was allowed to take
part in the most interesting duties to which the war called women.

I have often thought that one day of hospital employment, with its
constant work and opportunities, was worth a year of ordinary life at
home, and I remember with thankfulness how many times I was permitted to
take the place of absent mothers and sisters in caring for their sons
and brothers. It seemed to me that we women in the hospitals received
our reward a hundred-fold in daily sights of patient heroism, and
expressions of warm gratitude, and that we did not deserve mention or
remembrance in comparison with the thousands at home whose zeal never
wearied in labors indirect and unexciting, until the day of victory
ended their work.

No place in the country could have been better adapted to the uses of a
hospital than the grounds and buildings belonging to the Naval Academy
at Annapolis, enclosed on two sides, as they are, by an arm of the
Chesapeake Bay and the river Severn, and blessed with a varied view, and
fresh, invigorating breezes. At the opening of the war General Butler
landed troops at this point, thus communicating with Washington without
passing through Baltimore. The Naval School was immediately removed to
Newport, where it remained until after the close of our national
troubles. The places of the young students preparing for the naval
service were soon filled by the sick and wounded of the volunteer
armies.

The city of Annapolis is old and quaint. Unlike most of our American
capitals, it gives a stranger the impression of having been finished for
centuries, and one would imagine that the inhabitants are quite too
contented to have any idea of progress or improvement. The Episcopal
church, destroyed by fire a few years since, has been rebuilt; but even
that is crowned with the ancient wooden tower rescued from the flames,
and preserved in grateful memory of Queen Anne, who bestowed valuable
gifts on this church of her namesake city.

Within easy access of all the conveniences of a city, and with excellent
railroad facilities, the hospital grounds were perfectly secluded by
surrounding walls. As one entered through the high gates, an
indescribable repose was felt, enhanced by the charm with which Nature
has endowed the spot, in the abundant shade, evergreen, and fruit trees,
and rose-bushes, holly, and other shrubbery. The classical naval
monument, formerly at the Capitol in Washington, has within a few years
bee