Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/552

 which serenely slept the unknown dead, the memory of what they did in the great struggle “will never perish from the earth.”

During the war the women of Iowa were untiring in their work to alleviate the suffering and to add to the comfort of the soldiers in the field and hospital. Almost every town and neighborhood had its society to collect or make such articles as were needed by the sick and wounded. Hundreds of women offered their services as nurses in the hospitals but for a time were rejected by Regular Army officials. But, as the need of their services became great, and higher and more humane officials were appealed to, the obstructions were removed and their valuable services were gladly accepted.

Mrs. J. T. Fales was the first Iowa woman to visit army hospitals and minister to the sick. Mrs. I. K. Fuller, wife of the chaplain of the First Iowa Infantry, went with her husband to the field, was the first army nurse appointed from the State and rendered most valuable service. Mrs. Ann E. Harlan, wife of our distinguished United States Senator was the first to visit the battle-field of Shiloh.

When the news of that great battle reached Washington Mrs. Harlan procured from Secretary Stanton a pass to take herself and a lady companion through the lines of our army. At St. Louis she procured a steamboat, a large supply of sanitary goods and field equipments and hastened to the battle-field, at once entering upon her humane work. She and her helpers were the only civilians permitted by General Halleck to pass the lines and go upon the battle-field to minister to the wounded, while hundreds of the relatives of the dead and dying soldiers who had come on the same humane mission, were heartlessly turned back by his order. It was only the written order of Secretary Stanton that secured to Mrs. Harlan admission into the camps and hospitals. After affording all possible relief to the wounded on the field, Mrs. Harlan obtained permission of the authorities to remove a steamer load of the