12 Facts About Lois Dunbar

In St Louis, Lois Dunbar worked for Dr Hodges, a head surgeon at the city's hospital.

At this new location, Lois Dunbar served with Dr DeBruler, another head surgeon.

At this new appointment, Lois Dunbar was placed in full charge, acting as a commanding officer and a nurse in addition to have five other hospitals to monitor, according to her aforementioned letter.

In September 1862, Lois Dunbar received a commission from Dorothea Dix to serve as a hospital inspector, but the head surgeon DeBruler objected as he needed Lois Dunbar's service as a nurse.

Lois Dunbar agreed, thinking her time better spent as a nurse than an inspector.

Lois Dunbar worked to transform a church into a hospital to accommodate the growing number of casualties.

Lois Dunbar still managed to get back to service after resting.

Lois Dunbar knew how to perform minor surgery well; she was taught by Dr Jameson who acted as a surgeon during the Crimean War.

Lois Dunbar might have even used this knowledge to treat a patient who would become her husband George A Dunbar, a corporal the 3rd Iowa Infantry, a man who Dunbar saved after five doctors had lost hope of his survival.

Lois Dunbar writes in her letter that she would often carry delicacies in her pocket for the patients she cared for, though she saw many dark moments during her work.

For instance, one man died in Lois Dunbar's arms, clutching her dress.

Lois Dunbar left the service of her last wartime hospital in 1864.