JEFFERSON DAVIS.
In January, 1862, Dr. Henry H. Smith, Surgeon-General of the State of Pennsylvania, applied4 to Rev5. Mother St. John at the Mt. St. Joseph Convent, Chestnut6 Hill, Philadelphia, for Sisters to serve as nurses of the sick soldiers in Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, saying he had had experience of the Sisters’ efficiency in nursing while he attended at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Philadelphia, and felt they would be able to do good work at the State Capital.
Bishop Wood, to whom the Doctor had spoken of the matter, gave ready assent, and writing on the 22d of the same month, the Doctor speaks of the arrangements for the Sisters’ journey as having been effected, and adds: “The Doctor hopes the Sisters will not disappoint him. Whilst beset7 259 by applicants8, every female nurse has been refused, Dr. Smith being unwilling9 to trust any but his old friends, the Sisters of St. Joseph. There is a large field of usefulness, but it is to be properly cultivated only by those whose sense of duty will induce them to sacrifice personal comfort. The living is rough, the pay poor, and nothing but the sentiments of religion can render the nurses contented10.”
On January 23 three Sisters under the direction of Mother Monica Pue, went to Harrisburg, and on the following day the Surgeon-General took them to Camp Curtin Hospital, which he placed under their charge. At the camp there were then about three thousand militia11. The hospital was merely a temporary frame building, roughly put together, and to make the apartments at all habitable blankets and other such improvised12 tapestry13 had to be hung over the boards. The Sisters arrived at the hospital towards evening. They found that three matrons had been in charge, and with them a number of the soldiers acting14 as nurses. The reception accorded the Sisters was not at all cordial. One man had been given the charge of seeing to the Sisters’ wants, and, coming to them he asked what they wished to have for supper, saying: “I know that the discipline of the Church is bread and water, but I do not know what you ladies may want to have.” The Sisters replied that anything would do, and were shortly afterwards summoned to the table the nurses had just left in a most uninviting condition. The viands16 were left untasted, and the Sisters began to see what work was before them, and to arrange matters accordingly.
It was not long before the sick soldiers as well as those employed in the hospital began to feel the beneficial 260 effects of the Sisters’ care, and their efficiency in hospital administration; and the respectful attentions and military salutes17 of the men became almost oppressive. Bishop Wood paid several visits to the Sisters at the camp, and also to the Church Hospital, Harrisburg, where three Sisters, under charge of Sr. Mary John, afterward15 the Rev. Mother of the Community, took charge of the sick, who, among the arriving militia, were unable to proceed as far as the camp.
Finding themselves always addressed by the physicians as “Sisters of Charity” or “Mercy,” the Sisters drew the Surgeon-General’s attention to the misnomer18, but he replied that the name accorded with their work, and it would be no use in trying to explain to the doctors about the different orders. Hence in all newspaper reports and in various accounts of their work given at the time the Sisters were always mentioned as Sisters of Charity or Mercy, which they took as another sign that their patron, St. Joseph, desired them to labor19 as he had done, in silence and obscurity, unknown and unnoticed by the world.
On the 2d of February the Surgeon-General, after visiting the hospitals, wrote to Mother St. John: “I have found all the Sisters perfectly20 well, and with no complaints after their trial of the inconveniences and exposure attendant on military life. Already each hospital shows the blessing21 attendant on their presence. Everything is now neat, orderly and comfortable. Sr. P. is ‘Captain of the Ward’ in the camp hospital, and has a drummer boy to attend her. Sister C. in the kitchen is also in authority, and has a sentry22 at the kitchen door. * * * Sr. M. is ‘the Major,’ and commands the surgeons, keeping 261 them in good humor by her kind acts. All seem happy and contented, and the Governor and others speak frequently of the good move made in bringing them there. * * * At the Church Hospital Sister C. shines in the refectory, and everything is in excellent order.”
On the 18th of the same month the doctor called for more Sisters, adding, however, “Matters are so unsettled by the recent victories I am at a loss whether to send for extra help. There are rumors23 of closing the camp or rather of giving it up to the United States.”
