that atrocious plot which led to his assassination. 

Mrs. Spencer remained at City Point, engaged in her duties, till all thewounded had been removed, and the hospitals broken up. On the 31st ofMay, she went on the medical supply boat to Washington. She thereoffered her services to aid in any way in care of the wounded, while sheremained, which she did for several days. About the middle of June sheonce more found herself an inmate of her own home, and, after the longseason of busy and perilous days, gladly retired to the freedom andquiet of private life. She remained in the service about three years, and the entire time, with only the briefest intervals of rest, was welland profitably occupied in her duties, a strong will and an excellentconstitution having enabled her to endure fatigues which would soon havebroken down a person less fitted, in these respects, for the work. 

Mrs. Spencer has received from soldiers, (who are all her gratefulfriends) from loyal people in various parts of the country, and frompersonal friends and neighbors, many tokens of appreciation, which sheenumerates with just pride and gratitude. Not the least of these is herhouse and its furniture, a horse, a sewing machine, silver ware, andexpensive books; beside smaller articles whose chief value arises fromthe feeling that caused the gifts. Her health has suffered inconsequence of her labors but she now hopes for permanent recovery. 

MRS. HARRIET FOOTE HAWLEY. 

Among the many heroic women who gave their services to their country inour recent warfare, few deserve more grateful mention than Mrs. HarrietFoote Hawley, wife of Brevet Major-General Hawley, the present Governorof Connecticut. 

Mrs. Hawley is of a fragile and delicate constitution, and one alwaysregarded by her friends as peculiarly unfitted to have part in labors orhardships of any kind. But from the beginning to the end of the war, shewas an exemplification of how much may be done by one "strong ofspirit, " even with the most delicate physical frame. 

She went alone to Beaufort, South Carolina, in November, 1862, to engagein teaching the colored people. While there she regularly visited thearmy hospitals, and interested herself in the practical details ofnursing, to which she afterwards more particularly devoted herself, andthat spring and summer did the same at Fernandina and St. Augustine. 

In November, 1863, she rejoined her husband on St. Helena Island, towhich he had returned with his regiment from the siege of Charleston. She visited the Beaufort and Hilton Head General Hospitals, as well asthe post hospital at St. Helena frequently during the winter, especiallyafter the severe battle of Olustee, in February, 1864. When the TenthCorps went to Fortress Monroe, to join General Butler's army, Mrs. Hawley went with them, and failing to find work in the ChesapeakeHospital, went to Washington and was assigned the charge of a ward inthe Armory Square Hospital, on the very morning when the wounded beganto arrive from the battles of the Wilderness. 

Her ward was one of the two in the armory itself, which for aconsiderable time contained more patients than any other in thathospital. "Armory Square" being near the Potomac, usually received themost desperate cases, which could with difficulty be moved far. Therecould be no operating room connected with this ward, and the operations, however painful or dreadful, were of necessity performed in the warditself. The scenes presented were enough to appal the stoutest nerves. The men exhausted by marching and by a long journey after their wounds, died with great rapidity--in one day forty-eight were carried outdead--many reaching the hospital only in time to die. 

Among scenes like these Mrs. Hawley took up her abode, and labored withan untiring zeal over four months in the hottest of the summerweather--never herself strong--often suffering to a degree that wouldhave confined others to the bed of an invalid. She was ever at her post, a guiding, directing, and comforting presence, until worn-out naturerequired a temporary rest. After two months of repose she again returnedto the same ward, and continued her labors from November to the last ofMarch, 1865. 

About the first of March, directly after its capture, her husband hadbeen assigned to the command of Wilmington, North Carolina. 

She arrived at Wilmington, directly after nine thousand Union prisonershad been delivered there, of whom more than three thousand neededhospital treatment. 

The army was entirely unprovided with any means of meeting thisexigency. The horrible condition of the prisoners, and the crowds ofhalf-fed whites and blacks collected in the town, bred a pestilence. Typhus or jail fever appeared in its most dreadful form, and the deathswere terribly frequent. The medical officers tried all their energies toget supplies. 

The garrison, the loyal citizens, and all good people gave their spareclothing, and all delicacies of food within reach, to alleviate thesuffering. At one time nearly four thousand sick soldiers, together withsome wounded from the main army, were scattered through the dwellingsand churches of the town, and a considerable time elapsed before oneclean garment could be found for each sufferer. The principal surgeon, Dr. Buzzell, of New Hampshire, died of over exertion and typhoid fever. Of five northern ladies, professional nurses, three were taken sick andtwo died. Chaplain Eaton died of the fever, and other chaplains wereseverely sick. To the detailed soldiers the fever and climate proved agreater danger than a battle-field. Through all these scenes of trialand danger Mrs. Hawley exerted herself to the utmost, in the hospitals, and among the poor of the town, avoiding no danger of contagion, noteven that of small-pox. 

Gradually supplies arrived, better hospitals were provided, the town wascleansed, and by the latter part of June--though the city was stillunhealthy--but few cases remained in the hospitals. 

Mrs. Hawley accompanied her husband to Richmond about the 1st of July, where he had been appointed chief of staff to General Terry. In October, while returning from the battle-ground of Five Forks, where she had beenwith an uncle to find the grave of his son (Captain Parmerlee, FirstConnecticut Cavalry) she received an injury on the head by the upsettingof the ambulance, through which unfortunately she remains still aninvalid. 

Her name and memory must be dear to hundreds whose sufferings she hasshared and relieved, and she will be followed in her retirement by theprayers of grateful hearts. 

Although it does not perhaps belong to the purpose of this book, itseems not inappropriate to make mention of the labors of Mrs. Hawley inthe education of the freedmen and their families. Both she and hersister, Miss Kate Foote, labored in this sphere long and assiduously. 

Governor Hawley was one of the speakers at the Boston anniversaries, inMay, 1866. Colonel Higginson, in alluding to his personal services, saidhe would tell of his better half. When Colonel Hawley went as commanderof the Seventh Connecticut to Port Royal, to do his share of conqueringand to conquer, he took with him a thousand bayonets on one side, and aConnecticut woman with her school-books on the other (applause). Wherehe planted the standard of the Union, she planted its institutions; andwhere he waved the sword, she waved the primer. 

ELLEN E. MITCHELL. 

This lady, better known among those to whom she ministered as "NellieMitchell, " was at the opening of the late war a resident of Montrose, Pennsylvania, where, surrounded by friends, the inmate of a pleasanthome, amiable, highly educated and accomplished, her early youth hadbeen spent. Her family was one of that standing often named as "ourfirst families, " and her position one every way desirable. 

Perhaps her own words extracted from a letter to the writer of thissketch will give the best statement of her views and motives. 

"I only did my duty, did what I could, and did it because it would havebeen a great act of self-denial not to have done it. 

"I have ever felt that those who cheerfully gave their loved ones totheir country's cause, made greater sacrifices, manifested more heroism, were worthy of more honor by far, than those of us who labored in thehospitals or on the fields. I had not these 'dear ones' to give, so gaveheartily what I could, myself to the cause, with sincere gratitude, Itrust, to God, for the privilege of thus doing. "

Miss Mitchell left her home in Montrose early in May, 1861, andproceeded to New York city, where she went through a course ofinstruction in surgical nursing at Bellevue Hospital, preparatory toassuming the duties of an army nurse. The unwonted labors, the terriblesights, and close attendance so impaired her health that after six weeksshe concluded to go to Woodbury, Connecticut, where she remained withfriends while awaiting orders, and in consequence did not join the armyas soon as she otherwise would. Being absent from New York, one or twoopportunities were lost, and it was not until September that her laborsin the military hospitals commenced. 

She had intended to give her services to her country, but afterwitnessing the frequent destitution of comforts among those to whom sheministered, she decided to receive the regular pay of a nurse from theGovernment, and appropriated it entirely to the benefit of the sufferingones around her. 

Luxuries sent by her friends for her own use she applied in the samemanner. The four years of her service were filled with self-sacrificeand faithful devoted labor. 

Miss Mitchell spent the first three months in Elmore Hotel Hospital, Georgetown, District of Columbia. Around this place cluster some of thepleasantest, as well as the saddest memories of her life. The want of awell-arranged, systematic plan of action in this hospital, made thetasks of the nurses peculiarly arduous and trying. Yet Miss Mitchellrecords that she never found more delight in her labors, and neverreceived warmer expressions of gratitude from her "boys. " On beingbrought for the first time to a place associated in their minds onlywith gloom and suffering the joyful surprise of these poor fellows atfinding kind hearts and willing hands ready to minister to their wantswith almost motherly, or sisterly affection, exceeded words and calledforth such manifestations of gratitude as amply rewarded those who thuswatched over them for all their toils. Often as they saw these kindlywomen engaged in their busy tasks of mercy, their eyes would glisten asthey followed them with the most intense earnestness, and their lipswould unconsciously utter remarks like these, so homely and spontaneousas to leave no doubt of their sincerity. "How good! how home-like tosee women moving around! We did not expect anything like this!"

But much as she loved her work and had become attached to her charges, circumstances of a very painful nature soon compelled Miss Mitchell toresign her post in this hospital. Very unworthy hands sometimes assume aministry of kindness. There were associations here so utterly repugnantto Miss Mitchell, that with a sorrowful heart she at last forced herselfto turn her back upon the suffering, in order to be free from them. 

But Providence soon opened the way to another engagement. In less thantwo weeks she entered St. Elizabeth's Hospital. This was situated inWashington across the Eastern branch of the Potomac in an unfinishedwing of the Insane Retreat. 

Her initiation here was a sad, lonely night-watch, by the bed-side of adying nurse, who about ten o'clock the following day, with none butstrangers to witness her dying conflicts, passed from this scene of painand struggle. 

It was about the last of December that she entered here, and in Februaryshe was compelled to relinquish the care of her ward by a severe anddangerous illness which lasted seven weeks. Her greatest joy inreturning health consisted in her restoration to the duties in which shehad learned to delight. 

During this illness Miss Mitchell was constantly attended and nursed byMiss Jessie Home, a young woman of Scottish birth, of whom mention ismade in another place, a most excellent and self-sacrificing woman whoafterwards lost her life in the cause of her adopted country. 

This kindly care and the assiduous and skilful attentions of Dr. Stevens, who was the surgeon of the hospital were, as she gratefullybelieves, the means of preserving her life. 

Miss Mitchell had scarcely recovered from this illness when she wasunexpectedly summoned home to stand by the death-bed of a belovedmother. After a month's absence, sadly occupied in this watch ofaffection, she again returned to Washington, whence she was sentdirectly to Point Lookout, in Maryland, at the entrance of the Potomacinto Chesapeake Bay, where a hospital had recently been established. 

She remained about two months at Point Lookout, and was surrounded therewith great suffering in all its phases, besides meeting with peculiartrials, which rendered her stay at this hospital the most unsatisfactorypart of her "soldier life. "

Her next station was at the Ware House Hospital, Georgetown, District ofColumbia, where she was employed in the care of the wounded from thesecond battle of Bull Run. Most of these poor men were suffering frombroken limbs, had lain several days uncared for upon the field, and wereconsequently greatly reduced in strength. They had besides suffered somuch from their removal in the jolting ambulances, that many of themexpressed a wish that they had been left to die on the field, ratherthan to have endured such torment. Miss Mitchell found here a spheredecidedly fitted to her peculiar powers, for she was always best pleasedto labor in the surgical wards, and would dress and care for wounds withalmost the skill, and more than the tenderness of a practiced surgeon. 

After some time this hospital being very open, became untenantable, andin February was closed, and Miss Mitchell was transferred to Union HotelHospital, where five of the nurses being at that time laid up byillness, her duties became unusually arduous. 

Since her former labors here the hospital had been closed, refitted, andreopened under every way improved auspices. The "boys" found themselvesin every respect so kindly cared for, and so surrounded by home-likeexperience that it was with great regret they saw the hospital brokenup, in March. 

Miss Mitchell's inclination would then, as often before, have led her tothe front, but she was forced to obey orders, "soldier-like, " and foundherself transferred to Knight Hospital, New Haven, as the next scene ofher labors. Here she remained three months actively and usefullyemployed, but at the end of that time she had become so worn out withher long continued and arduous services, as to feel compelled to resignher position as army nurse. She soon after accepted a desirablesituation in the Treasury Department, upon the duties of which sheentered in July, 1863. 

Miss Mitchell has never quite reconciled her conscience to this act, which she fears was too much tinged with selfishness and induced byinterested motives. Feeling thus, she again enlisted as army nurse aftera few months, resolving never again to abandon the service, while thewar continued and strength was given her to labor. 

This was in the beginning of May, 1864, and she was immediately sent toFredericksburg to assist in caring for the wounded from the battle ofthe Wilderness. The scenes and labors of that terrible period are beyonddescription. Miss Mitchell was amidst them all, and like an angel ofmercy made herself everywhere useful to the crowds of ghastly sufferersfrom those fields of awful carnage, which marked the onward march ofGrant to victory, and the suppression of the rebellion. 

When our army left Fredericksburg, most of the wounded were transferredto Washington, Miss Mitchell would again have preferred to go to thefront, but obeyed orders, and went instead to Judiciary Square Hospital, Washington, where she found many of her former patients. After she hadspent one day there, she would not willingly have left those poor menwhom she found so greatly needing a woman's care. For weeks themortality was fearful, and she found herself surrounded by the dead anddying, but gradually this was lessened, and she became engaged in themore delightful duty of superintending the improvement of convalescents, and watching the return to health of many a brave hero who had perhapssacrificed limbs, and well-nigh life, in the service of his country. Here she remained, with ever-increasing satisfaction in her labors, until the final closing of the Hospital in June, 1865. 

Here also ended her army services, with the occasion for them. She hadrendered them joyfully, and she resigned them with regret and sadness atparting with those who had so long been her charge, and whom she wouldprobably see no more forever. But in all joy or sadness, in all herlife, she will not cease to remember with delight and gratitude how shewas enabled to minister to the suffering, and thus perform a woman'spart in the great struggle which redeemed our country from slavery, andmade us truly a free people. 

Few have done better service, for few have been so peculiarly adapted totheir work. In all she gratefully acknowledges the aid and sustainingsympathy of her friends in New Milford, Pa. , and elsewhere, to which shewas so greatly indebted for the ability to minister with comforts to thesufferers under her charge. 

As these lines are written some letters from a soldier who was longunder her kind care in Washington, lie upon the writer's table withtheir appreciative mention of this excellent woman; which coming fromone who knew and experienced her goodness, may well be regarded as thehighest testimony of it. Here is one brief extract therefrom. 

"As for Miss Mitchell herself--she has a cheerful courage, faith andpatience which take hold of the duties of this place with a will thatgrasps the few amenities and pleasures found here, and works them all upinto sunshine; and looks over and beyond the fatiguing work, andunavoidable brutalities of the present. Do we not call this happiness?Happiness is not to be pitied--nor is she!"

In another place he speaks of her unswerving, calm devotion--her entireself-abnegation, as beyond all he has seen of the like traits elsewhere. And still there were many devoted women--perhaps many Ellen Mitchells!Again he compares the hospital work of Miss Mitchell and herfellow-laborers with that of the sisters of charity, in whose care hehad previously been--the one human, alert, sympathizing--not loving sin, nor sinful men, but laboring for them, sacrificing for them, pardoningthem as Christ does--the other working with machine-like accuracy, butwith as little apparent emotion, showing none in fact beyond a prudishshrinking from these sufferers from the outer world, of which they knownothing but have only heard of its wickedness. The contrast is powerful, and shows Miss Mitchell and her friends in fairest colors. 

MISS JESSIE HOME. 

Jessie Home was a native of Scotland. No ties bound her to this, heradopted land. No relative of hers, resided upon its soil. She wasalone--far from kindred and the friends of her early youth. But thecountry of her adoption had become dear to her. She loved it with theardor and earnestness which were a part of her nature, and she waswilling, nay anxious, to devote herself to its service. 

At the commencement of the war Miss Home was engaged in a pleasant andlucrative pursuit, which she abandoned that she might devote herself tothe arduous and ill-paid duties of a hospital nurse. 

She entered the service early in the war, and became one of the corps ofGovernment nurses attached to the hospitals in the vicinity ofWashington. Like others, regularly enlisted, and under orders from MissDix, the Government Superintendent of nurses, she was transferred frompoint to point and from hospital to hospital, as the exigencies of theservice required. But she had only to be known to be appreciated, andher companions, her patients, and the surgeons under whom she worked, were equally attached to her, and loud in her praises. She entered intoher work with her whole soul--untiring, faithful, of a buoyanttemperament, she possessed a peculiar power of winning the love andconfidence of all with whom she came in contact. 

She was quite dependent upon her own resources, and in giving herself tothe cause yielded up a profitable employment and with it her means oflivelihood. Yet she denied herself all luxuries, everything but themerest necessities, that out of the pittance of pay received from theGovernment, out of the forty cents per day with which her labors were_rewarded_, she might save something for the wants of the suffering onesunder her care. 

And be it remembered always, that in this work it was not alone thewell-born and the wealthy who made sacrifices, and gave grand gifts. Notfrom the sacrifice of gauds and frippery did the humble charities ofthese hired nurses come, but from the yielding up of a thousand neededcomforts for themselves, and the forgetfulness of their own wants, insupplying the mightier wants of the suffering. It is impossible tomention them with words of praise beyond their merit. 

For about two years Miss Home labored thus untiringly and faithfully, always alert, cheerful, active. During this time she had drawn toherself hosts of attached friends. 

At the end of that period she fell a martyr to her exertions in thecause to which she had so nobly devoted herself. 

When attacked with illness, she must have felt all the horrors ofdesolation--for she was without means or home. But Providence did notdesert her in this last dread hour of trial. Miss Rebecca Bergen ofBrooklyn, N. Y. , who had learned her worth by a few months' hospitalassociation, deemed it a privilege to receive the sufferer at her ownhome, and to watch over the last hours of this noble life as it drew toa close, ministering to her sufferings with all the kindness andaffection of a sister, and smoothing her passage to the grave. 

Thus, those, who without thought for themselves, devote their lives andenergies to the welfare of others, are often unexpectedly cared for inthe hour of their own extremity, and find friends springing up toprotect them, and to supply their wants in the day of their need. Farfrom kindred and her native land, this devoted woman thus found friendsand kindly care, and the stranger hands that laid her in an alien gravewere warm with the emotion of loving hearts. 

M. VANCE AND M. A. BLACKMAR. 

Miss Mary Vance is a Pennsylvanian. Before the War, she was teachingamong the Indians of Kansas or Nebraska, but it becoming unsafe there, she was forced to leave. She came to Miss Dix, who sent her to aBaltimore Hospital, in which she rendered efficient service, as sheafterward did in Washington and Alexandria. In September, 1863, she wentto the General Hospital, Gettysburg, where she was placed in charge ofsix wards, and no more indefatigable, faithful and judicious nurse wasto be found on those grounds. She labored on continuously, going frompoint to point, as our army progressed towards Richmond, atFredericksburg, suffering much from want of strengthening and properfood, but never murmuring, doing a vast amount of work, in such a quietand unpretending manner, as to attract the attention from thelookers-on. Few, but the recipients of her kindness, knew her worth. AtCity Point, she was stationed in the Second Corps Hospital, where she, as usual, won the respect and esteem of the Surgeons and all connectedwith her. 

Miss Vance labored the whole term of the War, with but three weeks'furlough, in all that time. A record, that no other woman can give, andbut few soldiers. 

Miss Blackmar, one of Michigan's worthy daughters, was one of theyoungest of the band of Hospital nurses. She, for ten months, laboredunceasingly at City Point. More than usually skilful in wound dressing, she rendered efficient service to her Surgeons, as well as in savingmany poor boys much suffering from the rough handling of inexperiencedsoldier-nurses. A lad was brought to her Wards, with a wound in thetemple, which, in the course of time, ate into the artery. This she hadfeared, and was always especially careful in watching and attending tohim. But, in her absence, a hemorrhage took place, the nurse endeavoredto staunch the blood, but at last, becoming frightened, sent for aSurgeon. When she came back to the Ward, there lay her boy pale andexhausted, life almost gone. But she persevered in her efforts, and atlast had the satisfaction of witnessing his recovery. 

At City Point, Miss Vance and Miss Blackmar were tent-mates, andintimate friends--both noted for their untiring devotion to their work, their prudent and Christian deportment. As an instance of the wearyingeffects of the labors of a Hospital nurse, Mrs. Husband, who was thefirm friend, and at City Point, the associate of these two young ladies, relates the following; these two ladies, wearied as usual, retired onevery cold night, Miss Blackmar taking a hot brick with her, for herfeet. They slept the sound sleep of exhaustion for some time, when MissVance struggled into consciousness, with a sensation of smothering, andfound that the tent was filled with smoke. After repeatedly calling hercompanion, she was forced to rise and shake her, telling her that shemust be on fire. This at last aroused Miss Blackmar, who found that thebrick had burned through the cloth in which it was wrapped, thestraw-bed and two army blankets. By the application of water, the firewas quenched, and after airing the tent, they were soon sleeping assoundly as ever. But, in the morning, Miss Blackmar, to herconsternation, found that her feet and ankles were badly burned, coveredwith blisters and very painful, though her sleep had been too sound tofeel it before. 

[Illustration: MISS HATTIE A. DADA. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

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

Miss Hattie A. Dada and Miss Susan E. Hall, were among the most earnestand persistent workers in a field which presented so many opportunitiesfor labor and sacrifice. Both offered themselves to the Women's CentralAssociation of Relief, New York, immediately on the formation of thatuseful organization for any service, or in any capacity, where their aidcould be made available. Both had formerly been employed by one of theMissionary Societies, in mission labors among the Indians of theSouthwest, and were eminently fitted for any sphere of usefulness whichthe existing condition of our country could present to woman. 

They were received by the Association, and requested to join the classof women who, with similar motives and intentions, were attending theseries of lectures and surgical instructions which was to prepare themfor the duties of nurses in the army hospitals. 

On Sunday, July 21st, 1861, a memorable day, the first battle of BullRun took place. On the following day, the 22d, the disastrous tidings ofdefeat and rout was received in New York, and the country was thrilledwith pain and horror. 

At noon, on Monday, the 22d, Miss Dada and Miss Hall receivedinstructions to prepare for their journey to the scene of their futurelabors, and at six P. M. They took the train for Washington, with ordersto report to Miss Dix. Tuesday morning found them amidst all theterrible excitement which reigned in that city. The only question MissDix asked, was, "Are you ready to work?" and added, "You are needed inAlexandria. "

And toward Alexandria they were shortly proceeding. There wereapprehensions that the enemy might pursue our retreating troops, of whomthey met many as they crossed the Long Bridge, and passed thefortifications all filled with soldiers watching for the coming foe whomight then so easily have invaded the Federal City. 

In some cabins by the road-side they first saw some wounded men, to whomthey paused to administer words of cheer, and a "cup of cold water. "They were in great apprehension that the road might not be safe, and atrip to Richmond, in the capacity of prisoners was by no means to bedesired. 

At last they reached Alexandria, and in a dark stone building onWashington Street, formerly a seminary, found their hospital. They weredenied admittance by the sentinel, but the surgeon in charge was called, and welcomed them to their new duties. 

There they lay, the wounded, some on beds, many on mattresses spreadupon the floor, covered with the blood from their wounds, and the dustof that burning summer battle-field, many of them still in theiruniforms. The retreat was so unexpected, the wounded so numerous, andthe helpers so few, that all were at once extremely busy in bringingorder and comfort to that scene of suffering. 

Their labors here were exceedingly arduous. No soldiers were detailed asattendants for the first few weeks, and even the most menial duties fellupon these ladies. Sometimes a contraband was assigned them asassistant, but he soon tired of steady employment and left. They hadlittle sleep and food that was neither tempting nor sufficient. So busywere they that two weeks elapsed before Miss Dada, whose letters furnishmost of the material for this sketch, found time to write home, andinform her anxious friends "where she was. "

A busy month passed thus, and then the numbers in the hospital began todecrease, many of the convalescent being sent North, or havingfurloughs, till only the worst cases remained. 

As the winter approached typhus fever began to prevail among the troops, and many distressing cases, some of which despite all their effortsproved mortal, came under the care of these ladies. 

About the beginning of April, 1862, soon after the battle of Winchester, and the defeat of Stonewall Jackson by General Shields, Miss Dada andMiss Hall were ordered thither to care for the wounded. Here they weretransferred from one hospital to another, without time to become morethan vaguely interested in the individual welfare of their patients. Atlength at the third, the Court-House Hospital, they were permitted toremain for several weeks. Here many interesting cases were found, andthey became much attached to some of the sufferers under their care, andfound great pleasure in their duties. 

On the 22d of May they were ordered to Strasburg, and proceeded thitherto the care of several hundred sick, entirely unsuspicious of personaldanger, not dreaming that it could be met with beside the headquartersof General Banks. But on the following day troops were observed leavingthe town on the Front Royal road, and the same night the memorableretreat was ordered. 

It was indeed a sad sight which met their eyes in the gray of earlydawn. Ambulances and army wagons filled the streets. Soldiers from thehospitals, scarcely able to walk, crawled slowly and painfully along, while the sick were crowded into the overfilled ambulances. 

Pressing forward they arrived at Winchester at noon, but the ambulancesdid not arrive till many hours later, with their dismal freight. Thefright and suffering had overpowered many, and many died as they werecarried into the hospitals. A little later the wounded began to come in, and the faithful, hard-worked surgeons and nurses had their hands full. The retreating Union forces came pouring through the town, the rebels inclose pursuit. The shouts of the combatants, and the continued firing, created great confusion. Fear was in every heart, pallor on every cheek, anxiety in every eye, for they knew not what would be their fate, buthad heard that the wounded had been bayonetted at Front Royal theprevious day. Many dying men, in their fright and delirium, leaped fromtheir beds, and when laid down soon ceased to breathe. 

Soon the rebels had possession of the town, and the ladies foundthemselves prisoners with a rebel guard placed about their hospital. 

Their supplies were now quite reduced, and it was not until personalapplication had been made by the nurses to the rebel authorities, thatsuitable food was furnished. 

When the army left Winchester, enough men were ordered to remain toguard the hospitals, and an order was read to all the inmates, that anyof them seen in the streets would be shot. 

Miss Dada and her friend remained at this place until the months of Juneand July were passed. In August they were assigned to Armory SquareHospital, Washington. 

Previous to the second battle of Bull Run, all the convalescent men weresent further North, and empty beds were in readiness for the wounded, who on the evening after the battle were brought in, in great numbers, covered with the dust and gore of the field of conflict. Here theministering care of these ladies was most needed. They hastened withbasins and sponges, cold water and clean clothes, and soon the sufferersfelt the benefits of cleanliness, and were laid, as comfortably as theirwounds would admit, in those long rows of white beds that awaited them. All were cheerful, and few regretted the sacrifices they had made. Butin a few days many of these heroes succumbed before the mightyConqueror. Their earthly homes they were never to see, but, one by one, they passed silently to their last home of silence and peace, where thewar of battle and the pain of wounds never disturb. One poor fellow, aMichigan soldier, wounded in the throat, could take no nourishment, norscarcely breathe. His sufferings were intense, and his restlessness kepthim constantly in motion as long as the strength for a movementremained. But at last, he silently turned his face to the wall, and sodied. Another, a victim of lockjaw, only yielded to the influence ofchloroform. Another, whom the surgeons could only reach the second day, had his arm amputated, but too late. Even while he believed himself onthe road to recovery, bad symptoms had intervened; and while withgrateful voice he was planning how he would assist Miss Dada as soon ashe was well enough, in the care of other patients, the hand of death waslaid upon him, and he soon passed away. 

Such are a few of the heart-rending scenes and incidents through whichthese devoted ladies passed. 

The month of November found Miss Dada at Harper's Ferry. Miss Hall hadbeen at Antietam, but the friends had decided to be no longer separated. 

They found that the Medical Director of the Twelfth Army Corps was justopening a hospital there, and the next day the sick and wounded from theregimental hospitals were brought in. They had suffered for lack ofcare, but though the new hospital was very scantily furnished, theyfound that cause of trouble removed. Many of them had long been ill, andwant of cleanliness and vermin had helped to reduce them to extremeemaciation. Their filthy clothes were replaced by clean ones, and burnedor thrown into the river, their heads shaven, and their revoltingappearance removed. But many a youth whom sickness and suffering hadgiven the appearance of old age, succumbed to disease and suffering, andjoined the long procession to the tomb. 

These were sad days, the men were dying rapidly. One day a middle-agedwoman came in inquiring for her son. Miss Dada took from her pocket aslip of paper containing the name of one who had died a day or twopreviously--it was the name of the son of this mother. She sought thesurgeon, and together they undertook the painful task of conveying tothe mother the tidings that her visit was in vain. Poor mother! Howmany, like her, returned desolate to broken homes, from such a quest!

May and June, 1863, Miss Dada and Miss Hall spent at Acquia Creek, incare of the wounded from the battle of Chancellorsville, and the 8th ofJuly found them at Gettysburg--Miss Dada at the hospital of the TwelfthArmy Corps, at a little distance from the town, and Miss Hall at that ofthe First Army Corps, which was within the town. The hospital of theTwelfth Army Corps was at a farm-house. The house and barns were filledwith wounded, and tents were all around, crowded with sufferers, amongwhom were many wounded rebel prisoners, who were almost overwhelmed withastonishment and gratitude to find that northern ladies would extend tothem the same care as to the soldiers of their own army. 

The story of Gettysburg, and the tragical days that followed, has beentoo often told to need repetition. The history of the devotion ofNorthern women to their country's defenders, and of their sacrifices andlabors was illustrated in brightest characters there. Miss Hall and MissDada remained there as long as their services could be made available. 

In December, 1863, they were ordered to Murfreesboro', Tennessee, once aflourishing town, but showing everywhere the devastations of war. TwoSeminaries, and a College, large blocks of stores, and a hotel, had beentaken for hospitals, and were now filled with sick and wounded men. Ayear had passed since the awful battle of Stone River, --the field ofwhich, now a wide waste lay near the town--but the hospitals had neverbeen empty. 

When they arrived, they reported to the medical director, who "did notcare whether they stayed or not, " but, "if they remained wished them toattend exclusively to the preparation of the Special Diet. " Theyreceived only discouraging words from all they met. They found shelterfor the night at the house of a rebel woman, and were next dayassigned--Miss Hall to No. 1 Hospital, Miss Dada to No. 3. 

When they reported, the surgeon of No. 1 Hospital, for theirencouragement, informed them that the chaplain thought they had betternot remain. Miss Dada also was coldly received, and it was evident thatthe Surgeons and chaplains were very comfortable, and desired no outsideinterference. They believed, however, that there was a work for them todo, and decided to remain. 

Miss Dada found in the wards more than one familiar face from theTwelfth Army Corps, and the glad enthusiasm of her welcome by thepatients, contrasted with the chilling reception of the officers. 

Most of these men had been wounded at Lookout Mountain, a few daysbefore, but many others had been suffering ever since the bloody battleof Chickamauga. 

Miss Hall was able to commence her work at once, but Miss Dada was oftenexhorted to patience, while waiting three long weeks for a stove, beforeshe could do more than, by the favor of the head cook of the full dietkitchen, occasionally prepare at his stove, some small dishes for theworst cases. 

Here the winter wore away. Many a sad tale of the desolations of war waspoured into their ears, by the suffering Union women who had lost theirhusbands, fathers, sons, in the wild warfare of the country in whichthey lived. And many a scene of sorrow and suffering they witnessed. 

In January, they had a pleasant call from Dr. M----, one of the friendsthey had known at Gettysburg. This gentleman, in conversation with themedical director, told him he knew two of the ladies there. The replyillustrates the peculiar position in which they were placed. "Ladies!"he answered with a sneer, "We have no ladies here! A hospital is noplace for a lady. We have some women here, who are cooks!"

But they remembered that one has said--"The lowest post of service isthe highest place of honor, " and that Christ had humiliated himself towash the feet of his disciples. 

In the latter part of the ensuing May, they went to Chattanooga. Theywere most kindly received by the surgeons, and found much to be done. Car-loads of wounded were daily coming from the front, all who couldbear removal were sent further north, and only the worst cases retainedat Chattanooga. They were all in good spirits, however, and rejoicing atSherman's successful advance--even those upon whom death had set hisdark seal. 

Miss Dada often rejoiced, while here, in the kindness of her friends athome, which enabled her to procure for the sick those small, but at thatplace, costly luxuries which their condition demanded. 

As the season advanced to glowing summer, the mortality became dreadful. In her hospital alone, not a large one, and containing but seven hundredbeds, there were two hundred and sixty-one deaths in the month of June, and there were from five to twenty daily. These were costly sacrifices, often of the best, noblest, most promising, --for Miss Dadarecords--"Daily I see devoted Christian youths dying on the altar of ourcountry. "

With the beginning of November came busy times, as the cars daily cameladen with their freight of suffering from Atlanta. On the 26th, MissDada records, "One year to-day since Hooker's men fought above theclouds on Lookout. To-day as I look upon the grand old mountain the sunshines brightly on the graves of those who fell there, and all isquiet. "

Again, after the gloomy winter had passed, she writes, in March, 1865, "Many cases of measles are being brought in, mostly new soldiers, manyconscripts, and so down-spirited if they get sick. It was a strangeexpression a poor fellow made the other day, 'You are the_God-blessedest_ woman I ever saw. ' He only lived a few days after beingbrought to the hospital. "

Their work of mercy was now well-nigh over, as the necessity for itseemed nearly ended. Patients were in May being mustered out of theservice, and the hospitals thinning. Miss Dada and Miss Hall thoughtthey could be spared, and started eastward. But when in Illinois, wordreached them that all the ladies but one had left, and help was needed, and Miss Dada returned to Chattanooga. Here she was soon busy, for, though the war was over, there were still many sick, and death oftenclaimed a victim. 

Miss Dada remained till the middle of September, engaged in her duties, when, having given more than four years to the service of her country, she at last took her leave of hospital-life, and returned to home andits peaceful pleasures. 

Before leaving she visited the historical places of the vicinity--saw astorm rise over Mission Ridge, and heard the thunders of heaven'sartillery where once a hundred guns belched forth their fires and sweptour brave boys to destruction. She climbed Lookout, amidst its vail ofclouds, and visited "Picket Rock, " where is the spring at which ourtroops obtained water the night after the battle, and the "Point" where, in the early morn, the Stars and Stripes proclaimed to the watchinghosts below, that they were victors. 

MRS. SARAH P. EDSON. 

Mrs. Edson is a native of Fleming, Cayuga County, New York, where herearlier youth was passed. At ten years of age she removed with herparents to Ohio, but after a few years again returned to her nativeplace. Her father died while she was yet young, and her childhood andyouth were clouded by many sorrows. 

Gifted with a warm imagination, and great sensitiveness of feeling, atan early age she learned to express her thoughts in written words. Herchildhood was not a happy one, and she thus found relief for a thousandwoes. At length some of her writings found their way into print. 

She spent several years as a teacher, and was married and removed toPontiac, Michigan, in 1845. During her married life she resided inseveral States, but principally in Maysville, Kentucky. 

Here she became well known as a writer, but her productions, both inprose and poetry, were usually written under various _nommes de plume_, and met very general acceptance. 

She at various times edited journals devoted to temperance and generalliterature in the Western States, and became known as possessing akeenly observing and philosophic mind. This experience, perhaps, prepared and eminently fitted her for the service into which she enteredat the breaking out of the war, and enabled her to comprehend andprovide for the necessities and emergencies of "the situation. "

Mrs. Edson arrived in Washington November 1st, 1861, and commencedservice as nurse in Columbia College Hospital. She remained thereserving with great acceptance until early in March when the army wasabout to move and a battle was in anticipation, when by arrangement withthe Division Surgeon, Dr. Palmer, she joined Sumner's Division at CampCalifornia, Virginia, where she was to remain and follow to render herservices in case the anticipation was verified. The enemy, however, hadstolen away, and "Quaker" guns being the only armament encountered, herservices were not needed. 

She soon after received an appointment from Surgeon-General Finley toproceed to Winchester, Virginia, to assist in the care of the woundedfrom General Banks' army. She found the hospital there in a mostdeplorable condition. Gangrene was in all the wards, the filth andfoulness of the atmosphere were fearful. Men were being swept off byscores, and all things were in such a state as must ever result frominexperience, and perhaps incompetence, on the part of those in charge. Appliances and stores were scanty, and many of the surgeons and personsin charge, though doing the least that was possible, were totally unfitfor their posts through want of experience and training. 

The Union Hotel Hospital was placed in charge of Mrs. Edson, and thenurses who accompanied her were assigned to duty there. It was to bethoroughly cleansed and rendered as wholesome as possible. 

The gratitude of the men for their changed condition, in a few daysamply attested the value of the services of herself and associates, anddemonstrated the fact that women have an important place in a war likeours. 

Mrs. Edson next proceeded to join the army before Yorktown, about the1st of May, 1862, and was attached to the Hospital of General Sumner'scorps. She arrived the day following the battle of Williamsburg, andlearning that her son was among the wounded left in a hospital severalmiles from Yorktown, she at once started on foot to find him. After awalk of twelve miles she discovered him apparently in a dying state, heand his comrades imperatively demanding care. Here she spent foursleepless days and nights of terrible anxiety, literally flying from hutto hut of the rebel-built hospitals, to care for other sick and woundedmen, whenever she could leave her son. 

She remained thus till imperative orders were received to break up thishospital and go to Yorktown. The men were laid in army wagons andtransported over the rough roads from nine in the morning till six inthe evening. Arriving exhausted by their terrible sufferings, they foundno provision made for their reception. That was a dreadful day, and toan inexperienced eye and a sympathetic heart the suffering seemedfrightful!

The 21st of May, Mrs. Edson went to Fortress Monroe, to care for her sonand others, remaining a week. From thence she proceeded to White Houseand the "front. " Arriving here the enemy were expected, and it wasforbidden to land. At daylight the "only woman on board" was anxiouslyinquiring if there was any suffering to relieve. Learning that somewounded had just been brought in, she left the boat notwithstanding theprohibition, and found over three hundred bleeding and starved heroeslying upon the ground. The Sanitary Commission boats had gone, and nosupplies were left but coffee and a little rice. As she stepped ashore, a soldier with a shattered arm came up to her, almost timidly, and withwhite trembling lips asked her if she could give them something toeat--they had lost everything three days before, and had been withoutfood since. What an appeal to the sympathy of a warm heart!

It was feared that no food could be obtained, but after great search abarrel of cans of beef was found. Some camp kettles were gathered up, and a fire kindled. In the shortest possible time beef soup and coffeewere passing round among these delighted men. Their gratitude was beyondwords. At four o'clock, that afternoon, the last man was put on boardthe ship which was to convey them within reach of supplies and care. 

Mrs. Edson was left alone. One steamer only of the quartermaster'sdepartment remained. The quartermaster had no authority to admit her onboard. But in view of the momently expected arrival of the enemy he toldher to go on board and remain, promising not to interfere with her untilshe reached Harrison's Landing. And this was all that could be gained byher who was so busily working for the soldier--this the alternative ofbeing left to the tender mercy of the enemy. 

She remained at Harrison's Landing until the 12th of August, and passedthrough all the terrible and trying scenes that attended the arrival ofthe defeated, demoralized, and depressed troops of McClellan's army. These baffle description. Enough, that hands and heart were full--fullof work, and full of sympathy, with so much frightful suffering allaround her! She was here greatly aided and sustained by the presence andhelp of that excellent man, Chaplain Arthur B. Fuller, who passed awayto his reward long ere the close of the struggle, into which he hadentered with so true an appreciation and devotion. Again, here aseverywhere, gratitude for kindness, and cheerfulness in suffering markedthe conduct of the poor men under her care. 

When the army left she repaired again to Fortress Monroe, and was onduty there at Hygeia Hospital during the transit of the army. 

She returned to Alexandria the 30th of August, and almost immediatelyheard rumors of the fighting going on at the front. She applied forpermission to proceed to the field, but was informed that the army wasretreating. The next tidings was of the second battle of Bull Run, andthe other disastrous conflicts of Pope's campaign. As she could not goto the front to give aid and comfort to that small but heroic army inits retreat she did what she could for the relief of any sufferers whocame under her notice, until the news of the conflict at Antietam wasreceived, with rumors of its dreadful slaughter. Her heart was firedwith anxiety to proceed thither, but permission was again denied her, the surgeon-general replying that she was evidently worn out and mustrest for a time. He was right, for on the ensuing day she was seizedwith a severe illness which prevented any further exertion for manyweeks. 

During the slow hours of convalescence from this illness she revolved aplan for systematizing the female branch of the relief service. Her ideawas to provide a home for volunteer nurses, where they could bepatiently educated and instructed in the necessities of the work theywere to assume, and where they could retire for rest when needed, or inthe brief intervals of their labors. 

Her first labor on recovery was to proceed to Warrenton with supplies, but she found the army moving and the sick already on board the cars. She did what was possible for them under the circumstances. The trainsmoved off and she was left to wait for one that was to convey her backto Alexandria. This, however, was cut off by the rebels, and she foundherself with no resource but to proceed with the army to Acquia Creek. She records that she reached Acquia, after several days, and a new andinteresting experience, which was kindness and courtesy from all withwhom she came in contact. 

Immediately after her return to Washington, Mrs. Edson attempted tosystematize her plan for a home and training school for nurses. Asociety was formed, and Mrs. Caleb B. Smith at first (but soon after inconsequence of her resignation) Mrs. B. F. Wade, was appointedPresident, and Mrs. Edson, Secretary. 

Many meetings were held. The attention of commanding and medicalofficers was drawn to the plan. Almost unanimously they expressedapproval of it. 

Mrs. Edson was the soul of the work, hers was the guiding brain, theactive hand, and as is usual in similar cases most of the labor fellupon her. She visited the army at Fredericksburg, and carefullyexamined the hospitals to ascertain their needs in this respect. Thiswith other journeys of the same kind occupied a considerable portion ofthe winter. 

State Relief Societies had been consulted and approved the plan. Mrs. Edson visited the Sanitary Commission and laid the plan before them, butwhile they admitted the necessity of a home and place of rest fornurses, which they soon after established, they regarded a trainingschool for them unnecessary, believing that those who were adapted totheir work would best acquire the needed skill in it in the hospitalitself, and that their imperative need of attendants in the hospitalsand in the departments of special and field relief, did not admit of thedelay required to educate nurses for the service. 

The surgeon-general, though at first favorably impressed with the idea, on more mature consideration discouraged it, and withheld his approvalbefore the Senate Committee, who had a bill before them for theestablishment of such an institution. Thus thwarted in the prosecutionof the plan on which she had set her heart, Mrs. Edson did not give upin despair, nor did she suffer her sympathy and zeal in its prosecutionto prevent her from engaging in what she rightly regarded as theparamount work of every loyal woman who could enter upon it, the care ofthe sick and wounded after the great battles. The fearfully disastrousbattle of Fredericksburg in December, 1862, called her to the front, andshe was for several weeks at Falmouth caring tenderly for the woundedheroes there. This good work accomplished she returned to Washington, and thence visited New York city, and made earnest endeavors to enlistthe aid of the wealthy and patriotic in this movement. She was familiarwith Masonic literature and with the spirit of Masonry. Her husband hadbeen an advanced member of the Order, and she had herself taken all the"Adoptive Degrees. " These reasons induced her to seek the aid of theOrder, and she was pleased to find that she met with much encouragement. The "Army Nurses' Association" was formed in New York, and commencedwork under the auspices of the Masons. In the spring of 1864, whenGrant's campaign commenced with the terrible battles of the Wilderness, Mrs. Edson hastened to the "front. " Almost immediately the surgeonsrequested her to send for ten of the nurses then receiving instructionas part of her class at Clinton Hall, New York. 

She did so. They were received, transportation found, and rations andpay granted. And they were found to be valuable workers, Mrs. Edsonreceiving from the Surgeons in charge, the highest testimonials of theirusefulness. She had at first mentioned it to the Surgeons as anexperiment, and said that funds and nurses would not be wanting if itproved a success. The day on which the order for the evacuation ofFredericksburg was issued, she was told that her "experiment was morethan a success--it was a triumph. " And this by one of the highestofficials of the Medical department. 

Eighty more nurses were at once ordered. 

The interest taken by the Masons in this movement, led to the formationof the "Masonic Mission, " with a strong "Advisory Board, " composed ofleading and wealthy Masons. 

Mrs. Edson, with unquestioning confidence in the integrity of Masons, and in the honor of the gentlemen who had given the movement the greatstrength of their names, continued ardently carrying out her plan. Morenurses were sent out, and all received the promise of support by the"Mission. " Much good--how much none may say, was performed by thesewomen. They suffered and labored, and sacrificed much. They gave theirbest efforts and cares. Many of them were poor women, unable to givetheir time and labor without remuneration. But, alas! the purposes andpromises of the Masonic Mission, were never fulfilled. Many of the womenreceived no remuneration, and great suffering and dissatisfaction wasthe result. The good to the suffering of the army was perhaps the same. 

Amidst all her sorrows and disappointments, Mrs. Edson continued herlabors till the end of the war. Nothing could keep her from thefulfilment of what she regarded as an imperative duty, and nobly sheachieved her purpose, so far as her individual efforts were concerned. 

A lady, herself ardently engaged in the work of relief, and supply forthe soldiers, visited the Army of the Potomac in company with Mrs. Edson, in the winter of 1865, not long before the close of the war. Shedescribes the reception of Mrs. Edson, among these brave men to whom shehad ministered during the terrific campaign of the preceding summer, asa complete ovation. The enthusiasm was overwhelming to the quiet womanwho had come among them, not looking nor hoping for more than theprivilege of a pleasant greeting from those endeared to her by the veryself-sacrificing efforts by which she had brought them relief, andperhaps been the means of saving their lives. 

Irrepressible shouts, cheers, tears and thanks saluted her on everyside, and she passed on humbled rather than elated by the excess of thisenthusiastic gratitude. 

MISS MARIA M. C. HALL. 

Although the Federal City, Washington, was at the outbreak of the warmore intensely Southern in sentiment than many of the Southern cities, at least so far as its native, or long resident inhabitants could makeit so, yet there were even in that Sardis, a few choice spirits, rearedunder the shadow of the Capitol, whose patriotism was as lofty, earnestand enduring as that of any of the citizens of any Northern or Westernstate. 

Among these, none have given better evidence of their intense love oftheir country and its institutions, than Miss Hall. Born and reared inthe Capital, highly educated, and of pleasing manners and address, shewas well fitted to grace any circle, and to shine amid the gayeties ofthat fashionable and frivolous city. But the religion of thecompassionate and merciful Jesus had made a deep lodgment in her heart, and in imitation of his example, she was ready to forsake the halls ofgayety and fashion, if she might but minister to the sick, the sufferingand the sorrowing. Surrounded by Secessionists, her father too faradvanced in years to bear arms for the country he loved, with no brotherold enough to be enrolled among the nation's defenders, her patriotismwas as fervid as that of any soldier of the Republic, and she resolvedto consecrate herself to the service of the nation, by ministrations tothe sick and wounded. Her first opportunity of entering upon this dutywas by the reception into her father's house of one of the sick soldiersbefore the first battle of Bull Run, who by her kindly care wasrestored to health. When the Indiana Hospital was established in thePatent Office building on the 1st of August, 1861, Miss Hall sought aposition there as nurse; but Miss Dix had already issued her circularannouncing that no nurses under thirty-five years of age would beaccepted; and in vain might she plead her willingness and ability toundergo hardships and the uncomfortable duties pertaining to the nurse'sposition. She therefore applied to the kind-hearted but eccentric Mrs. Almira Fales, whose hearty and positive ways had given her the entrée ofthe Government hospitals from the first, but she too discouraged herfrom the effort, assuring her, in her blunt way, that there was nopoetry in this sort of thing, that the men were very dirty, hungry andrough, and that they would not appreciate refinement of manner, or begrateful for the attention bestowed on them by a delicate and educatedlady. Finding that these representations failed to divert Miss Hall, andher sister who accompanied her, from their purpose, Mrs. Fales threwopen the door of one of the wards, saying as she did so, "Well, girls, here they are, with everything to be done for them. You will find workenough. "

There was, indeed, work enough. The men were very dirty, the "sacredsoil" of Virginia clinging to their clothing and persons in plenty. Their hair was matted and tangled, and often, not free from vermin, andthey were as Mrs. Fales had said, a rough set. But those apparentlyfragile and delicate girls had great energy and resolution, and thesubject of our sketch was not disposed to undertake an enterprise andthen abandon it. She had trials of other kinds, to bear. The surgeonsafforded her few or no facilities for her work; and evidently expectedthat her whim of nursing would soon be given over. Then came the generalorder for the removal of volunteer nurses from the hospitals; this sheevaded by enrolling herself as nurse, and drawing army pay, which shedistributed to the men. For nearly a year she remained in this position, without command, with much hard work to do, and no recognition of itfrom any official source; but though the situation was not in anyrespect agreeable, there was a consciousness of usefulness, of serviceof the Master in it to sustain her; and while under her gentleministrations cleanliness took the place of filth, order of disorder, and profanity was banished, because "the lady did not like it, " it wasalso her privilege occasionally to lead the wanderer from God back tothe Saviour he had deserted, and to point the sinner to the "Lamb of Godthat taketh away the sins of the world. " In the summer of 1862, MissHall joined the Hospital Transport service, first on the Daniel Webster, No. 2, a steamer which had been used for the transportation of troopsfrom Washington. After the sick and wounded of this transport had beendisposed of, Miss Hall was transferred to the Daniel Webster, theoriginal hospital transport of the Sanitary Commission, where shelabored faithfully for some weeks after the change of base to Harrison'sLanding, when she was associated with Mrs. Almira Fales in caring forthe suffering wounded on shore. They found the poor fellows in aterrible plight, in rotten and leaky tents, and lying on the damp soil, sodden with the heavy rains, and poisonous from the malarialexhalations, in need of clothing, food, medicine, and comfort; andthough but scantily supplied with the needful stores, these ladiesspared no labor or exertion to improve their condition, and they weresuccessful to a greater extent than would have seemed possible. When thearmy returned to Alexandria, Miss Hall visited her home for a shortinterval of rest; but the great battle of Antietam called her again toher chosen work; she went to the battle-field, intending to join Mrs. Harris, of the Ladies' Aid Society of Philadelphia, who was already atwork there, and had telegraphed for her; but being unable to find her atfirst, she entered a hospital of wounded Rebel prisoners, and ministeredto them until Mrs. Harris having ascertained her situation, sent for herto come to Smoketown General Hospital, where at that time the wounded ofFrench's Division were gathered, and which ultimately received thewounded of the different corps who were unable to endure the fatigue oftransportation to Washington, Baltimore or Philadelphia. Dr. Vanderkieft, an accomplished physician and a man of rare tenderness, amiability and goodness, was at this time the surgeon of the SmoketownHospital, and appreciating Miss Hall's skill and adaptation to her work, he welcomed her cordially, and did everything in his power to render herposition pleasant. Mrs. Harris was soon called to other scenes, andafter Fredericksburg, went to Falmouth and remained there severalmonths, but Miss Hall, and Mrs. Husband who was now associated with herremained at Smoketown; and when Mrs. Husband left, Miss Hall stillcontinued till May, 1863, when the hospital was broken up, and theremaining inmates sent to other points. [J]

[Footnote J: The following letter addressed to Miss Hall, by one of thewounded soldiers under her care at the Smoketown Hospital, a Frenchmanwho, while a great sufferer, kept the whole tent full of wounded mencheerful and bright with his own cheerfulness, singing the Marseillaiseand other patriotic songs, is but one example of thousands, of theregard felt for her, by the soldiers whose sufferings she had relievedby her gentle and kindly ministrations. 

 "MANCHESTER, MASS. _June 28th_, 1866. 

 "Miss M. M. C. Hall:--There are kind deeds received which a _man_ cannot ever forget, more especially when they are done by one who does not expect any rewards for them, but the satisfaction of having helped humanity. 

 "But as one who first unfortunate, and next fortunate enough to come under your kind cares, I come rather late perhaps to pay you a tribute of gratitude which should have been done ere this. I say pay, --I do not mean that with few lines in a broken English, I expect to reward you for your good care of me while I was lying at Smoketown--no, words or gold could not repay you for your sufferings, privations, the painful hard sights which the angels of the battle-field are willing to face, --no, God alone can reward you. Yet, please accept, Miss, the assurance of my profound respect, and my everlasting gratitude. May the God of Justice, Freedom and love, ever protect you, and reward you for your conduct on this earth is the wish of

 "Your obedient and respectful servant, "JULIUS F. RABARDY. "

 The Frenchman who sometimes sang the Marseillaise--formerly of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteers. ]

One feature of this Hospital-life both at Smoketown, and the otherHospitals with which Miss Hall was connected, a feature to which many ofthose under her care revert with great pleasure, was the evening orfamily prayers. Those of the convalescent soldiers who cared to do sowere accustomed to assemble every evening at her tent, and engage insocial worship, the chaplain usually being present and taking the leadof the meeting, and in the event of his absence, one of the soldiersbeing the leader. This evening hour was looked for with eagerness, andto some, we might say, to many, it was the beginning of new hopes and anew life. Many, after rejoining their regiments, wrote back to theirfriends, "We think of you all at the sweet hour of prayer, and know thatyou will remember us when you gather in the little tent. " The life inthe Hospital, was by this and other means, rendered the vestibule of anew and holy life, a life of faith and Christian endeavor to many, andthis young Christian woman was enabled to exercise an influence for goodwhich shall endure through the untold ages of eternity. 

After a short period of rest, Miss Hall again reported for duty at theNaval Academy Hospital, Annapolis, whither considerable numbers of thewounded from Gettysburg were brought, and where her old friend Dr. Vanderkieft was the Surgeon-in-charge. After a time, the exchangedprisoners from Belle Isle and Libby Prison, and subsequently those fromAndersonville, Florence, Salisbury and Wilmington, began to come intothis Hospital, and it was Miss Hall's painful privilege to be permittedto minister to these poor victims of Rebel cruelty and hate, who amidthe horrors of the charnel houses, had not only lost their health, butalmost their semblance to humanity, and reduced by starvation andsuffering to a condition of fatuity, often could not remember their ownnames. In these scenes of horror, with the patience and tenderness bornonly of Christianity, she ministered to these poor helpless men, striving to bring them back to life, and health, and reason, comfortingthem in their sufferings, pointing the dying to a suffering Saviour, and corresponding with their friends as circumstances required. 

It was at Dr. Vanderkieft's request, that she came to this Hospital, andat first she was placed in charge of Section Five, consisting of theHospital tents outside of the main building. Mrs. Adaline Tyler, (SisterTyler), was at this time lady Superintendent of the entire Hospital, andadministered her duties with great skill and ability. When, in thespring of 1864, as we have elsewhere recorded, the impaired health ofMrs. Tyler rendered her further stay in the Hospital impossible. MissHall, though young, was deemed by Dr. Vanderkieft, most eminentlyqualified to succeed her in the general superintendency of this greatHospital, and she remained in charge of it till it was closed in thesummer of 1865. Here she had at times, more than four thousand of thesepoor sufferers under her care, and although she had from ten to twentyassistants, each in charge of a section, yet her own labors wereextremely arduous, and her care and responsibility such as few couldhave sustained. The danger, as well as the care, was very much increasedby the prevalence of typhus-fever, in a very malignant form in theHospital, brought there by some of the poor victims of rebel barbarityfrom Andersonville. Three of her most valued assistants contracted thisfearful disease from the patients whom they had so carefully watchedover and died, martyrs to their philanthropy and patriotism. 

During her residence at this Hospital, Miss Hall often contributed to"THE CRUTCH, " a soldier's weekly paper, edited by Miss Titcomb, one ofthe assistant superintendents, to which the other ladies, the officersand some of the patients were also contributors. This paper created muchinterest in the hospital. 

Our record of the work of this active and devoted Christian woman is butbrief, for though there were almost numberless instances of suffering, of heroism and triumph passing constantly under her eye, yet the work ofone day was so much like that of every other, that it afforded little ofincident in her own labors to require a longer narrative. Painful asmany of her experiences were, yet she found as did many others whoengaged in it that it was a blessed and delightful work, and in theretrospect, more than a year after its close, she uttered these words inregard to it, words to which the hearts of many other patriotic womenwill respond, "I mark my Hospital days as my happiest ones, and thankGod for the way in which He led me into the good work, and for thestrength which kept me through it all. "

THE HOSPITAL CORPS AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY HOSPITAL, ANNAPOLIS. 

Though the Naval Academy buildings at Annapolis had been used forhospital purposes, from almost the first months of the war, they did notacquire celebrity, or accommodate a very large number of patients untilAugust, 1863, when Surgeon Vanderkieft took charge of it, and itreceived great numbers of the wounded men from Gettysburg. As the numberof these was reduced by deaths, convalescence and discharge from thearmy, their places were more than supplied by the returning prisoners, paroled or discharged, from Libby, Belle Isle, Andersonville, Millen, Salisbury, Florence and Wilmington. These poor fellows under thehorrible cruelties, systematically practiced by the rebel authorities, with the avowed intention of weakening the Union forces, had beenstarved, frozen, maimed and tortured until they had almost lost thesemblance of humanity, and one of the noble women who cared for them sotenderly, states that she often found herself involuntarily placing herhand upon her cheek to ascertain whether their flesh was like hers, human and vitalized. The sunken hollow cheeks, the parchment skin drawnso tightly over the bones, the great, cavernous, lackluster eyes, thehalf idiotic stare, the dreamy condition, the loss of memory even oftheir own names, and the wonder with which they regarded the mostordinary events, so strange to them after their long and fearfulexperience, all made them seem more like beings from some other world, than inhabitants of this. Many of them never recovered fully theirmemory or reason; the iron had entered the soul. Others lingered long onthe confines of two worlds, now rallying a little and then falling back, till finally the flickering life went out suddenly; a few of thehardiest and toughest survived, and recovered partial though seldom ornever complete health. During a part of the first year of Dr. Vanderkieft's administration, Mrs. Adaline Tyler ("Sister Tyler") wasLady Superintendent of the hospital, and the sketch elsewhere given ofher life shows how earnestly and ably she labored to promote theinterest of its inmates. During most of this time Miss Maria M. C. Hallhad charge of section five, consisting of the hospital tents whichoccupied a part of the academical campus. Miss Helen M. Noye, a younglady from Buffalo, a very faithful, enthusiastic and cheerful worker, was her assistant, and remained for nearly a year in the hospital. 

When in the spring of 1864, Miss Hall was appointed Mrs. Tyler'ssuccessor as Lady Superintendent of the hospital, its numerous largewards required several assistant superintendents who should direct thepreparation of the special diet, and the other delicacies so desirablefor the sick, attend to the condition of the men, ascertain theircircumstances and history, correspond with their friends, and endeavorso far as possible to cheer, comfort and encourage their patients. 

When the number of patients was largest twenty of these assistants wererequired, and the illness of some, or their change to other fields, rendered the list a varying one, over thirty different ladies beingconnected with the hospital during the two years from July, 1863, toJuly, 1865. 

A considerable number of these ladies had accompanied Mrs. Tyler toAnnapolis, having previously been her assistants in the general hospitalat Chester, Pennsylvania. Among these were nine from Maine, viz. , MissLouise Titcomb, Miss Susan Newhall, Miss Rebecca R. Usher, Miss AlmiraQuimby, Miss Emily W. Dana, Miss Adeline Walker, Miss Mary E. Dupee, Miss Mary Pierson, and Mrs. Eunice D. Merrill, all women of excellentabilities and culture, and admirably adapted to their work. One of thisband of sisters, Miss Adeline Walker, died on the 28th of April, 1865, of malignant typhus, contracted in the discharge of her duties in thehospital. 

Of her Miss Hall wrote in the _Crutch_, "She slept at sunset, sinkinginto the stillness of death as peacefully as a melted day into thedarkness of the night. For two years and a half--longer than almost anyother here--she had pursued her labors in this hospital, and with herready sympathy with the suffering or wronged, had ministered to manyneedy ones the balm of comfort and healing. Her quick wit and keenrepartee has served to brighten up many an hour otherwise dull andunhomelike in our little circle of workers, gathered in our quarters offduty. 

"So long an inmate of this hospital its every part was familiar to her;its trees and flowers she loved; in all its beauties she rejoiced. Wecould almost fancy a hush in nature's music, as we walked behind hercoffin, under the beautiful trees in the bright May sunshine. 

"It was a touching thing to see the soldier-boys carrying the coffin ofher who had been to them in hours of pain a minister of good andcomfort. Her loss is keenly felt among them, and tears are on the faceof more than one strong man as he speaks of her. One more veteransoldier has fallen in the ranks, one more faithful patriot-heart isstilled. No less to her than to the soldier in the field shall beawarded the heroic honor. 

 'For God metes to each his measure; And the woman's patient prayer, No less than ball or bayonet Brings the victory unaware. '

"Patient prayer and work for the victory to our country was the life ofour sister gone from us; and in the dawning of our brighter days, andthe coming glory of our regenerated country, it is hard to lay her awayin unconsciousness; hard to close her eyes against the bright sunshineof God's smile upon a ransomed people; hard to send her lifeless formaway from us, alone to the grave in her far off home; hard to realizethat one so familiar in our little band shall go no more in and outamong us. But we say farewell to her not without hope. Her earnestspirit, ever eager in its questioning of what is truth, was not at restwith simply earthly things. Her reason was unsatisfied, and she longedfor more than was revealed to her of the Divine. To the land of fullrealities she is gone. We trust that in his light she shall see light;that waking in his likeness, she shall be satisfied, and evermore atrest. We cannot mourn that she fell at her post. Her warfare isaccomplished, and the oft-expressed thought of her heart is in her deathfulfilled. She has said, 'It is noble to die at one's post, with thearmor on; to fall where the work has been done. '"

One of her associates from her own State thus speaks of her: "MissWalker left many friends and a comfortable home in Portland, in thesecond year of the war. Her devotion and interest in the work socongenial to her feelings, increased with every year's experience, untilshe found herself bound to it heart and hand. Her large comprehension, too, of all the circumstances connected with the soldier's experience inand outside of hospital, quickened her sympathies and adapted her to thepart she was to share, as counsellor and friend. Many a soldier lives, who can pay her a worthy tribute of gratitude for her care and sympathyin his hour of need; and in the beyond, of the thousands who died in thecause of liberty, there are many who may call her 'blessed. '"

Massachusetts was also largely represented among the faithful workers ofthe Naval Academy Hospital, at Annapolis. Among these Miss Abbie J. Howe, of Brookfield; Miss Kate P. Thompson, of Worcester, whoseexcessive labors and the serious illness which followed, have probablyrendered her an invalid for life; Miss Eudora Clark, of Boston, MissRuth L. Ellis, of Bridgewater, Miss Sarah Allen, of Wilbraham, MissAgnes Gillis, of Lowell, and Miss Maria Josslyn, of Roxbury, were thosewho were most laborious and faithful. From New Jersey there came afaithful and zealous worker, Miss Charlotte Ford, of Morristown. FromNew York there were Miss Helen M. Noye, of Buffalo, already named, Mrs. Guest, also of Buffalo, Miss Emily Gove, of Peru, Miss Mary Cary, ofAlbany, Miss Ella Wolcott, of Elmira, and Miss M. A. B. Young, ofMorristown, New York. This lady, one of the most devoted and faithful ofthe hospital nurses, was also a martyr to her fidelity and patriotism, dying of typhus fever contracted in her attendance upon her patients, onthe 12th of January, 1865. 

Miss Young left a pleasant home in St. Lawrence County, New York, soonafter the commencement of the war, with her brother, Captain JamesYoung, of the Sixtieth New York Volunteers, and was an active ministerof good to the sick and wounded of that regiment. She took great pridein the regiment, wearing its badge and having full faith in its valor. When the Sixtieth went into active service, she entered a hospital atBaltimore, but _her_ regiment was never forgotten. She heard from italmost daily through her soldier-brother, between whom and herselfexisted the most tender devotion and earnest sympathy. From Baltimoreshe was transferred to Annapolis early in Mrs. Tyler's administration. In 1864, she suffered from the small-pox, and ever after her recoveryshe cared for all who were affected with that disease in the hospital. 

Her thorough identity with the soldier's life and entire sacrifice tothe cause, was perhaps most fully and touchingly evidenced by her oftrepeated expression of a desire to be buried among the soldiers. When inusual health, visiting the graves of those to whom she had ministered inthe hospital, she said, "If I die in hospital, let me buried here amongmy boys. " This request was sacredly regarded, and she was borne to herlast resting-place by soldiers to whom she had ministered in her owndays of health. 

Another of the martyrs in this service of philanthropy, was Miss Rose M. Billing, of Washington, District of Columbia, a young lady of mostwinning manners, and spoken of by Miss Hall as one of the most devotedand conscientious workers, she ever knew--an earnest Christian, caringalways for the spiritual as well as the physical wants of her men. Shewas of delicate, fragile constitution, and a deeply sympathizing nature. From the commencement of the war, she had been earnestly desirous ofparticipating in the personal labors of the hospital, and finallypersuaded her mother, (who, knowing her frail health, was reluctant tohave her enter upon such duties), to give her consent. She commenced herfirst service with Miss Hall, in the Indiana Hospital, in the PatentOffice building, in the autumn of 1861, and subsequently served in theFalls Church Hospital, and at Fredericksburg. Early in 1863 she came toAnnapolis, and no one of the nurses was more faithful and devoted inlabors for the soldiers. Twice she had been obliged to leave her chosenwork for a short time in consequence of illness, but she had hastenedback to it with the utmost alacrity, as soon as she could againundertake her work. She had been eminently successful, in bringing upsome cases of the fever, deemed by the surgeons, hopeless, and thoughshe herself felt that she was exceeding her strength, or as sheexpressed it, "wearing out, " she could not and would not leave hersoldier boys while they were so ill; and when the disease fastened uponher, she had not sufficient vital energy left to throw it off. Shefailed rapidly and died on the 14th of January, 1865, after two weeks'illness. Her mother, after her death, received numerous letters fromsoldiers for whom she had cared, lamenting her loss and declaring thatbut for her faithful attentions, they should not have been in the landof the living. Among those who have given their life to the cause oftheir country in the hospitals, no purer or saintlier soul has exchangedthe sorrows, the troubles and the pains of earth for the bliss ofheaven, than Rose M. Billing. 

OTHER LABORS OF SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ANNAPOLIS HOSPITAL CORPS. 

Some of the ladies named in the preceding sketch had passed throughother experiences of hospital life, before becoming connected with theNaval Academy Hospital at Annapolis. Among these, remarkable for theirfidelity to the cause they had undertaken to serve, were several of theladies from Maine, the _Maine-stay_ of the Annapolis Hospital, as Dr. Vanderkieft playfully called them. We propose to devote a little spaceto sketches of some of these faithful workers. 

Miss Louise Titcomb, was from Portland, Maine, a young lady of highculture and refinement, and from the beginning of the War, had taken adeep interest in working for the soldiers, in connection with the otherpatriotic ladies of that city. When in the early autumn of 1862, Mrs. Adaline Tyler, as we have already said in our sketch of her, took chargeas Lady Superintendent of the Hospital at Chester, Pennsylvania, whichhad previously been in the care of a Committee of ladies of the village, she sought for volunteer assistants in her work, who would givethemselves wholly to it. 

Miss Titcomb, Miss Susan Newhall, and Miss Rebecca R. Usher, all fromPortland, were among the first to enter upon this work. They remainedthere eight months, until the remaining patients had becomeconvalescent, and the war had made such progress Southward that the postwas too far from the field to be maintained as a general hospital. 

The duties of these ladies at Chester, were the dispensing of the extraand low diet to the patients; the charge of their clothing; watchingwith, and attending personally to the wants of those patients whosecondition was most critical; writing for and reading to such of the sickor wounded as needed or desired these services, and attending toinnumerable details for their cheer and comfort. Dr. Le Comte, theSurgeon-in-charge, and the assistant Surgeons of the wards, were verykind, considerate and courteous to these ladies, and showed by theirconduct how highly they appreciated their services. 

In August, 1863, when Mrs. Tyler was transferred to the Naval AcademyHospital, at Annapolis, these ladies went thither with her, where theywere joined soon after by Miss Adeline Walker, Miss Almira F. Quimby, and Miss Mary Pierson, all of Portland, and Miss Mary E. Dupee, MissEmily W. Dana, and Mrs. Eunice D. Merrill, all from Maine. Their dutieshere were more varied and fatiguing than at Chester. One of themdescribes them thus: "The Hospital was often crowded with patientsenduring the worst forms of disease and suffering; and added to ourformer duties were new and untried ones incident to the terrible andhelpless condition of these returned prisoners. Evening Schools wereinstituted for the benefit of the convalescents, in which we shared asteachers; at the Weekly Lyceum, through the winter, the ladies in turnedited and read a paper, containing interesting contributions frominmates of the Hospital; they devised and took part in variousentertainments for the benefit of the convalescents; held singing andprayer-meetings frequently in the wards; watched over the dying, werepresent at all the funerals, and aided largely in forwarding theeffects, and where it was possible the bodies of the deceased to theirfriends. " Five of these faithful nurses were attacked by the typhusfever, contracted by their attention to the patients, exhausted as theywere by overwork, from the great number of the very sick and helplessmen brought to the hospital in the winter of 1864-5; and the illness ofthese threw a double duty upon those who were fortunate enough to escapethe epidemic. To the honor of these ladies, it should be said that notone of them shrank from doing her full proportion of the work, andnearly all who survived, remained to the close of the war. For twentymonths, Miss Titcomb was absent from duty but two days, and others had arecord nearly as satisfactory. Nearly all would have done so but forillness. 

Miss Rebecca Usher, of whom we have spoken as one of Miss Titcomb'sassociates, in the winter of 1864-5, accepted the invitation of theMaine Camp and Hospital Association, to go to City Point, and ministerto the sick and wounded, especially of the Maine regiments there. Shewas accompanied by Miss Mary A. Dupee, who was one of the assistants atAnnapolis, from Maine. 

