General Grant, who had been laying siege to Vicksburg, had captured that stronghold on the Fourth of July, 1863. Then came the surrender of Fort Hudson and the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout4 Mountain and Missionary5 Ridge6.
Grant in 1864 was made Lieutenant-General and placed in command of all the armies of the United States. Early in May he led the Army of the Potomac across the Rapidan toward Richmond. For six weeks he tried to get between Lee’s army and Richmond without success. In this fruitless effort he fought the battles of the Wilderness8, North Anna, Bethesda Church and Gold Harbor, losing 40,000 men. Then he moved his whole army south of the James and laid siege to Petersburg.
The burning of Chambersburg by the Confederates 173 and the valor9 of General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, with Admiral Farragut’s achievements at sea, completed the notable events of 1864.
In the fall of 1864 Sherman began his march to the sea, which was unique in modern warfare10, and was completely successful. The last campaign began in the spring of 1865. On April 1, 1865, Petersburg was evacuated11, the union Army entered Richmond on the 2d. On the 9th of April came the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox, which was the practical end of the war. Long before this the Sisters of Charity felt that their work was drawing to a close. In the meantime, however, their services were being utilized12 in the West. Colonel Ware13, who was then in command of the prisons of that section, applied14 to the Bishop15 of Alton, Ill., for the Sisters of Charity to attend the prisoners at Alton. Accordingly, Bishop Yonker applied to the Sister servant of St. Philomena’s School, St. Louis. One of the Sisters was at that time in St. Louis at the Gratiot State Prison Hospital. She received a dispatch from Father Burlando to go to Alton and take with her three Sisters. They started early the next morning, March 15, 1864, and reached Alton in twenty-four hours. There they were met by Father Harty, who conducted them to the residence of a gentleman, a member of the City Council.
Colonel Ware soon called to see them and accompanied them to the prison, which had been formerly16 called the Illinois State Penitentiary17. It had been vacated before the war for a more commodious18 and healthy locality. Before reaching the main entrance the Sisters had to ascend19 a very rugged20 road, well protected by guards. Here a residence would have been provided for them, but they 174 did not think it safe or prudent21 to accept it. They passed through the yard, which was crowded with prisoners, numbering four thousand Confederates and one thousand Federals, the latter being confined there for desertion and through follies22 committed in camp. The two parties were separated, except in the hospital. The poor sick were so delighted to see the Sisters that they could scarcely contain themselves.
It is said that the men died in this hospital at the rate of from six to ten a day. The place was too small for the number of inmates23, who were all more or less afflicted24 with diseases. Some were wounded, other a prey25 to despondency, typhoid fever and the smallpox; consequently the atmosphere of the prison was very foul26. Fortunately the smallpox cases were removed to an island in the Mississippi as soon as discovered. The Sisters made arrangements with Colonel Ware to visit the sick twice a day. As there were no accommodations for the Sisters to remain in the prison they returned to the residence of Councilman Wise, who had so kindly27 received them in the morning. He could not accommodate them, but procured29 lodgings30 for them in the house of his sister, where they remained for nearly six weeks. On their return to the prison the next day the Sisters found written orders from the Government. They also met there the attending physicians, who appeared glad to see them and said that they hoped soon to see an improvement in the condition of the sufferers, who had been heretofore much neglected. The Sisters were informed that four of the patients had died during the previous night. A place was allotted31 to them to prepare drinks and nourishment32 for the sick. It was an old workshop, and the floors were in such a 175 condition that the Sisters were continually in danger of falling through. The attendants, who were prisoners, were exceedingly kind and obliging, so much so that they would even anticipate the wishes of the Sisters.
Two weeks had scarcely elapsed before the sick began to improve. The doctors acknowledged a change for the better, saying that there were fewer deaths, and that despondency had nearly disappeared. A look of commiseration33 or a word of encouragement soon made these poor victims feel that they were cared for at least by the lowly children of St. Vincent. The Sisters visited the Federal Guards Hospital and the smallpox island hospital at the request of Colonel Ware. They visited the Federal Guards Hospital once a day and the smallpox island hospital once a week, but even that consoled the poor patients, as the Sisters provided them with delicacies34 and nourishment they mostly craved35.
