Soldier's Friend - Mary Jewett Telford

 

“This blessed woman, whom I’ve always called ‘my angel,’ snatched me from the grave down in Tennessee and saved my life; sick and discouraged and homesick she made me live and get well.” Wounded Union Soldier

 

Mary Jewett

Library of Congress

Mary Jewett lived a life of service. She was raised in an abolitionist family. In her teens she taught French and music in Kentucky. At the outset of the Civil War, she became President of a girl’s Soldier’s Friends Society. She applied to serve in the United States Sanitary Commission as a nurse but was turned down for being too young. Mary persisted and received special permission to join the thousands of women who served as volunteer nurses during the conflict. Prior to the Civil War, most medical professions were considered the province of men.

 

Hospital No. 8, Nashville, Tennessee

During most of her one-year tenure, Mary was the only woman nurse at Hospital No. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary tended to the medical needs of up to 600 soldiers. She also looked for ways to lift the men’s spirits by writing letters for them to send home.

After the Battle of Stones River, Mary met Jacob Telford who had been seriously wounded at the Battle of Stones River while serving with Company B of the 15^th Indiana Infantry. Telford hailed from Mary’s hometown of Seneca, New York. Mary and Jacob fell in love during his recovery. Mary resigned from nursing in 1864 and married Jacob shortly thereafter.

 

Mary Telford

Mary Jewett Telford’s experiences during the Civil War only deepened her commitment to serve. One of Mary’s friends wrote:

“Her army experience greatly strengthened her desire to elevate and better mankind and thereafter her life was zealously devoted to all things good.”

 

Mary Telford

Mary and her husband adopted several girls orphaned during the war. Later she became a writer, editor, lecturer, and activist. She was a charter member of the Women’s Relief Corps, an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. Mary also helped organize the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and promoted women’s suffrage.