Unanswered Letters: A Civil War Nurse’s Love Story

By Mary F. Belmont

Reconstructed from actual letters and diaries, this is the story of four young people living in Philadelphia whose lives become intertwined when the American Civil War begins in 1861. Jan is a German immigrant who begins his studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. Emma is a Quaker who has learned survival skills growing up in a thick forest. Gabrielle, is a Southerner, was raised by her governess and wealthy Virginian father. Maura travels alone to America from Ireland to escape the potato famine and eventually enters the convent as a Sister of Mercy. Each girl grows up separated from her mother either through a natural or man-made disaster, and each is destined to choose nursing as a career. Many women served as trained nurses in both the Union and Confederate Armies caring for wounded soldiers without preference for which side they fought. It is a little known fact that many of the nurses working to save lives following the Battle of Gettysburg were Catholic nuns from the orders of Sisters of Mercy and Daughters of Charity. This is not a book about war: it is a story about love of God, love of family and friends, and love of country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: May 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665742580

Mary F. Belmont

Mary F. Belmont, a graduate of Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing, is a third-generation nurse midwife. She earned both a masters and doctoral degree from Columbia University, Teachers College before serving in the US Army Nurse Corps. Mary was raised along the Wissahickon Creek where this story originates. Currently, she holds the title of Distinguished Lecturer at Hunter College Bellevue School of Nursing and is a volunteer at Mary Manning Walsh Home in New York City.

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Copyright © 2023 Mary F. Belmont.

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-4257-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-4258-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023907416

Archway Publishing rev. date: 05/05/2023

DEDICATION

To the nurses of the Union and Confederate Armies

who cared for all soldiers wounded in battle without preference.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Prologue

1     Leaving Ireland

2     Emma

3     Yvette, Richard & Gabrielle

4     Jan Huber

5     Pennsylvania Railroad

6     Sister Maura

7     Stay Away

8     A Call to Arms Throughout the Country; All Plans Change

9     Emancipation Proclamation

10   You Are Not Welcome Here

11   A Warning Realized & The Battle of Gettysburg

12   The Aftermath of Battle

13   Unanswered Letters

Questions for Book Club Discussion

About the Author

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The idea for this book was encouraged by my friend and fellow nurse, Kim O’Nally Becker. Corey and Kara Petroske graciously allowed their three lovely young daughters, Cally, Alexa and Paige, to be my junior readers. Randy and Barbara Cleavenger edited and gave their expert advice about the Civil War and Pennsylvania history. Sr. Maureen O’Doonan and Sr. Anne Marie Bucher shared events of their religious calling and life without which I could not have written this story. My thanks to Merrily Brooks for continuing to listen to rewrites when everyone else has drifted off. It is a challenge and blessing to have the critique of two skilled writers, Dr. Christopher De Hamel and Doug Ingram, MD. Scott C. Schwartz, MD, is the man I am so lucky to have in my life.

INTRODUCTION

Several letters written by nurses who served in both the Union and Confederate Armies during the American Civil War were given to me as a gift. These nurses had known each other before the country divided and were able to get their messages passed through the lines of battle. Each letter included a question concerning the whereabouts of a missing soldier, perhaps to give hope to a family or loved one. If the soldier was no longer alive, the writer always included a hope that they did not suffer a painful death. While stationed at the United States Army War College in western Pennsylvania, I first heard the little-known fact that Catholic nuns were among the first nurses to care for soldiers wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg. If one could go back in time, I should like to speak to these nurses about their courage and faith. This is not a book about war: it is a story about love of country, love of family and friends, and love