Annie Etheridge

Born:  May 3, 1839, Wayne County, Michigan

Died:  January 23, 1913, Washington, D.C.

Resting Place:  Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

Brief History:  She was one of only two women to receive the Kearny Cross. She was initiated into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2010. At the eruption of the American Civil War, Etheridge enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, serving as a nurse and vivandière (a French name for women who are attached to military regiments as sutlers or canteen keepers. Before the war, Etheridge worked in a hospital with a questionable reputation for patient care, which she had tried to improve. Etheridge joined as a laundress when her husband enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Infantry Regiment. She later served as the daughter of the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment. After her husband deserted, Etheridge served the remainder of the war with the 5th Michigan Infantry. When the regiment went on campaign, and the other laundresses went home, she stayed with the regiment.

Etheridge was famous for her courageous work under fire, her skirt often being torn by bullets. Armed with pistols for her protection and saddlebags filled with medical supplies, Etheridge frequently rode into the front lines on horseback to aid wounded soldiers. Etheridge personified the ideal daughter of the Union, the opposite her husband. She was repeatedly experienced to the same hardships as the soldiers she treated, such as sleeping on the ground in camp. At the Battle of Chancellorsville on the morning of May 3, 1863, Etheridge rode up to a general and his staff with a sack of hardtack and a dozen canteens filled with hot coffee. The men tried to get her to leave but she insisted on remaining until each of the officers ate and drank. During the time she waited, three horses were hit by Confederate solid shot.