It need hardly be said that this accidental likeness caused a strong bond of feeling between those till that moment utter strangers. The soldier begged to be allowed to call the lady mother, and she was only too glad to minister to him as she hoped some kind soul might do to the son he resembled, should an hour of need occur. She found him to be an educated and intelligent young man. She did for him all she could, and watched and tended him with real devotion, but in vain. It was found impossible to save him; and when he was gone, she performed the last of her sad offices, by cutting from above his brow a mass of clustering, raven curls, which she enclosed in a letter to his mother, telling her all she knew of her boy's bravery, and his fate.
These days at Murfreesboro were days of hard labor, but of great satisfaction. There had been more than five thousand men in hospital, but these were thinned out by deaths, convalescence, etc., until but few remained. Then Mrs. Hosmer and her friend returned to their home.
The following summer that admirable and most useful institution, the "Soldiers' Home," was established in Chicago, and Mrs. Hosmer was appointed first vice-president.
This "Home" occupied much of her time for the following year. In connection with this was the Soldiers' Rest, where hundreds, and sometimes thousands of men, in transitu, were furnished with good warm meals, and with lodging for the sick, to the extent of its accommodations. This was entirely sustained and carried on by the ladies of Chicago, and Mrs. Hosmer often passed entire days and nights there, in these labors of love.
After the battle of Chickamauga she again felt it a duty and privilege to proceed to the field, on a mission of mercy. Her friend, Mrs. Tinkham, again accompanied her. As they neared Chattanooga, they were unfortunately taken prisoners. They suffered much fatigue, and many privations, but no other ill-treatment, though they were, a part of the time, in great danger from the shells which were exploding all about them. They were however soon recaptured, and proceeded on their way.
Having lost their supplies, however, they found they could be of little service. Provisions were very scarce, as in fact were all necessaries, both for the wounded and well. Therefore, being provided with an escort, they slowly retraced their way, and, after a disastrous and fatiguing journey, arrived in Chicago, completely worn and exhausted, and without the cheering influence of the consciousness of having accomplished much good by their efforts.
From this time, with the exception of occasional trips to Cairo, to look after the sick and wounded there, Mrs. Hosmer remained in Chicago, laboring for the soldiers at the "Home" and "Rest," until the close of the year, 1864. The "Northwestern Sanitary and Soldiers' Home Fair," was then in contemplation, and was to take place in June, 1865. Mrs. Hosmer had been appointed one of the Executive Committee, and Corresponding Secretary of the organization, which had the mammoth fair in charge.
In pursuance of the objects in view, she then went down the Mississippi River, to solicit donations of money and articles for the fair. Thinking she could materially aid the object, by visiting hospitals, and giving her testimony that supplies were still needed, she paid particular attention to this part of her duty, and visited nearly every hospital from Cairo to New Orleans. She had the satisfaction of raising about five thousand dollars in money for the fair, besides obtaining a variety and large amount of valuable articles for sale. She also had the pleasure of causing supplies to be sent, at that time, to points where they were much needed.
She was at Vicksburg when five thousand emaciated wrecks of manhood from the prisons of Andersonville and Catawba, were brought thither to be exchanged, and often visited their camp and aided in distributing the supplies so greatly needed.
Many a time her kind heart was bursting with pain and sympathy for these suffering men, many of whom had been tortured and starved till already beyond the reach of help. But she was to see still greater horrors, when, as the culmination of their fate, the steamer Sultana, on which their homeward passage was taken, exploded, and, she, being near, beheld hundreds who had escaped the sufferings of the prison pens, drawn from the water, dying or dead, drowned or scalded, in that awful accident. As she says, herself, her heart was nearly broken by this dreadful sight.