Under the guns : A woman's reminiscences of the Civil War

Through the eyes of a devoted nurse, this memoir brings the Civil War’s battlefield hospitals to life. Beginning in the spring of 1861, she describes how makeshift infirmaries sprang up near her Iowa hometown and how she tended to the wounded, often being the first to close a soldier’s eyes. Her candid recollections capture the urgency, the cramped wards, and the quiet moments of compassion that unfolded amid the chaos of war.

Supported by the women of Iowa and granted unprecedented access by military leaders, she moved alongside armies from Vicksburg to Petersburg. Encounters with figures such as General and Mrs. Grant reveal a world where civilian volunteers were welcomed and respected, while her own resourcefulness allowed her to deliver supplies across hostile terrain. The narrative offers vivid snapshots of the daily struggles, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the steadfast resolve of those who served on the front lines of care.