Battlefield Angels: The Daughters of Charity Work as Civil War Nurses

Canawlers #2

by James Rada Jr.

"The country had only 600 trained nurses at the start of the Civil War. All were Catholic nuns. This is one of the best-kept secrets in our nation's history," Father William Barnaby Faherty once wrote. When the Civil War broke out, the Union and the Confederacy were prepared to fight, but they weren't prepared to care for the wounded that their fighting created. While many people volunteered to care for the soldiers, the only ones with any experience were Catholics sisters. Among the sisters, the most-experienced were the Daughters of Charity based in Emmitsburg, MD. When war broke out, they had already been caring for the sick for decades. However, the brutality of the war would test even their abilities as they ran hospitals, served on troop transports and provided care in battlefield hospitals and ambulances. They even had their own Central House occupied by armies from both sides of the war. The Daughters of Charity had such a high level of trust among the government officials that they were allowed in the early part of the war to move back and forth across the border between the two warring countries. Nor did they betray that trust as they served officers and soldiers, Union and Confederate, with the same level of care. With their wide, white cornettes looking almost like wings, the Daughters of Charity did resemble battlefield angels. The sight of those wing-like cornettes told soldiers that relief was on the way; someone who cared for them was coming.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I am a multi-award-winning journalist and copywriter. I have also written a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction and plan to write even more. I work as a freelance writer in Gettysburg, PA, where I live with my wife and sons.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written history of the Daughters of Charity and their work during the Civil War. For anyone looking to learn more about the medical side of this time period it provides a detailed understanding while adding a humanistic touch to the sisters. Very enjoyable!

[Mary K. Shrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to Put Down!

My book club chose "Canawlers" and I loved it so much that I purchased the rest of the series! Thank you James Rada for writing great stories about our area! I grew up in the area and loved reading about the C&O Canal with the Fitzgerald family!

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually a reader of stone cold agents like Matt Helm and John Wells and some softer ones like Tommy Carmellini but I do love history so I thought I'd give it a try.This is a series about a family that is striving to endure along the Potomac River during the War of Northern Aggression.While I thought I would like the historical aspects I wasn't too enamored with the story of a family toiling to make a decent living and life in those difficult times.I was wrong.I did become enamored.It didn't take long even for a hardened heart like mine to empathise with this family and become anxious for them to come out on the right side of some bad things happening to them.Mr. Rada is a pretty good story teller and I hope he continues this series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads first-reads.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves Gettysburg or is interested in history. The book contains true stories and photos from Gettysburg's history. It takes one beyond just the battlefield and opens one up to other fascinating tidbits. I enjoyed learning more about a city I love for it's Civil War history. The next time I visit my mind and eyes will be open to other historical facts that make the city great.

[James Rada Jr.]

I'm the author so anything I write about it will be biased. I will say that this book was a challenge for me to write. It was my first book-length history book. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I hope you like it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still intrigued by the Fitzgerald family--- but what happens? This book was published in '03. Is there going to be a third book in this series? Part two did not wrap anything up for me.

[Lynn Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but very tedious. If you are a Civil War buff you would really enjoy this book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is great if you love gettysburg. it has a lot of interesting stories. and the history.gets me more drawn into gettysburg