The Maine Camp and Hospital Association, was an organization founded bybenevolent ladies of Portland, and subsequently having its auxiliariesin all parts of the state, having for its object the supplying ofneedful aid and comfort, and personal attention, primarily to thesoldiers of Maine, and secondarily to those from other states. Mrs. James E. Fernald, Mrs. J. S. Eaton, Mrs. Elbridge Bacon, Mrs. WilliamPreble, Miss Harriet Fox, and others were the managers of theassociation. Of these Mrs. J. S. Eaton, the widow of a Baptistclergyman, formerly a pastor in Portland, went very early to the front, with Mrs. Isabella Fogg, the active agent of the association, of whom wehave more to say elsewhere, and the two labored most earnestly for thewelfare of the soldiers. Mrs. Fogg finally went to the Western armies, and Mrs. Eaton invited Miss Usher and Miss Dupee, with some of the otherMaine ladies to join her at City Point, in the winter of 1864-5. Mrs. Ruth S. Mayhew had been a faithful assistant at City Point from thefirst, and after Mrs. Fogg went to the West, had acted as agent of theassociation there. Miss Usher joined Mrs. Eaton and Mrs. Mayhew, inDecember, 1864, but Miss Dupee did not leave Annapolis till April, 1865. The work at City Point was essentially different from that atAnnapolis, and less saddening in its character. The sick soldiers fromMaine were visited in the hospital and supplied with delicacies, andthose who though in health were in need of extra clothing, etc. , weresupplied as they presented themselves. The Maine Camp and HospitalAssociation were always ready to respond to a call for supplies fromtheir agents, and there was never any lack for any length of time. InMay, 1865, Mrs. Eaton and her assistants established an agency atAlexandria, and they carried their supplies to the regiments encampedaround that city, and visited the comparatively few sick remaining inthe hospitals. The last of June their work seemed to be completed andthey returned home. 

Miss Mary A. Dupee was devoted to the cause from the beginning of thewar. She offered her services when the first regiment left Portland, andthough they were not then needed, she held herself in constant readinessto go where they were, working meantime for the soldiers as opportunitypresented. When Mrs. Tyler was transferred to Annapolis, she desiredMiss Susan Newhall, a most faithful and indefatigable worker for thesoldiers, who had been with her at Chester, to bring with her anotherwho was like-minded. The invitation was given to Miss Dupee, who gladlyaccepted it. At Annapolis she had charge of thirteen wards and had aserving-room, where the food was sent ready cooked, for her todistribute according to the directions of the surgeons to "her boys. "Before breakfast she went out to see that that meal was properly served, and to ascertain the condition of the sickest patients. Then forenoonand afternoon, she visited each one in turn, ministering to theircomfort as far as possible. The work, though wearing, and at timesaccompanied with some danger of contagion, she found pleasant, notwithstanding its connection with so many sad scenes. Theconsciousness of doing good more than compensated for any toil orsacrifice, and in the review of her work, Miss Dupee expresses thebelief that she derived as much benefit from this philanthropic toil asshe bestowed. As we have already said, she was for three months at CityPoint and elsewhere ministering to the soldiers of her native State. 

Miss Abbie J. Howe, of Brookfield, Massachusetts, was another of theAnnapolis Hospital Corps deserving of especial mention for her untiringdevotion to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the sick and woundedwho were under her charge. We regret our inability to obtain so full anaccount of her work and its incidents as we desired, but we cannotsuffer her to pass unnoticed. Miss Howe had from the beginning of thewar been earnestly desirous to enter upon the work of personal serviceto the soldiers in the hospitals, but considerations of duty, theopposition of her friends, etc. , had detained her at home until the waywas unexpectedly opened for her in September, 1863. She came directly toAnnapolis, and during her whole stay there had charge of the same wardswhich she first entered, although a change was made in the class ofpatients under her care in the spring of 1864. At first these wards werefilled with private soldiers, but in April, 1864, they were occupied bythe wounded and sick officers of the Officers' Hospital at that timeestablished in the Naval Academy under charge of Surgeon Vanderkieft. 

Miss Howe brought to her work not only extraordinary skill and tact inthe performance of her duties, but a deep _personal_ interest in herpatients, a care and thoughtfulness for what might be best adapted toeach individual case, as if each had been her own brother, and beyondthis, an intense desire to promote their spiritual good. An earnest anddevoted Christian, whose highest motive of action was the desire to dosomething for the honor and glory of the Master she loved, she enteredupon her duties in such a spirit as we may imagine actuated the saintsand martyrs of the early Christian centuries. 

We cannot forbear introducing here a brief description of her work fromone who knew her well:--"She came to Annapolis with a spirit ready andeager to do all things and suffer all things for the privilege of beingallowed to work for the good of the soldiers. Nothing was too trivialfor her to be engaged in for their sakes, --nothing was too great toundertake for the least advantage to one of her smallest and humblestpatients. This was true of her regard to their bodily comfort andhealth--but still more true of her concern for their spiritual good. Iremember very well that when she had been at work only a day or two shespoke to me with real joy of one of her sick patients, telling me of ahope she had that he was a Christian and prepared for death. * * * Sheloved the soldiers for the cause for which they suffered--but she lovedthem _most_, because she was actuated in all things by her love for herSaviour, and for them He had died. * * * I used to feel that her_presence_ and _influence_, even if she had not been strong enough to_work_ at all, would have been invaluable--the soldiers so instinctivelyrecognized her true interest in them, --her regard for the right and herabhorrence of anything like deceit or untruthfulness, that they couldnot help trying to be good for her sake. "

Miss Howe took a special interest in the soldier-nurses--the mendetailed for extra duty in the wards. She had a very high opinion oftheir tenderness and faithfulness in their most trying and wearyingwork, and of their devotion to their suffering comrades. This estimatewas undoubtedly true of most of those in her wards, and perhaps of amajority of those in the Naval Academy Hospital; but it would have beendifficult for them to have been other than faithful and tender under theinfluence of her example and the loyalty they could not help feeling toa woman "so nobly good and true. " Like all the others engaged in theselabors among the returned prisoners, Miss Howe speaks of her work as onewhich brought its own abundant reward, in the inexpressible joy sheexperienced in being able to do something to relieve and comfort thosepoor suffering ones, wounded, bleeding, and tortured for their country'ssake, and at times to have the privilege of telling the story of thecross to eager dying men, who listened in their agony longing to know aSaviour's love. 

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

Mrs. Gibbons is very well known in the City of New York where sheresides, as an active philanthropist, devoting a large portion of hertime and strength to the various charitable and reformatory enterprisesin which she is engaged. This tendency to labors undertaken for the goodof others, is, in part, a portion of her inheritance. The daughter ofthat good man, some years ago deceased, whose memory is so heartilycherished, by all to whom the record of a thousand brave and kindlydeeds is known, so warmly by a multitude of friends, and by theoppressed and suffering--Isaac T. Hopper--we are justified in sayingthat his mantle has fallen upon this his favorite child. 

The daughter of the noble and steadfast old Friend, could hardly fail tobe known as a friend of the slave. Like her father she was ready tolabor, and sacrifice and suffer in his cause, and had already made thisapparent, had borne persecution, the crucial test of principle, beforethe war which gave to the world the prominent idea of freedom for all, and thus wiped the darkest stain from our starry banner, wasinaugurated. 

The record of the army work of Mrs. Gibbons, does not commence until theautumn of 1861. Previous to that time, her labors for the soldier hadbeen performed at home, where there was much to be done in organizing aclass of effort hitherto unknown to the women of our country. But shehad always felt a strong desire to aid the soldiers by personalsacrifices. 

It was quite possible for her to leave home, which so many mothers offamilies, whatever their wishes, were unable to do. Accordingly, accompanied by her eldest daughter, Miss Sarah H. Gibbons, now Mrs. Emerson, she proceeded to Washington, about the time indicated. 

There, for some weeks, mother and daughter regularly visited thehospitals, of which there were already many in the Capitol City, ministering to the inmates, and distributing the stores with which theywere liberally provided by the kindness of friends, from their ownprivate resources, and from those of "The Woman's Central Association ofRelief, " already in active and beneficent operation in New York. 

Their work was, however, principally done in the Patent Office Hospital, where they took a regular charge of a certain number of patients, andrendered excellent service, where service was, at that time, greatlyneeded. 

While thus engaged they were one day invited by a friend from New Yorkto take a drive in the outskirts of the city. Washington was at thattime like a great camp, and was environed by fortifications, with thecamps of different divisions, brigades, regiments, to each of which wereattached the larger and smaller hospitals, where the sick and sufferinglanguished, afar from the comforts and affectionate cares of home, andnot yet inured to the privations and _discomforts_ of army life. It canwithout doubt be said that they were patient, and when we remember thatthe most of them were volunteers, fresh from home, and new to war, thatperhaps was all that could reasonably be expected of them. 

The drive of Mrs. Gibbons, and her friends extended further than was atfirst intended, and they found themselves at Fall's Church, fifteenmiles from the city. Here was a small force of New York troops, andtheir hospital containing about forty men, most of them very sick withtyphoid fever. 

Mrs. Gibbons and her daughter entered the hospital. All around were theemaciated forms, and pale, suffering faces of the men--their very looksan appeal for kindness which it was hardly possible for these ladies toresist. 

One of them, a young man from Penn Yan, New York, fixed his sadimploring gaze upon the face of Mrs. Gibbons. Pale as if the seal ofdeath had already been set upon his features, dreadfully emaciated, andtoo feeble for the least movement, except those of the large, dark, restless eyes, which seemed by the very intensity of their expression todraw her toward him. She approached and compassionately asked if therewas anything she could do for him. The reply seemed to throw upon her aresponsibility too heavy to be borne. 

"Come and take care of me, and I shall get well. If you do not come, Ishall die. "

It was very hard to say she could not come, and with the constantlyrecurring thought of his words, every moment made it harder. It was, however, impossible at that time. 

After distributing some little offerings they had brought, the party wasforced to leave, carrying with them a memory of such suffering andmisery as they had not before encountered. Fall's Church was situated ina nest of secessionists, who would have been open rebels except for thepresence of the troops. No woman had ever shown her face within thewalls of its hospital. The routine of duty had probably been obeyed, butthere had been little sympathy and only the blundering care of men, entirely ignorant of the needs of the sick. The men were dying rapidly, and the number in the hospital fast diminishing, not by convalescence, but by death. 

After she had gone away, the scene constantly recurred to Mrs. Gibbons, and she felt that a field of duty opened before her, which she had noright to reject. In a few days an opportunity for another visitoccurred, which was gladly embraced. The young volunteer was yet living, but too feeble to speak. Again his eyes mutely implored help, and seemedto say that only that could beat back the advances of death. This timeboth ladies had come with the intention of remaining. 

The surgeon was ready to welcome them, but told them there was no placefor them to live. But that difficulty was overcome, as difficultiesalmost always are by a determined will. The proprietor of a neighboring"saloon, " or eating-house, was persuaded to give the ladies a loftfloored with unplaned boards, and boasting for its sole furniture, abedstead and a barrel to serve as table and toilet. Here for the sum offive dollars per week, each, they were allowed to sleep, and they tooktheir meals below. 

There were at the date of their arrival thirty-nine sick men in thehospital, and six lay unburied in the dead-house. Two or three othersdied, and when they left, five or six weeks afterward, all hadrecovered, sufficiently at least to bear removal, save three whom theyleft convalescing. The young volunteer who had fastened his hope of lifeon their coming, had been able to be removed to his home, at Penn Yan, and they afterwards learned that he had entirely recovered his health. 

Under their reign, cleanliness, order, quiet, and comfortable food, hadtaken the place of the discomfort that previously existed. The sick wereencouraged by sympathy, and stimulated by it, and though they hadpersisted in their effort through great hardship, and even danger, forthey were very near the enemy's lines, they felt themselves fullyrewarded for all their toils and sacrifices. 

During the month of January, their patients having nearly all recovered, Mrs. And Miss Gibbons, cheerfully obeyed a request to proceed toWinchester, and take their places in the Seminary Hospital there. Thishospital was at that time devoted to the worst cases of wounded. 

There were a large number of these in this place, most of them severelywounded, as has been said, and many of them dangerously so. The closestand most assiduous care was demanded, and the ladies found themselves atonce in a position to tax all their strength and efforts. They were inthis hospital over four months, and afterwards at Strasburg, where theywere involved in the famous retreat from that place, when the enemy tookpossession, and held the hospital nurses, even, as prisoners, till themain body of their army was safely on the road that led to Dixie. 

Many instances of that retreat are of historical interest, but spaceforbids their repetition here. It is enough to state that these ladiesheroically bore the discomfort of their position, and their own lossesin stores and clothing, regretting only that it was out of their powerto secure the comforts of the wounded, who were hurried from theirquarters, jolted in ambulances in torture, or compelled to drag theirfeeble limbs along the encumbered road. 

After the retreat, and the subsequent abandonment of the Valley by theenemy, Mrs. Gibbons and her daughter returned for a short time to theirhome in New York. 

Their rest, however, was not long, for on the 19th of July, they arrivedat Point Lookout, Maryland, where Hammond United States General Hospitalwas about to be opened. 

On the 20th, the day following, the first installment of patientsarrived, two hundred and eighteen suffering and famished men from therebel prison of Belle Isle. 

A fearful scene was presented on the arrival of these men. The transporton which they came was full of miserable-looking wretches, lying aboutthe decks, many of them too feeble to walk, and unable to move withouthelp. Not one of the two hundred and eighty, possessed more than onegarment. Before leaving Belle Isle, they had been permitted to bathe. The filthy, vermin-infected garments, which had been their sole coveringfor many months, were in most cases thrown into the water, and the menhad clothed themselves as best they could, in the scanty supply giventhem. Many were wrapped in sheets. A pair of trowsers was a luxury towhich few attained. 

They were mostly so feeble as to be carried on stretchers to thehospital. Mrs. Gibbons' first duty was to go on board the transport withfood, wine and stimulants, to enable them to endure the removal; andwhen once removed, and placed in their clean beds, or wards, there wassufficient employment in reducing all to order, and nursing them back tohealth. Many were hopelessly broken down by their past sufferings, butmost eventually recovered their strength. 

Mrs. And Miss Gibbons remained at Point Lookout fifteen months. After ashort time Mrs. Gibbons finding her usefulness greatly impaired by beingobliged to act under the authority of Miss Dix, who was officially atthe head of all nurses, applied for, and received from Surgeon-GeneralHammond an independent appointment in this hospital, which gave her solecharge of it, apart from the medical supervision. In this appointmentthe Surgeon-General was sustained by the War Department. In herapplication Mrs. Gibbons was influenced by no antagonism to Miss Dix, but simply by her desire for the utmost usefulness. 

The military post of Point Lookout was at that time occupied by twoMaryland Regiments, of whom Colonel Rogers had the command. If not insympathy with rebellion, they undoubtedly were with slavery. Largenumbers of contrabands had flocked thither, hoping to be protected intheir longings for freedom. In this, however, they were disappointed. Assoon as the Maryland masters demanded the return of their abscondingproperty, the Maryland soldiers were not only willing to accede to thedemand, but to aid in enforcing it. 

Mrs. Gibbons found herself in a continual unpleasant conflict with theauthorities. Sympathy, feeling, sense of justice, the principles of alife, were all on the side of the enslaved, and their attempt to escape. She worked for them, helped them to evade the demands of their formermasters, and often sent them on their way toward the goal of their hopesand efforts, the mysterious North. 

She endured persecution, received annoyances, anonymous threats, and hadmuch to bear, which was borne cheerfully for the sake of these oppressedones. General Lockwood, then commander of the post, was always thefriend of herself and her protegés, a man of great kindness of heart, and a lover of justice. 

As has been said, they remained at Point Lookout fifteen months. Thesummer following her introduction to the place, Mrs. Gibbons visitedhome, and after remaining but a short time returned to her duties. Shehad left all at home tranquil and serene, and did not dream of thehidden fires which were even then smouldering, and ready to burst intoflame. 

She had not long returned before rumors of the riots in New York, theriots of July, 1863, reached Point Lookout. 

"If private houses are attacked, ours will be one of the first, " saidMiss Gibbons, on the reception of these tidings, and though her motherwould not listen to the suggestion, she very well knew it was far fromimpossible. 

That night they retired full of apprehension, and had not fallen asleepwhen some one knocked at their door with the intimation that bad newshad arrived for them. They asked if any one was dead, and on beingassured that there was not, listened with comparative composure whenthey learned that their house in New York had been sacked by the mob, and most of its contents destroyed. 

The remainder of the night was spent in packing, and in the morning theystarted for home. 

It was a sad scene that presented itself on their arrival. There was notan unbroken pane of glass in any of the windows. The panels of the doorswere many of them beaten in as with an axe. The furniture was mostlydestroyed, bureaus, desks, closets, receptacles of all kinds had beenbroken open, and their contents stolen or rendered worthless; thecarpets, soaked with a trampled conglomerate of mud and water, oil andfilth, the debris left by the feet of the maddened, howling crowd, wereentirely ruined; beds and bedding, mirrors, and smaller articles hadbeen carried away, the grand piano had had a fire kindled on thekey-board, as had the sofas and chairs upon their velvet seats, firesthat were, none knew how, extinguished. 

Over all were scattered torn books and valuable papers, thecorrespondence with the great minds of the country for years, trampledinto the grease and filth, half burned and defaced. The relics of theprecious only son, who had died a few years before--the beautifulmemorial room, filled with pictures he had loved, beautiful vases, whereflowers always bloomed; and a thousand tokens of the loved and lost, hadshared the universal ruin. So had the writings and the clothing of thelamented father, Isaac T. Hopper--of all these priceless mementoes, there remained only the marble, life-size, bust of the son, which Mr. Gibbons had providentially removed to a place of safety, and a few minorobjects. And all this ruin, and irreparable loss, had been visited uponthis charitable and patriotic family, by a furious, demoniac mob, because they loved Freedom, Justice, and their country. 

After this disaster the family were united beneath a hired roof for sometime, while their own house was repaired, and the fragments of itsscattered plenishing, and abundant treasures, were gathered together andreclaimed. 

Mrs. Gibbons returned for a brief space to Point Lookout, where herpurpose was to instal the Misses Woolsey, and then leave them in chargeof the hospital. 

Circumstances, however, prevented her from leaving the Point for a muchlonger period than she had intended to stay, and when she did leave, shewas accompanied by the Misses Woolsey, and the whole party returned toNew York together. 

We have no record of the further army work of Mrs. And Miss Gibbonsuntil the opening of the grand campaign of the Army of the Potomac, thefollowing May. 

Immediately after the battle of the Wilderness, Mrs. Gibbons received atelegram desiring her to come to the aid of the wounded. She resolved atonce to go, and urged her daughter to accompany her, as she had alwaysdone before. Miss Gibbons had, in the meantime, married, and in thecourse of a few weeks become a widow. She felt reluctant to return tothe work she had so loved, but her mother's wish prevailed. The next daythey started, and in a very short space of time found themselves amidstthe horrible confusion and suffering which prevailed at Belle Plain. 

Their stay there was but brief, and in a short time they were themselvesestablished at Fredericksburg. There Mrs. Gibbons was requested to takecharge of a hospital, or rather a large unfurnished building, which wasto be used as one. In great haste straw was found to fill the emptybed-sacks, which were placed upon the floor, and the means to feed thesuffering mass who were expected. The men, in all the forms ofsuffering, were placed upon these beds, and cared for as well as theycould be, as fast as they arrived, and Mrs. Emerson prepared food forthem, standing unsheltered in rain or sultry heat. 

For weeks they toiled thus. One day when the town was beautiful andfragrant with the early roses, some regiments of Northern soldierslanded and marched through the town, on their way to the front. Thepatriotic women gathered there, cheered them as they marched on, andgathered roses which they offered in a fragrant shower, with which themen decorated caps and button-holes. They passed on; but two days laterthe long train of ambulances crept down the hill, bringing back theseheroes to their pitying countrywomen, the roses withering on theirbreasts, and dyed with their sacred patriot blood. 

Through all the horrors of this sad campaign, Mrs. Gibbons and Mrs. Emerson remained, doing whatever their hands could find to do. WhenFredericksburg was evacuated, they accompanied the soldiers, riding inthe open box-cars, and on the way administering to them as they could. 

They were for a time at White House, where thousands of wounded requiredand received their aid, and afterwards at City Point, where theyremained for several weeks in charge of the hospital of the SecondDivision, being from first to last, among the most useful of the manynoble women who were engaged in this work. 

After their return home, Mrs. Gibbons accepted an appointment at thehospital in Beverly, New Jersey, where she had charge under Dr. Wagner, the excellent surgeon she had known, and to whom she had become muchattached, at Point Lookout. As usual, Mrs. Emerson accompanied her tothis place, and lent her efforts to the great work to which both haddevoted themselves. 

There were about nineteen hundred patients in this hospital, and theduties were arduous. They boarded with the family of Dr. Wagner, adjacent to the hospital, and after the labors of the day were mostlyfinished, they went there to dine, at seven o'clock. Often, despitepleasant conversation, and attractive viands, the sense of fatigue, before unfelt, would attack Mrs. Gibbons, and at the table she wouldfall asleep. But the morning would find her with strength restored, andready for the toil of the coming day. 

The winter of 1865 will long be remembered in New York for the ravagesof small-pox in that city. The victims were not confined to any class, or locality, and there were perhaps as many in the homes of wealth, asin the squalid dwelling-places of the poor. 

Mrs. Gibbons was suddenly summoned home to nurse her youngest daughter, in an attack of varioloid. This was accomplished, and the young ladyrecovered. But this closed the army labors of the mother. She did notreturn, though Mrs. Emerson remained till the close of the hospital thefollowing spring, when the end of the war rendered their furtherservices in this work unnecessary, and they once more found themselvessettled in the quiet of home. 

MRS. E. J. RUSSELL. 

We have spoken in previous sketches of the faithfulness and devotion ofmany of the government nurses, appointed by Miss Dix. No salary, certainly not the meagre pittance doled out by the government couldcompensate for such services, and the only satisfactory reason which canbe offered for their willingness to render them, is that their heartswere inspired by a patriotism equally ardent with that which actuatedtheir wealthier sisters, and that this pitiful salary, hardly thataccorded to a green Irish girl just arrived in this country from thebogs of Erin, was accepted rather as affording them the opportunity toengage more readily in their work, than from any other cause. In manyinstances it was expended in procuring necessary food or luxuries fortheir soldier-patients, and in others, served to prevent dependence uponfriends, who had the disposition but perhaps hardly the ability tofurnish these heroic and self-denying nurses with the clothing orpocket-money they needed in their work. 

It is of one of these nurses, a lady of mature age, a widow, that wehave now to speak. Mrs. E. J. Russell, of Plattekill, Ulster County, NewYork, was at the commencement of the war engaged in teaching in New Yorkcity. In common with the other ladies of the Reformed Dutch Church, inNinth Street, of which she was a member, she worked for the soldiers atevery spare moment, but the cause seemed to her to need her personalservices in the hospital, and in ministrations to the wounded or sick, and when the call came for nurses, she waited upon Miss Dix, wasaccepted, and sent first to the Regimental Hospital of the Twentieth NewYork Militia, National Guard, then stationed at Annapolis Junction. Onarriving there she found that the regiment consisted of men from her owncounty, her former neighbors and acquaintances. The regiment was soonafter ordered to Baltimore, and being in the three months' service, wasmustered out soon after, and Mrs. Russell was assigned by Miss Dix toColumbia College Hospital, Washington. Here she remained in the quietdischarge of her duties, until June, 1864, not without many trials anddiscomforts, for the position of the hired nurse in these hospitalsabout Washington, was often rendered very uncomfortable by thediscourtesy of the young assistant surgeons. Her devotion to her dutieshad been so intense that her health was seriously impaired, and sheresigned, but after a short period of rest, her strength wassufficiently recruited for her to resume her labors, and she reportedfor duty at West Building Hospital, Baltimore, where she remained untilafter Lee's surrender. She was in the service altogether four years, lacking eighteen days. During this time nine hundred and eighty-five menwere under her care, for varying periods from a few days to thirteenmonths; of these ninety died, and she closed the eyes of seventy-six ofthem. Her service in Baltimore was in part among our returned prisoners, from Belle Isle, Libby and other prisons, and in part among the woundedrebel prisoners. 

Many of the incidents which Mrs. Russell relates of the wounded whopassed under her care are very touching. Many of her earlier patientswere in the delirium of typhoid fever, and her ears and heart were oftenpained in hearing their piteous calls for their loved ones to come tothem, --to forgive them--or to help them. Often had she occasion to offerthe consolations of religion to those who were evidently nearing theriver of death, and sometimes she was made happy in finding that thosewho were suffering terribly from racking pain, or the agony of wounds, were comforted and cheered by her efforts to bring them to think of theSaviour. One of these, suffering from an intense fever, as she seatedherself by the side of his cot, and asked him in her quiet gentle way, if he loved Jesus as his Saviour, clasped her hand in his and folding itto his heart, asked so earnestly, "Do you love Jesus too? Oh, yes, Ilove him. I do not fear to die, for then I shall join my dear mother whotaught me to love him. " He then repeated with great distinctness astanza of the hymn, "Jesus can make a dying bed, " etc. , and inquired ifshe could sing. She could not, but she read several hymns to him. Hisjoy and peace made him apparently oblivious of his suffering from thefever, and he endeavored as well as his failing strength would permit, to tell her of his hopes of immortality, and to commend to her prayershis only and orphaned sister. 

Another, a poor fellow from Maine, dying of diphtheria, asked her topray for him and to read to him from the Bible. She commended himtenderly to the Good Shepherd, and soon had the happiness of seeing, even amid his sufferings, that his face was radiant with joy. Heselected a chapter of the Bible which he wished her to read, and thensent messages by her to his mother and friends, uttering the words withgreat difficulty, but passing away evidently in perfect peace. 

Since the war, Mrs. Russell has resumed her profession as a teacher atNewburgh, New York. 

MRS. MARY W. LEE. 

It is somewhat remarkable that a considerable number of the mostfaithful and active workers in the hospitals and in other labors for thesoldier during the late war, should have been of foreign birth. Theirpatriotism and benevolence was fully equal to that of our women bornunder the banner of the stars, and their joy at the final triumph of ourarms was as fervent and hearty. Our readers will recall among thesenoble women, Miss Wormeley, Miss Clara Davis, Miss Jessie Home, Mrs. General Ricketts, Mrs. General Turchin, Bridget Divers, and others. 

Among the natives of a foreign land, but thoroughly American in everyfibre of her being, Mrs. Mary W. Lee stands among the foremost of theearnest persistent toilers of the great army of philanthropists. She wasborn in the north of Ireland, of Scotch parentage, but came with herparents to the United States when she was five years of age, and hasever since made Philadelphia her home. Here she married Mr. Lee, a goldrefiner, and a man of great moral worth. An interesting family had grownup around them, all, like their parents thoroughly patriotic. One sonenlisted early in the war, first, we believe, in the PennsylvaniaReserve Corps, and afterward in the Seventy-second PennsylvaniaVolunteers, and served throughout the war, and though often in peril, escaped any severe wounds. A daughter, Miss Amanda Lee, imbued with hermother's spirit, accompanied her in most of her labors, and emulatedher example of active usefulness. 

Mrs. Lee was one of the noble band of women whose hearts were moved withthe desire to do something for our soldiers, when they were firsthastening to the war in April, 1861, and in the organization of theVolunteer Refreshment Saloon at Philadelphia, an institution which fed, during the war, four hundred thousand of our soldiers as they passed toand from the battle-fields, and brought comfort and solace to manythousands of the sick and wounded, she was one of the most active andfaithful members of its committee. The regiments often arrived atmidnight; but whatever the hour, whether night or day, at the firing ofthe signal gun, which announced that troops were on their way toPhiladelphia, Mrs. Lee and her co-workers hastened to the UnionVolunteer Refreshment Saloon, near the Navy Yard, and prepared an amplerepast for the soldiers, caring at the same time for any sick or woundedamong them. No previous fatigue or weariness, no inclemency of theweather, or darkness of the night was regarded by these heroic women asa valid excuse from these self-imposed duties or rather this gloriousprivilege, for so they deemed it, of ministering to the comfort of thedefenders of the Union. And through the whole four and a-third yearsduring which troops passed through Philadelphia, no regiment or companyever passed unfed. The supplies as well as the patience and perseveranceof the women held out to the end, and scores of thousands who but fortheir voluntary labors and beneficence must have suffered severely fromhunger, had occasion to bless God for the philanthropy and practicalbenevolence of the women of Philadelphia. 

But this field of labor, broad as it was, did not fully satisfy thepatriotic ardor of Mrs. Lee. She had heard of the sufferings andprivations endured by our soldiers at the front, and in hospitals remotefrom the cities; and she longed to go and minister to their wants. Fortunately, she could be spared for a time at least from her home. Though of middle age, she possessed a vigorous constitution, capable ofenduring all necessary hardships, and was in full health and strength. She was well known as a skilful cook, an admirable nurse, and anexcellent manager of household affairs. The sickness of some members ofher family delayed her for a time, but when this obstacle was removed, she felt that she could not longer be detained from her chosen work. Itwas July, 1862, the period when the Army of the Potomac exhausted by itswearisome march and fearful battles of the seven days, lay almosthelpless at Harrison's Landing. The sick poisoned by the malaria of theChickahominy Swamps, and the wounded, shattered and maimed wrecks ofhumanity from the great battles, were being sent off by thousands to thehospitals of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and NewEngland, and yet other thousands lay in the wretched field hospitalsaround the Landing, with but scant care, and in utter wretchedness andmisery. The S. R. Spaulding, one of the steamers assigned to the UnitedStates Sanitary Commission for its Hospital Transport Service, hadbrought to Philadelphia a heavy cargo of the sick and wounded, and wasabout to return for another, when Mrs. Lee, supplied with stores by theUnion Volunteer Refreshment Committee, and her personal friends, embarked upon it for Harrison's Landing, where she was to be associatedwith Mrs. John Harris in caring for the soldiers. The Spaulding arrivedin due time in the James River, and lay off in the stream while theRuffin house was burning. On landing, Mrs. Lee found Mrs. Harris, andthe Rev. Isaac O. Sloan, one of the Agents of the Christian Commissionready to welcome her to the toilsome duties that were before her. Wretched indeed was the condition of the poor sick men, lying inmildewed, leaky tents without floors, and the pasty tenacious mud ankledeep around them, the raging thirst and burning fever of the marshesconsuming them, with only the warm and impure river water to drink, andlittle even of this; with but a small supply of medicines, and no foodor delicacies suitable for the sick, the bean soup, unctuous with rancidpork fat, forming the principal article of low diet; uncheered by kindwords or tender sympathy, it is hardly matter of surprise that hundredsof as gallant men as ever entered the army died here daily. 

The supplies of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, and those sentto Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Lee, from the Ladies' Aid Society, and the UnionVolunteer Refreshment Committee, administered by such skilful nurses asMrs. Harris and Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Fales, Mrs. Husband, and Miss Hall, soonchanged the aspect of affairs, and though the malarial fever stillraged, there was a better chance of recovery from it, and the sick menwere as rapidly as possible transferred to a better climate, and ahealthier atmosphere. In the latter part of August, the Army of thePotomac having left the James River for Acquia Creek and Alexandria, Mrs. Lee returned home for a brief visit. 

On the 5th of September, she started for Washington, to enter again uponher chosen work. Finding that the Army were just about moving intoMaryland, she spent a few days in the Hospital of the Epiphany atWashington, nursing the sick and wounded there; but learning that theArmy of the Potomac were in hot pursuit of the Rebel Army, and that asevere battle was impending, she could not rest; she determined to benear the troops, so that when the battle came, she might be able torender prompt assistance to the wounded. It was almost impossible toobtain transportation, the demand for the movement of sustenance andammunition for the army filling every wagon, and still provinginsufficient for their wants; but by the kind permission of CaptainGleason of the Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, she was permittedto follow with her stores in a forage wagon, and arrived at the rear ofthe army the night before the battle of Antietam. The battle commencedwith the dawn on the 17th of September, and during its progress, she wasstationed on the Sharpsburg road, where she had her supplies and twolarge tubs of water, one to bathe and bind up the wounds of those whohad fallen in the fight, and the other to refresh them when sufferingfrom the terrible thirst which gun-shot wounds always produce. As thehours drew on, the contents of one assumed a deeper and yet deepercrimson hue and the seemingly ample supply of the other grew less andless. Her supply of soft bread had given out, and she had bought of anenterprising sutler who had pushed his way to a place of danger in thehope of gain, at ten and twenty cents a loaf, till her money was nearlyexhausted; but to the honor of this sutler, it should be said, that thenoble example of Mrs. Lee, in seeking to alleviate the sufferings of thewounded so moved his feelings, that he exclaimed, "Great God! I can'tstand this any longer; Take this bread, and give it to that woman, "(Mrs. Lee), and forgetting for the time the greed of gain which hadbrought him thither, he lent a helping hand most zealously to the careof the wounded. During the day, General McClellan's head-quarters wereat Boonsboro', and his aids were constantly passing back and forth overthe Sharpsburg road, near which Mrs. Lee had her station. 

The battle closed with the night-fall, and Mrs. Lee immediately wentinto the Sedgwick Division Hospital, where were five hundred severelywounded men, and among the number, Major-General Sedgwick. Here shecommenced preparing food for the wounded, but was greatly annoyed by agang of villainous camp followers, who hung around her fires and stoleeverything from them if she was engaged for a moment. At last sheentered the hospital, and inquired if there was any officer there whohad the authority to order her a guard. General Sedgwick immediatelyresponded to her request, by authorizing her to call upon the firstsoldier she could find for the purpose, and she had no furtherannoyance. 

She remained for several days at this hospital, doing all she could withthe means at her command, to make the condition of the woundedcomfortable, but on the arrival of Mrs. Arabella Barlow, whose husband, then Colonel, afterward Major-General Barlow, was very severely wounded, she gave up the charge of this hospital to her, and went to the HoffmanFarm's Hospital, where there were over a thousand of the worst cases. Here she was the only lady for several weeks, until the hospital wasremoved to Smoketown, where she was joined by Miss M. M. C. Hall, Mrs. Husband, Mrs. Harris, and Miss Tyson, of Baltimore. She remained atSmoketown General Hospital, nearly three months. The worst cases, thosewhich could not bear removal to Washington, Baltimore, or Philadelphia, were collected in this hospital, and there was much suffering and manydeaths in it. 

Mrs. Lee returned home on the 14th of December, 1862, and on the 29th ofthe same month, she again set out for the front, arriving safely atFalmouth on the 31st, where the wounded of Fredericksburg were gatheredby thousands. After four weeks of earnest labor here, she again returnedhome, but early in March, she was again at the front, in the Hospital ofthe Second Corps, which had been removed from Falmouth to Potomac Creek. She continued in this Hospital until the battle of Chancellorsville, when she went up to the Lacy House, at Falmouth, to assist Mrs. Harrisand Mrs. Beck. She accompanied Mrs. Harris, and several of the gentlemenof the Christian Commission in an Ambulance to take nourishment to thewounded of General Sedgwick's command, and witnessed the taking ofMarye's Heights, the balls from the batteries passing over the heads ofher company. Her anxiety in regard to this conflict was heightened bythe fact that her son was in one of the regiments which made the chargeupon the Heights, and great was her gratitude in finding that he was notamong the wounded. 

After the wounded were sent to Washington she returned to Potomac Creek, where she remained until Lee's second invasion of Maryland andPennsylvania, when she moved with the army as far as FairfaxCourt-House, enduring many hardships. From Fairfax Court-House she wentto Alexandria to await the result of the movement, and after some delayreturned home. The battle of Gettysburg called her again into the field. Arriving several days after the battle, she went directly to the SecondCorps Hospital, and labored there until it was broken up. For herservices in this hospital she received from the officers and men a goldmedal--a trefoil, beautifully engraved, and with an appropriateinscription. She went next to Camp Letterman General Hospital, where sheremained for some weeks, her stay at Gettysburg being in all about twomonths. Her health was impaired by her excessive labors at Gettysburgand previously in Virginia, and she remained at home for a longer timethan usual, giving her attention, however, meanwhile to the VolunteerRefreshment Saloon, but early in February, 1864, she established herselfin a new hospital of the Second Division, Second Corps, at BrandyStation, Virginia. Here, soon after, her daughter joined her, and theold routine of the hospital at Potomac Creek was soon established. Mrs. Lee has the faculty of making the most of her conveniences and supplies. Her daughter writing home from this hospital thus describes thefurniture of her "Special Diet Kitchen:"--"Mother has a small stove;until this morning it has smoked very much, but it is now doing verywell. The top is about half a yard square. On this she is now boilingpotatoes, stewing some chicken-broth, heating a kettle of water, and hasa large bread-pudding inside. She has made milk-punch, lemonade, beef-tea, stewed cranberries, and I cannot think what else sincebreakfast. " With all this intense activity the spiritual interests ofher patients were not forgotten. Mrs. Lee is a woman of deep andunaffected piety, and her tact in speaking a word in season, and inbringing the men under religious influences was remarkable. Thishospital soon became remarkable for its order, neatness andcheerfulness. 

The order of General Grant on the 15th of April, 1864, for the removalof all civilians from the army, released Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Husband, whohad been associated with her, from their duties at Brandy Station. Butin less than a month both were recalled to the temporary base of thearmy at Belle Plain and Fredericksburg, to minister to the thousands ofwounded from the destructive battles of the Wilderness andSpottsylvania. At Fredericksburg, where the whole town was one vasthospital, the surgeon in charge entrusted her with the care of thespecial diet of the Second Corps' hospitals. Unsupplied with kitchenfurniture, and the surgeon being entirely at a loss how to procure any, her woman's wit enabled her to improvise the means of performing herduties. She remembered that Mrs. Harris had left at the Lacy House inFalmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, the year before, an old stove whichmight be there yet. Procuring an ambulance, she crossed the river, andfound the old stove, much the worse for wear, and some kettles and otherutensils, all of which were carefully transported to the other side, andafter diligent scouring, the whole were soon in such a condition thatboiling, baking, stewing and frying could proceed simultaneously, andduring her stay in Fredericksburg, the old stove was kept constantlyhot, and her skilful hands were employed from morning till night andoften from night till morning again in the preparation of food anddelicacies for the sick. Nothing but her iron constitution enabled herto endure this incessant labor. 

From Fredericksburg she went over land to White House and there, aidedby Miss Cornelia Hancock, her ministrations to the wounded were renewed. Thence soon after they removed to City Point. Here for months shelabored amid such suffering and distress that the angels must havelooked down in pity upon the accumulated human woe which met theirsympathizing eyes. Brave, noble-hearted men fell by hundreds andthousands, and died not knowing whether their sacrifices would besufficient to save their country. At length wearied with her intense andprotracted labors, Mrs. Lee found herself compelled to visit home andrest for a time. But her heart was in the work, and again she returnedto it, and was in charge of a hospital near Petersburg at the time ofLee's surrender. She remained in the hospitals of Petersburg andRichmond, until the middle of May, and then returned to her quiet home, participating to the very last in the closing work of the VolunteerRefreshment Saloon, where she had commenced her labors for the soldiers. Other ladies may have engaged in more extended enterprises, may have hadcharge of larger hospitals, or undertaken more comprehensive andfar-reaching plans for usefulness to the soldier--but in untiringdevotion to his interests, in faithfully performed, though often irksomelabor, carried forward patiently and perseveringly for more than fouryears, Mrs. Lee has a record not surpassed in the history of the deedsof American women. 

MISS CORNELIA M. TOMPKINS. 

Miss Cornelia M. Tompkins, of Niagara Falls, was one of the truly heroicspirits evoked by the war. Related to a distinguished family of the samename, educated, accustomed to the refinements and social enjoyments of aChristian home she left all to become a hospital nurse, and to aid insaving the lives of the heroes and defenders of her native land. Recommended by her friend, the late Margaret Breckinridge, of whom abiographical notice is given in this volume, she came to St. Louis inthe summer of 1863, was commissioned as a nurse by Mr. Yeatman, andassigned to duty at the Benton Barracks Hospital, under thesuperintendence of Miss Emily E. Parsons, and the general direction ofSurgeon Ira Russell. In this service she was one of the faithful band ofnurses, who, with Miss Parsons, brought the system of nursing to suchperfection at that hospital. 

In the fall of that year she was transferred to the hospital service atMemphis, by Mr. Yeatman, to meet the great demand for nurses there, where she became favorably known as a most judicious and skilful nurse. 

In the spring of 1864 she returned to St. Louis, and was again assignedto duty at Benton Barracks, where she remained till mid-summer, whenhaving been from home a year, she obtained a furlough, and went home fora short period of rest, and to visit her family. 

On her return to St. Louis she was assigned to duty at the largehospital at Jefferson Barracks, and continued there till the end of thewar, doing faithful and excellent service, and receiving the cordialapprobation of the surgeons in charge, and the Western SanitaryCommission, as well as the gratitude of the sick and wounded soldiers, to whom she was a devoted friend and a ministering angel in theirsorrows and distress. 

In her return to the quiet and enjoyment of her own home, within thesound of the great cataract, she has carried with her the consciousnessof having rendered a most useful service to the patriotic and heroicdefenders of her country, in their time of suffering and need, theapproval of a good conscience and the smile of heaven upon her noble andheroic soul. 

MRS. ANNA C. McMEENS. 

Mrs. Anna C. McMeens, of Sandusky, Ohio, was born in Maryland, butremoved to the northern part of Ohio, in company with her parents whenquite young. She is therefore a western woman in her habits, associations and feelings, while her patriotism and philanthropy are notbounded by sectional lines. Her husband, Dr. McMeens, was appointedsurgeon to an Ohio regiment, which was one of the first raised when Mr. Lincoln called for troops, after the firing upon Sumter. In the line ofhis duty he proceeded to Camp Dennison, where he had for some timeprincipal charge of the medical department. Mrs. McMeens resolved toaccompany her husband, and share in the hardships of the campaign, forthe purpose of doing good where she could find it to do. She wastherefore one of the first, --if not the first woman in Ohio, to give herexclusive, undivided time in a military hospital, in administering tothe necessities of the soldiers. When the regiment left Camp Dennison, she accompanied it, until our forces occupied Nashville. Dr. McMeensthen had a hospital placed under his charge, and his faithful wifeassisted as nurse for several months, contributing greatly to theefficiency of the nursing department, and to the administration ofconsolation and comfort in many ways to our sick soldier boys, who werenecessarily deprived of the comforts of home. Subsequently at the battleof Perryville, Mrs. McMeens' husband lost his life from excessiveexertions while in attention to the sick and wounded. Being deprived ofher natural protector, she returned to her home in Sandusky, which wasmade desolate by an additional sacrifice to the demon of secession. While at home, not content to sit idle in her mourning for her husband, she was busily occupied in aiding the Sanitary Commission in obtainingsupplies, of which she so well knew the value by her familiarity withthe wants of the soldiers in field, camp and hospitals. She however verysoon felt it her duty to participate more actively in immediateattentions upon the sick and wounded soldiers. A fine field offereditself in the hospitals at Washington, to which place she went; andremained nearly one year in attention, and rendering assistance dailyamong the various hospitals of the Nation's capital. It would be feeblepraise to say that her duties were performed in the most energetic andjudicious manner. Few women have made greater sacrifices in the war thanthe subject of our sketch; none have been made from a purer sense ofduty, or a fuller knowledge of the magnitude of the cause in which wehave been engaged. 

At present the necessity for attention to soldiers has happily ceased, and we find her busily engaged in missionary work among the sailors, which she has an excellent opportunity of performing while at herbeautiful summer home on the island of Gibraltar, Lake Erie. 

MRS. JERUSHA R. SMALL. 

This young lady was one of the martyrs of the war. She resided inCascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, and just previous to the commencement ofthe war had buried her only child, a sweet little girl of four years. When volunteers were called for from Iowa, her husband, Mr. J. E. Small, felt it his duty to take up arms for his country, and as his wife had nohome ties she determined to go with him and make herself useful incaring for the sick and wounded of his regiment, or of other regimentsin the same division. She proved a most excellent nurse, and for monthslabored with untiring energy in the regimental hospitals, and tohundreds of the wounded from Belmont, Donelson, and Shiloh, as well asto the numerous sick soldiers of General Grant's army she was an angelof mercy. Her constant care and devotion had considerably impaired herhealth before the battle of Shiloh. 

At this battle her husband was badly wounded and taken prisoner, but wasretaken by the Union troops. In the course of the battle, the tent whichshe occupied and where she was ministering to the wounded came withinrange of the enemy's shells, and she with her wounded husband and alarge number of other wounded soldiers, were obliged to fly for theirlives, leaving all their goods behind them. Previous to her flight, however, she had torn up all her spare clothing and dresses to makebandages and compresses and pillows for the wounded soldiers. She foundher way with her wounded patients to one of the hospitals extemporizedby the Cincinnati ladies. Her husband and many of his comrades of theTwelfth Iowa Regiment were among this company of wounded men. She cravedadmission for them and remained to nurse her husband and the others forseveral weeks, but when her husband became convalescent, she wascompelled to take to her bed; her fatigue and exposure, acting upon asomewhat frail and delicate constitution had brought on gallopingconsumption. She soon learned from her physician that there was no hopeof her recovery, and then the desire to return home and die in hermother's arms seemed to take entire possession of her soul. Permissionwas obtained for her to go, and for her husband to accompany her, andwhen she was removed from the boat to the cars, Mrs. Dr. Mendenhall ofthe Cincinnati Branch of the Sanitary Commission accompanied her to thecars, and having provided for her comfortable journey, gave her aparting kiss. Mrs. Small was deeply affected by this kindness of astranger, and thanking her for her attention to herself and husband, expressed the hope that they should meet in a better world. A lady, whoevidently had little sympathy with the war or with those who sought toalleviate the sufferings of the soldiers, stepped up and said to Mrs. Small; "You did very wrong to go and expose yourself as you have donewhen you were so young and frail. " "No!" replied the dying woman, "Ifeel that I have done right, I think I have been the means of savingsome lives, and that of my dear husband among the rest; and these Iconsider of far more value than mine, for now they can go and help ourcountry in its hour of need. "

Mrs. Small lived to reach home, but died a few days after her arrival. She requested that her dead body might be wrapped in the national flag, for next to her husband and her God, she loved the country which itrepresented, best. She was buried with military honors, a considerablenumber of the soldiers of the Twelfth Iowa who were home on furlough, taking part in the sad procession. 

MRS. S. A. MARTHA CANFIELD. 

This lady was the wife of Colonel Herman Canfield, of the Seventy-firstOhio Regiment. She accompanied her husband to the field, and devotedherself to the care and succor of the sick and wounded soldiers, untilthe battle of Shiloh, where her husband was mortally wounded, andsurvived but a few hours. She returned home with his body and remainedfor a short time, but feeling that it was in her power to do somethingfor the cause to which her husband had given his life, she returned tothe Army of the Mississippi and became attached to the Sixteenth ArmyCorps, and spent most of her time in the hospitals of Memphis and itsvicinity. But though she accomplished great good for the soldiers, shetook a deep interest also in the orphans of the freedmen in that region, and by her extensive acquaintance and influence with the militaryauthorities, she succeeded in establishing and putting upon asatisfactory basis, the Colored Orphan Asylum in Memphis. She devotedher whole time until the close of the war to these two objects; thewelfare of the soldiers in the hospitals and the perfecting of theOrphan Asylum, and not only gave her time but very largely also of herproperty to the furthering of these objects. The army officers of thatlarge and efficient army corps bear ample testimony to her greatusefulness and devotion. 

MRS. E. THOMAS, AND MISS MORRIS. 

These two ladies, sisters, volunteered as unpaid nurses for the War, from Cincinnati. They commenced their duties at the first opening of theHospitals, and remained faithful to their calling, until the hospitalswere closed, after the termination of the war. In cold or heat, underall circumstances of privation, and often when all the other nurses werestricken down with illness, they never faltered in their work, and, although not wealthy, gave freely of their own means to secure anyneeded comfort for the soldiers. Mrs. Mendenhall, of Cincinnati, whoknew their abundant labors, speaks of them as unsurpassed in the extentand continuousness of their sacrifices. 

MRS. SHEPARD WELLS. 

This lady, the wife of Rev. Shepard Wells, was, with her husband, drivenfrom East Tennessee by the rebellion, because of their loyalty to theUnion. They found their way to St. Louis at an early period of the War, where he entered into the work of the Christian Commission for the Unionsoldiers, and she became a member of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, ofSt. Louis, and gave herself wholly to sanitary labors for the sick andwounded in the Hospitals of that city, acting also as one of theSecretaries of the Society, and as its agent in many of its works ofbenevolence, superintending at one time the Special Diet Kitchen, established by the Society at Benton Barracks, and doing an amount ofwork which few women could endure, animated and sustained by a genuinelove of doing good, by noble and Christian purposes, and by truepatriotism and philanthropy. 

The incidents of the persecutions endured by Mr. And Mrs. Wells, in EastTennessee, and of her life and labors among the sick and wounded of theUnion army, would add very much to the interest of this brief notice, but the particulars are not sufficiently familiar to the writer to benarrated by him, and he can only record the impressions he received ofher remarkable faithfulness and efficiency, and her high Christianmotives, in the labors she performed in connection with the Ladies'Union Aid Society, of St. Louis, --that noble Society of heroic womenwho, during the whole war, performed an amount of sanitary, hospitaland philanthropic work for the soldiers, the refugees and the freedmen, second only to the Western Sanitary Commission itself, of which it was amost faithful ally and co-worker. 

United with an earnest Christian faith, Mrs. Wells possessed a kind andgenerous sympathy with suffering, and a patriotic ardor for the welfareof the Union soldiers, so that she was never more in her element thanwhen laboring for the poor refugees, for the families of those brave menwho left their all to fight for their country, for the sick and woundedin the hospitals, and for the freedmen and their families. The laborsshe performed extended to all these objects of sympathy and charity, and, from the beginning to the end of her service, she never seemedweary in well-doing; and there can be no doubt that when her work onearth is finished, and she passes onward to the heavenly life, she willhear the approving voice of her Saviour, saying, "Well done, good andfaithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. "

MRS. E. C. WITHERELL. 

In the month of December, 1861, on a visit made by the writer to theFourth Street Hospital, in St. Louis, he was particularly impressed withthe great devotion of one of the female nurses to her sick patients. Atthe conclusion of a religious service held there, as he passed throughthe wards to call on those who had been too ill to attend worship, hefound her seated by the bed-side of a sick soldier, suffering frompneumonia, on whose pale, thin face the marks of approaching dissolutionwere plainly visible. She held in her hand a copy of the New Testament, from which she had been reading to him, in a cheerful and hopefulmanner, and a little book of prayers, hymns and songs from which she hadbeen singing, "There is rest for the weary, " and "The Shining Shore. "The soldier's bed was neatly made; his special diet had been given; hishead rested easily on his pillow; and his countenance beamed with asweet and pleasant smile. It was evident the patient enjoyed the kindattentions, the conversation, the reading and singing of his faithfulnurse. The lady who sat by his bed-side was of middle age, having acountenance expressive of goodness, benevolence, purity of motive, intelligence and affection. It was plain that she regarded her patientwith a tender care, and that her influence calmed and soothed hisspirit. Her name was Mrs. E. C. Witherell, and the sick soldier was amere boy, who had shouldered his musket to fight for the cause of theUnion, and had contracted his fatal disease in the marches and theexposure of the army in Missouri, and was now about to die away fromfriends and home. The interest felt by Mrs. Witherell in this soldierboy, was motherly, full of affection and sympathy, and creditable to hernoble and generous heart. As I drew near and introduced myself as achaplain, she welcomed me, introduced me to the patient, and we sat downand conversed together; the young man was in a state of peacefulresignation; was willing to die for his country; and only regretted thathe could not see his mother and sisters again; but he said that Mrs. Witherell had been as a mother to him, and if he could have hold of herhand he should not be afraid to die. He even hoped that with her kindcare and nursing he might get well. Mrs. Witherell and myself then sangthe "Shining Shore;" a brief prayer of hope and trust was offered; theother patients in the room seemed equally well cared for, and interestedin all that was said and done; and I passed on to another ward, andnever saw either the nurse or patient again. But I learned that thesoldier died; and that Mrs. Witherell continued in the service, untilshe also died, a martyr to her heroic devotion to the cause of the sickand wounded soldiers, for whom she laid down her life, that they mightlive to fight the battles of their country. 

The only facts that I have been able to learn about this noble lady, were that at one time she resided in Louisville, and was greatlyesteemed by her pastor, Rev. John H. Heywood, of the Unitarian Church;that she chose this work of the hospitals from the highest motives ofreligious patriotism and love of humanity; that after serving severalmonths in the Fourth Street Hospital, at St. Louis, she was assigned tothe hospital steamer, "Empress, " in the spring of 1862, as matron, orhead nurse; that she continued on this boat during the next few months, while so many sick and wounded were brought from Pittsburg Landing, after the battle of Shiloh, and from other battle-fields along therivers, to the hospitals at Mound City and St. Louis; that she wasalways constant, faithful and never weary of doing good; and that atlast, from her being so much in the infected atmosphere of the sick andwounded, she became the victim of a fever, and died on the 10th of July, 1862. 

On the occurrence of the sad event, the Western Sanitary Commission, whohad known and appreciated her services, and from whom she held hercommission, passed a series of resolutions, as a tribute to her worth, and her blessed memory, in which she was described as one who was"gentle and unobtrusive, with a heart warm with sympathy, andunshrinking in the discharge of duty, energetic, untiring, ready toanswer every call, and unwilling to spare herself where she couldalleviate suffering, or minister to the comfort of others, " as "not awhit behind the bravest hero on the battle-field;" and as worthy to beheld "in everlasting remembrance. "

MISS PHEBE ALLEN. 

This noble woman, who laid down her life in the cause of her country, was a teacher in Washington, Iowa, and left her school to enter theservice as a hospital nurse. In the summer of 1863 she was commissionedby Mr. Yeatman, at St. Louis, and assigned to duty in the large hospitalat Benton Barracks, where she belonged to the corps of women nurses, under the superintendence of Miss Emily E. Parsons, and under thegeneral direction of Surgeon Ira Russell. 

In the fulfilment of the duties of a hospital nurse she was veryconscientious, faithful and devoted; won the respect and confidence ofall who knew her, and is most pleasantly remembered by her associatesand superior officers. 

In the autumn of 1863 she went home on a furlough, was recalled by aletter from Miss Parsons; returned to duty, and continued in the servicetill the summer of 1864, when she was taken ill of malarious fever anddied at Benton Barracks in the very scene of her patriotic and Christianlabors, leaving a precious memory of her faithfulness and truly noblespirit to her friends and the world. 

MRS. EDWIN GREBLE. 

Among the ardently loyal women of Philadelphia, by whom such great anduntiring labors for the soldiers were performed, few did better servicein a quiet and unostentatious manner than Mrs. Greble. Indeed so veryquietly did she work that she almost fulfilled the Scripture injunctionof secrecy as to good deeds. 

The maiden name of Mrs. Greble was Susan Virginia Major. She was born inChester County, Pennsylvania, being descended on the mother's side froma family of Quakers who were devoted to their country in the days of theRevolution with a zeal so active and outspoken as to cause them to losetheir membership in the Society of Friends. Fighting Quakers there havebeen in both great American wars, men whose principles of peace, thoughnot easily shaken, were less firm than their patriotism, and theirtraits have in many instances been emulated in the female members oftheir families. This seems to have been the case with Mrs. Greble. 

Her eldest son, John, she devoted to the service of his country. Heentered the Military Academy at West Point in 1850, at the age ofsixteen, graduating honorably, and continuing in the service until June, 1861, when he fell at the disastrous battle of Great Bethel, one of theearliest martyrs of liberty in the rebellion. Another son, and the onlyone remaining after the death of the lamented Lieutenant Greble, whenbut eighteen years of age, enlisted, served faithfully, and nearly losthis life by typhoid fever. A son-in-law, Lieutenant-Colonel of theNinetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and a brave soldier, was for manymonths a prisoner of war, and experienced the horrors of three differentSouthern prisons. Thus, by inheritance, patriotic, and by personalsuffering and loss keenly aroused to sympathy with her country's bravedefenders, Mrs. Greble from the first devoted herself earnestly anduntiringly to every work of kindness and aid which suggested itself. Blessed with abundant means, she used them in the most liberal manner inprocuring comforts for the sick and wounded in hospitals. 

There was ample scope for such labors among the numerous hospitals ofPhiladelphia. Now it was blankets she sent to the hospital where theywere most needed. Again a piece of sheeting already hemmed and washed. Almost daily in the season of fruit she drove to the hospitals withbushel baskets filled with the choicest the market afforded, to temptthe fever-parched lips, and refresh the languishing sufferers. Weeklyshe made garments for the soldiers. Leisure moments she employed inknitting scores of stockings. On holidays her contributions of poultry, fruit, and pies, went far toward making up the feasts offered by thelike-minded, to the convalescents in the various institutions, or tosoldiers on their way to or from the seat of war. 

It was in this mode that Mrs. Greble served her country, amply andfreely, but so quietly as to attract little notice. She withheld nothingthat was in her power to bestow, giving even of her most precioustreasures, her children, and continuing her labors unabated to the closeof the war. 

MRS. ISABELLA FOGG. 

Maine has given to the cause of the Union many noble heroes, bravespirits who have perilled life and health to put down the rebellion, andnot a few equally brave and noble-hearted women, who in theministrations of mercy have laid on the altar of patriotism theirpersonal services, their ease and comfort, their health and some of themeven life itself to bring healing and comfort to the defenders of theircountry. Among these, few, none perhaps save those who have laid downtheir lives in the service, are more worthy of honor than Mrs. Fogg. 

The call for seventy-five thousand men to drive back the invaders andsave the National Capital, met with no more hearty or patrioticresponses than those that came from the extreme northeastern border ofour Union, "away towards the sun-rising. " Calais, in the extreme easternpart of Maine, raised its quota and more, upon the instant, and sentthem forward promptly. The hearts of its women, too were stirred, andeach was anxious to do something for the soldier. Mrs. Fogg felt thatshe was called to leave her home and minister in some way, she hardlyknew how, to the comfort of those who were to fight the nation'sbattles. At that time, however, home duties were so pressing that, mostreluctantly, she was compelled to give up for the time the purpose. Three months later came the seeming disaster, the real blessing indisguise, of Bull Run, and again was her heart moved, this time to moredefinite action, and a more determined purpose. Her son, a mere boy, had left school and enlisted to help fill the ranks from his nativeState, and she was ready now to go also. Applying to the patrioticgovernor of Maine and to the surgeon-general of the State for permissionto serve the State, without compensation, as its agent for distributingsupplies to the sick and wounded soldiers of Maine, she was encouragedby them and immediately commenced the work of collecting hospital storesfor her mission. In September, 1861, she in company with Mrs. Ruth S. Mayhew, went out with one of the State regiments, and caring for itssick, accompanied it to Annapolis. The regiment was ordered, late in theautumn, to join General T. W. Sherman's expedition to Port Royal, andMrs. Fogg was desirous of accompanying it, but finding thisimpracticable, she turned her attention to the hospital at Annapolis, inwhich the spotted typhus fever had broken out and was raging withfearful malignity. The disease was exceedingly contagious, and there wasgreat difficulty in finding nurses who were willing to risk thecontagion. With her high sense of duty, Mrs. Fogg felt that here was theplace for her, and in company with Mrs. Mayhew, another noble daughterof Maine, she volunteered for service in this hospital. For more thanthree months did these heroic women remain at their post, on duty everyday and often through the night for week after week, regardless of theinfectious character of the disease, and only anxious to benefit thepoor fever-stricken sufferers. The epidemic having subsided, Mrs. Foggplaced herself under the direction of the Sanitary Commission, and tookpart in the spring of 1862, in that Hospital Transport Service which wehave elsewhere so fully described. The month of June was passed by herat the front, at Savage's Station, with occasional visits to the brigadehospitals, and to the regimental hospitals of the most advanced posts. She remained at her post at Savage's Station, until the last moment, ministering to the wounded until the last load had been dispatched, andthen retreating with the army, over land to Harrison's Landing. Here, under the orders of Dr. Letterman, the medical director, she tookspecial charge of the diet of the amputation cases; and subsequentlydistributed the much needed supplies furnished by the SanitaryCommission to the soldiers in their lines. 

When the camps at Harrison's Landing were broken up, and the armytransferred to the Potomac, she accompanied a ship load of the woundedin the S. R. Spaulding, to Philadelphia, saw them safely removed to thegeneral hospital, and then returned to Maine, for a brief period ofrest, having been absent from home about a year. Her _rest_ consistedmainly in appeals for further and larger supplies of hospital andsanitary stores for the wounded men of Maine, who in the battles ofPope's campaign, and Antietam had been wounded by hundreds. She wassuccessful, and early in October returned to Washington and thehospitals of northern Maryland, where she proved an angel of mercy tothe suffering. When McClellan's army crossed the Potomac, she followed, and early in December, 1862, was again at the front, where she was onthe 13th, a sad spectator of the fatal disaster of Fredericksburg. TheMaine Camp Hospital Association had been formed the preceding summer, and Mrs. J. S. Eaton, one of its managers, had accompanied Mrs. Fogg tothe front. During the sad weeks that followed the battle ofFredericksburg, these devoted ladies labored with untiring assiduity inthe hospitals, and dispensed their supplies of food and clothing, notonly to the Maine boys, but to others who were in need. 

When the battles of Chancellorsville were fought in the first days ofMay, 1863, Mrs. Fogg and Mrs. Eaton spent almost a week of incessantlabor, much of the time day and night, in the temporary hospitals nearUnited States Ford, their labors being shared for one or two days byMrs. Husband, in dressing wounds, and attending to the poor fellows whohad suffered amputation, and furnishing cordials and food to the woundedwho were retreating from the field, pursued by the enemy. One of theseHospitals in which they had been thus laboring till they werecompletely exhausted, was shelled by the enemy while they were in it, and while it was filled with the wounded. The attack was of shortduration, for the battery which had shelled them was soon silenced, butone of the wounded soldiers was killed by a shell. 

In works like these, in the care of the wounded who were sent in by flagof truce, and the distribution to the needy of the stores received fromMaine, the days passed quickly, till the invasion of Pennsylvania byGeneral Lee, which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Foggpushed forward and reached the battle-field the day after the finalbattle, but she could not obtain transportation for her stores at thattime, and was obliged to collect what she could from the farmers in thevicinity, and use what was put into her hands for distribution byothers, until hers could be brought up. She labored with her usualassiduity and patience among this great mass of wounded and dying men, for nearly two weeks, and then, abundant helpers having arrived, shereturned to the front, and was with the Army as a voluntary SpecialRelief agent, through all its changes of position on and about theRapidan, at the affair of Mine Run, the retreat and pursuit to BristowStation, and the other movements prior to General Grant's assumption ofthe chief command. In the winter of 1864, she made a short visit home, and the Legislature voted an appropriation of a considerable sum ofmoney to be placed at her disposal, to be expended at her discretion forthe comfort and succor of Maine soldiers. 

At the opening of the great Campaign of May, 1864, she hastened to BellePlain and Fredericksburg, and there, in company with scores of otherfaithful and earnest workers, toiled night and day to relieve so far aspossible the indescribable suffering which filled that desolated city. After two or three weeks, she went forward to Port Royal, to WhiteHouse, and finally to City Point, where, in connection with Mrs. Eatonof the Maine Camp Hospital Association, she succeeded in bringing one ofthe Hospitals up to the highest point of efficiency. This accomplished, she returned to Maine, and was engaged in stimulating the women of herState to more effective labors, when she received the intelligence thather son who had been in the Army of the Shenandoah, had been mortallywounded at the battle of Cedar-Run. 

With all a mother's anxieties aroused, she abandoned her work in Maine, and hastened to Martinsburg, Virginia, to ascertain what was really herson's fate. Here she met a friend, one of the delegates of the ChristianCommission, and learned from him, that her son had indeed been badlywounded, and had been obliged to undergo the amputation of one leg, buthad borne the operation well, and after a few days had been transferredto a Baltimore Hospital. To that city she hastened, and greatly to herjoy, found him doing well. Anxiety and over exertion soon prostrated herown health, and she was laid upon a sick bed for a month or more. 

In November, her health being measurably restored, she returned toWashington, and asked to be assigned to duty by the ChristianCommission. She was directed to report to Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, whowas the Commission's Agent for the establishment of Special DietKitchens in the Hospitals. Mrs. Wittenmeyer assigned her a position incharge of the Special Diet Kitchen, on one of the large hospital-boatsplying between Louisville and Nashville. While on duty on board thisboat in January, 1865, she fell through one of the hatchways, andreceived injuries which will probably disable her for life, and hercondition was for many months so critical as not to permit her removalto her native State. It would seem that here was cause for repining, hadshe been of a querulous disposition. Herself an invalid for life, amongstrangers, her only son permanently crippled from wounds received inbattle, with none but stranger hands to minister to her necessities, whohad done so much to soothe the anguish and mitigate the sorrows ofothers, there was but little to outward appearance, to compensate herfor her four years of arduous toil for others, and her presentcondition of helplessness. Yet we are told, that amid all thesedepressing circumstances, this heroic woman was full of joy, that shehad been permitted to labor so long, and accomplish so much for hercountry and its defenders, and that peace had at last dawned upon thenation. Even pain could bring no cloud over her brow, no gloom to herheart. To such a heroine, the nation owes higher honors than it has everbestowed upon the victors of the battle-field. 

MRS. E. E. GEORGE. 

Old age is generally reckoned as sluggish, infirm, and not easily rousedto deeds of active patriotism and earnest endeavor. The aged think anddeliberate, but are slow to act. Yet in this glorious work of AmericanWomen during the late war, aged women were found ready to volunteer forposts of arduous labor, from which even those in the full vigor of adultwomanhood shrank. We shall have occasion to notice this often in thework of the Volunteer Refreshment Saloons, the Soldiers' Homes, etc. , where the heavy burdens of toil were borne oftenest by those who hadpassed the limits of three score years and ten. 

Another and a noble example of heroism even to death in a lady advancedin years, is found in the case of Mrs. E. E. George. The Military Agencyof Indiana, located at the capital of the State, became, under theinfluence and promptings of the patriotic and able Governor Morton, apower for good both in the State and in the National armies. Being inconstant communication with every part of the field, it was readily andpromptly informed of suffering, or want of supplies by the troops of theState at any point, and at once provided for the emergency. The supplyof women-nurses for camp, field, or general hospital service, was alsomade a part of the work of this agency, and the efficient State Agent, Mr. Hannaman, sent into the service two hundred and fifty ladies, whowere distributed in the hospitals and at the front, all over the regionin insurrection. 

One of these, Mrs. E. E. George, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, first appliedto Mr. Hannaman for a commission in January, 1863. She brought with herstrong recommendations, but her age was considered by the agent aserious objection. She admitted this, but her health was excellent, andshe possessed more vigor than many ladies much younger. She was, besides, an accomplished and skilful nurse. 

She was sent by Mr. Hannaman to Memphis where the wounded from theunsuccessful attack on Chickasaw Bluffs, --and the successful but bloodyassault on Arkansas Post, --were gathered, and her thoroughqualifications for her position, her dignity of manner and her highintelligence, soon gave her great influence. During the whole Vicksburgcampaign, and into the autumn of 1863, she remained in the Memphishospitals, working incessantly. After a short visit home, in September, she went to Corinth where Sherman's Fifteenth Corps were stationed, andremained there until their departure for Chattanooga. She then visitedPulaski and assisted in opening a hospital there, Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke co-operating with her, and several times she visited Indianaand procured supplies for her hospital. When Sherman commenced hisforward movement toward Atlanta, in May, 1864, Mrs. George and herfriends, Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke, accompanied the army, andduring the succession of severe battles of that campaign, she was alwaysready to minister to the wounded soldiers in the field. When Atlanta wasinvested in the latter part of July, 1864, she took charge of theFifteenth Army Corps Hospital as Matron, and in the battles whichterminated in the surrender of Atlanta, on the 1st of September, she wasunder fire. After the fall of Atlanta she returned home to rest andprepare for another campaign. She could not accompany Sherman's army toSavannah, but went to Nashville, where during and after Hood's siege ofthat city she found abundant employment. 

Learning that Sherman's army was at Savannah, she set out for thatcity, via New York, intending to join the Fifteenth Corps, to which shehad become strongly attached; but through some mistake, she was notprovided with a pass, and visiting Washington to obtain one, Miss Dixpersuaded her to change her plans and go to Wilmington, North Carolina, which had just passed into Union hands, and where great numbers of Unionprisoners were accumulating. She had but just reached the city wheneleven thousand prisoners, just released from Salisbury, and in theworst condition of starvation, disease and wretchedness were brought in. Mrs. George, though supplied with but scant provision of hospital storesor conveniences, gave herself most heartily to the work of providing forthose poor sufferers, and soon found an active coadjutor in Mrs. HarrietF. Hawley, the wife of the gallant general in command of the post. Heroically and incessantly these two ladies worked; Mrs. George gaveherself no rest day or night. The sight of such intense suffering ledher to such over exertion that her strength, impaired by her previouslabors, gave way, and she sank under an attack of typhus, thenprevailing among the prisoners. A skilful physician gave her the mostcareful attention, but it was of no avail. She died, another of thoseglorious martyrs, who more truly than the dying heroes of thebattle-field have given their lives for their country. To such patientfaithful souls there awaits in the "Better Land" that cordialrecognition foreshadowed by the poet:

 "While valor's haughty champions wait, Till all their scars be shown, Love walks unchallenged through the gate To sit beside the Throne. "

MRS. CHARLOTTE E. McKAY. 

This lady, a resident of Massachusetts, had early in the war beenbereaved of her husband and only child, not by the vicissitudes of thebattle-field but by sickness at home, and her heart worn with grief, sought relief, where it was most likely to find it, in ministering tothe sufferings of others. 

She accepted an appointment under Miss Dix as a hospital nurse, andcommenced her hospital life in Frederick City, Maryland, in March, 1862, where she was entrusted with the care of a large number of wounded fromthe first battle of Winchester. Her life here passed without much ofspecial interest, till September, 1862, when the little Maryland citywas filled for two or three days with Stonewall Jackson's Corps on theirway to South Mountain and Antietam. The rebels took possession of thehospital, and filled it for the time with their sick and wounded men. Resistance was useless, and Mrs. McKay treated the rebel officers andmen courteously, and did what she could for the sick; her civility andkindness were recognized, and she was treated with respect by all. Afterthe battle of Antietam, Frederick City and its hospitals were filledwith the wounded, and Mrs. McKay's heart and hands were full--but assoon as the wounded became convalescent, she went to Washington and wasassigned to duty for a time in the hospitals of the Capital. In January, she went to Falmouth and found employment as a nurse in the Third CorpsHospital. Here by her skill and tact she soon effected a revolution, greatly to the comfort of the poor fellows in the hospital. From beingthe worst it became the best of the corps hospitals at the front. General Birney and his excellent wife, seconded and encouraged all herefforts for its improvement. 

