Women in the Civil War: Dorthea Dix, the Sanitary Commission, and Nurses

Before the Civil War, women's lives were shaped by certain cultural ideals and standards; "true women" devoted themselves to creating and maintaining their domestic spheres and homes as havens for their husbands and children. However, during the Civil War, American women began to turn their attention to the world outside of their homes. Many women on both sides of the war signed up as nurses; it was the first time in American history that women played a significant role in the war effort.

When the troops began to gather in the early stages of the War, women organized societies, campaigns, and fairs to raise money for supplies and necessities. They laundered uniforms, knitted socks, embroidered quilts, and baked/canned goods for the soldiers. While all these efforts were truly sincere and helpful, many women wanted to take a more active role in the war effort. Inspired by Florence Nightingale and other previous nurses, they tried to find a way to care for the sick and injured of the Union. Eventually in 1861, the federal government created a "hygenic and sanitary service for the benefit of the army" called the United States Sanitary Commission. The primary objective were to fight diseases and infections by improving conditions in army camps and hospitals, and to provide relief to the sick and wounded soldiers. By the end of the war, the Commission had provided more than $14 million in supplies to the Union army. 

Nearly 3,000 middle-class white women worked as nurses, with another 20,000  women (working-class white and enslaved or free African-American) worked as laundresses and cooks. Superintendent of Army nurses Dorthea Dix put out a call for responsible volunteers who would not distract the troops or behave in unseemly ways, and insisted that her nurses be "past 30 years of age, healthy, and plain almost to repulsion in dress and devoid of personal attractions". These army nurses traveled from hospital to hospital, providing much-needed care to the wounded and sick soldiers, perhaps even acting as mothers and angels to the desolate soldiers.

These women who volunteered to serve their country were incredible; they had the courage and resolution to help in any way possible and were determined to do their share in the war effort. Their efforts and services were incalculable to the soldiers serving, and reflected their personal commitment to the cause.