University of Virginia Library

ANNA ETHERIDGE.

WERE our government to order a gold medal to be
given to the woman who has most distinguished
herself by heroic courage on the field, and by the most
patient and effective service in the military hospitals, there
can be little doubt that the united voices of the soldiers
and of all the army nurses would assign the honor to Anna
Etheridge, of Michigan.

In the great work of charity and self-sacrifice performed
by the women during the late conflict, some have displayed
organizing and executive talent truly wonderful. Others
have become remarkable for the extent and duration of
their labors — others for the admirable and Christian spirit
they brought to the hospitals and the battle-field. Genuine
courage and hardihood have been displayed by females, but
not generally in connection with those finer characteristics
for which woman is most prized.

But in our "gentle Anna" was combined that true heroism
which is the highest boast of manhood, with the modesty,
the quiet bearing, the deferential manners and unobtrusive
worth which are the loveliest traits of the fairer and the
weaker sex. Few soldiers were in the war longer, or served
with so slight intermissions, or had so little need of rest.

When the first enlistments took place, in the summer of

1861, Anna Etheridge was in Detroit, on a visit to friends.
There she enlisted in the second Michigan volunteers, under
Colonel Richardson. Nineteen young ladies are said to
have offered to go with the regiment in the capacity of
nurses; but in a few months' service every one but Anna
had returned home, or lost her health, or been discharged.

She was with the regiment in the action at Blackburn's
Ford, which was preliminary to the first battle of Bull
Run, and continued with it through nearly all the great
Virginia battles. She was furnished with a horse, sidesaddle,
saddle-bags, &c., and during a battle would often
ride fearlessly to the front; and whenever she found a soldier
too badly hurt to go to the rear, she would dismount,
and, regardless of shot and shell, produce her lint and
bandages, bind up his wounds, give water or stimulating
drink, then gallop on in search of another sufferer. General
Berry, who for a long time commanded the brigade to
which her regiment was attached, and who was remarkable
for his personal gallantry in all these engagements, declares
that she has remained cool and self-possessed under as hot
a fire as he ever saw or was exposed to himself. The brilliant
General Kearney at one time commanded this brigade,
and, in consideration of her dauntless courage and invaluable
services, commissioned her as a regimental sergeant, and
presented her the handsome cross that bears his noble and
heroic name. When not actively engaged on the field or in
hospital, she superintended the cooking at brigade headquarters;
and when the brigade moved she would mount her
horse and march with the ambulances and the surgeons,
administering to the wants of the sick and wounded. At

the nightly bivouac she wrapped herself in her blanket, and
slept on the ground with the hardihood of a true soldier.

Her exploits at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg,
and in the battles of Grant's closing campaign, were a
favorite theme with the soldiers. On one occasion a
wounded man, to whom she was attending, was struck by a
shell and torn in pieces, almost between her hands. Generally,
during an engagement, she would remain a little in
the rear with the surgeon; but often, when she saw a man
fall she would dash forward into the hottest of the fire,
lift him on her horse, and bring him safely to the rear,
where he could have prompt attention. Many times she
received balls through her dress, but was never hit. Many
and many a soldier owes his life to "gentle Anna's" intrepidity.
More than once, when the troops showed signs of
retreating, she rushed to the front, seized the colors, and
rallied them to a charge, shaming many into doing their
duty. At the battle of the Wilderness, when the fighting
was at its height, the balls raining like hailstones, the fifth
Michigan and some other troops were surrounded and
nearly cut off by the rebels. As the line of battle swung
around, the enemy took the places our men had vacated.
Anna was at that moment speaking to an orderly, a mere
boy, when a bullet pierced his heart, and he fell against
her, dead. For the first and only time during the war our
heroine became "demoralized;" and laying the dead orderly
on the ground, she ran towards what she took to be the
Union troops. Too late she discovered her mistake, but
kept on, dashing through the rebel line, and though several
shots were sent after her, made her escape unhurt.

In demeanor "Michigan Anna" is thoroughly modest,
quiet, and retiring, while her habits and conduct are correct
and exemplary. Though on the battle-field she seems
to be possessed and animated by the single desire of saving
the lives of wounded men, she seldom speaks of herself,
or refers to anything she has done. With strangers she is
very reticent, and has a reserve and apparent pride of
manner. With the soldiers, though sharing all their hardships,
she never spoke familiarly, and was held by them in
the highest veneration and esteem, as an angel of mercy.
While the contest was going on, she took the deepest
interest in the issue, eagerly reading all the newspapers
that she could find in camp, and keeping well informed
as to the progress of the war.

When general orders excluded her temporarily from the
front lines, she engaged promptly in any hospital labors
where aid was needed.

During a part of the Peninsula campaign she was on a
hospital transport, and Miss Bradley speaks in warm terms
of the constant, thorough, and effectual service there performed
by her. So, also, at City Point she coöperated
with Mrs. Husband and other ladies, working indefatigably,
and winning the respect and admiration of all under her
care.

No one of the noble women who have distinguished
themselves during the war can furnish so rich, varied, and
romantic a series of recollections as Anna Etheridge, more
of which might have been employed for the embellishment
of this brief sketch, were it not that the heroine is preparing
a volume of her own, which is likely to prove one of

the most interesting recitals connected with the history of
the times.

A career so romantic has not failed to stimulate the enthusiasm
of several of our poets to celebrate her exploits
in rhyme.

Perhaps the lines which follow are the best tribute
which the Muses have, as yet, made to this admirable
character: —

TO MISS ANNA ETHERIDGE,
THE HEROINE OF THE WAR.