What Dr. Smith had anticipated came to pass; the soldiers at Camp Curtin were called to the front, and the Sisters left the Church Hospital March 27, and Camp Curtin April 8, ’62. It was indeed touching24 to see the difference between the reception the men had given the Sisters on their coming and the feeling of sorrow that marked their parting with them. Many of the men sobbed25 aloud, and the Sisters themselves were deeply moved at the thought of how many, who were starting off in health and strength, would ere long meet a sad and painful death.
On the 14th of April, by order of Governor Curtin, the following letter was sent by Dr. Smith to Madam St. John, Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph:
“Madam:—During a period of several weeks, amidst the confusion of a constantly changing camp, and amidst an epidemic26 of measles27, with typhoid fever, etc., six of ‘The Sisters of St. Joseph,’ sacrificing all personal comfort, ministered faithfully and truly to the comfort and welfare of the sick. Neatness, order and efficient ministration immediately followed their arrival in the camp.
“Highly appreciating their valuable services and Christian29 devotion to the relief of human suffering, the 262 State authorities desire to express to them and your order high appreciation30 of the self-sacrificing spirit which they exhibited among the sick soldiers, both at Camp Curtin and the Church Hospital in Harrisburg.
“By order of
“A. G. CURTIN, Governor of Pennsylvania.”
Dr. Smith himself wrote:—“It affords me pleasure to transmit the accompanying order, acknowledging the valuable services of the Sisters recently engaged at Harrisburg. * * * In the event of a fight at Yorktown I shall go there with a party on a steamboat and stop at Fortress31 Monroe. If some hardy32 Sisters will volunteer for duty with me I will perhaps be able to take them. The notice will not be more than six hours. * * * I will share the exposure with them, and will do all that is possible to make them comfortable, bringing them back with the wounded, unless you allow them to stay. Your Order is, I believe, the only one that is doing duty with the army. I think they can do much good, under my care. Sr. —— will be especially useful in cooking for the wounded in the boat I shall take at the Fortress.”
On the 18th the orders came, and, under the escort of Captain Bankson, U. S. A., three Sisters went to Baltimore and thence to Fortress Monroe. On the 26th the Doctor sent a request for six more Sisters, promising33 plenty of occupation.
In a letter dated April 27, 1862, Archbishop Wood, after naming the Sisters detailed34 “for attendance on the wounded and sick soldiers under the direction of Dr. Henry Smith, Surgeon-General of the Pennsylvania Volunteers,” adds “We commend them to the kind care and protection of the Surgeon-General, and to the attention of all persons, ecclesiastical and civil, with whom they 263 may be in any way associated, holding it as a special and personal favor bestowed35 on ourselves.”
On April 21, writing from Fortress Monroe, the Doctor informs Mother St. John that the Sisters on their arrival had been put at once on hospital duty, and were doing much needed work, especially in the preparation of sick diet, etc. He adds: “They are sure to be appreciated. * * * They come into friendly competition with a party of nurses under the direction of Miss Dix. They will win the good will and opinion of all.”
The three Sisters first sent were again under the direction of Mother Monica Pue. They were kindly36 and eagerly welcomed by Dr. Smith, who, with the aid of a spy-glass, saw the boat approaching and hurried to meet them. There were then some sick and wounded on board the floating hospital, the “Whillden.” Other Sisters went down later under charge of one of the hospital surgeons, who, poor man, was anything but pleased with being detailed to act as escort to five ladies. But all his fears, as he afterwards declared, were speedily dispelled37 when he found his office rather a sinecure38, since the Sisters did not call on him for the thousand and one attentions it had been his fortune to have been called on to give while attending secular39 ladies.
At Fortress Monroe they went aboard the two floating hospitals, the “Whillden” and the “Commodore.” On May 3 they had the great consolation40 of receiving the Sacraments from Rev. Father Dillon, of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, who drove up and down the Camp by Fortress Monroe, hearing the confessions41 of the soldiers. He said Mass on board the “Commodore” May 3 and 4.
On May 6, in company with the Surgeon-General and his assistants, three of the Sisters went down the James 264 River in the “Commodore” to bring up the wounded from the battlefield of Yorktown. All night from 5 P. M. till 2 A. M. of next day the wounded were being carried to the vessel43 on stretchers. Harrowing, indeed, were the scenes that there met their eye, and sad it was to find how inadequate44 were their efforts to fully28 assuage45 the terrible sufferings of the victims. But all that could be done was done, and the supply of coffee and stimulants46 was thankfully received by those who for days had languished47 without any attentions. A company of Pennsylvania Volunteers, whom the Sisters met near the landing had not had any food for two, and some for three days, the steamer laden48 with provisions having been unaccountably delayed. On their way up the river the “Commodore” passed the vessel with the longed-for supply of food on its way down to the men.
