INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH
(Nelly M. Chase at Fredericksburg)
by Angie Toms, links by Ann Ruegsegger
for grades 3-6
The sound of heavy cannons and guns firing filled the streets of Fredericksburg. We were in the midst of the Civil War. No one knew how long the war would last. The memory of war is something that I shall never forget.
One particular day I shall remember for the rest of my life. For on that day, my life was altered by the shots that rang out. I could hear our commander shouting, "Steady, men - forward!" We were moving together towards the stone wall just over the field. In an instant, from behind the wall, a line of fire rang out. As I aimed my gun, a sharp sting hit my body. I hit the ground like a ton of bricks. I could not move, where had I been hit? My hair became saturated with blood as I lay there on my back. Had my head been the only place hit? I lay in confusion of what had just taken place, wondering if I would take my last breath there on the cold damp ground beneath me. As I lay senseless on the field late into the night, I prayed that some soul would find me. When the stretcher-carriers found me, I must have been unconscious. When I awoke in the dimly lit building, I had no recollection of what had happened out there on the front line.
All was dark, my body was heavy, feeling as if it was completely covered with weights. Despite my efforts, I could not seem to lift myself even an inch from my bed. Strange voices surrounded me, where was I? At that same moment, I felt something pry my mouth open and liquid hit my tongue. As the thick fluid trickled down my throat, I struggled to swallow. I was gasping to breath, but swallowed with all of my might to clear my throat. They were giving me medication for some horrid reason, of which I was not aware. Had I sustained a terrible blow to the head for which I would not survive? Was this the serum of death to ease my last pain?
"It's no use working over him; he's dying now." "Quietly, but O, so earnestly and tenderly," the kind voice replied. "No, doctor, he's not dying; he's coming to life; he will live if we don't give him up." My head and my arm had both been hit in the line of fire. I had nearly frozen to death while faint from loss of blood. " . . . you can take off his arm, and the man may get well." I could not imagine life without a limb, how would I manage? I was sure to find a way and fight if they gave me a chance at life. Living with one arm was far better than not living at all.
Yes, I had been saved. I made an effort to open my eyelids. There beside me stood three surgeons, watching my every move with curiosity. They were amazed at my continuing progress. Also there beside me was that kind young nurse who had convinced the doctors to continue surgery. How beautiful she looked in her blood stained white dress and apron. She was an angel of mercy. Her kindness and generosity shown through her quaint smile and tender sweet eyes. Her left hand was under my head, her right held a spoon with which she fed me hot fluid of a sort, you do not want to know. I tried to speak to thank her, but she discouraged me, shaking her head and continuing to feed me. She gave me hope for the strength that I so much needed.
Here amongst the stench and moans of soldiers was a young woman in her twenties, with a soul to dare danger. She was a treasure beyond price! Her caring and compassionate heart for the wounded was a gift she and we had been blessed with. I had seen none that I admired more than Miss Nelly M. Chase.
Miss Chase had been in the army ever since the war broke out. She was stationed in a front hospital and placed in charge of supplies and stores. She was never a paid nurse, but considered herself a member of the regiment. Her only reward was the consciousness of being so useful, and the deep admiration and gratitude of the private soldiers she served during the war.
To learn more about the battle of Gettysburg and how it relates to Fredericksburg
Statistics regarding the casualties of the war
A treacherous scene from the streets of Fredericksburg
Questions:
Write the answers to #3-#5 on a separate sheet of paper.
- During what war did this story take place?
- Where had the soldier been wounded?
- Put yourself in the wounded soldier's place, how would you
feel if you had an arm amputated (explain some difficulties
that you would face living without an arm, explain how you
think people would react to you when you came home from the
war with only one arm)?
4. What did the soldier mean when he said that his nurse, Miss
Nelly Chase, was "a treasure beyond price"?
5. Describe what you think the hospital may have been like
(the smell, the temperature, the size, the soldiers there,
the mood).
INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH
(Miss Nelly M. Chase) by Angie Toms
Props: Play guns, soldier uniforms, cot, bottle for medicine,
spoon, gloves for surgery, bowl of water, wash clothes,
old white dress and apron, bowl for "soup"
I. Introduction -
A. Setting- Fredericksburg
B. Amount of dying soldiers
II. On The Battlefield
A. The enemy attacks
B. Soldier is wounded
C. The rescue
III. The Hospital
A. Preparation for surgery?
B. Death serum?
IV. The Surgery
A. Losing life - doctors
B. Giving life - nurse
V. The Recovery
A. What a beautiful sight- Miss Nelly Chase
B. Gratefulness
VI. Miss Nelly Chase
A. Her gift
B. Our blessing
Answers to Questions:
- Civil War
- In the head and the arm
- Answers will vary
- Answers will vary
- Answers will vary
Resource:
Moore, F. Women of the War; Their Heroism and Self-Sacrifice.
S. S. Scranton, Harftford: 1866.