Emmitsburg in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Daughters of Charity
"O, it was beyond description"
— Gettysburg Campaign —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2020
Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton founded the Roman Catholic community of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph's here in 1809 (in1 1850, merged with the Daughters of Charity). The sisters played a prominent role during the Civil War as nurses and human service worker, providing compassion in an otherwise violent and painful epoch. They continued Mother Seton's ministry of charity, bringing solace and healing to the wounded of both armies, sometimes at their own peril.
Father Francis Burlando and a group of twelve sisters, taking "baskets of things for the wounded, bandages and other necessaries," were among the first from outside Gettysburg to provide help after the battle. One of the sisters remarked that there was not a woman in sight: "On reaching the Battle grounds, awful! To see the men lying dead on the road some by the side of their horses. O, it was beyond description, hundreds of both armies lying dead almost on the track that the driver had to be careful not to pass over the bodies. O! This picture of human beings slaughtered down by their fellow men in a cruel civil war was perfectly awful." The sisters stayed in McClellan's Hotel (now The Gettysburg Hotel) while they nursed the wounded soldiers.
More than 600 sister nurses from twelve separate religious communities served during the Civil War. Among the sister nurses from four communities with American hospital experience, approximately 270 Daughters of Charity rendered nursing care and spiritual assistance to the wounded of both armies at more than sixty sites in fifteen states.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.
Location. 39° 41.93′ N, 77° 19.641′ W. Marker is in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker can be reached from South Seton Avenue (Business U.S. 15) 1.7 miles north of Catoctin Mountain Highway (U.S. 15), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 339 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg MD 21727, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Joseph's Valley Camp (a few steps from this marker); Gen. John F. Reynolds (a few steps from this marker); The First Statue of Mother Seton Erected in the United States (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stone House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bells of St. Joseph's Valley
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2020
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaces the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.