The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-09
SHE OUTRANKED SHERMAN.
A Monument Now Honors Dear Old
War Nurse, Mother Rickerdyke.
CYouth's CompanionO

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, Ill, has just honored her
memory by a monument Many sto-
ries. in which the humorous and the
heroic are delightfully."- mingled, are
told of this faithful woman, TO whom
no service for her boys" was too hard.
Some of these anecdotes are given by
Mrs. Livermore 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. We
shall all die now" they said. dOlefully.
on one occasion. when she left her post
for another place. Every man saluted
her homely figure. clad in calico and
wearing a Shaker bonnet.
Mother, however. was no mild-man-
ncred saint. She dearly loved her own
way, and she usually got it. She had a
sublime disregard for red tape which
sometimes carried her into trouble.
At one time she was i'm charge of
field 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 breastwoTks Of the post
and built huge fires. This unauthorized
proceeding was reported TO the COM
mander of the post. He saw its wis
dom, but discipline had to be main
tanned. and i'm 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 a big bowl of
hot 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 or an I'M
just discharge.
who was your accuser?" asked the
general.
THAT spiteful old woman, Mother
Bickerdyke."
''Oh, well, if it was she can't help
you" was the reply. she has more
power than I. She outranks me-"
Mother was famous for her careful
use of sanitary stores. Once, suspect
ing the hospital help of stealing, she
"dOCtOred" lot of stewed peaches with
tai ldtl Nlil-liG anu iClN AIlEtti on iIlS
kitchen table. In the night there were
sounds Of severe suffering. Cooks, ia
bic walters, stewards, ward 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
remarked, grimly.
In later years Mother Bickerdyke at
tended the soldiers convention held at
Topeka. When she entered the building
a great shout greeted her. In vain or
der was called.
Mother Bickerdyke is here" cried
the soldiers, crowding about her. Gray
headed men kissed her, weeping, while
the tears ran down her cheeks.
The boys" she had tended were
eager to make her a gift, but the good
Old lady refused. They have all they
can do to make a living for them
selves" she said.
As long as she lived this old army
nurse was remembered by the grateful
hundreds she had cared for, and fre-
quent letters and gifts from them
cheered her old age.