L. P. Brockett, Women's work in the civil war: a record of heroism, patriotism and patience

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Mrs. Adaline Tyler.

Residence in Boston

-- removal to Baltimore -- Becomes Superintendent of a Protestant Sisterhood in that city -- duties of the Sisterhood -- the “Church home” -- other duties of “sister” Tyler -- the opening of the war -- the Baltimore mob -- wounding and killing members of the Sixth Massachusetts regiment -- Mrs. Tyler hears that Massachusetts men are wounded and seeks admission to them -- is refused -- she persists, and threatening an appeal to Governor Andrew is finally admitted -- she takes those most severely wounded to the “Church home,” procures surgical attendance for them, and nurses them till their recovery -- other Union wounded nursed by her -- Receives the thanks of the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor -- is appointed Superintendent of the Camden Street Hospital, Baltimore -- Resigns at the end of a year, and visits New York -- the surgeon-general urges her to take charge of the large Hospital at Chester, Pennsylvania -- she remains at Chester till the Hospital is broken up, when she is transferred to the first Division General Hospital, Naval Academy. Annapolis -- the returned prisoners -- their terrible condition -- Mrs. Tyler procures photographs of them -- impaired health -- resignation -- she visits Europe, and spends eighteen months there, advocating as she has opportunity the national cause -- the fiendish rebel spirit -- incident relative to President Lincoln's assassination

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Mrs. Tyler, the subject of the following sketch, is a native of Massachusetts, and for many years was a resident of Boston, in which city from her social position and her piety and benevolence she was widely known. She is a devout member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, greatly trusted and respected both by clergy and laity.

In 1856, she removed from Boston to Baltimore, Maryland. It was the desire of Bishop Whittingham of that Diocese to institute there a Protestant Sisterhood, or Order of Deaconesses, similar to those already existing in Germany, England, and perhaps other parts of Europe. Mrs. Tyler, then a widow, was invited to assume the superintendence of this order — a band of noble and devout women who turning resolutely from the world and its allurements and pleasures, desired to devote their lives and talents to works of charity and mercy.

To care for the sick, to relieve all want and suffering so far as lay in their power, to administer spiritual comfort, to give of their own substance, and to be the almoners of those pious souls whose duties lay in other directions, and whose time necessarily absorbed in other cares, did not allow the same self-devotion — this was the mission which they undertook, and for years prosecuted with untiring energy, and undoubted success.

In addition to her general superintendence of the order, Mrs. Tyler administered the affairs of the Church Home, a charitable Institution conducted by the Sisterhood, and occupied herself in