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Mrs. Eliza C. Porter.
- Mrs. Porter's social position -- her patriotism -- labors in the hospitals at Cairo -- she takes charge of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission Rooms at Chicago -- her determination to go, with a corps of nurses, to the front -- Cairo and Paducah -- visit to Pittsburg Landing after the battle -- she brings nurses and supplies for the hospitals from Chicago -- at Corinth -- at Memphis -- work among the freedmen at Memphis and elsewhere -- efforts for the establishment of hospitals for the sick and wounded in the Northwest -- co-operation with Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. Howe -- the Harvey Hospital -- at Natchez and Vicksburg -- other appeals for Northern hospitals -- at Huntsville with Mrs. Bickerdyke -- at Chattanooga-1experiences in a field Hospital in the woods -- following Sherman's army from Chattanooga to Atlanta -- “this seems like having mother about” -- constant labors -- the distribution of supplies to the soldiers of Sherman's army near Washington -- a patriotic family
Mrs. Eliza C. Porter, the subject of the following sketch, is the wife of the Rev. Jeremiah Porter, a Presbyterian clergyman of Chicago, Illinois. Of all the noble band of Western women who during the late war devoted time, thought, and untiring exertions to the care of our country's defenders, very few, if any are more worthy of honorable mention, and the praise of a grateful nation, than Mrs. Porter. Freely she gave all, withholding not even the most precious of her possessions and efforts-her husband, her sons, her time and strength, the labor of hands and brain, and, above all, her prayers. Few indeed at a time when sacrifices were general, and among the women of our country the rule rather than the exception, made greater sacrifices than she. Her home was broken up, and the beloved circle scattered, each member in his or her own appropriate sphere, actively engaged in the great work which the war unfolded. A correspondent thus describes Mrs. Porter; “Mrs. Porter is from forty-five to fifty years of age, a quiet, modest, lady-like woman, very gentle in her manners, and admirably qualified to soothe, comfort and care for the sick and wounded.” But this description, by no means includes, or does justice to the admirable fitness for the work which her labors have developed, her quiet energy, her great executive and organizing ability, and her tact ever displayed in doing and saying the right thing at precisely the right time. Of the value of this latter qualification
