Letters of a Civil War Nurse: Cornelia Hancock 1863-1865

1. Letters of a Civil War Nurse: Cornelia Hancock 1863-1865 By Hunter Mack and Grace Vincent

2. Letter #1 Camp Letterman, Aug. 23rd, 1863. MY DEAR MOTHER THE first best thing to say is that I received the barrel of things, all safe and all of them, even the dishcloths. I have seen those barrels and taken a reasonable amount of interest in them but this one coming from home seemed to me the nicest one I ever saw. Things in Government care carry very slowly, but, in my case, sure. The sheets were most valuable and came in time for Sunday inspection. I expect I took the prize again. I did last week. I always take my full share from the hospital store and then have my own to fill up the deficiency. Besides your barrel I received a large box from cousin Eleanor --it was splendid, fine shirts, drawers, cologne, rags and new sheets. They came Saturday, in time for Sunday inspection too. In it was a small box filled with nice little things like needles, thread, tape, etc., which Belle and Sallie fixed up. Sara S_____ sent me a dress too; that box would have been a great loss, but it carried perfectly safe. Remember me to Old Mary; if she were here she could earn a dollar per day washing for the ladies. Mrs. Holstein is matron-in-chief here. Mrs. Harris does not come around now. Miss Dix peeks in every week or two. There is one woman here who has the clothes department. They call her "General Duncan"; she is the terror of the whole camp. She came and blew me up sky high for having my ward so clean, said I must get more than my share of clothes. I answered her very politely and held my tongue. I can get along with her if any one can.

3. Letter #1 cont. If Charleston falls will we not begin to see our way through this war? I do not read the papers very often now, think I am doing all I can and leave the issue to God. I think war is a hellish way of settling a dispute. Oh, mercy, the suffering! All the worst are dying rapidly. I saw one of my best men die yesterday. He wore away to skin and bone, was anxious to recover but prayed he might find it for the best for him to be taken from his suffering. He was the one who said if there was a heaven I would go to it. I hope he will get there before I do. He was not in my ward now, but I just went over in time to be with him when he died. I hope to keep well enough ton stay with the men I am now with until they are all started on their way to heaven or home. It is very interesting getting them started on crutches. They are so patient, they never bother for anything; they are jolly even, for the most part. It is great fun to prop yourself up with pillows on a nice little iron bedstead and write letters home. Sergeant Hart has given me one of the best gold pens and it writes so nicely. From thy daughter, CORNELIA HANCOCK

4. Letter Analysis • Author- Cornelia Hancock: a volunteer nurse in the Civil War for the Union, letters were very useful because they described her experiences in Gettysburg • Intended audience- Cornelia Hancock’s mother and family at home • Setting of the letter- Hancock was working at a hospital near a battlefield. She had tend to soldiers that were injured to heal them so they can get back into battle. Hancock was writing about how she got new sheets, a new dress, and other items that she needed for her job. • Cornelia Hancock is biased in this letter because she talks about how she thinks war is a very wrong way to settle an argument. She believes that people should not have to suffer. • The conditions at the time of this letter was rough • Why didn’t the people that worked at the hospital have an abundance of the supplies that they needed? • Why did Cornelia take such pride in keeping her area clean and organized?

5. Letter #2 MY DEAR SISTER WE have been two days on the field; go out about eight and come in about six--go in ambulances or army buggies. The surgeons of the Second Corps had one put at our disposal. I feel assured I shall never feel horrified at anything that may happen to me hereafter. There is a great want of surgeons here; there are hundreds of brave fellows, who have not had their wounds dressed since the battle. -8- Brave is not the word; more, more Christian fortitude never was witnessed than they exhibit, always say--"Help my neighbor first he is worse." The Second Corps did the heaviest fighting, and, of course, all who were badly wounded, were in the thickest of the fight, and, therefore, we deal with the very best class of the men--that is the bravest. My name is particularly grateful to them because it is Hancock. General Hancock is very popular with his men. The reason why they suffer more in this battle is because our army is victorious and marching on after Lee, leaving the wounded for citizens and a very few surgeons. The citizens are stripped of everything they have, so you must see the exhausting state of affairs. The Second Army Corps alone had two thousand men wounded, this I had from the Surgeon's head quarters. I cannot write more. There is no mail that comes in, we send letters out: I believe the Government has possession of the road. I hope you will write. It would be very pleasant to have letters to read in the evening, for I am so tired I cannot write them. Get the Penn Relief to send clothing here; there are many men without anything but a shirt lying in poor shelter tents, calling on God to take them from this world of suffering; in fact the air is rent with petitions to deliver them from their sufferings. C. HANCOCK

6. Letter Analysis • Author- Cornelia Hancock • Intended Audience- Hancock’s sister and people that will make donations to the surgeons and nurses on the battlefield • Setting of the letter- Cornelia and the rest of the few surgeons are very busy tending to the load of patients that they have. There are more soldiers that need operated on than there are surgeons. • Cornelia Hancock was biased because she understands that war is a lot more brutal than what most people believe. She thinks that war should be avoided because of the suffering of the wounded soldiers. • Conditions were extremely harsh • Why do you think there aren’t many surgeons on the battlefield to help? • Why can’t the surgeons and other medical workers receive letters?

7. Letter #3 MY DEAR MOTHER THY letter has at length come to hand but was not directed to the hospital and was advertised at City Point. If it had been directed Miss Hancock it would have come to me, but Cornelia Hancock does not seem to mean me out here. They supposed it to be some contraband at the Point. I am well and full of business. My new kitchen is nearly finished. I shall move probably by Sunday. I shall then have to leave my log hut for more commodious quarters in my kitchen. I received a letter from Dr. Dudley's mother; she thinks he is dead. I shall never think so, if he never comes back. In fact, I have seen so many that were with him and they all say it is impossible that he can be dead. I honestly do not worry myself much about it. I know whatever is right will take place. I would like to hear the particulars of Henry's imprisonment. I am glad he is out. Fred's Billy (colored) stays with me now, blacks my shoes and takes care of Dr. Aiken and myself generally. Until this last letter I never knew what was the matter with father. I suppose Will had a good time at Cape May. I would like to have some quails but I get excellent living. If you can live I don't care anything about taxes. So you do not starve, and have a good house and have only one child in the army and she not exposed to shot and shell, you ought to be very thankful. The poetry was beautiful. Sallie certainly is crazy not writing to thee. She writes to me quite frequently. I am well, hope this will find you so. Send me that letter of Doctor Dudley's that is laying round your house somewhere I hope. I want it. from thy daughter, CORNELIA

8. Letter Analysis • Author- Cornelia Hancock • Intended audience- Hancock’s mother or other people that are close to her and want an update on how she is doing in the war • Setting of the letter- Hancock is about to finish her new kitchen, and she is still at war. She has a new slave that works for her and Dr. Aiken too. • Cornelia Hancock is biases because she now has a new kitchen that most people do not have while at war. She is able to have a stable place that she does not have to share with anyone else. • Why does Cornelia Hancock and Dr. Aiken need a slave to help them? • Why does Dr. Dudley’s mother think he is dead?