New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-28
A GETTYSBJRG HEROINE.
HOW BOARDING SCHOOL WAS TURNED
INTO A HOSPITAL. WITH TEACHER
AND GIRLS AS NURSES

HOW BOARDlNG-SCHOOL WAS TURNED
INTO A HOSPITAL. WITH TEACHER
AND GIRLS AS NURSES
An Interesting story revived by the present war
comes to-day from Pennsylvania. II relates to the
hero,sm displayed by d young woman school teach
AT the fateful battle OF Gettysburg.
At the time when Lees army about to In
wade Pennsylvania Miss Carrie sheads at the
head of a school called Oakrldge Seminary which
situated little west OF tho village Of Gettys-
burg The battle began on Seminary Ridge. the
side OF the town where Miss sheads had her school
on the evening OF June 20 Bufords army csmped
on the Chambersburg Pike. about two hundred
yards from the seminary. This naturally led 10
much excitement among the Young women and
Miss Sheads told them that the morrow they
might have a holiday 10 visit the camp and
tribute what they could for the comfort OF the
tired and hungry men AS is often the case. the
best aid schemes O. mice and gang aft a
cey." and the next morning ushered in with
the boom Of cannon and the rattle of shot and
shell
As the battle raging within few hundred
yards OF the door. the buildings OF the Oakridge
Seminary were naturally used hospitals. and
Carrie shcads was in II day transformed from the
principal OF young woman's seminary the
matron and head nurse OF Army hospital. Her
girl pupils made efficient corps OF helpers
though nursing had not been a part OF their currc-
u.um
After much pressure Howard who took com
mand after Reynolds's death. gave the command
TO fall back toward Seminary Ridge. Reluctantly
the mon obeyed the order and slowly fell back but
true 70 the gallant and courageous spirit left by
Reynolds they contested every inch of ground. and
put In confusion by the furious charges
and wild huzZas made by the enemy in effort
them and them flight
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Wheelock, with the
remains OF the 9th New York Infantry,
/ OF the last TO icave the field. Arriving the
grounds Of the Oakrldge Seminary. he found every
/ avenue or escape closed. finding all efforts use
less. ne borrowed large white sheet of the semi
nary and waved II as a token OF surrender.
/ Thoroughly exhausted he entered the house 10
men. who demanded hts sword. This was refused
and an attempt made by Colonel Wheelock TO
break II and 10y the Conf, derate officer 70 seize H.
In the struggle the Confederate was about shoot
! TO surrender and warning the Confederate not 10
commit murder The COlOnels unyiedlng reply
was: This sword given me by my friends for
meritorious conduct and promised 70 guard Il
sacredy and never surrender or disgrace II; and
never will while live
Soon the Confederates attention called Of
disputed weapon in the folds OF her skirt Upon
the Confederate's return Wheelock said that he
was ready 10 surrender as his sword was In
safe hands. and so he fell in with the other men
Five days after the battle Colonel Wheelock sud
denly appeared. explaining that in crossing some
marsh and he had escaped. and with great din.
Guilty made his way back The sword was returned
70 him. and after expressing his sincere thanks he
went again the front TO win new laure!s, and
to die in January 1866 OF camp fever.
While the battle was raging It's nercest Miss
Sheads and her girls remained unterrihed. caring
FOR the great number OF wounded which filed their
halls and rooms But the exposure and the excite
ment proved too much FOR a woman's physical
valid as the consequence OF her bravery AT the bat
tie OF Gettysburg.