Catholic
Sisters:
Articles from Civil War Era Newspapers
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
July 24, 1861, p. 1, c. 6
"The Sisters of Charity."--The friends of our sick soldiers at
Norfolk may feel assured that every kindness and attention that can avail to
comfort and cure them are ministered by the Sisters of Charity at Norfolk.
The letters from the army are full of praises of these angels of mercy.
We have a young friend, who probably owes his life to their unceasing
watching and careful nursing. Dr.
Nott, in his letter published elsewhere, writes in the same strain.
A letter just received by us from a member of the 3d Alabama Regiment,
says:
"______ is much better now, and is rapidly improving.
I have been in to see him several times, but as the Sisters told me he
was not dangerously ill. I have not
written about him, for fear of causing uneasiness.
He gets every attention and kindness that good nursing and medical
treatment can afford. All of the
soldiers have fallen in love with the Sisters for their kindness and devotion to
those who are sent to their care. ______
was in their hospital for several days, and says he could not have been more
tenderly and carefully nursed in his mother's house.
Mobile Advertiser and Register.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 14, 1861, p. 1, c. 3-4
Richmond, Va., August 12.
. . . Thus one passes on from bed to bed through the many wards, and reads the
awful moral of this unholy war in the saddest illustrations which the vices and
passions of men can furnish. And
yet, through all this gloom and suffering, a gleam of light shoots like a golden
thread on a funeral pall. I have
told you how clean and neat the rooms are, and how comfortable the patients
look. And the secret of the
pleasant fact lies in that woman flitting across the corridor, with her gray
serge dress and tidy blue apron from chin to toe, and bonnet
blanc, whose wide flaps, white as a snow drift, and stiff with starch, wave
over her shoulders like a pair of wings. She
is one of that devoted band of good women, known all over the Christian world
wherever there is sorrow to be assuaged, or pain relieved, or comfort
administered, whom we name "Sisters of Charity," but who should be
called the "Angels of the Earth." Her step is swift-paced and noiseless, her hand light
and soft, her care and attention devoted, unobtrusive, intelligent, gentle and
consoling. She it is on whom these
grave, thoughtful surgeons lean, to support and carry out all their directions
for the sick; and these miserable men to lighten the burden of their pain and
captivity. If a biscuit or a
mattress, a cup of water, a clean pillow or fresh bed or body clothes are
wanted, the universal demand which satisfies every desire is, "Call a
Sister!" Day and night, with
tireless patience; kind, considerate and obliging to all alike; asking no
recompense and accepting no reward, their skilful ministrations are bestowed on
these wounded enemies, whose malignant hate and unspeakable purposes of rapine
and violence to their sex (had victory crowned their arms), they are now
repaying with a care and gentleness "mild as any mother's to a sick
child." With such a reality
before us, we may well pass by with contempt and scorn the foul charges of
cruelty which the Northern press has falsely laid upon us, and retort upon them
their own inhumanity and unchristian neglect in neither tending their wounded
nor securing decent burial for their dead . . .
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, August 15, 1861, p. 2, c. 7
Our own
Correspondent.
From the Seat of War in Virginia.
Richmond, Aug. 5th, 1861.
. . . All of the enemy's wounded, and many of the desperate cases of our own
regiments are sent to a fine building in the subburbs [sic] of the city known as
the New Alms House. Others are in
various hospitals, or scattered among private families—these latter fare well,
and have every attention that humanity can give and every luxury or delicacy
that the market can afford.
My visits to the Alms House hospital have been painfully interesting.
The sufferers of the enemy are as well, if not better, attended to as
those of our own army. Females are very conspicuous in their attentions—the
Sisters of Charity are administering to the comforts of the poor fellows; they
do not ask if they are Protestant or Catholic, they attend alike to every one.
The ladies of all denominations send in little delicacies which the
invalid craves, and many a dim eye casts a look of gratitude upon the fair face
that looks down anxiously upon him and the soft lips that breath forth words of
kindness. . .
Quod.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
August 20, 1861, p. 1, c. 7
The old Marine Hospital between the Navy Yard and Fort Barrancas, below
Pensacola, has been provided with all necessary appliances for the treatment of
the sick, and placed under charge of the Sisters of Charity, of whom six have
been sent from Mobile, and two or three from New Orleans.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, August 22, 1861, p. 2, c. 6
St. Mary's
Academy.
Little Rock, Arkansas.
(Under Charge of the Sisters of Mercy.)
This Institution is beautifully situated on the square at the corner of
Louisiana and Elizabeth streets. The
buildings are spacious, and the grounds extensive.
