historynut.info created by Tim Sheehan the self-proclaimed history nut Home >> About the Author

“Economy Rules the Day:”
The Civil War Sacrifices of Judith Walker McGuire
by Tim Sheehan

Table of Contents | Introduction | Conclusion | Endnotes | Printable HTML version | Images | Related Web Resources

The Robertson Hospital

The Robertson Hospital belonged to Judith McGuire’s domain. After settling in Ashland in the fall of 1862, McGuire volunteered her spare time to the Robertson Hospital. Sally Tompkins (1833–1916) operated the Robertson Hospital from 1861 to 13 June 1865. Tompkins made sure that the soldiers received proper medical treatment, sufficient food, and comfortable and sanitary quarters. During the war 1,333 patients passed through this hospital. The Roberston Hospital cared for the most seriously wounded, and earned the distinction of having the highest rate of soldiers returning to combat. Family money and government rations funded the Hospital’s operations. In 1861, during an attempt to streamline the military hospital system, the Confederate Medical Department wanted to close the Hospital. After being lobbied by Tompkins, Jefferson Davis made her a military captain in order for Tompkins to keep her hospital open. Tompkins received this title without pay. The authority Captain Tompkins had in managing the Robertson Hospital allowed women like Judith McGuire to volunteer their time to hospital duty without being deemed a thorn in the side by doctors and patients. (46)

When describing her work at the Robertson Hospital, McGuire often uses words like “nursing” and attending to those “[u]nder my care” in The Diary. (47) Because of her use of terminology, readers of today may classify Judith McGuire as a nurse. Tompkins and the patients at Robertson regarded her as a volunteer. In a reminiscence of Robertson Hospital, Alexander Hunter’s Johnny Reb and Billy Yank describes the volunteers’ duties: “[A]t ten the lady visitors came, bringing food, wine and flowers, and many remained all day, reading to or writing for the disabled, or assisting Miss Sallie about the house.” (48) McGuire indicates in later entries of the Diary her limitations in caring for the wounded. In an entry for 13 May 1864, McGuire informs the reader that she spent five hours at Robertson, “soothing the sufferers in the only way I could, by fanning them, bathing their wounds, and giving them a word of comfort.” Yet these tasks as a volunteer were still appreciated by Sally Tompkins for she listed McGuire as one of the “Ladies of Robertson Hospital” in the Hospital Register. (49)

Judith McGuire felt her presence at the Robertson Hospital made a difference. She believed her kind words had a positive impact on the patients. One soldier, anxious to leave Richmond, asked McGuire for her opinion of his leg. He intended to marry his sweetheart as soon as possible, yet never informed his prospective wife of his injury. Because he was stuck in the Hospital, he feared, “maybe she’ll think I don't want to come.” McGuire provided some encouragement by telling him to “show her your scars” for she felt his darling will love him all the more for his sacrifice. McGuire then provided the soldier with verse to boost his confidence. “It is always the heart that is bravest in war, That is fondest and truest in love." The soldier was so impressed by this quote that he had McGuire repeat it again. He schemed, “If she is affronted, I wants to give her the prettiest excuse I can.” (50)

©2005-2008 Tim Sheehan tim@historynut.info

Previous Page | top-of-page | Next Page

This page last updated 1 January 2008