Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-10-26
sweetheart and child, to home and
heaven.
An Army Nurse.


Among the hundreds who devoted
themselves to the care of the sick sol
diers during the Civil War, the name
of Mother" Bickerdyke stands pre-
eminent. Galesburg, Illinois, has hon
ored her memory by monument.
Many stories, In which the humorous
and the heroic are delightfully."- mingled,
are told Of this faithful woman, to
whom no service for her "hoys" was
too hard. Some Of these anecdotes are
given by Mrs. Llvermore in her STORY
of the War"
Mother Bickerdyke, more than any
other person, assisted in reforming the
badly managed hospitals Of certain 10
calities- There was nothing she would
not do for her sick and the soldiers
reciprocated her affection heartily. 1--WE
shall all die now," they said, dolefully,
on one occasion when she left her post
for another place. Every man saluted
the homely figure, clad in calico and
wearing a Shaker bonnet
Mother" however, was no mildman-
nered saint. She dearly loved her own
way, and she usually got it. She had
sublime disregard for red tape which
sometimes carried her into trouble.
At one time she was In charge OF
fleld-hospital which was horribly cold.
1t was night, and wounded, half-frozen
men were being brought IN. Mother
Bickerdyke, without consulting any
one, tore down the breastworks OF the
post and built huge fires. This unauth-
orized proceeding was reported to the
commander of the post. He saw its
wisdom, but discipline had to be main
tained, and in the morning he sought
out the nurse.
Mother" he said, you must con
slider yourself under arrest"
"All right, major" she replied, as
she flew past him with Il big bowl of
not drink. "All right. I'm arrested,
but don't NEEDLE with me until the
weather moderates, for my men will
freeze If you do"
A negligent surgeon who had been
scolded by Mother Bickerdyke com
planned to General Sherman Of an I'M
just discharge.
"Who was your accuser?" asked the
general.
'"rhat spiteful old woman, Mother
Bickerdyke."
"Oh, we'll, If 1t was she can't help
you," was the reply. "She has more
power than l. She outranks me-"
Mother" was famous for her care.
full use of sanitary stores. Once, sus'
pecting the hospital help of stealing,
she "dcctored" lot Of stewed peaches
with tartar emetic and left them on the
kitchen table In the night there Were
sounds of severe suffering. Cooks,
table walters, stewards, yard masters
and even some of the surgeons were
numbered among the victims.
In the midst of them, like a Nemesis
walked Mother Bickerdyke. Peaches
don't seem to agree with you," she re,
marked, grimly.
In later years Mother Beckerdyke at.
tended the Soldiers Convention held at
Topeka. When she entered the build
ing great shout greeted her. In vain
order was called.
Mother Bickerdyke is herew cried
the soldiers, crowding about her. Gray
headed men kissed her, weeping, willis
the tears ran down her cheeks.
The "boys" she had tended were
eager to make her gift, but the good
old lady refused. "They have all they
can do to make a living for themselves"
she said
AS long as she lived, this old army
nurse was remembered by the grateful
hundreds she had cared for, and FIRE.
quent letters and gifts from them
cheered her old age.