The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-10-07
Arr Ny NURSES in FORCE |
Ne rly a Hundred Expected
to Meet in Washington.
ANTEDATEs THE GRAND ARMY
Only One Survivor of the Organization
Formed in Philadelphia
in 1869.

The National Association of Army
Nurses, which has it's headquarters at
the Bancroft, is rapidly gathering It's
forces. Owing to delays in transporta-
tion, many of the Western members
who were due yesterday will not arrive
until today, and consequently 1t Is still
uncertain how large the assembly Will
be. 1t is expected, however, that there
will be at least seventy five OF these
genuine war veterans on hand. and the
number may reach hundred, as thus
far many have come who made no
promises to that effect.
This association antedstes even the
G. A. R., the first Association OF Army
Nurses having been formed in Phila-
delphia in 1869. with thirty-five mem
bers from all parts Of the Union. vi
these the only survivor is Mrs. Emily
L. Woodley. who was personally &C
auainted with Grant. Sherman. Sheri-
dan. Hancock, Meade, and other famous
Union generals, and shared the for
tunes of the Armies Of the West. the
Cumberland. the Potomac. and the
lanes in turn. She is still active,
however, and says: Il want the boys
to know I'm still alive
Revived in 1895.
| In 1895 there was REORGANIZATION Vi
this association in Louisville, KY, and
| it was greatly enlarged. From oeing
merely local organization OF Pennsyi-
vania IT became national association,
and was given it's present name. Inc
association formed in Philadelphia was
however. the first organized EFFORT to
hand together survivors of the civil
war,
! 1,l,,re NAV or may not have been
| something in the experience OF army
nursing which conduced to long lie ana
a superabundance of energy, but certain
| it is that the army nurses quaftereo al
the Bancroft show a serenity. combined
| with vigor, which many younger women
might envy. Among the members Of the
association are many who have beer
through trying experiences, indeed, ou'
/ thew are all enthusiastic, and alert as
crickets.
Some Notable Nurses.
Among those who will arrive today Is
Mrs. Elmira p. Spencer, Of Oswego, N
Y, who is eighty-four years old, was
wounded during her service, and ma:
been Obliged TO go on crutches ever since
the close of the war Mrs. Spencer, will
Molly Pitcher and Clara Barton. enjoys
an unusual honor, that of having hel
bust placed in the state house at Al
bany. Another notable member OF the
association is Mrs. Haskell. Of Calves
ton. who. for distinguished services II
connection with railroad disaster, u
entitled to free pass over any railroad
in the United States as long as sh'
lives.
Several of the veterans are affection
ately called by their given names, al
Aunt Becky" Young. of Iowa. whose
: real name is Mrs. Sarah Young, bu
who was dubbed Aunt Becky" by hel
patients during her hospital days, ant
, has never answered to any other name
since. Another AUNT" Is Aunt Rachel
Harris, colored nurse.
Machinery of Society.
: The machinery of the association II
simple, and it's officers are few. but i
has national president, Mrs. Della A
, B. Fay, of New York, and secretary
! Miss Kate NJ Scott, of Pennsylvania
The press arrangements are in charge o
l Mrs. Libbey NJ Porter, OF this city. Mrs
Porter wears, in especial honor OF thu
Grand Army encampment, the red eros
; badge with which she was decorated b.
kClara Barton as special mark OF homo
some years ago.
!, The association will hold reception
e at Mother Bickerdyke Tent at i p m
today, and Will take part at O'Clock II
the reunion of women's patriotic or
. ders in Farragut Tent, Camp Roosevelt
Its convention and reception Will n
held on Thursday at the Washington
Club, ITO Street northwest.