Page 158 - Arkansas Confederate Women

Sisters of Mercy in the War 137

in the rolls of lint that came from the convent, especially as
those contained an inside package of needle and thread.

The time had arrived all too soon when war put on its
most serious aspect. When the gay youth and confidant soldiers,
returning from a campaign, appeared with only the semblance
of a uniform. Many were mere boys, and when they appeared
before the Sisters of Mercy wrapped in tatters and rags, without
shoes and with only a show of a hat, the sight was enough to
move any woman's heart. The barn and other habitable out-

houses of the convent were utilized as sanitariums, while food
and clothing were being prepared. In a week or two these
soldiers would feel strong enough to join their command, but

the rustic sanitarium seemed to be always well patronized. The
soldiers who were thus benefitted were frequently reminded of
their own homes by the kindly sympathy of the sisters. That
womanly influence which brightens so many homes and softens
the stronger ways of men, had been so long absent from the
lives of the soldiers, that one or two weeks spent in the com-
pany of the Sisters of Mercy seemed to restore the equilibrium of

their existence.

AIDED WOUNDED OP BOTH ARMIES.

The day of the battle of Fort Smith, August 24, 1864,
when General Cooper attempted to drive the federal comman-

der, General Curtis, from the town, brought great excitement

Ato the convent. guard of soldiers had been sent in the morn-

ing to all the churches and as the men came out they were

marched out to the trenches and put to work throwing up forti-

fications. In the attacking army of Confederates were many
of the sons and relations of the men working that Sunday on

federal fortifications. General Cooper was repulsed. Then the

work of the Sisters of Mercy began in earnest for the care of

the wounded. While their personal sympathies were naturally

in favor of the South, their vows of religion led them to treat

with every possible kindness the federal sick and wounded. The

Confederates held Fort Smith until 1863, when General Blunt

captured it without a battle, outflanking with a superior force

General W. L. Cabell. What the Sisters of Mercy had done un-