Mary Bell (American Civil War nurse)

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Mary Bell (born July 28, 1840) was an American nurse and hospital matron during the American Civil War. [1]

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Civil War service

Bell was born in Hillsboro, Ohio. She left Ohio in September 1863 to join the Civil War effort. [1] Her work began with her husband A.O. Hartley, who was a hospital steward, at Covington Barracks in Kentucky. While the two were in camp, there were outbreaks of diseases such as smallpox and spotted fever. [2] In November, Bell was ordered to Munfordsville, Kentucky, where she was soon appointed matron of a hospital by its head surgeon. [1] Part of her duties included taking special care of the patients' diets, often poor. Bell remained at this location until May 1864, when she went to a Jacksonville hospital as troops moved to the front. [1]

After the war

Ultimately, Bell's service in the Civil War lasted over three years. [2] Her husband did not survive the war; he was killed while performing his duties in Chattanooga, Tennessee. [3] After the war, Bell taught for a year at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as at other institutions for the following three years. [3] Bell later relocated to Albion, Michigan. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Holland, Mary G. (2002). Our Army Nurses: Stories from Women in the Civil War. Roseville: Edinborough Press. p. 23. ISBN   9781889020044.
  2. 1 2 3 "Civil War Army Nurses 1861 ~ 1865". American History & Genealogy Project: Women of America. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 Holland, Mary G. (2002). Our Army Nurses: Stories from Women in the Civil War. Roseville: Edinborough Press. p. 24. ISBN   9781889020044.
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