The battles which though scattered over a wide extent of territory, andfought at different times and by different portions of the contendingforces, have yet been known under the generic name of Chancellorsville, were full of horrors for Mrs. McKay. She witnessed the bloody butsuccessful assault on Marye's Heights, and while ministering to thewounded who covered all the ground in front of the fortified position, received the saddening intelligence that her brother, who was withHooker at Chancellorsville, had been instantly killed in the protractedfighting there. Other of her friends too had fallen, but crushing theagony of her own loss back into her heart, she went on ministering tothe wounded. Six weeks later she was in Washington, awaiting the battlebetween Lee's forces and Hooker's, afterwards commanded by GeneralMeade. When the intelligence of the three days' conflict at Gettysburgcame, she went to Baltimore, and thence by such conveyance as she couldfind, to Gettysburg, reaching the hospital of her division, five milesfrom Gettysburg, on the 7th of July. Here she remained for nearly twomonths, laboring zealously for the welfare of a thousand or fifteenhundred wounded men. In the autumn she again sought the hospital of theThird Division, Third Corps, at the front, which for the time was atWarrenton, Virginia. After the battle of Mine Run, she had ampleemployment in the care of the wounded; and later in the season she hadcharge of one of the hospitals at Brandy Station. Like the other ladieswho were connected with hospitals at this place, she was compelled toretire by the order of April 15th; but like them she returned to herwork early in May, at Belle Plain, Fredericksburg, White House, and CityPoint, where she labored with great assiduity and success. The changesin the army organization in June, 1864, removed most of her friends inthe old third corps, and Mrs. McKay, on the invitation of the surgeon incharge of the cavalry corps hospital, took charge of the special diet ofthat hospital, where she remained for nearly a year, finally leaving theservice in March, 1865, and remaining in Virginia in the care andinstruction of the freedmen till late in the spring of 1866. Theofficers and men who had been under her care in the Cavalry CorpsHospital, presented her on Christmas day, 1864, with an elegant goldbadge and chain, with a suitable inscription, as a testimonial of theirgratitude for her services. She had previously received from theofficers of the Seventeenth Maine Volunteers, whom she had cared forafter the battle of Chancellorsville, a magnificent Kearny Cross, withits motto and an inscription indicating by whom it was presented. 

MRS. FANNY L. RICKETTS. 

Mrs. Ricketts is the daughter of English parents, though born atElizabeth, New Jersey. She is the wife of Major-General Ricketts, UnitedStates Volunteers, who at the time of their marriage was a Captain inthe First Artillery, in the United States Army, and with whom she wentimmediately after their union, to his post on the Rio Grande. After aresidence of more than three years on the frontier, the First Artillerywas ordered in the spring of 1861, to Fortress Monroe, and her husbandcommenced a school of practice in artillery, for the benefit of thevolunteer artillerymen, who, under his instruction, became expert inhandling the guns. 

In the first battle of Bull Run, Captain Ricketts commanded a battery oflight artillery, and was severely, and it was supposed, mortally woundedand taken prisoner. The heroic wife at once applied for passes to go tohim, and share his captivity, and if need be bring away his dead body. General Scott granted her such passes as he could give; but with theRebels she found more difficulty, her parole being demanded, but onappeal to General J. E. Johnston, she was supplied with a pass andguide. She found her husband very low, and suffering from inattention, but his case was not quite hopeless. It required all her courage toendure the hardships, privations and cruelties to which the Union womenwere, even then, subject, but she schooled herself to endurance, andwhile caring for her husband during the long weeks when his life hungupon a slender thread, she became also a minister of mercy to thenumerous Union prisoners, who had not a wife's tender care. When removedto Richmond, Captain Ricketts was still in great peril, and under thediscomforts of his situation, grew rapidly worse. For many weeks he wasunconscious, and his death seemed inevitable. At length four monthsafter receiving his wound, he began very slowly to improve, whenintelligence came that he was to be taken as one of the hostages for thethirteen privateersmen imprisoned in New York. Mrs. Ricketts went atonce to Mrs. Cooper, the wife of the Confederate Adjutant-General, andused such arguments, as led the Confederate authorities to rescind theorder, so far as he was concerned. He was exchanged in the latter partof December, 1861, and having partially recovered from his wounds, wascommissioned Brigadier-General, in March, 1862, and assigned to thecommand of a brigade in McDowell's Corps, at Fredericksburg. He passedunscathed through Pope's Campaign, but at Antietam was again wounded, though not so severely as before, and after two or three months'confinement, was in the winter of 1862-3, in Washington, as President ofa Military Commission. 

General Ricketts took part in the battles of Chancellorsville andGettysburg, and escaped personal injury, but his wife in gratitude forhis preservation, ministered to the wounded, and for months continuedher labors of love among them. 

In Grant's Campaign in 1864, General Ricketts distinguished himself forbravery in several battles, commanding a division; and at the battle ofMonocacy, though he could not defeat the overwhelming force of theRebels, successfully delayed their advance upon Baltimore. He thenjoined the Army of the Shenandoah, and in the battle of Middletown, October 19th, was again seriously, and it was thought mortally wounded. Again for four months did this devoted wife watch most patiently andtenderly over his couch of pain, and again was her tender nursingblessed to his recovery. In the closing scenes in the Army of thePotomac which culminated in Lee's surrender, General Ricketts was oncemore in the field, and though suffering from his wounds, he did notleave his command till by the capitulation of the Rebel chief, the warwas virtually concluded. The heroic wife remained at the Unionheadquarters, watchful lest he for whom she had perilled life and healthso often, should again be smitten down, but she was mercifully sparedthis added sorrow, and her husband was permitted to retire from theactive ranks of the army, covered with scars honorably won. 

MRS. JOHN S. PHELPS. 

At the commencement of the War, Mrs. Phelps was residing in her pleasanthome at Springfield, Missouri, her husband and herself, were bothoriginally from New England, but years of residence in the Southwest, had caused them to feel a strong attachment for the region and itsinstitutions. They were both, however, intensely loyal. Mr. Phelps was amember of Congress, elected as a Union man, and when it became evidentthat the South would resort to war, he offered his services to theGeneral Government, raised a regiment and went into the field under theheroic Lyon. After the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mrs. Phelps succeededin rescuing the body of General Lyon, and had it buried where it waswithin her control, and as soon as possible forwarded it to his friendsin Connecticut. Her home was plundered subsequently by the Rebels, andnearly ruined. At the battle of Pea Ridge, Mrs. Phelps accompanied herhusband to the field, and while the battle was yet raging, she assistedin the care of the wounded, tore up her own garments for bandages, dressed their wounds, cooked food, and made soup and broth for them, with her own hands, remaining with them as long as there was anythingshe could do, and giving not only words but deeds of substantialkindness and sympathy. 

Col. Phelps was subsequently made Military Governor of Arkansas, and inthe many bloody battles in that State, she was ready to help in everyway in her power; and in her visits to the East, she plead the cause ofthe suffering loyalists of Missouri and Arkansas, among her friends withgreat earnestness and success. 

MRS. JANE R. MUNSELL. 

Maryland, though strongly claimed by the Rebels as their territoryalmost throughout the War, had yet, many loyal men and women in itscountry villages as well as in its larger cities. The legend of BarbaraFreitchie's defiance of Stonewall Jackson and his hosts, has beenimmortalized in Whittier's charming verse, and the equally bravedefiance of the Rebels by Mrs. Effie Titlow, of Middletown, Maryland, who wound the flag about her, and stood in the balcony of her own house, looking calmly at the invading troops, who were filled with wrath at herfearlessness deserves a like immortality. Mrs. Titlow proved after thesubsequent battle of Gettysburg, that she possessed the disposition tolabor for the wounded faithfully and indefatigably, as well as thegallantry to defy their enemies. 

Mrs. Jane R. Munsell, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, was another of theseMaryland heroines, but her patriotism manifested itself in her incessanttoils for the sick and wounded after Antietam and Gettysburg. For theirsake, she gave up all; her home and its enjoyments, her little property, yea, and her own life also, for it was her excessive labor for thewounded soldiers which exhausted her strength and terminated her life. Acorrespondent of one of the daily papers of New York city, who knew herwell, says of her: "A truer, kinder, or more lovely or loving womannever lived than she. Her name is a household word with the troops, andher goodnesses have passed into proverbs in the camps and sick-rooms andhospitals. She died a victim to her own kind-heartedness, for she wentfar beyond her strength in her blessed ministrations. "

PART III. 

LADIES WHO ORGANIZED AID SOCIETIES, AND SOLICITED, RECEIVED ANDFORWARDED SUPPLIES TO THE HOSPITALS, DEVOTING THEIR WHOLE TIME TO THEWORK, ETC. , ETC. 

WOMAN'S CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF RELIEF. 

When President Lincoln issued his proclamation, a quick thrill shotthrough the heart of every mother in New York. The Seventh Regiment leftat once for the defense of Washington, and the women met at once inparlors and vestries. Perhaps nothing less than the maternal instinctcould have forecast the terrible future so quickly. From the parlors ofthe Drs. Blackwell, and from Dr. Bellows' vestry, came the first callfor a public meeting. On the 29th of April, 1861, between three and fourthousand women met at the Cooper Union, David Dudley Field in the chair, and eminent men as speakers. 

The object was to concentrate scattered efforts by a large and formalorganization. Hence the "Woman's Central Association of Relief, " thegerm of the Sanitary Commission. Dr. Bellows, and Dr. E. Harris, leftfor Washington as delegates to establish those relations with theGovernment, so necessary for harmony and usefulness. The board of theWoman's Central, after many changes, consisted of, VALENTINE MOTT, M. D. , _President_, HENRY W. BELLOWS, D. D. , _Vice President_, GEORGE F. ALLEN, Esq. , _Secretary_, HOWARD POTTER, Esq. , _Treasurer_. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

H. W. Bellows, D. D. , _Chairman_. Mrs. G. L. Schuyler. [K]Miss Ellen Collins. F. L. Olmstead, Esq. Valentine Mott, M. D. Mrs. T. D'Orémieulx. W. H. Draper, M. D. G. F. Allen, Esq. 

REGISTRATION COMMITTEE. 

E. Blackwell, M. D. , _Chairman_. Mrs. H. Baylis. Mrs. V. Botta. Wm. A. Muhlenburg, D. D. Mrs. W. P. Griffin, _Secretary_. Mrs. J. A. Swett. Mrs. C. Abernethy. E. Harris, M. D. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE. 

Howard Potter, Esq. John D. Wolfe, Esq. William Hague, D. D. J. H. Markoe, M. D. Mrs. Hamilton Fish. Mrs. C. M. Kirkland. Mrs. C. W. Field. Asa D. Smith, D. D. 

[Footnote K: This lady's place was filled by her daughter from thebeginning. ]

While in Washington, Dr. Bellows originated the "United States SanitaryCommission, " and on the 24th of June, 1864, the Woman's Centralvoluntarily offered to become subordinate as one of its branches ofsupply. The following September this offer was accepted in a formalresolution, establishing also a semi-weekly correspondence between thetwo boards, by which the wants of the army were made known to theWoman's Central. 

Prominent and onerous were the duties of the Registration Committee. Itsmembers met daily, to select from numberless applicants, women fitted toreceive special training in our city hospitals for the position ofnurses. So much of moral as well as mental excellence was indispensable, that the committee found its labors incessant. Then followed thesupervision while in hospital, and while awaiting a summons, then theoutfit and forwarding, often suddenly and in bands, and lastly, theacceptance by the War Department and Medical Bureau. 

The chairman of the committee, Miss E. Blackwell, accompanied by itssecretary, Mrs. Griffin, went to Washington in this service. MissBlackwell's admirable report "on the selection and preparation of nursesfor the army, " will always be a source of pride to the Woman's Central. 

In the meantime, the Finance and Executive Committees were strugglingfor a strong foothold. The chairman of the former, Mrs. Hamilton Fish, raised over five thousand dollars by personal effort. The lattercommittee had the liveliest contests, for the Government declared itselfthrough the Army Regulation, equal to any demands, and the people weredisposed to cry amen. Rumors of "a ninety days' war, " and "already morelint than would be needed for years, " stirred the committee to open atonce a correspondence with sewing-societies, churches, and communitiesin New York and elsewhere. Simultaneously, the Sanitary Commissionissued an explanatory circular, urgent and minute, "To the loyal womenof America. "

Then began that slow yet sure stream of supplies which flowed on to theclose of the war, so slow, indeed, at first, and so impatiently hopedfor, that the members of the committee could not wait, but must rush tothe street to see the actual arrival of boxes and bales. Soon, however, that good old office, No. 10, Cooper Union, became rich in everythingneeded; rich, too, in young women to unpack, mark and repack, in oldwomen to report forthcoming contributions from grocers, merchants andtradesmen, and richer than all, in those wondrous boxes of sacrificesfrom the country, the last blanket, the inherited quilt, curtains tornfrom windows, and the coarse yet ancestral linen. In this personalself-denial the city had no part. What wonder that the whole corps ofthe Woman's Central felt their time and physical fatigue as nothing incomparison to these heart trials. Out of this responsive earnestnessgrew the carefully prepared reports and circulars, the filing ofletters, thousands in number, contained in twenty-five volumes, theirpunctilious and grateful acknowledgement, and the thorough plan ofbooks, three in number, by which the whole story of the Woman's Centralmay be learnt, and well would it repay the study. 

First, The receiving book recorded the receipt and acknowledgement ofbox. 

Second, In the day book, each page was divided into columns, in whichwas recorded, the letter painted on the cover of each box to designateit, and the kind and amount of supplies which each contained afterrepacking, only one description of supplies being placed in any one box. So many cases were received during the four years, that the alphabet wasrepeated seven hundred and twenty-seven times. 

Third, The ledger with its headings of "shirts, " "drawers, " "socks, "etc. , so arranged, that on sudden demand, the exact number of anyarticle on hand could be ascertained at a glance. 

Thus early began through these minute details, the effectiveness of theWoman's Central. Every woman engaged in it learnt the value ofprecision. 

A sub-committee for New York and Brooklyn was formed, consisting of Mrs. W. M. Fellows, and Mrs. Robert Colby, to solicit from citizens, donations of clothing, and supplies of all kinds. These ladies wereactive, successful and clerkly withal, giving receipts for every articlereceived. 

Those present at Dr. Bellows' Church in May, will never forget the firstthrilling call for nurses on board the hospital transports. The duty wasimperative, was untried and therefore startling. It was like a suddenplunge into unknown waters, yet many brave women enrolled their names. From the Woman's Central went forth Mrs. Griffin accompanied by Mrs. David Lane. They left at once in the "Wilson Small, " and went up theYork and Pamunkey rivers, and to White House, thus tasting the firsthorrors of war. This experience would form a brilliant chapter in thehistory of the Woman's Central. 

In June, 1861, the association met with a great loss in the departureof Mrs. D'Orémieulx, for Europe. Of her Dr. Bellows said: "It would beungrateful not to acknowledge the zeal, devotion and ability of one ofthe ladies of this committee, Mrs. D'Orémieulx, now absent from thecountry, who labored incessantly in the earlier months of theorganization, and gave a most vital start to the life of thiscommittee. " This lady resumed her duties after a year's absence, andcontinued her characteristic force and persistency up to the close. 

At this time, Mr. S. W. Bridgham put his broad shoulders to the wheel. He had been a member of the board from the beginning, but not a"day-laborer" until now. And not this alone, for he was a night-laboreralso. At midnight, and in the still "darker hours which precede thedawn, " Mr. Bridgham and his faithful ally, Roberts, often left theirbeds to meet sudden emergencies, and to ship comforts to distant points. On Sundays too, he and his patriotic wife might be easily detectedcreeping under the half-opened door of Number 10, to gather up for asudden requisition, and then to beg of the small city expresses, transportation to ship or railroad. This was often his Sunday worship. His heart and soul were given to the work. 

In November, 1862, a council of representatives from the principalaid-societies, now numbering fourteen hundred and sixty-two, was held inWashington. The chief object was to obtain supplies more steadily. Immediately after a battle, but too late for the exigency, there was aninflux, then a lull. The Woman's Central therefore urged its auxiliariesto send a monthly box. It also urged the _Federal principle_, that is, the bestowment of all supplies on United States troops, and not onindividuals or regiments, and explained to the public that the SanitaryCommission acted in aid of, and not in opposition to the government. 

In January, 1863, all supplies had been exhausted by the battles ofAntietam and Fredericksburg. Everything was again needed. An able letterof inquiry to secretaries of the auxiliary societies with a preliminarystatement of important facts, was drawn up by Miss Louisa L. Schuyler, and issued in pamphlet form. Two hundred and thirty-five replies werereceived, (all to be read)! which were for the most part favorable tothe Sanitary Commission with its Federal principle as a medium, and allbreathed the purest patriotism. 

In February, the plan of "Associate Managers" borrowed from the Bostonbranch was adopted. Miss Schuyler assumed the whole labor. It was adivision of the tributary states into sections, an associate manager toeach, who should supervise, control and stimulate every aid-society inher section, going from village to village, and organizing, if need be, as she went. She should hold a friendly correspondence monthly, with thecommittee on correspondence (now separated from that on supplies)besides sending an official monthly report. To ascertain the rightwoman, one who should combine the talent, energy, tact and socialinfluence for this severe field, was the difficult preliminary step. Then, to gain her consent, to instruct, and to place her in relationswith the auxiliaries, involved an amount of correspondence trulyfrightful. It was done. Yet, in one sense, it was never done; for up tothe close, innumerable little rills from "pastures new" were guided onto the great stream. The experience of every associate manager, endearedto the Woman's Central through the closest sympathy would be a rarerecord. 

An elaborate and useful set of books was arranged by Miss Schuyler infurtherance of the work of the committee "on correspondence, anddiffusion of information. " Lecturers were also to be obtained by thiscommittee, and this involved much forethought and preparation of thefield. Three hundred and sixty-nine lectures were delivered upon thework of the Sanitary Commission, by nine gentlemen. 

State agencies made great confusion in the hospitals. The SanitaryCommission was censured for employing paid agents, and its board ofofficers even, was accused of receiving salaries. Its agents were abusedfor wastefulness, as if the frugality so proper in health, were notimproper in sickness. Reports were in circulation injurious to the honorof the Commission. Explanations had become necessary. The Woman'sCentral, therefore, published a pamphlet written by Mr. George T. Strong, entitled: "How can we best help our Camps and Hospitals?" Inthis the absolute necessity of paid agents was conclusively vindicated;the false report of salaries to the board of officers was denied, andthe true position of the Sanitary Commission with reference to theNational Government and its medical bureau was again patientlyexplained. A series of letters from assistant-surgeons of the army andof volunteers, recommending the Commission to the confidence of thepeople, was also inserted. 

About this time a Hospital Directory was opened at Number 10, CooperUnion. 

In the spring of 1863, the Woman's Central continued to be harassed, notby want of money, for that was always promised by its undauntedtreasurer, but by lack of clothing and edibles. The price of allmaterials had greatly advanced, the reserved treasures of everyhousehold were exhausted, the early days of havelocks and Sundayindustry had gone forever, and the Sanitary Commission was frequentlycircumvented and calumniated by rival organizations. The members of theWoman's Central worked incessantly. Miss Collins was always at her post. She had never left it. Her hand held the reins taut from the beginningto the end. She alone went to the office daily, remaining after officehours, which were from nine to six, and taking home to be perfected inthe still hours of night those elaborate tables of supplies and theirdisbursement, which formed her monthly Report to the Board of theWoman's Central. These tables are a marvel of method and clearness. 

To encourage its struggling Aid-Societies, who were without means, butearnest in their offers of time and labor, the Woman's Central offeredto purchase for them materials at wholesale prices. This was eagerlyaccepted by many. A purchasing Committee was organized, consisting ofMrs. J. H. Swett, Mrs. H. Fish, Mrs. S. Weir Roosevelt. 

Miss Schuyler's wise "Plan of organization for country Societies, " andthe founding of "Alert-clubs, " as originated in Norwalk (Ohio), alsoinfused new life into the tributaries. Her master-mind smoothed alldifficulties, and her admirable Reports so full of power and pathos, probed the patriotism of all. Societies were urged to work as if the warhad just begun. From these united efforts, supplies came in steadily, sothat in the summer of 1863, the Woman's Central, was able to contributelargely to the Stations at Beaufort and Morris Island. The blessingsthus poured in were dispensed by Dr. And Mrs. Marsh, with their usualgood judgment, and it is grateful to remember that the sufferers fromthat thrilling onslaught at Fort Wagner, were among the recipients. 

In the summer of 1863, the Association lost its faithful Secretary, Mr. George F. Allen. Mr. S. W. Bridgham was elected in his place. 

During this eventful summer, Miss Collins and Mrs. Griffin, had solecharge of the office, through the terrible New York riots. These ladiesusually alternated in the summer months, never allowing the desk of theSupply Committee to be without a responsible head. Mrs. Griffin alsobecame Chairman of the Special Relief Committee organized in 1863, allof whom made personal visits to the sick, and relieved many cases ofextreme suffering. 

Early in January, 1864, a Council of women was summoned to Washington. Thirty-one delegates were present from the Eastern and Western branches. Miss Collins and Miss Schuyler were sent by the Woman's Central. Thismeeting gave a new impulse to the work. These toilers in the war metface to face, compared their various experiences, and suggested futureexpedients. Miss Schuyler took special pains to encourage personalintercourse between the different branches. Her telescopic eye sweptthe whole field. The only novelty proposed, was County Councils everythree or six months, composed of delegates from the Aid-Societies. Thiswould naturally quicken emulation, and prove a wholesome stimulus. Westchester County led immediately in this movement. 

About this time supplies were checked by the whirlwind of "Fairs. " TheWoman's Central, issued a Circular urging its Auxiliaries to continuetheir regular contributions, and to make their working for Fairs apastime only. In no other way could it meet the increased demands uponits resources, for the sphere of the Sanitary Commission's usefulnesshad now extended to remotest States, and its vast machinery fordistribution had become more and more expensive. 

Letters poured in from the country, unflinching letters, but crying out, "we are poor. " What was to be done? How encourage these devotedsewing-circles and aid-societies? Every article had advanced still morein price. A plan was devised to double the amount of any sum raised bythe feeble Aid-Societies, not exceeding thirty dollars per month. Thus, any Society sending twenty dollars, received in return, goods to thevalue of forty. This scheme proved successful. It grew into a largebusiness, increasing greatly the labors of the Purchasing Committee, involving a new set of account books and a salaried accountant. Duly thesmaller Societies availed themselves of this offer. The SanitaryCommission, agreed to meet this additional expense of the Woman'sCentral, amounting to over five thousand dollars per month. Thus anaccumulation was gathered for the coming campaign. 

In November, 1864, The Woman's Central convened, and defrayed theexpenses of a Soldiers' Aid Society Council, at which two hundred andfifteen delegates were present. 

The Military Hospitals near the city had, from time to time, receivedassistance, though not often needed from the Association. The Navy too, received occasional aid. 

In the spring of 1865, The Woman's Central lost its President, Dr. Mott, whose fame gave weight to its early organization. From respect to hismemory, it was resolved that no other should fill his place. 

At last, in April, 1865, came the glad tidings of great joy. Lee hadsurrendered. In May, Miss Collins wrote a congratulatory letter to theAid-Societies, naming the 4th of July, as the closing day of the Woman'sCentral, and urging active work up to that time, as hospital and fieldsupplies would still be needed. With tender forethought, she also beggedthem to keep alive their organizations, for "the privilege of cherishingthe maimed and disabled veterans who are returning to us. "

The receipts and disbursements of the Woman's Central are as astoundingto itself as to the public. So much love and patriotism, so littlemoney! As early as May, 1863, the Treasurer in his Report, remarks:

"That so small a sum should cover all the general amount of expenses ofthe Association in the transaction of a business which, during the year, has involved the receipt or purchase, assorting, cataloguing, marking, packing, storing and final distribution of nearly half a million ofarticles, will be no less satisfactory to the donors of the funds solargely economized for the direct benefit of the soldier, than to thosefriends of the Association from whose self-denying, patriotic andindefatigable personal labors, this economy has resulted. "

In the Table of supplies received and distributed from May 1st, 1861, toJuly 7th, 1865, prepared by Miss Collins, the item of shirts aloneamounts to two hundred and ninety-one thousand four hundred andseventy-five. 

For four years' distribution, purchase of hospital delicacies, and alloffice expenses, except those of the committee which purchased materialfor the aid-societies amounting to seventy-nine thousand three hundredand ninety dollars and fifty-seven cents, the sum expended was onlysixty-one thousand three hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty-sevencents. [L]

[Footnote L: This does not include, of course, the value of the suppliessent to the distributing depôts of the Sanitary Commission, toHospitals, or to the field. These amounted to some millions of dollars. ]

[Illustration: MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

How was this accomplished by the Woman's Central except through its bandof daily volunteers (the great unnamed) its devoted associate managersthrough whom came an increase of one hundred and thirty-eight newsocieties, the generosity of Express companies, the tenderself-sacrifice of country-homes, and the indefatigable labors of theseveral committees, all of whom felt it a privilege to work in so sacreda cause. Neither love nor money, nothing less than sentiment andprinciple, could have produced these results. 

To the Brooklyn Relief Association the Woman's Central always feltdeeply indebted for supplies. Its admirable President, Mrs. Stranahan, was in close sympathy with the association, often pouring in nearly halfof the woollen garments it received. 

The careful dissemination of printed matter tended to sustain theinterest of country societies. The voluminous reports of the Associationarranged monthly by Miss Schuyler, who also contributed a series oftwelve articles to the Sanitary Commission Bulletin, publishedsemi-monthly by that board, the "Soldiers' Friend, " "Nelly's Hospital, "and other documents amounting in sixteen months to ninety-eight thousandnine hundred and eighty-four copies were issued by the committee "OnCorrespondence, " etc. For the last two years that committee consisted ofMiss L. L. Schuyler, chairman; Mrs. George Curtis, Mrs. David Lane, MissA. Post, Miss C. Nash, H. W. Bellows, D. D. 

For the last three years, to the first members of the committee on"Supplies, " etc. , were added Miss Gertrude Stevens, the Misses Shaw insuccession, Miss Z. T. Detmold, Mr. Isaac Bronson. George Robertsremained the faithful porter through the whole four years. 

The territory from which the Woman's Central received its supplies afterthe various branches of the Sanitary Commission were in full workingcondition, was eastern and central New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and partially from northern New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont andCanada. Generous contributions were also received from Europeanauxiliaries. 

On the 7th of July, 1865, the final meeting of the board of the Woman'sCentral took place. Its members, though scattered by midsummer-heat, didnot fail to appear. It was a solemn and touching occasion. The followingresolutions, deeply felt and still read with emotion by its members, were then unanimously adopted:

 _Resolved_, That the Woman's Central Association of Relief cannot dissolve without expressing its sense of the value and satisfaction of its connection with the United States Sanitary Commission, whose confidence, guidance and support it has enjoyed for four years past. In now breaking the formal tie that has bound us together, we leave unbroken the bond of perfect sympathy, gratitude and affection, which has grown up between us. 

 _Resolved_, That we owe a deep debt of gratitude to our Associate Managers, who have so ably represented our interests in the different sections of our field of duty, and, that to their earnest, unflagging and patriotic exertions, much of the success which has followed our labors is due. 

 _Resolved_, That to the Soldiers' Aid Societies, which form the working constituency of this Association, we offer the tribute of our profound respect and admiration for their zeal, constancy and patience to the end. Their boxes and their letters have been alike our support and our inspiration. They have kept our hearts hopeful, and our confidence in our cause always firm. Henceforth the women of America are banded in town and country, as the men are from city and field. We have wrought, and thought, and prayed together, as our soldiers have fought, and bled, and conquered, shoulder to shoulder, and from this hour the womanhood of our country is knit in a common bond, which the softening influences of Peace must not, and shall not weaken or dissolve. May God's blessing rest upon every Soldiers' Aid Society in the list of our contributors, and on every individual worker in their ranks. 

 _Resolved_, That to our band of Volunteer Aids, the ladies who, in turn, have so long and usefully labored in the details of our work at these rooms, we give our hearty and affectionate thanks, feeling that their unflagging devotion and cheerful presence have added largely to the efficiency and pleasure of our labors. Their record, however hidden, is on high, and they have in their own hearts the joyful testimony, that in their country's peril and need they were not found wanting. 

 _Resolved_, That the thanks of this Association are due to the ladies who have, at different times, served upon the Board, but are no longer members of it; and that we recall in this hour of parting the memory of each and all who have lent us the light of their countenance, and the help of their hands. Especially do we recognize the valuable aid rendered by the members of our Registration Committee, who, in the early days of this Association, superintended the training of a band of one hundred women nurses for our army hospitals. The successful introduction of this system is chiefly due to the zeal and capacity of these ladies. 

 _Resolved_, That in dissolving this Association, we desire to express the gratitude we owe to Divine Providence for permitting the members of this Board to work together in so great and so glorious a cause, and upon so large and successful a scale, to maintain for so long a period, relations of such affection and respect, and now to part with such deep and grateful memories of our work and of each other. 

 _Resolved_, That, the close of the war having enabled this Association to finish the work for which it was organized, the Woman's Central Association of Relief for the Army and Navy of the United States, is hereby dissolved. 

 The meeting then adjourned _sine die_. 

 SAMUEL W. BRIDGHAM, _Secretary_. 

For further and better knowledge of the Woman's Central, is it notwritten in the book of the Chronicles of the Board of the United StatesSanitary Commission?

SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY OF NORTHERN OHIO

Among the branches or centres of supply and distribution of the UnitedStates Sanitary Commission, though some with a wider field and a morewealthy population in that field have raised a larger amount of money orsupplies, there was none which in so small and seemingly barren adistrict proved so efficient or accomplished so much as the "Soldiers'Aid Society of Northern Ohio. "

This extraordinary efficiency was due almost wholly to the wonderfulenergy and business ability of its officers. The society which at firstbore the name of The Soldiers' Aid Society of Cleveland, was composedwholly of ladies, and was organized on the 20th day of April, 1861, fivedays after the President's proclamation calling for troops. Its officerswere (exclusive of vice-presidents who were changed once or twice andwho were not specially active) Mrs. B. Rouse, President, Miss Mary ClarkBrayton, Secretary, Miss Ellen F. Terry, Treasurer. These ladiescontinued their devotion to their work not only through the war, butwith a slight change in their organization, to enable them to do morefor the crippled and disabled soldier, and to collect without fee orreward the bounties, back pay and pensions coming to the defenders ofthe country, has remained in existence and actively employed up to thepresent time. 

No constitution or by-laws were ever adopted, and beyond a verbalpledge to work for the soldiers while the war should last, and a fee oftwenty-five cents monthly, no form of membership was prescribed and nowritten word held the society together to its latest day. Its solecohesive power was the bond of a common and undying patriotism. 

In October, 1861, it was offered to the United States SanitaryCommission, as one of its receiving and disbursing branches, and thefollowing month its name was changed to The Soldiers' Aid Society ofNorthern Ohio. Its territory was very small and not remarkable forwealth. It had auxiliaries in eighteen counties of Northeastern Ohio, (Toledo and its vicinity being connected with the Cincinnati Branch, andthe counties farther west with Chicago), and a few tributaries in thecounties of Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania, which bordered onOhio, of which that at Meadville, Pennsylvania, was the onlyconsiderable one. 

In this region, Cleveland was the only considerable city, and thepopulation of the territory though largely agricultural was notpossessed of any considerable wealth, nor was the soil remarkablyfertile. 

In November, 1861, the society had one hundred and twenty auxiliaries. Ayear later the number of these had increased to four hundred and fifty, and subsequently an aggregate of five hundred and twenty was attained. None of these ever seceded or became disaffected, but throughout the warthe utmost cordiality prevailed between them and the central office. 

In the five years from its organization to April, 1866, this society hadcollected and disbursed one hundred and thirty thousand four hundred andfive dollars and nine cents in cash, and one million and three thousanddollars in stores, making a grand total of one million one hundred andthirty-three thousand four hundred and five dollars and nine cents. Thisamount was received mainly from contributions, though the excess overone million dollars, was mostly received from the proceeds ofexhibitions, concerts, and the Northern Ohio Sanitary Fair held inFebruary and March, 1864. The net proceeds of this fair were aboutseventy-nine thousand dollars. 

The supplies thus contributed, as well as so much of the money as wasnot required for the other objects of the society, of which we shall saymore presently, were forwarded to the Western Depôt of the SanitaryCommission at Louisville, except in a few instances where they wererequired for the Eastern armies. The reception, re-packing andforwarding of this vast quantity of stores, as well as all thecorrespondence required with the auxiliaries and with the Western officeof the Sanitary Commission, and the book-keeping which was necessary inconsequence, involved a great amount of labor, but was performed withthe utmost cheerfulness by the ladies whom we have named as the activeofficers of the society. 

Among the additional institutions or operations of this societyconnected with, yet outside of its general work of receiving anddisbursing supplies, the most important was the "Soldiers' Home, "established first on the 17th of April, 1861, as a lodging-room fordisabled soldiers in transit, and having connected with it a system ofmeal tickets, which were given to deserving soldiers of this class, entitling the holder to a meal at the depôt dining hall, the ticketsbeing redeemed monthly by the society. In October, 1863, the "Soldiers'Home, " a building two hundred and thirty-five feet long and twenty-fivefeet wide, erected and furnished by funds contributed by citizens ofCleveland at the personal solicitation of the ladies, was opened, andwas maintained until June 1, 1866, affording special relief to fifty-sixthousand five hundred and twenty registered inmates, to whom were givenone hundred and eleven thousand seven hundred and seven meals, andtwenty-nine thousand nine hundred and seventy-three lodgings, at anentire cost of twenty-seven thousand four hundred and eight dollars andthree cents. No government support was received for this home, and norations drawn from the commissary as in most institutions of this kind. 

The officers of the society gave daily personal attention to the Home, directing its management minutely, and the superintendent, matron andother officials were employed by them. 

The society also established a hospital directory for the soldiers ofits territory, and recorded promptly the location and condition of thesick or wounded men from returns received from all the hospitals inwhich they were found; a measure which though involving great labor, wasthe means of relieving the anxiety of many thousands of the friends ofthese men. 

In May, 1865, an Employment Agency was opened, and continued for sixmonths. Two hundred and six discharged soldiers, mostly disabled, wereput into business situations by the personal efforts of the officers ofthe society. The families of the disabled men were cared for again andagain, many of them being regular pensioners of the society. 

The surplus funds of the society, amounting June 1st, 1866, to aboutnine thousand dollars, were used in the settlement of all war claims ofsoldiers, bounties, back pay, pensions, etc. , gratuitously to theclaimant. For this purpose, an agent thoroughly familiar with the wholebusiness of the Pension Office, and the bureaus before which claimscould come, was employed, and Miss Brayton and Miss Terry were daily inattendance as clerks at the office. Up to August 1st, 1866, about fourhundred claims had been adjusted. 

The entire time of the officers of the society daily from eight o'clockin the morning to six and often later in the evening, was given to thiswork through the whole period of the war, and indeed until the close ofthe summer of 1866. The ladies being all in circumstances of wealth, orat least of independence, no salary was asked or received, and notraveling expenses were ever charged to the Society, though thepresident visited repeatedly every part of their territory, organizingand encouraging the auxiliary societies, and both secretary andtreasurer went more than once to the front of the army, and to the largegeneral hospitals at Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, etc. , with aview to obtaining knowledge which might benefit their cause. 

In August, 1864, a small printing office, with a hand-press, wasattached to the rooms; the ladies learned how to set type and work thepress, and issued weekly bulletins to their auxiliaries to encourage andstimulate their efforts. For two years from October, 1862, two columnswere contributed to a weekly city paper by these indefatigable ladiesfor the benefit of their auxiliaries. These local auxiliary societieswere active and loyal, but they needed constant encouragement, andincentives to action, to bring and keep them up to their highestcondition of patriotic effort. 

The Sanitary Fair at Cleveland was not, as in many other cases, originated and organized by outside effort, for the benefit of theBranch of the Sanitary Commission, but had its origin, its organizationand its whole management directly from the Soldiers' Aid Society itself. 

In November, 1865, the Ohio State Soldiers' Home was opened, and theLegislature having made no preparation for its immediate wants, theSoldiers' Aid Society made a donation of five thousand dollars for thesupport of its members. 

With a brief sketch of each of these ladies, we close our history of theSoldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio. 

Mrs. Rouse is a lady somewhat advanced in life, small and delicatelyorganized, and infirm in health, but of tireless energy and exhaustlesssympathy for every form of human suffering. For forty years past she hasbeen foremost in all benevolent movements among the ladies of Cleveland, spending most of her time and income in the relief of the unfortunateand suffering; yet it is the testimony of all who knew her, that she isentirely free from all personal ambition, and all love of power ornotoriety. Though earnestly patriotic, and ready to do all in her powerfor her country, there is nothing masculine, or as the phrase goes, "strong-minded" in her demeanor. She is a descendant of Oliver Cromwell, and has much of his energy and power of endurance, but none of hiscoarseness, being remarkably unselfish, and lady-like in her manners. During the earlier years of the war, she spent much of her time invisiting the towns of the territory assigned to the society, andpromoting the formation of local Soldiers' Aid Societies, and it was dueto her efforts that there was not a town of any size in the region towhich the society looked for its contributions which had not its aidsociety, or its Alert Club, or both. Though plain and _petite_ inperson, she possessed a rare power of influencing those whom sheaddressed, and never failed to inspire them with the resolution to doall in their power for the country. At a later period the laboriousduties of the home office of the society required her constantattention. 

Miss Mary Clark Brayton, the secretary of the society, is a young ladyof wealth, high social position and accomplished education, but ofgentle and modest disposition. Since the spring of 1861, she hasisolated herself from society, and the pleasures of intellectualpursuits, and has given her whole time and thoughts to the one work ofcaring for the welfare of the soldiers. From early morning till evening, and sometimes far into the night, she has toiled in the rooms of thesociety, or elsewhere, superintending the receiving or despatch ofsupplies, conducting the immense correspondence of the society, preparing, setting up and printing its weekly bulletins, or writing thetwo columns weekly of matter for the Cleveland papers, on topicsconnected with the society's work, now in her turn superintending andpurchasing supplies for the Soldiers' Home, looking out a place for somepartially disabled soldier, or supplying the wants of his family;occasionally, though at rare intervals, varying her labors by a journeyto the front, or a temporary distribution of supplies at some generalhospital at Nashville, Huntsville, Bridgeport or Chattanooga, and then, having ascertained by personal inspection what was most necessary forthe comfort and health of the army, returning to her work, and byeloquent and admirable appeals to the auxiliaries, and to her personalfriends in Cleveland, securing and forwarding the necessary supplies sopromptly, that as the officers of the Commission at Louisville said, itseemed as if she could hardly have reached Cleveland, before thesupplies began to flow in at the Commission's warehouses at Louisville. Miss Brayton possesses business ability sufficient to have conducted theenterprises of a large mercantile establishment, and the complete systemand order displayed in her transaction of business would have done honorto any mercantile house in the world. Her untiring energy repeatedlyimpaired her health, but she has never laid down her work, and has nodisposition to do so, while there is an opportunity of serving thedefenders of her country. 

Miss Ellen F. Terry, the treasurer of the society, is a daughter of Dr. Charles Terry, a professor in the Cleveland Medical College. Her socialposition, like that of Miss Brayton, is the highest in that city. She ishighly educated, familiar, like her friend Miss Brayton, with most ofthe modern languages of Europe, but especially proficient inmathematics. During the whole period of the war, she devoted herself asassiduously to the work of the society as did Mrs. Rouse and MissBrayton. She kept the books of the society (in itself a great labor), made all its disbursements of cash, and did her whole work with aneatness, accuracy and despatch which would have done honor to anybusiness man in the country. No monthly statements of accounts from anyof the branches of the Sanitary Commission reporting to its WesternOffice at Louisville were drawn up with such careful accuracy andcompleteness as those from the Cleveland branch, although in most of theothers experienced and skilful male accountants were employed to makethem up. Miss Terry also superintended the building of the Soldiers'Home, and took her turn with Miss Brayton in its management. She alsoassisted in the other labors of the society, and made occasional visitsto the front and the hospitals. Since the close of the war she and MissBrayton have acted as clerks of the Free Claim Agency for recovering thedues of the soldiers, from the Government offices. 

We depart from our usual practice of excluding the writings of those whoare the subjects of our narratives, to give the following sprightlydescription of one of the hospital trains of the Sanitary Commission, communicated by Miss Brayton to the _Cleveland Herald_, not so much togive our readers a specimen of her abilities as a writer, as toillustrate the thorough devotion to their patriotic work which hascharacterized her and her associates. 

 ON A HOSPITAL TRAIN. 

"Riding on a rail in the 'Sunny South, ' is not the most agreeablepastime in the world. Don't understand me to refer to that favorite_argumentum ad hominem_ which a true Southerner applies to all who havethe misfortune to differ from him, especially to Northern abolitionists;I simply mean that mode of traveling that Saxe in his funny little poem, calls so 'pleasant. ' And no wonder! To be whirled along at the rate offorty miles an hour, over a smooth road, reposing on velvet-cushionedseats, with backs just at the proper angle to rest a tiredhead, --ice-water, --the last novel or periodical--all that can tempt yourfastidious taste, or help to while away the time, offered at your elbow, is indeed pleasant; but wo to the fond imagination that pictures toitself such luxuries on a United States Military Railroad. Be thankfulif in the crowd of tobacco-chewing soldiers you are able to get a seat, and grumble not if the pine boards are hard and narrow. Lay in a goodstock of patience, for six miles an hour is probably the highest rate ofspeed you will attain, and even then you shudder to see on either handstrewn along the road, wrecks of cars and locomotives smashed in everyconceivable manner, telling of some fearful accident or some guerrillafight. These are discomforts hard to bear even when one is well andstrong; how much worse for a sick or wounded man. But thanks to theUnited States Sanitary Commission and to those gentlemen belonging toit, whose genius and benevolence originated, planned, and carried itout, a hospital-train is now running on almost all the roads over whichit is necessary to transport sick or wounded men. These trains are nowunder the control of Government, but the Sanitary Commission continuesto furnish a great part of the stores that are used in them. My firstexperience of them was a sad one. A week before, the army had movedforward and concentrated near Tunnel Hill. The dull, monotonous rumbleof army wagons as they rolled in long trains through the dusty street;the measured tramp of thousands of bronzed and war-worn veterans; therattle and roar of the guns and caissons as they thundered on theirmission of death; the glittering sheen reflected from a thousand sabres, had all passed by and left us in the desolated town. We lived, as itwere, with bated breath and eager ears, our nerves tensely strung withanxiety and suspense waiting to catch the first sound of that comingstrife, where we knew so many of our bravest and best must fall. At lastcame the news of that terrible fight at Buzzard's Roost or Rocky FaceRidge, and the evening after, in came Dr. S. ---- straight from thefront, and said, 'The hospital-train is at the depôt, wouldn't you liketo see it?' 'Of course we would, ' chorused Mrs. Dr. S. ---- and myself, and forthwith we rushed for our hats and cloaks, filled two largebaskets with soft crackers and oranges, and started off. A walk of amile brought us to the depôt, and down in the further corner of thedepôt-yard we saw a train of seven or eight cars standing, apparentlyunoccupied. 'There it is, ' said Dr. S. ----. 'Why, it looks like anyordinary train, ' I innocently remarked, but I was soon to find out thedifference. We chanced to see Dr. Meyers, the Surgeon-in-charge, on thefirst car into which we went, and he made us welcome to do and to givewhatever we had for the men, and so, armed with authority from the'powers that be, ' we went forward with confidence. 

"Imagine a car a little wider than the ordinary one, placed on springs, and having on each side three tiers of berths or cots, suspended byrubber bands. These cots are so arranged as to yield to the motion ofthe car, thereby avoiding that jolting experienced even on the smoothestand best kept road. I didn't stop to investigate the plan of the carthen, for I saw before me, on either hand, a long line of soldiers, shotin almost every conceivable manner, their wounds fresh from thebattle-field, and all were patient and quiet; not a groan or complaintescaped them, though I saw some faces twisted into strange contortionswith the agony of their wounds. I commenced distributing my orangesright and left, but soon realized the smallness of my basket and thelargeness of the demand, and sadly passed by all but the worst cases. Inthe third car that we entered we found the Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Adjutant of the Twenty-ninth Ohio, all severely wounded. We stoppedand talked awhile. Mindful of the motto of my Commission, to give 'aidand comfort, ' I trickled a little sympathy on them. 'Poor fellows!' saidI. 'No, indeed, ' said they. 'We _did_ suffer riding twenty miles'--itcouldn't have been more than fourteen or fifteen, but a shattered limbor a ball in one's side lengthens the miles astonishingly--in thosehorrid ambulances to the cars. 'We cried last night like children, someof us, ' said a Lieutenant, 'but we're all right now. This Hospital Trainis a jolly thing. It goes like a cradle. ' Seeing my sympathy wasted, Itried another tack. 'Did you know that Sherman was in Dalton?' 'No!'cried the Colonel and all the men who could, raised themselves up andstared at me with eager, questioning eyes. 'Is that so?' 'Yes, ' Ireplied, 'It is true. ' 'Then, I don't care for this little wound, ' saidone fellow, slapping his right leg, which was pierced and torn by aminie ball. Brave men! How I longed to take our whole North, and pourout its wealth and luxury at their feet. 

"A little farther on in the car, I chanced to look down, and there at myfeet lay a young man, not more than eighteen or nineteen years old; hairtossed back from his noble white brow; long brown lashes lying on hischeek; face as delicate and refined as a girl's. I spoke to him and heopened his eyes, but could not answer me. I held an orange before him, and he looked a Yes; so I cut a hole in it and squeezed some of thejuice into his mouth. It seemed to revive him a little, and aftersitting a short time I left him. Soon after, they carried him out on astretcher--poor fellow! He was dying when I saw him, and I could butthink of his mother and sisters who would have given worlds to standbeside him as I did. By this time it was growing dark, my oranges hadgiven out, and we were sadly in the way; so we left, to be haunted formany a day by the terrible pictures we had seen on our first visit to aHospital Train. 

"My next experience was much pleasanter. I had the privilege of a rideon one from Chattanooga to Nashville, and an opportunity of seeing theplan of arrangement of the train. There were three hundred and fourteensick and wounded men on board, occupying nine or ten cars, with thesurgeon's car in the middle of the train. This car is divided into threecompartments; at one end is the store-room where are kept the eatablesand bedding, at the other, the kitchen; and between the two thesurgeon's room, containing his bed, secretary, and shelves and pigeonholes for instruments, medicines, etc. A narrow hall connects thestore-room and kitchen, and great windows or openings in the oppositesides of the car give a pleasant draft of air. Sitting in a comfortablearm-chair, one would not wish a pleasanter mode of traveling, especiallythrough the glorious mountains of East Tennessee, and further on, overthe fragrant, fertile meadows, and the rolling hills and plains ofNorthern Alabama and middle Tennessee, clothed in their fresh greengarments of new cotton and corn. This is all charming for a passenger, but a hospital train is a busy place for the surgeons and nurses. 

"The men come on at evening, selected from the different hospitals, according to their ability to be moved, and after having had their tea, the wounds have to be freshly dressed. This takes till midnight, perhapslonger, and the surgeon must be on the watch continually, for on himfalls the responsibility, not only of the welfare of the men, but of thesafety of the train. There is a conductor and brakeman, and for them, too, there is no rest. Each finds enough to do as nurse or assistant. Inthe morning, after a breakfast of delicious coffee or tea, dried beef, dried peaches, soft bread, cheese, etc. , the wounds have to be dressed asecond time, and again in the afternoon, a third. 

"In the intervals the surgeon finds time to examine individual cases, and prescribe especially for them, and perhaps to take a little rest. Tofulfil the duties of surgeon in charge of such a train, or endure theterrible strain on brain and nerves and muscles, requires great skill, an iron will, and a mind undaunted by the shadow of any responsibilityor danger. All this and more has Dr. J. P. Barnum, who has charge of thetrain formerly running between Louisville and Nashville, but nowtransferred to the road between Nashville and Chattanooga. With a touchgentle as a woman, yet with manly strength and firmness, and untiringwatchfulness and thoughtful care, he seems wholly devoted to the work ofbenefiting our sick and wounded soldiers. All on board the train gavehim the warmest thanks. As I walked through the car, I heard the mensay, 'we hav'n't lived so well since we joined the army. We are bettertreated than we ever were before. This is the nicest place we were everin, ' etc. Should the Doctor chance to see this, he will be shocked, formodesty, I notice, goes hand in hand with true nobility and generosity;but I risk his wrath for the selfish pleasure that one has in doingjustice to a good man. 

"After breakfast, in the morning, when the wounds were all dressed, Ihad the pleasure of carrying into one car a pitcher of deliciousblackberry wine that came from the Soldiers' Aid Society of NorthernOhio, and with the advice of Dr. Yates, the assistant surgeon, giving itto the men. The car into which I went had only one tier of berths, supported like the others on rubber bands. Several times during the dayI had an opportunity of giving some little assistance in taking care ofwounded men, and it was very pleasant. My journey lasted a night and aday, and I think I can never again pass another twenty-four hours sofraught with sweet and sad memories as are connected with my second andlast experience on a hospital train. "

NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION. 

Among the branches of the United States Sanitary Commission, theAssociation which is named above, was one of the most efficient anduntiring in its labors. It had gathered into its management, a largebody of the most gifted and intellectual women of Boston, and itsvicinity, women who knew how to work as well as to plan, direct andthink. These were seconded in their efforts by a still larger number ofintelligent and accomplished women in every part of New England, who, asmanagers and directors of the auxiliaries of the Association, roused andstimulated by their own example and their eloquent appeals, the heartsof their countrywomen to earnest and constant endeavour to benefit thesoldiers of our National armies. The geographical peculiarities andconnections of the New England States, were such that after the firstyear Connecticut and Rhode Island could send their supplies more readilyto the field through New York than through Boston, and hence theAssociation from that time, had for its field of operations, only Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. In these four States, however, it had one thousand and fifty auxiliaries, and during itsexistence, collected nearly three hundred and fifteen thousand dollarsin money, and fully one million, two hundred thousand dollars in storesand supplies for the work of the Sanitary Commission. In December, 1863, it held a Sanitary Fair in Boston, the net proceeds of which werenearly one hundred and forty-six thousand dollars. 

The first Chairman of the Executive Committee, was Mrs. D. Buck, and onher resignation early in 1864, Miss Abby W. May, an active and efficientmember of the Executive Committee from the first was chosen Chairman. The rare executive ability displayed by Miss May in this position, andher extraordinary gifts and influence render a brief sketch of herdesirable, though her own modest and retiring disposition would lead herto depreciate her own merits, and to declare that she had done no morethan the other members of the Association. In that coterie of giftedwomen, it is not impossible that there may have been others who couldhave done as well, but none could have done better than Miss May; justas in our great armies, it is not impossible that there may have beenMajor-Generals, and perhaps even Brigadier-Generals, who, had they beenplaced in command of the armies, might have accomplished as much asthose who did lead them to victory. The possibilities of success, in anuntried leader, may or may not be great; but those who actually occupy aprominent position, must pay the penalty of their prominence, in thepublicity which follows it. 

Miss May is a native of Boston, born in 1829, and educated in the bestschools of her natal city. She early gave indications of the possessionof a vigorous intellect, which was thoroughly trained and cultivated. Her clear and quick understanding, her strong good sense, activebenevolence, and fearlessness in avowing and advocating whatever shebelieved to be true and right, have given her a powerful influence inthe wide circle of her acquaintance. She embarked heart and soul in theAnti-slavery movement while yet quite young, and has rendered valuableservices to that cause. 

At the very commencement of the war, she gave herself most heartily tothe work of relieving the sufferings of the soldiers from sickness orwounds; laboring with great efficiency in the organization andextension of the New England Women's Auxiliary Association, and in thespring and summer of 1862, going into the Hospital Transport Service ofthe Sanitary Commission, where her labors were arduous, but accomplishedgreat good. After her return, she was prevailed upon to take theChairmanship of the Executive Committee of the Association, andrepresented it at Washington, at the meeting of the delegates from theBranches of the Sanitary Commission. Her executive ability was signallymanifested in her management of the affairs of the Association, in herrapid and accurate dispatch of business, her prompt and unerringjudgment on all difficult questions, her great practical talent, and herearnest and eloquent appeals to the auxiliaries. Yet fearless and daringas she has ever been in her denunciation of wrong, and her advocacy ofright, and extraordinary as are the abilities she has displayed in themanagement of an enterprise for which few men would have been competent, the greatest charm of her character is her unaffected modesty, anddisposition to esteem others better than herself. To her friends shedeclared that she had made no sacrifices in the work, none really worthyof the name--while there were abundance of women who had, but who wereand must remain nameless and unknown. What she had done had been donefrom inclination and a desire to serve and be useful in her day, and inthe great struggle, and had been a recreation and enjoyment. 

To a lady friend who sought to win from her some incidents of her laborsfor publication, she wrote:

"The work in New England has been conducted with so much simplicity, anduniversal co-operation, that there have been no persons especiallyprominent in it. Rich and poor, wise and simple, cultivated andignorant, all--people of all descriptions, all orders of taste, everyvariety of habit, condition, and circumstances, joined hands heartily inthe beginning, and have worked together as equals in every respect. There has been no chance for individual prominence. Each one had somepower or quality desirable in the great work; and she gave what shecould. In one instance, it was talent, in another, money, --in another, judgment, --in another, time, --and so on. Where all gifts were needed, itwould be impossible to say what would make any person prominent, withthis one exception. It was necessary that some one should be at the headof the work: and this place it was my blessed privilege to fill. But itwas only an accidental prominence; and I should regret more than I canexpress to you, to have this accident of position single me out in anysuch manner as you propose; from the able, devoted, glorious women allabout me, whose sacrifices, and faithfulness, and nobleness, I canhardly conceive of, much less speak of and never approach to. 

"As far as I personally am concerned, I would rather your notice of ourpart of the work should be of 'New England women. ' We shared theprivileges of the work, --not always equally, that would be impossible. But we stood side by side--through it all, as New England women; and ifwe are to be remembered hereafter, it ought to be under that same goodold title, and in one goodly company. 

"When I begin to think of individual cases, I grow full of admiration, and wish I could tell you of many a special woman; but the number soonbecomes appalling, --your book would be overrun, and all, or most ofthose who would have been omitted, might well have been there too. "

In the same tone of generous appreciation of the labors of others, anddesire that due honor should be bestowed upon all, Miss May, in herfinal Report of the New England Women's Auxiliary Association, givesutterance to the thanks of the Executive Committee to itsfellow-workers:

"We wish we could speak of all the elements that have conspired to oursuccess in New England; but they are too numerous. From therepresentatives of the United States Government here, who remitted theduties upon soldiers' garments sent to us from Nova Scotia, down to thelittle child, diligently sewing with tiny fingers upon the soldier'scomfort-bag, the co-operation has been almost universal. Churches, ofall denominations, have exerted their influence for us; many schoolshave made special efforts in our behalf; the directors of railroads, express companies, telegraphs, and newspapers, and gentlemen of thebusiness firms with whom we have dealt, have befriended us mostliberally; and private individuals, of all ages, sexes, colors, andconditions, have aided us in ways that we cannot enumerate, that no onereally knows but themselves. They do not seek our thanks, but we wouldlike to offer them. Their service has been for the soldiers' sake; butthe way in which they have rendered it has made us personally theirdebtors, beyond the power of words to express. "

One of the most efficient auxiliaries of the New England Women'sAuxiliary Association, from the thoroughly loyal spirit it manifested, and the persistent and patient labor which characterized its course wasthe _Boston Sewing Circle_, an organization started in November, 1862, and which numbered thenceforward to the end of the war from one hundredand fifty to two hundred workers. This Sewing Circle raised twenty-onethousand seven hundred and seventy-eight dollars in money, (about fourthousand dollars of it for the Refugees in Western Tennessee), and madeup twenty-one thousand five hundred and ninety-two articles of clothing, a large part of them of flannel, but including also shirts, drawers, etc. , of cotton. 

Its officers from first to last were Mrs. George Ticknor, President;Miss Ira E. Loring, Vice-President; Mrs. G. H. Shaw, Secretary; Mrs. Martin Brimmer, Treasurer. A part of these ladies, together with someothers had for more than a year previous been engaged in similar labors, at first in behalf of the Second Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry, andafterward for other soldiers. This organization of which Mrs. GeorgeTicknor was President, Miss Ticknor, Secretary, and Mrs. W. B. Rogers, Treasurer, raised three thousand five hundred and forty-four dollars inmoney, and sent to the army four thousand nine hundred and sixty-ninearticles of clothing of which one-third were of flannel. 

Another "Boston notion, " and a very excellent notion it was, was theorganization of the _Ladies' Industrial Aid Association_, which webelieve, but are not certain, was in some sort an auxiliary of the NewEngland Women's Auxiliary Association. This society was formed in thebeginning of the war and proposed first to furnish well made clothing tothe soldiers, and second to give employment to their families, though itwas not confined to these, but furnished work also to some extent topoor widows with young children, who had no near relatives in the army. In this enterprise were enlisted a large number of ladies of education, refinement, and high social position. During four successive winters, they carried on their philanthropic work, from fifteen to twenty of thembeing employed during most of the forenoons of each week, in preparingthe garments for the sewing women, or in the thorough and carefulinspection of those which were finished. From nine hundred to onethousand women were constantly supplied with work, and received inaddition to the contract prices, (the ladies performing their laborwithout compensation) additional payment, derived from donations forincreasing their remuneration. The number of garments (mostly shirts anddrawers) made by the employés of this association in the four years, wasthree hundred and forty-six thousand seven hundred and fifteen, and thesum, of twenty thousand thirty-three dollars and seventy-eight centsraised by donation, was paid as additional wages to the workwomen. Theassociation of these poor women for so long a period with ladies ofcultivation and refinement, under circumstances in which they couldreturn a fair equivalent for the money received, and hence were not inthe position of applicants for charity, could not fail to be elevatingand improving, while the ladies themselves learned the lesson that aspure and holy a patriotism inspired the hearts of the humble and lowly, as was to be found among the gifted and cultivated. We regret that wecannot give the names of the ladies who initiated and sustained thismovement. Many of them were conspicuous in other works of patriotism andbenevolence during the war, and some found scope for their earnestdevotion to the cause in camp and hospital, and some gave vent to theirpatriotic emotion in battle hymns which will live through all comingtime. Of these as of thousands of others in all the departments ofphilanthropy connected with the great struggle, it shall be said, "Theyhave done what they could. "

NORTHWESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION. 

When the United States Sanitary Commission was first organized, thoughits members and officers had but little idea of the vast influence itwas destined to exert on the labors which were before it, they wiselyresolved to make it a National affair, and accordingly selected some oftheir corporate members from the large cities of the West. The HonorableMark Skinner, and subsequently E. B. McCagg, Esq. , and E. W. Blatchford, were chosen as the associate members of the Commission for Chicago. TheCommission expected much from the Northwest, both from its earnestpatriotism, and its large-handed liberality. Its selection of associateswas eminently judicious, and these very soon after their election, undertook the establishment of a branch Commission for collecting andforwarding supplies, and more effectively organizing the liberality ofthe Northwest, that its rills and streams of beneficence, concentratedin the great city of the Lakes, might flow thence in a mighty stream tothe armies of the West. Public meetings were held, a branch of theUnited States Sanitary Commission with its rooms, its auxiliaries andits machinery of collection and distribution put in operation, and theoffice management at first entrusted to that devoted and faithful workerin the Sanitary cause, Mrs. Eliza Porter. The work grew in extent asactive operations were undertaken in our armies, and early in 1862, theassociates finding Mrs. Porter desirous of joining her husband inministrations of mercy at the front, entrusted the charge of the activelabors of the Commission, its correspondence, the organization ofauxiliary aid societies, the issuing of appeals for money and supplies, the forwarding of stores, the employment and location of women nurses, and the other multifarious duties of so extensive an institution, to twoladies of Chicago, ladies who had both given practical evidence of theirpatriotism and activity in the cause, --Mrs. A. H. Hoge and Mrs. M. A. Livermore. The selection was wisely made. No more earnest workers werefound in any department of the Sanitary Commission's field, and theireloquence of pen and voice, the magnetism of their personal presence, their terse and vigorously written circulars appealing for general orspecial supplies, their projection and management of two great sanitaryfairs, and their unwearied efforts to save the western armies from thefearful perils of scurvy, entitle them to especial prominence in ourrecord of noble and patriotic women. The amount of money and suppliessent from this branch, collected from its thousand auxiliaries and itstwo great fairs, has not been up to this time, definitively estimated, but it is known to have exceeded one million of dollars. 

This record of the labors of these ladies during the war would beincomplete without allusion to the fact that they were the prime moversin the establishment of a Soldiers' Home, in Chicago, and were, untilafter the war ended, actively identified with it. They early foresawthat this temporary resting-place, which became like "the shadow of agreat rock in a weary land" to tens of thousands of soldiers, going toand returning from the camp, and hospital, and battle-field, wouldeventually crystallize into a permanent home for the disabled andindigent of Illinois' brave men--and in all their calculations for it, they took its grand future into account. That future which they foresaw, has become a verity, and nowhere in the United States is there apleasanter, or more convenient, or more generously supported Soldiers'Home than in Chicago, standing on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

MRS. A. H. HOGE. 

Perhaps among all who have labored for the soldier, during the late war, among the women of our country, no name is better known that of Mrs. A. H. Hoge, the subject of this sketch. From the beginning until thesuccessful close of the war, alike cheerful, ardent, and reliant, in itsdarkest, as in its brightest days, Mrs. Hoge dedicated to the service ofher country and its defenders, all that she had to bestow, and becamewidely known all over the vast sphere of her operations, as one of themost faithful and tireless of workers; wise in council, strong injudgment, earnest in action. 

Mrs. Hoge is a native of the city of Philadelphia, and was the daughterof George D. Blaikie, Esq. , an East India shipping merchant--"a man ofspotless character, and exalted reputation, whose name is held inreverence by many still living there. "

Mrs. Hoge was educated at the celebrated seminary of John Brewer, A. M. , (a graduate of Harvard University) who founded the first classicalschool for young ladies in Philadelphia, and which was distinguishedfrom all others, by the name of the Young Ladies' College. She graduatedwith the first rank in her class, and afterward devoting much attention, with the advantage of the best instruction, to music, and otheraccomplishments, she soon excelled in the former. At an early age shebecame a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, with which shestill retains her connection, her husband being a ruling elder in thesame church. 

In her twentieth year she was married to Mr. A. H. Hoge, a merchant ofPittsburg, Pennsylvania, where she resided fourteen years. At the end ofthat period she removed to Chicago, Illinois, where she has since dwelt. 

Mrs. Hoge has been the mother of thirteen children, five of whom havepassed away before her. One of these, the Rev. Thomas Hoge, was a youngman of rare endowments and promise. 

As before stated, from the very beginning of the war, Mrs. Hogeidentified herself with the interests of her country. Two of her sonsimmediately entered the army, and she at once commenced her unweariedpersonal services for the sick and wounded soldiers. 

At first she entered only into that work of supply in which so large aportion of the loyal women of the North labored more or lesscontinuously all through the war. But the first public act of her lifeas a Sanitary Agent, was to visit, at the request of the Chicago branchof the United States Sanitary Commission, the hospitals at Cairo, MoundCity and St. Louis. 

Of her visit to one of these hospitals she subsequently related thefollowing incidents:

"The first great hospital I visited was Mound City, twelve miles fromCairo. It contained twelve hundred beds, furnished with dainty sheets, and pillows and shirts, from the Sanitary Commission, and ornamentedwith boughs of fresh apple blossoms, placed there by tender femalenurses to refresh the languid frames of their mangled inmates. As I tookmy slow and solemn walk through this congregation of suffering humanity, I was arrested by the bright blue eyes, and pale but dimpled cheek, of aboy of nineteen summers. I perceived he was bandaged like a mummy, andcould not move a limb; but still he smiled. The nurse who accompanied mesaid, 'We call this boy our miracle. Five weeks ago, he was shot down atDonelson; both legs and arms shattered. To-day, with great care, he hasbeen turned for the first time, and never a murmur has escaped hislips, but grateful words and pleasant looks have cheered us. ' Said I tothe smiling boy, some absent mother's pride, 'How long did you lie onthe field after being shot?' 'From Saturday morning till Sundayevening, ' he replied, 'and then I was chopped out, for I had frozenfeet. ' 'How did it happen that you were left so long?' 'Why, you see, 'said he, 'they couldn't stop to bother with us, _because they had totake the fort_. ' 'But, ' said I, 'did you not feel 'twas cruel to leaveyou to suffer so long?' 'Of course not! how could they help it? _Theyhad to take the fort_, and when they did, we forgot our sufferings, andall over the battle-field went up cheers from the wounded, even from thedying. Men that had but one arm raised that, and voices so weak thatthey sounded like children's, helped to swell the sound. ' 'Did yousuffer much?' His brow contracted, as he said, 'I don't like to think ofthat; but never mind, the doctor tells me I won't lose an arm or a leg, and I'm going back to have another chance at them. There's one thing Ican't forget though, " said he, as his sunny brow grew dark, 'Jem and I(nodding at the boy in the adjoining cot) lived on our father'sneighboring farms in Illinois; we stood beside each other and felltogether. As he knows, we saw fearful sights that day. We saw poorwounded boys stripped of their clothing. They cut our's off, when everymovement was torture. When some resisted, they were pinned to the earthwith bayonets, and left writhing like worms, to die by inches. I can'tforgive the devils for that. ' 'I fear you've got more than you bargainedfor. ' 'Not a bit of it; we went in for better or worse, and if we gotworse, we must not complain. ' Thus talked the beardless boy, nine monthsonly from his mother's wing. As I spoke, a moan, a rare sound in ahospital, fell on my ear. I turned, and saw a French boy quivering withagony and crying for help. Alas! he had been wounded, driven severalmiles in an ambulance, with his feet projecting, had them frightfullyfrozen, and the surgeon had just decided the discolored, useless membersmust be amputated, and the poor boy was begging for the operation. Beside him, lay a stalwart man, with fine face, the fresh blood staininghis bandages, his dark, damp hair clustering round his marble forehead. He extended his hand feebly and essayed to speak, as I bent over him, but speech had failed him. He was just brought in from a gunboat, wherehe had been struck with a piece of shell, and was slipping silently butsurely into eternity. Two days afterward I visited Jefferson BarracksHospital. In passing through the wards, I noticed a woman seated besidethe cot of a youth, apparently dying. He was insensible to all around;she seemed no less so. Her face was bronzed and deeply lined with careand suffering. Her eyes were bent on the ground, her arms folded, herfeatures rigid as marble. I stood beside her, but she did not notice me. I laid my hand upon her shoulder, but she heeded me not. I said 'Is thisyoung man a relative of yours?' No answer came. 'Can't I help you?' Witha sudden start that electrified me, her dry eyes almost starting fromthe sockets and her voice husky with agony, she said, pointing herattenuated finger at the senseless boy, 'He is the last of sevensons--six have died in the army, and the doctor says he must dieto-night. ' The flash of life passed from her face as suddenly as itcame, her arms folded over her breast, she sank in her chair, and becameas before, the rigid impersonation of agony. As I passed through anotherhospital ward, I noticed a man whose dejected figure said plainly, 'hehad turned his face to the wall to die. ' His limb had been amputated, and he had just been told his doom. Human nature rebelled. He cried out, 'I am willing to die, if I could but see my wife and children oncemore. ' In the silence that followed this burst of agony, the low voiceof a noble woman, who gave her time and abundant means to the sick andwounded soldiers, was heard in prayer for him. The divine influenceovercame his struggling heart, and as she concluded, he said, 'Thy will, O God, be done!' ''Tis a privilege, even thus, to die for one'scountry. ' Before the midnight hour he was at rest. The vacant bed toldthe story next morning. "

The object of these visits was to examine those hospitals which wereunder the immediate supervision of the Branch, and report theircondition, also to investigate the excellent mode of working of thefinely conducted, and at that time numerous hospitals in St. Louis. Thisreport was made and acted upon, and was the means of introducing decidedand much needed reforms into similar institutions. 

The value of Mrs. Hoge's counsel, and the fruits of her great experienceof life were generally acknowledged. In the several councils of womenheld in Washington, she took a prominent part, and was always listenedto with the greatest respect and attention--not by any means lessenedafter her wide relations with the Sanitary Commission, and her specialexperience of its work, had become known in the following years. 

Mrs. Hoge was accompanied to Washington, when attending the Women'sCouncil in 1862, by her friend and fellow-laborer, Mrs. M. A. Livermore, of Chicago. After the return of these ladies they immediately commencedthe organization of the Northwest for sanitary labor, being appointedagents of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission, and devoting theirentire time to this work. 

They opened a correspondence with leading women in all the cities andprominent towns of the Northwest. They prepared and circulated greatnumbers of circulars, relating to the mode and necessity of theconcentrated efforts of the Aid Societies, and they visited in personvery many towns and large villages, calling together audiences of women, and telling them of the hardships, sufferings and heroism of thesoldiers, which they had themselves witnessed, and the pressing needs ofthese men, which were to be met by the supplies contributed by, and thework of loyal women of the North. They thus stimulated the enthusiasm ofthe women to the highest point, greatly increased the number of AidSocieties, and taught them how, by systematizing their efforts, theycould render the largest amount of assistance, as well as the mostimportant, to the objects of the Sanitary Commission. 

The eloquence and pathos of these appeals has never been surpassed; andit is no matter of wonder that they should have opened the hearts andpurses of so many thousands of the listeners. "But for these noblewarriors, " Mrs. Hoge would say, "who have stood a living wall between usand destruction, where would have been our schools, our colleges, ourchurches, our property, our government, our lives? Southern soil hasbeen watered with their blood, the Mississippi fringed with theirgraves, measured by acres instead of numbers. The shadow of death haspassed over almost every household, and left desolate hearth-stones andvacant chairs. Thousands of mothers, wives and sisters at home have diedand made no sign, while their loved ones have been hidden in Southernhospitals, prisons and graves--the separation, thank God, is short, theunion eternal. I have only a simple story of these martyred heroes totell you. I have been privileged to visit a hundred thousand of them inhospitals; meekly and cheerfully lying _there_, that you and I may beenabled to meet _here_, in peace and comfort to-day. 

"Could I, by the touch of a magician's wand, pass before you in solemnreview, this army of sufferers, you would say a tithe cannot be told. "

And then with simple and effective pathos she would proceed to tell ofincidents which she had witnessed, so touching, that long ere she hadconcluded her entire audience would be in tears. 

By two years of earnest and constant labor in this field, these ladiessucceeded in adding to the packages sent to the Sanitary Commission, fifty thousand, mostly gifts directly from the Aid Societies, but inpart purchased with money given. In addition to this, over four hundredthousand dollars came into the treasury through their efforts. 

Early in 1863, Mrs. Hoge, in company with Mrs. Colt of Milwaukee, at therequest of the Sanitary Commission, left Chicago for Vicksburg, with alarge quantity of sanitary stores. The defeat of Sherman in his assaultupon that city, had just taken place, and there was great want andsuffering in the army. The boat upon which these ladies were traveling, was however seized as a military transport at Columbus, and pressed intothe fleet of General Gorman, which was just starting for the forts atthe mouth of the White River. 

