Description
Book Synopsis After more than three years of grim fighting, General Ulysses Grant had a plan to end the Civil War--laying siege to Petersburg, Virginia, thus cutting off supplies to the Confederate capital at Richmond. He established his headquarters at City Point on the James River, requiring thousands of troops, tons of supplies, as well as extensive medical facilities and staff.
Nurses flooded the area, yet many did not work in medical capacities--they served as organizers, advocates and intelligence gatherers. Nursing emerged as a noble profession with multiple specialties. Drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources, this history covers the resilient women who opened the way for others into postwar medical, professional and political arenas.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments viii
Preface
1. "Sisters, Sisters"
2. Women Within the Safeguard
3. Nameless No More: Contraband Women
4. Government Nurses
5. Independent Nurses
6. Women of the United States Christian Commission (USCC): Prayers and Dinner
7. Women of the United States Sanitary Commission (USSC): The Art of Networking
8. State Agents: Logistics, Supplies and Catfights
9. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Front: Incidents of Harassment and Humor
10. Officers' Wives: Parties and Swishing Silks
11. Homeward Bound Journey
Appendix: Weather for 1864–1865
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
