Chapter 2: March 19, 1862 Summary and Analysis

Pvt. Thompson was ordered to tend to the soldiers lying sick or wounded in the medical tent. She was fatigued and was accused by the sergeant of holding her musket "like a mop." During training that day, Emma and her fellow recruits had been put through the paces—marching for hours in the hot Virginia sun, priming and firing their weapons endlessly and crawling through acres of mud. The war was lasting longer than anticipated. The Confederate troops were more skilled and able than first thought. Even though in her position Emma was a noncombatant, she had to undergo the skills training as the infantrymen.

The medical team was small, consisting of the head surgeon, Dr. Hodes, his assistant, Lieutenant Reese and four male nurses. There wasn't a large number of soldiers who needed care. Some were sick...