General Fisk, whose headquarters were upon the same boat, accorded tothese ladies the best accommodations, and every facility for carryingout their work, which proved to be greatly needed. Their stores werefound to be almost the only ones in the fleet, composed of thirtysteamers filled with fresh troops, whose ranks were soon thinned bysickness, consequent upon the exposures and fatigues of the campaign. 

Their boat became a refuge for the sick of General Fisk's brigade, tohis honor be it said, and these ladies had the privilege of nursinghundreds of men during this expedition, and undoubtedly saved manyvaluable lives. 

Early in the following spring, and only ten days after her return toChicago, from the expedition mentioned above, Mrs. Hoge was againsummoned to Vicksburg, opposite which, at Young's Point, the army underGeneral Grant was lying and engaged, among other operations against thiscelebrated stronghold, in the attempt to turn the course of the riverinto a canal dug across the point. Scurvy was prevailing to a veryconsiderable extent among the men, who were greatly in need of thesupplies which accompanied her. Here she remained two weeks, and had thepleasure of distributing these supplies, and witnessing much benefitfrom their use. Her headquarters were upon the sanitary boat, SilverWave, and she received constant support and aid from Generals Grant andSherman, and from Admiral Porter, who placed a tug boat at her disposal, in order that she might visit the camps and hospitals which weretotally inaccessible in any other way, owing to the impassable characterof the roads during the rainy season. Having made a tour of all thehospitals, and ascertained the condition of the sick, and of the armygenerally, she returned to the North, and reported to the SanitaryCommission the extent of that insidious army foe, the scurvy. Theydetermined to act promptly and vigorously. Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore, as representatives of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission, byunremitting exertions, through the press and by circulars, and aided bymembers of the Commission, and by the noble Board of Trade of Chicago, succeeded in collecting, and in sending to the army, in the course ofthree weeks, over one thousand bushels of potatoes and onions, whichreached them, were apportioned to them, and proved, as was anticipated, and has been universally acknowledged, the salvation of the troops. 

Again, in the following June, on the invitation of General Fuller, Adjutant-General of the State of Illinois, Mrs. Hoge visited Vicksburg, on the Steamer City of Alton, which was despatched by Governor Yates, tobring home the sick and wounded Illinois soldiers. She remained tillshortly before the surrender, which took place on the fourth of July, and during this time visited the entire circle of Hospitals, as well asthe rifle-pits, where she witnessed scenes of thrilling interest, andinstances of endurance and heroism beyond the power of pen to describe. 

She thus describes some of the incidents of this visit:

"The long and weary siege of Vicksburg, had continued many monthsprevious to the terrific assaults of our brave army on thefortifications in the rear of that rebel stronghold. On the 19th and 22dof May, were made those furious attacks, up steep acclivities, in theteeth of bristling fortifications, long lines of rifle-pits, andsharp-shooters who fringed the hill-tops, and poured their murderousfire into our advancing ranks. It would seem impossible that men couldstand, much less advance, under such a galling fire. They were moweddown as wheat before the sickle, but they faltered not. The vacantplaces of the fallen were instantly filled, and inch by inch they gainedthe heights of Vicksburg. When the precipice was too steep for thehorses to draw up the artillery, our brave boys did the work themselves, and then fought and conquered. When they had gained the topmost line ofrifle-pits, they entered in and took possession; and when I made my lastvisit to the Army of the Mississippi, there they were ensconced asconies in the rock, enduring the heat of a vertical sun, and crouching, like beasts of prey, to escape the rebel bullets from the earthworks, almost within touching distance. The fierce and bloody struggle hadfilled long lines of field-hospitals with mangled victims, whosesufferings were soothed and relieved beyond what I could have conceivedpossible, and it rejoiced my heart to see there the comforts andluxuries of the Sanitary Commission. The main body of the army layencamped in the valleys, at the foot of the rifle-pits, and spread itslines in a semi-circle to a distance of fourteen miles. The health ofthe army was perfect, its spirit jubilant. They talked of the rebels asprisoners, as though they were guarding them, and answered questionsimplying doubt of success, with a scornful laugh, saying, 'Why, the boysin the rear could whip Johnston, and we not know it; and we could takeVicksburg if we chose, and not disturb them. ' Each regiment, if not eachman, felt competent for the work. One glorious day in June, accompaniedby an officer of the 8th Missouri, I set out for the rifle-pits. When Ireached them, I found the heat stifling; and as I bent to avoid thewhizzing minies, and the falling branches of the trees, cut off by anoccasional shell, I felt that war was a terrible reality. The intenseexcitement of the scene, the manly, cheerful bearing of the veterans, the booming of the cannon from the battlements, and the heavy mortarsthat were ever and anon throwing their huge iron balls into Vicksburg, and the picturesque panorama of the army encamped below, obliterated allsense of personal danger or fatigue. After a friendly talk with the menin the extreme front, and a peep again and again through theloop-holes, watched and fired upon continually, by the wary foe, Idescended to the second ledge, where the sound of music reached us. Wefollowed it quickly, and in a few moments stood behind a rude litter ofboughs, on which lay a gray-haired soldier, face downward, with acomrade on either side. They did not perceive us, but sang on theclosing line of the verse:

 'Come humble sinner in whose breast A thousand thoughts revolve; Come with thy sins and fears oppressed, And make this last resolve, '

I joined in the second verse;

 'I'll go to Jesus, though my sins Have like a mountain rose, I know His courts, I'll enter in, Whatever may oppose. '

In an instant, each man turned and would have stopped, but I sang onwith moistened eyes, and they continued. At the close, one burst out, 'Why, ma'am, where did you come from? Did you drop from heaven intothese rifle-pits? You are the first lady we have seen here, ' and thenthe voice was choked with tears. I said, 'I have come from your friendsat home to see you, and bring messages of love and honor. I have come tobring you the comforts that we owe you, and love to give. I've come tosee if you receive what they send you. ' 'Do they think so much of us asthat? Why, boys, we can fight another year on that, can't we?' 'Yes!yes!' they cried, and almost every hand was raised to brush away thetears. 'Why, boys, ' said I, 'the women at home don't think of much elsebut the soldiers. If they meet to sew, 'tis for you; if they have a goodtime, 'tis to gather money for the Sanitary Commission; if they meet topray, 'tis for the soldiers; and even the little children, as they kneelat their mother's knees to lisp their good-night prayers, say, Godbless the soldiers. ' A crowd of eager listeners had gathered from theirhiding-places, as birds from the rocks. Instead of cheers as usual, Icould only hear an occasional sob and feel solemn silence. Thegray-haired veteran drew from his breast-pocket a daguerreotype, andsaid, 'Here are my wife and daughters. I think any man might be proud ofthem, and they all work for the soldiers. ' And then each man drew forththe inevitable daguerreotype, and held it for me to look at, with prideand affection. There were aged mothers and sober matrons, bright-eyedmaidens and laughing cherubs, all carried next these brave hearts, andcherished as life itself. Blessed art! It seems as though it were partof God's preparation work, for this long, cruel war. These mutememorials of home and its loved ones have proved the talisman of many atempted heart, and the solace of thousands of suffering, weary veterans. I had much to do, and prepared to leave. I said, 'Brave men, farewell!When I go home, I'll tell them that men that never flinch before a foe, sing hymns of praise in the rifle-pits of Vicksburg. I'll tell them thateyes that never weep for their own suffering, overflow at the name ofhome and the sight of the pictures of their wives and children. They'llfeel more than ever that such men cannot be conquered, and that enoughcannot be done for them. ' Three cheers for the women at home, and agrasp of multitudes of hard, honest hands, and I turned away to visitother regiments. The officer who was with me, grasped my hand; 'Madam, 'said he, 'promise me you'll visit my regiment to-morrow--'twould beworth a victory to them. You don't know what good a lady's visit to thearmy does. These men whom you have seen to-day, will talk of your visitfor six months to come. Around the camp fires, in the rifle-pits, in thedark nights or on the march, they will repeat your words, describe yourlooks, your voice, your size, your dress, and all agree in one respect, that you look like an angel, and exactly like each man's wife or mother. Such reverence have our soldiers for upright, tender-hearted women. Inthe valley beneath, just having exchanged the front line of rifle-pits, with the regiment now occupying it, encamped my son's regiment. Itsranks had been fearfully thinned by the terrible assaults of the 19thand 21st of May, as they had formed the right wing of the line of battleon that fearful day. I knew most of them personally, and as theygathered round me and inquired after home and friends, I could but lookin sadness for many familiar faces, to be seen no more on earth. I said, 'Boys, I was present when your colors were presented to you by the Boardof Trade. I heard your colonel pledge himself that you would bring thosecolors home or cover them with your blood, as well as glory. I want tosee them, if you have them still, after your many battles. ' With greatalacrity, the man in charge of them ran into an adjoining tent, andbrought them forth, carefully wrapped in an oil-silk covering. He drewit off and flung the folds to the breeze. 'What does this mean?' I said. 'How soiled and tattered, and rent and faded they look--I should notknow them. ' The man who held them said, 'Why, ma'am, 'twas the smoke andballs did that. ' 'Ah! so it must have been, ' I said. 'Well, you havecovered them with glory, but how about the blood!' A silence of a minutefollowed, and then a low voice said, 'Four were shot down holdingthem--two are dead, and two in the hospital. ' 'Verily, you have redeemedyour pledge, ' I said solemnly. 'Now, boys, sing Rally round the Flag, Boys!'--and they did sing it. As it echoed through the valley, as westood within sight of the green sward that had been reddened with theblood of those that had fought for and upheld it, methought the angelsmight pause to hear it, for it was a sacred song--the song of freedom tothe captive, of hope to the oppressed of all nations. Since then, itseems almost profane to sing it with thoughtlessness or frivolity. Aftera touching farewell, I stepped into the ambulance, surrounded by a crowdof the brave fellows. The last sound that reached my ears was cheers forthe Sanitary Commission, and the women at home. I soon reached theregimental hospital, where lay the wounded color-bearers. As I enteredthe tent, the surgeon met me and said, 'I'm so glad you've come, forR---- has been calling for you all day, ' As I took his parched, feverishhand, he said, 'Oh! take me home to my wife and little ones to die, 'There he lay, as noble a specimen of vigorous manhood as I had everlooked upon. His great, broad chest heaved with emotion, his dark eyeswere brilliant with fever, his cheeks flushed with almost the hue ofhealth, his rich brown hair clustering in soft curls over his massiveforehead, it was difficult to realize that he was entering the portalsof eternity. I walked across the tent to the doctor, and asked if hecould go with me. He shook his head, and said before midnight he wouldbe at rest. I shrank from his eager gaze as I approached him. 'What doeshe say?' he asked quickly. 'You can't be moved. ' The broad chest roseand fell, his whole frame quivered. There was a pause of a few minutes. He spoke first, and said, 'Will you take my message to her?' 'I will, ' Isaid, 'if I go five hundred miles to do it, ' 'Take her picture fromunder my pillow, and my children's also. Let me see it once more. ' As Iheld them for him, he looked earnestly, and then said, 'Tell her not tofret about me, for we shall meet in heaven. Tell her 'twas all rightthat I came. I don't regret it, and she must not. Tell her to trainthese two little boys, that we loved so well, to go to heaven to us, andtell her to bear my loss like a soldier's wife and a Christian. ' He wasexhausted by the effort. I sat beside him till his consciousness wasgone, repeating God's precious promises. As the sun went to rest thatnight, he slept in his Father's bosom. "

Early in January, 1864, another Council of women connected with theBranch Commissions, Aid Societies, and general work of Supply, assembledin Washington, and was in session three days. Mrs. Hoge, was again aDelegate, and in relating the results of her now very large experience, helped greatly the beneficial results of the Council, and harmonized allthe views and action of the various branches. As before, she waslistened to with deference and attention, and we find her name mentionedin the most appreciative manner in the Reports of the meeting. Herremarks in regard to the value of free use of the Press, and ofadvertising, in the collection of supplies for the Army, stimulated theCommission to renewed effort in this direction, which they had partiallyabandoned under the censorious criticism of some portion of the public, who believed the money thus expended to be literally thrown away. Theresult was, instead, a very large increase of supplies. 

In the two great Sanitary Fairs, which were held in Chicago, the effortsof Mrs. Hoge were unwearied from the inception of the idea until theclose of the successful realization. Much of this success may bedirectly traced to her--her practical talent, great experience ininfluencing the minds and action of others, and sound judgment, as wellas good taste, producing thus their natural results. The admirableconduct of these fairs, and the large amounts raised by them, arematters of history. 

In an address delivered at a meeting of ladies in Brooklyn, New York, inMarch, 1865, Mrs. Hoge thus spoke of her work and that of the women, wholike her, had given themselves to the duty of endeavoring to provide forthe sick and suffering soldier:

"The women of the land, with swelling hearts and uplifted eyes asked'Lord, what wilt thou have us to do?' The marvellous organization of theUnited States Sanitary Commission, with its various modes of heavenlyactivity, pointed out the way, saying 'The men must fight, the womenmust work, this is the way, follow me. ' In accepting this call, therehas been no reservation. Duty has been taken up, in whatever shapepresented, nothing refused that would soothe a sorrow, staunch a wound, or heal the sickness of the humblest soldier in the ranks. Some havedrifted into positions entirely new and heretofore avoided. They havegone forth from the bosom of their families, to visit hospitals, camps, and battle-fields; some even to appear as we do before you to-day, toplead for aid for our sick and wounded soldiers suffering and dying thatwe may live. The memory of their heroism is inspiring--the recollectionof their patience and long-suffering is overwhelming. They form the moststriking human exemplification of divine meekness and submission, theworld has ever seen, and bring to mind continually the passage, 'He isbrought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearersis dumb, so he opened not his mouth. '"

During the continuance of her labors, Mrs. Hoge was frequently therecipient of costly and elegant gifts, as testimonials of the respectand gratitude with which her exertions were viewed. 

After a visit to the Ladies' Aid Society, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, she was presented by them with a testimonial, beautifully engrossed uponparchment, surmounted by an exquisitely painted Union flag. 

The managers of the Philadelphia Fair, believing Mrs. Hoge to have hadan important connection with that fair, presented to her a beautifulgift, in token of their appreciation of her services. 

The Women's Relief Association, of Brooklyn, New York, presented her anelegant silver vase. 

During the second Sanitary Fair in Chicago, a few friends presented herwith a beautiful silver cup, bearing a suitable inscription in Latin, and during the same fair, she received as a gift a Roman bell of greenbronze, or verd antique, of rare workmanship, and value, as an object ofart. 

Mrs. Hoge made three expeditions to the Army of the Southwest, andpersonally visited and ministered to more than one hundred thousand menin hospitals. Few among the many efficient workers, which the war calledfrom the ease and retirement of home, can submit to the public a recordof labors as efficient, varied, and long-continued, as hers. 

[Illustration: MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE. 

Few of the busy and active laborers in the broad field of woman's effortduring the war, have been more widely or favorably known than Mrs. Livermore. Her labors, with her pen, commenced with the commencement ofthe war; and in various spheres of effort, were faithfully andenergetically given to the cause of the soldier and humanity, until ahard-won peace had once more "perched upon our banners, " and the need ofthem, at least in that specific direction, no longer existed. 

Mrs. Livermore is a native of Boston, where her childhood and girlhoodwere passed. At fourteen years of age she was a medal scholar of the"Hancock School, " of that city, and three years later, she graduatedfrom the "Charlestown (Mass. ), Female Seminary, " when she becameconnected with its Board of Instruction, as Teacher of Latin, French andItalian. With the exception of two years spent in the south ofVirginia, --whence she returned an uncompromising anti-slavery woman--herhome was in Boston until her marriage, to Rev. D. P. Livermore, afterwhich she resided in its near vicinity, until twelve years ago, whenwith her husband and children she removed West. For the last ten yearsshe has been a resident of Chicago. Her husband is now editor of the_New Covenant_, a paper published in Chicago, Illinois, in advocacy ofUniversalist sentiments, and, at the same time, of those measures ofreform, which tend to elevate and purify erring and sinful humannature. Of this paper Mrs. Livermore is associate editor. 

Mrs. Livermore is a woman of remarkable talent, and in certaindirections even of genius, as the history of her labors in connectionwith the war amply evinces. Her energy is great, and her executiveability far beyond the average. She is an able writer, striking andpicturesque in description, and strong and touching in appeal. She has afine command of language, and in her conversation or her addresses toassemblies of ladies, one may at once detect the tone and ease of mannerof a woman trained to pencraft. She is the author of several books, mostly poems, essays or stories, and is recognized as a member of theliterary guild. The columns of her husband's paper furnished her theopportunity she desired of addressing her patriotic appeals to thecommunity, and her vigorous pen was ever at work both in its columns, and those of the other papers that were open to her. During the wholewar, even in the busiest times, not a week was passed that she did notpublish _somewhere_ two or three columns at the least. Letters, incidents, appeals, editorial correspondence, --always something useful, interesting--head and hands were always busy, and the small implement, "mightier than the sword" was never allowed to rust unused in theink-stand. 

Before us, as we write, lies an article published in the New Covenant ofMay 18th, 1861, and as we see written scarcely a month after thedownfall of Fort Sumter. It is entitled "Woman and the War, " and showshow, even at that early day, the patriotism of American women wasbearing fruit, and how keenly and sensitively the writer appreciated ourperil. 

"But no less have we been surprised and moved to admiration by theregeneration of the women of our land. A month ago, and we saw a largeclass, aspiring only to be 'leaders of fashion, ' and belles of theball-room, their deepest anxiety clustering about the fear that thegored skirts, and bell-shaped hoops of the spring mode might not bebecoming, and their highest happiness being found in shopping, polking, and the schottisch--pretty, petted, useless, expensive butterflies, whose future husbands and children were to be pitied and prayed for. Butto-day, we find them lopping off superfluities, retrenchingexpenditures, deaf to the calls of pleasure, or the mandates of fashion, swept by the incoming patriotism of the time to the loftiest height ofwomanhood, willing to do, to bear, or to suffer for the beloved country. The riven fetters of caste and conventionality have dropped at theirfeet, and they sit together, patrician and plebeian, Catholic andProtestant, and make garments for the poorly-clad soldiery. An ordercame to Boston for five thousand shirts for the Massachusetts troops atthe South. Every church in the city sent a delegation of needle-women to'Union Hall, ' a former aristocratic ball-room of Boston; the Catholicpriest detailed five hundred sewing-girls to the pious work; suburbantowns rang the bell to muster the seamstresses; the patrician Protestantof Beacon Street ran the sewing-machine, while the plebeian IrishCatholic of Broad Street basted--and the shirts were done at the rate ofa thousand a day. On Thursday, Miss Dix sent an order for five hundredshirts for the hospital at Washington--on Friday they were ready. Andthis is but one instance, in one city, similar events transpiring inevery other large city. 

"But the patriotism of the Northern women has been developed in a noblerand more touching manner. We can easily understand how men, catching thecontagion of war, fired with enthusiasm, led on by the inspiritingtrains of martial music, and feeling their quarrel to be just, can marchto the cannon's mouth, where the iron hail rains thickest, and the ranksare mowed down like grain in harvest. But for women to send forth theirhusbands, sons and brothers to the horrid chances of war, bidding themgo with many a tearful 'good-by' and 'God bless you, ' to see them, perhaps, no more--this calls for another sort of heroism. Only women canunderstand the fierce struggle, and exquisite suffering this sacrificeinvolves--and which has already been made by thousands. "

The inception of that noble work, and noble monument of Americanpatriotism, the United States Sanitary Commission, had its date in theearly days of the war. We find in all the editorial writings of Mrs. Livermore, for the year 1861, constant warm allusions to thisorganization and its work, which show how strongly it commended itselfto her judgment, how deeply she was interested in its workings, and howher heart was stirred by an almost uncontrollable impulse to becomeactively engaged with all her powers in the work. 

In the New Covenant for December 18, 1861, we find over the signature ofMrs. Livermore, an earnest appeal to the women of the Northwest for aid, in furnishing Hospital supplies for the army. A "Sanitary Committee, "had been formed in Chicago, to co-operate with the United StatesSanitary Commission, which had opened an office, and was prepared toreceive and forward supplies. These were designed to be sent, almostexclusively, to Western hospitals, and a Soldiers' Festival was at thattime being held for the purpose of collecting aid, and raising funds forthis Committee, to use in its charitable work. 

This Committee did not long preserve a separate existence. About thebeginning of the year 1862, the Northwestern branch of the United StatesSanitary Commission was organized at Chicago, composed of some of theleading and most influential citizens of that city, and others in theNorthwestern States. It at once became a power in the land, aninstrument of almost incalculable good. 

Soon afterward, Mrs. Livermore, and Mrs. A. H. Hoge, one of the mostearnest, able and indefatigable of the women working in connection withthe Sanitary Commission, and a resident of Chicago, were appointedagents of the Northwestern Commission, and immediately commenced theirlabors. 

The writer is not aware that a complete and separate sketch of eitherthe joint or individual labors of these ladies exists. For the outlineof those of Mrs. Livermore, dependence is mostly made upon hercommunications to the New Covenant, and other Journals--upon articlesnot written with the design of furnishing information of personaleffort, so much, as to give such statements of the soldier's need, andof the various efforts in that direction, as together with appeals, andexhortations to renewed benevolence and sacrifice, might best keep thepublic mind constantly stimulated and excited to fresh endeavor. 

Running through these papers, we find everywhere evidences of theintense loyalty of this gifted woman, and also of the deep and equallyoutspoken scorn with which she regarded every evidence of treasonableopinion, or of sympathy with secession, on the part of army leaders, orthe civil authorities. The reader will remember the repulse experiencedin the winter of 1861-2, by the Hutchinsons, those sweet singers, whose"voices have ever been heard chanting the songs of Freedom--alwayslifted in harmonious accord in support of every good and noble cause. "Mrs. Livermore's spirit was stirred by the story of their wrongs, andthus in keenest sarcasm, she gave utterance to her scorn of this weakand foolish deed of military tyrants encamping a winter through, beforeempty forts and Quaker guns, while they ventured only to make war upongirls: "While the whole country has been waiting in breathless suspensefor six months, each one of which has seemed an eternity to the loyalpeople of the North, for the 'grand forward movement' of the army, whichis to cut the Gordian knot of the rebellion, and perform unspeakableprodigies, not lawful for man to utter, a backward movement has beenexecuted on the banks of the Potomac, by the valiant commanders therestationed, for which none of us were prepared. No person, even thoughhis imagination possessed a seven-leagued-boot-power of travel, couldhave anticipated the last great exploit of our generals, whose energiesthus far, have been devoted to the achieving of a 'masterly inactivity. 'The 'forward movement' has receded and receded, like the cup ofTantalus, but the backward movement came suddenly upon us, like a thiefin the night. "

"The Hutchinson family, than whom no sweeter songsters gladden thissorrow-darkened world, have been singing in Washington, to thePresident, and to immense audiences, everywhere giving unmixed delight. Week before last they obtained a pass to the camps the other side of thePotomac, with the laudable purpose of spending a month among them, cheering the hearts of the soldiers, and enlivening the monotonous andbarren camp life with their sweet melody. But they ventured to sing apatriotic song--a beautiful song of Whittier's, which gave offense to afew semi-secessionists among the officers of the army, for which theywere severely reprimanded by Generals Franklin and Kearny, their passrevoked by General McClellan, and they driven back to Washington. Abackward movement was ordered instanter, and no sooner ordered, thanexecuted. Brave Franklin! heroic Kearny! victorious McClellan! why didye not order a Te Deum on the occasion of this great victory over a bandof Vermont minstrels, half of whom were--girls! How must the hearts ofthe illustrious West-Pointers have pit-a-patted with joy, and dilatedwith triumph, as they saw the Hutchinson troupe--Asa B. , and Lizzie C. , little Dennett and Freddy, _naive_ Viola, melodeon and all--scamperingback through the mud, bowed beneath the weight of their militarydispleasure! Per contra to this expulsion, be it remembered that itoccurred within sight of the residence of a family, in which there aresome five or six young ladies, who, it is alleged, have been promised"passes" to go South whenever they are disposed to do so, --carrying, ofcourse, all the information they can for the enemy. The bands of theregiments are also sent to serenade them, and on these occasions ordersare given _to suppress the national airs_, as being offensive to thesetraitors in crinoline. "

During the year 1862, Mrs. Livermore, besides the constant flow ofcommunications from her pen, visited the army at various points, and incompany with her friend, Mrs. Hoge, travelled over the Northwesternstates, organizing numerous Aid Societies among the women of thosestates, who were found everywhere anxious for the privilege of workingfor the soldiers, and only desirous of knowing how best to accomplishthis purpose, and through what channel they might best forward theirbenefactions. 

In December of that year, the Sanitary Commission called a council, orconvention of its members and branches at Washington, desiring thatevery Branch Commission in the North should be represented by at leasttwo ladies thoroughly acquainted with its workings, who had beenconnected with it from the first. Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Livermore wereappointed by the Chicago Branch. 

They accordingly proceeded to Washington--a long and arduous journey inmid winter, but these were not women to grudge toil or sacrifice, nor toshrink from duty. 

Both these ladies had laid their talents upon the altar of the cause inwhich they were engaged, and both felt the pressing necessity at thattime of a determined effort to relieve the frightful existing need. Sanitary supplies were decidedly on the decrease, while the demand fortheir increase was most piteously pressing. There was a strong call forthe coming "council" of friends. 

There were hindrances and delays. Delay at starting, in taking aregiment on board the cars, necessitating other delays, and waiting fortrains on time through the whole distance. 

The days spent in Washington were filled with good deeds, and a thousandincidents all connected in some way with the great work. Of the resultsof that council, the public was long since informed, and few who wereinterested in the work, did not learn to appreciate the more earnestlabor, the greater sacrifice and self-devotion which soon spread from itthrough the country. Spirits, self-consecrated to so holy a work, couldscarcely meet without the kindling of a flame that should spread allover the country, till every tender woman's heart, in all the land, hadbeen touched by it, to the accomplishment of greater and brighter deeds. 

While in Washington, Mrs. Livermore spent a day at the camp nearAlexandria, set apart for convalescents from the hospitals, and known as"Camp Misery. " The suffering there, as we have already stated in thesketch of Miss Amy M. Bradley's labors, was terrible from insufficientfood, clothing and fuel, from want of drainage, and many other causes, any one of which might well have proved fatal to the feeble sufferersthere crowded together. The pen of Mrs. Livermore carried the story ofthese wrongs all around the land. While she was in Washington, eighteenhalf sick soldiers died at the camp in one night, from cold andstarvation. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, " andthe blood of these soaking into the soil where dwelt patriotic, warm-souled men and women, presently produced a noble growth andfruitage of charity, and sacrifice, and blessed deeds. 

Mrs. Livermore has given her impressions of the President, gained from avisit made to the White House during this stay. She was one capablefully of appreciating the noble, simple, yet lofty nature of AbrahamLincoln. 

Early in this year, Mrs. Livermore made a tour of the hospitals andmilitary posts scattered along the Mississippi river. She was everywherea messenger of good tidings. Sanitary supplies and cheering words seemto have been always about equally appreciated among the troops. Volunteers, fresh from home, and the quiet comfort of domestic life, willing to fight, and if need be die for the glorious idea of freedom, they yet had no thought of war as a profession. It was a sad, sternincident in their lives, but not the life they longed for, or meant tofollow. Anything that was like home, the sight of a woman's face, or thesound of her voice, and all the sordid hardness of their present lives, all the martial pageantry faded away, and they remembered only that theywere sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. Everywhere her reception wasa kind, a respectful, and even a grateful one. 

There was much sickness among the troops, and the fearful ravages ofscurvy and the deadly malaria of the swamps and bottom-lands along thegreat river were enemies far more to be dreaded than the thunder ofartillery, or the hurtling shells. 

During this trip she found in the hospitals, at St. Louis, andelsewhere, large numbers of female nurses, and ladies who hadvolunteered to perform these services temporarily. The surgeons were atthat time, almost without exception, opposed to their being employed inthe hospitals, though their services were afterwards, as the needincreased, greatly desired and warmly welcomed. For these she soonsucceeded in finding opportunities for rendering the service which theydesired to the sick and wounded. 

Were it possible in the space allowed for this sketch, to give a titheof the incidents which came under the eyes of Mrs. Livermore, or even asmall portion of her observations in steamer, train, or hospital, someidea of the magnitude and importance of her work might be gained. Butthis we cannot do, and must content ourselves with this partial allusionto her constant and indefatigable labors. 

The premonitory symptoms of scurvy in the camps around Vicksburg, andits actual existence in many cases in the hospitals, so aroused thesympathies of Mrs. Livermore and Mrs. Hoge, on a second visit to thesecamps, that after warning General Grant of the danger which his medicaldirectors had previously concealed from him, these two ladies hastenedup the river, and by their earnest appeals and their stirring andeloquent circulars asking for onions, potatoes, and other vegetables, they soon awakened such an interest, that within three weeks, over athousand bushels of potatoes and onions were forwarded to the army, andby their timely distribution saved it from imminent peril. 

In the autumn of 1863, the great Northwestern Sanitary Fair, the firstof that series of similar fairs which united the North in a bond oflarge and wide-spread charity, occurred. It was Mrs. Livermore whosuggested and planned the first fair, which netted almost one hundredthousand dollars to the Sanitary Commission. Mrs. Hoge, had at first, noconfidence in the project, but she afterward joined it, and giving ither earnest aid, helped to carry it to a successful conclusion. It wasindeed a giant plan, and it may be chiefly credited, from its inceptionto its fortunate close, to these indefatigable and skilful workers. Thewriter of this sketch was present at the convention of women of theNorthwest called to meet at Chicago, and consider the feasibility of theproject, and was forcibly impressed with the great and real power, theconcentrated moral force, contained in that meeting, and left its doorswithout one doubt of the complete and ultimate success of the plandiscussed. Mrs. Livermore held there a commanding position. A brilliantand earnest speaker, her words seemed to sway the attentive throng. Hercommanding person, added to the power of her words. Gathered upon theplatform of Bryan Hall, were Mrs. Hoge, Mrs. Colt, of Milwaukee, andmany more, perhaps less widely known, but bearing upon their faces andin their attitudes, the impress of cultured minds, and an earnest activeresolve to do, which seemed to insure success. Mrs. Livermore, seatedbelow the platform, from time to time passed among the crowd, and hersuggestions whether quietly made to individuals, or given in her clearringing voice, and well selected language to the convention, wereeverywhere received with respect and deference. As all know, this fairwhich was about three months in course of preparation, was on a mammothscale, and was a great success, and this result was no doubt greatlyowing to the presence of that quality, which like every born leader, Mrs. Livermore evidently possesses--that of knowing how to selectjudiciously, the subordinates and instruments to be employed to carryout the plans which have originated in her mind. 

When this fair had been brought to a successful close, Mrs. Livermorereturned to the particular work of her agency. When not traveling on thebusiness connected with it, she spent many busy days at the rooms of theCommission in Chicago. The history of some of those days she haswritten--a history full of pathos and illuminated with scores ofexamples of noble and worthy deeds--of the sacrifices of hard-workedbusy women for the soldiers--of tender self-sacrificing wives concealingpoverty and sorrow, and swallowing bitter tears, and whispering no wordof sorrows hard to bear, that the husband, far away fighting for hiscountry, might never know of their sufferings; of the small butfervently offered alms of little children, of the anguish of parentswaiting the arrival through this channel of tidings of their wounded ortheir dead; of heroic nurses going forth to their sad labors in thehospitals, with their lives in their hands, or returning in theircoffins, or with broken health, the sole reward, beside the soldiers'thanks, for all their devotion. 

Journey after journey Mrs. Livermore made, during the next two years, inpursuance of her mission, till her name and person were familiar notonly in the camps and hospitals of the great West, but in the assembliesof patriotic women in the Eastern and Middle States. And all the timethe tireless pen paused not in its blessed work. 

In the spring of 1865, another fair was in contemplation. As before, Mrs. Livermore visited the Eastern cities, for the purpose of obtainingaid in her project, and as before was most successful. 

In pursuance of this object, she made a flying visit to Washington, herchief purpose being to induce the President to attend the fair, and addthe éclat of his presence and that of Mrs. Lincoln, to the brilliantoccasion. An account of her interview with him whom she was never againto see in life, which, with her impressions of his character, we gainfrom her correspondence with the New Covenant, is appended. 

"Our first effort was to obtain an interview with the President andMrs. Lincoln--and this, by the way, is usually the first effort of allnew comers. We were deputized to invite our Chief Magistrate to attendthe great Northwestern Fair, to be held in May--and this was our errand. With the escort of a Senator, who takes precedence of all othervisitors, it is very easy to obtain an interview with the President, andas we were favored in this respect, we were ushered into the audiencechamber without much delay. The President received us kindly, as he doesall who approach him. He was already apprised of the fair, and spoke ofit with much interest, and with a desire to attend it. He gave us a mostlaughable account of his visit to the Philadelphia Fair, when, as heexpressed it, 'for two miles it was all people, where it wasn't houses, 'and where 'he actually feared he should be pulled from the carriagewindows. ' We notified him that he must be prepared for a still greatercrowd in Chicago, as the whole Northwest would come out to shake handswith him, and told him that a petition for his attendance at the fair, was in circulation, that would be signed by ten thousand women ofChicago. 'But, ' said he, 'what do you suppose my wife will say, at tenthousand ladies coming after me in that style?' We assured him that theinvitation included Mrs. Lincoln also, when he laughed heartily, andpromised attendance, if State duties did not absolutely forbid. 'Itwould be wearisome, ' he said, 'but it would gratify the people of theNorthwest, and so he would try to come--and he thought by that time, circumstances would permit his undertaking a short tour West. ' This wasall that we could ask, or expect. 

"We remained for some time, watching the crowds that surged through thespacious apartments, and the President's reception of them. Where theyentered the room indifferently, and gazed at him as if he were a part ofthe furniture, or gave him simply a mechanical nod of the head, heallowed them to pass on, as they elected. But where he was met by a warmgrasp of the hand, a look of genuine friendliness, of gratefulrecognition or of tearful tenderness, the President's look and manneranswered the expression entirely. To the lowly and the humble he wasespecially kind; his worn face took on a look of exquisite tenderness, as he shook hands with soldiers who carried an empty coat sleeve, orswung themselves on crutches; and not a child was allowed to pass him bywithout a kind word from him. A bright boy, about the size and age ofthe son he had buried, was going directly by, without appearing even tosee the President. 'Stop, my little man, ' said Mr. Lincoln, laying hishand on his shoulder, 'aren't you going to speak to me?' And stoopingdown, he took the child's hands in his own, and looked lovingly in hisface, chatting with him for some moments. "

The plans of Mrs. Livermore in regard to the fair were carried out--withone sad exception. It was a much greater success pecuniarily than thefirst. And the war was over, and it was the last time that woundedsoldiers would call for aid. But alas! the great and good man whosepresence she had coveted lay cold in death! She had promised him "daysof rest" when he should come, and long ere then, he had entered hiseternal rest, and all that remained of him had been carried throughthose streets, decked in mourning. 

Like her friend, Mrs. Hoge, Mrs. Livermore was cheered during her laborsby testimonials of appreciation from her co-laborers, and of gratitudefrom the brave men for whom she toiled. An exquisite silver vase wassent her by the Women's Relief Association, of Brooklyn, the counterpartof that sent Mrs. Hoge at the same time. From her co-workers in the lastSanitary Fair, she also received a gold-lined silver goblet, and averd-antique Roman bell--the former bearing this complimentaryinscription, "_Poculum qui meruit fuit_. " But the gifts most prized byher are the comparatively inexpensive testimonials made by the soldiersto whom she ministered. At one time she rejoiced in the possession offourteen photograph albums, in every style of binding, each oneemblazoned with a frontispiece of the maimed or emaciated soldier whogave it. 

GENERAL AID SOCIETY FOR THE ARMY, BUFFALO. 

This Society, a Branch of the Sanitary Commission, was organized in thesummer of 1862, and became one of the Branches of the Commission in theautumn of 1862, had eventually for its field of operations, the WesternCounties of New York, a few counties in Pennsylvania and Michigan, andreceived also occasional supplies from one or two of the border countiesin Ohio, and from individuals in Canada West. 

Its first President was Mrs. Joseph E. Follett, a lady of great tact andexecutive ability, who in 1862, resigned, in consequence of the removalof her husband to Minnesota. Mrs. Horatio Seymour, the wife of aprominent business man of Buffalo, was chosen to succeed Mrs. Follett, and developed in the performance of her duties, abilities as a manager, of the highest order. Through her efforts, ably seconded as they were byMiss Babcock and Miss Bird, the Secretaries of the Society, the wholefield was thoroughly organized, and brought up to its highest conditionof efficiency, and kept there through the whole period of the war. 

A friendly rivalry was maintained between this branch and the Soldiers'Aid Society of Northern Ohio, and the perfect system and order withwhich both were conducted, the eloquent appeals and the stirringaddresses by which both kept their auxiliaries up to their work, andthe grand and noble results accomplished by each, are worthy of allpraise. In this, as in the Cleveland Society, the only paid officer wasthe porter. All the rest served, the President and Secretaries daily, the cutters, packers, and others, on alternate days, or at timessemi-weekly, without fee or compensation. Arduous as their duties were, and far as they were from any romantic idea of heroism, or of notablepersonal service to the cause, these noble, patient, and really heroicwomen, rejoiced in the thought that by their labors they were indirectlyaccomplishing a good work in furnishing the means of comfort and healingto thousands of the soldiers, who, but for their labors would haveperished from sickness or wounds, but through their care and thesupplies they provided, were restored again to the ranks, and enabled torender excellent service in putting down the Rebellion. 

In her closing report, Mrs. Seymour says:

"We have sent nearly three thousand packages to Louisville, and sixhundred and twenty-five to New York. We have cut and provided materialsat our rooms, for over twenty thousand suits, and other articles for thearmy, amounting in all to more than two hundred thousand pieces. Littlechildren, mostly girls under twelve years of age, have given us overtwenty-five hundred dollars. "

Like all the earnest workers of this class, Mrs. Seymour expresses thehighest admiration for what was done by those nameless heroines, "thepatriot workers in quiet country homes, who with self-sacrifice rarelyequalled, gave their best spare-room linen and blankets, their choicestdried fruits, wines and pickles, --and in all seasons met to sew for thesoldiers, or went about from house to house to collect the supplies tofill the box which came regularly once a month. " Almost every woman whotoiled thus, had a family whose sole care depended upon her, and many ofthem had dairies or other farm-work to occupy their attention, yet theyrarely or never failed to have the monthly box filled and forwardedpromptly. We agree with Mrs. Seymour in our estimate of the noblenessand self-sacrificing spirit manifested by these women; but the patrioticand self-denying heroines of the war were not in country villages, ruralhamlets, and isolated farms alone; those ladies who for their love tothe national cause, left their homes daily and toiled steadily andpatiently through the long years of the war, in summer's heat andwinter's cold, voluntarily secluding themselves from the society andsocial position they were so well fitted to adorn, and in which they hadbeen the bright particular stars, these too, for the great love theybore to their country should receive its honors and its heartfeltthanks. 

MICHIGAN SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY

Few of the States of the Northwest, patriotic as they all were, presentas noble a record as Michigan. Isolated by its position from anyimmediate peril from the rebel forces, (unless we reckon theirthreatened raids from Canada, in the last year of the War), its loyaland Union-loving citizens volunteered with a promptness, and fought witha courage surpassed by no troops in the Armies of the Republic. Theywere sustained in their patriotic sacrifices by an admirable homeinfluence. The successive Governors of the State, during the war, itsSenators and Representatives in Congress, and its prominent citizens athome, all contributed their full share toward keeping up the fervor ofthe brave soldiers in the field. Nor were the women of the Stateinferior to the other sex in zeal and self-sacrifice. The services ofMrs. Annie Etheridge, and of Bridget Divers, as nurses in thefield-hospitals, and under fire are elsewhere recorded in this volume. Others were equally faithful and zealous, who will permit no account oftheir labors of love to be given to the public. There were from an earlyperiod of the war two organizations in the State, which together withthe Northwestern Sanitary Commission, received and forwarded thesupplies contributed throughout the State for the soldiers to the greatdepôts of distribution at Louisville, St. Louis, and New York. Thesewere "The Soldiers' Relief Committee, " and the Soldiers' Aid Society ofDetroit. There were also State agencies at Washington and New York, wellmanaged, and which rendered early in the war great services to theMichigan troops. The Soldiers' Aid Society of Detroit, though actinginformally previously, was formally organized in November, 1862, withMrs. John Palmer, as President, and Miss Valeria Campbell, asCorresponding Secretary. In the summer of 1863, the Society changed itsname to "The Michigan Soldiers' Aid Society, " and the Soldiers' ReliefCommittee, having been merged in it, became the Michigan Branch of theSanitary Commission, and addressed itself earnestly to the work ofcollecting and increasing the supplies gathered in all parts of theState, and sending them to the depôts of the Commission at Louisvilleand New York, or directly to the front when necessary. At the time ofthis change, Hon. John Owen, one of the Associate members of theSanitary Commission, was chosen President, B. Vernor, Esq. , Hon. JamesV. Campbell, and P. E. Demill, Esq. , also Associates of the Commission, Miss S. A. Sibley, Mrs. H. L. Chipman, and Mrs. N. Adams, were electedVice Presidents, and Miss Valeria Campbell, continued in the position ofRecording Secretary, while the venerable Dr. Zina Pitcher, one of theconstituent members of the Sanitary Commission was their counsellor andadviser. 

Of this organization, Miss Campbell was the soul. Untiring in herefforts, systematic and methodical in her work, a writer of great powerand eloquence, and as patriotic and devoted as any of those who servedin the hospitals, or among the wounded men on the battle-field, sheaccomplished an amount of labor which few could have undertaken withsuccess. The correspondence with all the auxiliaries, the formation ofnew Societies, and Alert clubs in the towns and villages of the State, the constant preparation and distribution of circulars and bulletins tostimulate the small societies to steady and persistent effort, thecorrespondence with the Western Office at Louisville, and the sendingthither invoices of the goods shipped, and of the monthly accounts ofthe branch, these together, formed an amount of work which would haveappalled any but the most energetic and systematic of women. In herlabors, Miss Campbell received great and valuable assistance from Mrs. N. Adams, one of the Vice Presidents, Mrs. Brent, Mrs. Sabine, Mrs. Luther B. Willard, and Mrs. C. E. Russell. The two last named ladies, not satisfied with working for the soldiers at home, went to the armyand distributed their supplies in person, and won the regard of thesoldiers by their faithfulness and zeal. 

In the year ending November 1st, 1864, one thousand two hundred andthirty-five boxes, barrels, etc. , were sent from this branch to theArmy, besides a large amount supplied to the Military Hospitals inDetroit, nearly six thousand dollars in money was raised, besides nearlytwo thousand dollars toward a Soldiers' Home, which was establishedduring the year, and furnished forty-two thousand seven hundred andeighty-five meals, and fourteen thousand three hundred and ninety-ninelodgings to five thousand five hundred and ninety-nine soldiers fromeight different States. In the organization of this Home, as well as inproviding for the families of the soldiers, Miss Campbell was, as usual, the leading spirit. In both the Fairs held at Chicago, September, 1863, and June, 1865, the Michigan Branch of the Sanitary Commission, renderedessential service. Their receipts from the second Fair, were thirteenthousand three hundred and eighty-four dollars and fifty-eight centsless three thousand one hundred and thirty-seven dollars and sixty-fivecents expenses, and this balance was expended in the maintenance of theSoldiers' Home, and caring for such of the sick and disabled men as werenot provided for in the Hospitals. Of the aggregate amount contributedby this branch to the relief of the soldiers in money and supplies, wecannot as yet obtain a detailed estimate. We only know that it exceededthree hundred thousand dollars. 

WOMEN'S PENNSYLVANIA BRANCH OF U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. 

Philadelphia was distinguished throughout the war by the intense andearnest loyalty and patriotism of its citizens, and especially of itswomen. No other city furnished so many faithful workers in thehospitals, the Refreshment Saloons, the Soldiers' Homes andReading-rooms, and no other was half so well represented in the field, camp, and general hospitals at the "front. " Sick and wounded soldiersbegan to arrive in Philadelphia very early in the war, and hospitalafter hospital was opened for their reception until in 1863-4, therewere in the city and county twenty-six military hospitals, many of themof great extent. To all of these, the women of Philadelphia ministeredmost generously and devotedly, so arranging their labors that to eachhospital there was a committee, some of whose members visited its wardsdaily, and prepared and distributed the special diet and such delicaciesas the surgeons allowed. But as the war progressed, these patrioticwomen felt that they ought to do more for the soldiers, than simply tominister to those of them who were in the hospitals of the city. Theywere sending to the active agents in the field, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Husband, Mrs. Lee, and others large quantities of stores; the "Ladies'Aid Association, " organized in April, 1861, enlisted the energies of oneclass, the Penn Relief Association, quietly established by the Friends, had not long after, furnished an outlet for the overflowing sympathiesand kindness of the followers of George Fox and William Penn; and "theSoldiers' Aid Association, " whose president, Mrs. Mary A. Brady, represented it so ably in the field, until her incessant labors andhardships brought on disease of the heart, and in May, 1864, ended heractive and useful life, had rallied around it a corps of noble andfaithful workers. But there were yet hundreds, aye, thousands, who feltthat they must do more than they were doing for the soldiers. Theorganizations we have named, though having a considerable number ofauxiliaries in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, did not by anymeans cover the whole ground, and none of them were acting to anyconsiderable extent through the Sanitary Commission which had beenrapidly approving itself as the most efficient and satisfactory agencyfor the distribution of supplies to the army. In the winter of 1862-3those friends of the soldier, not as yet actively connected with eitherof the three associations we have named, assembled at the Academy ofMusic, and after an address from Rev. Dr. Bellows, organized themselvesas the Women's Pennsylvania Branch of the Sanitary Commission, and withgreat unanimity elected Mrs. Maria C. Grier as their President, and Mrs. Clara J. Moore, Corresponding Secretary. Wiser or more appropriateselections could not have been made. They were unquestionably, "theright women in the right place. " Our readers will pardon us forsketching briefly the previous experiences and labors of these twoladies who proved so wonderfully efficient in this new sphere of action. 

Mrs. Maria C. Grier is a daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Cornelius C. Cuyler, a clergyman, formerly pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church inPoughkeepsie, and afterward of the Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, and married Rev. M. B. Grier, D. D. , now editor of the"Presbyterian, " one of the leading papers of the Old School PresbyterianChurch. Dr. Grier had been for some years before the commencement of thewar pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington, at the outbreak of the war, shared with Charleston andMobile the bad reputation of being the most intensely disloyal of allthe towns of the South. Dr. And Mrs. Grier were openly and decidedlyloyal, known everywhere throughout that region as among the very few whohad the moral courage to avow their attachment to the Union. They knewvery well, that their bold avowals might cost them their lives, but theydetermined for the sake of those who loved the Union, but had not theircourage, to remain and advocate the cause, until it should becomeimpossible to do so longer, bearing in mind that if they escaped, theirdeparture, to be safe, must be sudden. 

Early in the morning of the 1st of June word was brought them that therewas no time to lose. Dr. Grier's life was threatened. A vessel was readyto sail and they must go. Hurriedly they left a home endeared to them bylong years of residence; Dr. Grier's valuable library, a choicecollection of paintings and other treasures of art and affection wereall abandoned to the ruthless mob, and were stolen or destroyed. Leavingtheir breakfast untouched upon the table, they hastened to the vessel, and by a circuitous route, at last reached Philadelphia in safety, andwere welcomed by kind and sympathizing friends. Mrs. Grier's patriotismwas of the active kind, and she was very soon employed among the sickand wounded soldiers who reached Philadelphia after Bull Run and Ball'sBluff, or who were left by the regiments hurrying to the front at thehospitals of the Volunteer and Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloons. With theestablishment of the larger hospitals in January, 1862, Mrs. Griercommenced her labors in them also, and remained busy in this work tillJune, 1862, when at the request of the surgeon in charge of one of theHospital Transports, she went to White House, Virginia, was there whenMcClellan made his "change of base, " and when the wounded were sent onboard the transport cared for them and came on to Philadelphia withthem, and resumed her work at once in the hospitals. The battles ofPope's campaign and those of South Mountain and Antietam, filled theland with desolate homes, and crowded not only the hospitals, but thechurches of Philadelphia with suffering, wounded and dying men, and Mrs. Grier like most of the philanthropic ladies of Philadelphia foundabundant employment for heart and hands. Her zeal and faithfulness inthis work had so favorably impressed the ladies who met at the Academyof Music to organize the Women's Branch of the Commission that she wasunanimously chosen its President. 

Mrs. Clara J. Moore, formerly a Miss Jessup, of Boston, is the wife ofMr. Bloomfield H. Moore, a large manufacturer of Philadelphia. She is awoman of high culture, a poetess of rare sweetness, and eminent as amagazine writer. She possessed great energy, and a rare facility ofcorrespondence. In her days of Hospital work, she wrote hundreds ofletters for the soldiers, and in the organization of the Women's Branch, of which she was one of the most active promoters, she took upon herselfthe burden of such a correspondence with the Auxiliaries, and thepersons whom she desired to interest in the establishment of local AidSocieties, that when she was compelled by ill health to resign herposition, a Committee of nine young ladies was appointed to conduct thecorrespondence in her place, and all the nine found ample employment. Her daughter married a Swedish Count, and returned with him to Europe, and the mother soon after sought rest and recovery in her daughter'sScandinavian home. 

Of the other ladies connected with this Pennsylvania Branch, all wereactive, but the following, perhaps in part from temperament, and in partfrom being able to devote their time more fully than others to the work, were peculiarly efficient and faithful. Mrs. W. H. Furness, Mrs. Lathrop, Mrs. C. J. Stillé, Mrs. J. Tevis, Mrs. E. D. Gillespie, Mrs. A. D. Jessup, Mrs. Samuel H. Clapp, Mrs. J. Warner Johnson, Mrs. SamuelField, Mrs. Aubrey H. Smith, Mrs. M. L. Frederick, Mrs. C. Graff, Mrs. Joseph Parrish, Miss M. M. Duane, Miss S. B. Dunlap, Miss Rachel W. Morris, Miss H. And Miss Anna Blanchard, Miss E. P. Hawley, and Miss M. J. Moss. 

Of Mrs. Grier's labors in this position, one of the Associates of theSanitary Commission, a gentleman who had more opportunity than mostothers of knowing her faithful and persistent work, writes:

"When the Women's Branch was organized, Mrs. Grier reluctantly consentedto take the head of the Supply Department. In this position shecontinued, working most devotedly, until the work was done. To herlabors the success of this undertaking is largely due. To every qualitywhich makes woman admired and loved, this lady added many whichpeculiarly qualified her for this post; a rare judgment, a wonderfulpower of organization, and a rare facility for drawing around her themost efficient helpers, and making their labors most useful. During thewhole period of the existence of the Association, the greatest goodfeeling reigned, and if ever differences of opinion threatened tointerrupt perfect harmony, a word from Mrs. Grier was sufficient. Herenergy in carrying out new plans for the increase of the supplies wasmost remarkable. When the Women's Pennsylvania Branch disbanded, everyperson conected with it, regretted most of all the separation from Mrs. Grier. I have never heard but one opinion expressed of her as Presidentof the Association. "

A lady, who, from her own labors in the field, and in the promotion ofthe benevolent plans of the Sanitary Commission, was brought into closeand continued intercourse with her, says of her:

"She gave to the work of the Sanitary Commission, all the energies ofher mind, --never faltering, or for a moment deterred by the manyunforeseen annoyances and trials incident to the position. The greatSanitary Fair added to the cares by which she was surrounded; but thatwas carried through so successfully and triumphantly, that all else wasforgotten in the joy of knowing how largely the means of usefulness wasnow increased. Her labors ceased not until the war was ended, and theSanitary Commission was no longer required. Those only who have knownher in the work, can form an idea of the vast amount of labor itinvolved. 

"With an extract from the final report of the Women's PennsylvaniaBranch, made in the spring of 1866, which shows the character and extentof the work accomplished, we close our account of this very efficientorganization. 

"On the 26th of March, 1863, the supply department of the Philadelphiaagency was transferred to the Executive Committee of the Women'sPennsylvania Branch. A large and commodious building, Number 1307Chestnut Street, was rented, and the new organization commenced itswork. How rapidly the work grew, and how greatly its results exceededour anticipations are now matters of pleasant memory with us all. Thenumber of contributing Aid Societies was largely increased in a fewweeks, and this was accompanied by a corresponding augmentation of thesupplies received. The summer came, and with it sanguinary Gettysburg, with its heaps of slain and wounded, giving the most powerful impulse toevery loving, patriotic heart. Supplies flowed in largely, and fromevery quarter; and we found that our work was destined to be no mereholiday pastime, no matter of sudden impulse, but that it would requireall the thought, all the time, all the energy we could possibly bring tobear upon it. We had indeed put on the armor, to take it off only whensoldiers were no more needed on our country's battle-fields, because theflag of the Union was waving again from every one of her cities andfortresses. Then came the bloody battles and glorious victories, withtheir depressing and their exhilarating effects. But, through the cloudsand through the sunshine alike, our armies marched on, fought on, steadily and persistently advancing towards their final triumph. And soin the cities, in the villages, in the quiet country homes, in theluxurious parlor, in the rustic kitchen, everywhere, always, the womenof the country too pursued their patriotic, loving work, content if thetoil of their busy fingers might carry comfort to even a few of ourbleeding, heroic soldiers. And as they labored in their various spheres, the results of their work poured into the great centres where supplieswere collected for the Sanitary Commission. Our Department came tonumber over three hundred and fifty contributing Societies, besides alarge number of individuals contributing with almost the regularity ofour auxiliaries. Associate Managers, whose business it was to supervisethe work in their own neighborhoods, had been appointed in nearly everycounty of the entire Department, fifty-six Associate Managers in all. The time came when the work of corresponding with these was too vast tobe attended to by only one Corresponding Secretary. The lady who hadfilled that office with great ability, and to whose energetic zeal ourorganization owed its first impulse, was compelled by ill health toresign. Her place was filled by a Committee of nine, among whom the dutyof correspondence was systematically divided. The work of our AssociateManagers deserves more than the passing tribute which this report cangive. They were nearly all of them women whose home duties gave themlittle leisure, and yet the existence of most of our Aid Societies isdue to their efforts. In one of the least wealthy and populous countiesof Pennsylvania, one faithful, earnest woman succeeded in establishingthirty Aid Societies. When the Great Central Fair was projected theirservices were found most valuable in the counties under their severalsuperintendence, and they deserve a share of the credit for themagnificent success of that splendid undertaking. 

"The total cash value of supplies received is three hundred and sixthousand and eighty-eight dollars and one cent. Of this amount, twenty-six thousand three hundred and fifty-nine dollars werecontributed to the Philadelphia Agency before the formation of theWomen's Branch. The whole number of boxes, barrels, etc. , received sincethe 1st of April, 1863, is fifty-three hundred and twenty-nine. Of thesepackages, twenty-one hundred and three were received, from April 1st, 1863, until the close of the year; twenty-one hundred and ninety-ninewere received in 1864; and one thousand and twenty-seven have beenreceived since January 1st, 1865. During the present year, three hundredand ninety-six boxes have been shipped to various points where they wereneeded for the Army, and sixteen hundred and ninety-nine were sent tothe central office at Washington City. The last item includes thetransfer of stock upon closing the depôt of this Agency. The totalnumber of boxes shipped from the Women's Pennsylvania Branch, sinceApril 1st, 1863, is two thousand and ninety-five. This means, of course, the articles contributed by Societies, and does not include thosepurchased by the Commission, excepting the garments made by the SpecialRelief Committee. 

"At length our work is done. Our army is disbanding, and we too mustfollow their lead. No more need of our daily Committee and theirpleasant aids, to unpack and assort supplies for our sick and wounded. God has given us peace at last. Shall we ever sufficiently thank him forthis crowning happiness? Rather shall we not thank him, by refusing everagain to be idle spectators when he has work to be done for any form ofsuffering humanity? And if our country shall, after its baptism of bloodand of fire, be found to possess a race of better, nobler Americanwomen, with quickened impulses, high thoughts, and capable of heroicdeeds, shall not the praise be chiefly due to the better, nobler aimsset before them by the United States Sanitary Commission?

"The following is a list of the expenses of the Supply Department, fromthe time of its organization to January 1st, 1866. These charges wereincurred upon goods purchased in this city, as well as upon thosecontributed to the Women's Pennsylvania Branch. Their total value isfive hundred and ninety-six thousand four hundred and sixty-eightdollars and ninety-seven cents. "

Rent of Depository $2, 876 66Wm. Platt, Jr. , Superintendent, for expenses incurred by him on supplies contributed 2, 159 73Salary of Storekeeper and Porter 3, 093 50Freight, express charges, cartage 7, 115 22Boxes and material for packing 261 78Labor, extra 352 96Printing and Stationery 928 49Advertising 2, 310 59Fuel and Lights 344 03Fitting up Depository, including repairs 619 13Insurance on Stock 244 00Postages 940 66Miscellaneous 668 11 ---------Total $21, 914 86 ---------

RELIEF COMMITTEE. --This Committee was organized in April, 1863, and hadfor its object, during the first months of its existence, the relief ofthe wants of soldiers; but finding a Committee of women unequal to theproper performance of this duty, and at the same time having had broughtbefore them the great necessities of the families of our volunteers, they resigned to other hands the care of the soldiers, and determined todevote themselves to the mothers, wives, and children, of those who hadgone forth to battle for the welfare of all. 

The rooms in which this work has been carried on, are at the South-eastcorner of Thirteenth and Chestnut streets. 

Two Committees have been in attendance daily to receive applications forrelief, work, fuel, etc. Persons thus applying for aid are required tofurnish proof that their sons or husbands were actually soldiers, andare also obliged to bring from some responsible party a certificate oftheir own honesty and sobriety. It then becomes the duty of theCommittee in charge to visit the applicant, and to afford such aid asmay be needed. 

The means for supplying this aid have been furnished principally throughgenerous monthly subscriptions from a few citizens, through the handsof Mr. A. D. Jessup. Donations and subscriptions, through the ladies ofthe Committee, have also been received, and from time to time, acknowledged in the printed reports of the Committee. 

It has been the aim of the Committee to provide employment for thewomen, for which adequate compensation has been given. The SanitaryCommission furnished material, which the Relief Committee had cut andconverted into articles required for the use of the soldiers by theSanitary Commission. Thirty-seven thousand nine hundred and fifteenarticles have been made and returned to the Commission, free of charge. Finding the supply of work from this source inadequate to the demandsfor it, the Committee decided to obtain work from Governmentcontractors, and to pay the women double the price paid by thecontractors. Twenty thousand one hundred and seventy-four articles weremade in this way, and returned to the contractors who were kind enoughto furnish the work. Eleven hundred and twenty-nine articles have beenmade for the freedmen, and five hundred and five for other charities;making in all, fifty-nine thousand seven hundred and twenty-threearticles. 

Eight hundred and thirty women have been employed in the two yearsduring which the labors of the Committee have been carried on; and it isdue to the women thus employed to state, that of the number of garmentsmade, but two have been missing through dishonesty. 

The sources from which work has hitherto been obtained having failed, through the blessed return of peace, and the destitution being greatamong those near and dear to the men whose lives have been given topurchase that peace, the Committee have determined not to cease theirlabors during the present winter. 

Two hundred women, principally widows, are now employed in makinggarments from materials furnished by the Committee. These garments aredistributed to the most needy among the applicants for relief. 

More than four hundred tons of coal have been given out to the needyfamilies of soldiers during the past two years, the coal being the giftof a few coal merchants. 

The receipts of the Committee have been as follows:

From Subscriptions and donations $28, 300 00From Entertainment given for the benefit of the Committee 1, 444 00From Contractors in payment for work done 1, 681 31From the Sanitary Commission 2, 551 50 ----------Total $33, 976 81 ----------

This amount has all been expended, with the exception of two hundred andforty-eight dollars and forty-seven cents, which balance remained in thehands of the Treasurer on the 31st of December, 1865. 

WISCONSIN SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY. 

Early in the summer of 1861, Mrs. Margaret A. Jackson, widow of the lateRev. William Jackson, of Louisville, Kentucky, in connection with Mrs. Louisa M. Delafield and others, engaged in awakening an interest amongthe ladies of Milwaukee, in regard to the sanitary wants of thesoldiers, which soon resulted in the formation of a "Milwaukee Ladies'Soldiers' Aid Society, " composed of many of the benevolent ladies ofthis city. The society was very zealous in soliciting aid for thesoldiers, and in making garments for their use in the service. 

Very soon other Aid Societies in various parts of the State desired tobecome auxiliaries to this organization, and soon after the battle ofBull Run it became evident that their efficiency could be greatlypromoted by the Milwaukee Society becoming a branch of the United StatesSanitary Commission, and that relation was effected. The name of thesociety was at this time changed to "Wisconsin Soldiers' Aid Society. "Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Delafield continued to be efficient as leaders inall the work of this society, but in its reorganization, Mrs. HenriettaL. Colt was chosen Corresponding Secretary, and commenced her work withgreat zeal and energy. She visited the Wisconsin soldiers in variouslocalities at the front, and thus brought the wants of the brave men tothe particular knowledge of the society, and in this way largelypromoted the interest, zeal and efficiency of the ladies connected withit. She described the sufferings, fortitude and heroism of the soldierswith such simple pathos, that thousands of hearts were melted, andcontributions poured into the treasury of the society in greatabundance. 

The number of auxiliaries in the State was two hundred and twenty-nine. The central organization at Milwaukee, beside forwarding supplies, hadone bureau to assist soldiers' families in getting payments from theState, one to secure employment for soldiers' wives and mothers throughcontracts with the Government, under the charge of Mrs. Jackson, one tosecure employment for the partially disabled soldiers, and one toprovide for widows and orphans. The channels of benevolence through theState were various; the people generally sought the most direct route tothe soldiers in the field; but the gifts to the army sent by theWisconsin Soldiers' Aid Society (their report says without any "Fair"), alone amounted--the packages, to nearly six thousand in number, thevalue to nearly two hundred thousand dollars. 

The Wisconsin Aid Society and its officers also rendered large andvaluable aid to the two Sanitary Fairs held in Chicago in September, 1863, and June, 1865. 

The Wisconsin Soldiers' Home, at Milwaukee, connected with the WisconsinAid Society, was an institution of great importance during the war. Itsnecessity has not passed away, and will not for many years. The ladieswho originated and sustained it were indefatigable in their labors, andthe benevolent public gave them their heartiest sanction. It gavethousands of soldiers a place of entertainment as they passed throughthe city to and from the army, and thus promoted their comfort and goodmorals. The sick and wounded were there tenderly nursed; the dyingstranger there had friends. 

During the year ending April 15, 1865, four thousand eight hundred andforty-two soldiers there received free entertainment, and the totalnumber of meals served in the year was seventeen thousand four hundredand fifty-six, an average of forty-eight daily. These soldiersrepresented twenty different States, two thousand and ninety belongingin Wisconsin. A fair in 1865 realized upwards of one hundred thousanddollars, which is to be expended on a permanent Soldiers' Home, one ofthe three National Soldiers' Homes having been located at Milwaukee, andthe Wisconsin Soldiers' Home being the nucleus of it. 

[Illustration: MRS. HENRIETTA L. COLT. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

Mrs. Colt was so efficient a worker for the soldiers, that a briefsketch of her labors, prepared by a personal friend, will be appropriatein this connection. 

MRS. HENRIETTA L. COLT, was born March 16th, 1812, in Rensselaerville, Albany County, New York. Her maiden name was Peckham. She was educatedin a seminary at Albany, and was married in 1830, to Joseph S. Colt, Esq. , a man well known throughout the State, as an accomplishedChristian gentleman. Mr. Colt was a member of the Albany bar, andpracticed his profession there until 1853, when he removed to Milwaukee. After three years' residence there he returned to New York, where hedied, leaving an honored name and a precious memory among men. 

The death of Mr. Colt brought to his widow a sad experience. In a letterto the writer, she expresses the deep sense of her loss, and the effectit had in preparing her for that devotion to the cause of her country, which, during the late rebellion, has led her to leave the comforts andrefinements of her home to minister to the soldiers of the Union, inhospitals, to labor in the work of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Aid Society, to go on hospital steamers as far as Vicksburg to care for the sick andwounded, as they were brought up the river, where they could be betterprovided for, to visit the camps and regimental hospitals around thebeleaguered city, and to return with renewed devotion to the work ofsending sanitary supplies to the sick and wounded of the Union army, until the close of the war. After portraying the character of herlamented husband, his chivalric tenderness, his thoughtful affection, his nobility of soul, his high sense of justice, which had made him arepresentative of the best type of humanity, she goes on to say: "Thesun seemed to me to go out in darkness when he went to the skies. Shielding me from every want, from all care, causing me to breathe acontinual atmosphere of refinement, and love, and happiness, when hewent, life lost its beauty and its charm. In this state of things it wasto me as a divine gift--a real godsend--to have a chance for earnestabsorbing work. The very first opportunity was seized to throw myselfinto the work for my country, which had called its stalwart sons to armsto defend its integrity, its liberty, its very existence, from the mostgigantic and wicked rebellion known in history. "

It is among the grateful memories of the writer of this sketch, thatduring the winter of 1863, while stationed at Helena, he went on board asteamer passing towards Vicksburg, and met there Mrs. Colt, in companywith Mrs. Livermore, and Mrs. Hoge, of Chicago, on their way to carrysanitary stores, and minister to the sick and wounded, then beingbrought up the river from the first fatal attack on Vicksburg, in whichour army was repulsed, and from the battle of Arkansas Post, on theArkansas river, in which we were successful, and from an expedition upthe White river, under General Gorman. He was greatly impressed with herintelligence, her purity of character, the beautiful blending of herreligious and patriotic tendencies, the gentleness and tenderness withwhich she ministered encouragement and sympathy to the sick soldier, andthe spirit of humanity and womanly dignity that marked her manners andconversation. The same qualities were characteristic of her companionsfrom Chicago, in varied combination, each having her own individuality, and it was beautiful to see with what judgment and discretion, and unionof purpose they went on their mission of love. 

On their first visit, she and Mrs. Hoge, improvised a hospital of thesteamer on which they went, which came up from Vicksburg loaded withwounded men, under the care of the surgeons. The dressing of theirwounds and the amputation of limbs going on during the passage, made theair exceedingly impure, and yet these noble women did not flinch fromtheir duty, nor neglect their gentle ministrations, which were as balmto the wounded heroes who lay stretched on the cabin floors from one endof the boat to the other. 

On the renewal of the siege of Vicksburg, by General Grant, and whileour army lay encamped for miles around, Mrs. Colt made a second visit tothe scene of so much suffering and conflict, and visited the camps andregimental hospitals, where the very air seemed loaded with disease. Menwith every variety of complaint were brought to the steamer, where itwas known there were ladies on board, from the Sanitary Commissions, inthe hope of kinder care and better sustenance. It was amidst dyingsoldiers, helpless refugees, manacled slaves, and even five hundred wornout and rejected mules, that their path up the Mississippi had to bepursued with patience, and fortitude, and hope. 

In a note recently received from Mrs. Colt, she thus speaks of hervisits to the hospitals, and of the brave and noble bearing of thewounded soldiers:

"I visited the Southwestern hospitals, in order to see the benefitsreally conferred by the Sanitary Commission, in order to stimulatesupplies at home. Such was my story or the effect of it, that Wisconsinbecame the most powerful Auxiliary of the Northwestern Branch of theUnited States Sanitary Commission. I have visited seventy-two hospitals, and would find it difficult to choose the most remarkable among the manyheroisms I every day witnessed. 

"I was more impressed by the gentleness and refinement that seemed togrow up and in, the men when suffering from horrible wounds than fromanything else. It seemed always to me that the sacredness of the causefor which they offered up their lives gave to them a heroism almostsuper-human--and the sufferings caused an almost womanly refinementamong the coarsest men. I have never heard a word nor seen a look thatwas not respectful and grateful. 

"At one time, when in the Adams' Hospital in Memphis, filled with sixhundred wounded men with gaping, horrible, head and hip gunshot wounds, I could have imagined myself among men gathered on cots for some joyousoccasion, and except one man, utterly disabled for life, not aregret--and even he thanked God devoutly that if his life must be givenup then, it should be given for his country. 

"After a little, as the thought of his wife and babies came to him, Isaw a terrible struggle; the great beads of sweat and the furrowed browwere more painful than the bodily suffering. But when he saw the look ofpity, and heard the passage, 'He doeth all things well, ' whispered tohim, he became calm, and said, 'He knows best, my wife and children willbe His care, and I am content. '

"Among the beardless boys, it was all heroism. 'They gained the victory, they lost a leg there, they lost an arm, and Arkansas Post was taken;they were proud to have helped on the cause. ' It enabled them apparentlywith little effort to remember the great, the holy cause, and give leg, arm, or even life cheerfully for its defense. 

"I know now that love of country is the strongest love, next to the loveof God, given to man. "

Besides the good done to the sick and wounded of our army by thesevisits, an equal benefit resulted in their effect upon the people athome, in inspiring them to new zeal and energy, and increasinggenerosity on behalf of the country and its brave defenders. 

Another service of great value to the soldiers, was rendered by Mrs. Colt, under an appointment from the Governor of Wisconsin, to visit theArmy of the Cumberland, and see personally all sick Wisconsin men. Shewent under the escort of Rev. J. P. T. Ingraham, and saw every sicksoldier of the Wisconsin troops in hospital. Their heroic endurance andits recital after her return, stimulated immensely the generosity of thepeople. 

In such services as these Mrs. Colt passed the four years of the war, and by her self-sacrifice and devotion to the cause, in which her heartand mind were warmly enlisted, by the courage and fortitude with whichshe braved danger and death, in visiting distant battle-fields, andcamps and hospitals, and ministering at the couch of sickness, and pain, and death, that she might revive the spirit, and save the lives of thosewho were battling for Union and Liberty, she has won the gratitude ofher country, and deserves the place accorded to her among the heroinesof the age. 

