Lois Dunbar

Lois Dunbar née Dennett (fl. 1861–1864) was a Union nurse during the American Civil War. "My war record is one of hard labor and severe trials," wrote Dunbar in a letter to Mary G. Holland. In St. Louis, Dunbar worked for Dr. Hodges, a head surgeon at the city's hospital. Working with Dr. Hodges, Dunbar cared for three hundred patients at a time as they were coming in from battle at Fort Donelson. In April 1862, Governor Morton requested Dunbar's service in Evansville, Illinois, as there were no nurses on duty. At this new location, Dunbar served with Dr. DeBruler, another head surgeon. Dunbar writes in her letter that she would often carry delicacies in her pocket for the patients she cared for, though she also saw many dark moments during her work. For instance, one man died in Dunbar's arms, clutching her dress.

Dunbar left the service of her last wartime hospital in 1864.

In a personal account after the war's end, she listed her address as: 908 22d Street, Ogden, Utah. A pension file was found for Dunbar in the Adjutant General's office in Evansville, Illinois.