The course of studies embraces the English, French and Italian languages;
History, Geography, Philosophy, including Astronomy and the use of the Globes;
Arithmetic, Algebra, Botany, Vocal and instrumental Music, Drawing and Painting,
and all kinds of useful and ornamental Needlework. . .
Besides the Uniform, which will consist of brown Merino for winter, and
pink Gingham for summer, together with black silk aprons, each young lady will
require eight changes of linen. . . .
Mother Superior,
Convent of Mercy,
Little Rock, Ark.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, September 4, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Raffle,--A beautiful Piano Cover, worked and presented to one of the
Ladies' Associations, by the Sisters of Mercy, for the benefit of the soldiers,
is now on exhibition at the Drug Store of Messrs.
A. A. Solomons & Co., to be raffled for as soon as the requisite
number of chances shall have been taken. Let
all who have a small amount to invest in a patriotic object, go forward and take
a chance in the Cover.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 5, 1861, p. 1, c. 2
Several Sisters of Charity have recently arrived in Richmond from the
vicinity of Washington, and are now engaged in attending the sick.
We learn that they solicited permission to come from Old Abe and were
refused passports, when finally, having determined to persevere in their mission
of mercy, they escaped by stealth from the Baboon's dominions.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
September 21, 1861, 1, c. 1
The Sisters of Charity.--The world-wide benevolence of that revered
order, the Sisters of Charity, meets in our city with an ample field for its
exercise. The casualties of the
battle-field, not less than the diseases incident to those unaccustomed to the
hardships of camp life, all contribute to swell the catalogue of human ills, and
leave in our midst objects of their attention, not less of the enemy than our
own. Where sickness and death visit
the hospitals, where are congregated the weary, wounded and dying, there,
gliding in to succor and console, the sisters came upon their errand of mercy.
The couch of disease is made easier by their presence; the pillow of the
dying is smoothed by their care; friend and enemy alike receive their soothing
attentions.--Worldly fame they ask not. Unobtrusive
in their charities as in their garb, they engage in their labor of love,
actuated by that pure philanthropy which has its source in a higher sphere than
earth. The task imposed upon
themselves, and faithfully executed by these self-sacrificing women, sometimes
"even unto death," should entitle them to the rewards of the blessed.
Some of those now in our midst came from Washington, by stealth, after in
vain soliciting from the petty tyrant who reigns there, permission to pass the
bounds of his army; some came from the far South.
Come, however, from where they may, they all act as ministering angels,
actuated alone by the desire to do good.--Richmond Examiner.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, October 1, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Raffle.—We were shown, yesterday, a raised-work Saddle Cloth, which is
a very beautiful piece of workmanship, from the hands, we learn, of the Sisters
of Mercy. It has been generously
given for the benefit of the families of Company B, Irish Volunteers, and will
be disposed of by raffle so soon as the chances are taken.
It will be deposited at the Restaurant of A. B. Luce, on exhibition, for
a few days.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, October 17, 1861, p. 2, c. 7
The Concert.
On Tuesday night the ladies and gentlemen of this city gave another
concert and a number of tableaux, at the theatre hall.
Though the night was cloudy and threatened rain, the hall was filled to
overflowing. The songs were well
received and some of them with a degree of enthusiasm not often manifested on
such occasions. The life pictures
were well selected and carried out. Every
body was pleased and united in giving praise to the patriotic performers for
their tasteful and handsome entertainment.
One of the features of the evening was the reception of a valuable
picture, in embroidery, from the Sisters of Mercy, to be sold and the proceeds
applied to aid the brave volunteers.
The selection of songs and music was better than in the first concert, as
the songs were simple, more generally understood and appreciated, and there was
a greater variety of tableaux.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, November 21, 1861, p. 2, c. 4
Complimentary.
At a meeting of the Little Rock Grays, the following resolutions were
unanimously passed, 8th November, 1861. . . .
Resolved 9th, That to the Sisters of Mercy, of Little Rock,
for the interest shown us in embroidering our flag, and the zeal they have
displayed in the holy cause for which we battle, have our humble but sincere
thanks. . . .
1st Lieut. Franklin,
Com'dng Little Rock Grays,
1st Ark's Battalion, Chairman,
2nd Lieut. Geo. Moore,
Acting as Secretary.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
December 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Six Sisters of Mercy will leave Charleston to-morrow, on their way to Western
Virginia, to nurse the sick in our army hospitals there.
CINCINNATI
DAILY ENQUIRER, April 10, 1862, p. 3, c. 5
Mayor Hatch set to work immediately on the receipt of the news of the
battle and chartered the Lancaster No. 4,
which he furnished with hospital and other stores, for the relief of our Ohio
soldiers. She sailed at eleven
o'clock last night. The Chief of
Police and twenty-five of his most faithful police, three Sisters of Charity,
together with the Mayor's wife and daughter, accompany the boat.
