Anna Blair Etheridge was an honored civil war nurse. She was well
known to the people who fought in the war. Information about her childhood is
scarce. She joined the army as a cook, and ended up being a nurse. She
devoted her life to the army from the first battle at Blackburn's Ford, in 1861, until
the last battle at Petersburg, in 1865.
Anna was born and raised in Detroit. There she lived in a small house
with her dad, and her housekeeper named Belle. Later on when Anna
turned twelve, she and her dad moved to Wisconsin, leaving behind a great
friend named Sophie, and Belle. They were living in a one-room apartment.
During that time she meet a new friend named Clara Jenkins. They loved to
cook together. Clara always complemented her on how well she cooked.
Soon after, Anna's dad became very ill. She nursed him until he died. Not
knowing what to do, she took Clara's advice and moved back to Detroit with her
friend Sophie and her family. Sophie was glad to see Anna back. The first few
days together, they visited all the places they used to enjoy before Anna moved.
Later on at dinnertime, Will, Sophie's brother, said he was going to join the Union
Army of Potomac to fight in the war.
"Union Army," were words Anna couldn't get out of her head. She
wanted to join so badly. Anna didn't know how to break the news to Sophie.
She finally did at dinnertime. Sophie's parents were stunned too. They tried to
talk her out of it but Anna followed what her soul told her to do.
The next day Will and Anna went to sign up. The general at the sign up
booth was only accepting eight girls to wash and clean. She waited in line for
hours. When the general read the names off, she was amazed to hear her name
was called. She was so overjoyed she couldn't sleep that
...