Page:Lest We Forget The Sisters of Providence in Civil War Service.djvu/18

 was so unsuccessful, owing to the want of proper help and organization, that the doctors and authorities were distressed. They turned to the Sisters for aid, and sent in their appeal through Monsignor Bessonies, the pastor of St. John's Church. Upon receiving the appeal, Mother Cecilia, then Superior General of the order of Providence, went over immediately from St. Mary-of-the-Woods to make arrangements. Two days later, May 17, 1861, the Sisters took charge.

Referring to the event, the Community diary says: "They found the new hospital in a miserable state of filth and disorder, and the sick in a wretched condition. The Sisters labored very hard to put the hospital in a proper condition; their exertions were crowned with the greatest