Drs. Vattier, Blackman and ten other surgeons are also on the Lancaster.
The Mayor received a dispatch last evening from Governor Tod, authorizing
him to charter another boat and have her ready to sail at nine o'clock this
morning. That Lieutenant General
Stanton, the State Treasurer, Dr. Dorsey and Surgeon-General Weber, with a large
number of nurses and physicians, would arrive on the early train and immediately
go on board. At the hour at which
we go to press the Mayor was still engaged with the preparations for this
expedition. He was authorized by
the Governor to employ twenty-five nurses.
DUBUQUE
HERALD, April 16, 1862, p. 4, c. 2
The Wounded Soldiers.--It has been published in a city paper that two
Sisters of Charity from here went to take care of the wounded. This is a mistake, but there is little, if any, doubt of the
willingness of not only two, but twenty of them to go on that charitable
service, if an opportunity be afforded them.
Nothing better could be done in the interests of humanity by those who
have had no opportunity to serve their country in a more hazardous manner than
to do something now to send forward such persons as offer themselves to care for
the poor, wounded, sufferers, many of whom will die or be subjected to cruel
operations for want of proper attention to their wounds.
We need not say how valuable, how serviceable ten or twelve or more
Sisters of Charity would be among the thousands of wounded children of Iowa,
who, probably are not the best provided for with such attendance as should be
given to them in their afflictions. These
suggestions are thrown out for the consideration of the community, and we merely
add that whatever be done in conformity with our ideas, should be undertaken and
carried through without delay. Battle
wounds need early and constant attention, without which, many a valuable life
will be lost. Let us all try to do
something therefore for the wounded.
CINCINNATI
DAILY ENQUIRER, April 18, 1862, p. 3, c. 6
Arrival of the Lancaster No. 4--List of the Wounded Upon
Her--Report of the Chief of Police.
The following able report of the Chief of Police was made to His Honor,
Mayor Hatch, immediately upon her arrival:
On Board Lancaster No. 4
Cincinnati, Ohio, April 17.
Hon. Geo. Hatch, Mayor:
. . .
Dear Sir: When we received
the news of the battle of Pittsburg, Tennessee, on Wednesday, the 9th, at 1
o'clock, you ordered me to charter a steamboat and to proceed to the scene of
action immediately, with a portion of my force, and such stores as I could get
on board, for the relief of the wounded and the dying.
In compliance with your order, I chartered the Lancaster
No. 4, and hurried on board such stores as I could command, and at 1 1/2
o'clock we left the city, having under my command twenty-eight of the police
force, consisting of Messrs. Wm. Montgomery, Lieutenant F. T. Davis, J. G.
Gallagher, John Mars, Edward Tudor, Harvey Britt, Michael Hogan, Jas. Cary, Len.
Bowers, D. T. Hoke, Elias Arnda, of Ninth street Station, Thos.
Butler, Edward Haley, Edward Jenkins, Edward Hudson, of Hammond street
Station, Joseph Bunner, Thomas Mooney, Edward Mullen, John Molloy, of Pearl
street Station, Patrick Robbins, Geo. W. Palmer, Barney Arling, David S. Miller,
Charles Crawley, Jas. McClellan, Peter Leiche, John Scatchman, of Bremen street
Station. The expedition was
accompanied by Professor Blackman, Dr. J. L. Vattler, Millton Saylor, Professor
of Chemistry, Mr. Goodsell, Student of Medicine, E.
B. Torrence, the wife and daughter of your Honor, and Sisters Anthony,
Theodosia, and Camille, of St. John's Hospital.
We halted at Louisville for a few hours, when our Surgeon made a
requisition upon the Medical Director for hospital supplies, which were promptly
furnished. . .
DAILY
MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, April 19, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
The
"Empress" a Hospital.
On Thursday, the
10th instant, the "Empress" left St. Louis for Pittsburg Landing,
having a cargo of forage, horses and cattle, and as passengers, James E. Yeatman,
Esq., President of the Sanitary Commission, Drs. Aspel and Grove, Brigade
Surgeons, and quite a corps of nurses and Hospital attendants, among whom were
Mrs. P. A. Child, Mrs. Wash. King, Mrs. E. D. Couzins, Mrs. Fisk, also seven
Sisters of Mercy and other attendants, also Doctors Barnes, Bywater, Morton,
Rumbold, May, Pollok, Henry, Ennis, Douglass, and others whose names I did not
learn, all volunteers in the cause of humanity.
Arrived at Pittsburg on Sunday, 13th, at 9 A.M., and immediately
commenced receiving the wounded, (the boat having been selected by the
commission for a Hospital.) Got all
the freight out on Tuesday morning and received quite a number of wounded;
proceeded to Savannah and filled up all the beds with sick and sounded, 362 (?)
in number, besides a number of wounded officers, occupying state rooms. . . .