MRS. ELIZA SALOMON, the accomplished and philanthropic wife of GovernorSalomon, of Wisconsin, was at the outbreak of the war living quietly atMilwaukee, and amid the patriotic fervor which then reigned inWisconsin, she sought no prominence or official position, but like theother ladies of the circle in which she moved, contented herself withworking diligently for the soldiers, and contributing for the supply oftheir needs. In the autumn of 1861, her husband was elected LieutenantGovernor of the State, on the same ticket which bore the name of thelamented Louis Harvey, for Governor. On the death of Governor Harvey, inApril, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, Lieutenant Governor Salomon was atonce advanced by the Constitution of Wisconsin, to his place for theremainder of his term, about twenty-one months. Both Governor and Mrs. Salomon, were of German extraction, and it was natural that the Germansoldiers, sick, wounded or suffering from privation, should look to theGovernor's wife as their State-mother, and should expect sympathy andaid from her. She resolved not to disappoint their expectation, but toprove as far as lay in her power a mother not only to them, but to allthe brave Wisconsin boys of whatever nationality, who needed aid andassistance. 

At home and abroad, her time was almost entirely occupied with thisnoble and charitable work. She accompanied her husband wherever his dutyand his heart called him to look after the soldiers. She visited thehospitals East and West, in Indiana, Illinois, St. Louis, and theinterior of Missouri, and all along the Mississippi, as far South asVicksburg, stopping at every place where Wisconsin troops werestationed. 

Her voyage to Vicksburg in May, 1863, was one of considerable peril, from the swarms of guerrillas all along the river, who on severaloccasions fired at the boat, but fortunately did no harm. 

She found at Vicksburg, a vast amount of suffering to be relieved, andabundant work to do, and possessing firm health and a vigorousconstitution, she was able to accomplish much without impairing herhealth. At the first Sanitary Fair at Chicago, Mrs. Salomon organized aGerman Department, in which she sold needle and handiwork contributed byGerman ladies of Wisconsin and Chicago, to the amount of six thousanddollars. When, in January 1864, Governor Salomon returned to privatelife, Mrs. Salomon did not intermit her efforts for the good of thesoldiers; her duty had become a privilege, and she continued her effortsfor their relief and assistance, according to her opportunity till theend of the war. 

PITTSBURG BRANCH, U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. 

Pittsburg, as the Capital of Western Pennsylvania, and the center of alarge district of thoroughly loyal citizens, early took an active partin furnishing supplies for the sick and wounded of our armies. As itscommercial relations and its readiest communications were with the West, most of its supplies were sent to the Western Armies, and after thebattle of Belmont, the capture of Fort Donelson, and the terribleslaughter at Shiloh, the Pittsburg Subsistence Committee, and thePittsburg Sanitary Committee, sent ample supplies and stores to thesufferers. The same noble generosity was displayed after the battles ofPerryville, Chickasaw Bluffs, Murfreesboro' and Arkansas Post. In thewinter of 1863, it was deemed best to make the Pittsburg SanitaryCommittee, which had been reorganized for the purpose, an auxiliary ofthe United States Sanitary Commission, and measures were taken for thatpurpose by Mr. Thomas Bakewell, the President, and the other officers ofthe Committee. The Committee still retained its name, but in the summerof 1863, a consolidation was effected of the Sanitary and SubsistenceCommittees, and the Pittsburg Branch of the Commission was organized. Auxiliaries had previously been formed in the circumjacent country, acknowledging one or the other of these Committees as their head, andsending their contributions and supplies to it. The number of these wasnow greatly increased, and though latest in the order of time of allthe daughters of the Commission, it was surpassed by few of the othersin efficiency. The Corresponding Secretary and active manager of thisnew organization was Miss Rachael W. McFadden, a lady of rare executiveability, ardent patriotism, untiring industry, and great tact anddiscernment. Miss McFadden was ably seconded in her labors by Miss MaryBissell, Miss Bakewell, and Miss Annie Bell, and Miss Ellen E. Murdoch, the daughter of the patriotic actor and elocutionist, gave her serviceswith great earnestness to the work. In the spring of 1864, the people ofPittsburg, infected by the example of other cities, determined to hold aSanitary Fair in their enterprising though smoke-crowned city. In itsinception, development and completion, Miss McFadden was the prime moverin this Fair. She was at the head of the Executive Committee, and MissBakewell, Miss Ella Steward, and Mrs. McMillan, were its active andindefatigable Secretaries. The appeals made to all classes in city andcountry for contributions in money and goods were promptly responded to, and on the first of June, 1864, the Fair opened in buildings expresslyerected for it in Alleghany, Diamond Square. The display in allparticulars, was admirable, but that of the Mechanical and Floral Hallswas extraordinary in its beauty, its tasteful arrangement and its greatextent. The net results of the Fair, were three hundred and thirtythousand four hundred and ninety dollars, and eighty cents, and while itwas in progress, fifty thousand dollars were also raised in Pittsburg, for the Christian Commission. The great Central Fair in Philadelphia, was at the same time in progress, so that the bulk of the contributionswere drawn from the immediate vicinage of Pittsburg. 

The Pittsburg Branch continued its labors to the close of the war. 

After the fair, a special diet kitchen on a grand scale was establishedand supplied with all necessary appliances by the Pittsburg Branch. MissMurdoch gave it her personal supervision for three months, and inAugust, 1864, prepared sixty-two thousand dishes. 

MRS. ELIZABETH S. MENDENHALL. 

This lady and Mrs. George Hoadley, were the active and efficientmanagers of the Soldiers' Aid Society, of Cincinnati, which bore thesame relations to the branch of the United States Sanitary Commission, at Cincinnati, which the Woman's Central Association of Relief did tothe Sanitary Commission itself. Mrs. Mendenhall is the wife of Dr. George Mendenhall, an eminent and public-spirited citizen of Cincinnati. Mrs. Mendenhall was born in Philadelphia, in 1819, but her childhood andyouth were passed in Richmond, Virginia, where a sister, her only nearrelative, still resides. Her relatives belonged to the society ofFriends, and though living in a slaveholding community, she grew up withan abhorrence of slavery. On her marriage, in 1838, she removed with herhusband to Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently to Cincinnati, where shehas since resided, and where her hatred of oppression increased inintensity. 

When the first call for troops was made in April, 1861, andthenceforward throughout the summer and autumn of that year, and thewinter of 1861-2, she was active in organizing sewing circles and aidsocieties to make the necessary clothing and comforts which the soldiersso much needed when suddenly called to the field. She set the example ofuntiring industry in these pursuits, and by her skill in organizing andsystematizing their labor, rendered them highly efficient. In February, 1862, the sick and wounded began to pour into the government hospitalsof Cincinnati, from the siege of Fort Donelson, and ere these werefairly convalescent, still greater numbers came from Shiloh; and fromthat time forward, till the close of the war, the hospitals were almostconstantly filled with sick or wounded soldiers. To these sufferingheroes Mrs. Mendenhall devoted herself with the utmost assiduity. Fortwo and a half years from the reception of the first wounded from FortDonelson, she spent half of every day, and frequently the whole day, inpersonal ministrations to the sick and wounded in any capacity thatcould add to their comfort. She procured necessaries and luxuries forthe sick, waited upon them, wrote letters for them, consoled the dying, gave information to their friends of their condition, and attended tothe necessary preparations for the burial of the dead. During the fouryears of the war she was not absent from the city for pleasure but sixdays, and during the whole period there were not more than ten days inwhich she did not perform some labor for the soldiers' comfort. 

Her field of labor was in the four general hospitals in the city, butprincipally in the Washington Park Hospital, over which Dr. J. B. Smith, who subsequently fell a martyr to his devotion to the soldiers, presided, who gave her ample opportunities for doing all for thepatients which her philanthropic spirit prompted. During all this timeshe was actively engaged in the promotion of the objects of the Women'sSoldiers' Aid Society, of which, she was at this time, president, havingbeen from the first an officer. The enthusiasm manifested in thenorthwest in behalf of the Sanitary Fair at Chicago, led Mrs. Mendenhallto believe that a similar enterprise would be feasible in Cincinnati, which should draw its supplies and patrons from all portions of the Ohiovalley. With her a generous and noble thought was sure to be followed byaction equally generous and praiseworthy. She commenced at once theagitation of the subject in the daily papers of the city, her firstarticle appearing in the _Times_, of October 31, 1863, and beingfollowed by others from her pen in the other loyal papers of the city. The idea was received with favor, and on the 7th of November aneditorial appeared in the _Cincinnati Gazette_, entitled "Who speaks forCincinnati?" This resulted in a call the next day for a meeting ofgentlemen to consider the subject. Committees were appointed, anorganization effected and circulars issued on the 13th of November. Onthe 19th, the ladies met, and Mrs. Mendenhall was unanimously chosenPresident of the ladies' committee, and subsequently secondVice-President of the General Fair organization, General Rosecrans beingPresident, and the Mayor of the city, first Vice-President. To thefurtherance of this work, Mrs. Mendenhall devoted all her energies. Eloquent appeals from her facile pen were addressed to loyal andpatriotic men and women all over the country, and a special circular andappeal to the patriotic young ladies of Cincinnati and the Ohio valleyfor their hearty co-operation in the good work. The correspondence andsupervision of that portion of the fair which necessarily came under thedirection of the ladies, required all her time and strength, but theresults were highly satisfactory. Of the two hundred and thirty-fivethousand dollars which was the net product of this Sanitary Fair, a veryliberal proportion was called forth by her indefatigable exertions andher extraordinary executive ability. 

The aggregate results of the labors of the Women's Aid Society, beforeand after the fair, are known to have realized about four hundredthousand dollars in money, and nearly one million five hundred thousandin hospital stores and supplies. 

The fair closed, she resumed her hospital work and her duties asPresident of the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society, and continued to performthem to the close of the war. Near the close of 1864, she exerted herenergies in behalf of a Fair for soldiers' families, in which fiftythousand dollars were raised for this deserving object. The testimoniesof her associates to the admirable manner in which her hospital work wasperformed are emphatic, and the thousands of soldiers who were therecipients of her gentle ministries, give equally earnest testimonies toher kindness and tenderness of heart. 

The freedmen and refugees have also shared her kindly ministrations andher open-handed liberality, and since the close of the war herself-sacrificing spirit has found ample employment in endeavoring tolift the fallen of her own sex out of the depths of degradation, to thesure and safe paths of virtue and rectitude. 

With the modesty characteristic of a patriotic spirit, Mrs. Mendenhalldepreciates her own labors and sacrifices. "What, " she says in a letterto a friend, "are my humble efforts for the soldiers, compared with thesacrifice made by the wife or mother of the humblest private who evershouldered a musket?"

DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. 

Dr. M. M. Marsh was Medical Inspector of the Department of the Gulf andSouth, his charge comprising the States of Georgia, South Carolina, andFlorida. He held his appointment in the capacity mentioned from theSanitary Commission, and from Government, the latter conferring upon himgreat authority over hospitals and health matters in general throughouthis district. 

It was in the early part of the year 1863 that Mrs. Marsh left her homein Vermont and joined her husband at Beaufort. 

The object of Mrs. Marsh in going thither, was to establish a home withits comforts amidst the unfamiliar scenes and habitudes of the South. 

Everything was strange, unnatural, unreal. Beaufort was in conqueredterritory occupied by its conquerors. The former inhabitants had fled, leaving lands, houses and negroes--all that refused to go with them, orcould not be removed. Military rule prevailed, and the new populationwere Northern soldiers, and a few adventurous women. Besides these wereblacks, men, women and children, many of them far from the homes theyhad known, and strange alike to freedom and a life made independent bytheir own efforts. From order to chaos, that was the transition aNorthern woman underwent in coming to this place and state of society. 

Mrs. Marsh had no sooner arrived than she found there was work to do andduties to perform in her new home on which she had not calculated. Herhusband was frequently absent, sometimes for long periods. To his chargecame the immense stores of supplies constantly forwarded by the SanitaryCommission, which were to be received, accounted for, unpacked, dealtout to the parties for whom they were intended. All this must be done byan intelligent person or persons, and by the same, reports of thecondition of the hospitals must be made, together with the needfulrequisitions. 

Here was business enough to employ the time, exhaust the strength, andoccupy the thoughts of any single individual. It was a "man's work, " asMrs. Marsh often declares. Be that as it may, it was accomplished by awoman, and in the most admirable manner. The Sanitary Commission feelsboth proud and grateful, whenever the name of Mrs. Marsh is mentioned. 

Her services were not of a nature to elicit great applause, or toattract much attention. They were quietly performed, and at a pointquite aside from battle-fields, or any great center where thousands ofspectators had the opportunity to become cognizant of them. But theywere not, on account of these facts, less beneficent or useful. 

Mrs. Marsh often visited the hospitals and made the acquaintance of thesick and wounded, becoming frequently, deeply interested in individuals. This was a feeling entirely different from that general interest in thewelfare of every Union soldier which arose as much from the instincts ofa patriotic heart, as from philanthropy. 

She never became a hospital nurse, however, for she was fully occupiedin other ways, and her husband, Dr. Marsh did not cordially approve, save in a few particular instances, of the introduction of women to thehospitals in that capacity. But living in the immediate vicinity of thehospitals, her benevolent face was often seen there, and welcomed withgrateful smiles from many a bed of suffering. 

A young officer from one of the Northern States and regiments, woundedat the battle of Olustee, was brought to Beaufort Hospital for treatmentand care. Long previously there had been a compact between him and acomrade that the one first wounded should be cared for by the other ifpossible. The exigencies of the service were at that time such that thiscomrade could not without much difficulty obtain leave of absence. Hefinally, however, triumphed over all obstacles, and took his placebeside his friend. Mrs. Marsh often saw them together, and listened, atone time, to a discussion or comparison of views which revealed thecharacter and motives of both. 

The unwounded one was rejoicing that his term of service was nearlyexpired. It was at a time when many were re-enlisting, but heemphatically declared he would not. "I would, then, " replied the woundedman, "if I had the strength to enter upon another term of service, Iwould do so. When I did enlist it was because of my country's need, andthat need is not less imminent now. Yes, " he added, with a sigh, "if Godwould restore me to health, I would remain in the service till the endof the war. The surgeon tells me I shall not recover, that the nexthemorrhage will probably be the last. But I am not sorry, _I am glad_, that I have done what I have done, and would do it again, if possible. "

That this was the spirit of many of the wounded men, Mrs. Marsh delightsto testify. This man was God's soldier, as well as the Union's. He hadlearned to think amid the awful scenes of Fort Wagner, and when woundedat Olustee was prepared to live or die, whichever was God's will. Mrs. Marsh was sitting beside his bed, in quiet conversation with him, whenwithout warning, the hemorrhage commenced. The plash of blood was heard, as the life-current burst from his wound, and, "Go now, " he said in hislow calm voice. "This is the end, and I would not have you witness it. "

The hemorrhage was, however, checked, but he died soon after. Meantimethe Sanitary Commission stores were constantly arriving, and Mrs. Marshcontinued to take the entire charge of them. A portion of her house wasused for store-rooms, and there were received thousands of dollars'worth of comforts of all kinds from the North--a constant, never-failingflood of beneficence. 

The first prisoners seen by Mrs. Marsh had come from Charleston. Therewere nine privates and three or four officers. Their rags scarcelycovered them decently. They were filthy, squalid, emaciated. They haltedat a point several miles from Beaufort, and a requisition was sent bythe officers at this outpost, for clothing and other necessaries for theofficers of the party. These were sent, but Mrs. Marsh thought theremust be others--private soldiers, perhaps, for whom no provision hadbeen made. She accordingly dispatched her nephew, who was a member ofher family, to make inquiries and see that the wants of such wereprovided for. 

In a short time she saw him returning at the head of his ragged brigade. The poor fellows were indeed a loathsome sight, worn, feeble, clad onlyin the unsightly rags which had been their prison wear. They were notshown into the office, but to a vestibule without, and their firstdesire was for water, soap--the materials for cleanliness. Mrs. Marshexamined her stores for clothing. That which was on hand was mainlydesigned for hospital use. She would have given each an entire suit, butcould find only two or three pairs of coarse blue overalls, such as areworn by laborers at the North. As she stepped to the door to give themthis clothing, she remarked upon the scarcity, and said the overallsmust be given to the men that most needed them, but at once saw thatwhere all were in filthy rags, there seemed no choice. The one who stoodnearest her had taken a pair of the overalls, and was surveying themwith delight, but he at once turned to another, "I guess he needs 'emmost, I can get along with the old ones, a while, " he said, in acheerful tone, and smothering a little sigh he turned away. 

This spirit of self-sacrifice was almost universal among the men of ourarmy, and was shown to all who had any care over them. How much everyman needed an entire change of clean, comfortable garments, was shownthe instant they left, when the nephew of Mrs. Marsh commenced sweepingthe vestibule where they had stood, with great vigor, replying to theremonstrances of his aunt, only "I must, " and adding, in a lower tone, "They can't help it, poor fellows, " as he made the place too hot to holdanything with life. 

It was in the summer of 1864, that communication was first obtained withthe prisoners in Charleston, a communication afterwards extended to allthe loathsome prison-pens of the South, where our men languished infilth, disease, and starvation. 

At this time Dr. Marsh's duties kept him almost entirely at FollyIsland, and there he received a letter from General Seymour who wasconfined, with other Union officers, in Charleston, a part of the timeunder fire, asking that if possible certain needful articles might besent to him. This letter was immediately sent to Mrs. Marsh, who at onceprepared a box containing more than twice the amount of articles askedfor, and forwarded them to the confederate authorities at Charleston, for General Seymour. Almost contrary to all expectations, this boxreached the General, and but a short time elapsed before its receipt wasacknowledged. The General wrote touchingly of their privations, andwhile thanking Mrs. Marsh warmly for the articles already sent, represented the wants of some of the other gentlemen, his companions. Supplies were sent them, received and acknowledged, and thus a regularchannel of communication was opened. 

One noticeable fact attended this correspondence--namely, the extrememodesty of the demands made; no one ever asking for more than he neededat the time, as a pair of stockings, or a single shirt, and alwaysexpressing a fear lest others might need these favors more than himself. 

When, soon after, by means of this entering wedge, the way to theprisons of Andersonville, Florence, and Salisbury, was opened, the samefact was observed. In the midst of all their dreadful suffering andmisery, the prisoners there made no large demands. They asked for butlittle--the smallest possible amount, and were always fearful lest theymight absorb the bounty to which others had a better claim. 

After this communication was opened, Mrs. Marsh found a delightful taskin preparing the boxes which in great numbers were constantly being sentforward to the prisons. It was a part of her duty, also, to inspect theletters which went and came between the prisons and the outside world. 

The pathos of many of these was far beyond description. Touching appealsconstantly came to her from distant Northern homes for some tidings ofthe sons, brothers, fathers of whose captivity they had heard, but whosefurther existence had been a blank. Where are they? and how are they?were constantly recurring questions, which alas! it was far too oftenher sad duty to answer in a way to destroy all hope. 

And the letters of the prisoners, filled to the uttermost, not withcomplaints, but with the pervading sadness that could not for one momentbe banished from their horrible lives! No words can describe them, theywere simply heart-breaking! Just as the horror of the prison-pens isbeyond the power of words to fitly tell, so are the griefs which grewout of them. 

Mrs. Marsh continued busily employed in this work of mercy until it wassuddenly suspended. Some formality had not been complied with, and theprivilege of communication was discontinued; and all their friendsdisappointed and disheartened. This we can easily imagine, but not whatthe suspension was to the suffering prisoners who had for a short seasonenjoyed this one gleam of light from the outer world, and were nowplunged into a rayless hopeless night. When the time of deliverancecame, as we all know, many of them were past the power of rejoicing init. 

Dr. Marsh was for a long time detained at Folly and Morris Islands. Theforce at Beaufort was quite inadequate, and exceedingly onerous andabsorbing duties fell to the share of Mrs. Marsh. Communication wasdifficult. Dr. Marsh at times could not reach his home. Vessels whichhad been running between New York and Port Royal and Hilton Head weredetained at the North. The receipt and transmission of sanitary stores, and the immense correspondence growing out of it; the general oversightof the needs of the hospitals, and the monthly reports of the same allfell heavily upon one brain and one pair of hands. 

It was at just such an emergency that the army of Sherman, the "GreatMarch" to the sea nearly completed, arrived upon the scene. The sick anddisabled arrived by hundreds, the hospitals were filled up directly, andeven thronged; while so numerous were the cases of small-pox, which hadappeared in the army, that a large separate hospital had to be providedfor them. 

We may perhaps imagine how busy was the brave woman, left with such animmense responsibility on her hands. 

Early in 1865, Dr. Marsh received notice that it had been determined tosend him to Newbern, North Carolina, but he never went, being attackedsoon after by a long and dangerous illness which for a time rendered itimprobable that he would ever see his Northern home again. 

It was at this time that a cargo of sanitary supplies arrived from NewYork. A part of these were a contribution from Montreal. Montreal hadbefore sent goods to the Commission, but these were forwarded to Mrs. Marsh herself. A letter of hers written not long previous to a friend inNew York, had been forwarded to Montreal, and had aroused a strongdesire there to help her in her peculiar work. A large portion of thisgift was from an M. P. , who, though he might, like others, lift hisvoice against the American war, had yet enough of the milk of humankindness in his heart to lead him to desire to do something for hersuffering soldiers and prisoners. 

This gift Mrs. Marsh never saw, it being sent with the rest of theunbroken cargo back to Newbern in view of the expected arrival of herfamily there. 

The surrender of Lee virtually closed the war, and the necessity of Dr. Marsh's stay in the South was no longer an important one. Besides this, his health would not permit it, and he returned to New York where he hadlong been wanted to take charge of the "Lincoln Home" in Grove Street, ahospital opened by the Sanitary Commission for lingering cases of woundsand sickness among homeless and destitute soldiers. 

Of this hospital and home Dr. Marsh was surgeon, and Mrs. Marsh matron. Dr. Hoadly who had been with Dr. Marsh at the South, still retained theposition of assistant. The health of Dr. Marsh improved, but he hasnever entirely recovered. 

They entered the Lincoln Home on the 1st of May, 1865, and the house wasimmediately filled with patients. They remained there until June of thefollowing year, 1866. During their stay between three and four hundredpatients were admitted, and of those who were regular patients nonedied. One soldier, a Swede, was found in the street in the last stagesof exhaustion and suffering, and died before the morning following hisadmission. He bore about him evidences of education and gentle birth, but he could not speak English, and carried with him into another worldthe secret of his name and identity. He had no disease, but thefoundations of his life had been sapped by the irritation caused byfilth and vermin. 

As at the South, in the services of Mrs. Marsh here, there was a greatdisproportion between their showiness and their usefulness. She pursuedher quiet round of labors, the results of which will be seen and feltfor years, as much as in the present. Her kind voice, and pleasant smilewill be an ever living and delightful memory in the hearts of all towhom she ministered during those long hours of the nation's peril, inwhich the best blood of her sons was poured out a red libation toLiberty. 

After the close of the Lincoln Home, Mrs. Marsh continued to devoteherself to suffering soldiers and their families, making herself notablyuseful in this important department of the nation's work. 

SAINT LOUIS LADIES' UNION AID SOCIETY. 

This Society, the principal Auxiliary of the Western SanitaryCommission, and holding the same relation to it that the Women's CentralAssociation of Relief in New York, did to the United States SanitaryCommission had its origin in the summer of 1861. On the 26th of July, ofthat year, a few ladies met at the house of Mrs. F. Holy, in St. Louis, to consider the propriety of combining the efforts of the loyal ladiesof that city into a single organization in anticipation of the conflictthen impending within the State. At an adjourned meeting held a weeklater, twenty-five ladies registered themselves, as members of the"Ladies' Union Aid Society, " and elected a full board of officers. Mostof these resigned in the following autumn, and in November, 1861, thefollowing list was chosen, most of whom served through the war. 

President: Mrs. Alfred Clapp; Vice Presidents, Mrs. Samuel C. Davis, Mrs. T. M. Post, Mrs. Robert Anderson; Recording Secretary, Miss H. A. Adams; Treasurer, Mrs. S. B. Kellogg; Corresponding Secretary, MissBelle Holmes; afterwards, Miss Anna M. Debenham. An Executive Committeewas also appointed, several of the members of which, and among thenumber, Mrs. C. R. Springer, Mrs. S. Palmer, Mrs. Joseph Crawshaw, Mrs. Washington King, Mrs. Charles L. Ely, Mrs. F. F. Maltby, Mrs. C. N. Barker, Miss Susan J. Bell, Miss Eliza S. Glover, and Miss Eliza Page, were indefatigable in their labors for the soldiers. 

This Society was from the beginning, active and efficient. It conductedits business with great ability and system, and in every direction madeitself felt as a power for good throughout the Mississippi Valley. Itsofficers visited for a considerable period, fourteen hospitals in thecity and vicinity, and were known in the streets by the baskets theycarried. Of one of these baskets the recording Secretary, Miss Adams, gives us an interesting inventory in one of her reports: "Within was abottle of cream, a home-made loaf, fresh eggs, fruit and oysters; stowedaway in a corner was a flannel shirt, a sling, a pair of spectacles, aflask of cologne; a convalescent had asked for a lively book, and thelively book was in the basket; there was a dressing-gown for one, and awhite muslin handkerchief for another; and paper, envelopes and stampsfor all. "

The Christian Commission made the ladies of the Society their agents forthe distribution of religious reading, and they scattered among the menone hundred and twenty-five thousand pages of tracts, and twentythousand books and papers. 

The Ladies' Union Aid Society, sent delegates to all the earlierbattle-fields, as well as to the camps and trenches about Vicksburg, andthese ladies returned upon the hospital steamers, pursuing their heroicwork, toiling early and late, imperilling in many cases their health, and even their lives, in the midst of the trying and terrible sceneswhich surrounded them. During the fall and winter of 1862-3, theSociety's rooms were open day and evening, for the purpose ofbandage-rolling, so great was the demand for supplies of this kind. 

Amid their other labors, they were not unmindful of the distress whichthe families of the soldiers were suffering. So great was the demand forhospital clothing, that they could not supply it alone, and theyexpended five thousand five hundred dollars received for the purposefrom the Western Sanitary Commission, in paying for the labor onseventy-five thousand garments for the hospitals. The Medical Purveyor, learning of their success, offered the Aid Society a large contract forarmy work. They accepted it, and prepared the work at their rooms, andgave out one hundred and twenty-eight thousand articles to be made, paying out over six thousand dollars for labor. Several other contractsfollowed, particularly one for two hundred and sixty-one thousand yardsof bandages, for the rolling of which six hundred and fifty-two dollarswere paid. By these means and a judicious liberality, the Societyprevented a great amount of suffering in the families of soldiers. TheBenton Barracks Hospital, one of the largest in the West, to whichreference has been frequently made in this volume, had for itssurgeon-in-charge, that able surgeon and earnest philanthropist, Dr. IraRussell. Ever anxious to do all in his power for his patients, andsatisfied that more skilfully prepared special diet, and in greatervariety than the government supplies permitted would be beneficial tothem, he requested the ladies of the Union Aid Society, to occupy areception-room, storeroom, and kitchen at the hospital, in supplyingthis necessity. Donations intended for the soldiers could be left atthese rooms for distribution; fruit, vegetables, and other offeringscould here be prepared and issued as required. Thus all outside bountycould be systematized, and the surgeon could regulate the diet of theentire hospital. Miss Bettie Broadhead, was the first superintendent ofthese rooms which were subsequently enlarged and multiplied. Bills offare were distributed in each ward every morning; the soldiers wrotetheir names and numbers opposite the special dishes they desired; thesurgeon examined the bills of fare, and if he approved, endorsed them. At the appointed time the dishes distinctly labelled, arrived at theirdestination in charge of an orderly. Nearly forty-eight thousand disheswere issued in one year. 

In the fall of 1863, the Society established a branch at Nashville, Tennessee, Mrs. Barker and Miss H. A. Adams, going thither with fivehundred dollars and seventy-two boxes of stores. Miss Adams, thoughsurrounded with difficulties, and finding the surgeons indifferent ifnot hostile, succeeded in establishing a special diet kitchen, like thatat Benton Barracks' Hospital. This subsequently became a very importantinstitution, sixty-two thousand dishes being issued in the single monthof August, 1864. The supplies for this kitchen, were mostly furnished bythe Pittsburg Subsistence Committee, and Miss Ellen Murdoch, thedaughter of the elocutionist to whom we have already referred, in theaccount of the Pittsburg Branch, prepared the supplies with her ownhands, for three months. During this period, no reasonable wish of aninvalid ever went ungratified. 

This Society also did a considerable work for the freedmen--and thewhite refugees, in connection with the Western Sanitary Commission. Onthe formation of the Freedmen's Relief Society, this part of their workwas transferred to them. 

We have no means of giving definitely the aggregate receipts anddisbursements of this efficient Association. They were so involved withthose of the Western Sanitary Commission, that it would be a difficulttask to separate them. The receipts of the Commission were seven hundredand seventy-one thousand dollars in money, and about three millions fivehundred thousand dollars in supplies. Of this sum we believe we are notin the wrong in attributing nearly two hundred thousand dollars in cash, and one million dollars in supplies to the Ladies' Union Aid Society, either directly or indirectly. 

Believing that the exertions of the efficient officers of the Societydeserve commemoration, we have obtained the following brief sketches ofMrs. Clapp, Miss Adams, (now Mrs. Collins), Mrs. Springer, and Mrs. Palmer. 

Among the earnest and noble women of St. Louis, who devoted themselvesto the cause of their country and its heroic defenders at the beginningof the great Rebellion, and whose labors and sacrifices were maintainedthroughout the struggle for national unity and liberty, none are moreworthy of honorable mention, in a work of this character, than MRS. ANNAL. CLAPP. 

She was distinguished among those ladies whose labors for the Charitiesof the war, and whose presence in the Hospitals, cheered and comfortedthe soldiers of the Union, and either prepared them for a tranquil andhappy deliverance from their sufferings, or sent them back to the fieldof battle to continue the heroic contest until success should crown thevictorious arms of the nation, and give peace and liberty to theirbeloved country. 

The maiden name of Mrs. Clapp was Wendell, and her paternal ancestorsoriginally emigrated from Holland. She was born in Cambridge, Washingtoncounty, New York, and was educated at Albany. 

For three years she was a teacher in the celebrated school of Rev. Nathaniel Prime, at Newburgh, New York. In the year 1838, she wasmarried to Alfred Clapp, Esq. , an enterprising merchant, and lived forseveral years in New York City, and Brooklyn, where she became an activemember of various benevolent associations, and performed the duties ofTreasurer of the Industrial School Association. 

Just previous to the Rebellion, she emigrated with her husband andfamily to St. Louis, and after the war had commenced, and the earlybattles in the West had begun to fill every vacant public building inthat city with sick and wounded men, she, with many other noble women oflike heroic temperament, found a new sphere for their activity andusefulness. In the month of August, 1861, the Ladies' Union Aid Society, of St. Louis, was organized for the purpose of ministering to the wantsof the sick and wounded soldiers, providing Hospital garments andSanitary stores, in connection with similar labors by the WesternSanitary Commission, assisting soldiers' families, and visiting theHospitals, to give religious counsel, and minister consolation to thesick and dying, in a city where only a few of the clergy of the variousdenominations who were distinguished for their patriotism and loyalty, attended to this duty; the majority, both Protestant and Catholic, beingeither indifferent to the consequences of the rebellion, or in sympathywith the treason which was at that time threatening the Union andliberties of the country with disruption and overthrow. 

Of this Association of noble and philanthropic women, which continuedits useful labors during the war, Mrs. Clapp was made President in thefall of 1861, holding that office during the existence of theorganization, giving nearly all her time and energies to this great workof helping and comforting her country's defenders. 

After the great battles of Shiloh and Vicksburg, and Arkansas Post, she, with other ladies of the Association, repaired on Hospital Steamers tothe scene of conflict, taking boxes of Sanitary stores, Hospitalgarments and lint for the wounded, and ministered to them with her ownhands on the return trips to the Hospitals of St. Louis. 

As President of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, her labors were arduousand unremitting. The work of this association was always very great, consisting in part of the manufacture of hospital garments, by contractwith the medical purveyor, which work was given out to the wives ofsoldiers, to enable them the better to support themselves and children, during the absence of their husbands in the army. The work of cuttingout these garments, giving them out, keeping an account with eachsoldier's wife, paying the price of the labor, etc. , was no smallundertaking, requiring much labor from the members of the society. Itwas an interesting sight, on Thursday of each week, to see hundreds ofpoor women filling the large rooms of the association on ChestnutStreet, from morning to night, receiving work and pay, and to witnessthe untiring industry of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, andCommittees, waiting upon them. 

The visitation of these families by committees, and their reports, tosay nothing of the general sanitary and hospital work performed by thesociety, required a large amount of labor; and in addition to this theaid rendered to destitute families of Union refugees, and the part takenby Mrs. Clapp in organizing a Refugee Home, and House of Industry, wouldeach of itself make quite a chapter of the history of the association. 

In all these labors Mrs. Clapp showed great executive and administrativeability, and must be reckoned by all who know her, among the trulypatriotic women of the land. And in all the relations of life hercharacter stands equally high, adorning, as she does, her Christianprofession by works of piety, and patriotism, and love, and commandingthe highest confidence and admiration of the community in which shelives. 

The devoted labors of MISS H. A. ADAMS, in the service of the soldiersof the Union and their families, from the beginning of the war, tillnear its close, entitle her to a place in the records of this volume. She was born in Fitz William, New Hampshire, at the foot of MountMonadnock, and grew to maturity amid the beautiful scenery, and the pureinfluences of her New England home. Her father, Mr. J. S. Adams, was asurveyor, a man of character and influence, and gave to his daughter anexcellent education. At fifteen years of age she became a teacher, andin 1856 came West for the benefit of her health, having a predispositionto pulmonary consumption, and fearing the effect of the east winds andthe trying climate of the Eastern States. 

Having connections in St. Louis she came to that city, and, for a yearand a half, was employed as a teacher in the public schools. In this, her chosen profession, she soon acquired an honorable position, whichshe retained till the commencement of the war. At this time, however, the management of the schools was directed by a Board of Education, themembers of which were mostly secessionists, the school fund was divertedfrom its proper uses by the disloyal State government, under Claib. Jackson, and all the teachers, who were from New England, were dismissedfrom their situations, at the close of the term in 1861. Miss Adams, ofcourse, was included in this number, and the unjust proscription onlyexcited more intensely the love of her country and its noble defenders, who were already rallying to the standard of the Union, and laying downtheir lives on the altars of justice and liberty. 

In August, 1861, the Ladies' Union Aid Society, of St. Louis, wasorganized. Miss Adams was present at its first meeting and assisted inits formation. She was chosen as its first secretary, which office shefilled with untiring industry, and to the satisfaction of all itsmembers, for more than three years. 

In the autumn of 1863, her only brother died in the military service ofthe United States. With true womanly heroism, she went to the hospitalat Mound City, Illinois, where he had been under surgical treatment, hoping to nurse and care for him, and see him restored to health, butbefore she reached the place he had died and was buried. From this timeher interest in the welfare of our brave troops was increased andintensified, and there was no sacrifice she was not willing to undertakefor their benefit. Moved by the grief of her own personal bereavement, her sympathy for the sick and wounded of the army of the Union, wasmanifested by renewed diligence in the work of sending them all possibleaid and comfort from the ample stores of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, and the Western Sanitary Commission, and by labors for the hospitals farand near. 

The duties of Miss Adams, as Secretary of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, were very arduous. 

The Society comprised several hundred of the most noble, efficient andpatriotic women of St. Louis. The rooms were open every day, frommorning to night. Sanitary stores and Hospital garments were preparedand manufactured by the members, and received by donation from citizensand from abroad, and had to be stored and arranged, and given out againto the Hospitals, and to the sick in regimental camps, in and around St. Louis, and also other points in Missouri, as they were needed. Lettersof acknowledgement had to be written, applications answered, accountskept, proceedings recorded, information and advice given, reportswritten and published, all of which devolved upon the faithful anddevoted Secretary, who was ever at her post, and constant andunremitting in her labors. Soldiers' families had also to be assisted;widows and orphans to be visited and cared for; rents, fuel, clothing, and employment to be provided, and the destitute relieved, of whom therewere thousands whose husbands, and sons, and brothers, were absentfighting the battles of the Union. 

Missouri was, during the first year of the war, a battle-ground. St. Louis and its environs were crowded with troops; the Hospitals werelarge and numerous; during the winter of 1861-2, there were twentythousand sick and wounded soldiers in them; and the concurrent labors ofthe Ladies' Union Aid Society, and the Western Sanitary Commission, werein constant requisition. The visiting of the sick, ministering to themat their couches of pain, reading to them, cheerful conversation withthem, were duties which engaged many of the ladies of the Society; andnumerous interesting and affecting incidents were preserved by MissAdams, and embodied in the Reports of the Association. She also did hershare in this work of visiting; and during the winter of 1863-4, shewent to Nashville, Tennessee, and established there a special dietkitchen, upon which the surgeons in charge of the hospitals, could makerequisitions for the nicer and more delicate preparations of food forthe very sick. She remained all winter in Nashville, in charge of abranch of the St. Louis Aid Society, and, by her influence, secured theopening of the hospitals to female nurses, who had hitherto not beenemployed in Nashville. Knowing, as she did, the superior gentleness ofwomen as nurses, their more abundant kindness and sympathy, and theirgreater skill in the preparation of food for the sick; knowing also thesuccess that had attended the experiment of introducing women nurses inthe Military Hospitals in other cities, she determined to overcome theprejudices of such of the army surgeons as stood in the way, and secureto her sick and wounded brothers in the hospitals at Nashville, thebenefit of womanly kindness, and nursing, and care. In this endeavor shewas entirely successful, and by her persuasive manners, her womanlygrace and refinement, and her good sense, she recommended her views tothe medical authorities, and accomplished her wishes. 

Returning to St. Louis in the spring of 1864, she continued to performthe duties of Secretary of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, till the endof the year, when, in consequence of a contemplated change in her life, she resigned her position, and retired from it with the friendship andwarm appreciation of her co-workers in the useful labors of the society. In the month of June, 1865, she was married to Morris Collins, Esq. , acitizen of St. Louis. 

MRS. C. R. SPRINGER, who has labored so indefatigably at St. Louis, forthe soldiers of the Union and their families during the war, was born inParsonsfield, Maine. Her maiden name was Lord. Previous to her marriageto Mr. Springer, a respectable merchant of St. Louis, she was a teacherin New Hampshire. On the event of her marriage, she came to reside atSt. Louis, about ten years ago, and on the breaking out of the war, espoused with patriotic ardor the cause of her country in its strugglewith the great slaveholding rebellion. To do this in St. Louis, at thatperiod, when wealth and fashion, and church influence were so largely onthe side of the rebellion, and every social circle was more or lessinfected with treason, required a high degree of moral courage andheroism. 

From the first opening of the hospitals in St. Louis, in the autumn of1861, Mrs. Springer became a most untiring, devoted and judiciousvisiter, and by her kind and gracious manners, her words of sympathy andencouragement, and her religious consolation, she imparted hope andcomfort to many a poor, sick, and wounded soldier, stretched upon thebed of languishing. 

Besides her useful labors in the hospitals, Mrs. Springer was an activemember of the Ladies' Union Aid Society in St. Louis, from the date ofits organization in August, 1861, to its final disbanding--October, 1865--in the deliberations of which her counsel always had great weightand influence. During the four years of its varied and useful labors forthe soldiers and their families, she has been among its most diligentworkers. In the winter of 1862, the Society took charge of the labor ofmaking up hospital garments, given out by the Medical Purveyor of thedepartment, and she superintended the whole of this important workduring that winter, in which one hundred and twenty-seven thousand fivehundred garments were made. 

Mrs. Springer is a highly educated woman, of great moral worth, devotedto the welfare of the soldier, inspired by sincere love of country, anda high sense of Christian duty. No one will be more gratefullyremembered by thousands of soldiers and their families, to whom she hasmanifested kindness, and a warm interest in their welfare. Theseservices have been gratuitously rendered, and she has given up customaryrecreations, and sacrificed ease and social pleasure to attend to theseduties of humanity. Her reward will be found in the consciousness ofhaving done good to the defenders of her native land, and in theblessing of those who were ready to perish, to whom her kind services, and words of good cheer came as a healing balm in the hour ofdespondency, and strengthened them for a renewal of their efforts in thecause of country and liberty. 

Among the devoted women who have made themselves martyrs to the work ofhelping our patriotic soldiers and their families in St. Louis, was thelate MRS. MARY E. PALMER. She was born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, June 28th, 1827, and her maiden name was Locker. She was married inFebruary, 1847, to Mr. Samuel Palmer. In 1855 she removed to Kansas, andin 1857 returned as far eastward as St. Louis, where she resided untilher death. 

In the beginning of the war, when battles began to be fought, and thesick and wounded were brought to our hospitals to be treated and caredfor, Mrs. Palmer with true patriotic devotion and womanly sympathyoffered her services to this good cause, and after a variety of hospitalwork in the fall of 1863, she entered into the service of the Ladies'Union Aid Society of St. Louis as a regular visiter among the soldiers'families, many of whom needed aid and work, during the absence of theirnatural protectors in the army. It was a field of great labor andusefulness; for in so large a city there were thousands of poor women, whose husbands often went months without pay, or the means of sending ithome to their families, who were obliged to appeal for assistance intaking care of themselves and children. To prevent imposition it wasnecessary that they should be visited, the requisite aid rendered, andsewing or other work provided by which they could earn a part of theirown support, a proper discrimination being made between the worthy andunworthy, the really suffering, and those who would impose on thecharity of the society under the plea of necessity. 

In this work Mrs. Palmer was most faithful and constant, going from dayto day through a period of nearly two years, in summer and winter, insunshine and storm, to the abodes of these people, to find out theirreal necessities, to report to the society and to secure for them theneeded relief. 

Her labors also extended to many destitute families of refugees, who hadfound their way to St. Louis from the impoverished regions of SouthernMissouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, andwho would have died of actual want, but for the charity of theGovernment and the ministering aid of the Western Sanitary Commissionand the Ladies' Union Aid Society. In her visits and her dispensationsof charity Mrs. Palmer was always wise, judicious, and humane, andenjoyed the fullest confidence of the society in whose service she wasengaged. In the performance of her duties she was always thoroughlyconscientious, and actuated by a high sense of religious duty. From anearly period of her life she had been a consistent member of the BaptistChurch, and her Christian character was adorned by a thoroughconsecration to works of kindness and humanity which were performed inthe spirit of Him, who, during his earthly ministry, "went about doinggood. "

By her arduous labors, which were greater than her physical constitutioncould permanently endure, Mrs. Palmer's health became undermined, and inthe summer of 1865 she passed into a fatal decline, and on the 2d ofAugust ended a life of usefulness on earth to enter upon the enjoymentsof a beatified spirit in heaven. 

LADIES' AID SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA

One of the first societies formed by ladies to aid and care for the sickand wounded soldiers, was the one whose name we have placed at the headof this sketch. The Aid Society of Cleveland, and we believe one inBoston claim a date five or six days earlier, but no others. The ladieswho composed it met on the 26th of April, 1861, and organized themselvesas a society to labor for the welfare of the soldiers whether insickness or health. They continued their labors with unabated zeal untilthe close of the war rendered them unnecessary. The officers of thesociety were Mrs. Joel Jones, President; Mrs. John Harris, Secretary;and Mrs. Stephen Colwell, Treasurer. Mrs. Jones is the widow of the lateHon. Joel Jones, a distinguished jurist of Philadelphia, andsubsequently for several years President of Girard College. A quiet, self-possessed and dignified lady, she yet possessed an earnestlypatriotic spirit, and decided business abilities. Of Mrs. Harris, one ofthe most faithful and persevering laborers for the soldiers in thefield, throughout the war, we have spoken at length elsewhere in thisvolume. Mrs. Colwell, the wife of Hon. Stephen Colwell, a man of rarephilosophic mind and comprehensive views, who had acquired a reputationalike by his writings, and his earnest practical benevolence, was awoman every way worthy of her husband. 

It was early determined to allow Mrs. Harris to follow the promptingsof her benevolent heart and go to the field, while her colleagues shouldattend to the work of raising supplies and money at home, and furnishingher with the stores she required for her own distribution and that ofthe zealous workers who were associated with her. The members of thesociety were connected with twenty different churches of severaldenominations, and while all had reference to the spiritual as well asphysical welfare of the soldier, yet there was nothing sectarian ordenominational in its work. From the fact that its meetings were heldand its goods packed in the basement and vestry of Dr. Boardman'sChurch, it was sometimes called the Presbyterian Ladies' Aid Society, but the name, if intended to imply that its character wasdenominational, was unjust. As early as October, 1861, the pastors oftwelve churches in Philadelphia united in an appeal to all into whosehands the circular might fall, to contribute to this society and to formauxiliaries to it, on the ground of its efficiency, its economicalmanagement, and its unsectarian character. 

The society, with but moderate receipts as compared with those of thegreat organizations, accomplished a great amount of good. Not a few ofthe most earnest and noble workers in the field were at one time oranother the distributors of its supplies, and thus in some sense, itsagents. Among these we may name besides Mrs. Harris, Mrs. M. M. Husband, Mrs. Mary W. Lee, Miss M. M. C. Hall, Miss Cornelia Hancock, Miss AnnaM. Ross, Miss Nellie Chase, of Nashville, Miss Hetty K. Painter, Mrs. Z. Denham, Miss Pinkham, Miss Biddle, Mrs. Sampson, Mrs. Waterman, andothers. The work intended by the society, and which its agents attemptedto perform was a religious as well as a physical one; hospital supplieswere to be dispensed, and the sick and dying soldier carefully nursed;but it was also a part of its duty to point the sinner to Christ, towarn and reprove the erring, and to bring religious consolation andsupport to the sick and dying; the Bible, the Testament, and the tractwere as truly a part of its supplies as the clothing it distributed soliberally, or the delicacies it provided to tempt the appetite of thesick. Mrs. Harris established prayer-meetings wherever it was possiblein the camps or at the field hospitals, and several of the other ladiesfollowed her example. 

In her first report, Mrs. Harris said:--"In addition to the dispensingof hospital supplies, the sick of two hundred and three regiments havebeen personally visited. Hundreds of letters, bearing last messages oflove to dear ones at home, have been written for sick and dyingsoldiers. We have thrown something of home light and love around therude couches of at least five hundred of our noble citizen soldiers, whosleep their last sleep along the Potomac. 

"We have been permitted to take the place of mothers and sisters, wipingthe chill dew of death from the noble brow, and breathing words of Jesusinto the ear upon which all other sounds fell unheeded. The gentlepressure of the hand has carried the dying one to the old homestead, and, as it often happened, by a merciful illusion, the dying soldier hasthought the face upon which his last look rested, was that of a preciousmother, sister, or other cherished one. One, a German, in brokenaccents, whispered: 'How good you have come, Eliza; Jesus is always nearme;' then, wrestling with that mysterious power, death, slept in Jesus. Again, a gentle lad of seventeen summers, wistfully then joyfullyexclaimed: 'I knew she would come to her boy, ' went down comforted intothe dark valley. Others, many others still, have thrown a lifetime oftrustful love into the last look, sighing out life with 'Mother, dearmother!'

"It has been our _highest_ aim, whilst ministering to the temporalwell-being of our loved and valued soldiers, to turn their thoughts andaffections heavenward. We are permitted to hope that not a few have, through the blessed influence of religious tracts, soldiers' pocketbooks, soldiers' Bibles, and, above all, the Holy Scriptures distributedby us, been led 'to cast anchor upon that which is within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. '"

The society did not attempt, and wisely, to compete with the greatcommissions in their work. It could not supply an entire army or throwupon the shoulders of its hard-working voluntary agents the care of thesick and wounded of a great battle. Its field of operations was ratherhere and there a field hospital, the care of the sick and wounded of asingle division, or at most of a small army corps, when not engaged inany great battles; the providing for some hundreds of refugees, the careof some of the freedmen, and the assistance of the families of thesoldiers. Whatever it undertook to do it did well. Its semi-annualreports consisted largely of letters from its absent secretary, lettersfull of pathos and simple eloquence, and these widely circulated, produced a deep impression, and stirred the sympathies of those whoread, to more abundant contributions. 

As an instance of the spirit which actuated the members of this societywe state the following incident of which we were personally cognizant;one of the officers of the society soon after the commencement of thewar had contributed so largely to its funds that she felt that only bysome self-denial could she give more. Considering for a time where theretrenchment should begin, she said to the members of her family; "thesesoldiers who have gone to fight our battles have been willing to hazardtheir lives for us, and we certainly cannot do too much for them. Now, Ipropose, if you all consent, to devote a daily sum to the relief of thearmy while the war lasts, and that we all go without some accustomedluxury to procure that sum. Suppose we dispense with our dessert duringthe war?" Her family consented, and the cost of the dessert was dulypaid over to the society as an additional donation throughout the war. 

The society received and expended during the four years ending April 30, 1865, twenty-four thousand dollars in money, beside five hundred andfifty dollars for soldiers' families, and seven hundred dollars withaccumulated interest for aiding disabled soldiers to reach their homes. The supplies distributed were worth not far from one hundred andtwenty-five thousand dollars, aside from those sent directly to Mrs. Harris from individuals and societies, which were estimated at fully twohundred thousand dollars. 

 * * * * *

In this connection it may be well to say something of two otherassociations of ladies in Philadelphia for aiding the soldiers, whichremained independent of the Sanitary or Christian Commissions throughthe war, and which accomplished much good. 

THE PENN RELIEF ASSOCIATION was organized early in 1862, first by theHicksite Friends, to demonstrate the falsity of the commonly receivedreport that the "Friends, " being opposed to war, would not do anythingfor the sick and wounded. Many of the "Orthodox Friends" afterwardsjoined it, as well as considerable numbers from other denominations, andit proved itself a very efficient body. Mrs. Rachel S. Evans was itsPresident, and Miss Anna P. Little and Miss Elizabeth Newport its activeand hard-working Secretaries, and Miss Little doubtless expressed thefeeling which actuated all its members in a letter in which she saidthat "while loyal men were suffering, loyal women must work to alleviatetheir sufferings. " The "Penn Relief" collected supplies to an amountexceeding fifty thousand dollars, which were almost wholly sent to the"front, " and distributed by such judicious and skilful hands as Mrs. Husband, Mrs. Hetty K. Painter, Mrs. Mary W. Lee, and Mrs. Anna Carver. 

"THE SOLDIERS' AID ASSOCIATION, " was organized on the 28th of July, 1862, mainly through the efforts of Mrs. Mary A. Brady, a lady of WestPhiladelphia, herself a native of Ireland, but the wife of an Englishlawyer, who had made his home in Philadelphia, in 1849. Mrs. Brady waselected President of the Association, and the first labors of herselfand her associates were expended on the Satterlee Hospital, one of thosevast institutions created by the Medical Department of the Government, which had over three thousand beds, each during those dark and drearydays occupied by some poor sufferer. In this great hospital these ladiesfound, for a time, full employment for the hearts and hands of theCommittees who, on their designated days of the week, ministered tothese thousands of sick and wounded men, and from the depôt of supplieswhich the Association had established at the hospital, prepared anddistributed fruits, food skilfully prepared, and articles of hospitalclothing, of which the men were greatly in need. Those cheeringministrations, reading and singing to the men, writing letters for them, and the dressing and applying of cooling lotions to the hot and inflamedwounds were not forgotten by these tender and kind-hearted women. 

But Mrs. Brady looked forward to work in other fields, and the exertionof a wider influence, and though for months, she and her associates feltthat the present duty must first be done, she desired to go to thefront, and there minister to the wounded before they had endured all theagony of the long journey to the hospital in the city. The patients ofthe Satterlee Hospital were provided with an ample dinner on the day ofthe National Thanksgiving, by the Association, and as they were nowdiminishing in numbers, and the Auxiliary Societies, which had sprung upthroughout the State, had poured in abundant supplies, Mrs. Brady feltthat the time had come when she could consistently enter upon the worknearest her heart. In the winter of 1863, she visited Washington, andthe hospitals and camps which were scattered around the city, atdistances of from five to twenty miles. Here she found multitudes ofsick and wounded, all suffering from cold, from hunger, or frominattention. "Camp Misery, " with its twelve thousand convalescents, in acondition of intense wretchedness moved her sympathies, and led her todo what she could for them. She returned home at the beginning of April, and her preparations for another journey were hardly made, before thebattles of Chancellorsville and its vicinity occurred. Here at thegreat field hospital of Sedgwick's (Sixth) Corps, she commenced inearnest her labors in the care of the wounded directly from the field. For five weeks she worked with an energy and zeal which were theadmiration of all who saw her, and then as Lee advanced towardPennsylvania, she returned home for a few days of rest. 

Then came Gettysburg, with its three days of terrible slaughter, andMrs. Brady was again at her work day and night, furnishing soft food tothe severely wounded, cooling drinks to the thirsty and fever-stricken, soothing pain, encouraging the men to heroic endurance of theirsufferings, everywhere an angel of comfort, a blessed and healingpresence. More than a month was spent in these labors, and at theirclose Mrs. Brady returned to her work in the Hospitals at Philadelphia, and to preparation for the autumn and winter campaigns. When early inJanuary, General Meade made his Mine Run Campaign, Mrs. Brady had againgone to the front, and was exposed to great vicissitudes of weather, andwas for a considerable time in peril from the enemy's fire. Herexertions and exposures at this time brought on disease of the heart, and her physician forbade her going to the front again. She however madeall the preparations she could for the coming campaign, and hoped, though vainly, that she might be permitted again to enter upon the workshe loved. When the great battles of May, 1864, were fought, thedreadful slaughter which accompanied them, so disquieted her, that itaggravated her disease, and on the 27th of May, she died, greatlymourned by all who knew her worth, and her devotion to the nationalcause. 

The Association continued its work till the close of the war. The amountof its disbursements, we have not been able to ascertain. 

WOMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION OF BROOKLYN AND LONG ISLAND. 

The city of Brooklyn, Long Island, and the Island of which it forms theWestern extremity, were from the commencement of the war intenselypatriotic. Regiment after regiment was raised in the city, and its quotafilled from the young men of the city, and the towns of the island, tillit seemed as every man of military age, and most of the youth betweenfifteen and eighteen had been drawn into the army. An enthusiastic zealfor the national cause had taken as complete possession of the women asof the men. Everywhere were seen the badges of loyalty, and there was nolack of patient labor or of liberal giving for the soldiers on the partof those who had either money or labor to bestow. The news of the firstbattle was the signal for an outpouring of clothing, hospital stores, cordials, and supplies of all sorts, which were promptly forwarded tothe field. After each successive engagement, this was repeated, and atfirst, the Young Men's Christian Association of the city, a mostefficient organization, undertook to be the almoners of a part of thebounty of the citizens. Distant as was the field of Shiloh, a delegationfrom the Association went thither, bearing a large amount of hospitalstores, and rendered valuable assistance to the great numbers ofwounded. Other organizations sprang up, having in view the care of thewounded and sick of the army, and many contributors entrusted to theearnest workers at Washington, the stores they were anxious to bestowupon the suffering. After the great battles of the summer and autumn of1862, large numbers of the sick and wounded were brought to Brooklyn, for care and treatment filling at one time three hospitals. They cameoften in need of all things, and the benevolent women of the city formedthemselves into Committees, to visit these hospitals in turn, andprepare and provide suitable dishes, delicacies, and special diet forthe invalid soldiers, to furnish such clothing as was needed, to read tothem, write letters for them, and bestow upon them such acts of kindnessas should cause them to feel that their services in defense of thenation were fully appreciated and honored. 

There was, however, in these varied efforts for the soldiers a lack ofconcentration and efficiency which rendered them less serviceable thanthey otherwise might have been. The different organizations andcommittees working independently of each other, not unfrequentlyfurnished over-abundant supplies to some regiments or hospitals, whileothers were left to lack, and many who had the disposition to give, hesitated from want of knowledge or confidence in the organizationswhich would disburse the funds. The churches of the city though givingfreely when called upon, were not contributing systematically, orputting forth their full strength in the service. It was this convictionof the need of a more methodical and comprehensive organization to whichthe churches, committees, and smaller associations should becometributary, which led to the formation of the Women's Relief Association, as a branch of the United States Sanitary Commission. This Associationwas organized November 23d, 1862, at a meeting held by the Ladies ofBrooklyn, in the Lecture Room of the Church of the Pilgrims, and MRS. MARIAMNE FITCH STRANAHAN, was chosen President, and Miss Kate E. Waterbury, Secretary, with an Executive Committee of twelve ladies ofhigh standing and patriotic impulses. The selection of President andSecretary was eminently a judicious one. MRS. STRANAHAN was a native ofWestmoreland, Oneida County, New York, and had received for the time, and the region in which her childhood and youth was passed, superioradvantages of education. She was married in 1837, to Mr. James S. T. Stranahan, then a merchant of Florence, Oneida County, New York, but whoremoved with his family in 1840, to Newark, New Jersey, and in 1845, took up his residence in Brooklyn. Here they occupied a high socialposition, Mr. Stranahan having been elected a Representative to theThirty-fourth Congress, and subsequently appointed to other positions ofresponsibility in the city and State. Mrs. Stranahan was active in everygood work in the city of her adoption, and those who knew her felt thatthey could confide in her judgment, her discernment, her tact, and herunflinching integrity and principle. For eight years she was the firstDirectress of the "Graham Institute, for the relief of Aged and IndigentFemales, " a position requiring the exercise of rare abilities, and themost skilful management, to harmonize the discords, and quiet themisunderstandings, inevitable in such an institution. Her discretion, equanimity, and tact, were equal to the duties of the place, and underher administration peace and quiet reigned. It was probably from theknowledge of her executive abilities, that she was unanimously chosen topreside over the Women's Relief Association. This position was also onerequiring great tact and skill in the presiding officer. About eightychurches of different denominations in Brooklyn, coöperated in the workof the Association, and it had also numerous auxiliaries scattered overthe Island. These diverse elements were held together in perfectharmony, by Mrs. Stranahan's skilful management, till the occasionceased for their labors. The Association was from first to last aperfect success, surpassing in its results most of the branches of theCommission, and surpassed in the harmony and efficiency of its action bynone. 

In her final report Mrs. Stranahan said: "The aggregate of our effortsincluding the results of our Great Fair, represents a money value of notless than half a million of dollars. " Three hundred thousand dollars ofthis sum were paid into the treasury of the United States SanitaryCommission in cash; and hospital supplies were furnished to the amountof over two hundred thousand more. The Great Fair of Brooklyn had itsorigin in the Women's Relief Association. At first it was proposed thatBrooklyn should unite with New York in the Metropolitan Fair; but onfurther deliberation it was thought that a much larger result would beattained by an independent effort on the part of Brooklyn and LongIsland, and the event fully justified the opinion. The conducting ofsuch a fair involved, however, an excessive amount of labor on the partof the managers; and notwithstanding the perfect equanimity andself-possession of Mrs. Stranahan, her health was sensibly affected bythe exertions she was compelled to make to maintain the harmony andefficiency of so many and such varied interests. It is much to say, butthe proof of the statement is ample, that no one of the Sanitary Fairsheld from 1863 to 1865 equalled that of Brooklyn in its freedom from allfriction and disturbing influences, in the earnestness of its patrioticfeeling, and the complete and perfect harmony which reigned from itscommencement to its close. This gratifying condition of affairs wasuniversally attributed to the extraordinary tact and executive talent ofMrs. Stranahan. 

Rev. Dr. Spear, her pastor, in a touching and eloquent memorial of her, uses the following language in regard to the success of heradministration as President of the Women's Relief Association; "It isdue to truth to say that this success depended very largely upon herwisdom and her efforts. She was the right woman in the right place. Shegave her time to the work with a zeal and perseverance that neverfaltered, and with a hopefulness for her country that yielded to nodiscouragement or despondency. As a presiding officer she discharged herduties with a self-possession, courtesy, skill, and method, thatcommanded universal admiration. She had a quick and judicious insightinto the various ways and means by which the meetings of theAssociation would be rendered interesting and attractive. The businesspart of the work was constantly under her eye. No woman ever labored ina sphere more honorable; and but few women could have filled her place. Her general temper of mind, her large and catholic views as a Christian, and then her excellent discretion, eminently fitted her to combine allthe churches in one harmonious and patriotic effort. This was herconstant study; and well did she succeed. As an evidence of thesentiments with which she had inspired her associates, the followingresolution offered at the last meeting of the Association, andunanimously adopted, will speak for itself:--

 "'_Resolved_, That the thanks of the Women's Relief Association are pre-eminently due to our President, Mrs. J. S. T. Stranahan, for the singular ability, wisdom, and patience with which she has discharged the duties of her office, at all times arduous, and not unfrequently requiring sacrifices to which nothing short of the deepest love of country could have been equal. It is due to justice, and to the feelings of our hearts, to say that the usefulness, the harmony, and the continued existence of the Women's Relief Association, through the long and painful struggle, now happily ended, have been in a large measure owing to the combination of rare gifts, which have been so conspicuous to us all in the guidance of our public meetings, and which have marked not less the more unnoticed, but equally essential, superintendence of the work in private. '"

The Rev. Dr. Bellows, President of the United States SanitaryCommission, thus speaks of Mrs. Stranahan and of the Brooklyn Woman'sRelief Association, of which she was the head:

"Knowing Mrs. Stranahan only in her official character, as head of thenoble band of women who through the war, by their admirable organizationand efficient, patient working, made Brooklyn a shining example for allother cities--I wonder that she should have left so deep a _personal_impression upon my heart; and that from a dozen interviews confinedwholly to one subject, I should have conceived a friendship for herwhich it commonly takes a life of various intercourse and intimate orfamiliar relations to establish. And this is the more remarkable, because her directness, clearness of intention, and precision of purposealways kept her confined, in the conversations I held with her, to thespecial subject on which we met to take counsel. She had so admirablyordered an understanding, was so business-like and clear in her habitsof mind, that not a minute was lost with her in beating the bush. Withmild determination, and in a gentle distinctness of tone, she laid herviews or wishes before me, in a way that never needed any otherexplanation or enforcement than her simple statement carried with it. Infew, precise, and transparent words, she made known her business, orgave her opinion, and wasted not a precious minute in generalities, oron matters aside from our common object. This rendered my officialintercourse with her peculiarly satisfactory. She always knew just whatshe wanted to say, and left no uncertainty as to what she had said; andwhat she said, had always been so carefully considered, that her wisheswere full of reason, and her advice full of persuasion. She seemed to meto unite the greatest discretion with the finest enthusiasm. As earnest, large, and noble in her views of what was due to the National cause, asthe most zealous could be, she was yet so practical, judicious, andsober in her judgment, that what she planned, I learned to regard ascertain of success. No one could see her presiding with mingled modestyand dignity over one of the meetings of the Women's Relief Association, without admiration for her self-possession, propriety of utterance, andskill in furthering the objects in view. I have always supposed that herwisdom, resolution, and perseverance, had a controlling influence in theglorious success of the Brooklyn Relief Association--the most marked andmemorable fellowship of women, united from all sects and orders ofChristians, in one practical enterprise, that the world ever saw. "

After the disbanding of the Women's Relief Association, Mrs. Stranahan, though retaining her profound interest in the welfare of her country, and her desire for its permanent pacification by such measures as shouldremove all further causes of discord and strife, returned to the quietof her home, and except her connection with the Graham Institute, gladlywithdrew from any conspicuous or public position. Her health was as wehave said impaired somewhat by her assiduous devotion to her duties inconnection with the Association, but she made no complaint, and herfamily did not take the alarm. The spring of 1866 found her so feeble, that it was thought the pure and bracing air of the Green Mountainsmight prove beneficial in restoring her strength, but her days werenumbered. On the 30th of August she died at Manchester, Vermont. 

In closing our sketch of this excellent woman, we deem it due to hermemory to give the testimony of two clergymen who were well acquaintedwith her work and character, to her eminent abilities, and herextraordinary worth. Rev. Dr. Farley, says of her:

"When I think of the amount of time, thought, anxious and pains-takingreflection, and active personal attention and effort she gave to thisgreat work; when I recall how for nearly three years, with other weightycares upon her, and amid failing health, she contrived to give herselfso faithfully and devotedly to carrying it on, I am lost in admiration. True, she had for coadjutors a company of noble women, worthyrepresentatives of our great and beautiful city. They represented everyphase of our social and religious life; they were distinguished by allthe various traits which are the growth of education and habit; they hadon many subjects few views or associations in common. In one thing, indeed, they were united--the desire to serve their country in her hourof peril, by ministering to the sufferings of her heroic defenders inthe field. Acting on this thought--knowing no personal distinctionswhere this was the prevailing sentiment--and treating all with the likecourtesy--she had yet the nice tact to call into requisition for specialemergencies the precise talent which was wanted, and give it its rightdirection. Now and then--strange if it had not been so--there would besome questioning of her proposed measures, some demur to, or reluctanceto accept her suggestions; but among _men_, the case would be found arare one, where a presiding officer carried so largely and uniformly, from first to last, the concurrent judgment and approval of hiscompeers. 

"I shall always call her to mind as among the remarkable women whom Ihave had the good fortune to know. With no especial coveting ofnotoriety, she was--as one might say--in the course of nature, orrather--as I prefer to say--in the order of the Divine Providence, called to occupy very responsible positions bearing largely on thepublic weal; and she was not found wanting. Nay, she was found eminentlyfit. All admitted it. And all find, now that she has been taken to herrest, that they owe her every grateful and honored remembrance. "

The Rev. W. J. Budington, D. D. , who had known her activity and zeal inthe various positions she had been called to fill, pays the followingeloquent tribute to her memory:

"I had known Mrs. Stranahan chiefly, in common with the citizens ofBrooklyn, as the head of the 'Women's Relief Association, ' and thus, asthe representative of the patriotism and Christian benevolence of theLadies of Brooklyn, in that great crisis of our national history whichdrew forth all that was best in our countrymen and countrywomen, andnowhere more than in our own city. Most naturally--_inevitably_, I maysay--she became the presiding officer of this most useful and efficientAssociation. Possessed naturally of a strong mind, clear in herperceptions, and logical in her courses of thought, she had, at theoutset of the struggle, the most decided convictions of duty, andentered into the work of national conservation with a heartiness andself-devotion, which, in a younger person, would have been calledenthusiasm, but which in her case was only the measure of an enlightenedChristianity and patriotism. She toiled untiringly, in season and out ofseason, when others flagged, she supplied the lack by giving more time, and redoubling her exertions; as the war wore wearily on, and disasterscame, enfeebling some, and confounding others, she rose to sublimerefforts, and supplied the ranks of the true and faithful who gatheredround her, with the proper watchwords and fresh resources. I bothadmired and wondered at her in this regard; and when success came, crowning the labors and sacrifices of our people, her soul was lessfilled with mere exultation than with sober thoughtfulness as to whatstill remained to be done. * * * *

"I regard Mrs. Stranahan as one of the most extraordinary of that galaxyof women, whom the night of our country's sorrow disclosed, and whoselight will shine forever in the land they have done their part--I darenot say, how great a part--to save. "

We should do gross injustice to this efficient Association, if weneglected to give credit to its other officers, for their faithfulnessand persevering energy during the whole period of its existence. Especially should the services of its patient and hard-workingCorresponding Secretary, Miss Kate E. Waterbury, be acknowledged. Nextto the president, she was its most efficient officer, ever at her post, and performing her duties with a thoroughness and heartiness whichcalled forth the admiration of all who witnessed her zeal and devotion. Miss Perkins, the faithful agent in charge of the depôt of supplies androoms of the Association, was also a quiet and persevering toiler forthe promotion of its great objects. 

LADIES' UNION RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS OF BALTIMORE. 

Amidst the malign influences of secession and treason, entire andunqualified devotion to the Union, shone with additional brightness fromits contrast with surrounding darkness. In all portions of the Southwere found examples of this patriotic devotion, and nowhere did itdisplay itself more nobly than in the distracted city of Baltimore. TheUnion people were near enough to the North with its patriotic sentiment, and sufficiently protected by the presence of Union soldiery, to be ableto act with the freedom and spontaneity denied to their compatriots ofthe extreme South, and they did act nobly for the cause of their countryand its defenders. 

Among the ladies of Baltimore, few were more constantly or conspicuouslyemployed, for the benefit of sufferers from the war, than MRS. ELIZABETHM. STREETER. With the modesty that almost invariably accompanies greatdevotion and singleness of purpose she sought no public notice; but inthe case of one so actively employed in good works, it was impossible toavoid it. 

More than one of the Associations of Ladies formed in Baltimore for therelief of soldiers, of their families, and of refugees from secession, owes its inception, organization, and successful career to the mind andenergies of Mrs. Streeter. It may truly be said of her that she hasrefused no work which her hands could find to accomplish. 

Mrs. Streeter was the wife of the late Hon. S. F. Streeter, Esq. , awell-known citizen of Baltimore, a member of the city Government duringthe war, an active Union man, devoted to the cause of his country andher defenders as indefatigably as his admirable wife. Working in variousorganizations, he was made an almoner of the city funds bestowed uponthe families of soldiers, and upon hospitals, and afterwards appointedin conjunction with George R. Dodge, Esq. , to distribute theappropriation of the State, for the families of Maryland soldiers. Thusthe two were continually working side by side, or in separate spheres oflabor, for the same cause, all through the dark days of the rebellion. 

Mrs. Streeter was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, her ancestors, theJacksons, having been among the original settlers of the old Colony, andshe has doubtless inherited the ancestral love of freedom. For thirtyyears she has been a resident of Baltimore. 

On the 16th of October, 1861, she originated the Ladies' Union ReliefAssociation, of Baltimore, and in connection with other zealous loyalladies, carried on its operations for more than a year with greatsuccess. From this as a center, sprang other similar associations indifferent parts of the city, and connected with the various hospitals. 

After the battle of Antietam, Mrs. Streeter, with Mrs. Pancoast, a mostenergetic member of the Association, spent some time on the fielddispensing supplies, and attending to the wants of the wounded, suffering and dying. 

Exhausted by her labors and responsibilities, at the end of a year, Mrs. Streeter resigned her official connection with the Ladies' ReliefAssociation, and after a brief period of repose, she devoted herself topersonal visitation of the hospitals, dispensing needed comforts anddelicacies, and endeavoring by conversation with the inmates to cheerthem, stimulate their patriotism, and to make their situation in allrespects, more comfortable. 

Subsequently, she connected herself with the hospital attached to theUnion Relief Association, located at 120 South Eutaw Street, Baltimore. Up to the time of the discontinuance of the work of the Association, she gave it her daily attendance, and added largely to its resources byway of supplies. 

At this time, Baltimore was thronged by the families of refugees, whowere rendered insecure in their homes by the fact of their entertainingUnion sentiments, or homeless, by some of the bands of marauders whichfollowed the advance of the Confederate troops when they invadedMaryland, or, who perhaps, living unfortunately in the very track of theconflicting armies, found themselves driven from their burninghomesteads, and devastated fields, victims of a wanton soldiery. Destitute, ragged and shelterless, their condition appealed withpeculiar force to the friends of the Union. State aid was by no meanssufficient, and unorganized charity unavailable to any great extent. 

