Cornelia Hancock

About the Author

Cornelia Hancock (1839-1927) was a pioneering American nurse whose courage and compassion defined her legacy during one of the nation's darkest hours. Born in New Jersey to a Quaker family, she defied societal expectations for women by volunteering her services at the age of 23, arriving at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 to tend to the wounded amid the chaos of war. Serving without pay in military hospitals across Virginia and beyond, Hancock's letters home offer an intimate, unflinching glimpse into the horrors of the Civil War, the resilience of soldiers, and her own unyielding dedication to healing. After the war, she continued her humanitarian efforts, founding schools for freed slaves and advocating for social reforms until her death in 1927. Her writings remain a vital historical testament to the unsung heroines of the era.