From "Women of the War," by Frank Moore, Hartford, Conn., 1866, pp. 513-517

Anna Etheridge

Were our government to order a gold medal to be given to the woman who has most distinguished herself by heroic courage on the field, and by the most patient and effective service in the military hospitals, there can be little doubt that the united voices of the soldiers and of all the army nurses would assign the honor to Anna Etheridge, of Michigan.

In the great work of charity and self-sacrifice performed by the women during the late conflict, some have displayed organizing and executive talent truly wonderful.  Others have become remarkable for the extent and duration of their labors -- others for the admirable and Christian spirit they brought to the hospitals and the battle-field.  Genuine courage and hardihood have been displayed by females, but not generally in connection with those finer characteristics for which woman is most prized.

But in our "gentle Anna" was combined that true heroism which is the highest boast of manhood, with the modesty, the quiet bearing, the deferential manners and unobtrusive worth which are the loveliest traits of the fairer and the weaker sex.  Few soldiers were in the war longer, or served with so slight intermissions, or had so little need of rest.

When the first enlistments took place, in the summer of 1861, Anna Etheridge was in Detroit, on a visit to friends.  There she enlisted in the Second Michigan volunteers, under Colonel Richardson.  Nineteen young ladies were said to have offered to go with the regiment in the capacity of nurses; but in a few months' service every one but Anna had returned home, lost her health, or been discharged.

She was with the regiment in the action at Blackburn's Ford, which was preliminary to the first battle of Bull Run, and continued with it through nearly all the great Virginia battles.  She was furnished with a horse, side-saddle, saddle-bags, &c., and during a battle would often ride fearlessly to the front; and whenever she found a soldier too badly hurt to go to the rear, she would dismount, and, regardless of shot and shell, produce her lint and bandages, bind up his wounds, give water or stimulating drink, then gallop on in search of another sufferer.  General Berry, who for a long time commanded the brigade to which her regiment was attached, and who was remarkable for his personal gallantry in all these engagements, declares that she has remained cool and self-possessed under as hot as fire as he ever saw or was exposed to himself.  The brilliant General Kearney at one time commanded this brigade, and, in consideration of her dauntless courage and invaluable services, commissioned her as a regimental sergeant, and presented her with the handsome cross that bears his noble and heroic name.  When not actively engaged on the field or in hospital, she superintended the cooking at brigade headquarters; and when the brigade moved she would mount her horse and march with the ambulances and the surgeons, administering to the wants of the sick and wounded.  At the nightly bivouac she wrapped herself in her blanket, and slept on the ground with the hardihood of a true soldier.

Her exploits at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and in the battles of Grant's closing campaign, were a favorite theme with the soldiers.  On one occasion a wounded man, to whom she was attending, was struck by a shell and torn in pieces, almost between her hands.  Generally, during an engagement, she would remain in a little in the rear with the surgeon; but often, when she saw a man fall she would dash forward into the hottest of the fire, lift him on her horse, and bring him safely to the rear, where he could have prompt attention.  Many times she received balls through her dress, but was never hit.  Many and many a soldier owes his life to "gentle Anna's" intrepidity.  More than once, when the troops showed signs of retreating, she rushed to the front, seized the colors, and rallied them to a charge, shaming many into doing their duty.  At the battle of the Wilderness, when the fighting was at its height, the balls raining like hailstones, the Fifth Michigan and some other troops were surrounded and nearly cut off by the rebels.  As the line of battle swung around, the enemy took the places our men had vacated.  Anna at that moments peaking to an orderly, a mere boy, when a bullet pierced his heart, and he fell against her, dead.  For the first and only time during the war our heroine became "demoralized;" and laying the dead orderly to the ground, she ran towards what she took to be the Union troops.  Too late she discovered her mistake, but kept on, dashing through the rebel line, and though several shots were sent after her, made her escape unhurt.

In demeanor "Michigan Anna" is thoroughly modest, quiet, and retiring, while her habits and conduct are correct and exemplary.  Though on the battle-field she seems to be possessed and animated by the single desire of saving the lives of wounded men, she seldom speaks of herself, or refers to anything she has done.  With strangers she is very reticent, and has a reserve and apparent pride of manner.  With the soldiers, though sharing all their hardships, she never spoke familiarly, and was held by them in the highest veneration and esteem, as an angel of mercy.  While the contest was going on, she took the deepest interest in the issue, eagerly reading all of the newspapers that she could find in camp, and keeping well informed as to the progress of the war.

When the general orders excluded her temporarily from the front lines, she engaged promptly in any hospital labors where aid was needed.

During a part of the Peninsula campaign she was on a hospital transport, and Miss Bradley speaks in warm terms of the constant, thorough, and effectual service there performed by her.  So, also, at City Point she cooperated with Mrs. Husband and other ladies, working indefatigably, and winning the respect and admiration of all under her care.

No one of the noble women who have distinguished themselves during the war can furnish so rich, varied, and romantic a series of recollections as Anna Etheridge, more of which might have been employed for the embellishment of this brief sketch, were it not that the heroine is preparing a volume of her own, which is likely to prove one of the most interesting recitals connected with the history of the times.

A career so romantic has not failed to stimulate the enthusiasm of several of our poets to celebrate her exploits in rhyme.

Perhaps the lines which follow are the best tribute which the Muses have, as yet, made to this admirable character: --

TO MISS ANNA ETHERIDGE

The Heroine of the War

Hail, Heroine of the battle-field!

Sweet angel of a real divine!

Hail, maiden, whose device and shield,

Sculpted in tears and prayers, will shine,

Oh Love's eternal column reared.

In memory of the martyred dead,

To be, through coming time, revered,

And sacred to the pilgrim's tread!

Hail, dauntless maid! whose shadowy form,

Borne like a sunbeam on the air,

Swept by amid the battle-storm,

Cheering the helpless sufferers there,

Amid the cannon's smoke and flame,

The earthquake roar of shot and shell,

Winning, by deeds of love, a name

Immortal as the brave who fell.

Hail, angel! whose diviner spell

Charmed dying heroes with her prayer,

Staunching their wounds amid the knell

Of death, destruction, and despair.