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Related Resources • About Sarah Emma Edmonds • Female Union Spies • Top Picks: Books on Women and the Civil War • Women in the Civil War • Picture Gallery - Women and the Civil War • Nurses and Nursing • Women at Reenactment: Bull Run/First Manassas, 2001 • Reenactment Videos: Bull Run/First Manassas, 2001

From Other Guides • American Civil War Menu • American Civil War 1861-65 • Manassas Reenactment, 2001

Elsewhere on the Web • Battle of Bull Run (1st Manassas) July 21, 1861 • Sarah Emma Evelyn Edmonds

This extract is from Chapter II and II from Edmonds' memoir published in 1864: Nurse and Spy in the Union Army: The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields. Subtitles have been taken from the original text.

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Grateful Returns

My first duty was to attend to those dying soldiers' requests, which I did immediately by writing to their friends and inclosing the articles which I had received from the hands of those loved ones who were now cold in death. The answers to many of those letters lie before me while I write, and are full of gratitude and kind wishes. One in particular I cannot read without weeping. It is from Willie's Mother. The following are a few extracts: "Oh, can it be that my Willie will return to me no more? Shall I never see my darling boy again, until I see him clothed in the righteousness of Christ -- thank God I shall see him then -- I shall see him then."

Now with all the mother's heart
Torn and quivering with the smart,
I yield him, 'neath the chastening rod,
To my country and my God.

"Oh, how I want to kiss those hands that closed any darling's eyes, and those lips which spoke words of comfort to him in a dying hour. The love and prayers of a bereaved mother will follow you all through the journey of life." Yes, he is gone to return to her no more on earth, but her loss is his eternal gain.

Servant of God well done!
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy.

He at least had won a victory -- notwithstanding the defeat of the federal army. Yes, a glorious victory.

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Also on this site

• About Sarah Emma Edmonds
• Female Union Spies
• Top Picks: Books on Women and the Civil War
• Women in the Civil War
• Picture Gallery - Women and the Civil War
• Nurses and Nursing
• Women at Reenactment: Bull Run/First Manassas, 2001
• Reenactment Videos: Bull Run/First Manassas, 2001