Page 153 - Arkansas Confederate Women

ARKANSAS SISTERS OF MERCY IN THE WAR.

By J. M. Lucey.

While describing the work of the noble and patriotic
women of the South during the long and heroic period of four
years of Civil war, something would be lacking if we should
fail to mention in appropriate terms the good deeds of the
Sisters of Mercy. It happened; at the time mentioned, that
they were the only Catholic sisterhood in Arkansas, and that
their houses at Little Eock, Fort Smith and Helena, though
they were strictly literary academies, and though the sisters
were trained as teachers only, were freely opened out to the
needs of the sick and wounded soldiers, and the services of the
sisters given as circumstances demanded. Some of the papers

printed will no doubt furnish many interesting details of hos-

pital work at Little Eock, Fort Smith and Helena; and from

them some idea may be formed of the opportunities afforded

to the Sisters of Mercy to carry into effect their ardent desires.
Their visits to the local hospitals in charge of the ladies' asso-
ciations were always highly appreciated by the patients and

the officers in charge.

THEIR WORK IN LITTLE ROCK.

The number of sick and wounded soldiers was greater in
Little Rock from the very beginning of the war than in any
other city of the State. In 1863 there was a notable increase,
so that the ordinary Confederate army hospitals were over-
crowded. The Sisters of Mercy of St. Mary's Academy fitted
up one of their own buildings and received as many as could
possibly be allowed entrance. The death rate was great, two

or three dying daily. Everything possible for the amelioration
of suffering was done. After the capture of the city by General
Steele, September 10, 1863, the position of the sisters became
almost unbearable, on account of the rude behavior of federal

officers and soldiers, who resented the kind treatment which the