A
military hospital is a place to study human nature.
Here is a soldier slightly wounded cursing those who wounded him,
desiring nothing more than another battle.
There are two more seriously wounded--one with a broken thigh, the other
with a broken shoulder; they are dividing an orange which Mrs. Couzins has just
handed to the one with well arms. One
is a Confederate the other a Federal soldier.
Again you meet a stern countenance bearing marks of pain, but who when
spoken to smiles; he says he wishes the war at an end.
Near him is a prisoner, a youth of sixteen years, weeping, not from pain,
but he is fast leaving his parents and five younger brothers.
Near him stands an elderly volunteer surgeon, who, with trembling lips
and moistened eye, is attempting to reassure the disconsolate youth.
Anon one of the Sisters of Mercy accosts the youth with kind and sisterly
accents, and his tears are tried and the sunbeam of hope is in his eye....
Let us
turn our eyes from this dark picture, and see those angels of mercy flitting
about and ministering to the necessities of their fellow beings; see the wealthy
and delicate lady, who has hardly ministered to her own wants, now assisting in
dressing horrible wounds, see the Religious, with all sisterly and untiring
energy, giving drink to one, food to another, and kind, counseling words to all.
Who shall reward such disinterestedness?
"I will repay, saith the Lord." ...
Oliver.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The Sisters of Charity have under their charge a large hospital at
Corinth and, as is always the case in their hospitals, it is admirably arranged
and conducted.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
April 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Death of a Well Known Sister of Charity.--The New Orleans papers announce
the death, on Wednesday last, of Sister Regis Barrett, whose good deeds in the
yellow fever hospitals and orphan asylums has made her name a household word in
that city. Her age was 56.
She joined the Sisters of Charity in 1826, came to New Orleans in 1835,
and established the Camp-street Orphan Asylum, the St. Elizabeth Asylum, the St.
Vincent Infant Asylum, and an Orphan Asylum in Carrollton.
Rich and poor alike admired Sister Regis for her many virtues. It may truly be said of her, that she spent her life in doing
good--in promoting
"The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless."
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, May 1, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Death of a Noble Woman.—We take the following merited tribute from the
New Orleans Bulletin of the 24th ult.:
Death of Sister Regis:--It is with no ordinary feelings of sorrow that we
announce the death of one who has been so long revered and beloved by our entire
population, irrespective of nationality or creed.
For more than a quarter of a century Sister Regis has been identified
with the cause of Charity in New Orleans, in its most touching and beautiful
aspect. Under her judicious plans
and energetic administration, the Asylums for the shelter, support and education
of female orphans have increased in usefulness and number, and been perfected in
all their arrangements and regulations, until they have reached a point where
they are hardly capable of further improvement.
In the St. Vincent's Infant Asylum, the Camp Street Orphan Asylum and St.
Elizabeth's Industrial Asylum, the female orphan is sheltered and nursed in her
infancy, supported and educated in her childhood, and taught a remunerative
trade in her maturer years, that enables her finally to quit the happy home of
her youth and go forth into society with fixed principles to guard her against
the temptations of the world, and industrial skill to secure her independence.
For this harmonious, comprehensive and efficient system the public are
mainly indebted to the provident forethought and unwearied labors of Sister
Regis. It has been under her
ministering love that all this has been designed, arranged and effected. The charitable of all denominations have felt both a pleasure
and a duty in aiding her in its accomplishment.
All will deplore her loss. All
will feel that her summons to receive the immortal crown due to her
self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of charity, has broken a tie that united
them in this life to one whom they loved and honored while living, and whose
memory they will never cease to cherish and revere.
CHICAGO
DAILY TRIBUNE, May 5, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
From Cairo. [Special Dispatch to
the Chicago Tribune.] Cairo, May 2d, 1862.
The steamer Louisiana arrived here to-day with nearly four hundred sick from
Pittsburg. ...
The steamer Champion, chartered by the State to remove the wounded from
Pittsburg, left this evening for the Tennessee, with Gov. Yates, Private
Secretary Moses, Hon. G. M. Hatch, Major Allen, Hon. E. P. Ferry of Lake, Hon.
W. Bushnel of Ottowa, Hon. Thomas Henderson of Stark, and Drs. Tiffany,
Brownell, Gore, Miller, Durham, and Robins of the Chicago Sanitary Commission,
and a large corps of nurses, with fifteen tons of sanitary stores on board.
The steamer Southwester also left for the same point, with hospital
supplies and twelve Sisters of Mercy on same benevolent errand.
