M.V. Harkin

M.V. Harkin was a Union nurse during the American Civil War. In a letter to Mary G. Holland about her wartime experience, Harkin describes a spirit of excitement and enthusiasm on behalf of the nurses, soldiers, and civilians as the newly-enlisted members were traveling. The very next day, she was transferred to a local hospital for instruction. On February 17, Harkin and her mother Sarah A. McKenna began service with the 17th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

According to Harkin's letter, the hardships only continued. The rations were inadequate, and nurses nearly starved--eating only hardtack--to save every scrap of food for the soldiers and the patients. A nurse's long night of caring for the wounded was augmented by cooking and cleaning duties. Even the nurses were susceptible to illness: Harkin writes about a fellow nurse and friend passing away and the effect it had on her. Harkin even mentions that they could not attain a coffin for the nurse, so a soldier fashioned one out of cracker boxes. Harkin mentions that the facilities at Corinth were much better, which helped soldiers recuperate faster.