Mother’s Medicine - Civil War Monitor

Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke, a Sanitary Commission Agent and nurse for the Union army, played a crucial role during the Civil War. She brought soups, tea, coffee, and milk punch to battlefield hospitals, using these preparations to alleviate the suffering of wounded soldiers. Her background as a botanic physician led her to favor plant-based remedies and alcohol to stimulate circulation and provide warmth and nutrition to soldiers. Her efforts at Fort Donelson saved the lives of two Union soldiers.