CHICAGO
DAILY TRIBUNE, May 9, 1862, p. 3, c. 3
Sick and Wounded Soldiers from Corinth. [From
the Louisville Journal, 7th.]
The steamer Empress, Capt. S. Rider, having been chartered by the Government for
a hospital, left Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, on Saturday, 3d inst., with over
500 sick and wounded soldiers in charge of Dr. F. F. Azpell late of
Philadelphia, Pa., Surgeon Major, Dr. Buck, of the army, assisted by Drs. Spa?,
Mack, and J. E. Enis. The latter,
although holding a position in one of the Departments at Washington, is now
devoting himself to the care of our sick and wounded soldiers.
Nor should the services of the indefatigable hospital steward, Mr. E. B.
Linsay, remain unnoticed, Mrs. Witherell is in charge of the linen room, and
four Sisters of Mercy minister to the wants of the afflicted.
They are from Chicago, are assisted by three lay assistants.
The blessings of the sick and wounded follow them, as they, with untiring
solicitude, attend to the necessities of these poor boys so long away from home
and the kind attentions of mother and sister!
They have their reward. Among
the passengers is Capt. Wm. T. Ho????, aid to Gen. McCook, who rendered
invaluable services at the battle of Shiloh.
He had been quite unwell previous to the battle, and his exertions on
those eventful days completely prostrated him.
He returns home in order to recuperate in time to again serve his
country.
DAILY
MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, May 18, 1862, p. 3, c. 5
The
floating hospital Empress, Capt. Ryder, arrived at St. Louis Saturday evening
from Pittsburgh Landing with four hundred and forty-eight sick and wounded
soldiers, after having touched at Evansville and left there three hundred and
seventy-one--making a total from Pittsburg Landing of eight hundred and
nineteen.
The
boat was in charge of Brigade Surgeon T. "F. Azpell, assisted by Doctors
Buck, Ennis, Spayd and Mack; Steward, E. B.
Lindsay; Apothecary, _______ Leisler; with five Sisters of Mercy and three lay
sisters as female nurses, and twenty-eight male attendants.
WASHINGTON [ARK.] TELEGRAPH, September 10, 1862
For the Washington Telegraph.
...
There is not a sufficient supply of bedding.
The soldier's blankets are not suitable.
Their great want is the presence of kind ladies.
Sisters of Charity have in many places the charge of Hospitals.
If we are to be without the presence of ladies in our Hospitals, though
they have toiled almost incessantly. We
were comfortable last winter, being clothed with garments made by them,
receiving their contributions. Last
winter when our soldiers encamped near your beautiful and hospital place, the
ladies got up an entertainment, and the money thus gained went to our soldiers.
I feel assured that the ladies of Washington and the many other places
where the Telegraph is read, will once more aid especially our sick soldiers....
Little Rock, Aug. 28th, 1862.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [GRENADA, MS], October 18, 1862, p. 2, c. 7
The Ladies at the Hospitals.
The military hospital at Montgomery comprises four
commodious brick tenements. It can
accommodate 1000 patients.
A
correspondent of the Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer thus notices one feature of it:
A
feature--a noble one too--is apparent at this hospital.
Six angelic Sisters of Mercy attended solely at this hospital, and you
can perceive a spirit of devotion and kindness in their mild, complacent
countenances. They are from Mobile, and their names are Sister Mary
Adelaide, senior, Sister Johanna, Sister Prudenta, Sister Mary Elizabeth, Sister
Agnes and Sister Anastasia.
These
good women have devoted their lives to doing good, and may heaven reward them
for the sacrifices they have made for the benefit of suffering humanity.
During
the passage of Bragg's army through this city, about seven hundred sick were
left here, and out of that number only twenty-two died, and it may be justly
claimed a small per centage when most of the deceased were so far gone on their
reception for treatment.
Recently a report was made to Congress of the condition of the hospitals in
Richmond. It was shown that the
mortality was astonishingly less in those establishments managed by women than
in those where the other sex had sway. In one managed by the former it was only about three per
cent. The lowest of those managed
by the latter was about six per cent.
GALVESTON
WEEKLY NEWS, October 29, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
In a
debate in the Confederate S. Senate on Hospitals, Mr. Semmes, of Louisiana,
showed the importance of having female nurses.
He stated that the deaths in the Clopton Hospital, Richmond, where there
are female nurses has only two per cent; in the St. Francis de Sales, presided
over by the Sisters of Charity, the mortality was 3 per. cent, while in the
hospitals presided over by men, the average mortality is 10 per cent.
Such facts would seem to be conclusive.
[LITTLE
ROCK] WEEKLY ARKANSAS GAZETTE, January 24, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
St. Mary's Academy,
Little Rock, Arkansas.
