Webpage dedicated to the Life of Nellie M. Chase
Matron Nurse of the 100th Pennsylvania and Published in both Books and Newspapers Regarding the High Regard for her Care of Soldiers at Fredericksburg for the 79th New York Highlanders and at the Hospitals of Nashville, Tennessee
Close-up Image (albeit a little blurry) of Miss Nellie (Chase) Leath taken in Beaufort, S.C. in 1862 with Roundhead Staff.
Nellie M. Chase was born Ellen Merrill Chase on March 1, 1838 in New Hampshire to Jacob E. Chase and Jane Steele Merrill. Regardiong her pre-Civil War life I will d efer to Dr. Carolyn Schriber's upcoming book, titled No Place for a Lady (http://web.mac.com/cschriber/iWeb/Stories Behind the History/Nellie's Story.html) coming out in 2010/2011. She began her Civil War years with the 12th Pennsylvania Infantry for a 3 month stint in 1861 before becoming a part of the Roundhead Regiment. This is where she met Col. Daniel Leasure, MD who was in the 12th PA before assembling the Roundhead Regiment. She sailed to the Port Royal, SC coast campaign in 1861 and quickly assumed duties as the matron nurse of the regiment, tending to the ills of the soldiers and then wounds when action began, the primary action being the June 16, 1862 Battle of Secessionville.
Initially, there were questions regarding her character and ability, mostly posed by Reverend Browne, based on a turbulent past, but Col. Leasure believed in her abilities to perform her duties and she soon proved her doubters wrong, including Reverend Browne, who she nursed back to health when he fell ill. Dr. Schriber's book will provide insight into Nellie's troubled past.
The article below found in the San Francisco publication "The Golden Age", dated March 1862 eludes to some of these early questions regarding her troubled life and subsequent positive commentary based on her actual nursing duties performed. It also states that she herself fell ill and battled back to resume her duties.
Based on subsequent research into the connection mentioned in the above article between the US Secretary of Treasury, Salmon P. Chase and Nellie, they were cousins, but very distant ones.
She apparently married young, prior to the Civil War and her first name by marriage was Leath. At Fredericksburg, in December of 1862, she became known for her care and nursing of soldiers in the union slaughter of that battle in an initial newspaper story called "Story of the One-Arm" In 1866, the newspaper story was utilized as a chapter in Frank Moore's history, Women of the War, Their Heroism and Self-Sacrifice. In 1863, she left the eastern campaign action and went to Nashville, Tennessee, where she worked in a hospital there.
Into the Jaws of Death is a transcription of the chapter in Frank Moore's work that refers to her heroic nursing deeds at Fredericksburg.
It was in Nashville where Nellie met her 2nd husband, Lt George W. Ernest of the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Co. B. In August of 1863, he was promoted to 1st Lt of the 13th US Colored Infantry and eventually became a Captain which he was known as for the rest of his days. The 13th US regiment was largely raised in Nashville. In August of 1863, ANOTHER soldier wrote of Nellie's devotion and dedication to her service in this newspaper article (below) from the Philadelphia Press dated August 19, 1863.
This article indicates reverence of her care by a soldier in Nashville, not of her adopted state. It also makes a plea for Nellie to have her "likeness" struck at a photographer such that all the soldiers under her care might have an opportunity one day to have her image to hold close as a reminder of how she helped relieve their suffering. The announcement article below from the Philadelphia Press, dated eight days later on August 27, 1863 confirms her photo taken at F. Gutekunst, the eminent Philadelphia Photographer. See below article thumbnail.
Efforts are being made by the Historian and author, Dr. Carolyn Schriber to locate this Carte de Visite (CDV) of Nellie apparently taken by Gutekunst. Michael Kraus, a Civil War historian, friend of the Roundhead Regiment and collector of numerous 100th PA memorabilia, has also joined the hunt.
Though Nellie's war time exploits of dedication and care for the soldiers was very evident, some chose to dredge up her past and question her character. This happened in the case of a soldier who sent a letter to editor Frank Moore advising him to question Nellie's character. Unfortunately because of this action, Nellie fell out of favor to Mr. Moore.
On June 8, 1864, according to www.familysearch.org, Nellie and George W. Ernest were married in Davidson, TN.
Women's Work in the Civil War: A record of heroism, patriotism and patience by L.P. Brockett, 1867 indicates a Miss Nellie Chase practicing nursing in Nashville. Another book about Michigan Soldier's Aid Society 1861-65 indicates she was the directress of General Hospital No. 3 in Nashville.
In 1870, the Louisville, KY census shows the Earnests living there. She died in Louisville, KY on September 20, 1878 at the age of 40 and is buried in Cavehill Cemetery, Louisville, KY. Her husband George died two days later.
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Grave inscription and monument to the Ernests erected by L&N Railroad