National Association of Army Nurses of the Civil War

The National Association of Army Nurses of the Civil War was an organization of former nurses who served in the American Civil War. It was primarily a social organization, but it also advocated securing recognition and benefits for nurses who had served in the war.

Background
Over 3,000 middle-class white women served as paid or volunteer nurses during the Civil War, working under the charge of Superintendent of Army Nurses Dorthea Dix. Many of them had no prior medical training. They learned on the job through hard experience, while being exposed to the dangers of the battlefield. Often they were greeted with hostility by the male army surgeons. After the war, these women often received no official government recognition or pension for their services.

History
The organization was started June 18, 1881 by Dorthea Dix as the "Ex-Nurse's Association of the District of Columbia." It was a social organization, but also advocated for recognition and benefits for members.

Dix was elected president of the organization for life. The group met each year in Washington DC, and soon started meeting during the National Encampments (reunions of Civil War veterans) held most years by the Grand Army of the Republic.

At the Encampment of 1892, the group attracted 35 members from all across the United States. Therefore, the group's name was changed to the National Association of Army Nurses of the Late War. By 1901, the name was changed to National Association of Army Nurses of the Civil War to distinguish it from the Spanish–American War.

The organization was still in existence as of 1912.

Membership
Membership was open to applicants who had served at least three months as a paid or volunteer nurse during the Civil War. Documentation was required, and applications needed approval by the local Grand Army of the Republic post.

Presidents
National Presidents of the Association included many of the well-known nurses of the Civil War:
 * Dorothea Dix 1881-1887
 * Dr. Susan Ann Edson 1887-?, one of the first women doctors in the United States, and personal physician to President Garfield
 * Harriet Patience Dame of New Hampshire
 * Addie L. Ballou of California
 * Emily E. Woodley 1895-1898
 * Elizabeth Ewing of Pennsylvania
 * Ada Johnson of Missouri (two terms)
 * Deha A.B. Fay of New York
 * Margaret Hamilton of Massachusetts
 * Fannie T. Hazen of Massachusetts
 * Clarissa F. Dye of Pennsylvania
 * Reecca S. Smith of Minnesota
 * Cornelia Hancock of Philadelphia
 * Elizabeth Ewing
 * Rebecca S. Smith
 * Mary E. Robey Lacey of Utah

Pensions
In 1892, Congress passed a law which allowed for a pension of $12 per month for all nurses who had been hired and paid by the Government. However, most volunteer nurses still were not awarded pensions, at least as of 1910.

National cemetery privileges
Members (and in fact all nurses of the Civil War), were entitled to burial in National Cemeteries.