Under the Charge of the Sisters of Mercy.
The second session of St. Mary's Academy, will commence its Academic course on the first Monday in February, 1863, charges for the various branches, as follows:
Terms:
Board and Tuition per Session of five months $100 00
Day Scholars Per Session.
First Class
$16 00
Second
14 00
Third
12 00
Fourth
10 00
Extras Per Session.
Music
and the use of the Piano
$18 00
Vocal ditto
12 00
Guitar
12 00
Italian
12 00
French
12 00
Painting in Water Colors
10 00
German, Antique and Velvet do
15 00
All sorts of useful and ornamental needle-work
10 00
Leather-work, per single lesson
1 00
Washing 7 00
Physician's Fee
2 00
Stationery 2 50
Use of Bedding
3 00
All communications addressed to the
Mother Superior, Convent of Mercy,
Little Rock, Arkansas,
January 24, 1863.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, March 17, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Laying of the Corner Stone and Dedication of a New Catholic House of
Worship.—For several years the Catholic community of Savannah needed
additional church facilities. Under
the care of the late Right Rev. Francie Xavier Gartland, First Bishop, the
Church of St. John the Baptist on Drayton street, was enlarged, yet there
continued a necessity for an additional building.
The Right Rev. John Barry, Second Bishop, used every exertion on his part
to procure a suitable place, but he was called away from earth before he could
consummate his desire. The present,
and Third Bishop of Savannah, the Right Rev. Augustin Verot, in July last
purchased the commodious brick building on the southeast corner of Liberty and
West Broad sts., and after some alterations and improvements he has succeeded in
making it convenient and suitable for the purposes designed—a house of
worship.
At ten o'clock this morning the solemn services of laying the corner
stone and dedication of the building to the worship of Almighty God will take
place at the Church. At half-past
nine o'clock the procession will form at the Church of St. John the Baptist, on
Drayton street, and move to the new Church in the following order:
The Cross-bearer, in surplice.
The young ladies of the Congregation, under the charge of the Sisters of
Mercy. . . .
WEEKLY COLUMBUS
[GA] ENQUIRER, July 28, 1863, p. 3, c. 2
Detection
and Arrest of an Alleged
Female Spy of Northern Birth—She
writes "Letters of Instruction" to
the Yankee Government—Interest-
ing Developments.
. . .
Enough having been elicited to warrant her commitment on the charge of
being a spy, it was so ordered, but instead of being sent to Castle Thunder, the
prepared receptacle of such persons, the commandant saw proper to commit Mrs.
Allan to the maternal and religious care of the Sisters of Charity, at the
Asylum St. Francis de Sales, Brooks Avenue, where she is kept under
surveillance.—The letters intercepted and examined are evidently not the first
productions of this woman's pen sent the same direction, and for the same
purpose.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 14, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
The Sisters of Mercy.--There is probably no one in this city whose eyes
have not followed with interest the quiet and modest figure of some Sister of
Mercy, as she passed upon her rounds.
It is to this gentle impersonation of christian [sic] benevolence, and to
her associates, that our sick and wounded soldiers owe the tenderest of those
ministrations which are better than medicines in their effect upon the
languishing invalid. Nor is the
large kindness of these ladies solely displayed in the personal cares which they
bestow upon the sufferer. They give generously from their stores at the same time; and
many a want is thus supplied which might otherwise have been left ungratified.
Since the beginning of the siege of Charleston their presence has
diffused its blessings in every hospital, and their unwearied attentions to the
soldier have done incalculable good.
In this labor of love the Sisters of Mercy need and deserve the
assistance of our citizens. Any
contributions in their behalf will be thankfully received at this office.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, November 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Death of a Sister of Mercy.—Sister Alloysius, an aged and useful Sister
of Mercy, died at the Academy of St. Vincent de Paul, in this city, yesterday,
after a brief illness. Her funeral
will take place this forenoon at the Church of St. John the Baptist.
CHARLESTON MERCURY,
November 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Death of a Sister of Mercy.--Died, at the Convent of the Sisters of Our
Lady of Mercy, on Thursday night, the 26th instant, Sister Mary Bernard Frank,
aged thirty-nine years.
The deceased was one of the most esteemed and valuable members of that
institute, to which our sick and wounded soldiers owe so much.
Attached to the Convent for the space of twenty-five years, she had
become an adept in all those gentle ministrations which allay suffering and
arrest disease. Devoting herself
with earnestness, and with the energy that always accompanied earnestness, to
the cause of Charity, no labor came amiss to her.
In December, 1861, she went to Virginia, where she passed eighteen months
in the sedulous discharge of her duty as a Sister of Mercy.
To her kind offices many a poor soldier is indebted for a care which may
have saved his life.
