The Women of City Point, Virginia, 1864-1865: Stories of Life and Work in the Union Occupation Headquarters by Jeanne M. Christie

The Women of City Point, Virginia, 1864-1865: Stories of Life and Work in the Union Occupation Headquarters

by Jeanne M. Christie

SOPO’s Take: Dr. Jeanne M. Christie, a Professor at Western Connecticut State University, has spent plenty of time at City Point, Virginia, first as a tourist, and later as a dedicated researcher.  Grant’s headquarters and supply depot became a bustling city almost overnight, and there was plenty of work to be done, with many roles going to women.  Her research focused on these women thrust into important wartime roles, including Government and Independent nurses, members of the United States Sanitary Commission, and the United States Christian Commission, and newly freed slaves. The result is an interesting book on an overlooked topic, one that fills an important gap in the historiography of the Siege of Petersburg.  Look for an author interview with Dr. Christie, as well as a more in depth review in the near future.

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About the Book

After more than three years of grim fighting, General Ulysses Grant had a plan to end the Civil War—laying siege to Petersburg, Virginia, thus cutting off supplies to the Confederate capital at Richmond. He established his headquarters at City Point on the James River, requiring thousands of troops, tons of supplies, as well as extensive medical facilities and staff.
Nurses flooded the area, yet many did not work in medical capacities—they served as organizers, advocates and intelligence gatherers. Nursing emerged as a noble profession with multiple specialties. Drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources, this history covers the resilient women who opened the way for others into postwar medical, professional and political arenas.

About the Author

Jeanne Marie Christie is a professor at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut. While conducting independent research with The National Parks Service she created the exhibit No Place for a Woman and authored articles in Virginia Cavalcade, The Journal of Women’s Civil War History and The Journal of Confederate History. She lives in Bethel, Connecticut.

Bibliographic Details

Jeanne Marie Christie

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 281
Bibliographic Info: appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2020
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7877-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3734-1
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii
Preface 1
1. “Sisters, Sisters” 5
2. Women Within the Safeguard 12
3. Nameless No More: Contraband Women 22
4. Government Nurses 34
5. Independent Nurses 55
6. Women of the United States Christian Commission (USCC): Prayers and Dinner 72
7. Women of the United States Sanitary Commission (USSC): The Art of Networking 92
8. State Agents: Logistics, Supplies and Catfights 114
9. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Front: Incidents of Harassment and Humor 126
10. Officers’ Wives: Parties and Swishing Silks 140
11. Homeward Bound Journey 153
Appendix: Weather for 1864–1865 233
Chapter Notes 240
Bibliography 255
Index 265

Paperback Edition

• Buy the Paperback Edition

ISBN: 978-1-4766-7877-1

Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

Release Date: January 2020

Pages: 281 pages

The Siege of Petersburg Online Pages Which Mention This Book:

• Author Interview: Jeanne M. Christie, Author of The Women of City Point, Virginia, 1864-1865