On the 1st of May the Sisters took possession of a house belonging to St. Joseph’s, Emmittsburg, that had been previously36 occupied as a school, but was then vacated. They were now one mile distant from the prison, and an ambulance was sent daily to convey them to and fro.
On July 1 they were notified that their services were no longer required at the prison. They could do nothing until the superiors were acquainted with their situation. Meanwhile the citizens were anxious to have them remain in Alton and convert their house into a hospital. They soon received a letter from the venerated37 Mother Ann Simeon, giving permission to open a civil hospital for the citizens of Alton. One of the Sisters was sent to 176 St. Joseph’s Hospital, Alton, to wait on the sick and wounded soldiers from the battle of Winchester. There was one man in the ward7 who was nicknamed “Blue Beard,” from his ferocious38 manners and large mustache. He would never ask for anything nor take anything offered to him. One day when he was being urged to take some nourishment he replied:
“Sister, I do not wish for anything that you have. There is only one thing, and that I do not think you can procure28 for me.”
The Sister inquired what it was and assured him that if it were in her power she would get it for him. He then replied:
“Sister, I should like to have a lily. I think it would do me so much good.”
The wish was a strange one, nevertheless she at once determined39 to gratify him, which the kindness of a friend enabled her to do. This little act of kindness was not without effect, and from that time the man had a high regard for the Sisters.
At the termination of the war, in 1865, the prisoners received their discharge. It was sad to see the streets of the city lined with the ragged40 and distressed41 looking men. The sick were brought to St. Joseph’s Hospital, which was soon filled. The Sisters gave the soldiers the very best attention and consideration, and within a few months the majority of the men were enabled to return to their homes and families.
The little band of Sisters who had been laboring42 in Frederick City, Md., from 1862 to 1864 certainly did their share in caring for helpless humanity. They were kept 177 actively43 employed in Frederick City during the summer and autumn of 1862. They found then that their work was not nearly done. The winter set in with heavy rains and deep snow, to which they were constantly exposed. The poor patients had likewise much to suffer from the badly constructed buildings. The wind, rain and snow penetrated44 through the crevices45, leaving the poor men in a most uncomfortable condition. This was called to the attention of the chief surgeon, who immediately gave orders for the dilapidated barracks to be repaired as much as possible.
MULVANEY’S “SHERIDAN’S RIDE.”
Some of the soldiers were quite amusing with their grateful intentions. A Sister was asked one day whether she ever wore any other color but gray or black, “for,” he continued, “I wish to present Sister Agnes with a new dress; she has been so truly good to me.”
The soldiers seemed to have the greatest confidence in the Sisters, whose advice they preferred before that of the physicians. General Hunter had now received command of the Shenandoah Valley. He visited the hospital and issued an order that all the prisoners should be placed by themselves in separate barracks entirely46 apart from the union men. Soon after the United States surgeon in charge of the hospital inspected all the barracks and found one filled with Confederates and with no Sister to take charge of them. The sufferings of these poor men touched him so much that he immediately went to the Sister servant and requested her to send a Sister from a ward of the union soldiers to take care of the Confederates. The patience of these poor sufferers was the admiration47 of all. A worthy48 clergyman once remarked 178 that in his visits to the hospital he was always edified49 by their resignation. He said he had never heard the least murmur50 escape their lips, and commenting upon this he remarked: “I think the intensity51 of their pain, both mentally and physically52, might, if offered in unison53, expiate54 the sins of their whole life.”
About this time the leaders of the Southern Confederacy began to realize that the clouds were gathering55 about them and that their cause was hanging in the balance, if indeed it was not already destined56 to failure. They resolved to concentrate their hospital facilities in and around the city of Richmond, Va. The Sisters who had been doing work upon the various battlefields in the South were summoned to the Southern Capital. The Sisters had served at Harper’s Ferry, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg and White House, Va.