While engaged in this mission of love, she contracted a disease which
made it necessary for her to return to the Convent in Charleston.
There she continued to reside, in a state of ill health, until the day of
her death.
The funeral services of this worthy lady will take place at nine o'clock,
this morning, at the Church of St. Joseph, Anson street.
SAVANNAH [GA]
REPUBLICAN, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Sister Mary Claire died at the Academy of St. Vincent de Paul, in this
city, yesterday. This makes the
second death among that noble sisterhood in the last few days.
[LITTLE ROCK] NATIONAL DEMOCRAT, December 26, 1863, p. 2,
c. 6
New Year's Gift.—Mr. Palmer, at the Anthony House, has in charge one of
the most beautiful dolls we ever saw, belonging to the Sisters of Mercy.
It will be raffled off as soon as the number of chances are taken.
Tickets can be purchased from Mr. Palmer.
The cause is one of charity and ought to be patronized.
If you wish to make a nice New Year's Gift to some nice little girl take
a chance for the doll.
MONTGOMERY
MONTHLY ADVERTISER, February 3, 1864, p. 4, c. 2
Initiation of a Novice.—A most interesting ceremony took place last
week, at the Ursuline Convent, in Columbia, S. C.
This was the reception of a young lady into the community.—The Carolinian
of Sunday gives the following particulars:
The sisters of this institution are bound by their vows to chastity,
poverty and obedience. A candidate
for membership, after being admitted into the convent, passes two years as a
novice, at the end of which time it is her option to return to the world or to
assume the final vow which binds her for life.
The young lady above mentioned was Miss Fennel, formerly of Pensacola,
Florida. She was to enter upon her
novitiate.
The ceremony began with the entrance into the chapel of a youthful
candidate and the Mother superior, accompanied by a procession of nuns, who
walked in double file, with lighted tapers in their hands.
The latter, separating on either side, left the young lady, with her
superior, before the Bishop. The
appearance of Miss Fennel at this moment was interesting indeed.
She was dressed as a bride, in white Italian silk, with orange blossoms
in her hair. She wore, also,
ornaments of rubies set in pearl. The
costume had a beautiful significance.
After a few questions as to whether she entered the convent of her own
free will, the Bishop, in a quiet discourse, proceeded to explain the tone [?]
and objects of the community. This
concluded, the candidate was led from the chapel by the Mother Superior, and in
a very short while was again conducted back, having in her brief absence
exchanged her bridal robes for the habit of the order.
Then followed the present of the rosary of beads, and the most touching
ceremony of all. Prostrating
herself on the floor the young maiden was covered with a black pall, typifying
her death to the world. On her
body, as she lay there, flowers were strewn as upon a corpse by several little
girls arrayed in white, who stood near.
During the ceremony some beautiful hymns were sung by a choir of the
youthful pupils of the institution. The
whole proceedings were full of solemnity and pathos.
ATLANTA [GA] DAILY REGISTER, April 3, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
Correspondence of the Knoxville and Atlanta Register.
Gen'l Hospital Montgomery Ala.
March 30th, 1864.
. . .
While the coffee and eggs were being prepared we were amused by hearing some
pretty sharp sparring between a Quartermaster and a Doctor.
The Q. M. began the attack by asking the Dr. if he had heard the latest
definition of the letters M. S. which the Drs. wear in groupful embroidery on
their caps. The Dr. had not heard the definition and was informed that
the M. S. stood for man slayer. The
Dr. looked a little crest fallen, but soon recovered and came back at his foe in
this style. "Well Captain, you
hit us pretty hard. I believe I can
give you a new and truthful definition of the letters which make the handle to
your name, A. Q. M., C. S. A., means A Quartermaster Can Steal Anything.
The Q.
M. retired from the fight and the crowd were inclined to believe that
Aesculapius rather had the advantage of Mercury. . . .
All my
ideas of hospital life have vanished. I
shared heretofore the common prejudice against our hospital system, and thought
our sick and wounded soldiers were neglected, half starved and cruelly treated.
I find the reverse to be the case. From
Dalton to Montgomery the hospitals are characterized by order, cleanliness and
comfort, the Doctor's attentive to the wants of their patients, and courteous in
their manners, the nurses kind, quick and obliging, the food nutritious and well
cooked, the beds clean and every possible arrangement for the comfort of the
patients. This (the General
Hospital), is a model for cleanliness, comfort and regularity.
Its [illegible] economy moves with the system of clock work.
Dr. Keyes [barely legible] who has charge of the officers ward, is one of
the kindest and most thorough physicians I have seen.
