1. Little Known Characters of the Civil War The Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table features students with a creative perspective on the events and lives of ordinary citizens that loved, fought, lived and died in the struggle that created a revitalized Nation. The Board of Directors are dedicated to presenting you the perspectives of the presenters and their insight into the great struggle.

2. Ada Bacot: A Confederate Nurse Presented by Brittney Carnell

3. Ada’s Life Before the Civil War ●Wealthy plantation owner from Darlington County, South Carolina; family had 87 slaves ●Real estate worth $9,750 and personal property worth $20,975 ●Oldest of 6 children; born 12/31/1832 ●Very religious

4. Personal Struggles Before the Civil War ● Married second cousin, Thomas, in 1851 ● Lived at the Arnmore plantation a few miles away from her father’s plantation at Roseville ● Had two daughters: Anna Jane and Emily Helen  Anna died before she was two years old (1852) o Husband murdered in 1856 during an argument with his overseer  Second daughter, Emily, died seven months later at the age of 2 o Took on a foster daughter, Flora, the daughter of Roseville’s overseer

5. Ada’s Diary ● Began in September 1860 (27 years old) o By this time, she was widowed and had lost two children o Entries reflect unhappy emotional state ● Diary consists of 6 volumes o More than 1,000 pages o Descendants recalled a 7th volume, but it has never been located

6. The Impending Crisis ● Volunteered as nurse 2 weeks after South Carolina seceded o Had difficulties securing a position at first o Wanted desperately to help, but would not give her service until her local Reverend believed she was suitable for nursing duty ● December 10, 1861: secured position and left for Charlottesville, Virginia ● Both of her brothers became confederate soldiers

7. Motivation for Serving as a Nurse ● Best described as a confederate nationalist, deeply patriotic for her state and would do anything in her power to help SC soldiers o “My love for S. Carolina is that of an affectionate daughter for a mother, the purest love in the world” (26) ● Unattached; wanted to devote herself to worthy cause ● Specifically wanted to help SC soldiers; secured position in a SC Aid Association Hospital in VA

8. Life at Monticello ● Initial duties included meal prep, laundry, letter writing, reading Bible to soldiers ● Took one slave with her ● Loved the camaraderie this position offered o “I am enjoying myself so much that realy I can scarcely realize I am here on so sad a mission” (65) ● Became devoted to staying with the nurses and doctors she served with at Monticello; they agreed they would all go together should they be needed elsewhere ● Was sick for most of her time serving as nurse o “Dead tiard worn out cant write Too tiard to talk, want sleep (80)

9. Medical Challenges ● Shortage of traditional medicine o Encouraged to venture out for natural remedies ● All doctors and nurses complained of sickness for the duration of their duty o Many living in the quarters died during this time, such as children of doctors ● Smallpox started to spread; $5 fine instituted for refusal to be vaccinated

10. Feelings About the War ● Deeply devoted to the Confederacy o “I would rather pay every cent I have in taxes to our own government than have to submit to the Black republican rool” (48) ● “I have thought from the first ‘til hardly to be supposed that the north will see us go out of the union, without making some effort to prevent, or bring us back. If she should there must be war. My heart does not quail, It has not yet caused me a sleepless night, or a repining” (19) ● Thankful that God took her children so she wouldn’t have to worry about protecting them and now she can give her devotion to her state

11. Feelings About Slavery ● Diary does not reflect on her relationships with her own slaves very much o Does reveal general beliefs on their inferiority, anger with occasional refusal to obey her orders, thoughts that slaves who rebelled against their masters had been mistreated, and sense of responsibility for those in her care  Believed her own slaves liked her very much ● September 1862: Hit a young slave for not clearing the dinner table; his mother threatened Ada and both were beat by the Doctors she worked with o Mother was temporarily jailed, both were eventually discharged from service at the Maupin House ● Stated she disliked slaves from VA more than those from SC

12. Feelings About The North ● Deep personal struggle to help wounded and sick Union soldiers o “Two wounded Yankees were brought in & put on my lower ward. I would rather not have them & fear I will not have the patience to do for them, I cant help feeling pity for them, they are human beings. They are our enemys too, wounded & in our power. It will be hard to treat them as I do the other men but I know it is my duty” (125)

13. Changing Perceptions of War ● Began to grow homesick o Dedicated to staying as long as her duty was needed despite any personal feelings ● Arranged for a visit home; then came back to Charlottesville

14. Life After Nursing ● Married Thomas Clarke in November 1863; brother of Ada’s good friend and nurse at Midway hospital o Met when he was sick and getting treatment at Midway o Ada still very wealthy; signed premarital agreements ● Husband returned to active duty on January 15, 1864; killed two days later ● Ada discovered she was pregnant, gave birth September 1 o Ada’s father died of yellow fever one month later ● Three years later, she married Thomas Clarke’s brother, James o Again signed premarital agreement ● Lived happily married until James’s death in 1894 ● Ada died April 11, 1911 at the age of 78

15. Bibliography Berlin, Jean V., ed. A Confederate Nurse: The Diary of Ada Bacot, 1860-1863. Columbia: University of South Carolina, 1994.

16. About Brittney Carnell Originally from Hartselle, Alabama, she received a BA in International Relations & Global Affairs from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2011. She joined the United States Peace Corps and served in Mongolia and worked with underprivileged youth. The experience in the Piece Corp lead her to pursue working with at-risk youth here at home and to participate in the Alternative Master's program at UAH to earn a MA in history with a concentration in education and become a secondary social studies teacher.