ave slept in peace and safety; and, but for the fact that
the bill of fare was mostly limited to the army ration, could have set
down at any of the tables and enjoyed a meal.
The good work of Miss Wiswall in Vicksburg was not confined to the
Soldiers' Home. She did not forget the freedmen, but was true to the
teachings of her uncles, the great and good Lovejoys. Of the sufferings
of these poor people she had opportunity to see much, and often did her
sympathies lead her beyond the sphere of her ordinary duties, to carry
food and clothing and medicine to such as were ready to perish.
In these charities, which were extended also to the white refugees, Miss
Wiswall did not lose sight of the direct line of her duty, the work she
had set out to do. The needs of the loyal soldier took precedence in her
mind of all others. No service so delighted her as this, and to none was
she so well fitted.
We remember after the calamitous Red River expedition, boat-load after
boat-load of the wounded were sent up to Vicksburg. As soon as they
touched the shore, our friend and her companions met the poor fellows
stretched upon the decks and scattered through the cabins and around the
engines, with words of womanly cheer, and brought the delicacies and
refreshments prepared by thoughtful hands at home. Many a brave man will
remember to his dying day how he shed tears of joy at sight of the first
true Northern woman's face that met him after that toilsome, disastrous
march.
At length a boat-load of the severely wounded were about to be sent up
the river to Northern hospitals, or on furlough to go to their homes.
The surgeon in charge desired the aid of a competent lady assistant; and
Miss Wiswall obtained temporary leave of absence to accompany him and
help take care of the sufferers. Her influence, we were told, was
inspiriting to all on board. She was once more in hospital and entirely
at home. At Cairo, where a portion of the wounded were discharged, she
took charge of an officer, whose limb had been amputated, and saw him
safely to his home in Elgin, Illinois. Making her friends in Chicago a
brief visit, she returned to her duties at Vicksburg, where she remained
until, with the close of the war, the Soldiers' Home was discontinued
about the 1st of June, 1865.
MRS. LUCY E. STARR.
In an early period of the civil war this heroic woman left her home at
Griggsville, Illinois, came to St. Louis and offered her services to
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