In addition to the other and varied excellencies of this hospital, it is
attended by the Sisters of Charity--those dear souls whose whole life is a
systematized sacrifice of self on the altar of the good of others. An abnegation of personal comfort, a tender ministration to
the sick and suffering, a Samaritan like charity characterize this holy
Sisterhood. God's blessing must
surely rest on the Church that is the parent of such an institution.
Their lives of abnegation have their reward even in this world.
The grateful prayers of those whose wounds they have dressed, whose
fevered brows they have cooled, whose sufferings their mild ministrations have
alleviated, must constantly go up to God as a sweet incense from the altar of
their charity.--The hand that pens these lines must be cold in death when I
cease to feel a tender gratitude for Sister Prudentia.
Long may she and her noble Sisters live to scatter the blessings of
charitable lives on suffering humanity.
MOBILE REGISTER AND
ADVERTISER, April 7, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Death of a Louisiana Hospital Matron.
Died, of cancer, at the Providence Infirmary, in Mobile, on Sunday, April
3d, Mrs. Sarah Ann Ingersoll, aged 42 years, a native of Bayou Sara, La., and
for many years a resident of New Orleans.
Mrs. Ingersoll was the relict of the late Serg't. Stephen Ingersoll, of
Company D, 1st Louisiana Regiment, Adams' brigade, who was killed in
the battle of Murfreesboro', on the 31st December, 1862. Without hearing of his hapless fate, she and her little
daughter, of eleven years, were exiled from their humble home in New Orleans the
following May, for refusing to take the Yankee oath of allegiance.
Nor did she hear of her husband's death until she reached Jackson, Miss.
She proceeded at once to Tullahoma, then the advance post of our army,
with the vain hope of being able to reach his grave and offer the last sad
tribute of affection. Finding that
impossible, and her means quite limited, with a little daughter dependent on
her, and her only son away in the army of Virginia, she had to look around for
some way to make a support. She
went to Atlanta and found employment as matron to the Roy Hospital, where she
remained four months. From there
she went to Marietta, where she was employed as Assistant Matron in the
Louisiana Ward of the Academy Hospital. It
was while there that her fatal disease first made its appearance.
After serving three months she became completely disabled, and asked to
be sent to the more genial climate of Mobile.
She entered the Providence Infirmary on the 8th of February,
and soon afterwards a consultation of able medical men pronounced her case to be
utterly hopeless. All that could be
done was to endeavor to palliate her sufferings, and smooth her pathway to the
grave. This was done as far as
possible by the medical attendant, with the benevolent aid of the good Sisters
of Charity. Her sufferings were
inevitably great, but she bore them with truly Christian fortitude, until death,
the great conqueror, came, a welcome visitor to her.
Thus died this good and patriotic woman who, like her brave husband, fell
in the service of their country. They
had moved in the humble walks of life, her husband being an honest mechanic, a
painter, of New Orleans. But, what
a contrast does their self-sacrifice present with the large number of the higher
walks, who have succumbed to the barbarous Northern invader, and deserted
their country in her days of peril!
Mrs. Ingersoll's remains were escorted to the grave by a number of
Louisiana soldiers. Her son belongs
to the 5th Regiment Louisiana Volunteers—was captured at the battle
of Gettysburg—and has been imprisoned at Fort Delaware ever since, unless
recently released. Her pretty and
intelligent little daughter will surely not lack friends while her country
remains free, and her countrymen revere the memory of its heroes and martyrs.
Louisiana Exile.
FORT SMITH NEW ERA, March 25, 1865, p. 2, c. 2
We visited one day this week, the camp of the 18th Iowa Vol.
Inf. situated in the pleasant grounds of the Catholic convent, near this city.
The Regiment is remodeling its quarters for the approaching warm weather,
which, when completed, will be very comfortable and convenient ones.
Scrupulous cleanliness, reigns all through the camp.
The 18th Iowa, have been stationed here since '63,
participated in the Camden expedition, and have gained the respect and good will
of all loyal citizens. Many of
them, we expect, will make Arkansas their permanent home at the expiration of
their term of service, judging from the many alliances they contracted
with Arkansas damsels.
FORT SMITH NEW ERA, March 25, 1865, p. 3, c. 1
Outrage Upon Arkansas Refugees.
A family from this State, consisting of a Mrs. Hargrave and four small children arrived at Saint Louis lately, and shortly afterwards, the children were spirited away and found in the Convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, whence they were taken by the Provost Guard. Soon after they were missing again and found in another institution of the same kind. They were rescued a second time, only to be abducted again, and have not been discovered yet. Archbishop Kendrick, addressed a letter to the Provost Marshal, in which he condemns the outrage, and expresses his surprise that a Catholic institution should have been engaged in such disgraceful and unwarrantable proceedings.—Saint Louis Ex.