Mrs. Streeter was one of the first to see the need of systematicassistance for this class. On the 16th of November, 1863, the result ofher interest was seen in the organization of the "Ladies' Aid Society, for the Relief of Soldiers' Families, " which included in its efforts therelief of all destitute female refugees. A house was taken moreparticularly to accommodate these last, and the Association, whichconsisted of twenty-five ladies, proceeded to visit the families ofsoldiers and refugees in person, inquiring into their needs, anddispensing money, food, clothing, shoes, fuel, etc. , as required. Overtwelve hundred families were thus visited and relieved, in addition tothe inmates of the Home. For this purpose they received from the cityand various associations about seven thousand dollars, and a largeamount from private contributions. In this and kindred work, Mrs. Streeter was engaged till the close of the war. 

The second report of the Maryland Committee of the Christian Commissionthus speaks of the services of the devoted women who proceeded to thefield after the battle of Antietam, and there ministered to the wants ofthe suffering and wounded soldiers. 

"Attendance in the hospitals upon the wounded at Antietam, was requiredfor several months after the battle. Services and supplies werefurnished by the Committee, principally through the agency of the ladiesof the Relief Associations, to whom the Committee acknowledge itsindebtedness for important and necessary labors, which none butthemselves could so well perform. The hospitals were located near thebattle-field, and the adjacent towns, and in Baltimore and Frederickcities. Connected with each of them there was a band of faithful anddevoted women, who waited about the beds of the suffering objects oftheir concern, and ministered to their relief and comfort during thehours of their affliction. Through the months of September, October, andNovember, these messengers of mercy labored among the wounded ofAntietam, and were successful in saving the lives of hundreds of thebadly wounded. They had not yet cleared the hospitals, when otherbattles added to their number, and made new drafts for services, whichwere promptly and cheerfully rendered. "

Many times the Committee take occasion to mention the valuable servicesof the loyal ladies of Baltimore, and the services of Mrs. Streeter arespecially noticed in the third report in connection with the InvalidCamp Hospital located at the boundary of the city and county ofBaltimore in the vicinity of Northern Avenue. 

"The services to this camp, usually performed by ladies, were under thesupervision of Mrs. S. F. Streeter, who visited the grounds daily, onseveral occasions several times a day. The Secretary of the Committeehas frequently met Mrs. Streeter on her errand of benevolence, conveyingto the sufferers the delicacies she had prepared. Her active andfaithful services were continued until the breaking up of the camp. "

The ladies of Baltimore worked in connection with the Sanitary andChristian Commissions, both of which organizations take occasionfrequently to acknowledge their services. 

Late in 1864, Mrs. Streeter was called to deep affliction. Hernoble-hearted and patriotic husband, who had been as active as herselfin all enterprises for the welfare of the soldiers, and the promotion ofthe cause for which the war was undertaken, was suddenly taken from her, falling a victim to fever contracted in his ministrations to the sickand wounded of the Army of the Potomac, and the home and city where hispresence had been to her a joy and delight, became, since he was gonetoo full of gloom and sorrow to be borne. Mrs. Streeter returned to herNew England home in the hope of finding there some relief from the griefwhich overwhelmed her spirit. 

Two other ladies of Baltimore, and doubtless many more, deserve especialmention in this connection, Miss TYSON, and Mrs. BECK. Active andefficient members of the Ladies' Relief Association of that city, theywere also active and eminently useful in the field and generalhospitals. To the hospital work they seem both to have been called byMrs. John Harris, who to her other good qualities added that ofrecognizing instinctively, the women who could be made useful in thework in which she was engaged. 

Miss Tyson was with Mrs. Harris at French's Division Hospital, afterAntietam, and subsequently at Smoketown General Hospital, and after sixor eight weeks of labor there, was attacked with typhoid fever. Herillness was protracted, but she finally recovered and resumed her work, going with Mrs. Harris to the West, and during most of the year 1864, was in charge of the Low Diet Department of the large hospital onLookout Mountain. Few ladies equalled her in skill in the preparation ofsuitable food and delicacies for those who needed special diet. MissTyson was a faithful, indefatigable worker, and not only gave herservices to the hospitals, but expended largely of her own means for thesoldiers. She was always, however, disposed to shrink from any mentionof her work, and we are compelled to content ourselves with this briefmention of her great usefulness. 

Mrs. Beck was also a faithful and laborious aide to Mrs. Harris, atFalmouth, and afterwards at the West. She was, we believe, a native ofPhiladelphia, though residing in Baltimore. Her earnestness and patiencein many very trying circumstances, elicited the admiration of all whoknew her. She was an excellent singer, and when she sang in thehospitals some of the popular hymns, the words and melody would oftenawaken an interest in the heart of the soldier for a better life. 

MRS. C. T. FENN. 

Berkshire County, Massachusetts, has long been noted as the birth-placeof many men and women distinguished in the higher ranks of the bestphases of American life, literature, law, science, art, philosophy, aswell as religion, philanthropy, and the industrial and commercialprogress of our country have all been brilliantly illustrated andpowerfully aided by those who drew their first breath, and had theirearliest home among the green hills and lovely valleys of Berkshire. Bryant gained the inspiration of his poems--sweet, tender, refined, elevating--from its charming scenery; and from amidst the same scenesMiss Sedgwick gathered up the quiet romance of country life, often asdeep as silent, and wove it into those delightful tales which were thejoy of our youthful hearts. 

The men of Berkshire are brave and strong, its women fair and noble. Itsmountains are the green altars upon which they kindled the fires oftheir patriotism. And these fires brightened a continent, and made gladthe heart of a nation. 

Berkshire had gained the _prestige_ of its patriotism in two wars, andat the sound of the signal gun of the rebellion its sons--"brave sons ofnoble sires"--young men, and middle-aged, and boys, sprang to arms. Itsregiments were among the first to answer the call of the country and tooffer themselves for its defense. Let Ball's Bluff and the Wilderness, the Chickahominy, and the deadly swamps and bayous of the Southwest, tell to the listening world the story of their bravery, their enduranceand their sacrifices. 

But these men who went forth to fight left behind them, in their homes, hearts as brave and strong as their own. If Berkshire has a proud recordof the battle-field, not less proud is that which might be written ofher home work. Its women first gave their best beloved to the defense ofthe country, and then, in their desolate homes, all through the slowlength of those horrible, sometimes hopeless years, by labor andsacrifice, by thought and care, they gave themselves to the more silentbut not less noble work of supplying the needs and ministering to thecomforts of the sick and wounded soldiery. 

Foremost among these noble women, as the almoner of their bounty, andthe organizer of their efforts, stands the subject of this sketch, Mrs. C. T. Fenn, of Pittsfield, whose devotion to the work during the entirewar was unintermitted and untiring. 

Mrs. Fenn, whose maiden name was Dickinson, was born in Pittsfield justbefore the close of the last century, and with the exception of a briefresidence in Boston, has passed her entire life there. Her husband, Deacon Curtis T. Fenn, an excellent citizen, and enterprising man ofbusiness, in his "haste to be rich, " was at one time tempted to venturelargely, and became bound for others. The result was a failure, and aremoval to Boston with the idea of retrieving his fortunes in newscenes. Here his only son, a promising young man of twenty-two years, fell ill, and with the hope of arresting his disease, and if possiblesaving his precious life, his parents returned to his native place, giving up their flattering prospects in the metropolis. It was in vain, however--in a few months the insidious disease, always so fatal in NewEngland, claimed its victim, and they were bereaved in their dearesthopes. 

This affliction did not change, but perhaps intensified, the characterof Mrs. Fenn. She was now called to endure labor, and to make manysacrifices, while her husband was slowly winning his way back tocompetence. But ever full of kindness and sympathy, she devoted her timemore unsparingly to doing good. Her name became a synonym forspontaneous benevolence in her native town. By the bed-sides of the sickand dying, in the home of poverty, and the haunts of disease, where sin, and sorrow and suffering, that trinity of human woe are ever to befound, she became a welcome and revered visitant. All sought her introuble, and she withheld not counsel nor aid in any hour of need, norfrom any who claimed them. 

This was the prestige with which she was surrounded at the opening ofthe war, and her warm heart, as well as her patriotic instincts were atonce ready for any work of kindness or aid it should develop. Thefollowing extract from the Berkshire County Eagle, of May, 1862, tellsbetter than we can of the estimation in which she was held in her nativetown. 

"Mrs. Fenn, as most of our Pittsfield readers know, has been for manyyears the kind and familiar friend of the sick and suffering. Familiarwith its shades, her step in the sick chamber has been as welcome and asbeneficial as that of the physician. When the ladies were appealed tofor aid for our soldiers suffering from wounds or disease, she enteredinto the work with her whole soul and devoted all her time and the skilllearned in years of attendance on the sick to the new necessities. Possessing the entire confidence of our citizens, and appealing to thempersonally and assiduously, she was met by generous and well selectedcontributions which we have, from time to time, chronicled. In herduties at the work room, in preparing the material contributed, she hashad constant and reliable assistance, but very much less than wasneeded, a defect which we hope will be remedied. Surely many of ourladies have leisure to relieve her of a portion of her work, and wetrust that some of our patriotic boys will give their aid, for we learnthat even such duties as the sweeping of the rooms devolve upon her. 

"Knowing that Mrs. Fenn's entire time had been occupied for months inthis great and good cause, and that all her time was not adequate to themanifold duties imposed upon her, we were somewhat surprised to see aletter addressed to her in print a few weeks since, complimenting herupon her efforts for the soldiers and asking her to give her aid incollecting hospital stores for the clinic at the Medical College. Surelythought we, there ought to be more than one Dorcas in Pittsfield. Indeed, it occurred to us that there were ladies here who, howeverrepugnant to aid the soldiers of the North, could, without violence totheir feelings so far as the object is concerned, gracefully employ ashare of their elegant leisure in the service of the Medical College. But Mrs. Fenn did not refuse the new call, and having let her charitybegin at home with those who are dearest and nearest to our hearts, ourcountry's soldiers, expanded it to embrace those whose claim is alsoimperative, the poor whom we have always with us, and made largecollections for the patients of the clinic. 

"We have thus briefly sketched the services of this noble woman, partlyin justice to her, but principally as an incentive to others. "

Very early in the war, a meeting of the ladies of Pittsfield was calledwith the intention of organizing the services, so enthusiasticallyproffered on all hands, for the benefit of the soldiers. It was quitenumerously attended, and the interest and feeling was evidently intense. But they failed to organize anything beyond a temporary association. Allwanted to work, but none to lead. All looked to Mrs. Fenn as head andleader, while she was more desirous of being hand and follower. Noconstitution was adopted, nor officers elected. But as the generalexpression of feeling seemed to be that all should be left in the handsof Mrs. Fenn, the meeting adjourned with a tacit understanding to thateffect. 

And so it remained until the close of the work. Mrs. Fenn continued tobe the life and soul of the movement, and there was never anyorganization. In answer to her appeals, the people of Pittsfield, ofmany towns in Berkshire, as well as numbers of the adjoining towns inthe State of New York, forwarded to her their various and liberalcontributions. She hired rooms in one of the business blocks, where theladies were invited to meet daily for the purpose of preparing clothing, lint, and bandages, and where all articles and money were to be sent. 

Such was the confidence and respect of the people, that they freelyplaced in her hands all these gifts, without stint or fear. She receivedand disbursed large sums of money and valuable stores of all kinds, andto the last occupied this responsible position without murmur ordistrust on the part of any, only from time to time acknowledging herreceipts through the public prints. 

Pittsfield is a wealthy town, with large manufacturing interests, andMrs. Fenn was well sustained and aided in all her efforts, by valuablecontributions. She received also the most devoted and efficientassistance from numerous ladies. Among these may be named, Mrs. Barnard, Mrs. Oliver, during the whole time, Mrs. Brewster, Mrs. Dodge, Mrs. Pomeroy, and many others, either constantly or at all practicableperiods. Young ladies, reared in luxury, and unaccustomed to perform anylaborious services in their own homes, would at the Sanitary Rooms sewswiftly upon the coarsest work, and shrink from no toil. A few of thisclass, during the second winter of the war manufactured thirty-one pairsof soldiers' trowsers, and about fifty warm circular capes from remnantsof heavy cloth contributed for this use by Robert Pomeroy, Esq. , awealthy manufacturer of Pittsfield. The stockings, mittens of yarn andcloth, and hospital clothing of every variety, are too numerous to bementioned. 

Meanwhile supplies of every kind and description poured in. All of theseMrs. Fenn received, acknowledged, collected many of them by her ownpersonal efforts, and then with her own hands arranged, packed, andforwarded them. During the war more than nine thousand five hundreddollars' worth of supplies thus passed directly through her hands, andof these nothing save one barrel of apples at David's Island, was everlost. 

During the entire four years of the war, she devoted three days of theweek to this work, often all the days. But these three she called the"soldiers' days, " and caused it to be known among her friends that thiswas not her time, and could not be devoted to personal work or pleasure. 

The Sanitary Rooms were more than half a mile distant from her own home. But on all these mornings, immediately after breakfast, she proceeded tothem, on foot, (for she kept no carriage), carrying with her, her lunch, and at mid-day, making herself that old lady's solace, a cup of tea, andremaining as long as she could see; busily at work, receiving letters, supplies, acknowledging the same, packing and unpacking, buying neededarticles, cutting out and preparing work, and answering the numerous andvaried calls upon her time. After the fatiguing labors of such a day, she would again return to her home on foot, unless, as was veryfrequently the case, some friend took her up in the street, or wasthoughtful enough to come and fetch her in carriage or sleigh. When wereflect that these tasks were undertaken in all weathers, and at allseasons, by a lady past her sixtieth year, during so long a period, weare astonished at learning that her health was never seriously injured, and that she was able to perform all her duties with comfort, andwithout yielding to fatigue. 

In addition to these labors, she devoted much time and personalattention to such sick and wounded soldiers as fell in her way cheeredand aided many a raw recruit, faltering on the threshhold of his new anddangerous career. Twice, at least, in each year, she herself proceededto the hospitals at New York, or some other point, herself the bearer ofthe bounties she had arranged, and in some years she made more frequentvisits. 

Early in her efforts, she joined hands with Mrs. Col. G. T. M. Davis, of New York, (herself a native of Pittsfield, and a sister of RobertPomeroy, Esq. , of that place), in the large and abundant efforts of thatlady, for the welfare of the sick and wounded soldiers. Mrs. Davis was amember of the Park Barracks' Ladies' Aid Society, and through her alarge part of the bounty of Berkshire was directed in that channel. Thesick and weary, and fainting men at the Barracks, at the New EnglandRooms, and Bedloe's Island, were principally aided by this Association, which were not long in discovering the great value of the nicelyselected, arranged and packed articles contained in the boxes which hadpassed through the hands of Mrs. Fenn, and came from Pittsfield. 

But the ladies of this Association, were desirous of concentrating alltheir efforts upon the sufferers who had reached New York, while Mrs. Fenn, and her associates in Berkshire, desired to place no bound orlimit to their divine charity. The soldiers of the whole army were theirsoldiers, and all had equal wants, and equal rights. Thus they oftenanswered individual appeals from a variety of sources, and theirsupplies often helped to fit out expeditions, and were sent to Sherman'sand Grant's, and Burnside's forces--to Annapolis, to Alexandria, to theAndersonville and Libby prisoners, and wherever the cry for help seemedmost importunate. 

Among other things, Mrs. Fenn organized a plan for giving refreshmentsto the weary soldiers, who from time to time passed through Pittsfield. A signal gun would be fired when a transport-train reached the stationat Richmond, ten miles distant, and the ladies would hasten to preparethe palatable lunch and cooling drink, against the arrival of thewearied men, and to distribute them with their own hands. 

In the fall of 1862, Mrs. Fenn, herself, conveyed to New York thecontribution of Berkshire, to the Soldiers' Thanksgiving Dinner atBedloe's Island. Among the abundance of good things thus liberallycollected for this dinner, were more than a half ton of poultry, andfour bushels of real Yankee doughnuts, besides cakes, fruit andvegetables, in enormous quantities. These she greatly enjoyed helping todistribute. 

In the fall of 1864, she had a similar pleasure in contributing to thedinner at David's Island, where several thousand sick and woundedsoldiers, (both white and colored) returned prisoners, and freedmen weregathered, fourteen boxes and parcels of similar luxuries. Variousaccidents combined to prevent her arrival in time, and her good thingswere consequently in part too late for the dinner. There was fortunatelya plenty beside, and the Berkshire's contribution was reserved for thefeast of welcome to the poor starved wrecks so soon to come home fromthe privations and cruelties of Andersonville. 

Mrs. Fenn however enjoyed the occasion to the fullest, and was welcomedwith such joy and gratitude, by the men who had so often shared the goodthings she had sent to the hospitals, as more than repaid her for allher labors and sacrifices. Many thousands of all classes, sick andwounded convalescents, and returned prisoners, white and colored troops, were then gathered there, and on the last day of her stay, Mrs. Fennenjoyed the pleasure of personally distributing to each individual inthat vast collection of suffering men, some little gift from the storesshe had brought. Fruit, (apples, or some foreign fruit), cakes, adelicacy for the failing appetite, stores of stationery, contributed bythe liberal Berkshire manufacturers, papers, books--to each one sometoken of individual remembrance. And, with great gusto, she still tellshow she came at last to the vast pavilion where the colored troops werestationed, and how the dusky faces brightened, and the dark eyes swam intears, and the white teeth gleamed in smiles, half joyful, half sad; andhow, after bestowing upon each some token of her visit, and receivingtheir enthusiastic thanks, she paused at the door, before bidding themfarewell, and asked if any were there who were sorry for their freedom, regretted the price they had paid for it, or wished to return to theirold masters, they should say--Aye. "The gentleman from Africa, " perhapsfor the first time in his life had a vote. He realized the solemnity ofthe moment. A dead silence fell upon the crowd, and no voice was liftedin that important affirmative. "Very well, boys, " again spoke the clear, kind voice of Mrs. Fenn. "Each of you who is glad to be free, proud tobe a free soldier of his country, and ready for the struggles whichfreedom entails, will please to say Aye. " Instantly, such a shout arose, as startled the sick in their beds in the farthest pavilion. No voicewas silent. An irrepressible, exultant, enthusiastic cry answered herappeal, and told how the black man appreciated the treasure won by suchblood and suffering. 

As has been said before, the personal labors of Mrs. Fenn wereunintermitted as long as a sick or wounded soldier remained in anyhospital. After all the hospitals in the neighborhood of New York wereclosed, except that of David's Island, months after the suspension ofhostilities, she continued to be the medium of sending to the men therethe contributions of Berkshire, and the supplies her appeals drew fromvarious sources. 

The United Societies of Shakers, at Lebanon and Hancock, furnished herwith many supplies--excellent fruit, cheese, eatables of various kinds, all of the best, cloth, linen new and old, towels, napkins, etc. , etc. , all of their own manufacture and freely offered. The Shakers are no lessdecided than the Quakers in their testimony against war, but they arealso, as a body, patriotic to a degree, and full of kindly feelingswhich thus found expression. 

At one time Mrs. Fenn with a desire of saving for its legitimate purposeeven the small sum paid for rent, gave up the rooms she had hired, andfor more than a year devoted the best parlor of her own handsomeresidence to the reception of goods contributed for the soldiers. Thousands of dollars' worth of supplies were there received and packedby her own hands. 

Among other things accomplished by this indefatigable woman was themaking of nearly one hundred gallons of blackberry cordial. Most of thebandages sent from Pittsfield were made by her, and so nicely, that Mrs. Fenn's bandages became famed throughout the army and hospitals. In all, they amounted to many thousand yards. One box which accompaniedBurnside's expedition, alone contained over four thousand yards ofbandages, which she had prepared. 

Though the bounties she so lavishly sent forth were in a very largemeasure devoted to the hospitals in the neighborhood of New York, to theSoldiers' Rest in Howard Street; New England Rooms, Central Park, Ladies' Home and Park Barracks, they were still diffused to all parts ofthe land. The Army of the Potomac, and of the Southwest, and scores ofscattered companies and regiments shared them. The MassachusettsRegiments, whether at home or abroad, were always remembered with thetenderest care, and especially was the gallant Forty-ninth, raisedalmost entirely in Berkshire, the object of that helpful solicitudewhich never wearied of well-doing. 

Almost decimated by disease in the deadly bayous of the Southwest, andin the fearful conflicts at Port Hudson and its neighborhood in thesummer of 1863, the remnant at length returned to Berkshire to receivesuch a welcome and ovation at Pittsfield, on the 22d of August of thatyear, as has seldom been extended to our honored soldiery. About fiftyof these men were at once taken to the hospital, and long lay ill, theconstant recipients of unwearied kind attentions from Mrs. Fenn and hercoadjutors. 

Much as we have said of the excellent and extensive work performed bythis most admirable woman, space fails us for the detail of the half. Her work was so various, and so thoroughly good in every department, both head and hands were so entirely at the service of these hersuffering countrymen, that it would be impossible to tell the half. Theclose of the war has brought her a measure of repose, but for such asshe there is no rest while human beings suffer and their cry ascends forhelp. Her charities are large to the freedmen, and the refugees who atthe present time so greatly need aid. She is also lending her efforts tothe collection of the funds needful for the erection of a monument toher fallen soldiers which Pittsfield proposes to raise at an expense ofseveral thousands of dollars contributed by the people. 

At sixty-eight, Mrs. Fenn is still erect, active, and with a countenancebeaming with animation and benevolence, bids fair to realize the wishwhich at sight of her involuntarily springs to all lips that her lifemay long be spared to the good words and works to which it is devoted. She has been the recipient of several handsome testimonials from hertowns-people and from abroad, and many a token of the soldier'sgratitude, inexpensive, but most valuable, in view of the laborious andpainstaking care which formed them, has reached her hands and is placedwith worthy pride among her treasures. 

MRS. JAMES HARLAN. 

There have been numerous instances of ladies of high social position, the wives and daughters of generals of high rank, and commanding largebodies of troops, of Governors of States, of Senators andRepresentatives in Congress, of Members of the Cabinet, or of otherGovernment officials, who have felt it an honor to minister to thedefenders of their country, or to aid in such ways as were possible theblessed work of relieving pain and suffering, of raising up thedown-trodden, or of bringing the light of hope and intelligence back tothe dull and glazed eyes of the loyal whites who escaped from crueloppression and outrages worse than death to the Union lines. Among thesewill be readily recalled, Mrs. John C. Fremont, Mrs. General W. H. L. Wallace, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Governor Salomon, Mrs. William H. Seward, Mrs. Ira Harris, Mrs. Samuel C. Pomeroy, Mrs. L. E. Chittenden, Mrs. John S. Phelps, and, though last named, by no means the least efficient, Mrs. James Harlan. 

Mrs. Harlan is a native of Kentucky, but removed to Indiana in herchildhood. Here she became acquainted with Mr. Harlan to whom she wasmarried in 1845 or 1846. In the rapid succession of positions of honorand trust to which her husband was elevated by the people, asSuperintendent of Public Instruction, President of Mount PleasantUniversity, United States Senator, Secretary of the Interior, and againUnited States Senator, Mrs. Harlan proved herself worthy of a positionby his side. Possessing great energy and resolution and a highlycultivated intellect, she acquitted herself at all times with dignityand honor. When the nominal became the actual war, and great battleswere fought, she was among the first to go to the bloody battle-fieldsand minister to the wounded and dying. After the battle of Shiloh shewas one of the first ladies on the field, and her labors were incessantand accomplished great good. Her position as the wife of a distinguishedsenator, and her energy and decision of character were used with effect, and she was enabled to wring from General Halleck the permissionpreviously refused to all applicants to remove the wounded to hospitalsat Mound City, St. Louis, Keokuk, and elsewhere, where their chances ofrecovery were greatly improved. At Washington where she subsequentlyspent much of her time, she devoted her energies first to caring for theIowa soldiers, but she soon came to feel that all Union soldiers wereher brothers, and she ministered to all without distinction of Statelines. She lost during the war a lovely and beautiful daughter, JessieFremont Harlan, and the love which had been bestowed upon her overflowedafter her death upon the soldiers of the Union. Her faithfulness, energy, and continuous labors in behalf of the soldiers, her earnestnessin protecting them from wrongs or oppression, her quick sympathy withtheir sorrows, and her zealous efforts for their spiritual good, will beremembered by many thousands of them all over the country. Mrs. Harlanearly advocated the mingling of religious effort with the distributionof physical comforts among the soldiers, and though she herself wouldprobably shrink from claiming, as some of her enthusiastic friends havedone for her, the honor of inaugurating the movement which culminated inthe organization of the Christian Commission, its plan of operations wascertainly fully in accordance with her own, and she was from thebeginning one of its most active and efficient supporters. 

Mrs. Harlan was accompanied in many of her visits to the army by Mrs. Almira Fales, of whom we have elsewhere given an account, and whosehusband having been the first State Auditor of Iowa, was drawn to hernot only by the bond of a common benevolence, but by State ties, whichled them both to seek the good of the soldiers in whom both felt so deepan interest. Mrs. Harlan continued her labors for the soldiers tillafter the close of the war, and has been active since that time insecuring for them their rights. Her health was much impaired by herprotracted efforts in their behalf, and during the year 1866 she wasmuch of the time an invalid. 

NEW ENGLAND SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION. 

The "New England Society, " of New York City, is an Association of longstanding, for charitable and social purposes, and is composed of nativesof New England, residing in New York, and its vicinity. Soon after theoutbreak of the war, this society became the nucleus of a wider and lessformal organization--the Sons of New England. In April, 1862, thesegentlemen formed the New England Soldiers' Relief Association, whoseobject was declared to be "to aid and care for all sick and woundedsoldiers passing through the city of New York, on their way to or fromthe war. " On the 8th of April, its "Home, " a building well adapted toits purposes, was opened at No. 198 Broadway, and Dr. Everett Herrick, was appointed its resident Surgeon, and Mrs. E. A. Russell, its Matron. The Home was a hospital as well as a home, and in its second flooraccommodated a very considerable number of patients. Its Matron wasfaithful and indefatigable in her performance of her duties, and in thethree years of her service had under her care more than sixty thousandsoldiers, many of them wounded or disabled. 

A Women's Auxiliary Committee was formed soon after the establishment ofthe Association, consisting of thirty ladies who took their turn ofservice as nurses for the sick and wounded through the year, andprovided for them additional luxuries and delicacies to those furnishedby the Association and the Government rations. These ladies, the wivesand daughters of eminent merchants, clergymen, physicians, and lawyersof the city, performed their work with great faithfulness and assiduity. The care of the sick and wounded men during the night, devolved upon theNight Watchers' Association, a voluntary committee of young men of thehighest character, who during a period of three years never failed tosupply the needful watchers for the invalid soldiers. 

The ladies in addition to their services as nurses, took part in a choirfor the Sabbath services, in which all the exercises were by volunteers. 

The Soldiers' Depôt in Howard Street, New York, organized in 1863, wasan institution of somewhat similar character to the New EnglandSoldiers' Relief, though it recognized a primary responsibility to NewYork soldiers. It was founded and sustained mainly by Stateappropriations, and a very earnest and faithful association of ladies, here also bestowed their care and services upon the soldiers. Mrs. G. T. M. Davis, was active and prominent in this organization. 

PART IV. 

LADIES DISTINGUISHED FOR SERVICES AMONG THE FREEDMEN AND REFUGEES. 

MRS. FRANCES D. GAGE. 

On the 12th of October, 1808, was born in the township of Union, Washington County, Ohio, Frances Dana Barker. Her father had, twentyyears before that time, gone a pioneer to the Western wilds. His namewas Joseph Barker, a native of New Hampshire. Her mother was ElizabethDana, of Massachusetts, and her maternal grandmother was Mary Bancroft. She was thus allied on the maternal side to the well-known Massachusettsfamilies of Dana and Bancroft. 

During her childhood, schools were scarce in Ohio, and in the smallcountry places inferior. A log-cabin in the woods was the Seminary whereFrances Barker acquired the rudiments of education. The wolf's howl, thepanther's cry, the hiss of the copperhead, often filled her young heartwith terror. 

Her father was a farmer, and the stirring life of a farmer's daughter ina new country, fell to her lot. To spin the garments she wore, to makecheese and butter, were parts of her education, while to lend a hand atout-door labor, perhaps helped her to acquire that vigor of body andbrain for which she has since been distinguished. 

She made frequent visits to her grandmother, Mrs. Mary Bancroft Dana, whose home was at Belpre, Ohio, upon the Ohio river, only one mile fromParkersburg, Virginia, and opposite Blennerhasset's Island. Mrs. Dana, was even then a radical on the subject of slavery, and Frances learnedfrom her to hate the word, and all it represented. She never was on theside of the oppressor, and was frequently laughed at in childhood, forher sympathy with the poor fugitives from slavery, who often found theirway to the neighborhood in which she lived, seeking kindness and charityof the people. 

It had not then become a crime to give a crust of bread, or a cup ofmilk to the "fugitive from labor, " and Mrs. Barker, a noble, true-thinking woman, often sent her daughter on errands of mercy to theneighboring cabins, where the poor creatures sought shelter, and wouldtarry a few days, often to be caught and sent back to their masters. Thus she early became familiarized with their sufferings, and theirwants. 

At the age of twenty, on the 1st of January, 1829, Frances Barker becamethe wife of James L. Gage, a lawyer of McConnellsville, Ohio, a good andnoble man, whose hatred of the system of slavery in the South, wassurpassed only by that of the great apostle of anti-slavery, Garrison, himself. Moral integrity, and unflinching fidelity to the cause ofhumanity, were leading traits of his character. 

A family of eight children engrossed much of their attention for manyyears, but still they found time to wage moral warfare with thestupendous wrong that surrounded them, and bore down their friends andneighbors beneath the leaden weight of its prejudice and injustice. 

Mrs. Gage records that "it never seemed to her to require any sacrificeto resist the popular will upon the subjects of freedom for the slave, temperance, or even the rights of woman. " They were all so manifestlyright, in her opinion, that she could not but take her stand as theiradvocates, and it was far easier for her to maintain them than to yieldone iota of her conscientious views. 

Thus she always found herself in a minority, through all the strugglingyears between 1832 and 1865. She had once an engagement with the editorof a "State Journal" to write weekly for his columns during a year. This, at that time seemed to her a great achievement. But a few plainwords from her upon the Fugitive Slave Law, brought a note saying herservices were no longer wanted; "He would not, " the editor wrote, "publish sentiments in his Journal, which, if carried out, would strikeat the foundations of all law, order, and government, " and added muchgood advice. Her reply was prompt:

 "Yours of ---- is at hand. Thanking you for your unasked counsel, I cheerfully retire from your columns. 

 "Respectfully yours, "F. D. GAGE. "

She has lived to see that editor change many of his views, and approachher standard. 

The great moral struggle of the thirty years preceding the war, in heropinion, required for its continuance far more heroism than that whichmarshalled our hosts along the Potomac, prompted Sheridan's raids, orSherman's triumphant "march to the sea. "

In all her warfare against existing wrong, that which she waged for theliberties of her own sex subjected her to the most trying persecution, insult and neglect. In the region of Ohio where she then resided, shestood almost alone, but she was never inclined to yield. Probably, unknown to herself, this very discipline was preparing her for theevents of the future, and its supreme tests of her principles. 

A member of Congress once called to urge her to persuade her husband toyield a point of principle (which he said if adhered to would prove thepolitical ruin of Mr. Gage) holding out the bribe of a seat in Congress, if he would stand by the old Whig party in some of its tergiversations, and insisting that if he persisted in doing as he had threatened, hewould soon find himself standing alone. She promised the gentleman thatshe would repeat to her husband what he had said, and as soon as he hadgone seized her pencil and wrote the following impromptu, which serveswell to illustrate her firm persistence in any course she believesright, as well as the principle that animates her. 

 DARE TO STAND ALONE. 

 "Be bold, be firm, be strong, be true, And dare to stand alone. Strike for the Right whate'er ye do, Though helpers there be none. 

 "Oh! bend not to the swelling surge Of popular crime and wrong. 'Twill bear thee on to Ruin's verge With current wild and strong. 

 "Strike for the Right, tho' falsehood rail And proud lips coldly sneer. A poisoned arrow cannot wound A conscience pure and clear. 

 "Strike for the Right, and with clean hands Exalt the truth on high, Thou'lt find warm sympathizing hearts Among the passers by, "Those who have thought, and felt, and prayed, Yet could not singly dare The battle's brunt; but by thy side Will every danger share. 

 "Strike for the Right. Uphold the Truth. Thou'lt find an answering tone In honest hearts, and soon no more Be left to stand alone. "

She handed this poem to the gentleman with whom she had been conversing, and he afterwards told her that it decided him to give up all forprinciple. He led off in his district in what was soon known as the FreeSoil party, the root of the present triumphant Republican party. 

In 1853 the family of Mrs. Gage removed to St. Louis. Those who foughtthe anti-slavery battle in Massachusetts have little realization of thedifficulty and danger of maintaining similar sentiments in aslaveholding community, and a slave State. Mrs. Gage spoke boldlywhenever her thought seemed to be required, and soon found herselfbranded as an "abolitionist" with every adjective appended that couldtend to destroy public confidence. 

While Colonel Chambers, the former accomplished editor of the MissouriRepublican lived, she wrote for his columns, and at one time summing upthe resources of that great State, she advanced this opinion: "Strikefrom your statute books the laws that give man the right to holdproperty in man, and ten years from this time Missouri will lead itssister State on the eastern shore of the Mississippi. "

After the publication of this article, Colonel Chambers was waited uponand remonstrated with by some old slaveholders, for allowing anabolitionist to write for his journal. "Such sentiments, " they said, "would destroy the Union. " "If your Union, " replied he, "is based upon afoundation so unstable that one woman's breath can blow it down, inGod's name let her do it. She shall say her say while I live and editthis paper. "

He died soon after, and Mrs. Gage was at once excluded from its columns, by the succeeding editors, refused payment for past labors, or a returnof her manuscripts. 

The Missouri Democrat soon after hoisted the flag of Emancipation underthe leadership of Frank Blair. She became one of its correspondents, andfor several years continued to supply its columns with an article onceor twice a week. Appearing in 1858 upon the platform of the BostonAnti-Slavery Society, she was at once excluded as dangerous to theinterests of the party which the paper represented. 

During all the years of her life in Missouri Mrs. Gage frequentlyreceived letters threatening her with personal violence, or thedestruction of her husband's property. Slaves came to her for aid, andwere sent to entrap her, but she succeeded in evading all positivedifficulty and trial. 

During the Kansas war she labored diligently with pen, tongue, andhands, for those who so valiantly fought the oppressor in that hour oftrial. She expected to be waylaid and to be made to suffer for hertemerity, and perhaps she did; for about the close of that perilous yearthree disastrous fires, supposed to be the work of incendiaries, greatlyreduced the family resources. 

This portion of the life of Mrs. Gage has been dwelt upon atconsiderable length, because she regards the struggle then made againstthe wickedness, prejudice, and bigotry of mankind, as the main braveryof her life, and that if there has been heroism in any part of it, itwas then displayed. "If as a woman, " she says, "to take the platformamidst hissing, and scorn, and newspaper vituperations, to maintain theright of woman to the legitimate use of all the talents God invests herwith; to maintain the rights of the slave in the very ears of themasters; to hurl anathemas at intemperance in the very camps of thedram-sellers; if to continue for forty years, in spite of all opposingforces, to press the triune cause persistently, consistently, andunflinchingly, entitles me to a humble place among those noble ones whohave gone about doing good, you can put me in that place as it suitsyou. "

At the breaking out of the war, by reason of her husband's failure inbusiness at St. Louis, and his ill-health, Mrs. Gage found herselffilling the post of Editor of the Home Department of an Agriculturalpaper in Columbus, Ohio. The call for help for the soldiers, wasresponded to by all loyal women. Mrs. Gage did what she could with herhands, but found them tied by unavoidable labors. She offered tongue andpen, and found them much more efficient agents. The war destroyed thecirculation of the paper, and she was set free. 

The cry of suffering from the Freedmen reached her, and God seemed tospeak to her heart, telling her that there was her mission. 

In the autumn of 1862, without appointment, or salary, with only faithin God that she should be sustained, and with a firm reliance on theinvincible principles of Truth and Justice, in the hope of doing good, she left Ohio, and proceeded directly to Port Royal. 

She remained among the freedmen of Beaufort, Paris, Fernandina, andother points, thirteen months; administering also to the soldiers, asoften as circumstances gave opportunity. Her own four boys were in theUnion army, and this, if no more, would have given every "boy in blue, "a claim upon her sympathy and kindness. 

In the fall of 1863, Mrs. Gage returned North, and with head and heartfilled to overflowing with the claims of the great mission upon whichshe had entered, she commenced a lecturing tour, speaking to the peopleof her "experiences among the Freedmen. " To show them as they were, togive a truthful portrayal of Slavery, its barbarity and heinousness, itsdemoralization of master and man, its incompatibility with all thingsbeautiful or good, its defiance of God and his truth; and to show theintensely human character of the slave, who, through this fearful ordealof two hundred years, had preserved so much goodness, patient hope, unwavering trust in Jesus, faith in God, such desire for knowledge andcapability of self-support--such she felt to be her mission, and as suchshe performed it! She believed that by removing prejudice, and inspiringconfidence in the Emancipation Proclamation, and by striving to unitethe people on this great issue, she could do more than in any other waytoward ending the war, and relieving the soldier--such was the aim ofher lectures, while she never omitted to move the hearts of the audiencetoward those so nobly defending the Union and the Government. 

Thus, in all the inclement winter weather, through Pennsylvania, NewYork, Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri, she pursued her labors of love, never omitting an evening when she could get an audience to address, speaking for Soldiers' Aid Societies, and giving the proceeds to thosewho worked only for the soldier, --then for Freedmen's Associations. Sheworked without fee or reward, asking only of those who were willing, togive enough to defray her expenses--for herself--thankful if shereceived, cheerful if she did not. 

Following up this course till the summer days made lecturing seemimpossible, she started from St. Louis down the Mississippi, to Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez. On this trip she went as an unsalaried agent ofthe Western Sanitary Commission--receiving only her expenses, and thegoods and provisions wherewith to relieve the want and misery she metamong our suffering men. 

A few months' experience among the Union Refugees, and unprotectedfugitives, or unprotected Freedmen, convinced her that her best work forall was in the lecturing field, in rousing the hearts of the multitudeto good deeds. 

She had but one weak pair of hands, while her voice might set a hundred, nay, a thousand pairs in motion, and believing that we err if we fail touse our best powers for life's best uses, she again, after a few monthswith the soldiers and other sufferers, entered the lecturing field inthe West, speaking almost nightly. 

In the month of September, she was overturned in a carriage atGalesburg, Illinois. Some bones were broken, and she was otherwise soinjured as to be entirely crippled for that year. She has since beenable to labor only occasionally, and in great weakness for the _cause_. This expression she uses for all struggle against wrong. "Temperance, Freedom, Justice to the negro, Justice to woman, " she says, "are butparts of one great whole, one mighty temple whose maker and builder isGod. "

Through all the vicissitudes of the past; through all its years ofwaiting, her faith in Him who led, and held, and comforted, has neverwavered, and to Him alone does she ascribe the Glory of our NationalRedemption. 

MRS. LUCY GAYLORD POMEROY. 

In 1803, some families from Bristol and Meriden, Connecticut, removed tothe wilderness of New York, and settled in what is now Otisco, OnondagaCounty. Among these were Chauncey Gaylord, a sturdy, athletic young man, just arrived at the age of twenty-one, and "a little, quiet, black-eyedgirl, with a sunny, thoughtful face, only eleven years old. " Her namewas Dema Cowles. So the young man and the little girl becameacquaintances, and friends, and in after years lovers. In 1817 they weremarried. Their first home was of logs, containing one room, with a rudeloft above, and an excavation beneath for a cellar. 

In this humble abode was born Lucy Ann Gaylord, the subject of thissketch, who afterwards became the wife of Samuel C. Pomeroy, UnitedStates Senator from Kansas. 

Plain and humble as was this home, it was a consecrated one, where Godwas worshipped, and the purest religious lessons taught. Mrs. Gaylordwas a woman of remarkable strength of character and principles, one whocarried her religion into all the acts of daily life, and taught by aconsistent example, no less than by a wise precept. Her mother had earlybeen widowed, and had afterwards married Mr. Eliakim Clark, fromMassachusetts, and had become the mother of the well-knowntwin-brothers, Lewis Gaylord, and Willis Gaylord Clark, destined todevelop into scholars and poets, and to leave their mark upon theliterature of America. She had been entrusted with the care of thesebeautiful and noble boys for some years, and was already experienced induties of that kind, before children of her own were given her. Doubtless to her high order of intellect, refined taste, amiabledisposition, and sterling good sense, all the children who shared hercare are indebted to a great extent for the noble qualities theypossess. 

Other children succeeded Lucy, and as the elder sister, she shared, intheir primitive mode of life, her mother's cares and duties. Hercharacter developed and expanded, and she grew in mental grace as instature, loving all beautiful things and noble thoughts, and earlymaking a profession of religion. 

By this time the family occupied a handsome rural homestead, whereneatness, order, regularity, industry and kindness reigned, and where aliberal hospitality was always practiced. Here gathered all the largegroup of family relatives, here the aged grandmother Clark lived, andhither came her gifted twin sons, from time to time, as to their home. The most beautiful scenery surrounded this homestead; peace, order, intelligence, truth and godliness abounded there, and amidst suchinfluences Lucy Gaylord had the training which led to the futureusefulness of her life. Even in her youth she was the friend and safecounsellor of her brothers, as in her maturer years she was of hergifted husband. 

At eighteen she made a public profession of religion, and soon after thethought of consecrating herself to the missionary work took possessionof her mind. To this end she labored and studied for several years, steadfastly educating herself for a vocation to which she believedherself called, though often afflicted with serious doubts as to whethershe, being an only daughter, could leave her parents. 

In early life she became an earnest and efficient teacher inSunday-schools, her intellectual pursuits furnishing her with ever freshmeans of rendering her instruction interesting and useful to herclasses. She undoubtedly at the first considered this as a training forthe work to which, in time, she hoped to devote herself. 

But this hope was destined to disappointment. One violent illness afteranother finally destroyed her health, and she never quite recovered theearly tone of her system. Yet she worked on, doing good wherever themeans presented. 

Soon afterwards she met with the great sorrow of her life. The young manto whom she was soon to be married, between whom and herself thestrongest attachment existed, cemented by a mutual knowledge of noblequalities, was suddenly snatched from her, and she became a widow in allbut the name. 

This sorrow still more refined and beautified her character. By degreesthe sharpness of the grief wore away, and it became a sweet, thoughsaddened memory. Eight years after her loss, she became the wife ofSamuel C. Pomeroy, of Southampton, Massachusetts. "They were of kindredfeelings in life's great work, had suffered alike by early bereavement, and were drawn together by that natural affinity which unites two livesin one. "

He had given up mercantile business in Western New York not long before, and had returned to his early home to care for the declining years ofhis aged parents. And this was the missionary work to which Mrs. Pomeroyfound herself appointed. She was welcomed heartily, and found her dutiesrendered light by appreciation and affection. 

Here, as elsewhere, Mrs. Pomeroy made herself actively useful beyond, aswell as within, her home. She performed duties of Sabbath School andgeneral religious instruction, that might be called arduous, especiallywhen added to her domestic cares and occupations. These, with otherlabors, exhausted her strength and a protracted season of illnessfollowed. 

From that time, 1850, for five or six years, she continued to suffer, being most of the time very ill, her life often despaired of. During allthis season of peculiar trial she never lost her faith and courage, evenwhen her physicians gave no hope of her recovery, being contented toabide by the will of Providence, convinced that if God had any work forher to do He would spare her life. During this time her husband wasoften absent, being first in the Massachusetts Legislature, andafterwards sent out as Agent by the Northeastern Aid Society to Kansas, which they were desirous to settle as a free State. Into this last dutyshe insisted with energy that he should enter. During his absence sheexperienced other afflictions, but her health notwithstanding rallied, and as soon as possible she made preparations to remove to Kansas whereMr. Pomeroy wished to make a home. In the spring of 1857 she finallyarrived there, and there she remained until the spring of 1861, when sheaccompanied her husband to Washington, when he went thither to take hisseat in the Senate. 

The hardships and the usefulness of her life in Kansas are matters ofhistory, and it is truly surprising to read how one so long an invalidwas enabled to perform such protracted and exhausted labors. All whoknew her there bear ample and enthusiastic testimony to the usefulnessof her life. To the whites she was friend, hostess, counsellor, assistant, in sickness and in health. To the poor and despised blacks, striving to find freedom, she was friend and teacher, even at the timewhen her near neighborhood to the slave State of Missouri, made theservice most dangerous. Then followed the terrible famine year of 1860. During all that time she freely gave her services in the work ofproviding for the sufferers. Mr. Pomeroy, aided by the knowledge he hadacquired in his experience as Agent of Emigration, was able at once toput the machinery in motion for obtaining supplies from the East, andMrs. Pomeroy transformed her home into an office of distribution, ofwhich she was superintendent and chief clerk. It was a year that taxedfar too heavily her already much exhausted strength. 

When she accompanied her husband to Washington in the spring, her healthfailed, cough and hoarseness troubled her, and she was obliged to leavefor visits in her native air, and for a stay of some months at GenevaWater Cure. 

From the breaking out of the war Mrs. Pomeroy, on all occasions, provedherself desirous of the welfare of our soldiers. The record of her deedsof kindness in their behalf is not as ample as that of some others, forher health forbade the active nursing, and visiting of the sick inhospitals, which is the most showy part of the work. But hercontributions of supplies were always large; and she had always apeculiar care and interest in the religious and moral welfare of thevolunteers, who, far from the influences of home, and exposed to new andnumerous temptations, were, she felt, in more than one sense encircledby peculiar dangers. 

Only once did she revisit her Kansas home, and in the autumn of 1862spent some months there. There was at that time a regiment in camp atAtchison, and she was enabled to do great good to the sick in hospital, not only with supplies, but by her own personal efforts for theirphysical and spiritual welfare. 

On her return to Washington she there entered as actively as possibleinto this work. Her form became known in the hospitals, and many asuffering man hailed her coming with a new light kindling his dimmedeyes. She brought them comforts and delicacies, and she added herprayers and her precious instructions. She cared both for souls andbodies, and earned the immortal gratitude of those to whom sheministered. 

In January, 1863, her last active benevolent work was commenced, namelythe foundation of an asylum at the National Capital for the freedorphans and destitute aged colored women whom the war, and theProclamation of Emancipation, had thrown upon the care of thebenevolent. For several months she was actively engaged in thisenterprise. A charter was immediately obtained, and when the Associationwas organized, Mrs. Pomeroy was chosen President. 

Almost entirely by her exertions, a building for the Asylum wasobtained, as well as some condemned hospital furniture, which was to besold at auction by the Government, but was instead transferred--a mostuseful gift--to the Asylum. 

But when the time came, about the 1st of June, 1863, for the Associationto be put in possession of the buildings and grounds assigned them, Mrs. Pomeroy was too ill to receive the keys, and the Secretary took herplace. She was never able to look upon the fruit of her labors. Again, she had exhausted her feeble powers, and she was never more to rally. 

A slow fever followed, which at last assumed the form of typhoid. Shelingered on, slightly better at times, until the 17th of July, whenpreparations were completed for removing her to the Geneva Water Cure, and she started upon her last journey. She went by water, and arrived atNew York very comfortably, leaving there again on the boat for Albany, on the morning of the 20th. But death overtook her before even thisportion of the journey was finished. She died upon the passage, on theafternoon of July 20th, 1863. After her life of usefulness and devotion, her name at last stands high upon the roll of martyr-women, whom thiswar has made. 

MARIA R. MANN. 

Among the heroic women who labored most efficiently and courageouslyduring the late civil war for the good of our soldiers, and the poor"contrabands, " as the freed people were called, was Miss Maria R. Mann, an educated and refined woman from Massachusetts, a near relative of thefirst Secretary of the Board of Education of that renowned Commonwealth, who gave his life and all his great powers to the cause of education, and finished his noble career as the President of Antioch College, inOhio. 

Miss Mann, is a native of Massachusetts, and spent the greater portionof her mature life previous to the war, as a teacher. In this, herchosen profession, she attained a high position, and for a number ofyears taught in the High Schools. As a teacher she was highly esteemedfor her varied and accurate knowledge, the care and minuteness withwhich she imparted instruction to her pupils, the high moral andreligious principle which controlled her actions, and made her life anexample of truth and goodness to her pupils, and for her enthusiasticinterest in the cause of education, of freedom and justice for theslave, and of philanthropy and humanity towards the orphan, theprisoner, the outcast, the oppressed and the poor, to whom her heartwent out in kindly sympathies, and in prayer and effort for theimprovement of their condition. 

During the first year of the rebellion, she left all her pleasantassociations in New England, and came out to St. Louis, that she mightbe nearer to the scene of conflict, and aid in the work of the WesternSanitary Commission, and in nursing the sick and wounded soldiers, withwhom the hospitals at St. Louis were crowded that year. On her arrival, she was duly commissioned by Mr. Yeatman, (the agent of Miss Dix for theemployment of women nurses), and entered upon her duties in the FifthStreet Hospital. 

For several months, she devoted herself to this work with great fidelityand patience, and won the gratitude of many a poor sufferer by herkindness, and the respect of the surgeons, by her good judgment and herblended gentleness and womanly dignity. 

Late in the fall of 1862, the Western Sanitary Commission was moved toestablish an agency at Helena, Ark. , for the special relief of severalhundred colored families at that military post who had gathered therefrom the neighboring country, and from the opposite shore inMississippi, as a place of refuge from their rebel owners. It was atthat time a miserable refuge, for the post was commanded by pro-slaveryGenerals, who succeeded the humane and excellent Major-General Curtis, who was unfortunately relieved of his command, and transferred to St. Louis, in consequence of slanders against him at Washington, which someof his pro-slavery subordinates had been busy in fabricating; and thefree papers which he gave to the colored people were violated; they weresubjected to all manner of cruelties and hardships; they were put undera forced system of labor; driven by mounted orderlies to work on thefortifications, and to unload steamboats and coal barges; and dischargedat night without compensation, or a comfortable shelter. No properrecord was kept of their services, and most of them never received anypay for months of incessant toil. They were compelled to camp togetherin the outskirts of the town, in huts and condemned tents, and therations issued to them were cut down to a half ration for the women andchildren; so that they were neither well fed nor sheltered properly fromthe weather, while they were entirely destitute of comfortableclothing, and were without the means of purchasing new. Subjected tothis treatment, very great sickness and mortality prevailed among them. In the miserable building assigned them for a hospital, which was whollyunprovided with hospital furniture and bedding, and without regularnurses or attendants, they were visited once a day by a contractsurgeon, who merely looked in upon them, administered a little medicine, and left them to utter neglect and misery. Here they died at a fearfulrate, and their dead bodies were removed from the miserable pallet ofstraw, or the bare floor where they had breathed their last, and buriedin rude coffins, and sometimes coffinless, in a low piece of ground nearby. The proportion of deaths, was about seventy-five percent. Of all whowere carried sick to this miserable place, so that the colored peoplebecame greatly afraid of being sent to the hospital, considering it thesame as going to a certain death; and many of them refused to go, evenin the last stages of sickness, and died in their huts, and in and outof the very places into which they had crawled for concealment, neglected and alone. 

This state of things was fully known to the Generals commanding, and tothe medical director, and the army surgeons at Helena, without the leasteffort being made on their part towards their improvement oralleviation. From August, 1862, to January, 1863, they continued tosuffer in this manner, until the printed report and appeal of thechaplains at Helena for aid, brought some voluntary contributions ofclothing, and secured the attention of the Western Sanitary Commission, at St. Louis, to the great need of help at Helena, for the"contrabands. "

It was at this juncture that the Commission proposed to Miss Mann to goto Helena, and act the part of the Good Samaritan to the colored peoplewho had congregated there; to establish a hospital for the sick amongthem; to supply them with clothing and other necessaries, and in allpossible ways to improve their condition. The offer was readily acceptedby her, and in the month of January she arrived at Helena, with an amplesupply of sanitary goods and clothing, and with letters commending herto the protection and aid of the commanding general, and to the chaplainof the post, (who now furnishes this sketch from his memory), and to thesuperintendent of freedmen, who welcomed her as a providential messengerwhom God had sent to his neglected and suffering poor. 

The passage from St. Louis to Helena, a distance of six hundred miles, in mid-winter, at a time when the steamers were fired on by guerrillasfrom the shore, and sometimes captured, was made by Miss Mann, unattended, and without knowing where she would find a shelter when shearrived. The undertaking was attended with difficulty and danger, andmany obstacles were to be overcome, but the brave spirit of this noblewoman knew no such word as fail. Fortunately, the post chaplain, who hadbeen detailed to a service requiring clerks, was able to receive MissMann, provide rooms for her, give her a place at the mess board, andrender useful aid in her work. He remembers with a grateful interest howbravely she encountered every difficulty, and persevered in her humaneundertaking, until almost every evil the colored people suffered wasremoved. A new hospital building was secured, furnished, and providedwith good surgeons and nurses, and the terrible sickness and mortalityreduced to the minimum per-centage of the best regulated hospitals; anew and better camping ground was obtained, and buildings erected forshelter; a school for the children was established, and the women taughthow to cut and make garments, and advised and instructed how to live andbe useful to themselves and their families. Material for clothing wasfurnished them, which they made up for themselves. As the season ofspring came, the able-bodied men were enlisted as soldiers, by a neworder of the Government; those who were not fit for the military servicewere hired by the new lessees of the plantations, and the condition ofthe colored people was changed from one of utter misery and despair, toone of thrift, improvement and comparative happiness. 

In all these changes Miss Mann was a moving spirit, and with theco-operation of the chaplains, and the friendly sanction and aid ofMajor-General Prentiss--who on his arrival in February, 1863, introduceda more humane treatment of the freed people--she was able to fulfil herbenevolent mission, and remained till the month of August of that year. 

The heroism of Miss Mann during the winter season at Helena, was amarvel to us all. It was an exceedingly rainy winter, and the streetswere often knee deep with mud. The town is built on a level, marshyregion of bottom land, and for weeks the roads became almost impassable, and had to be waded on horseback, or the levee followed, and causewayshad to be built by the military. But Miss Mann was not to be preventedby these difficulties from visiting the "Contraband Hospital, " as it wascalled, and from going her rounds to the families of the poor coloredpeople who needed her advice and assistance. I have often taken hermyself in an open wagon with which we carried the mail bags to and fromthe steamers--having charge of the military post-office--and conveyedher from place to place, when the wheels would sink almost to the hubs, and returned with her to her quarters; and on several occasions when shehad gone on foot when the side-walks were dry, and she came to acrossing that required deep wading, I have known her to call some stoutblack man to her aid, to carry her across, and set her down on theopposite sidewalk. In these cases the service was rendered with truepoliteness and gallantry, and with the remark, "Bress the Lord, missus, it's no trouble to carry you troo de mud, and keep your feet dry, youwho does so much for us black folks. You's light as a fedder, anyhow, and de good Lord gibs you a wonderful sight of strength to go 'bout disyere muddy town, to see de poor culled folks, and gib medicines to thesick, and feed the hungry, and clothe de naked, and I bress de good Lorddat he put it into your heart to come to Helena. "

In the autumn of 1863 Miss Mann felt that her work in Helena wasaccomplished, and she returned to St. Louis, the colored people greatlylamenting her departure. In her work there she not only had theco-operation and assistance of the Western Sanitary Commission, but ofmany benevolent ladies in New England, personal friends of Miss Mann andothers, who, through Rev. Dr. Eliot of St. Louis, supplied a largeportion of the funds that were necessary to defray the expenses of ourmission. 

A new call to a theatre of usefulness in Washington City, in theDistrict of Columbia, now came to Miss Mann, to become the teacher of acolored orphan asylum, which she accepted, where she devoted herenergies to the welfare of the children of those who in the army, or insome other service to their country and race have laid down their lives, and left their helpless offspring to be cared for by Him, who hears eventhe young ravens when they cry, and moves human hearts to fulfil theministry of his love; and who by his Spirit is moving the Americanpeople to do justly to the freed people of this land, and to makereparation for the oppression and wrong they have endured for so manygenerations. 

After rendering a useful and excellent service as a teacher in theColored Orphan Asylum at Washington, she was induced by the coloredpeople, who greatly appreciated her work for their children, toestablish an independent school in Georgetown. Friends at the Northpurchased a portable building for a school-house; the Freedmen's Bureauoffered her a lot of ground to put it on, but not being in the rightlocality she rented one, and the building was sent to her, and has beenbeautifully fitted up for the purpose. The school has been successfullyestablished, and under her excellent management, teaching, anddiscipline, it has become a model school. Intelligent persons visitingit are impressed by the perfect order maintained, and the advancement ofthe scholars in knowledge and good behaviour. 

Miss Mann has made many personal sacrifices in establishing and carryingforward this school without government patronage or support, and theonly fear concerning it is that the colored people will not be able fromtheir limited resources to sustain it. It is her wish to prepare herscholars to become teachers of other colored schools, a work she isamply and remarkably qualified to do, and one in which she would besustained by philanthropic aid, if the facts were known to those whofeel the importance of all such efforts for the education andimprovement of the colored people of this country, in the new positionupon which they have entered as free citizens of the republic. 

Among the gratifying results which Miss Mann has found in this work ofinstruction among the colored people are the rapid improvement she haswitnessed among them, the capacity and eagerness with which they pursuethe acquisition of knowledge, the gratitude they have evinced to her, and the consciousness that she has contributed to their welfare andhappiness. 

As a noble, self-sacrificing woman, devoted to the service of herfellow-beings, and endowed with the best attributes of human nature, Miss Mann deserves the title of a Christian philanthropist, and her lifeand labors will be remembered with gratitude, and the blessing of himthat was ready to perish, and of those who had no helper, will followher all the remainder of her days. 

SARAH J. HAGAR

It is due to the memory of this noble young woman that she should beincluded in the record of those sainted heroines who fearlessly wentinto the midst of danger and death that they might minister to the poorand suffering freedmen, whom our victorious arms had emancipated fromtheir rebel masters, and yet had left for a time without means oropportunity to fit themselves for the new life that opened before them. To this humane service she freely devoted herself and became a victim tothe climate of the lower Mississippi, while engaged in the arduous workof ministering to the physical wants and the education of the freedpeople, who in the winter and spring of 1864, had gathered in campsaround Vicksburg, and along the Louisiana shore. 

Miss Hagar was the eldest daughter of Mrs. C. C. Hagar, who also was oneof the army of heroic nurses who served in the hospitals of St. Louisduring the greater part of the war. For many months they had servedtogether in the same hospital, and by their faithfulness and carefulministrations to the sick and wounded soldier had won the highestconfidence of the Western Sanitary Commission, by whose President theywere appointed. 

During the fall of 1863 the National Freedmen's Aid Commission of NewYork, under the presidency of Hon. Francis G. Shaw, sent two agents, Messrs. William L. Marsh and H. R. Foster, to Vicksburg, to establish anagency there, and at Natchez, for the aid of the freed people, infurnishing supplies of food and clothing to the destitute, andestablishing schools for the children of the freedmen, and for suchadults as could attend, and to help them in all possible ways to enterupon the new and better civilization that awaited them. In this work theWestern Sanitary Commission co-operated, and Messrs. Marsh and Fosterwrote to the writer of this sketch, then acting as Secretary of theabove Commission, to send them several teachers and assistants in theirwork. Among those who volunteered for the service was Miss Hagar, whowas wanted in another situation in St. Louis, but preferred this morearduous work for the freedmen. 

The reasons she gave for her choice were, that she was well and strong, and felt a real interest in the welfare of the freed people; that shehad no prejudices against them, and that while there were enough whowere willing to fill the office of nurse to the white soldiers, it wasmore difficult to get those who would render equal kindness and justiceto the black troops, and to the freed people, and therefore she felt ither duty and pleasure to go. She was accordingly commissioned, and withMiss A. M. Knight, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, (another worthy laborer inthe same cause) went down the river to Vicksburg, in the winter of 1864. 

For several months she labored there with untiring devotion to theinterests and welfare of the colored people, under the direction ofMessrs. Marsh and Foster. No task was too difficult for her to undertakethat promised good results, and in danger of all kinds, whether fromdisease, or from the assaults of the enemy, she never lost her presenceof mind, nor was wanting in the requisite courage for that emergency. Inperson she was above the medium height, and had a face beaming withkindness, and pleasant to look upon. Her mind had received a good degreeof culture, and her natural intelligence was of a high order. And betterthan all within her earthly form dwelt a noble and heroic soul. 

Late in April of that year, she had an attack of malarial fever, whichprostrated her very suddenly, and just in the proportion that she hadbeen strong and apparently well fortified against disease, it took adeep hold of her vital powers, and on the 3d of May, she yielded to thefell destroyer, and breathed no more. 

The following tribute to her character, is taken from the letter of Mr. Marsh, in which he communicated the sad tidings of her death. 

"In her death the National Freedmen's Aid Association, has lost a mostearnest, devoted, Christian laborer. She entered upon her duties at atime of great suffering and destitution among the Freedmen at Vicksburg, and when we were much in need of aid. The fidelity with which sheperformed her labors, and the deep interest she manifested in them soonendeared her to us all. We shall miss her sorely; but the noble exampleshe has left us will encourage us to greater efforts, and more patienttoil. She seemed also to realize the magnitude and importance of thiswork upon which she had entered, and the need of Divine assistance inits performance. She seemed also to realize what sacrifice might bedemanded of one engaged in a work like this, and the summons, althoughsudden, did not find her unprepared to meet it. She has done a noblework, and done it well. 

"The sacrifice she made is the greatest one that can be made for anycause, the sacrifice of life. 'Greater love than this hath no man, thata man lay down his life for his friends. ' She has gone to receive herreward. "

Her remains were brought to her native town in Illinois, and depositedthere, where the blessed memory she has left among her friends andkindred, is cherished with heartfelt reverence and affection. 

MRS. JOSEPHINE R. GRIFFIN. 

If the most thoroughly unselfish devotion of an earnest and gifted womanto the interests and welfare of a despised and down-trodden race, to themanifest injury and detriment of her own comfort, ease, or pecuniaryprospects, and without any hope or desire of reward other than theconsciousness of having been their benefactor, constitutes a woman aheroine, then is Mrs. Griffin one of the most remarkable heroines of ourtimes. 

Of her early history we know little. She was a woman of refinement andculture, has always been remarkable for her energy and resolution, aswell as for her philanthropic zeal for the poor and oppressed. Thebeginning of the war found her a widow, with, we believe, threechildren, all daughters, in Washington, D. C. Of these daughters, theeldest has a position in the Treasury Department, a second has for sometime assisted her mother in her labors, and the youngest is in school. Mrs. Griffin was too benevolent ever to be rich, and when the freedmenand their families began to concentrate in the District of Columbia, andon Arlington Heights, across the Potomac, she sought them out, and madethe effort to ameliorate their condition. At that time they hardly knewwhether they were to be permanently free or not, and massed together asthey were, their old slave habits of recklessness, disorder, andover-crowding soon gained the predominance, and showed their evil effectin producing a fearful amount of sickness and death. They were not, with comparatively few exceptions, indolent; but they had naturallylapsed into the easy, slovenly methods, or rather want of method of theold slave life, and a few were doing the greater part of what was done. They were mere children in capacity, will and perseverance. Mrs. Griffin, with her intensely energetic nature, soon effected a change. Order took the place of disorder, under her direction; new cabins werebuilt, neatness and system maintained, till their good effects were soapparent, that the freedmen voluntarily pursued the course advised bytheir teacher and friend; all who were able to do any work were providedas far as possible with employment, and schools for the children in theday time, and for adults in the evening, were established. In this goodwork she received material assistance from that devoted young Christiannow gone to his rest, the late Cornelius M. Welles. After awhile, theable-bodied men were enlisted in the army, and the stronger andhealthier women provided with situations in many instances at the North, and the children, and feeble, decrepit men and women, could not performwork enough for their maintenance. Mrs. Griffin began to solicit aid forthem, and carried them through one winter by the assistance she was ableto collect, and by what she gave from her own not over-full purse. Someland was now allotted to them, and by the utmost diligence they wereenabled to provide almost entirely for themselves, till autumn; butmeantime the Act of Emancipation in the District of Columbia had drawnthither some thousands of people of color from the adjacent states ofMaryland and Virginia. All looked up to Mrs. Griffin as their specialProvidence. She was satisfied that it was better for them, as far aspossible, to find places and work in the Northern States, than to remainthere, where employment was precarious, and where the excessive numberof workers had reduced the wages of such as could find employment. Sheaccordingly commenced an extensive correspondence, to obtain frompersons at the North in want of servants, orders for such as could besupplied from the colored people residing in the District of Columbia. Having completely systematized the matter, she has been in the habit, for nearly two years past, of leaving Washington once or twice a week, with a company of colored persons, for whom she had obtained situationsin Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, or smallercities, paying their fare, providing them with food on the journey, andat its termination until she could put them into the families who hadengaged them, and then returning to make up another company. The cost ofthese expeditions she has provided almost entirely from her own means, her daughters who have imbibed their mother's spirit, helping as far aspossible in this noble work. In the autumn of 1865 she found thatnotwithstanding all for whom she could provide situations, there werelikely to be not less than twenty thousand colored persons, freedmen andtheir families, in a state of complete destitution before the 1st ofDecember, and she published in the Washington and other papers, anappeal to the benevolent to help. The Freedmen's Bureau at first deniedthe truth of her statements, but further investigation convinced themthat she was right, and they were wrong, and Congress was importuned foran appropriation for their necessities. Twenty-five thousand dollarswere appropriated, and its distribution left to the Freedmen's Bureau. It would have been more wisely distributed had it been entrusted to Mrs. Griffin, as she was more thoroughly cognizant of the condition and realwants of the people than the Bureau could be. Mrs. Griffin has pursuedher work of providing situations for the freedmen, and watching overtheir interests to the present time; and so long as life and healthlasts, she is not likely to give it up. 

MRS. M. M. HALLOWELL. 

The condition of the loyal whites of East Tennessee and Northern Alabamaand Georgia, deservedly excited the sympathy and liberality of the loyalNorth. No portion of the people of the United States had proved theirdevotion to the Union by more signal sacrifices, more patient endurance, or more terrible sufferings. The men for the mere avowal of theirattachment to the Union flag and the Constitution were hunted like deer, and if caught, murdered in cold blood. Most of them managed, though withgreat peril, to escape to the Union army, where they became valuablesoldiers, and by their thorough knowledge of the country and their skillin wood-craft rendered important service as scouts and pioneers. Whenever they escaped the Rebels visited them, their houses wereplundered, their cattle and other live stock seized, and if the housewas in a Rebel neighborhood or in a secluded situation, it was burnedand the wife and children driven out penniless, and often maltreated, outraged or murdered. If they escaped with their lives they were obligedto hide in the caves or woods by day, and travel often hundreds of milesby night, to reach the Union lines. They came in, wearied, footsore, inrags, and often sick and nearly dead from starvation. When they reachedNashville, or Knoxville after it came into our possession, they were inneed of all things; shelter, food, clothing, medicine and care. A few ofthem were well educated; the majority were illiterate so far as bookknowledge was concerned, but intelligent and thoughtful on the subjectof loyalty and the war; not a few were almost reduced to a state offatuity by their sufferings, and seemed to have lost all distinctconsciousness of what was occurring around them. Nashville and Knoxvillea little later, Memphis, Cairo, St. Louis, and Louisville swarmed withthese poor loyal people, and efforts were made in each city to aid them. In the Northern cities large contributions of money and clothing weremade for their relief. In Boston, Edward Everett, ever ready to aid thesuffering, gave the great influence of his name, as well as his personalefforts, (almost the last act of his well-spent life) in raising aliberal fund for their help. In New York, Brooklyn and other cities, efforts were made which resulted in large contributions. InPhiladelphia, Mrs. M. M. Hallowell, a lady of high position and greatenergy, appealed to the public for aid for these unfortunate people, andGovernor Curtin and many other State and National official personages, gave their influence and contributions to the work. A large amount ofmoney and stores having been collected, Mrs. Hallowell and a committeeof ladies from Philadelphia visited Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanoogaand Huntsville to distribute their stores in person. The journeyundertaken early in May, 1864, was not unattended with danger; for, though General Sherman had commenced his great march toward Atlanta, Forrest, Morgan and Wheeler were exerting themselves to cut hiscommunications and break up his connection with his base. Along someportions of the route the guerrillas swarmed, and more than once thecars were delayed by reports of trouble ahead. The courageous ladies, however, pushed forward and received from the generals in command themost hearty welcome, and all the facilities they required for theirmission. They found that the suffering of the loyal refugees had notbeen exaggerated; that in many cases their misery was beyonddescription, and that from hunger, cold, nakedness, the want of suitableshelter, and the prevalence of malignant typhoid fever, measles, scarletfever and the other diseases which usually prevail among the wretchedand starving poor, very many had died, and others could not longsurvive. They distributed their stores freely yet judiciously, arrangedto aid a home and farm for Refugees and Orphans which had beenestablished near Nashville, and to render future assistance to those inneed at Knoxville, Chattanooga, &c. , and returned to Philadelphia. Mrs. Hallowell visited them again in the autumn, and continued her labors forthem till after the close of the war. The Home for Refugees and Orphansnear Nashville, formed a part of the battle ground in the siege andbattles of Nashville in December, 1864, and was completely ruined forthe time. Some new buildings of a temporary character were subsequentlyerected, but the close of the war soon rendered its further occupationunnecessary. 

Mrs. Hallowell's earnest and continued labors for the refugees drewforth from the loyal men and women of East Tennessee letters full ofgratitude and expressive of the great benefits she had conferred onthem. Colonel N. G. Taylor, representative in Congress from EastTennessee, and one of the most eloquent speakers and writers in theWest, among others, addressed her an interesting and touching letter ofthanks for what she had done for his persecuted and tried constituents, from which we quote a single paragraph. 

"Accept, my dear madam, for yourself and those associated with you, thewarmest thanks of their representative, for the noble efforts you havebeen and are making for the relief of my poor, afflicted, starvingpeople. Most of the men of East Tennessee are bleeding at the front forour country (this letter was written before the close of the war) whilsttheir wives and little ones are dying of starvation at home. They areworthy of your sympathy and your labor, for they have laid all theirsubstance upon the altar of our country and have sacrificed everythingthey had for their patriotism. "

OTHER FRIENDS OF THE FREEDMEN AND REFUGEES. 

