The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-12-12
A WAR ECHO.
The Story of Lizzie Billings, the Sweet
Singer of the Hospitals.

| thc hpspithlss
In the fall of 1864, when the Union
Army was massing against Rich
mond, Va, the hospitals in and
around Washington were very much
overcrowded.
Under special orders from Mr..
Stanton, Secretary of War, and with
the hearty CO operation OF President
Lincoln, | had previously assumed
the general supervision OF the
special-diet kitchens OF the United
States Army Hospitals all along the
lines.
1t also devolved upon me to select
the lady superintendents for that
important service, two for each
kitchen. The food for the very sick
and the severely wounded, on orders
OF the ward surgeons, was prepared
under their supervision.
In some of these special diet
kitchens as many as 1000, and in
some 1900 patients, were supplied
with carefully prepared food in great
variety three times a day.
1t will be readily seen that COM
petent women were needed to take
the management of this important
work. They had not only to COM
mard a force of twenty or thirty
men in these kitchens and maintain
discipline and good order, but they
had, under hospital authority, the
entire responsibility of supplying
the proper preparation OF food, on
time and without the least delay or
confusion.
Their high position also demanded
that they should be ladies of culture
and social standing, who could com
mand the respect and confidence OF
officers and surgeons in charge. 1t
is greatly to the honor OF the patri
otic women of the North that scores
of accomplished ladies of high
social position volunteered to fill
these important places.
Great care had to be taken in
their selection, and none were ac-
cepted unless highly indorsed.
One day there came to my head
quarters in Washington a young
lady from Pawtucket, R. /. She
was twenty two years old. as after
wards learned, but she was so child
like in appearance that she seemed
much younger.
II am Lizzie Billings" she said.
by way of introduction. Il was
ready and waiting, and just as soon
as | received your letter containing
pass and orders to come, | started. :"
My heart sank within me. | was
expecting Lizzie Billings, but | had
anticipated meeting very different
looking person.
Every letter of recommendation
had said: Although Miss Billings
is young in years, she is mature in
character, and is OF the highest type
of American womanhood, and will
command respect anywhere. We
commend her to you as one of our
noblest women, who will be equal to
any position, and one who will never
fail or falter in the line OF duty"
| had naturally expected a woman
of stately and commanding presence,
and one who would be equal to any
emergency, but she seemed to me to
be only a child in years and ex-
perience.
Il have ordered up my baggage, "
she said, with child like simplicity,
"and l have brought my little
melodeon with me. | thought it
might be useful -
Sure enough, when her luggage
came and the box containg the in
strument was opened, she took out
the smallest melodeon | ever saw.
"What shall | do with that dear
little child from Rhode Island and
her little melodeon ?" | said to my
secretary, Mary Shelton, now Mrs.
Judge Houston, OF Burlington, la.
But she could not solve the problem.
When the heavy work OF the day
was through, weary and full of care
and anxiety, we joined Miss Billings
in the parlor. After some conver.
sat1on she said
"Would you like to have me play
and sing p"
We assented, and she sat down at
the instrument and began to play
and sing.
We were amazed and charmed. 1t
seemed as though the curtains OF
heaven were lifted and the songs OF
an angel were floating down upon
us.
The tones of the little melodeon