This is an excellent look into this area of the Civil War that is seldom thought about. The author prepares the reader by providing an extensive background of Mrs. Ropes, her family, and relevant events of the times. This is not study of the Civil War per se but a microscope view into the life of one woman. Although Mrs. Ropes lived and operated within the bounds of her times, her high principles, courage, and spirit for adventure took her to places and events that few, man or woman, would go. In these early days of nursing, simply reading a book on the subject made Mrs Ropes infinitely more qualified. Born financially comfortable, she found herself raising two children as a single parent with little support. At 50 with her children raised, she volunteered as Matron of a Union hospital in Washington. Her true grit lead her to pay personal calls to the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Was to stop mistreatment of wounded in her care. This resulted in the hospital's army Head Steward being discharged and imprisoned. Mrs Ropes was not in conflict with the mores of the day regarding gender. Instead she expected everyone whether male or female to be honorable in their role. She would not have seen either sex to be greater than the other. Instead she saw womanhood to be the highest calling. Hannah Ropes is the embodiment of her ideals. A heroine in every sense.Read full review
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