Title: Sarah Low Papers, 1844-1880
Creator: Low, Sarah, 1830-1913
Accession / Call Number: 1965.010
Object ID: 1965.010
Date: 1844-1880
Physical Description: 1 box ; 0.33 linear feet
Level of Description: Collection
Abstract: The Sarah Low Papers, 1844-1880, contain personal correspondence from Low to her relatives describing her activities as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War, as well as a journal, medical reports, notes, receipts, and clippings. Her letters, some of which were published in New Hampshire and Massachusetts newspapers, focus on her daily routine as a nurse at Union Hotel Hospital and Armory Square Hospital in Washington, DC. Low wrote in detail about her nursing responsibilities as well as operations performed, cures for infection and disease, sanitary conditions of war hospitals, patients, battles, excursions, social events, and politics.
Scope and Content: The Sarah Low Papers, 1844-1880, contain personal correspondence from Sarah to her relatives describing her activities as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War. Her letters, some of which were published in the New Hampshire and Massachusetts newspapers, focus on her daily routine as a nurse at Union Hotel Hospital, Georgetown, and Armory Square Hospital, Washington, DC. Sarah wrote in colorful detail about her nursing responsibilities as well as operations being performed, cures for infection and disease, sanitary conditions of war hospitals, patients, battles, excursions throughout the countryside, social events, and politics in Washington. Among Sarah's earlier letters are various accounts of Nurse Dorothea Dix, superintendent of army nurses during the Civil War and renowned crusader for the mentally ill. Nurse Dix, in charge of hiring trained nurses, believed volunteer nurses unprofessional and resented their presence. In an effort to rid of Sarah, Nurse Dix reported her on at least one occasion for neglect of duty. Several detailed letters during the years 1862-1863 relate Sarah's encounters with Nurse Dix. Shortly after her arrival in Washington, Sarah was transferred to Armory Square Hospital where she remained until 1866. She and other volunteer staff were welcomed warmly and supported by Dr. Willard Bliss, surgeon-in-chief of Armory Square and superintendent of construction on the "model" hospital. Sarah's change in attitude is strongly reflected in all letters written home after her transfer. Of equal interest are several letters written during the winter of 1864, depicting Sarah's spare moments in a nearby Freedman's Village. Sarah shared political views and social customs with freedmen and their families while teaching them to read and write. In April of 1864, Sarah was invited to a reception given by President Lincoln and a year later she attended his wake and funeral procession. Both events are described in detail. Other materials in this collection include an 1862 journal, medical and diet reports, receipts, patient notes, and clippings.
Arrangment: The Sarah Low papers are arranged by type, then chronologically.
Subjects:
African Americans,
Correspondence,
Nurses,
Slavery,
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865,
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Hospitals,
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Medical care
Locations: Dover, NH
Washington, DC
Boston, MA
People:
Bliss, Willard, Dr., 1825-1889,
Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887,
Hale, John Parker, 1806-1873,
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865,
Low, Mary Ann, 1798-1882,
Low, Sarah, 1830-1913,
Lowell, Anna,
Worthing, Helen, 1837-1904
Organizations:
Armory Square Hospital (Washington, D.C.),
Union Hotel Hospital
Credit Line: The Sarah Low Papers were made available to the public through Miss Elizabeth Frost and Mrs. Winifred Stonemetz.
Location Code: TL/1W
Restrictions: Available for research.
Preferred Citation: Sarah Low Papers, 1965.010. New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord, NH. Date accessed.
Finding Aid Link: RS62612_Low_Sarah_Papers_1965.010.pdf