Among the wounded were many of the Southern soldiers, who had been taken prisoners; and they seemed particularly grateful for the attentions of the religious. The wounded lay in rows along the decks of the steamers, and in the state rooms, so close together that it was almost impossible to pass along without treading on them.
On May 16 Dr. Smith wrote to Mother St. John: “The Sisters have given universal satisfaction, and have done much good. It will be acknowledged hereafter in proper form. In the meantime I should like to take six of them with me again, ending perhaps at Richmond.” Six of the Sisters came up with the wounded on the “Commodore” to the port of Philadelphia, and stayed with them until they had all been removed to the different hospitals of the city. After a few days’ rest they returned to receive the wounded from the battle fought near Richmond. 265
Meanwhile the camp at Harrisburg had been reopened, and three Sisters were again called to attend the hospital. One of them relates that on her rounds about the place on their return she saw an isolated tent by the door of which lay a coffin49. To her inquiries50 an officer replied that in the tent there was a man dying of camp fever. She inquired whether it was possible to save the man, and, on hearing that it was not known, declared her intention of going to see. The officer refused to allow her to go in, saying it would be suicide, as she could not go without contracting the fever. She, however, persisted, and entering the tent, beheld51 a man in apparently52 a state of collapse53. For days, it would seem, he had received very little attention, and the filth54 of the bed and floor was indescribable. That day the poor patient had had nothing but a drink of water. The Sister at once prepared and gave him a bowl of stimulating55 broth56. He became sufficiently57 strong to tell her he was from St. Paul’s Parish, Philadelphia. The priest, Rev. Father Maher, of Harrisburg, was sent for. In the meantime, by dint58 of warnings and entreaties59, the Sister got two of the male nurses to lift the man from the bed, to which parts of his body adhered. The floor was cleansed60, the man washed, his sores attended to, and then the priest came, heard his confession42 and gave him the last Sacraments, and immediately his recovery seemed to set in. His gratitude61 was touching in the extreme. The Sisters had word sent to his wife in Philadelphia that she might be able to have him removed home, but before she came they themselves had been recalled from what to them was a blessed field of labor.
On June 9, 1862, Dr. Smith wrote to Mother St. John, saying: “The United States have agreed to take charge 266 of all the State hospitals. * * * I have requested the Sisters at Harrisburg to return to you and hope I shall not have again to trouble you until the war is ended. The Sisters did great good, were very kind and useful. All will be acknowledged in due time.” Several of the Sisters who attended the soldiers have already entered on their reward, and rest in the beautiful cemetery62 of Mt. St. Joseph, where on Decoration Day the Sisters and children love to pay special attention to the graves of those departed ones “of the Soldiers of Christ who went out to attend on the soldiers of war.”
No words could adequately express the gratitude of the Sisters for the delicate and fatherly attentions they received from Surgeon-General Smith and his corps63 of assistants. Dr. Smith was truly “one of Nature’s noblemen,” with a soul free from every taint64 of prejudice, with a heart open to every phase of human suffering and a charity that never wearied in alleviating65 the horrors of war.21
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1
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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applicants
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| 申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 ) | |
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9
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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salutes
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| n.致敬，欢迎，敬礼( salute的名词复数 )v.欢迎，致敬( salute的第三人称单数 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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misnomer
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| n.误称 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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measles
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| n.麻疹，风疹，包虫病，痧子 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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confessions
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| n.承认( confession的名词复数 )；自首；声明；（向神父的）忏悔 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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43
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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assuage
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| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
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stimulants
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| n.兴奋剂( stimulant的名词复数 )；含兴奋剂的饮料；刺激物；激励物 | |
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47
languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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48
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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51
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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52
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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cleansed
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| 弄干净，清洗( cleanse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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cemetery
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| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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64
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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alleviating
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| 减轻，缓解，缓和( alleviate的现在分词 ) | |
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