In many of the preceding sketches we have had occasion to notice thelabors of ladies who had been most distinguished in other departments ofthe great Army work, in behalf of the Freedmen, or the Refugees. Mrs. Harris devoted in all five or six months to their care at Nashville andits vicinity. Miss Tyson and Mrs. Beck gave their valuable services totheir relief. Miss Jane Stuart Woolsey was, and we believe still islaboring in behalf of the Freedmen in Richmond or its vicinity. Mrs. Governor Hawley of Connecticut was among the first to instruct them atFernandina and Hilton Head. Miss Gilson devoted nearly the whole of thelast year of her service in the army to the freedmen and the hospitalfor colored soldiers. In the West, Mrs. Lucy E. Starr, while Matron ofthe Soldiers' Home at Memphis, bestowed a large amount of labor on theRefugees who were congregated in great numbers in that city. Mrs. Clinton B. Fisk, the wife of the gallant Christian, General Fisk, exerted herself to collect clothing, money and supplies for theRefugees, black and white, at Pilot Knob, Missouri, and distributed itto them in person. Mrs. H. F. Hoes and Miss Alice F. Royce of Wisconsin, were very active in instructing and aiding the children of Refugees atRolla, Missouri, in 1864 and 1865. Mrs. John S. Phelps established withthe aid of a few other ladies a school for the children of Refugees atSpringfield, Missouri, and Mrs. Mary A. Whitaker, an excellent andefficient teacher, had charge of it for two years. 

At Leavenworth and Fort Scott, large and well conducted schools for thechildren of Refugees and Freedmen were established, and several teachersemployed, one of them, Mrs. Nettie C. Constant, at Leavenworth, winninga very high reputation for her faithfulness and skill as a teacher. 

The Western Sanitary Commission, the National Freedmen's ReliefAssociation, Relief Societies in Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis andelsewhere, and later the American Union Commission, were all engaged inlabor for either the Freedmen or the Refugees or both. 

All these organizations employed or supported teachers, an all worked inremarkable harmony. At Vicksburg the Western Sanitary Commission sent, in the spring of 1864, Miss G. D. Chapman of Exeter, Maine, to takecharge of a school for the children of Refugees, of whom there werelarge numbers there. Miss Chapman served very faithfully for somemonths, and then was compelled by her failing health, to return home. The Commission then appointed Miss Sarah E. M. Lovejoy, daughter of Hon. Owen Lovejoy, to take charge of the school. It soon became one of thelargest in the South, and was conducted with great ability by MissLovejoy till the close of the War. 

The National Freedmen's Relief Association had, at the same time, aschool for Freedmen and the children of Freedmen there, and Miss Mary E. Sheffield, a most faithful and accomplished teacher from Norwich, Connecticut, was in charge of it. The climate, the Rebel prejudices andthe indifference or covert opposition to the school of those from whombetter things might have been expected, made the position one of greatdifficulty and responsibility; but Miss Sheffield was fully equal to thework, and continued in it with great usefulness until late in May, 1865, when finding herself seriously ill she attempted to return North, but onreaching Memphis was too ill to proceed farther, and died there on the5th of June, 1865, a martyr to her faithfulness and zeal. 

In Helena, a Refugee Home was established by the Western SanitaryCommission, and Mrs. Sarah Coombs, a benevolent and excellent lady ofthat town, placed in charge of it. At Nashville, Tennessee, theNashville Refugee Relief Society, under the management of Mrs. Mary R. Fogg, established a Refugees' Home which was aided by the WesternSanitary Commission, the Philadelphia ladies, and other associations. AtLittle Rock, Arkansas, was another Home which did good service. But themost extensive institution of this description, was the Refugee andFreedmen's Home at St. Louis, occupying the Lawson Hospital in thatcity, and established by the Western Sanitary Commission with theco-operation of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, and the Ladies'Freedmen's Relief Association. Mrs. H. M. Weed was its efficient matron, and was supported by a staff of six or seven assistants and teachers. Over three thousand Refugees were received and aided here in the sixmonths from February to July, 1865, and both children and adults weretaught not only elementary studies but housework, cooking and laundrywork; the women were paid moderate wages with which to clothe themselvesand their children, and were taught some of the first lessons of abetter civilization. In the superintendence of this good work, Mrs. Alfred Clapp, the President of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, Mrs. Joseph Crawshaw, an active member of that Society, Mrs. Lucien Eaton, the President of the Ladies' Freedmen's Association, and Mrs. N. Stevens, one of the managers of that Society, were assiduous andfaithful. 

There were great numbers of other ladies equally efficient in theFreedmen's Schools and Homes in the Atlantic States, but their work wasmainly under the direction of the Freedmen's Relief, and subsequently ofthe American Union Commission, and it is not easy to obtain from themaccounts of the labors of particular individuals. The record of thewomen who have labored faithfully, and not a few of them to the loss oftheir health or lives in work which was in some respects even morerepulsive to the natural sensibilities than that in the hospitals, ifsmaller in numbers, is not less honorable than that of their sisters inthe hospitals. 

PART V. 

LADIES DISTINGUISHED FOR SERVICES IN SOLDIERS' HOMES, VOLUNTEERREFRESHMENT SALOONS, ON GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL TRANSPORTS, ETC. 

MRS. O. E. HOSMER. 

At the opening of the late war, the subject of this sketch, Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, was residing with her family in Chicago, Illinois. Hers was byno means a vague patriotism that contented itself with verbalexpressions of sympathy for her country's cause and defenders. Shebelieved that she had sacrifices to make, and work to do, and could hopefor no enjoyment, or even comfort, amidst the luxuries of home, whilethousands to whom these things were as dear as to herself, hadresolutely turned away from them, willing to perish themselves, if thenational life might be preserved. 

Her first sacrifice was that of two of her sons, whom she gave to theservice of the country in the army. Then, to use her own words, "feelinga burning desire to aid personally in the work, I did not wait to hearof sufferings I have since so often witnessed, but determined, as Godhad given me health and a good husband to provide for me, to go forth asa volunteer and do whatever my hands found to do. " Few perhaps will everknow to the full extent, how much the soldier benefited by this resolve. 

To such a spirit, waiting and ardent, opportunities were not long inpresenting themselves. Mrs. Hosmer's first experiences, away from home, were at Tipton, and Smithtown, Missouri. This was early in the winter of1862, only a few months after the commencement of the War; but as allwill remember there had already been desperate campaigns, and hardfighting in Missouri, and there were the usual consequences, devastation, want and suffering to be met on all sides. 

At this time the effects of that beneficent and excellent institution, the Northwestern Sanitary Commission, had not been felt at all pointswhere need existed; for the field was vast, and even with the wonderfulcharities of the great Northwest, pouring into its treasury andstore-houses, with a powerful organization, and scores of willing handsand brains at command, time was necessary to enable it to assume thatsort of omnipresence which afterward caused it to be found in all placeswhere battles were fought, or hospitals erected, or men suffered fromthe casualties of war, throughout that great territory. 

Mrs. Hosmer found the hospitals at Tipton and Smithtown in the worstpossible condition, and the men suffering for almost everything requiredfor their comfort. This, under the circumstances, caused no surprise, for medical stores were not readily available at points so remote. ButMrs. Hosmer had the pleasure of causing a large box of Sanitary storesand comforts to be sent them by the kind and efficient agent at St. Louis, which she helped to distribute. She was thus enabled to leavethem in a much more comfortable condition. 

On her return to Chicago, a number of influential ladies residing there, formed an association to which the name of the "Ladies' War Committee"was given. Mrs. Hosmer was appointed secretary of this organization. 

This association was very useful and efficient, and met daily to workfor the soldiers, particularly in making up garments for the Regimentssent out by the Board of Trade of Chicago. 

When these, the Eighty-eighth and Seventy-second Illinois Regiments, andthe Board of Trade Battery, participated in any battle, they volunteeredto go and look after the wounded. The first volunteers were sent outupon this charitable mission after the battle of Stone River, about the1st of January, 1863, when two ladies, Mrs. Hosmer and Mrs. SmithTinkham proceeded to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with a large quantity ofsupplies. They remained there, in constant and unwearied attendance uponthe large number of wounded from this important battle, for nine or tenweeks. 

The writer of this sketch was at that time in Chicago, and wellremembers the return of these ladies from this errand of mercy, and thesimple pathos of the report they then made, to the Board of Trade, oftheir work and their stewardship of the funds entrusted to them by thatbody for the expenses of the expedition, and the use of the wounded. 

As these ladies were the first volunteers upon the ground, they werewarmly welcomed by the medical director and surgeons, and their servicesat once rendered available both in the preparation of delicacies for thesufferers, and in personal attendance upon them. Here Mrs. Hosmer metwith a most singular and touching incident. A soldier who had beenwounded in the leg, and taken prisoner, had his leg amputated by a Rebelsurgeon. He was afterwards recaptured, and being found in a dreadful anddangerous condition, had to suffer a second amputation. It was only bythe closest and best of care that there remained a possibility that hislife might be saved; and this the surgeon in charge requested of Mrs. Hosmer. 

On approaching his bed, Mrs. Hosmer was almost painfully struck by hisstrong resemblance to one of her sons, while he was at the same instant, bewildered and excited by discovering in her an equally strong likenessto the mother he was never to see again. 

It need hardly be said that this accidental likeness caused a strongbond of feeling between those till that moment utter strangers. Thesoldier begged to be allowed to call the lady mother, and she was onlytoo glad to minister to him as she hoped some kind soul might do to theson he resembled, should an hour of need occur. She found him to be aneducated and intelligent young man. She did for him all she could, andwatched and tended him with real devotion, but in vain. It was foundimpossible to save him; and when he was gone, she performed the last ofher sad offices, by cutting from above his brow a mass of clustering, raven curls, which she enclosed in a letter to his mother, telling herall she knew of her boy's bravery, and his fate. 

These days at Murfreesboro were days of hard labor, but of greatsatisfaction. There had been more than five thousand men in hospital, but these were thinned out by deaths, convalescence, etc. , until but fewremained. Then Mrs. Hosmer and her friend returned to their home. 

The following summer that admirable and most useful institution, the"Soldiers' Home, " was established in Chicago, and Mrs. Hosmer wasappointed first vice-president. 

This "Home" occupied much of her time for the following year. Inconnection with this was the Soldiers' Rest, where hundreds, andsometimes thousands of men, _in transitu_, were furnished with good warmmeals, and with lodging for the sick, to the extent of itsaccommodations. This was entirely sustained and carried on by the ladiesof Chicago, and Mrs. Hosmer often passed entire days and nights there, in these labors of love. 

After the battle of Chickamauga she again felt it a duty and privilegeto proceed to the field, on a mission of mercy. Her friend, Mrs. Tinkham, again accompanied her. As they neared Chattanooga, they wereunfortunately taken prisoners. They suffered much fatigue, and manyprivations, but no other ill-treatment, though they were, a part of thetime, in great danger from the shells which were exploding all aboutthem. They were however soon recaptured, and proceeded on their way. 

Having lost their supplies, however, they found they could be of littleservice. Provisions were very scarce, as in fact were all necessaries, both for the wounded and well. Therefore, being provided with an escort, they slowly retraced their way, and, after a disastrous and fatiguingjourney, arrived in Chicago, completely worn and exhausted, and withoutthe cheering influence of the consciousness of having accomplished muchgood by their efforts. 

From this time, with the exception of occasional trips to Cairo, to lookafter the sick and wounded there, Mrs. Hosmer remained in Chicago, laboring for the soldiers at the "Home" and "Rest, " until the close ofthe year, 1864. The "Northwestern Sanitary and Soldiers' Home Fair, " wasthen in contemplation, and was to take place in June, 1865. Mrs. Hosmerhad been appointed one of the Executive Committee, and CorrespondingSecretary of the organization, which had the mammoth fair in charge. 

In pursuance of the objects in view, she then went down the MississippiRiver, to solicit donations of money and articles for the fair. Thinkingshe could materially aid the object, by visiting hospitals, and givingher testimony that supplies were still needed, she paid particularattention to this part of her duty, and visited nearly every hospitalfrom Cairo to New Orleans. She had the satisfaction of raising aboutfive thousand dollars in money for the fair, besides obtaining a varietyand large amount of valuable articles for sale. She also had thepleasure of causing supplies to be sent, at that time, to points wherethey were much needed. 

She was at Vicksburg when five thousand emaciated wrecks of manhood fromthe prisons of Andersonville and Catawba, were brought thither to beexchanged, and often visited their camp and aided in distributing thesupplies so greatly needed. 

Many a time her kind heart was bursting with pain and sympathy for thesesuffering men, many of whom had been tortured and starved till alreadybeyond the reach of help. But she was to see still greater horrors, when, as the culmination of their fate, the steamer Sultana, on whichtheir homeward passage was taken, exploded, and, she, being near, beheldhundreds who had escaped the sufferings of the prison pens, drawn fromthe water, dying or dead, drowned or scalded, in that awful accident. As she says, herself, her heart was nearly broken by this dreadfulsight. 

Mrs. Hosmer returned to Chicago, and did not cease her labors until theSoldiers' Rest was closed, and the war ended. For about four years shegave untiring devotion to the cause, and few have accomplished morereal, earnest and persistent service. Since the close of the war, Mrs. Hosmer has become a resident of New York, though she is, at this presentwriting, established at St. Paul, Minnesota, in charge of a sick son, who seeks the recovery of his health in that bracing climate. 

MISS HATTIE WISWALL. 

Miss Hattie Wiswall entered the service as Hospital Nurse, May 1, 1863. For the first five or six months she was employed in the Benton BarracksHospital at St. Louis. At that time the suffering of our boys inMissouri was very great, and all through that summer the hospitals ofSt. Louis were crowded to overflowing. From one thousand to fifteenhundred were lying in Benton Barracks alone. Men, wounded in everyconceivable manner, were frequently arriving from the battle-fields, andour friend went through the same experience to which so many bravewomen, fresh from the quiet and happy scenes of their peaceful homes, have been willing to subject themselves for the sake of humanity. Sensitive and delicate though she was, she acquired here, by constantattention to her duties, a coolness in the presence of appalling sightsthat we have rarely seen equaled even in the stronger sex, and which, when united with a tender sympathy, as in her case, makes the modelnurse. The feeling of horror which shrinks from the sight of agony andvents itself in vapid exclamations, she rightly deemed had no place inthe character of one who proposes to do anything. So putting this asideshe learned to be happy in the hospital, and consequently made othershappy. Never in our observation has this first condition of success innursing been so completely met. It became so intense a satisfaction toher to lessen, in ever so slight a degree, the misery of a sick orwounded soldier that the horror of the case seemed never to occur toher. It was often remarked that "Miss Hattie was never quite so happy aswhen administering medicine or dressing a wound. "

From Benton Barracks she was ordered in the autumn of 1863 to Nashville, Tennessee, where she remained a short time and was then ordered toVicksburg, Mississippi, to assist in conducting a Soldiers' Home. Hereshe remained until the close of the war. How faithfully she dischargedher duties, first as assistant and then as principal Matron, the onehundred and fifteen thousand guests who were entertained there duringher stay know, and the living can testify. Her position for much of thetime was an extremely responsible and laborious one, the capacities ofthe Home being sometimes extended to the accommodation of six hundredmen, and averaging, for nearly the whole period of her stay, two hundreddaily. The multiplicity of duties in the charge of the household affairsof such an institution, with the uncertain assistance to be found insuch a place, may be better imagined than told. Under her satisfactorymanagement the Vicksburg Home acquired an enviable reputation, and wasthe favorite stopping-place on the river. The great difficulty inconducting a Soldiers' Home in time of war, as every one knows who hasbeen connected with one, is to keep it neat and clean, to have thefloors, the tables, the beds sufficiently respectable to remind thesoldier of the home he has left. Nothing but ceaseless vigilance coulddo this at Vicksburg, as men were constantly arriving from filthy camps, and still filthier prisons, covered not with greenbacks but with whatwas known there as the rebel "currency. " But on any one of the hundredsof beds that filled the dormitories of this Home our most fastidiousreader could have slept in peace and safety; and, but for the fact thatthe bill of fare was mostly limited to the army ration, could have setdown at any of the tables and enjoyed a meal. 

The good work of Miss Wiswall in Vicksburg was not confined to theSoldiers' Home. She did not forget the freedmen, but was true to theteachings of her uncles, the great and good Lovejoys. Of the sufferingsof these poor people she had opportunity to see much, and often did hersympathies lead her beyond the sphere of her ordinary duties, to carryfood and clothing and medicine to such as were ready to perish. 

In these charities, which were extended also to the white refugees, MissWiswall did not lose sight of the direct line of her duty, the work shehad set out to do. The needs of the loyal soldier took precedence in hermind of all others. No service so delighted her as this, and to none wasshe so well fitted. 

We remember after the calamitous Red River expedition, boat-load afterboat-load of the wounded were sent up to Vicksburg. As soon as theytouched the shore, our friend and her companions met the poor fellowsstretched upon the decks and scattered through the cabins and around theengines, with words of womanly cheer, and brought the delicacies andrefreshments prepared by thoughtful hands at home. Many a brave man willremember to his dying day how he shed tears of joy at sight of the firsttrue Northern woman's face that met him after that toilsome, disastrousmarch. 

At length a boat-load of the severely wounded were about to be sent upthe river to Northern hospitals, or on furlough to go to their homes. The surgeon in charge desired the aid of a competent lady assistant; andMiss Wiswall obtained temporary leave of absence to accompany him andhelp take care of the sufferers. Her influence, we were told, wasinspiriting to all on board. She was once more in hospital and entirelyat home. At Cairo, where a portion of the wounded were discharged, shetook charge of an officer, whose limb had been amputated, and saw himsafely to his home in Elgin, Illinois. Making her friends in Chicago abrief visit, she returned to her duties at Vicksburg, where she remaineduntil, with the close of the war, the Soldiers' Home was discontinuedabout the 1st of June, 1865. 

MRS. LUCY E. STARR. 

In an early period of the civil war this heroic woman left her home atGriggsville, Illinois, came to St. Louis and offered her services to theWestern Sanitary Commission as a nurse in the hospitals. She was alreadyknown as a person of excellent Christian character, of education andrefinement, of real practical ability, the widow of a deceasedclergyman, and full of the spirit of kindness and patriotic sympathytowards our brave soldiers in the field. Her services were gladlyaccepted, and she entered at once upon her duties as a nurse in theFifth Street Hospital at St. Louis, which was in charge of the excellentDr. John T. Hodgen, an eminent surgeon of that city. 

For nearly two years Mrs. Starr served as nurse in this hospital, havingcharge of one of the special diet kitchens, and ministering with her ownhands to the sick and wounded inmates. In these services the greatkindness of her manners, the cheerful and hopeful spirit that animatedher, the words of sympathy and encouragement she gave her patients, andthe efficiency and excellence of everything she did won for her a largemeasure of esteem and confidence, and made her a favorite nurse with theauthorities of the hospital, and with the sick and wounded, who receivedher ministrations and care. Small in stature, it was wonderful how muchlabor she was able to accomplish, and how she was sustained by a soulfull of noble purposes and undoubting faith. 

In the autumn of 1863 Mrs. Starr was needed by the Western SanitaryCommission to take the position of Matron of the Soldiers' Home atMemphis, to have charge of the domestic arrangements of the institution, and to extend a true hospitality to the many invalid soldiers going onfurlough to their homes or returning to the hospitals, or to theirregiments, passing through Memphis on their way. The number thusentertained sometimes reached as high as three hundred and fifty in oneday. The average daily number for two years and a half was one hundredand six. When the Home was first opened, and before it was much known, the first guests were brought in by Mrs. Governor Harvey, of Wisconsin, who found them wandering in the streets, sadly in need of a kind friendto give them assistance and care. Sometimes the Superintendent, Mr. O. E. Waters, would have from twenty to thirty discharged, furloughed andinvalid soldiers to aid, in collecting their pay, procuringtransportation, many of whom he found lying on the hard pavements in thestreets and on the bluff near the steamboat landing, in a helplesscondition, with no friend to assist them. The object of the Soldiers'Home was to take care of such, give them food and lodging withoutcharge, make them welcome while they stayed, and send them rejoicing ontheir way. 

In the internal management of this institution, and in the kindhospitality extended to the soldiers Mrs. Starr was doing a congenialwork. For two years she filled this position with great fidelity andsuccess, and to the highest satisfaction of those who placed her here, and of all who were the guests of the Home. At the end of this service, on the closing of the Home, the Superintendent in his final report tothe Western Sanitary Commission, makes this acknowledgment of herservices:

"It would not only be improper but unjust, not to speak of thefaithfulness and hearty co-operation of the excellent and much esteemedMatron, Mrs. Lucy E. Starr. Her mission has been full of trials anddiscouragements, yet she has patiently and uncomplainingly struggledthrough them all; and during my frequent absences she has cheerfullyassumed the entire responsibility of the Home. Her Christian forbearanceand deep devotion to the cause of humanity have won the admiration ofall who have come within the sphere of her labors. "

On the closing of the Soldiers' Home, Mrs. Starr became connected withan institution for the care of suffering refugees and freedmen atMemphis, under the patronage of the Freedmen's Aid Commission ofCincinnati, Ohio. She took a great interest in the thousands of thisclass of destitute people who had congregated in the vicinity ofMemphis; visited them for weeks almost daily; and in the language of Mr. Waters' report, "administered to the sick with her own hands, going frompallet to pallet, giving nourishing food and medicines to many helplessand friendless beings. "

Thus she continued to be a worker for the suffering soldiers of theUnion army from the beginning to the end of the war, and when peace hadcome, devoted herself to the poor and suffering refugees and freedmen, whom the war had driven from their homes and reduced to misery and want. With a wonderful fortitude, endurance and heroism she persevered in herfaithfulness to the end, and through the future of her life on earth andin heaven, those whom she has comforted and relieved of their sorrowsand distresses will constitute for her a crown of rejoicing, and theirtears of gratitude will be the brightest jewels in her diadem. 

CHARLOTTE BRADFORD

This lady, like her friend, Miss Abby W. May, of Boston, though a womanof extraordinary attainments and culture, and an earnest outspokenadvocate of the immediate abolition of slavery before the War, isextremely averse to any mention of her labors in behalf of the soldiers, alleging that they were not worthy to be compared with the sacrifices ofthose humbler and unnamed heroines, who in their country homes, toiledso incessantly for the boys in blue. We have no desire to detract oneiota of the honors justly due to these noble and self-sacrificing women;but when one is called to a position of more prominent usefulness thanothers, and performs her duties with great ability, system andperseverance, though her merits may be no greater than those of humblerand more obscure persons, yet the public position which she assumes, renders her service so far public property, that she cannot withjustice, refuse to accept the consequences of such public action or thesacrifices it entails. Holding this opinion we deem it a part of ourduty to speak of Miss Bradford's public and official life. With hermotives and private feelings we have no right to meddle. 

So far as we can learn, Miss Bradford's first public service inconnection with the Sanitary Commission, was in the Hospital TransportCorps in the waters of the Peninsula, in 1862. Here she was one of theladies in charge of the Elm City, and afterward of the Knickerbocker, having as associates Mrs. Bailey, Miss Helen L. Gilson, Miss Amy M. Bradley, Mrs. Balustier, Miss Gardner and others. 

Miss Bradley was presently called to Washington by the officers of theSanitary Commission, to take charge of the Soldiers' Home then beingestablished there, and Miss Bradford busied herself in other Reliefwork. In February following, Miss Bradley relinquished her position asMatron of the Home, to enter upon her great work of reforming andimproving the Rendezvous of Distribution, which under the name of "CampMisery, " had long been the opprobrium of the War Department, and MissBradford was called to succeed her in charge of the Soldiers' Home atWashington. Of the efficiency and beneficence of her administration herefor two and a half years there is ample testimony. Thoroughly refinedand ladylike in her manners, there was a quiet dignity about her whichcontrolled the wayward and won the respect of all. Her executive abilityand administrative skill were such, that throughout the realm where shepresided, everything moved with the precision and quietness of the mostperfect machinery. There was no hurry, no bustle, no display, buteverything was done in time and well done. To thousands of the soldiersjust recovering from sickness or wounds, feeble and sometimes almostdisheartened, she spoke words of cheer, and by her tender and kindsympathy, encouraged and strengthened them for the battle of life; andin all her intercourse with them she proved herself their true andsympathizing friend. 

After the close of the war, Miss Bradford returned to private life ather home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. 

UNION VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON OF PHILADELPHIA. 

We have already in our sketch of the labors of Mrs. Mary W. Lee, one ofthe most efficient workers for the soldiers in every position in whichshe was placed, given some account of this institution, one of the mostremarkable philanthropic organizations called into being by the War, asin the sketch of Miss Anna M. Ross we have made some allusions to theCooper Shop Refreshment Saloon, its rival in deeds of charity and lovefor the soldier. The vast extent, the wonderful spirit of self-sacrificeand persevering patience and fidelity in which these labors wereperformed, demand, however, a more than incidental notice in a recordlike this. 

No philanthropic work during the war was more thoroughly free fromself-seeking, or prompted by a higher or nobler impulse than that ofthese Refreshment Saloons. Beginning in the very first movements oftroops in the patriotic feeling which led a poor man[M] to establish hiscoffee boilers on the sidewalk to give a cup of hot coffee to thesoldiers as they waited for the train to take them on to Washington, andin the generous impulses of women in humble life to furnish such food asthey could provide for the soldier boys, it grew to be a giganticenterprise in its results, and the humble commencement ere longdeveloped into two rival but not hostile organizations, each zealous todo the most for the defenders of their country. Very early in themovement some men of larger means and equally earnest sympathies wereattracted to it, and one of them, a thorough patriot, Samuel B. Fales, Esq. , gave himself wholly to it for four and a half years. The interestof the community was excited also in the labors of these humble men andwomen, and the enterprise seldom lacked for funds; the zealous andearnest Chairman, Mr. Arad Barrows, and Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Fales, of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, took good care of thatpart of the work, and Mr. W. M. Cooper and his associates did the samefor the Cooper Shop Saloon. 

[Footnote M: Mr. Bazilla S. Brown]

Ample provision was made to give the regiments the benefit of a bath andan ample repast at whatever hour of day or night they might come intothe city. In the four and a half years of their labors, the VolunteerRefreshment Saloon fed between eight hundred thousand and nine hundredthousand soldiers and expended about one hundred thousand dollars inmoney, aside from supplies. The Cooper Shop Saloon, closing a littleearlier, fed about four hundred thousand men and expended nearly seventythousand dollars. Both Saloons had hospitals attached to them for sickand wounded soldiers. The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon had, duringthe war, nearly fifteen thousand patients, the Cooper Shop, perhaps halfthat number. 

But noble and patriotic as were the labors of the men connected withthese Saloons, they were less deserving of the highest meed of praisethan those of the women who, with a patience and fidelity which hasnever been surpassed, winter and summer, in cold and heat, at all hoursof night as well as in the day, at the boom of the signal gun, hastenedto the Refreshment Saloons and prepared those ample repasts which madePhiladelphia the Mecca to which every soldier turned longingly duringhis years of Army life. These women were for the most part in the middleand humbler walks of life; they were accustomed to care for their ownhouseholds, and do their own work; and it required no small degree ofself-denial and patriotic zeal on their part, after a day of thehousekeeper's never ending toil, to rise from their beds at midnight(for the trains bringing soldiers came oftener at night than in the daytime), and go through the darkness or storm, a considerable distance, and toil until after sunrise at the prosaic work of cooking anddish-washing. 

Of some of these noble women we have the material for brief sketches, and we know of none more deserving a place in our record. 

MRS. ELIZA G. PLUMMER was a native of Philadelphia, of revolutionarystock, born in 1812, and had been a widow for nearly twenty-five years. Though possessed of but little property, she had for many years been thefriend and helper of the poor, attending them in sickness, and from herscanty purse and by her exertions, securing to them a decent andrespectable Christian burial when they were called to die. At the verycommencement of the War, she entered into the Refreshment Saloonenterprise with a zeal and perseverance that never flagged. She wasparticularly devoted to the hospital, and when the accommodations of theUnion Volunteer Refreshment Saloon Hospital were too limited for thenumber who needed relief, as was the case in 1862, she received aconsiderable number of the worst cases of sick or wounded soldiers intoher own house, and nursed them without any compensation till theyrecovered. At the second fair held by the Saloon in June, 1863, she wasinstant in season and out of season, feeding the soldiers as well asattending the fair; and often remaining at her post till long aftermidnight. In July and August, 1863, she was constantly engaged innursing the wounded from Gettysburg, who crowded the Saloon Hospitalsfor some time, and in supplying the needs of the poor fellows who passedthrough in the Hospital Cars on their way to Northern hospitals. Forthese she provided tea and toast always, having everything readyimmediately on their arrival. These excessive labors impaired herhealth, and being called to nurse her aged blind mother during a severefit of sickness, her strength failed and she sank rapidly, and died onthe 21st of October, 1863. The soldier has lost no more earnest orfaithful friend than she. 

MRS. MARY B. WADE, a widow and now nearly eighty years of age, but awoman of remarkable energy and perseverance, was throughout the wholefour and a half years, as constantly at her post, as faithful and asefficient as any of the Executive Committee of the Saloon. Sufferingfrom slight lameness, she literally hobbled down to the Saloon with acane, by night or day; but she was never absent. Her kind, winning andmotherly ways made her always a great favorite with the soldiers, whoalways called her Mother Wade. She is a woman of rare conscientiousness, truthfulness and amiability of character. She is a native of Southwark, Philadelphia, and the widow of a sea-captain. 

MRS. ELLEN J. LOWRY, a widow upwards of fifty years of age, a native ofBaltimore, was in the beginning of the War a woman of large and powerfulframe, and was surpassed by none in faithfulness and efficiency, but herlabors among the wounded from Gettysburg seriously injured her health, and have rendered her, probably a permanent invalid; she sufferedseverely from typhoid fever, and her life was in peril in the summer of1864. 

MRS. MARGARET BOYER, a native of Philadelphia, the wife of asea-captain, but in very humble circumstances, and advanced in years, was also one of the faithful untiring workers of the Union Saloon, butlike Mrs. Lowry, lost her health by her care of the Gettysburg wounded, and those from the great battles of Grant's Campaign. 

[Illustration: MRS. MARY B. WADE. Eng^d. By A. H. Ritchie. ]

MRS. PRISCILLA GROVER and MRS. GREEN, both women about sixty years ofage, were constant in their attendance and remarkably faithful in theirservices at the Saloon. Our record of these remarkable women of advancedage would be incomplete did we omit MRS. MARY GROVER, MRS. HANNAH SMITH, MRS. SARAH FEMINGTON and MISS SARAH HOLLAND, all noble, persevering andefficient nurses, and strongly attached to their work. Nor were theyounger women lacking in skill, patience or activity. Mrs. Ellen B. Barrows, wife of the Chairman of the Saloon, though blessed with moreample means of usefulness than some of the others, was second to none inher untiring energy and persistency in the discharge of her duties bothin the hospitals and the Saloon. Mrs. Eliza J. Smith, whose excessivelabors have nearly cost her her life, Mrs. Mary A. Cassedy, Mrs. Kate B. Anderson, Mrs. Mary E. Field, Mrs. Emily Mason, Mrs. Anna A. Elkintonand Mrs. Hannah F. Bailey were all notable women for their steady andefficient work in the hospitals and Saloon. Of Mrs. Mary W. Lee and herdaughter, Miss Amanda Lee, we have spoken elsewhere. 

Miss Catharine Bailey, Mrs. Eliza Helmbold, Mrs. Mary Courteney, Mrs. Elizabeth Horton and Misses Grover, Krider and Field were all useful andactive, though their duties were less severe than those we havepreviously named. 

The Cooper Shop Saloon was smaller and its work consequently lesssevere, yet, as we have seen, the labors of Miss Ross in its hospitalproved too severe for even her vigorous constitution, and she addedanother to the long list of blessed martyrs in the cause of liberty. Others there were in that Saloon and hospital, who, by faithful labor, patient and self-denying toil, and great sacrifices, won for themselvesan honorable place in that record which the great day of assize shallreveal. We may not know their names, but God knows them, and will rewardthem for their deeds of mercy and love. 

MRS. R. M. BIGELOW. 

In the ordinary acceptation of the term, Mrs. Bigelow has not beenconnected with Soldiers' Homes either in Washington or elsewhere; yetthere are few if any ladies in the country who have taken so many sickor wounded soldiers to their own houses, and have made them _at home_there, as she. To hundreds, if not thousands, of the soldiers of theArmy of the Potomac, the name of "Aunty Bigelow, " the title by which shewas universally known among the sick and wounded soldiers, is ascarefully, and quite as gratefully cherished as the name of theircommanders. Mrs. Bigelow is a native of Washington, in which city shehas always resided. She was never able, in consequence of her familyduties, to devote herself exclusively to hospital work, but was amongthe first to respond to the call for friendly aid to the sick soldier. She was, in 1861, a daily visitor to the Indiana Hospital in the PatentOffice Building, coming at such hours as she could spare from her homeduties; and she was always welcome, for no one was more skillful as anurse than she, or could cheer and comfort the sick better. When shecould not come, she sent such delicacies as would tempt the appetite ofthe invalid to the hospital. Many a soldier remembers to this day thehot cakes, or the mush and milk, or the custard which came from AuntyBigelow's, on purpose for him, and always exactly at the right time. Mrs. R. K. Billing, a near relative of Mrs. Bigelow, and the mother ofthat Miss Rose M. Billing whose patriotic labors ended only with herlife--a life freely sacrificed for the relief of our poor returnedprisoners from Andersonville, as related in our sketch of the AnnapolisHospital Corps, --was the co-laborer of her kinswoman in these labors oflove. Both were indefatigable in their labors for the sick soldiers;both knew how to make "that bread which tasted exactly like mother's" tothe convalescent soldier, whose feeble appetite was not easily tempted;and both opened their houses, as well as their hearts to these poorsuffering invalids, and many is the soldier who could and did say: "Idon't know what would have become of me if I had not met with such goodfriends. "

Mrs. Bigelow became, ere long, the almoner of the bounty of many AidSocieties at the North, and vast quantities of supplies passed throughher hands, to the patients of the hospitals; and they were alwaysjudiciously distributed. She not only kept up a constant correspondencewith these societies, but wrote regularly to the soldier-boys who hadbeen under her care, after they returned to their regiments, and thusretained her influence over them, and made them feel that somebody caredfor them, even when they were away from all other home influences. 

Besides these labors, which were seemingly sufficient to occupy herentire time, she visited continually the hospitals about the city, andalways found room in her house for any sick one, who came to her beggingthat he might "come home, " rather than go to a boarding-house or to ahospital. Three young officers, who came to her with this plea, werereceived and watched over till death relieved them of their sufferings, and cared for as tenderly as they could have been in their own homes;and those who came thither were nursed and tended till their recoverywere numbered by scores. 

To all the hospital workers from abroad, and the number was not few, herhouse was always a home. There was some unappropriated room or somespare bed in which they could be accommodated, and they were welcome forthe sake of the cause for which they were laboring. Had she possessed anample fortune, this kindness, though honorable, might not have been sonoteworthy, but her house was small and her means far from ample. In themidst of these abundant labors for the soldiers, she was called to passthrough deep affliction, in the illness and death of her husband; butshe suffered no personal sorrow to so absorb her interest as to make herunmindful of her dear hospital and home-work for the soldiers. This wascontinued unfalteringly as long as there was occasion for it. 

Few, if any, of the "Women of the War, " have been or have deserved tobe, more generally beloved by the soldiers and by all truehospital-workers than Mrs. Bigelow. 

MISS SHARPLESS AND ASSOCIATES. 

What the Hospital Transport service was under the management of theSanitary Commission, we have elsewhere detailed, and have also givensome glimpses of its chaotic confusion, its disorder and wretchednessunder the management of government officials, early in the war. Underthe efficient direction of Surgeon-General Hammond, and his successor, Surgeon-General Barnes, there was a material improvement; and in thelater years of the war the Government Hospital Transports bore someresemblance to a well ordered General Hospital. There was not, indeed, the complete order and system, the thorough ventilation, the wellregulated diet, and the careful and systematic treatment which markedthe management of the great hospitals, for these were to a considerableextent impossible on shipboard, and especially where the changes ofpatients were so frequent. 

For a period of nearly seventeen months, during the last two years ofthe war, the United States Steamship Connecticut was employed as ahospital transport, bringing the sick and wounded from City Point toWashington and Baltimore, and later, closing up one after another, thehospitals in Virginia and on the shores of Maryland and Delaware, andtransferring their patients to convalescent camps or other hospitals, orsome point where they could be put _en route_ for home. On thissteamship Miss HATTIE R. SHARPLESS commenced her labors as matron, onthe 10th of May, 1864, and continued with only a brief intermissiontill September 1st, 1865. She was no novice in hospital work when sheassumed this position. A native and resident of Bloomsburg, ColumbiaCounty, Pa. , she had first entered upon her duties as nurse in the Armyin July, 1862, when in connection with Miss Rose M. Billing and MissBelle Robinson, the latter being also a Pennsylvanian, she commencedhospital work at Fredericksburg. Subsequently, with her associate, shewas at the Falls Church Hospital and at Antietam, and we believe also atChancellorsville and Gettysburg. She is a lady admirably adapted to thehospital-work; tender, faithful, conscientious, unselfish, never restingwhile she could minister to the suffering, and happiest when she coulddo most for those in her care. During her service on the Connecticut, thirty-three thousand sick and wounded men were conveyed on that steamerto hospitals in Washington, Alexandria, Baltimore and other points. Constant and gentle in the discharge of her duties, with a kind and ifpossible a cheering word for each poor sufferer, and skillful andassiduous in providing for them every needed comfort so far as lay inher power, she proved herself a true Christian heroine in the extent andspirit of her labors, and sent joy to the heart of many who were on theverge of despair. 

Her religious influence upon the men was remarkable. Never obtrusive orprofessional in her treatment of religious subjects, she exhibited raretact and ability in bringing those who were in the possession of theirreason and consciousness to converse on their spiritual condition, andin pointing them affectionately to the atoning Sacrifice for sin. 

In these works of mercy and piety she was ably seconded by her cousin, Miss Hattie S. Reifsnyder, of Catawissa, Columbia County, Pa. , a lady ofvery similar spirit and tact, who was with her for about eight months;and subsequently by Mrs. Cynthia Case, of Newark, Ohio, who succeededMiss Reifsnyder, and entered into her work in the same thoroughChristian spirit. 

Miss W. F. HARRIS is a native, and was previous to the war, a residentof Providence, Rhode Island. She was a faithful worker through the wholewar, literally wearing herself out in the service. She commenced herwork at the Indiana Hospital, in the Patent Office, Washington, in thespring of 1862. After the closing of that hospital, she transferred herservice to Ascension Church Hospital, and subsequently early in 1863, tothe Carver Hospital, both in Washington, where she labored with greatassiduity and faithfulness. Early in May, 1864, she was appointed toservice on the Transport Connecticut, where she was indefatigable in herservice, and manifested the same tender spirit, and the same skill andtact, as Miss Sharpless. Of less vigorous constitution than herassociates, she was frequently a severe sufferer from her overexertions. In the summer of 1864, she was transferred to the Hospital atHarper's Ferry, and at that hospital and at Winchester continued herservice faithfully, though amid much pain and weariness, to the close ofthe war. Though her health was much shattered by her labors she couldnot rest, and has devoted herself to the instruction and training of theFreedmen from that time to the present. A gentleman who was associatedwith her in her service in the Carver Hospital and afterward on theTransport Connecticut, says of her: "I know of no more pure-minded, unselfish and earnest laborer among all the Women of the war that cameunder my notice. "

PART VI. 

LADIES DISTINGUISHED FOR OTHER SERVICES IN THE NATIONAL CAUSE. 

[Illustration: ANNIE ETHERIDGE. H. L. Stephens, Del. John Sartain, Sc. ]

MRS. ANNIE ETHERIDGE

No woman attached to a regiment, as _vivandiére_, _cantiniére_, or_fille du regiment_ (we use the French terms because we have no Englishones which fully correspond to them), during the recent war, has won sohigh and pure a renown as Annie Etheridge. Placed in circumstances ofpeculiar moral peril, her goodness and purity of character were sostrongly marked that she was respected and beloved not only by all herown regiment, but by the brigade division and corps to which thatregiment belonged, and so fully convinced were the officers from thecorps commander down, of her usefulness and faithfulness in the care ofthe wounded, that at a time when a peremptory order was issued from theheadquarters of the army that all women, whatever their position orservices should leave the camp, all the principal field officers of thecorps to which her regiment was attached united in a petition to thegeneral-in-chief, that an exception might be made in her favor. 

The greater part of Annie Etheridge's childhood was passed in Wisconsin. Her father was a man of considerable property, and her girlhood waspassed in ease and luxury; but as she drew near the age of womanhood, hemet with misfortunes by which he lost nearly all he had possessed, andreturned to her former home in Michigan. Annie remained in Wisconsin, where she had married, but was on a visit to her father in Detroit atthe outbreak of the war, and joined the Second Michigan Regiment whenthey departed for the seat of war, to fulfil the office of a daughterof the regiment, in attending to its sick and wounded. When thatregiment was sent to Tennessee she went to the Third Regiment in whichshe had many friends, and was with them in every battle in which theywere engaged. When their three years' service was completed, she withthe re-enlisted veterans joined the Fifth Michigan. Through this wholeperiod of more than four years' service she conducted herself with suchmodesty and propriety, and was at the same time so full of patriotismand courage, that she was a universal favorite with the soldiers as wellas officers. 

She was in the skirmish of Blackburn's Ford, and subsequently in thefirst battle of Bull Run, where she manifested the same courage andpresence of mind which characterized her in all her subsequent career inthe army. She never carried a musket, though she had a pair of pistolsin her holsters, but seldom or never used them. She was for a timeduring the winter following engaged in hospital service, and when theArmy of the Potomac went to the Peninsula, during the Chickahominycampaign she was on a hospital transport with Miss Amy M. Bradley, andrendered excellent service there. She was a very tender and carefulnurse, and seemed to know instinctively what to do for the sick andwounded. She returned to Alexandria with her regiment, and was with themat the second battle of Bull Run, on the 29th of August, 1862. Early inthis battle she was on a portion of the battle-field which had beenwarmly contested, where there was a rocky ledge, under shelter of which, some of the wounded had crawled. Annie lingered behind the troops, asthey changed position, assisted several poor helpless fellows to thiscover and dressed their wounds. One of these was William ---- of theSeventh New York Infantry, a noble-looking boy, to whose parched lipsshe had held the cooling draught, and had bound up his wounds, receivingin return a look of unutterable gratitude from his bright blue eyes, andhis faintly murmured "God's blessing on you, " when a shot from therebel battery tore him to pieces under her very hands. She discovered atthe same moment that the rebels were near, and almost upon her, and shewas forced to follow in the direction taken by her regiment. On anotherportion of that bloody field, Annie was kneeling by the side of asoldier binding up his wounds, when hearing a gruff voice above her, shelooked up and to her astonishment saw General Kearny checking his horsebeside her. He said, "That is right; I am glad to see you here helpingthese poor fellows, and when this is over, I will have you made aregimental sergeant;" meaning of course that she should receive asergeant's pay and rations. But two days later the gallant Kearny waskilled at Chantilly, and Annie never received the appointment, as hasbeen erroneously asserted. 

At Chancellorsville on the 2d of May, 1863, when the Third Corps were insuch extreme peril, in consequence of the panic by which the EleventhCorps were broken up, one company of the Third Michigan, and one of thesharp-shooters were detailed as skirmishers. Annie, although advised toremain in the rear accompanied them, taking the lead; meeting hercolonel however, he told her to go back, as the enemy was near, and hewas every moment expecting an attack. Very loth to fall back, she turnedand rode along the front of a line of shallow trenches filled with ourmen; she called to them, "Boys, do your duty and whip the rebels. " Themen partially rose and cheered her, shouting "Hurrah for Annie, " "Bullyfor you. " This revealed their position to the rebels, who immediatelyfired a volley in the direction of the cheering; Annie rode to the rearof the line, then turned to see the result; as she did so, an officerpushed his horse between her and a large tree by which she was waiting, thus sheltering himself behind her. She looked round at him withsurprise, when a second volley was fired, and a Minié ball whizzing byher, entered the officer's body, and he fell a corpse, against her andthen to the ground. At the same moment another ball grazed her hand, (the only wound she received during the war), pierced her dress, theskirt of which she was holding, and slightly wounded her horse. Frightened by the pain, he set off on a run through a dense wood, winding in and out among the trees so rapidly that Annie feared beingtorn from her saddle by the branches, or having her brains dashed out byviolent contact with the trunks. She raised herself upon the saddle, andcrouching on her knees clung to the pommel. The frightened animal as heemerged from the woods plunged into the midst of the Eleventh Corps, when his course was soon checked. Many of the men, recognizing Annie, received her with cheers. As she was now at a distance from herregiment, she felt a strong impulse to see and speak with General Berry, the commander of her division, with whom she was well acquainted. Meeting an aid, she asked where the General was. "He is not here, "replied the aid. "He is here, " replied Annie; "He is my DivisionGeneral, and has command on the right to-day. I must see him. " The aidturned his horse and rode up to the General, who was near at hand, andtold him that a woman was coming up who insisted on seeing him. "It isAnnie, " said General Berry, "let her come; let her come, I would risk mylife for Annie, any time. " As she approached from one side, a prisonerwas brought up on the other, said to be an aid of General Hill's. Aftersome words with him, and receiving his sword, the General sent him tothe rear; and after giving Annie a cordial greeting and some kind words, he put the prisoner under her charge, directing him to walk by herhorse. It was her last interview with the brave General. Early the nextmorning he was slain, in the desperate fight for the possession of theplank road past the Chancellor House. In the neighborhood of thehospital, Annie, working as usual among the wounded, discovered anartillery man badly injured and very much in need of her assistance. Shebound up his wounds and succeeded in having him brought to the hospital. The batteries were not usually accompanied by surgeons, and their menwere often very much neglected, when wounded, as the Infantry Surgeonswith their hands full with their own wounded would not, and perhapscould not, always render them speedy assistance. A year later Anniereceived the following letter, which was found on the body of aLieutenant Strachan, of her division, who was killed in one of the earlybattles of Grant's campaign. 

 WASHINGTON, D. C. , _January_ 14th, 1864. 

 ANNIE--_Dearest Friend_: I am not long for this world, and I wish to thank you for your kindness ere I go. 

 You were the only one who was ever kind to me, since I entered the Army. At Chancellorsville, I was shot through the body, the ball entering my side, and coming out through the shoulder. I was also hit in the arm, and was carried to the hospital in the woods, where I lay for hours, and not a surgeon would touch me; when you came along and gave me water, and bound up my wounds. I do not know what regiment you belong to, and I don't know if this will ever reach you. There is only one man in your division that I know. I will try and send this to him; his name is Strachan, orderly sergeant in Sixty-third Pennsylvania volunteers. 

 But should you get this, please accept my heartfelt gratitude; and may God bless you, and protect you from all dangers; may you be eminently successful in your present pursuit. I enclose a flower, a present from a _sainted mother_; it is the only gift I have to send you. Had I a picture, I would send you one; but I never had but two, one my sister has; the other, the sergeant I told you of; he would give it you, if you should tell him it is my desire. I know nothing of your history, but I hope you always have, and always may be happy; and, since I will be unable to see you in this world, I hope I may meet you in that better world, where there is no war. May God bless you, both now and forever, is the wish of your grateful friend, GEORGE H. HILL, CLEVELAND, OHIO. 

During the battle of Spottsylvania, Annie met a number of soldiersretreating. She expostulated with them, and at last shamed them intodoing their duty, by offering to lead them back into the fight, whichshe did under a heavy fire from the enemy. She had done the same thingmore than once on other battle-fields, not by flourishing a sword orrifle, for she carried neither: nor by waving a flag, for she was nevercolor-bearer; but by inspiring the men to deeds of valor by her ownexample, her courage, and her presence of mind. On the 1st or 2nd ofJune, when the Second Corps attacked the enemy at Deep Bottom, Anniebecame separated from her regiment, and with her usual attendant, thesurgeon's orderly, who carried the "pill box" (the medicine chest), shestarted in search of it, and before long, without being aware of thefact, she had passed beyond the line of Union pickets. Here she met anofficer, apparently reconnoitering, who told her she must turn back, asthe enemy was near; and hardly were the words spoken, when theirskirmishers suddenly appeared. The officer struck his spurs into hishorse and fled, Annie and the orderly following with all speed, andarrived safe within our lines. As the Rebels hoped to surprise ourtroops, they did not fire lest they should give the alarm; and to thisfact Annie probably owed her escape unscathed. 

On the 27th of October, 1864, in one of the battles for the possessionof Hatcher's Run and the Boydtown Plank Road, a portion of the ThirdDivision of the Second Corps, was nearly surrounded by the enemy, inwhat the soldiers called the "Bull Ring. " The regiment to which Anniewas attached was sorely pressed, the balls flying thick and fast, sothat the surgeon advised her to accompany him to safer quarters; but shelingered, watching for an opportunity to render assistance. A littledrummer boy stopped to speak to her, when a ball struck him, and he fellagainst her, and then to the ground, dead. This so startled her, thatshe ran towards the line of battle. But to her surprise, she found thatthe enemy occupied every part of the ground held a few moments before byUnion troops. She did not pause, however, but dashed through their lineunhurt, though several of the chivalry fired at her. 

So strong was the confidence of the soldiers in her courage and fidelityto her voluntarily assumed duties, that whenever a battle was to befought it was regarded as absolutely certain that "Gentle Annie" (so thesoldiers named her) would be at hand to render assistance to any inneed. General Birney never performed an act more heartily approved byhis entire command, than when in the presence of his troops, hepresented her with the Kearny cross. 

At the close of the war, though her health had been somewhat shaken byher varied and trying experiences, she felt the necessity of engaging insome employment, by which she could maintain herself, and aid her agedfather, and accepted an appointment in one of the Governmentdepartments, where she labors assiduously for twelve hours daily. Herarmy experiences have not robbed her of that charming modesty anddiffidence of demeanor, which are so attractive in a woman, or made herboastful of her adventures. To these she seldom alludes, and never insuch a way as to indicate that she thinks herself in the least aheroine. 

DELPHINE P. BAKER

Though her attentions and efforts have had a specific direction widelydifferent, for the most part, from those of the majority of the Americanwomen, who have devoted themselves to the cause of the country and itsdefenders, few have been more actively and energetically employed, orperhaps more usefully, than the subject of the following sketch. To herefforts, persistent, untiring, self-sacrificing, almost entirely doesthe Nation owe the organization of the National Military Asylum--a homefor the maimed and permanently disabled veterans who gave themselves tothe cause which has so signally triumphed. 

Delphine P. Baker was born in Bethlehem, Grafton County, New Hampshire, in the year 1828, and she resided in New England during her early youth. Her father was a respectable mechanic of good family, an honest, intellectual, industrious man, of sterling principle and a good memberof society. Her mother possessed a large self-acquired culture, a mindof uncommon scope, and a vivid and powerful imagination. She was in alarge degree capable of influencing the minds of others, and was endowedwith a natural power of leadership. 

These qualities and traits of both parents we find remarkably developedin the daughter, and to them is doubtless largely due the successfulachievement of the great object of her later labors. A feeling, fromsome cause always cherished by her mother, until it became an actualbelief, that her child was destined to an extraordinary career, was soimpressed upon her daughter's mind, and inwrought with her higher beingas to become a controlling impulse. It is easy, in tracing the historyof Miss Baker, to mark the influence of this fixed idea in every act ofher life. 

For some years previous to the breaking out of the war, Miss Baker haddevoted herself to the inculcation of proper ideas of the sphere andculture of woman. She belonged to no party, or clique, had no connectionwith the Women's Rights Movement, but desired to see her sex bettereducated, and in the enjoyment of the fullest mental development. Tothat end she had travelled in many of the Western States, givinglectures upon her favorite subject, and largely influencing the publicmind. In this employment her acquaintance had become very extensive. 

At the time of the first breaking out of hostilities, Miss Baker wasresiding in Chicago, Illinois, enjoying a respite from public labors, and devoting herself to her family. But she soon saw that there was muchneed of the efforts of woman--a great deal to be done by her inpreparing for the sudden emergency into which the nation had beenplunged. Government had not at hand all the appliances for sending itsnewly raised forces into the field properly equipped, and women, whocould not wield the bayonet, were skillful in the use of anotherimplement as sharp and bright, and which just at that period could be asusefully brought into action. 

The devoted labors of the women of Chicago for the soldiers, have longsince become a part of the history of the war. In these Miss Baker hadher own, and a large share. She collected materials for garments, exerted her influence among her extensive circle of acquaintances ingathering up supplies, and providing for the yet small, but rapidlyincreasing, demand for hospital comforts. She took several journeys toSt. Louis and Chicago, ministered in the hospitals, and induced othersto enter upon the same work. Perceiving, with a quick eye, what was mostneeded in the hastily-arranged and half-furnished places to which thesick and wounded were consigned, she journeyed backward and forward, gathering up from the rich and well-disposed the needed articles, andthen conveying them herself to those points where they were most wanted. 

Not in strong health, a few months of such indefatigable laborsexhausted her strength. She returned to Chicago, but her ardent spiritchafed in inaction. After a time she resolved to commence a literaryenterprise in aid of the object she had so much at heart, and in thespring of 1862 she announced the forthcoming publication of the"National Banner, " a monthly paper of sixteen pages, the profits ofwhich were to be devoted to the needs of the volunteer soldiery of theUnited States. 

After publishing in Chicago a few numbers of this very readable paper, she removed it to Washington, D. C. , where its publication was for sometime continued. It was then transferred to New York. 

The National Banner did not meet with all the success, its patrioticobject and its real literary excellence, demanded. During the last yearof the war it was not published with complete regularity, owing to thiscause, and to the lack of pecuniary means. But it was undoubtedly themeans of doing a great deal of good. Among other things it keptconstantly before the people the great object into which Miss Baker hadnow entered with all the ardor and the persistence of her nature. 

This object was the founding of a National Home for totally disabledvolunteers of the Union service, and included all who had in theirdevotion to the cause of the nation become incompetent to provide fortheir own wants or those of their families. 

For years, with a devotion seldom equalled, and a self-sacrifice almostunparalleled, Miss Baker gave herself to this work. She wrote, shetravelled, she enlisted the aid of her numerous friends, she importunedthe Executive, Heads of Departments, and members of Congress. She gaveherself no rest, she flinched at no privations. She apparently existedby the sheer necessity of living for her object, and in almost totalself-abnegation she encountered opposition, paralyzing delays, falsepromises, made only to be broken, and hypocritical advice, intended onlyto mislead. 

Hopeful, unsubdued, unchanged, she at last saw herself nearing success. The session of 1865 was drawing to a close, and repeated promises ofreporting the bill for the establishment of the Asylum had been broken. But at length her almost agonized pleadings had their effect. Three daysbefore the adjournment of Congress Hon. Henry Wilson, chairman of theCommittee on Military Affairs, in the Senate introduced the bill. Itprovided for the establishment of a National Military and Naval Asylumfor the totally disabled of both branches of the service. 

In the confusion and hurry of the closing scenes of the session the billdid not probably meet the attention it would have done under othercircumstances. But it was well received, passed by a large vote of bothhouses, was sanctioned by the signature of President Lincoln, and becamea law before the adjournment of Congress. 

The bill appointed one hundred corporators who were to organize andassume the powers granted them under its provisions, for the immediatefoundation of the proper establishment or establishments, for thereception of the contemplated recipients of its benefits. The fundaccrued from military fines and unclaimed pay of members of the service, was to be handed over to the use of the Asylum as soon as acorresponding sum was raised by public gift. 

Unfortunately for the success of the organization, the meeting of thecorporators for that purpose was appointed for the day afterward somournfully conspicuous as that of the funeral obsequies of ourassassinated President. Amidst the sad and angry excitement of theclosing scenes of that terrible tragedy, it was found impossible toconvene a sufficient number of the corporators (although present in thecity) to form a quorum for the transaction of business. The opportunitythus lost did not recur, and though an effort was made to substituteproxies for actual members of the body, it was unsuccessful, and anorganization was not effected. 

Thus a year dragged its slow length along. Miss Baker was busy enlargingher sphere of influence--encountering and overcoming opposition andobstacles, endeavoring to secure co-operation, and in securing alsopersonal possession of the property at Point Lookout, Maryland, whichshe believed to be a desirable site for the Asylum. Her object in thiswas that she might hold this property until the organization waseffected, and it might be legally transferred to the corporators. 

Point Lookout was a watering-place previous to the war. The hospitalproperty there consists of three hundred acres of land, occupying thepoint which divides the mouth of the Potomac River from Chesapeake Bay, at the confluence of the former with the Bay. One or more large hotels, numerous cottages and other buildings remained from the days of peace. The Government also established there, during the war, Hammond GeneralHospital with its extensive buildings, and a stockade and encampment forprisoners. The air is salubrious, the land fertile, a supply ofexcellent water brought from neighboring heights, and an extensiveoyster-bed and a fine beach for bathing, add to its attractions. Believing the place well calculated to meet the wants of the Asylum, Miss Baker desired to secure the private property together with a grantfrom the Government of that portion which belongs to it. She succeededin securing the latter, and in delaying the contemplated sale of theformer. 

A change being imperatively demanded in the Act of Incorporation, efforts were immediately commenced at the next session of Congress toeffect this purpose. Again the painful, anxious delays, again thewearisome opposition were encountered. But Miss Baker and the movementhad friends--and in the highest quarters. Her efforts were countenancedand aided by these, but it was not till the session of 1866 approachedits close that the amended bill was reached, and the votes of bothHouses at last placed the whole matter on a proper footing, and incompetent hands. 

With Major-General Butler at the head of the Managing Board of Trustees, the successful commencement of the Institution is a foregone conclusion. The Board is composed of some of the best men of the Nation--men, someof them unequalled in their various spheres. The United States will soonboast for its disabled defenders Institutions (for the presentmanagement contemplate the establishment of Homes at several points), fully equal to those which the great Powers of Europe have erected forsimilar purposes. In the autumn and winter of 1866-7 Miss Bakersucceeded in consummating the purchase, and tender to the Trustees ofthe Asylum of the Point Lookout property. 

The labors of Miss Baker for this purpose are now ended. She retires, not to rest or idleness, but still to lend her efforts to this or anyother great and worthy cause. She has no official connection with theorganization which controls the destiny of the Asylum. But it will notcease to be remembered in this country that to her efforts the UnitedStates owes in great part all that, as a nation, it has done for the menwho have thus given all but life itself to its cause. 

MRS. S. BURGER STEARNS. 

This lady is a native of New York city, where she resided for the firstseven years of her life. In 1844 her parents removed to Michigan, whereshe has lived ever since, receiving her education at the best schools, and spending much time in preparation for a classical course at theState University. She was, however, with other young ladies, deniedadmission there, on the ground of expediency; and finally entered theState Normal School where she graduated with high honors. 

She soon after became Mrs. Stearns, her husband being a graduate of theLiterary and Law Departments of the Michigan University. But choosing todevote himself to the service of his country, he entered the army asFirst Lieutenant, afterwards rising to the rank of Colonel. 

Mrs. Stearns determined to devote herself to the work of lecturing inbehalf of the Aid movement, and did extensive, and much appreciatedservices in this direction. From time to time she visited the hospitals, and learned the details of the work, as well as the necessities requiredthere; in that way rendering herself peculiarly competent for her chosenfield of labor. She continued in this service until the close of thewar, accomplishing much good, and laboring with much acceptance. 

BARBARA FRIETCHIE. 

Barbara Frietchie was an aged lady of Frederick, Maryland, of Germanbirth, but intensely patriotic. In September, 1862, when Lee's army wereon their way to Antietam, "Stonewall" Jackson's corps passed throughFrederick, and the inhabitants, though a majority of them were loyal, resolved not to provoke the rebels unnecessarily, knowing that theycould make no effectual resistance to such a large force, andaccordingly took down their flags; but Dame Barbara though nearly eightyyears of age could not brook that the flag of the Union should behumbled before the rebel ensign, and from her upper window waved herflag, the only one visible that day in Frederick. Whittier has told thewhole story so admirably that we cannot do better than to transfer hisexquisite poem to our pages. Dame Barbara died in 1865. 

 BARBARA FRIETCHIE. 

 Up from the meadows rich with corn, Clear in the cool September morn, The clustered spires of Frederick stand, Green-walled by the hills of Maryland. 

 Round about them orchards sweep, Apple and peach trees fruited deep, Fair as a garden of the Lord To the eyes of the famished rebel horde, On that pleasant morn of the early fall When Lee marched over the mountain-wall--

 Over the mountains winding down, Horse and foot, into Frederick town. 

 Forty flags with their silver stars, Forty flags with their crimson bars, Flapped in the morning wind: the sun Of noon looked down, and saw not one. 

 Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

 Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men hauled down;

 In her attic-window the staff she set, To show that one heart was loyal yet, Up the street came the rebel tread, Stonewall Jackson riding ahead. 

 Under his slouched hat left and right He glanced; the old flag met his sight. 

 "Halt!"--the dust-brown ranks stood fast, "Fire!"--out blazed the rifle-blast. 

 It shivered the window, pane and sash: It rent the banner with seam and gash. 

 Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf;

 She leaned far out on the window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will. 

 "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag, " she said. 

 A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, Over the face of the leader came;

 The nobler nature within him stirred To life at that woman's deed and word:

 "Who touches a hair of yon gray head Dies like a dog! March on!" he said. 

 All day long through Frederick street Sounded the tread of marching feet:

 All day long that free flag tost Over the heads of the rebel host. 

 Ever its torn folds rose and fell On the loyal winds that loved it well;

 And through the hill-gaps sunset light Shone over it with a warm good-night. 

 Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, And the Rebel rides on his raids no more. 

 Honor to her! and let a tear Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier. 

 Over Barbara Frietchie's grave, Flag of Freedom and Union, wave!

 Peace and order and beauty draw Round thy symbol of light and law;

 And ever the stars above look down On thy stars below in Frederick town!

MRS. HETTY M. McEWEN. 

Mrs. McEwen is an aged woman of Nashville, Tennessee, of revolutionarystock, having had six uncles in the revolutionary war, four of whom fellat the battle of King's Mountain. Her husband, Colonel Robert H. McEwen, was a soldier in the war of 1812, as his father had been in therevolution. Her devotion to the Union, like that of most of those whohad the blood of our revolutionary fathers in their veins is intense, and its preservation and defense were the objects of her greatestconcern. Making a flag with her own hands, she raised it in the firstmovements of secession, in Nashville, and when through the treachery ofIsham Harris and his co-conspirators, Tennessee was dragged out of theUnion, and the secessionists demanded that the flag should be takendown, the brave old couple nailed it to the flag-staff, and that to thechimney of their house. The secessionists threatened to fire the houseif it was not lowered, and the old lady armed with a shot-gun, undertookto defend it, and drove them away. She subsequently refused to give upher fire-arms on the requisition of the traitor Harris. Mrs. Lucy H. Hooper has told the story of the rebel efforts to procure the loweringof her flag very forcibly and truthfully:

 HETTY McEWEN. 

 Oh Hetty McEwen! Hetty McEwen! What were the angry rebels doing, That autumn day, in Nashville town, They looked aloft with oath and frown, And saw the Stars and Stripes wave high Against the blue of the sunny sky; Deep was the oath, and dark the frown, And loud the shout of "Tear it down!"

 For over Nashville, far and wide, Rebel banners the breeze defied, Staining heaven with crimson bars; Only the one old "Stripes and Stars" Waved, where autumn leaves were strewing, Round the home of Hetty McEwen. 

 Hetty McEwen watched that day Where her son on his death-bed lay; She heard the hoarse and angry cry-- The blood of "76" rose high. Out-flashed her eye, her cheek grew warm, Up rose her aged stately form; From her window, with steadfast brow, She looked upon the crowd below. 

 Eyes all aflame with angry fire Flashed on her in defiant ire, And once more rose the angry call, "Tear down that flag, or the house shall fall!" Never a single inch quailed she, Her answer rang out firm and free: "Under the roof where that flag flies, Now my son on his death-bed lies; Born where that banner floated high, 'Neath its folds he shall surely die. Not for threats nor yet for suing Shall it fall, " said Hetty McEwen. 

 The loyal heart and steadfast hand Claimed respect from the traitor band; The fiercest rebel quailed that day Before that woman stern and gray. They went in silence, one by one-- Left her there with her dying son, And left the old flag floating free O'er the bravest heart in Tennessee, To wave in loyal splendor there Upon that treason-tainted air, Until the rebel rule was o'er And Nashville town was ours once more. 

 Came the day when Fort Donelson Fell, and the rebel reign was done; And into Nashville, Buell, then, Marched with a hundred thousand men, With waving flags and rolling drums Past the heroine's house he comes; He checked his steed and bared his head, "Soldiers! salute that flag, " he said; "And cheer, boys, cheer!--give three times three For the bravest woman in Tennessee!"

OTHER DEFENDERS OF THE FLAG. 

Barbara Frietchie and Hettie McEwen were not the only women of ourcountry who were ready to risk their lives in the defense of theNational Flag. Mrs. Effie Titlow, as we have already stated elsewhere, displayed the flag wrapped about her, at Middletown, Maryland, when theRebels passed through that town in 1863. Early in 1861, while St. Louisyet trembled in the balance, and it seemed doubtful whether theSecessionists were not in the majority, Alfred Clapp, Esq. , a merchantof that city, raised the flag on his own house, then the only loyalhouse for nearly half a mile, on that street, and nailed it there. Hissecession neighbors came to the house and demanded that it should betaken down. Never! said his heroic wife, afterwards president of theUnion Ladies' Aid Society. The demand was repeated, and one of thesecessionists at last said, "Well, if you will not take it down, Iwill, " and moved for the stairs leading to the roof. Quick as thought, Mrs. Clapp intercepted him. "You can only reach that flag over my deadbody, " said she. Finding her thus determined, the secessionist left, andthough frequent threats were muttered against the flag, it was notdisturbed. 

Mrs. Moore (Parson Brownlow's daughter) was another of these fearlessdefenders of the flag. In June, 1861, the Rebels were greatly annoyed atthe sturdy determination of the Parson to keep the Stars and Stripesfloating over his house; and delegation after delegation came to hisdwelling to demand that they should be lowered. They were refused, andgenerally went off in a rage. On one of these occasions, nine men froma Louisiana regiment stationed at Knoxville, determined to see the flaghumbled. Two men were chosen as a committee to proceed to the parson'shouse to order the Union ensign down. Mrs. Moore (the parson's daughter)answered the summons. In answer to her inquiry as to what was theirerrand, one said, rudely:

"We have come to take down that d----d rag you flaunt from yourroof--the Stripes and Stars. "

Mrs. Moore stepped back a pace or two within the door, drew a revolverfrom her dress pocket, and leveling it, answered:

"Come on, sirs, and take it down!"

The chivalrous Confederates were startled. 

"Yes, come on!" she said, as she advanced toward them. 

They cleared the piazza, and stood at bay on the wall. 

"We'll go and get more men, and then d----d if it don't come down!"

"Yes, go and get more men--you are not men!" said the heroic woman, contemptuously, as the two backed from the place and disappeared. 

Miss Alice Taylor, daughter of Mrs. Nellie Maria Taylor, of New Orleans, a young lady of great beauty and intelligence, possessed much of hermother's patriotic spirit. The flag was always suspended in one oranother of the rooms of Mrs. Taylor's dwelling, and notwithstanding therepeated searches made by the Rebels it remained there till the city wasoccupied by Union troops. The beauty and talent of the daughter, then ayoung lady of seventeen, had made her very popular in the city. In 1860, she had made a presentation speech when a flag was presented to one ofthe New Orleans Fire Companies. In May, 1861, a committee of thirteengentlemen called on Mrs. Taylor, and informed her that the ladies of thedistrict had wrought a flag for the Crescent City (Rebel) regiment tocarry on their march to Washington, and that the services of herdaughter Alice were required to make the presentation speech. Of courseMrs. Taylor's consent was not given, and the committee insisted thatthey _must_ see the young lady, and that she must make the presentationaddress. She was accordingly called, and after hearing their request, replied that she would readily consent on two conditions. First, thather mother's permission should be obtained; and second, that the Starsand Stripes should wave around her, and decorate the arch over her head, as on the former occasion. The committee, finding that they could get noother terms, withdrew, vexed and mortified at their failure. 

Mrs. Booth, the widow of Major Booth, who fell contending againstfearful odds at Fort Pillow, at the time of the bloody massacre, a fewweeks after presented the blood-stained flag of the fort which had beensaved by one of the few survivors, to the remnant of the First Battalionof Major Booth's regiment, then incorporated with the Sixth UnitedStates Heavy Artillery, with these thrilling words, "Boys, I have justcome from a visit to the hospital at Mound City. There I saw yourcomrades, wounded at the bloody struggle in Fort Pillow. There I foundthe flag--you recognize it! One of your comrades saved it from theinsulting touch of traitors. I have given to my country all I had togive--my husband--such a gift! Yet I have freely given him for freedomand my country. Next to my husband's cold remains, the dearest objectleft to me in the world, is that flag--the flag that waved in prouddefiance over the works of Fort Pillow! Soldiers! this flag I give toyou, knowing that you will ever remember the last words of my noblehusband, '_never surrender the flag to traitors_!'"

Colonel Jackson received from her hand--on behalf of his command--theblood-stained flag, and called upon his regiment to receive it as such agift ought to be received. At that call, he and every man of theregiment fell upon their knees, and solemnly appealing to the God ofbattles, each one swore to avenge their brave and fallen comrades, andnever, _never surrender the flag to traitors_. 

MILITARY HEROINES. 

The number of women who actually bore arms in the war, or who, thoughgenerally attending a regiment as nurses and vivandiéres, at timesengaged in the actual conflict was much larger than is generallysupposed, and embraces persons of all ranks of society. Those who fromwhatever cause, whether romance, love or patriotism, and all these hadtheir influence, donned the male attire and concealed their sex, arehardly entitled to a place in our record, since they did not seek to beknown as women, but preferred to pass for men; but aside from thesethere were not a few who, without abandoning the dress or prerogativesof their sex, yet performed skillfully and well the duties of the other. 

