Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Rebecca Usher of Hollis was 41 years old in November of 1862 when she arrived at the U.S. General Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania, to begin her work as a nurse.
In a letter to her sister Ellen Usher Bacon of Hollis, she wrote about her arrival at the hospital to begin work, "There are five wards, each ward containing three divisions, each division capable of holding 60 men."
Louisa Titcomb of Portland already was at the hospital when Usher arrived. Usher had not yet been assigned to a ward, so she was mending stockings, helping Titcomb, and altering shirts so wounded soldiers could wear them.
She discussed a Confederate soldier who died, who, before the war, had been in partnership with a Union man. The two had disagreed about politics. When the Confederate soldier was taken to the hospital in Chester, his former partner visited and comforted him.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Rebecca Usher on arrival at nursing station, 1862
- Creator: Rebecca R. Usher
- Creation Date: 1862-11-23
- Subject Date: 1862
-
Locations:
- Portland, Cumberland County, ME
- Chester, PA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 20.5 cm x 12.7 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 9, Box 1/4
- Collection: Rebecca Usher papers
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Death
- Nurses
- Surgeons general (Military personnel)
- Military medicine
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Medical care
- United States--Civil War, 1861-1865
- Relief (Aid)
- War--Relief of sick and wounded
- United States--Civil War, 1861-1865--Equipment & supplies
- Healthcare
- Nuns--Pennsylvania--Chester
- Religious services--Pennsylvania--Chester
- War casualties--Pennsylvania--Chester
People
Other Keywords
- Civilian service
- Episcopalian
- Ladies of Chester
- Mending
- Nursing
- Sisters of Mercy of the Episcopal Order
- Women's work
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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