The only paid help were two men and one woman, the latter lived near the camp and reported for duty at first meal call and remained until dining tent and kitchen were in order. The other work in kitchen was gratuitously done by Atlanta members of Red Cross Society, assisted by Mrs. Edward H. Barnes, Miss Loulie Gordon Roper (niece of General J.B. Gordon), Miss Emmie McDonnell, Miss Estelle Whelan, Mrs. George Boykin Saunders, all of Atlanta, and the ladies from Sweetwater Park Hotel, who came over daily from the hotel, about half a mile distant from camp, and assisted in serving table meals, also in carrying delicacies to hospitals and distributed flowers among the patients.
It affords us pleasure to acknowledge the uniform courtesy of the army officials, especially the commandant, Major Thomas Wilhelm, Chief Surgeon Major E.L. Swift, Assistant Surgeons Street, Bak and Johnson and Lieutenant Norman, quartermaster. Major Wilhelm had our kitchen built and fly tent for dining hall put up in a few hours after our arrival, detailed men to help whenever needed in kitchen, and with finest courtesy assured us of his appreciation of what was being done to add to the comfort of his sick and convalescent men.
Besides the regular kitchen work at Camp Hobson, the Red Cross furnished for a short time to the hospitals one special nurse (Miss McKinley) and one trained nurse (Miss McLain), who remained until our last patients were sent to Fort McPherson General Hospital and went with them in the hospital train, ministering to their wants until they were transferred to their respective wards there. In this connection we think proper to state that many of our Camp Hobson patients now in Fort McPherson Hospital, one of the best equipped and best managed hospitals in the country, assure us that they can never forget the unfailing kindness of Chief Surgeon Swift and assistants, the faithful care of their Red Cross nurses, nor the delicacies furnished by the diet kitchen at Camp Hobson.
The Red Cross having authorized Miss McKinley to furnish anything necessary for the sick, medicines, fine whiskey and hospital supplies were ordered by telephone from Atlanta, as there was some delay in shipment of government supplies, the orders were promptly filled and proved important factors in improving hospital wards. Clothing was furnished to some of the Camp Hobson men who were left behind and could not draw needed articles of clothing as their “descriptive lists” had not been furnished. When the Twenty-first Regiment left for the North coffee was served on the train to the entire regiment in second section. Most of the ice used after the diet kitchen was established was furnished through Mr. Percy R. Pyne, of New York, who kindly supplied what was needed. Thanks are due G.F. Matthews & Co., of New York, who wrote that they would furnish all the tea needed in the kitchen, but as the camp was about to break up, their kind offer was not accepted.
Special thanks are due to H.W. Blake, manager of Sweetwater Park Hotel at Lithia Springs, for many courtesies extended, when our milkman was late, or our groceries (ordered from Atlanta) were delayed, he furnished fresh milk and eggs for the patients until our supplies arrived. Mrs. Blake sent daily from the beautiful hotel gardens, flowers for hospitals and dining table, also for distribution in hospital trains before leaving Camp Hobson.
In conclusion, we can venture to assure you that while the time of our work at Camp Hobson was short, great good was accomplished, the improvement of convalescents who took meals at the kitchen was very rapid, owing to the well prepared and nourishing food furnished them. The surgeons, as well as hospital stewards, were much gratified at marked improvement in hospital wards after the arrival of Red Cross nurses.
Upon the departure of every hospital train, we served iced milk to fever patients, milk toast to those not restricted to liquid diet, and supplied milk and stimulants for their journey. We thank the Red Cross for the privilege of assisting in their relief work for our soldiers at Camp Hobson, whose appreciation for all that was done for them was unbounded and their gratitude a delight for those who ministered to their wants.
“MARIE TERESA” AFTER THE ENGAGEMENT.