The Irish standard., 1915-07-24

NSOuIluueO from page IL
Springs, Oxford, Jackson and Shelby
Springs.
Mother Augustine McKenna went
from New York with Meagher's Irish
Brigade, and her services were rem
dered lmpartially to both sides, all the
suffering soldiers of whatever condi.
ton or creed receiving a share in her
gentle ministrations.
In the autumn of 1862, on applica.
ton of the authorities at Washington
Sisters OF Mercy were assigned to the
stanton Hospital, where their labors
were unceasing and most arduous
NUMBERS OF wounded being brought in
day and night. When their services
were no longer required in Stanton
Hospltal, the Sisters of Mercy went
TO the Western Pennsylvania Hosnita1
where they remained until circum.
stances called them to Douglas Hos.
pltal In Washington. Sister M. Col
lette oConnor was in charge, and
was revered by all who came in con.
tact with her. She died in service at
the hospital and was given military
honors.. 1t was during the stav of the
Sisters at Stanton Hospital. thew
were honored by a visit from presi.
qeht Lincoln, who spent some time
with them, complimenting them on tho
order and cleanliness of the place. tho
comfort and relief they had given the
wounded.
The names of Mother Francis "a
native of 1reland), who labored in
Chicago and Missouri, among the
wounded on the battlefields and
among the prisoners, and who after.
wards organized band of volunteer
nurses to minister to the sick and
wounded ON Southern battlefelds; and
the lrish-born Mother Augustine Nc.
kenna, who was veritable angel of
light and mercy throughout the course
OF the war. will long be remembered
by both Union and Confederate SOL
diers.
Hundreds of Sisters of Mercy from
pittsburgh, New York, and Baltimore
served during the entire war, and
after the war they cared for thousands
Of orphans.
In January of 1862, there came a
request from Surgeon General Henry
RI. Smith, of the State of Pennsvl.
vania, to Rev. Mother St. John of the
Mt. st. Joseph's Convent, Chestnut
Hill, Philadelphia, asking that a mum.
Der OF the Sisters of st. Joseph might
be sent to serve the soldiers in Camp
Curtin, Harrisburg. Actuated by the
sentiments Of religion, Mother Monica
Pue took three sisters with her and
commenced her work among the 5000
soldiers then housed in the temporary
hospital. The surgeon general was
enthusiastic in his praise of these
gentle women whose presence and
nursing meant so much.
AT Fortress Monroe, the next scene
or their labors, the nine sisters de.
tailed for service, went on board the
two floating hospitals, the 'Whillden'
and the Commodore On MAY 9Th,
IN company with the Surgeon General
and his assistants, three of the sis.
ters went down the James River to
bring up the wounded from York
towns battlefield. On reaching the
port of Philadelphia, the sisters
stayed with the wounded until all had
been removed to hospitals of that
city, when they returned to receive
the wounded from the battle fought
near Richmond. When no longer
needed, they returned to their convent.
None of the Orders numbered more
eitlcient or devoted nurses than did
that of the Holy Cross, under the able
direction of Mother Angela, whose
family name was Gillespie. She was a
cousin of the illustrious James Gil.
lespie Blaine and was also related to
Generals Sherman and Erving.
Mother Angela, with Sisters Fer.
dinand, Josephine and others, were in
charge of hospitals at Mound City,
Cairo, and Paducah. Although she
was In charge, Mother Angela gave
personal attention to the patients and
on several historic occasions, she
waited on Confederate and Union sol.
dters at the same time. 1t was during
the period marked by her services
that Pope Plus TX sent a donation of
$4,000 for the relief Of the sick and
wounded.
The main body Of the Sisters of
Charity were not alone in their de-
votion to the sick and wounded sol
diers. During the trying days be-
tween 1851 and 1866. no body Of men