Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-16
Our HOSPITAL NunsEs.

children. and the sculptors of antiquity
have left US no more beautiful statue.
OUR HOSPITAL NURSES.
The hospital nurses were largely women
and mostly ladies.
What they did is recorded in tho book
Of life" but mortal pen would fan TO de-
pict their loving service amidst the nor
rors of military hospitals near the battle.
fields. The food was generally prepared
by private families; delicate breads,
stroug broths. or ounces of the precious
real tea and coffee" were daily taken IN
baskets. ana tho soothing voices OF the
nurses could be heard whispering hopes OF
victory and home or murmunng comfort
ing texts from the Scripture, while the
sufferers were fed on cooling lotions poured
upon the dressing of their wounds.
| wish il were possible 10 give the names
of those devoted women who ministered
to tho wounded. soothcd the dying. and
received the little tokens and last mes
sages for their absent families. The lIst
would be too long hero. but their names
are household words IN every southern
hcsSe-and when shall their glory fadef >
row defeat WAS BORNE.
How can iustice be rendered 70 the
wives of the common soldIcrsY On these
women fell the burden OF deprivation un-
beard of. In silence they sowed and
reaoed the land. clothed and tended their
children. buried them when they sank un-
der want and exposure. or themselves ieid
down in solitude and died.
IL was the exception when the men IN
the field knew the trials TO which their
wives were subjected. The women were
vocal in hope, silent in despair. The
wives of the common soldier labored and
sorrowed without the expectation OF
earthly honor or cci1i. For If tho men OF
their household persisted in battle 1t was
only collective glory" acquired, for ths
army. for their cause. not for themselves;
a nameless grave their share.
When the last cad days Of the struggle
drew nigh and every heart was cast down
the women were the most cheerful.
When the young and old non-combat-
ants were summoned to man the trenches
there were no tears and replnings.. such
preparations rs were practicable for the
comfort of the aged or inhrm citizen
guards were quietly made. and the men
were dispatched with az much cheer as
trembling lips could summon.
At last, when General Lees hali-staryed
army must be Withdrawn from before the
overwhelming force Of the enemy, he sent
an officer TO inform Mr.. DAVIS OF tho fact.
The message was delivered In st. Pauls
church during morning service, whore the
President had gone TO pray tor DIS peopIe:
The congregation OWNED the purport OF
the dispatch. and though they expected as
the outcome Of il that their homes would
be burned and the city laid waste, there
was no panic-no plea for protection. The
women gathered about Mr.. DAVIS and
SAID: Leave Us 10 our fate If You can
save the country. Perhaps some time you
may win Nchmopd back; but If not. we
know you have done your best, and you
mus. not grIeYe over us"
In this spirit our women met defeat.
starvation labor. humiliation, and all the
heartr0ndiug conditions OF "recOnstruc-
ton"
The placid. gfay-hairod matrons Of to-
dav have covered with a decorous pride
the scars Of that dread struggle hut they
a-e re- less veteran conquerors IN mortal
conflict IN which every noble aspiration
and human effort was called forth and an
sweIed with q cheerful al sum.
Y. JEFfEBsoN DAVIS.
ECGur0ir House, Kigs