Helen L. Gilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helen L. Gilson
Born	Helen L. Gilson Osgood 1836
Died	1868

Helen L. Gilson (born Helen L. Osgood; 1836–1868) was a brave nurse during the American Civil War. She was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Helen is remembered for her kindness and hard work helping soldiers.

Helen L. Gilson: A Civil War Hero

Early Life and Helping Out

Helen Louise Gilson was born in 1836. When she was seventeen, she started teaching. She became a head assistant at Phillips School in Boston, Massachusetts. After a few years, in 1858, she had to leave due to throat problems.

Helen then moved back to Chelsea, Massachusetts. There, she worked as a governess for her cousins. A governess is someone who teaches and cares for children in their home. Her uncle, Frank B. Fay, was the mayor of Chelsea.

A Nurse in the War

Helen's uncle, Frank B. Fay, was very interested in helping during the American Civil War. Helen also became very passionate about this cause. In 1861, she began helping the Soldiers' Aid Society. She helped prepare, collect, and send important supplies to soldiers.

Helen wanted to do even more. She tried to become a government nurse. She applied to Dorothea Dix, who was in charge of female nurses. Helen was first told no because of her age. But this did not stop her from wanting to help.

Before 1862, Helen worked with the Sanitary Commission. This group helped keep soldiers healthy and supplied. She worked with the Army of the Potomac through many big battles. Helen did some of her best work during General Grant's campaign. This campaign lasted almost a year.

In April 1862, Helen applied to Dorothea Dix again. This time, she met Dix in person. Dix offered her a job at a hospital in Washington. Even though that specific job did not work out, Helen still volunteered at the hospital. In June 1862, she started working on boats. These boats were part of the Hospital Transport System. They delivered medical supplies to hospitals.

Helen's uncle, Frank B. Fay, saw a great need for help at Fort Monroe. He suggested Helen could help there. This was how she officially became an army nurse. To get ready, Helen went to lectures in Washington. She learned about medical techniques.

Helen was present at many famous battles. These included Yorktown, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

Helen is most famous for her work at a hospital in Petersburg, Virginia. The conditions there were very bad. It hardly looked like a hospital at all. Helen pushed for the hospital to be fixed up. When her ideas were approved, she helped with the changes. She helped make the hospital so much better. At one point, 900 men were being fed from its kitchen.

Many people called Helen an "angel of mercy." She cared for both white and African American soldiers. She would spend time by their bedsides. She talked and sang to them. She comforted them, even when they were very sick. The soldiers she cared for loved and respected her very much.

After the War

Helen left Richmond in July 1865. She spent the summer on Long Island to get better. She had become sick while caring for soldiers. By the fall, she was back home in Chelsea.

On October 11, 1866, Helen married E. Hamilton Osgood. They were married in her hometown of Chelsea. Sadly, less than two years later, on April 20, 1868, Helen and her child passed away. This happened at Newton Corner Hospital.