Among these we may name Madame Turchin, wife of General Turchin, whorendered essential service by her coolness, her thorough knowledge ofmilitary science, her undaunted courage, and her skill in command. Sheis the daughter of a Russian officer, and had been brought up in thecamps, where she was the pet and favorite of the regiment up to nearlythe time of her marriage to General Turchin, then a subordinate officerin that army. When the war commenced she and her husband had been for afew years residents of Illinois, and when her husband was commissionedcolonel of a regiment of volunteers she prepared at once to follow himto the field. During the march into Tennessee in the spring of 1862, Colonel Turchin was taken seriously ill, and for some days was carriedin an ambulance on the route. Madame Turchin took command of theregiment during his illness, and while ministering kindly and tenderlyto her husband, filled his place admirably as commander of the regiment. Her administration was so judicious that no complaint or mutiny wasmanifested, and her commands were obeyed with the utmost promptness. Inthe battles that followed, she was constantly under fire, nowencouraging the men, and anon rescuing some wounded man from the placewhere he had fallen, administering restoratives and bringing him off tothe field-hospital. When, in consequence of the "Athens affair, " ColonelTurchin was court-martialed and an attempt made by the conservatives tohave him driven from the army, she hastened to Washington, and by herskill and tact succeeded in having the court-martial set aside and herhusband promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and confounded hisaccusers by bringing his commission and the order to abandon the trialinto court, just as the officers comprising it were about to find himguilty. In all the subsequent campaigns at the West, Madame Turchin wasin the field, confining herself usually to ministrations of mercy to thewounded, but ready if occasion required, to lead the troops into actionand always manifesting the most perfect indifference to the shot andshell or the whizzing minie balls that fell around her. She seemedentirely devoid of fear, and though so constantly exposed to the enemy'sfire never received even a scratch. 

Another remarkable heroine who, while from the lower walks of life, wasyet faithful and unwearied in her labors for the relief of the soldierswho were wounded and who not unfrequently took her place in the ranks, or cheered and encouraged the men when they were faltering and ready toretreat, was Bridget Divers, better known as "Michigan Bridget, " oramong Sheridan's men as "Irish Biddy. " A stout robust Irish woman, sheaccompanied the First Michigan Cavalry regiment in which her husband wasa private soldier, to the field, and remained with that regiment and thebrigade to which it belonged until the close of the war. She becamewell known throughout the brigade for her fearlessness and daring, andher skill in bringing off the wounded. Occasionally when a soldier whomshe knew fell in action, after rescuing him if he was only wounded, shewould take his place and fight as bravely as the best. In two instancesand perhaps more, she rallied and encouraged retreating troops andbrought them to return to their position, thus aiding in preventing adefeat. Other instances of her energy and courage are thus related byMrs. M. M. Husband, who knew her well. 

"In one of Sheridan's grand raids, during the latter days of therebellion, she, as usual, rode with the troops night and day wearing outseveral horses, until they dropped from exhaustion. In a severe cavalryengagement, in which her regiment took a prominent part, her colonel waswounded, and her captain killed. She accompanied the former to the rear, where she ministered to his needs, and when placed in the cars, bound toCity Point Hospitals, she remained with him, giving all the relief inher power, on that fatiguing journey, although herself almost exhausted, having been without sleep _four_ days and nights. After seeing hercolonel safely and comfortably lodged in the hospital, she took onenight's rest, and returned to the front. Finding that her captain's bodyhad not been recovered, it being hazardous to make the attempt, sheresolved to rescue it, as "it never should be left on rebel soil. " So, with her orderly for sole companion, she rode fifteen miles to the sceneof the late conflict, found the body she sought, strapped it upon herhorse, rode back seven miles to an embalmer's, where she waited whilstthe body was embalmed, then again strapping it on her horse, she rodeseveral miles further to the cars in which, with her precious burden sheproceeded to City Point, there obtained a rough coffin, and forwardedthe whole to Michigan. Without any delay Biddy returned to her Regiment, told some officials, that wounded men had been left on the field fromwhich she had rescued her Captain's body. They did not credit her tale, so she said, "Furnish me some ambulances and I will bring them in. " Theconveyances were given her, she retraced her steps to the desertedbattle-field, and soon had some eight or ten poor sufferers in thewagons, and on their way to camp. The roads were rough, and their moansand cries gave evidence of intense agony. While still some miles fromtheir destination, Bridget saw several rebels approaching, she orderedthe drivers to quicken their pace, and endeavoured to urge her horseforward, but he baulked and refused to move. The drivers becomingalarmed, deserted their charge and fled to the woods, while the woundedmen begged that they might not be left to the mercy of the enemy, and tosuffer in Southern prisons. The rebels soon came up, Bridget plead withthem to leave the sufferers unmolested, but they laughed at her, tookthe horses from the ambulances, and such articles of value as the menpossessed, and then dashed off the way they came. Poor Biddy was almostdesperate, darkness coming on, and with none to help her, the woundedmen beseeching her not to leave them. Fortunately, an officer of ourarmy rode up to see what the matter was, and soon sent horses andassistance to the party. "

When the war ended, Bridget accompanied her regiment to Texas, fromwhence she returned with them to Michigan, but the attractions of armylife were too strong to be overcome, and she has since joined one of theregiments of the regular army stationed on the plains in theneighborhood of the Rocky Mountains. 

Mrs. Kady Brownell, the wife of an Orderly Sergeant of the First andafterwards of the Fifth Rhode Island Infantry, who, like Madame Turchinwas born in the camp, and was the daughter of a Scottish soldier of theBritish army, was another of these half-soldier heroines; adopting asemi-military dress, and practicing daily with the sword and rifle, shebecame as skillful a shot and as expert a swordsman as any of thecompany of sharp-shooters to which she was attached. Of this company shewas the chosen color-bearer, and asking no indulgence, she marched withthe men, carrying the flag and participating in the battle as bravelyas any of her comrades. In the first battle of Bull Run, she stood byher colors and maintained her position till all her regiment and severalothers had retreated, and came very near falling into the hands of theenemy. She was in the expedition of General Burnside to Roanoke Islandand Newbern and by her coolness and intrepidity saved the Fifth RhodeIsland from being fired upon by our own troops by mistake. Her husbandwas severely wounded in the engagement at Newbern, and she rescued himfrom his position of danger and having made him as comfortable aspossible attempted to rescue others of the wounded, both rebel and Uniontroops. By some of the rebels, both men and women, she was grosslyinsulted, but she persevered in her efforts to help the wounded, thoughnot without some heart-burnings for their taunts. Her husband recoveringvery slowly, and being finally pronounced unfit for service, shereturned to Rhode Island with him after nursing him carefully foreighteen months or more, and received her discharge from the army. 

There were very, probably, many others of this class of heroines whodeserve a place in our record; but there is great difficulty inascertaining the particulars of their history, and in some cases theyfailed to maintain that unsullied reputation without which courage anddaring are of little worth. 

THE WOMEN OF GETTYSBURG. 

Those who have read Miss Georgiana Woolsey's charming narrative "ThreeWeeks at Gettysburg, " in this volume, will have formed a higher estimateof the women of Gettysburg than of the men. There were some exceptionsamong the latter, some brave earnest-hearted men, though the farmers ofthe vicinity were in general both cowardly and covetous; but the womenof the village have won for themselves a high and honorable record, fortheir faithfulness to the flag, their generosity and their devotion tothe wounded. 

Chief among these, since she gave her life for the cause, we must reckonMRS. JENNIE WADE. Her house was situated in the valley between Oak Ridgeand Seminary Hill, and was directly in range of the guns of both armies. But Mrs. Wade was intensely patriotic and loyal, and on the morning ofthe third day of the battle, that terrible Friday, July 3, shevolunteered to bake bread for the Union troops. The morning passedwithout more than an occasional shot, and though in the midst of danger, she toiled over her bread, and had succeeded in baking a large quantity. About two o'clock, P. M. , began that fearful artillery battle whichseemed to the dwellers in that hitherto peaceful valley to shake bothearth and heaven. Louder and more deafening crashed the thunder from twohundred and fifty cannon, but as each discharge shook her humbledwelling, she still toiled on unterrified and only intent on herpatriotic task. The rebels, who were nearest her had repeatedly orderedher to quit the premises, but she steadily refused. At length a shotfrom the rebel batteries struck her in the breast killing her instantly. A rebel officer of high rank was killed almost at the same moment nearher door, and the rebel troops hastily constructing a rude coffin, wereabout to place the body of their commander in it for burial, when, inthe swaying to and fro of the armies, a Union column drove them from theground, and finding Mrs. Wade dead, placed her in the coffin intendedfor the rebel officer. In that coffin she was buried the next day amidstthe tears of hundreds who knew her courage and kindness of heart. 

MISS CARRIE SHEADS, the principal of Oak Ridge Female Seminary, is alsodeserving of a place in our record for her courage, humanity and truewomanly tact. The Seminary buildings were within a few hundred yards ofthe original battle-field of the first day's fight, and in the course ofthe day's conflict, after the death of General Reynolds, the Uniontroops were driven by the greatly superior force of the enemy into thegrounds of the Seminary itself, and most of them swept past it. TheNinety-seventh New York volunteer infantry commanded on that day byLieutenant-Colonel, afterwards General Charles Wheelock, were surroundedby the enemy in the Seminary grounds, and after repeated attempts tobreak through the ranks of the enemy, were finally compelled tosurrender. Miss Sheads who had given her pupils a holiday on theprevious day, and had suddenly found herself transformed into the ladysuperintendent of a hospital, for the wounded were brought to theSeminary, at once received Colonel Wheelock and furnished him with thesignal for surrender. The rebel commander demanded his sword, but thecolonel refused to give it up, as it was a gift of friends. Analtercation ensued and the rebel officer threatened to kill ColonelWheelock. Mr. Sheads, Miss Carrie's father, interposed and endeavored toprevent the collision, but was soon pushed out of the way, and the rebelofficer again presented his pistol to shoot his prisoner. Miss Sheadsnow rushed between them and remonstrated with the rebel on hisinhumanity, while she urged the colonel to give up his sword. He stillrefused, and at this moment the entrance of other prisoners attractedthe attention of the rebel officer for a few moments, when Miss Sheadsunbuckled his sword and concealed it in the folds of her dress unnoticedby the rebel officer. Colonel Wheelock, when the attention of his foewas again turned to him, said that one of his men who had passed out hadhis sword, and the rebel officer ordered him with the other prisoners tomarch to the rear. Five days after the battle the colonel, who had madehis escape from the rebels, returned to the Seminary, when Miss Sheadsreturned his sword, with which he did gallant service subsequently. 

The Seminary buildings were crowded with wounded, mostly rebels, whoremained there for many weeks and were kindly cared for by Miss Sheadsand her pupils. The rebel chief undertook to use the building and itsobservatory as a signal station for his army, contrary to Miss Sheads'remonstrances, and drew the fire of the Union army upon it by so doing. The buildings were hit many times and perforated by two shells. But amidthe danger, Miss Sheads was as calm and self-possessed as in herordinary duties, and soothed some of her pupils who were terrified bythe hurtling shells. From the grounds of the Seminary she and several ofher pupils witnessed the terrible conflict of Friday. The severeexertion necessary for the care of so large a number of wounded, for solong a period, resulted in the permanent injury of Miss Sheads' health, and she has been since that time an invalid. Two of her brothers wereslain in the war, and two others disabled for life. Few families havemade greater sacrifices in the national cause. 

Another young lady of Gettysburg, Miss Amelia Harmon, a pupil of MissSheads, displayed a rare heroism under circumstances of trial. The housewhere she resided with her aunt was the best dwelling-house in thevicinity of Gettysburg, and about a mile west of the village, on Oak orSeminary Ridge. During the fighting on Wednesday (the first day of thebattle) it was for a time forcibly occupied by the Union sharp-shooterswho fired upon the rebels from it. Towards evening the Union troopshaving retreated to Cemetery Hill, the house came into possession of therebels, who bade the family leave it as they were about to burn it, inconsequence of its having been used as a fort. Miss Harmon and her auntboth protested against this, explaining that the occupation was forcibleand not with their consent. The young lady added that her mother, notnow living, was a Southern woman, and that she should blush for herparentage if Southern men would thus fire the house of defenselessfemales, and deprive them of a home in the midst of battle. One of therebels, upon this, approached her and proposed in a confidential way, that if she would prove that she was not a renegade Southerner byhurrahing for the Southern Confederacy, he would see what could be done. "Never!" was the indignant reply of the truly loyal girl, "burn thehouse if you will! I will never do that, while the Union which hasprotected me and my friends, exists. " The rebels at once fired thehouse, and the brave girl and her aunt made their way to the home offriends, running the gauntlet of the fire of both armies, and both weresubsequently unwearied in their labors for the wounded. 

LOYAL WOMEN OF THE SOUTH. 

We have already had occasion to mention some of those whose labors hadbeen conspicuous, and especially Mrs. Sarah R. Johnson, Mrs. Nellie M. Taylor, Mrs. Grier, Mrs. Clapp, Miss Breckinridge, Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Shepard Wells, and others. There was however, beside these, a largeclass, even in the chief cities of the rebellion, who not only neverbowed their knee to the idol of secession, but who for their fidelity toprinciple, their patient endurance of proscription and their humanityand helpfulness to Union men, and especially Union prisoners, aredeserving of all honor. 

The loyal women of Richmond were a noble band. Amid obloquy, persecutionand in some cases imprisonment (one of them was imprisoned for ninemonths for aiding Union prisoners) they never faltered in theirallegiance to the old flag, nor in their sympathy and services to theUnion prisoners at Libby and Belle Isle, and Castle Thunder. With theaid of twenty-one loyal white men in Richmond they raised a fund ofthirteen thousand dollars in gold, to aid Union prisoners, while theirgifts of clothing, food and luxuries, were of much greater value. Someof these ladies were treated with great cruelty by the rebels, andfinally driven from the city, but no one of them ever proved false toloyalty. In Charleston, too, hot-bed of the rebellion as it was, therewas a Union league, of which the larger proportion were women, some ofthem wives or daughters of prominent rebels, who dared everything, eventheir life, their liberty and their social position, to render aid andcomfort to the Union soldiers, and to facilitate the return of agovernment of liberty and law. Had we space we might fill many pageswith the heroic deeds of these noble women. Through their assistance, scores of Union men were enabled to make their escape from the prisons, some of them under fire, in which they were confined, and often afteralmost incredible sufferings, to find their way to the Union lines. Others suffering from the frightful jail fever or wasted by privationand wearisome marches with little or no food, received from them foodand clothing, and were thus enabled to maintain existence till the timefor their liberation came. The negro women were far more generally loyalthan their mistresses, and their ready wit enabled them to renderessential service to the loyal whites, service for which, when detected, they often suffered cruel tortures, whipping and sometimes death. 

In New Orleans, before the occupation of the city by the Union troopsunder General Butler, no woman could declare herself a Unionist withoutgreat personal peril; but as we have seen there were those who riskedall for their attachment to the Union even then. Mrs. Taylor was by nomeans the only outspoken Union woman of the city, though she may havebeen the most fearless. Mrs. Minnie Don Carlos, the wife of a Spanishgentleman of the city, was from the beginning of the war a decided Unionwoman, and after its occupation by Union troops was a constant andfaithful visitor at the hospitals and rendered great service to Unionsoldiers. Mrs. Flanders, wife of Hon. Benjamin Flanders, and her twodaughters, Miss Florence and Miss Fanny Flanders were also well knownfor their persistent Unionism and their abundant labors for the sick andwounded. Mrs. And Miss Carrie Wolfley, Mrs. Dr. Kirchner, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Bryden, Mrs. Barnett and Miss Bennett, Mrs. Wibrey, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Hodge, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Charles Howe ofKey West, and Miss Edwards from Massachusetts, were all faithful andearnest workers in the hospitals throughout the war, and Union womenwhen their Unionism involved peril. Miss Sarah Chappell, Miss CordeliaBaggett and Miss Ella Gallagher, also merit the same commendation. 

Nor should we fail to do honor to those loyal women in the mountainousdistricts and towns of the interior of the South. Our prisoners as theywere marched through the towns of the South always found some tenderpitying hearts, ready to do something for their comfort, if it were onlya cup of cold water for their parched lips, or a corn dodger slylyslipped into their hand. Oftentimes these humble but patriotic womenreceived cruel abuse, not only from the rebel soldiers, but from rebelSouthern women, who, though perhaps wealthier and in more exalted socialposition than those whom they scorned, had not their tenderness of heartor their real refinement. Indeed it would be difficult to find inhistory, even among the fierce brutal women of the French revolution, any record of conduct more absolutely fiendish than that of some of thewomen of the South during the war. They insisted on the murder ofhelpless prisoners; in some instances shot them in cold bloodthemselves, besought their lovers and husbands to bring them Yankeeskulls, scalps and bones, for ornaments, betrayed innocent men to death, engaged in intrigues and schemes of all kinds to obtain information ofthe movements of Union troops, to convey it to the enemy, and in everymanifestation of malice, petty spite and diabolical hatred against theflag under which they had been reared, and its defenders, they attaineda bad pre-eminence over the evil spirits of their sex since the worldbegan. It is true that these were not the characteristics of allSouthern, disloyal women, but they were sufficiently common to make therebel women of the south the objects of scorn among the people ofenlightened nations. Many of these patriotic loyal women, of themountainous districts, rendered valuable aid to our escaping soldiers, as well as to the Union scouts who were in many cases their own kinsmen. Messrs. Richardson and Browne, the Tribune correspondents so longimprisoned, have given due honor to one of this class, "the namelessheroine" as they call her, Miss Melvina Stevens, a young and beautifulgirl who from the age of fourteen had guided escaping Union prisonerspast the most dangerous of the rebel garrisons and outposts, on theborders of North Carolina and East Tennessee, at the risk of her libertyand life, solely from her devotion to the national cause. Themountainous regions of East Tennessee, Northern Alabama and NorthernGeorgia were the home of many of these loyal and energetic Unionwomen--women, who in the face of privation, persecution, death andsometimes outrages worse than death, kept up the courage and patrioticardor of their husbands, brothers and lovers, and whose loftyself-sacrificing courage no rebel cruelties or indignities could weakenor abate. 

MISS HETTY A. JONES. [N]

[Footnote N: The sketch of Miss Jones belonged appropriately in Part II. But the materials for it were not received till that part of the workwas printed, and we are therefore under the necessity of inserting ithere. ]

Among the thousands of noble women who devoted their time and servicesto the cause of our suffering soldiers during the rebellion there werefew who sacrificed more of comfort, money or health, than Miss Hetty A. Jones of Roxborough, in the city of Philadelphia. She was a daughter ofthe late Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, D. D. , for many years pastor of theLower Merion Baptist Church, and a sister of the Hon. J. Richter Jones, who was Colonel of the Fifty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and who was killed at the head of his regiment, near Newbern, N. C. , inMay, 1863, and grand-daughter of Rev. Dr. David Jones, a revolutionarychaplain, eminently patriotic. 

At the commencement of the war Miss Jones freely gave of her means toequip the companies which were organized in her own neighborhood, andwhen the news came of the death of her brave oldest brother, althoughfor a time shocked by the occurrence, she at once devoted her time andmeans to relieve the wants of the suffering. She attached herself to theFilbert Street Hospital in Philadelphia, and thither she went for weeksand months, regardless of her own comfort or health. Naturally of abright and cheerful disposition, she carried these qualities into herwork, and wherever she went she dispensed joy and gladness, and thesick men seemed to welcome her presence. One who had abundant means ofobserving, bears testimony to the power of her brave heart and herpleasant winning smile. He says, "I have often seen her sit and talkaway the pain, and make glad the heart of the wounded. " Nor did sheweary in well-doing. Her services at the hospital were constant andefficient, and when she heard of any sick soldier in her village shewould visit him there and procure medicine and comforts for him. 

In the fall of 1864 she accompanied a friend to Fortress Monroe to meethis sick and wounded son, and thus was led to see more of the sufferingsof our brave patriots. On returning home she expressed a wish to go tothe front, and although dissuaded on account of her delicate health, shefelt it to be her duty to go, and accordingly on the 2d of November, 1864, she started on her errand of mercy, to City Point, Va. , theHeadquarters of General Grant. The same untiring energy, the sameforgetfulness of self, the same devotion to the sick and wounded, wereexhibited by her in this new and arduous field of labor. She becameattached to the Third Division Second Corps Hospital of the Army of thePotomac, and at once secured the warm affections of the soldiers. 

She continued her work with unremitting devotion until the latter partof November, when she had an attack of pleurisy, caused no doubt, by herover exertions in preparing for the soldiers a Thanksgiving Dinner. Onher partial recovery she wrote to a friend, describing her tent and itsaccommodations. She said: "When I was sick, I did want some homecomforts; my straw bed was very hard. But even that difficulty was met. A kind lady procured some pillows from the Christian Commission, andsewed them together, and made me a soft bed. _But I did not complain, for I was so much better off than the sick boys. _" The italics are ours, not hers. She never put her own ease before her care for "the sickboys. "

She not only attended to the temporal comforts of the soldiers, but shewas equally interested in their spiritual welfare, and was wont to go tothe meetings of the Christian Commission. Her letters home and to herfriends, were full of details of these meetings, and her heartoverflowed with Christian love as she spoke of the brave soldiers risingin scores to ask for the prayers of God's people. 

She continued her labors, as far as possible, on her recovery, but wasunable to do all that her heart prompted her to attempt. She was urgedby her friends at home to return and recruit her strength. In her briefjournal she alludes to this, but says, "Another battle is expected; andthen our poor crippled boys will need all the care that we can give. Godgrant that we may do something for them!"

Two days after writing this, in her chilly, leaking tent, she wasprostrated again. She was unwilling at first that her family should bemade uneasy by sending for them. But her disease soon began to makerapid and alarming progress. She consented that they should be summoned. But on the 21st of December, 1864, the day after this consent wasobtained, she passed away to her rest. Like a faithful soldier, she diedat her post. 

She was in early life led to put her trust in Christ, and was baptizedabout thirty years ago, by her father, on confession of her faith. Shecontinued from that time a loved member of the Lower Merion Baptistchurch. In her last hours she still rested with a calm, child-likecomposure on the finished work of Christ. Though called to die, withnone of her own kindred about her, she was blessed with the presence ofher Lord, who, having loved his own, loves them unto the end. 

Her remains were laid beside those of her father, in the cemetery of theBaptist church at Roxborough, Pa. , on Friday, the 30th of December, 1864. A number of the convalescent soldiers from the Filbert StreetHospital in the city, with which she was connected, attended herfuneral; and her bier was borne by four of those who had so farrecovered as to be able to perform this last office for their departedfriend. 

Her memory will long be cherished by those who knew her best, and tearsoften shed over her grave by the brave soldiers whom she nursed in theirsickness. 

The soldiers of the Filbert Street Hospital, on receiving theintelligence of her death, met and passed resolutions expressive oftheir high esteem and reverence for her who had been their faithful anduntiring friend, and deep sympathy with her friends in their loss. 

FINAL CHAPTER. 

THE FAITHFUL BUT LESS CONSPICUOUS LABORERS. 

So abundant and universal was the patriotism and self-sacrifice of theloyal women of the nation that the long list of heroic names whose deedsof mercy we have recorded in the preceding pages gives only a veryinadequate idea of woman's work in the war. These were but the generalsor at most the commanders of regiments, and staff-officers, while thegreat army of patient workers followed in their train. In everydepartment of philanthropic labor there were hundreds and in some, thousands, less conspicuous indeed than these, but not less deserving. We regret that the necessities of the case compel us to pass by so manyof these without notice, and to give to others of whom we know butlittle beyond their names, only a mere mention. 

Among those who were distinguished for services in field, camp or armyhospitals, not already named, were the following, most of whom renderedefficient service at Antietam or at the Naval Academy Hospital atAnnapolis. Some of them were also at City Point; Miss Mary Cary, ofAlbany, N. Y. , and her sister, most faithful and efficient nurses of thesick and wounded, as worthy doubtless, of a more prominent position inthis work as many others found in the preceding pages, Miss AgnesGillis, of Lowell, Mass. , Mrs. Guest, of Buffalo, N. Y. , Miss MariaJosslyn, of Roxbury, Mass. , Miss Ruth L. Ellis, of Bridgewater, Mass. , Miss Kate P. Thompson, of Roxbury, Mass. , whose labors at Annapolis, have probably made her permanently an invalid, Miss Eudora Clark, ofBoston, Mass. , Miss Sarah Allen, of Wilbraham, Mass. , Miss Emily Gove, of Peru, N. Y. , Miss Caroline Cox, of Mott Haven, N. Y. , first atDavid's Island and afterward at Beverly Hospital, N. J. , with Mrs. Gibbons, Miss Charlotte Ford, of Morristown, N. J. , Miss Ella Wolcott, of Elmira, N. Y. , who was at the hospitals near Fortress Monroe, forsome time, and subsequently at Point Lookout. 

Another corps of faithful hospital workers were those in the BentonBarracks and other hospitals, in and near St. Louis. Of some of these, subsequently engaged in other fields of labor we have already spoken; afew others merit special mention for their extraordinary faithfulnessand assiduity in the service; Miss Emily E. Parsons, the able ladysuperintendent of the Benton Barracks Hospital, gives her testimony tothe efficiency and excellent spirit of the following ladies; Miss S. R. Lovell, of Galesburg, Michigan, whose labors began in the hospitals nearNashville, Tennessee, and in 1864 was transferred to Benton Barracks, but was almost immediately prostrated by illness, and after her recoveryreturned to the Tennessee hospitals. Her gentle sympathizing manners, and her kindness to the soldiers won for her their regard and gratitude. 

Miss Lucy J. Bissell, of Meremec, St. Louis County, Mo. , offered herservices as volunteer nurse as soon as the call for nurses in 1861, wasissued; and was first sent to one of the regimental hospitals at Cairo, in July, 1861, afterward to Bird's Point, where she lived in a tent andsubsisted on the soldiers' rations, for more than a year. After a shortvisit home she was sent in January, 1863, by the Sanitary Commission toPaducah, Ky. , where she remained till the following October. InFebruary, 1864, she was assigned to Benton Barracks Hospital where shecontinued till June 1st, 1864, except a short sickness contracted byhospital service. In July, 1864, she was transferred to JeffersonBarracks Hospital and continued there till June, 1865, and thathospital being closed, served a month or two longer, in one of theothers, in which some sick and wounded soldiers were still left. Manyhundreds of the soldiers will testify to her untiring assiduity incaring for them. 

Mrs. Arabella Tannehill, of Iowa, after many months of assiduous work atthe Benton Barracks Hospital, went to the Nashville hospitals, where sheperformed excellent service, being a most conscientious and faithfulnurse, and winning the regard and esteem of all those under her charge. 

Mrs. Rebecca S. Smith, of Chelsea, Ill. , the wife of a soldier in thearmy, had acquitted herself so admirably at the Post Hospital of BentonBarracks, that one of the surgeons of the General Hospital, who hadformerly been surgeon of the Post, requested Miss Parsons to procure herservices for his ward. She did so, and found her a most excellent andskillful nurse. 

Mrs. Caroline E. Gray, of Illinois, had also a husband in the army; shewas a long time at Benton Barracks and was one of the best nurses there, an estimable woman in every respect. 

Miss Adeline A. Lane, of Quincy, Ill. , a teacher before the war, came toBenton Barracks Hospital in the Spring of 1863, and after a service ofmany months there, returned to her home at Quincy, where she devoted herattention to the care of the sick and wounded soldiers sent there, andaccomplished great good. 

Miss Martha Adams, of New York city, was long employed in the FortSchuyler Hospital and subsequently at Benton Barracks, and was a womanof rare devotion to her work. 

Miss Jennie Tileston Spaulding, of Roxbury, Mass. , was for a long periodat Fort Schuyler Hospital, where she was much esteemed, and after herreturn home busied herself in caring for the families of soldiers aroundher. 

Miss E. M. King, of Omaha, Nebraska, was a very faithful and excellentnurse at the Benton Barracks Hospital. 

Mrs. Juliana Day, the wife of a surgeon in one of the Nashvillehospitals, acted as a volunteer nurse for them, and by her protractedservices there impaired her health and died before the close of the war. 

Other efficient nurses appointed by the Western Sanitary Commission (andthere were none more efficient anywhere) were, Miss Carrie C. McNair, Miss N. A. Shepard, Miss C. A. Harwood, Miss Rebecca M. Craighead, MissIda Johnson, Mrs. Dorothea Ogden, Miss Harriet N. Phillips, Mrs. A. Reese, Mrs. Maria Brooks, Mrs. Mary Otis, Miss Harriet Peabody, Mrs. M. A. Wells, Mrs. Florence P. Sterling, Miss N. L. Ostram, Mrs. Anne Ward, Miss Isabella M. Hartshorne, Mrs. Mary Ellis, Mrs. L. E. Lathrop, MissLouisa Otis, Mrs. Lydia Leach, Mrs. Mary Andrews, Mrs. Mary Ludlow, Mrs. Hannah A. Haines and Mrs. Mary Allen. Most of these were from St. Louisor its vicinity. 

The following, also for the most part from St. Louis, were appointedsomewhat later by the Western Sanitary Commission, but renderedexcellent service. Mrs. M. I. Ballard, Mrs. E. O. Gibson, Mrs. L. D. Aldrich, Mrs. Houghton, Mrs. Sarah A. Barton, Mrs. Olive Freeman, Mrs. Anne M. Shattuck, Mrs. E. C. Brendell, Mrs. E. J. Morris, Miss FannyMarshall, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Nichols, Mrs. H. A. Reid, Mrs. Reese, Mrs. M. A. Stetler, Mrs. M. J. Dykeman, Misses Marian and Clara McClintock, Mrs. Sager, Mrs. Peabody, Mrs. C. C. Hagar, Mrs. J. E. Hickox, Mrs. L. L. Campbell, Miss Deborah Dougherty and Mrs. Ferris. 

As in other cities, many ladies of high social position, devotedthemselves with great assiduity to voluntary visiting and nursing at thehospitals. Among these were Mrs. Chauncey I. Filley, wife of MayorFilley, Mrs. Robert Anderson, wife of General Anderson, Mrs. Jessie B. Fremont, wife of General Fremont, Mrs. Clinton B. Fisk, wife of GeneralFisk, Mrs. E. M. Webber, Mrs. A. M. Clark, Mrs. John Campbell, Mrs. W. F. Cozzens, Mrs. E. W. Davis, Miss S. F. McCracken, Miss Anna M. Debenham, since deceased, Miss Susan Bell, Miss Charlotte Ledergerber, Mrs. S. C. Davis, Mrs. Hazard, Mrs. T. D. Edgar, Mrs. George Partridge, Miss E. A. Hart, since deceased, Mrs. H. A. Nelson, Mrs. F. A. Holden, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Baily, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Mrs. C. V. Barker, MissBettie Broadhead, Mrs. T. M. Post, Mrs. E. J. Page, Miss Jane Patrick, since deceased, Mrs. R. H. Stone, Mrs. C. P. Coolidge, Mrs. S. R. Ward, Mrs. Washington King, Mrs. Wyllys King, Miss Fales, since deceased. 

The following were among the noble women at Springfield, Ill. , who weremost devoted in their labors for the soldier in forwarding sanitarysupplies, in visiting the hospitals in and near Springfield, insustaining the Soldiers' Home in that city, and in aiding the familiesof soldiers. Mrs. Lucretia Jane Tilton, Miss Catharine Tilton, Mrs. Lucretia P. Wood, Mrs. P. C. Latham, Mrs. M. E. Halbert, Mrs. Zimmerman, Mrs. J. D. B. Salter, Mrs. John Ives, Mrs. Mary Engleman, Mrs. PaulSelby, Mrs. S. H. Melvin, Mrs. Stoneberger, Mrs. Schaums, Mrs. E. Curtiss, Mrs. L. Snell, Mrs. J. Nutt and Mrs. J. P. Reynolds. Mrs. R. H. Bennison, of Quincy, Ill. , was also a faithful hospital visitor andfriend of the soldier. Mrs. Dr. Ely, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, efficient inevery good work throughout the war, and at its close the active promoterand superintendent of a Home for Soldiers' Orphans, near Davenport, Iowa, is deserving of all honor. 

Miss Georgiana Willets, of Jersey City, N. J. , a faithful and earnesthelper at the front from 1864 to the end of the war, deserves especialmention, as do also Miss Molineux, sister of General Molineux and MissMcCabe, of Brooklyn, N. Y. , who were, throughout the war, active inaiding the soldiers by all the means in their power. Miss SophroniaBucklin, of Auburn, N. Y. , an untiring and patient worker among thesoldiers of the Army of the Potomac, also deserves a place in ourrecord. 

Cincinnati had a large band of noble hospital workers, women who gavefreely of their own property as well as their personal services for thecare and comfort of the soldier. Among these were, Mrs. Crafts J. Wright, wife of Colonel Crafts J. Wright, was among the first hospitalvisiters of the city, and was unwearied in her efforts to providecomforts for the soldiers in the general hospitals of the city as wellas for the sick or wounded soldiers of her husband's regiment in thefield. Mrs. C. W. Starbuck, Mrs. Peter Gibson, Mrs. William Woods andMrs. Caldwell, were also active in visiting the hospitals and gavelargely to the soldiers who were sick there. Miss Penfield and Mrs. Elizabeth S. Comstock, of Michigan, Mrs. C. E. Russell, of Detroit, Mrs. Harriet B. Dame, of Wisconsin and the Misses Rexford, of Illinois, wereremarkably efficient, not only in the hospitals at home, but at thefront, where they were long engaged in caring for the soldiers. 

From Niagara Falls, N. Y. , Miss Elizabeth L. Porter, sister of the lategallant Colonel Peter A. Porter, went to the Baltimore Hospitals and fornineteen months devoted her time and her ample fortune to the service ofthe soldiers, with an assiduity which has rendered her an invalid eversince. 

In Louisville, Ky. , Mrs. Menefee and Mrs. Smith, wife of the Bishop ofthe Protestant Episcopal Church for the diocese of Kentucky, were theleaders of a faithful band of hospital visitors in that city. 

Boston was filled with patriotic women; to name them all would be almostlike publishing a directory of the city. Mrs. Lowell, who gave two sonsto the war, both of whom were slain at the head of their commands, washerself one of the most zealous laborers in behalf of the soldier inBoston or its vicinity. Like Miss Wormeley and Miss Gilson, she took acontract for clothing from the government, to provide work for thesoldiers' families, preparing the work for them and giving them morethan she received. Her daughter, Miss Anna Lowell, was on one of theHospital Transports in the Peninsula, and arrived at Harrison's Landing, where she met the news of her brother's death in the battles of theSeven Days, but burying her sorrows in her heart, she took charge of award on the Transport when it returned, and from the summer of 1862till the close of the war was in charge as lady superintendent, of theArmory Square Hospital, Washington. Other ladies hardly less active wereMrs. Amelia L. Holmes, wife of the poet and essayist, Miss Hannah E. Stevenson, Miss Ira E. Loring, Mrs. George H. Shaw, Mrs. Martin Brimmerand Mrs. William B. Rogers. Miss Mary Felton, of Cambridge, Mass. , served for a long time with her friend, Miss Anna Lowell, at ArmorySquare Hospital, Washington. Miss Louise M. Alcott, daughter of A. B. Alcott, of Concord, Mass. , and herself the author of a little book on"Hospital Scenes, " as well as other works, was for some time anefficient nurse in one of the Washington hospitals. 

Among the leaders in the organization of Soldiers' Aid Societies in thesmaller cities and towns, those ladies who gave the impulse which duringthe whole war vibrated through the souls of those who came within thesphere of their influence, there are very many eminently deserving of aplace in our record. A few we must name. Mrs. Heyle, Mrs. Ide and MissSwayne, daughter of Judge Swayne of the United States Supreme Court, allof Columbus, Ohio, did an excellent work there. The Soldiers' Home ofthat city, founded and sustained by their efforts, was one of the bestin the country. Mrs. T. W. Seward, of Utica, was indefatigable in herefforts for maintaining in its highest condition of activity the AidSociety of that city. Mrs. Sarah J. Cowen was similarly efficient inHartford, Conn. Miss Long, at Rochester, N. Y. , was the soul of theefforts for the soldier there, and her labors were warmly seconded bymany ladies of high standing and earnest patriotism. In Norwalk, Ohio, Mrs. Lizzie H. Farr was one of the most zealous coadjutors of thoseladies who managed with such wonderful ability the affairs of theSoldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio, at Cleveland. To her is due theorigination of the Alert Clubs, associations of young girls for thepurpose of working for the soldiers and their families, which rapidlyspread thence over the country. Never flagging in her efforts for thesoldiers, Mrs. Farr exerted a powerful and almost electric influenceover the region of which Norwalk is the centre. 

Equally efficient, and perhaps exerting a wider influence, was theSecretary of the Soldiers' Aid Society at Peoria, Ill. , Miss Mary E. Bartlett, a lady of superior culture and refinement, and indefatigablein her exertions for raising supplies for the soldiers, from thebeginning to the close of the war. The Western Sanitary Commission hadno more active auxiliary out of St. Louis, than the Soldiers' AidSociety of Peoria. 

Among the ladies who labored for the relief of the Freedmen, Miss SophiaKnight of South Reading, Mass. , deserves a place. After spending five orsix months in Benton Barracks Hospital (May to October, 1864) she wentto Natchez, Miss. , and engaged as teacher of the Freedmen, under thedirection of the Western Sanitary Commission. Not satisfied withteaching the colored children, she instructed also the colored soldiersin the fort, and visited the people in their homes and the hospitals forsick and wounded colored soldiers. She remained in Natchez until May, 1865. In the following autumn she accepted an appointment from the NewEngland Freedman's Aid Society as teacher of the Freedmen in SouthCarolina, on Edisto Island, where she remained until July, 1866; shethen returned to Boston, where she is still engaged in teachingfreedmen. 

But time and space would both fail us were we to attempt to put onrecord the tithe of names which memory recalls of those whose labors andsacrifices of health and life for the cause of the nation, have been notless heroic or noble than those of the soldiers whom they have sought toserve. In the book of God's remembrance their names and their deeds oflove and mercy are all inscribed, and in the great day of reckoning, when that record shall be proclaimed in the sight and hearing of anassembled universe, it will be their joyful privilege to hear from thelips of the Supreme Judge, the welcome words, "Inasmuch as ye did itunto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto me. "

INDEX

OF NAMES OF WOMEN WHOSE SERVICES ARE RECORDED IN THIS BOOK. 

Abernethy, Mrs. C. , 528. 

Adams, Miss H. A. , 74, 79, 630, 636, 639. 

Adams, Miss Martha, 789. 

Adams, Mrs. N. , 594. 

Alcott, Miss Louise M. , 793. 

Aldrich, Mrs. L. D. , 790. 

Aldrich, Milly, 85. 

Allen, Mrs. Mary, 790. 

Allen, Miss Phebe, 502. 

Allen, Miss Sarah, 459, 788. 

Anderson, Mrs. Kate B. , 737. 

Anderson, Mrs. Robert, 630, 790. 

Andrews, Emma, 84. 

Andrews, Mrs. Mary, 790. 

Archer, Mrs. , 79. 

Armstrong, Miss, 209. 

Babcock, Miss Grace, 590. 

Bacon, Mrs. Elbridge, 463. 

Bailey, Mrs. , 301, 731. 

Bailey, Mrs. Catharine, 737. 

Bailey, Mrs. Hannah F. , 737. 

Baily, Mrs. , 791. 

Baker, Miss Delphine P. , 754-759. 

Bakewell, Miss, 616. 

Ballard, Mrs. M. I. , 790. 

Balustier, Mrs. , 301, 732. 

Barker, Mrs. C. N. , 630, 632. 

Barker, Mrs. C. V. , 791. 

Barker, Mrs. Stephen, 186, 200-211. 

Barlow, Mrs. Arabella Griffith, 88, 225-233. 

Barnard, Mrs. , 664. 

Barnett, Mrs. , 780. 

Barrows, Mrs. Ellen B. , 737. 

Bartlett, Miss Mary E. , 794. 

Bartlett, Mrs. Abner, 84. 

Barton, Mrs. Sarah A. , 790. 

Barton, Miss Clara Harlowe, 73, 111-132. 

Baylis, Mrs. H. , 528. 

Beck, Mrs. , 157, 159, 485, 713. 

Bell, Miss Annie, 616. 

Bell, Miss Susan J. , 630, 790. 

Bellows, Mrs. H. W. , 302. 

Bennett, Miss, 780. 

Bennison, Mrs. R. H. , 791. 

Bergen, Miss Rebecca, 428. 

Bickerdyke, Mrs. Mary A. , 74, 163, 165-170, 172-186, 209, 512. 

Biddle, Misses, 644. 

Bigelow, Mrs. R. M. , 738-740. 

Billing, Mrs. R. K. , 738, 739. 

Billing, Miss Rose M. , 460, 738, 739, 742. 

Bird, Miss, 590. 

Bissell, Miss Lucy J. , 788. 

Bissell, Miss Mary, 616. 

Blackmar, Miss M. A. , 429, 430. 

Blackwell, Miss Emily, 527. 

Blackwell, Miss Elizabeth, 527, 528, 529. 

Blanchard, Miss Anna, 600. 

Blanchard, Miss H. , 600. 

Booth, Mrs. , 769. 

Botta, Mrs. Vincenzo, 528. 

Boyer, Mrs. Margaret, 736. 

Bradford, Miss Charlotte, 153, 301, 316, 731, 732. 

Bradley, Miss Amy M. , 212-224, 301, 316, 584, 732, 748. 

Brady, Mrs. Mary A. , 597, 647-9. 

Brayton, Miss Mary Clark, 74, 79, 540, 543, 545, 546, 547-552. 

Breckinridge, Miss Margaret E. , 74, 88, 187, 199, 779. 

Brendell, Mrs. E. C. , 790. 

Brewster, Mrs. , 664. 

Bridgham, Mrs. S. W. , 531. 

Brimmer, Mrs. Martin, 557, 793. 

Broadhead, Mrs. Bettie, 632, 791. 

Brooks, Mrs. Maria, 790. 

Brownell, Mrs. Kady, 773, 774. 

Bryden, Mrs. , 780. 

Bucklin, Miss Sophronia, 791. 

Caldwell, Mrs. , 792. 

Campbell, Mrs. John, 790. 

Campbell, Mrs. Lucy L. , 790. 

Campbell, Miss Valeria, 79, 594, 595. 

Canfield, Mrs. S. A. Martha, 495. 

Carver, Mrs. Anna, 647. 

Cary, Miss Mary, 459, 787. 

Case, Mrs. Cynthia, 742. 

Cassedy, Mrs. Mary A. , 737. 

Chase, Miss Nellie, 644. 

Chapman, Mrs. 354. 

Chapman, Miss G. D. , 714. 

Chipman, Mrs. H. L. , 594. 

Clapp, Mrs. Anna L. , 79, 630, 634-636, 715, 767, 779. 

Clapp, Mrs. Samuel H. , 599. 

Clark, Mrs. A. M. , 790. 

Clark, Miss Eudora, 458, 788. 

Clark, Mrs. Lincoln, 165. 

Colby, Mrs. Robert, 530. 

Colfax, Mrs. Harriet R. , 74, 395-399. 

Collins, Miss Ellen, 79, 528, 533, 534, 536. 

Colt, Mrs. Henrietta L. , 79, 568, 586, 607, 609-613. 

Colwell, Mrs. Stephen, 643. 

Conrad, Mrs. R. E. , 377. 

Constant, Mrs. Nettie C. , 714. 

Coolidge, Mrs. C. P. , 791. 

Combs, Mrs. Sarah, 715. 

Comstock, Mrs. Elizabeth S. , 792. 

Cowen, Mrs. Sarah J. , 793. 

Courteney, Mrs. Mary, 737. 

Cox, Miss Caroline, 788. 

Cozzens, Mrs. W. F. , 790. 

Craighead, Miss Rebecca M. , 790. 

Crawshaw, Mrs. Joseph, 630, 715. 

Curtis, Mrs. George, 537. 

Curtiss, Mrs. E. , 791. 

Dada, Miss Hattie A. , 431-439. 

Dame, Mrs. Harriet B. , 792. 

Dana, Miss Emily W. , 456, 462. 

Davis, Miss Clara, 295, 400-403, 480. 

Davis, Mrs. E. W. , 790. 

Davis, Mrs. G. T. M. , 352-356, 666, 680. 

Davis, Mrs. Samuel C. , 630, 790. 

Day, Mrs. Juliana, 789. 

Debenham, Miss Anna M. , 630, 790. 

Delafield, Mrs. Louisa M. , 607. 

Denham, Mrs. Z. , 644. 

Detmold, Miss Z. T. , 537. 

Divers, Bridget, 480, 593, 771-773. 

Dix, Miss Dorothea L. , 71, 97-108, 134, 271, 290, 431, 432, 449, 472, 478, 512, 579. 

Dodge, Mrs. , 664. 

Don Carlos, Mrs. Minnie, 780. 

D'Orémieulx, Mrs. T. , 528, 531. 

Dougherty, Miss Deborah, 790. 

Duane, Miss M. M. , 599. 

Dunlap, Miss S. B. , 599. 

Dupee, Miss Mary E. , 456, 462, 463, 464. 

Dykeman, Mrs. M. J. , 790. 

Eaton, Mrs. J. S. , 463, 507, 508. 

Eaton, Mrs. Lucien, 715. 

Edgar, Mrs. T. D. , 791. 

Edson, Mrs. Sarah P. , 440-447. 

Edwards, Miss, 780. 

Elkinton, Mrs. Anna A. , 737. 

Elliott, Miss Melcenia, 74, 380-384. 

Ellis, Mrs. Mary, 790. 

Ellis, Miss Ruth L. , 458, 787. 

Ely, Mrs. Charles L. , 630. 

Ely, Mrs. Dr. , 791. 

Engleman, Mrs. Mary, 791. 

Etheridge, Mrs. Annie, 218, 301, 593, 747-753. 

Fales, Mrs. Almira, 73, 279-283, 449, 450, 483, 677. 

Fales, Miss, 791. 

Farr, Mrs. Lizzie H. , 793. 

Fellows, Mrs. W. M. , 530. 

Felton, Miss Mary, 793. 

Femington, Mrs. Sarah, 736. 

Fenn, Mrs. Curtis T. , 660-670. 

Fernald, Mrs. James E. , 463. 

Ferris, Mrs. , 790. 

Field, Mrs. David Dudley, 88. 

Field, Mrs. Mary E. , 737. 

Field, Miss, 737. 

Field, Mrs. C. W. , 528. 

Field, Mrs. Samuel, 599. 

Filley, Mrs. Chauncey I. , 790. 

Fish, Mrs. Hamilton, 528, 529. 

Fisk, Mrs. Clinton B. , 713, 790. 

Flanders, Mrs. Benj. , 780. 

Flanders, Miss Fanny, 780. 

Flanders, Miss Florence, 780. 

Fogg, Mrs. Mary R. , 715. 

Fogg, Mrs. Isabella, 463, 506-510. 

Follett, Mrs. Joseph E. , 590. 

Foote, Miss Kate, 418. 

Ford, Miss Charlotte, 459, 788. 

Fox, Miss Harriet, 463. 

Francis, Miss Abby, 209. 

Frederick, Mrs. M. L. , 599. 

Freeman, Mrs. Olive, 790. 

Fremont, Mrs. Jessie B. , 274, 790. 

Frietchie, Barbara, 522, 761-763, 767

Furness, Mrs. W. H. , 599. 

Gage, Mrs. Frances Dana, 683-690. 

Gardiner, Miss M. , 301, 732. 

George, Mrs. E. E. , 511-513. 

Gibbons, Mrs. A. H. , 467-476, 788. 

Gibbons, Miss Sarah H. , 467-476. 

Gibson, Mrs. E. O. , 396, 399, 790. 

Gibson, Mrs. Peter, 792. 

Gillespie, Mrs. E. D. , 599. 

Gillis, Miss Agnes, 459, 787. 

Gilson, Miss Helen L. , 71, 73, 80, 81, 133-148, 232, 301, 316, 713, 732. 

Glover, Miss Eliza S. , 630. 

Gove, Miss Emily, 459, 788. 

Graff, Mrs. C, 599. 

Gray, Mrs. Caroline E. , 789. 

Greble, Mrs. Edwin, 503, 504. 

Green, Mrs. , 736. 

Grier, Mrs. Maria C. , 597-599, 600, 601, 779. 

Griffin, Mrs. Josephine R. , 707-709. 

Griffin, Mrs. William Preston, 301, 316, 528, 529, 530, 534. 

Grover, Mrs. Mary, 736. 

Grover, Mrs. Priscilla, 736. 

Grover, Miss, 737. 

Guest, Mrs. , 459, 787. 

Hagar, Mrs. C. C. , 704, 790. 

Hagar, Miss Sarah J. , 704, 706. 

Haines, Mrs. Hannah A. , 790. 

Hall, Miss Maria M. C. , 157, 247, 290, 401, 448-454, 456, 457, 460, 483, 485, 644. 

Hall, Miss Susan E. , 431-439. 

Halbert, Mrs. M. E. , 791. 

Hallowell, Mrs. M. M. , 710-712. 

Hancock, Miss Cornelia, 284-286, 487, 644. 

Harlan, Mrs. James, 676, 678. 

Harmon, Miss Amelia, 777, 778. 

Harris, Mrs. John, 72, 73, 79, 149-160, 367, 450, 482, 483, 485, 596, 643, 644, 645, 713. 

Harris, Miss W. F. , 742, 743. 

Hart, Miss E. A. , 791. 

Hartshorne, Miss Isabella M. , 790. 

Harvey, Mrs. Cordelia A. P. , 73, 164, 260-268, 729. 

Harwood, Miss C. A. , 790. 

Hawley, Miss E. P. , 600. 

Hawley, Mrs. Harriet Foote, 416-419, 513, 713. 

Hazard, Mrs. , 790. 

Helmbold, Mrs. Eliza, 737. 

Heyle, Mrs. , 793. 

Hickox, Mrs. J. E. , 790. 

Hicks, Mrs. , 791. 

Hoadley, Mrs. George, 79. 

Hoes, Mrs. H. F. , 713. 

Hodge, Mrs. , 780. 

Hoge, Mrs. A. H. , 74, 79, 178, 561, 562-576, 580, 583, 585, 589, 610. 

Holden, Mrs. F. A. , 791. 

Holland, Miss Sarah, 736. 

Holmes, Mrs. Amelia L. , 793. 

Holmes, Miss Belle, 630. 

Holstein, Mrs. William H. , 251-259. 

Home, Miss Jessie, 422, 427, 428, 480. 

Hooper, Mrs. Lucy H. , 764. 

Horton, Mrs. Elizabeth, 737. 

Hosmer, Mrs. O. E. , 719-724. 

Houghton, Mrs. , 790. 

Howe, Miss Abbie J. , 458, 465, 466. 

Howe, Mrs. Charles, 780. 

Howe, Mrs. T. O. , 164. 

Howell, Mrs. , 780. 

Howland, Mrs. Eliza W. , 301, 324-326. 

Howland, Mrs. Robert S. , 88, 326, 327. 

Humphrey, Miss, 164. 

Husband, Mrs. Mary Morris, 157, 287-298, 301, 316, 401, 451, 483, 485, 486, 507, 596. 

Ide, Mrs. , 793. 

Ives, Mrs. John, 791. 

Jackson, Mrs. Margaret A. , 607. 

Jessup, Mrs. A. D. , 599. 

Johnson, Miss Addie E. , 399. 

Johnson, Miss Ida, 790. 

Johnson, Mrs. J. Warner, 599. 

Johnson, Mrs. , 209, 210. 

Johnston, Mrs. Sarah R. , 269-272, 779. 

Jones, Mrs. Elizabeth, 791. 

Jones, Miss Hetty A. , 783, 786. 

Jones, Mrs. Joel, 79, 643. 

Josslyn, Miss Maria, 459, 787. 

Kellogg, Mrs. S. B. , 630. 

King, Miss E. M. , 789. 

King, Mrs. Washington, 630, 791. 

King, Mrs. Wyllys, 791. 

Kirchner, Mrs. Dr. , 780. 

Kirkland, Mrs. Caroline M. , 88, 528. 

Knight, Miss A. M. , 705. 

Knight, Miss Sophia, 794. 

Krider, Miss, 737. 

Lane, Miss Adeline A. , 789. 

Lane, Mrs. David, 530, 537. 

Latham, Mrs. P. C. , 791. 

Lathrop, Mrs. L. E. , 790. 

Lathrop, Mrs. , 599. 

Leach, Mrs. Lydia, 790. 

Ledergerber, Miss Charlotte, 790. 

Lee, Miss Amanda, 480, 486, 737. 

Lee, Mrs. Mary W. , 73, 157, 480-488, 596, 644, 647, 733, 737. 

Little, Miss Anna P. , 647. 

Livermore, Mrs. Mary A. , 74, 79, 85, 178, 359, 561, 566, 569, 577-589, 610. 

Long, Miss, 793. 

Loring, Miss Ira E. , 557, 793. 

Lovejoy, Miss Sarah E. M. , 714. 

Lovell, Miss S. R. , 788. 

Lowell, Miss Anna, 792, 793. 

Lowell, Mrs. , 792. 

Lowry, Mrs. Ellen J. , 736. 

Ludlow, Mrs. Mary, 790. 

McCabe, Miss, 791. 

McClintock, Miss Clara, 790. 

McClintock, Miss Marian, 790. 

McCracken, Miss Sarah F. , 790. 

McEwen, Mrs. Hetty M. , 764-766, 767. 

McFadden, Miss Rachel W. , 79, 616. 

McKay, Mrs. Charlotte E. , 514-516. 

McMeens, Mrs. Anna C. , 491, 492. 

McMillan, Mrs. , 616. 

McNair, Miss Carrie C. , 790. 

Maertz, Miss Louisa, 74, 390-394. 

Maltby, Mrs. F. F. , 630. 

Mann, Miss Maria R. , 697-703. 

Marsh, Mrs. M. M. , 534, 621-629. 

Marshall, Miss Fanny, 790. 

Mason, Mrs. Emily, 737. 

May, Miss Abby W. , 79, 554-557. 

Mayhew, Mrs. Ruth S. , 463, 506. 

Melvin, Mrs. S. H. , 791. 

Mendenhall, Mrs. Elizabeth S. , 79, 494, 617-620. 

Menefee, Mrs. , 792. 

Merrill, Mrs. Eunice D. , 457, 462. 

Merritt, Mrs. , 302. 

Mills, Mrs. , 780. 

Mitchell, Miss Ellen E. , 420-426. 

Molineux, Miss, 791. 

Moore, Mrs. Clara J. , 597, 599. 

Moore, Mrs. , (of Knoxville, Tenn. ), 767, 768. 

Morris, Mrs. E. J. , 790. 

Morris, Miss, 354, 496. 

Morris, Miss Rachel W. , 600. 

Moss, Miss M. J. , 600. 

Munsell, Mrs. Jane R. , 522, 523. 

Murdoch, Miss Ellen E. , 616, 633. 

Nash, Miss C. , 537. 

Nelson, Mrs. H. A. , 791. 

Newhall, Miss Susan, 456, 461, 464. 

Nichols, Mrs. Elizabeth A. , 790. 

Noye, Miss Helen M. , 456, 459. 

Nutt, Mrs. J. , 791. 

Ogden, Mrs. Dorothea, 790. 

Oliver, Mrs. , 664. 

Ostram, Miss N. L. , 790. 

Otis, Miss Louisa, 790. 

Otis, Mrs. Mary, 790. 

Page, Miss Eliza, 631. 

Page, Mrs. E. J. , 791. 

Painter, Mrs. Hetty K. , 644, 647. 

Palmer, Mrs. Mary E. , 81, 88, 630, 640-642. 

Palmer, Mrs. John, 594. 

Pancoast, Mrs. , 656. 

Parrish, Mrs. Lydia G. , 362-373, 599. 

Parsons, Miss Emily E. , 74, 273-278, 382, 489, 502, 788. 

Partridge, Mrs. George, 791. 

Patrick, Miss Jane, 791. 

Peabody, Miss Harriet, 790. 

Peabody, Mrs. , 790. 

Penfield, Miss, 792. 

Pettes, Miss Mary Dwight, 385-389. 

Phelps, Mrs. John S. , 520, 521, 713, 779. 

Pierson, Miss Mary, 457, 462. 

Phillips, Miss Harriet N. , 790. 

Pinkham, Miss, 644. 

Plummer, Mrs. Eliza G. , 73, 88, 735. 

Plummer, Mrs. S. A. , 396, 399. 

Pomeroy, Mrs. Lucy G. , 88, 691-696. 

Pomeroy, Mrs. Robert, 664. 

Porter, Mrs. Eliza C. , 74, 161-171, 174, 182, 183, 185, 186, 209, 512, 560. 

Porter, Miss Elizabeth L. , 791. 

Post, Miss A. , 537. 

Post, Mrs. T. M. , 630, 791. 

Preble, Mrs. William, 463. 

Quimby, Miss Almira, 456-462. 

Reese, Mrs. A. , 790. 

Reid, Mrs. H. A. , 790. 

Reifsnyder, Miss Hattie S. , 742. 

Reynolds, Mrs. J. P. , 791. 

Rexford, Misses, 792. 

Rich, Miss, 370. 

Richardson, Mrs. , 780. 

Ricketts, Mrs. Fanny L. , 480, 517-519. 

Robinson, Miss Belle, 742. 

Rogers, Mrs. William B. , 557, 793. 

Ross, Miss Anna Maria, 88, 343-351, 644, 733. 

Rouse, Mrs. B. , 79, 540, 544, 545. 

Royce, Miss Alice F. , 713. 

Russell, Mrs. E. A. , 679. 

Russell, Mrs. E. J. , 477-479. 

Russell, Mrs. C. E. , 792. 

Safford, Miss Mary J. , 163, 357-361. 

Sager, Mrs. , 790. 

Salomon, Mrs. Eliza, 613, 614. 

Salter, Mrs. J. D. B. , 791. 

Sampson, Mrs. , 644. 

Schaums, Mrs. , 791. 

Schuyler, Mrs. G. L. , 528. 

Schuyler, Miss Louisa Lee, 79, 532, 534, 537. 

Selby, Mrs. Paul, 791. 

Seward, Mrs. T. W. , 793. 

Seymour, Mrs. Horatio, 79, 590-592. 

Sharpless, Miss Hattie R. , 741-743. 

Shattuck, Mrs. Anna M. , 790. 

Shaw, the Misses, 537. 

Shaw, Mrs. G. H. , 557, 793. 

Sheffield, Miss Mary E. , 714. 

Sheads, Miss Carrie, 776, 777. 

Shepard, Miss N. A. , 790. 

Sibley, Miss S. A. , 594. 

Small, Mrs. Jerusha C. , 493, 494. 

Smith, Mrs. Aubrey H. , 599. 

Smith, Mrs. Hannah, 736. 

Smith, Mrs. , 792. 

Smith, Mrs. Eliza J. , 737. 

Smith, Mrs. Rebecca S. , 789. 

Snell, Mrs. L. , 791. 

Spaulding Miss Jennie Tileston, 789. 

Spencer, Mrs. R. H. , 404-415. 

Springer, Mrs. C. R. , 80, 630, 639, 640. 

Starr, Mrs. Lucy E. , 713, 728-730. 

Starbuck, Mrs. C. W. , 792. 

Stearns, Mrs. S. Burger, 760. 

Steel, Mrs. , 209. 

Sterling, Mrs. Florence P. , 790. 

Stetler, Mrs. M. A. , 790. 

Stevens, Miss Gertrude, 537. 

Stevens, Miss Melvina, 782. 

Stevens, Mrs. N. , 715. 

Stevenson, Miss Hannah E. , 793. 

Steward, Miss Ella, 616. 

Stillé, Mrs. Charles J. , 599. 

Stone, Mrs. R. H. , 791. 

Stoneberger, Mrs. , 791. 

Stranahan, Mrs. Mariamne F. , 79, 537, 651-658. 

Streeter, Mrs. Elizabeth M. , 655-659. 

Strong, Mrs. George T. , 301. 

Swett, Mrs. J. A. , 528. 

Swayne, Miss, 793. 

Tannehill, Mrs. Arabella, 789. 

Taylor, Miss Alice, 239, 240, 768, 769. 

Taylor, Mrs. Nellie Maria, 234, 240, 779, 780. 

Terry, Miss Ellen F. , 540, 543, 546, 547. 

Tevis, Mrs. J. , 599. 

Thomas, Mrs. E. , 496. 

Thomas, Mrs. (of New Orleans), 780. 

Thompson, Miss Kate P. , 458, 788. 

Ticknor, Miss Anna, 557. 

Ticknor, Mrs. George, 323, 557. 

Tileston, Miss Jennie, 789. 

Tilton, Miss Catherine, 791. 

Tilton, Mrs. Lucretia Jane, 791. 

Tinkham, Mrs. Smith, 720, 722. 

Titcomb, Miss Louise, 247, 453, 456, 461, 463. 

Titlow, Mrs. Effie, 522, 767. 

Tompkins, Miss Cornelia M. , 489, 490. 

Trotter, Mrs. Laura, 301. 

Turchin, Madame, 480, 770, 771. 

Tyler, Mrs. Adaline, 241-250, 453, 456, 461, 464. 

Tyson, Miss, 157, 159, 485, 713. 

Usher, Miss Rebecca R. , 456, 461, 463. 

Vance, Miss Mary, 429, 430. 

Vanderkieft, Mrs. Dr. , 247. 

Wade, Mrs. Jennie, 88, 775, 776. 

Wade, Mrs. Mary B. , 736. 

Walker, Miss Adeline, 456, 457, 462. 

Wallace, Miss, 209. 

Wallace, Mrs. Martha A. , 73. 

Ward, Mrs. Anne, 790. 

Ward, Mrs. S. R. , 791. 

Waterbury, Miss Kate E. , 651, 658. 

Waterman, Mrs. , 644. 

Webber, Mrs. E. M. , 790. 

Weed, Mrs. H. M. , 715. 

Wells, Mrs. Shepard, 497, 498, 779. 

Whetten, Miss Harriet Douglas, 301, 316, 322. 

Whitaker, Miss Mary A. , 714. 

Wibrey, Mrs. , 780. 

Willets, Miss Georgiana, 791. 

Williams, Miss, 245. 

Wiswall, Miss Hattie, 725-727. 

Witherell, Mrs. E. C. , 499-501. 

Wittenmeyer, Mrs. Annie, 374-379, 509. 

Wolcott, Miss Ella, 459, 788. 

Wolfley, Mrs. , 780. 

Wolfley, Miss Carrie, 780. 

Wood, Mrs. Lucretia P. , 791. 

Woods, Mrs. William, 792. 

Woolsey, Miss Georgiana M. , 301, 303, 322, 323, 324, 327-342, 472. 

Woolsey, Miss Jane Stuart, 322, 324, 342, 472, 713. 

Woolsey, Miss Sarah C. , 322, 342. 

Woolsey, Mrs. , 328. 

Wormeley, Miss Katharine P. , 80, 301, 303, 318-323, 327, 480. 

Wright, Mrs. Crafts J. , 791. 

Young, Miss M. A. B. , 459. 

Zimmerman, Mrs. , 791. 

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:

Illustrations originally printed in the middle of sentences have beenmoved to the nearest paragraph break. 

Because sections of this book were written by different people, accent, spelling and hyphen usage is inconsistent. These inconsistencies havebeen preserved except where noted. 

Page 25: added page numbers for Table of Contents and Introduction

Page 27: added period to "Visits Huntsville, Pulaski, etc. "

Page 30: added period to "preparation of diet, etc. "

Page 40: changed "e" to "é" in "Mrs. D'Orémieulx's departure for Europe"

Page 41: changed "e" to "é" in "made by the employés of the Association, "

Page 42: "Did you drop from heaven" had opening " printed as '

Page 45: "Mr. Stranahan chosen President" corrected to "Mrs. Stranahan"

Page 51: Removed period after Felton: Miss Felton--Louisville, Page 51: "Mrs. Corven, of Hartford, Conn. " corrected to "Cowen"

Page 51: Added period after Hartford, Conn. And Peoria, Ill. 

Page 53: "MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN" not corrected to MARIAMNE

Page 66: "We need only recal" corrected to "recall"

Page 82: Deleted quotation mark before: In that little hamlet

Page 82: Deleted quotation mark before: "In one of the mountainous

Page 129: "franks of some of her frinds" corrected to "friends"

Page 137: "In all her journies Miss Gilson" corrected to "journeys"

Page 169: Changed "most econonomical" corrected to "most economical"

Page 191: Added close quote to: uncertainties of self-support. "

Page 210: "Companies A. B, C. , " corrected to Companies "A, B, C, "

Page 237: Added second close quote to: "Lincoln's hirelings. ""

Page 292: Added close quote to: departure in copious tears. "

Page 305: "earnest hope that yon alleviate suffering" corrected to "you"

Page 353: Added period to "themselves in the service of their country. "

Page 339: "'It is the man, you know, " had opening ' printed as "

Page 375: "$115, 876, 93" corrected to "$115, 876. 93"

Page 386: ""develope that purity" corrected to "develop"

Page 456: "year in the hospitel. " corrected to "hospital"

Page 462: Added close quote to: of the deceased to their friends. "

Page 529: "physicial fatigue" corrected to "physical fatigue"

Page 537: "MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN" not corrected to MARIAMNE

Page 574: "wih the Branch Commissions" corrected to "with"

Page 577: "Charlestown (Mass). , Female Seminary" corrected to "(Mass. ), "

Page 592: Opening " changed to ': 'for two miles it was all people

Page 609: "beleagured city" corrected to "beleaguered city"

Page 612: Added opening quote mark: "After a little, as the thought

Page 612: Added close single-quote: proud to have helped on the cause. '

Page 617: "This lady and Mrs. George Hoadly" corrected to "Hoadley"

Page 686: "Thoul't find warm sympathizing hearts" corrected to "Thou'lt"

Page 691: "destined to develope" corrected to "develop"

Page 732: "Miss Amy M. Bradley, Mrs. Balestier, " corrected to "Balustier"

Page 739: "freely sacrified" corrected to "sacrificed"

Page 790: "Miss Isabella M. Hartshorn" corrected to "Hatshorne"

Page 791: "Miss Bettie Brodhead" corrected to "Broadhead"

Page 795: "Blackman, Miss M. A. , 429, 430. " corrected to "Blackmar"

Page 796: "Cassidy, Mrs. Mary A. , 737. " corrected to "Cassedy"

Page 796: "Englemann, Mrs. Mary, 791. " corrected to Engleman

Page 797: Added final period to "Howe, Miss Abbie J. , 458, 465, 466. "

Page 798: "Molineaux, Miss, 791. " corrected to "Molineux"

Page 798: "Royer, Miss Alice F. , 713. " corrected to "Royce"

Page 798: "Shephard, Miss N. A. , 790. " corrected to "Shepard"

Page 798: "Stevens, Miss Gertude, 537. " corrected to "Gertrude"

Page 799: "Zimmermann, Mrs. , 791" corrected to "Zimmerman"

 * * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

Illustrations originally printed in the middle of sentences have beenmoved to the nearest paragraph break. 

Footnotes have been moved to the paragraph break following the footnotemarker. 

Because sections of this book were written by different people, accent, spelling and hyphen usage is inconsistent. These inconsistencies havebeen preserved except where noted below. Since page numbers have notbeen preserved in this version, enough text has been retained for asearch to be effective:

Page 25: changed page number 3 to page number 19 for DEDICATIONPage 25: changed page number 5 to page number 21 for PREFACEPage 25: added page numbers for TABLE OF CONTENTS and INTRODUCTIONPage 27: added period to "Visits Huntsville, Pulaski, etc. "Page 30: added period to "preparation of diet, etc. "Page 40: changed "e" to "é" in "Mrs. D'Orémieulx's departure for Europe"Page 41: changed "e" to "é" in "made by the employés of the Association, "Page 42: "Did you drop from heaven" had opening " printed as 'Page 45: "Mr. Stranahan chosen President" corrected to "Mrs. Stranahan"Page 51: Removed period after Felton: Miss Felton--Louisville, Page 51: "Mrs. Corven, of Hartford, Conn. " corrected to "Cowen"Page 51: Added period after Hartford, Conn. And Peoria, Ill. Page 53: "MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN" not corrected to MARIAMNEPage 66: "We need only recal" corrected to "recall"Page 82: Deleted quotation mark before: In that little hamletPage 82: Deleted quotation mark before: "In one of the mountainousPage 129: "franks of some of her frinds" corrected to "friends"Page 137: "In all her journies Miss Gilson" corrected to "journeys"Page 169: Changed "most econonomical" corrected to "most economical"Page 191: Added close quote to: uncertainties of self-support. "Page 210: "Companies A. B, C. , " corrected to Companies "A, B, C, "Page 237: Added second close quote to: "Lincoln's hirelings. ""Page 292: Added close quote to: departure in copious tears. "Page 305: "earnest hope that yon alleviate suffering" corrected to "you"Page 317: Changed double quotes to single quotes and added close quote turning: heard her name "would rise up and call her blessed. " to: heard her name 'would rise up and call her blessed. '"Page 353: Added period to "themselves in the service of their country. "Page 339: "'It is the man, you know, " had opening ' printed as "Page 375: "$115, 876, 93" corrected to "$115, 876. 93"Page 386: ""develope that purity" corrected to "develop"Page 456: "year in the hospitel. " corrected to "hospital"Page 457: Added opening quote to: Patient prayer and workPage 462: Added close quote to: of the deceased to their friends. "Page 529: "physicial fatigue" corrected to "physical fatigue"Page 537: "MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN" not corrected to MARIAMNEPage 574: "wih the Branch Commissions" corrected to "with"Page 577: "Charlestown (Mass). , Female Seminary" corrected to "(Mass. ), "Page 592: Opening " changed to ': 'for two miles it was all peoplePage 609: "beleagured city" corrected to "beleaguered city"Page 612: Added opening quote mark: "After a little, as the thoughtPage 612: Added close single-quote: proud to have helped on the cause. 'Page 617: "This lady and Mrs. George Hoadly" corrected to "Hoadley"Page 686: "Thoul't find warm sympathizing hearts" corrected to "Thou'lt"Page 691: "destined to develope" corrected to "develop"Page 732: "Miss Amy M. Bradley, Mrs. Balestier, " corrected to "Balustier"Page 739: "freely sacrified" corrected to "sacrificed"Page 790: "Miss Isabella M. Hartshorn" corrected to "Hatshorne"Page 791: "Miss Bettie Brodhead" corrected to "Broadhead"Page 795: "Blackman, Miss M. A. , 429, 430. " corrected to "Blackmar"Page 796: "Cassidy, Mrs. Mary A. , 737. " corrected to "Cassedy"Page 796: "Englemann, Mrs. Mary, 791. " corrected to EnglemanPage 797: Added final period to "Howe, Miss Abbie J. , 458, 465, 466. "Page 798: "Molineaux, Miss, 791. " corrected to "Molineux"Page 798: "Royer, Miss Alice F. , 713. " corrected to "Royce"Page 798: "Shephard, Miss N. A. , 790. " corrected to "Shepard"Page 798: "Stevens, Miss Gertude, 537. " corrected to "Gertrude"Page 799: "Zimmermann, Mrs. , 791" corrected to "Zimmerman"