The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-08-07

Much additional data relative to
those who served as nurses during the
Civil War has been gathered, in con-
nection with the Memorial to be erect
ed by the Ladies' Auxiliary to the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, to the
"Nun of the ttlefield"-namely:
A list of names has been taken from
the roster of the Houston Street Con-
vent Of Mercy of New York. From
the Annals of the Convent of these Sis
ters, some facts have been cleaned con-
cerning the Civil War and the part
the Sisters took therein. On June
18th, 1861, the Secretary of War at
Washington applied to the Vicar Cen
eral of the Diocese, through General
Foster, U. S. A., for Sisters to take
charge of the Military Hospital at
Beaufort, N. c. Father STAIRS ex-
pressed his wish to Mother Madeline,
then Superior of the Community, that
the Sisters of Mercy should answer
the call. Reverend Mother and Coun-
Gil determined the noble work should
be undertaken and generous re-
sponse from the Community was the
result. The time of annual retreat
was that year anticipated, and the
eminent Jesuit, Rev. F. Driscoll, know
ing the arduous work to be under
taken by the Sisters, surpassed him
self in zeal and earnestness giving
the exercises.
After prayers and grave delibera-
tions, the Sisters who were to go to
the new field of labor were appointed
only those perfectly willing and hav-
ing the necessary qualifications select
ed for the work. Sister Mary Eliza
beth Callanen was named Local Supe-
rior-and she was to be assisted by
Sisters M. Paul Lennon, M. Gertrude
Ledwithe, an English Sister of Mercy
who had been affiliated to the New
York Community; Sister M. Augustine
McKenna, Sister M. Paula Harris,
Choir Professed; Sisters Veronica
Dimond and Agatha Mccarthy, Lay
Professed. Reverend Mother Madeline
and Mother M. Alphonsus decided to
accompany the Sisters in order to see
that all agreements should be faithfully
carried out. Rev. Father Bruhl was
appointed Chaplain, but in time he was
recalled, and his place taken by Rev.
Father Willet, S. J.
The party was to sail on July 18th
on the government ship Cahawba, but
were unavoidably detained until the
following day-which was the Feast
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-a beau
tiful day to inaugurate the great work.
When the Sisters reached the Hos
pital, as it was called, conditions were
anything but encouraging-dirt and
disorder everywhere. No food pala-
table for the wounded soldiers, no
medicines; in fact, the essentials for
the sick room entirely wanting. After
preparing room as Chapel, where
Holy Mass could be celebrated and
Spiritual Exercises held, the Sisters
began the labor of putting things to
rights. Their trials were many, but
borne with bright joyous spirit. The
poor wounded ones, who could not at
first understand what kind of ladies
they were, soon learned to love and
respect them. Finding nothing forth
coming to supply the wants, DR.. Uphan
and Staff were called in consultation
The Sisters made known the needs
of the patients and what was neces
sary for them to have in order tC
carry out the work given them to do
DR.. Uphan stated that he had appealed
to Washington, but without result
A list was made and sent to the Wal
Department-and it was also arranged
that the entire direction of the Hos
pital, with the exception of the Medi
cal Department should be under tht
control of the Sisters. In a shor
time a steamer was seen making hel
way to the wharf. It brought all thai
was petitioned for, and from that time
conditions were much improved tt
the great joy of all concerned.
Many interesting anecdotes coult
be told, If time and space would per
NIT, but the Sisters never forgot tn
sight that met their eyes when tn,
wounded soldiers were brought il
after the attack on the town of Colds
boro by Genreal Foster in December
1862. Eight days had elapsed afte
the battle before the sufferers reached
the Hospital, and their condition wa
pitiable.
AS the Hospital at Beaufort wa
fast becoming uninhabitable, Mrs
Foster visited the Sisters and CAV
them an order from the General t
take possession of the Stanley Hous
at Newberne, which was accordingly
done, amid some trouble and littl
inconvenience. About this time tn
Sisters were submitted to an under
hand inspection by q Unitarian Minis
ter from Boston, who had been sen