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

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Hospital Work

Military hospitals gave women another opportunity to contribute for the Confederate cause. Women brought goods and meals to the hospitals, assisted in the care of the wounded, and provided companionship. Florence Nightingale’s work in the Crimean War created an initial acceptance and excitement regarding women in the Confederacy’s hospitals. A North Carolina woman suggested to readers of the Daily Richmond Dispatch that other women should study Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing. “Let us now nurse the sick, dress wounds, attend hospitals, be learning all we can,” she commanded to other female Confederate patriots. (34) Newspapers made pleas asking women to flock to the hospitals. One paper declared that women could “do a great deal of good” by attending to the sick and wounded so “Let them set about it speedily.” (35) In 1862, the Daily Richmond Dispatch credited the low death rate from the battles around Richmond to “the constant and tender nursing of the ladies of Richmond.” The paper didn't give women complete credit, for it believed good weather may have been a factor as well. The paper may have forgotten about the heavy rains of that spring and the heat of that June, factors not conducive to the recovery of wounded soldiers. (36)

Judith McGuire viewed the visitation of soldiers’ hospitals as an important wartime contribution. However, it took time to make the change from being an observer of such activities to active participation. Her 12 June 1861 Diary’s entry regarding hospitals in Winchester, Virginia describes her observations of other “ladies devoting their energies” in preparing food for the wounded. Food preparation appears to have been the only contribution McGuire noticed women make during her visit to Winchester. In another entry pertaining to the Winchester hospitals, she applauds the “self-sacrificing attention” other women paid to the soldiers, “remembering that her son, brother, or husband may be placed in the same situation among strangers, and to be determined to do unto others as she would have others to do unto her.” These women greatly impressed McGuire. Because she had numerous relatives and friends in the military, McGuire may have taken these maternal sentiments to heart. Being without foodstuff and a kitchen with domestics to cook under her supervision, McGuire could not contribute in Winchester due to her refugee position. (37)

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This page last updated 1 January 2008