Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-09-02
Hrs Brooks AID Daughter Of Grant County, IilAler-
lug Angels among tho Soldiers.
CAMP CT 9th IOWA.

CAMP CT 9th IOWA,
Near Helena, ARK, Aug. i2.i, 1852.
Nm. EDITOR Dear Sir:-On IA, re-
turn from Chicasaw Co. Iowa, where
had been on Through after the fight at
Pea Ridge to join the 9th Iowa Regt, l
stopped a few days with brother IN Du-
buque. A letter was entrusted to my care
to convey to Mrs. Brooks, who, | am IN
formed resides in Grant Co, Wis, and who
had gone to join the 9th Iowa rect, then
at Batesyiile, Ark, as a nurse, accompan-
led by her daughter, Miss. Works. found
them at Rolla, and delivered the letter.
Ihey were waiting for an opportunity to
90 through, but 1t work like true women
to alleviate the suferings Of the sick and
wounded at Rolia. started the next day
with a company Of cavalry for Batesyile
and saw no more of them until after Their
arrival in Batesyile, which was only two OF
three days later than my own.
Mrs. Brooks arrived in Batesyille just in
time to save her son, who had been gwen
up by the physicians in the hospital, and
in fact by ali who were acquainted with
his case. You can better imagine than
can describe the feelings Of that Mother
and Sister as they saw their loved one
Stretched on bis lean cot, nero skeleton,
from which reason had fled, as he seemed
to have lost all Consciousness or power o
utterance, save to feebly lisp the name OF
Mother. After the arrival of his Mother,f
the young man rapidly improved, while she
aud her daughter labored almost incessant-
ly for the other sick and wounded, introdu-
cling order and neatness whele before ali
was disorder and filth.
Any one who has not seen an army hos
pital without female nurses, and also one
With, can form on idea Of the difference
And no one who is not acquainted with
the facts Of the case, can form true esti-
mate of the sacrifice woman has to make
in order to give up the comforts Of home
in exchange for the bardships Of camp life,
especially where connected with the sick
and suffering. But even this is pleasure
to the truly benevolent.
Our sick, on our leaving Batesvile, were
transported, all that could be novel, IN
wagons. Mrs. Brooks accompanied them
and administered to their wants. One d
m, men by the name Of Clyre, died on the
road. 1t was in looking after him thai
my attention was especially called to Mrs
Brooks noble and disinterested course
Her labors were incessant. Nothing tina
her ingenuity could deyise.or kindness sug
gest was LETT uadone for the poor worn suf
ierels who will long remember her nor,
than kindnesses. And what is due t
the mother is also equally due to th,
daughter.
But Mrs. Brooks labors proved toc
much for her weak constitution, and short
by after our arrival in our present camp
| was informed by Capt Carpenter, 0
whose company her son is a member, thai
she was quite upwell Not recovering sc
as 10 be able to commence her labors agair
Mrs. Brooks concluced to return home
She started on the 9Th of this month, and
/ can assure you that she leaves us witll
our best wishes and with many REGRETS on
our part. May the blessings Of kin
Providence attend them, and may they
never want in the hour OF sickness for one
as true and kind as themselves to attend
them.
Mr.. Editor, I make this statement en-
tirely unasked, and hope that YOU viii pub
lish it, believing that this feeble tribute is q
thousand times due to one who only lacks
the opportunity to become justly as dis
tiDgpished as Florence Nightingale or any
one Of the thousands Of the alords Of ere
alton" to whom the world are SO ready Il
award praise. The soldiers who go fortl
to do battle in this great war for Nationa
existence are not the only truly noble ahd
brave. When the final roll shall be made
u and history shall do justice to all,
venture the assertion that the manner Of
Mrs. Brooks and Miss. Works will be as
signed a place among that true and noble
band who have gone forth to battle with
disease and samaritan ike sootho the sor
rows Of the sutfe.ing soldier.
Respect'y Yours,
GILBERT L. TIspALE,
Ist finut 90 r 9lh Iowa Vols