Almira Quinby (1828-1909), who was living in Biddeford, wrote to Rebecca Usher in October 1862 inviting her to take a nursing position in a Union military hospital.
Quinby noted that her cousin, Louise Titcomb, who was working at the U.S. General Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania, had told her that Usher was interested in a nursing post. Quinby had heard that Dorothy Dix, the director of nurses for the army, needed more women for that post.
Quinby wrote, "No particular qualifications or specifications are required -- a common experience in nursing & plain, sensible clothing."
Quinby had worked as a nurse at the general hospital at Annapolis.