Those who were located in Richmond at this time began to feel “in their bones” that the fall of the city was imminent57. They were right. The long expected event occurred in April, 1865. Jefferson Davis, the President of the Southern Confederacy, was at worship in an Episcopal church when he was handed a telegram telling him that Richmond must be evacuated. He presented a calm exterior58, but bad news is hard to conceal59, and the exact situation was soon noised about the city. The wildest excitement prevailed. Men, women and children rushed hither and thither60, knowing not what to do or where to go. Finally their frenzy61 assumed a decisive shape and a general evacuation of the city began. The Sisters, who constituted the calmest portion of the population, looked on the scene with mild amazement62. 179
The City Councils met and with the general interests of the people in view determined to destroy all the liquor in Richmond. This work was begun at midnight and before the first gray streaks63 of dawn revealed the terror-stricken city to the public gaze the streets and gutters64 were running with veritable lakes of whisky, wine and beer. Many of the soldiers and some of the residents balked65 the good intentions of the Councils by drinking the liquor, and then scenes of drunken revelry were added to the general confusion. Thieves broke loose, houses were robbed, public buildings were fired and bridges leading from the city were destroyed.
Notwithstanding the foresight66 of the authorities on the coming defeat, its arrival was most appalling67. Medical stores, commissary departments and other houses were thrown open. The city was troubled from the blowing up of the gunboats in the river. The Sisters were preparing to go to Mass early in the morning when suddenly a terrific explosion stunned68, as it were, the power of thought. The noise of the breaking of windows in the hospitals and neighboring buildings added greatly to the alarm. The Sisters soon learned that the Confederates had blown up their supplies of powder which were very near the hospital buildings; then followed an explosion of all the Government buildings.
After the surrender a Federal officer rode up to the door of the Sisters’ house and told them they were perfectly69 safe, their property would be respected and that he would send a special guard to protect their house. No resistance was shown to the union troops. The city was placed under military rule and General G. F. Shepley made 180 Governor. One thousand prisoners were found in the city and five thousand sick and wounded were in the hospitals. The prisoners were set free and the Sisters with joy hailed the peace that was once again to dawn on a blood-washed land. They remained in Richmond until the sick and wounded were able to quit the hospitals and then returned home to Emmitsburg, followed by the gratitude70 and blessings of the men of both armies.
The soldiers who were in the Washington hospitals also returned to their homes impressed with the kindest feelings toward the Sisters. The officers and doctors all concurred71 in expressing unlimited72 confidence in them. Printed placards were hung in all the wards73, reading: “All articles for the use of the soldiers here are to be placed in the care of the Sisters of Charity, as also papers, books and clothing.”
Early in the summer of 1865 the Sisters took their departure and the hospital was permanently74 closed. Another hospital in Washington began its operations in March, 1865, and closed in October of the same year. The Sisters were placed in charge, and, since their customs and calling were known, did not experience as much annoyance75 as in the beginning of the war.
The house was well filled with the sick and wounded. During the month of July the Jesuit Fathers were giving a jubilee76 at their church in the city of Washington and many of the convalescents attended.
The officers of the hospital expressed much gratitude for all that had been done by the Sisters. The first surgeon was at a loss to know how to put his satisfaction into words, saying that the Sisters of Charity had marvelously 181 lessened77 the cares of the physicians and surgeons in all of the hospitals in which they served.
This concludes the story of the work done by the Sisters of Charity of Emmittsburg from the beginning to the close of the war. While they were at work, however, the Sisters belonging to branches of the order and to other orders were not idle, as will be seen by the chapters that follow.
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1
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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smallpox
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| n.天花 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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evacuated
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| 撤退者的 | |
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utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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commodious
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| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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20
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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21
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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23
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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26
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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27
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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28
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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42
laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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44
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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45
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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46
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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47
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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48
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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49
edified
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| v.开导，启发( edify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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51
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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52
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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53
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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54
expiate
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| v.抵补，赎罪 | |
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55
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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56
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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57
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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58
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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60
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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61
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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63
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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64
gutters
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| （路边）排水沟( gutter的名词复数 )； 阴沟； （屋顶的）天沟； 贫贱的境地 | |
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65
balked
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| v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑 | |
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66
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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67
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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68
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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69
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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concurred
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| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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73
wards
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| 区( ward的名词复数 )； 病房； 受监护的未成年者； 被人照顾或控制的状态 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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76
jubilee
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| n.周年纪念；欢乐 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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