Mary Ann Bickerdyke - Mother of the Battlefield

Mary Ann Bickerdyke was a fearless Civil War nurse who saved thousands of lives by organizing hospitals and fighting for better care for soldiers.

Known to many as “Mother Bickerdyke,” she became a hero through her courage, kindness, and determination. Born on July 19, 1817, in Knox County, Ohio, her parents were farmers. Sadly, her mother died when Mary Ann was just a baby. She was raised by her grandparents and later her uncle. Not much is known about her early life, but some believe she may have attended Oberlin College. When she was older, she learned about herbal medicine, a type of healing that uses plants and natural remedies.

In 1847, Mary Ann married a man named Robert Bickerdyke. They had two sons together. Robert had poor health, so the family moved a few times, hoping he would get better. In 1859, Robert passed away, leaving Mary Ann to care for their children alone. She supported them by working as a “botanic physician,” using her knowledge of herbs and natural healing. When the Civil War began in 1861, Mary Ann’s life changed forever. Her church in Galesburg, Illinois, collected $500 worth of medical supplies for Union soldiers in Cairo, Illinois. Mary Ann volunteered to deliver the supplies. What she found shocked her, soldiers were living in dirty conditions with very little medical care. Right away, she rolled up her sleeves and went to work. Mary Ann cleaned the hospital, organized the nurses, and made sure the soldiers were properly cared for. She set up bathing tubs made from barrels and worked to give every patient clean clothes and healthy food. The soldiers began to feel better, and people noticed the big difference she made. She was soon appointed matron of the hospital, and the soldiers began calling her “Mother Bickerdyke” because she cared for them like a loving mother.

During the war, Mary Ann was hired by the U.S. Sanitary Commission and paid a monthly wage. With the support of General Ulysses S. Grant and General William Tecumseh Sherman, she was allowed to travel with the Union Army. She followed the troops from battle to battle, building hospitals, caring for the wounded, and even finding cows and chickens to feed the soldiers. She often risked her own life and was known for wearing a simple calico dress while doing difficult and dangerous work. Mary Ann helped on 19 battlefields, including Vicksburg, Shiloh, and Atlanta. She helped create over 300 hospitals during the war. Even top generals respected her. When someone complained about her breaking the rules, General Sherman said, “She ranks me!” He also called her “one of my best generals.”

After the war ended in 1865, Mary Ann rode at the front of the Grand Review parade in Washington, D.C., at the request of General Sherman. She didn’t stop helping soldiers after the war. She worked to get pensions for veterans and for over 300 nurses who had served. She also helped build homes for former soldiers and worked with organizations like the Salvation Army. In 1886, Congress gave Mary Ann a special pension of $25 a month to honor her service. She spent her later years living in Kansas with her son. Mary Ann Bickerdyke died in 1901 from a stroke. She was buried in Galesburg, Illinois, where a statue was built to honor her.

Mary Ann Bickerdyke is remembered as a brave and caring woman who made a huge difference during one of America’s most difficult times. Her work saved lives, improved medical care for soldiers, and showed the power of compassion and determination.

References:
“The Civil War in America Biographies.” Library of Congress, 12 Nov. 2012, www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-war-in-america/biographies/mary-ann-bickerdyke.html.
“Mary Ann Bickerdyke.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 15 July 2025, www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Ann-Bickerdyke.
McIntire, Tracey. “‘She Ranks Me’-The Story of Mother Bickerdyke.” National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 1 Aug. 2024, www.civilwarmed.org/mother-bickerdyke/.

Key words:
Science, Innovation, Perseverance, Courage, Achievement, Honesty, Stand Up for Your Beliefs, Make a Difference.

Explore ARTEFFECT projects about this Unsung Hero:
Mary Bickerdyke Artworks