History : Heroes ~ Key Figures ~ Historial Data ~ USCC Women ~ Hospitality ~ Medical Care ~ Delegate Duties

Throughout the civil war, women played various roles in service to their country. Their service in the US Christian Commission was varied and can be broken into three different aspects:

Ladies Christian Commissions
An Auxiliary to the U.S. Christian Commission

The United States Christian Commission needed the organized aid of the ladies to supply money and stores for its work, and a national movement commenced in May, 1864 with a view to organize a Ladies’ Christian Commission in each evangelical congregation of the North. Prior to this point the aid societies were generally organized locally and performed tremendous service. A more organized network of collection, fundraising and support was needed in order to meet the growing demand for serving the soldiers.

During the years of 1864 and four months of 1865, over 81% of the value of the USCC was distributed. This demonstrates both a greater recognition of need by the citizens, and also a more efficient system of collection and distribution of support by the Christian Commission. The organization of the Ladies Christian Commission played a critical role to this success.

Field Service

There are numerous accounts of women serving in the field with the Christian Commission. Most are related after a battle tending to the wounded, or in the various hospitals. Their tireless service brought much comfort to the sick, wounded and dying men. The following account describes the work among the soldiers:

“A company of excellent ladies of the Union Relief Association of Baltimore attend the hospital and camps at Harper’s Ferry, and those of all the hospitals and camps along the Potomac. They take with them stores from the warehouse of the Christian Commission, and find supplies among our Chaplains and delegates, which they enjoy great satisfaction in preparing, converting into custards, jellies and conserves of various kinds, and administering to the afflicted subjects of their care. Scarcely a wounded man finds his way in and out of the hospital without receiving some period during his confinement the kind attention of these ladies. Mrs. Alph. Hyatt, Miss Ellen Small, Miss Emma Robins, Miss Harriet Southgate and others, have rendered very efficient service to the invalids of Harper’s Ferry."
(USCC-Third Report of Committee of MD, 1864)

Special Dietary Kitchens

“To the sick man food and medicine are only different names for the same thing. They hold equally prominent places in all systems of good nursing, and should be equally subject to the physician’s prescription and control. This was the fundamental principle in the Commission’s plan of Special Dietary Kitchens.” (Annals pg 665)

Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, of Iowa can be attributed with leading the effort to improve nutrition in the hospitals. Her work early in the war with the Sanitary Commission led her to believe that the sufferings and necessities of the men could be helped and effectually relieved with special attention and plan for a suitable diet. The results of her observations and thoughts took shape in the system of Christian Commission Special Dietary Kitchens.

The first special diet kitchen established was in the Cumberland Hospital, Nashville and was maintained for nearly two years. The kitchens were rapidly multiplied among the principal hospitals at the West. In all, between fifty and sixty special dietary kitchens were put into operation. They were maintained in the more permanent hospitals until the Commission closed its labors. Over one hundred ladies were engaged in their management.