Page:Lest We Forget The Sisters of Providence in Civil War Service.djvu/12

 States. Letters to the students and to the Sisters confirmed reports of the momentous question then agitating and dividing the people; but, a happy adjustment of difficulties was hoped for, and prayers were redoubled for a solution that would bring quiet and contentment to all. Great, then, was the shock when it became known that war had been declared, and that the sad and dreadful conflict had begun.

It was not long before the battle's toll called for the aid of nurses. The Sisters, one and all, stood in readiness for the call, should it come, though of course only a comparatively small number could be chosen. The schools must be kept open, if at all possible. Most of the Sisters were in the schools. After the