perating tents to
assist in the care of the American wounded, and remained constantly on
duty till all the injured were cared for.

Immediately after the first battle, fought on July 1, a Red Cross
hospital was opened, and rapidly filled with American troops. In this
hospital the nurses worked incessantly until, one by one, worn out by
overwork, with reduced vitality, they could no longer stand the terrible
strain, and were obliged to succumb and pay the debt which an exhausted
nature demanded.

These young women were the first volunteer nurses or "Sisters" of the
Red Cross who served in the war, and too much cannot be said in praise
of their untiring devotion. Faithfully and constantly they worked. Nobly
and unselfishly they labored, and their greatest reward was the
gratitude of those they helped to save, and the satisfaction of a duty
faithfully performed. The names of these nurses were, Sister-in-chief
"Bettina," Sisters Minnie Rogal, Anna McCue, Blanche McCorristen and
Isabel Olm, assisted by Mrs. Trumbull White, of Chicago.

At daylight on the morning of July 2 everything was in readiness for
messengers of the Red Cross to proceed to the front, and in company with
Mr. George Kennan, preceded by the Cuban guides, furnished by General
Garcia, we set out for the firing line.

We reached the First Division Hospital of the Fifth Army Corps about
four in the afternoon, over a rough, miry road, fording extensive lakes
of deep mud, but the hearty welcome extended by Major Wood repaid us for
the hard journey. The First Division Hospital was established some
distance ahead of the firing lines, and it was several hours before the
lines were moved beyond the hospital.

Major Wood assigned an operating table to the Red Cross. Not a light was
permitted to be shown the night of the second of July, lest it should
attract the fire of the enemy, particularly of the guerrilla
sharpshooters who were stationed in the trees about us.

The operating tables were moved out into the open, and the operations
were performed by the lig