The times., 1897-07-18

complete her education, attending Oberiin
College and working for her board. Later
she moved to Cincinnati and volunteered
as a nurse IN one OF the city hospitals dur
ing the seige Of cholera in 1897. Here she
acquired that knowledge of medicine and
skin in nursing which made her services
OF such great vaIae in after years. She was
married at Cincinnati In I647 10 RoheTt
Bickerdyks, q musician who was mem
Der Of the eorchestTa that played with Jenny
Lind Cn Ter trip through this country Two
s9ns were born to them-James r. and
Hiram. the former now being prominent
contractor IN Montana. In 1856 Mr.. and
oontrsctor in Montana. In 1856 Mr and
Mrs Bickerdyke moved 20 Galesburg
Mrs. Blckerdyke was practicing physi-
clan at Galesburg when the war broke out
letter from DR. Woodward, surgeon of
the Twent y-Second Illinois Infantry, which
she heard read III church, induced her 10
go to the front as n nurse. She gath
cred a store OF supplies and proceeded 20
the resiuental hospital at Cairo, where
everything was in confusiOn-a situation
which she soon relieved after several heated
controversies with the officers in command.
On November Z, 1861 following the battle
Of Belmont, she was appointed matron Of
the large post hospital at Cairo, and all
the hospital stores sent by the people OF
Illinois were given to her trustworthy care.
After the battle Of Fort Donelson, she
went from Cairo OF the first boat, TO
assist IN the removal OF the wounded TO
the hospita ais at Cairo, Peducah. and
Mound City she followed the army TO
PittsburG Landing, where 5000 wounded
men were to he cared for; and from thence
to Iuk3 and Corinth, Miss where she
was given charge OF the military hospitals.
The same experience was repeated at
other points in the South, the accom-
pIshed nurse alternating between the
field hospitals and those esta blished in
tie large cities of the North. She was
the accredited agent of the Chicago Sani-
tary Commission, and also received and
distributed the bulk OF the supplies con-
tributed by thecommisstoDS OF Indiana polls,
Cincinnati and st. Louis Gen. Grant
gave hel a pass which would take her any
where within the lines of his department.
The pass was renewed as his authority
extended, and the following is a copy
ri the last one issued, which wus in force
until the close OF the war:
headquarters Military Division OF the
Mississippi, Nashville, Tenn, Febru-
ary Il, S64.
Guards, pickets and military authorities
generally VIII pass Mrs. NJ. A Bickerd yke +,
agent United States sanitary commission
TO ana from any point within this military
division.
Military railroads and chartered ste anne RS
In government service viii at all times
furnish her iree trans portatlon-
This pass to remain IN fun force until
a hp q lfrFlsgT Trp
u :. GRANT.
w. X BUwLEY
Masor and Provost Marshal General.
The faithful camp angel wa swith sher
mans army at yickshurg rgaad Jackson, Miss.
aud in the campaign about Chattanooga.
Hardly had thebattle of Mission Ridge bee
fought before she had established a hos
pital at the ba Sc Of TIA mountain where sh.
received and cAredf0r neaFly2. 900 wound
ed men. She was the only woman at work
there for thirty lays following the battle
From Chattanooga she went to Huntsville
Ala. where the old residence OF John C
Calhoun became herheadquarters. She Wa
at Beaufort, n. c, where Lee finally sur
rendered his army to Grant. After peace
had been declared she prnce eeded to Wash
fngton, and on the dayof the grand re V ie "
the now famous nurse, mounted dpon
glossy saddle horse, but we airing a sinpl,
calico dress and sun bonnet was con
spieHous figure in the throng that ati gath
cred from all parts OF the country TO wit
ness the pageant OF victory. Her services
as army nurse closed at Camp Butler
Spring gficld. H., March, 1866, when III,
last Illinois troops were mustered out
For year after the close of the war Mrs.
Btckerdyke served as housekeeper in tin
Chicago Home for the Frendless In 1867