The chief nurse of the Union Hospital in Washington, D.C., describes life and stress in the hospital and comments on notable persons of power. Her heretofore unpublished diary and letters comprise a fresh, highly significant document concerning the medical history of the Civil War and the contributions of women nurses in the Northern military hospitals.

What I read of this was fascinating.

Hannah Ropes (1809-1863) served her country as a nurse at Union Hospital in Georgetown, District of Columbia, for roughly six months prior to her death due to pneumonia in January 1863. She was a Christian of the Swedenborgian faith, a tireless worker (as many nurses were at the time), outspoken, bold, and a change agent (for good). She was fortunate to have friends in high places, particularly that of Charles Sumner, a Senator from her home state of Massachusetts, and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.

The book tells of the struggle "Matron" Ropes had with corrupt and ineffective doctors and others responsible for the health care of the Union soldiers. Ropes was unafraid to root out the bad workers, no matter what their standing, and the result was a better hospital for those needing good care.

Ropes supervised Louisa May Alcott at the hospital for a short time.

The book has a bibliography, index, and glossary of names mentioned by Hannah Ropes ( )