LETTER: Autograph letter signed, "Florence Nightingale," to Captain Green, from Balaclava.
From Balaclava
Nightingale, Florence. Autograph letter signed, to Captain Green of the Bahiana, from the General Hospital, Balaclava, October 20, 1855l one leaf, two pages; light professional restoration to crease tear.
An illuminating letter arranging transportation for members of the nursing staff at Balaclava.
Nightingale writes to Captain Green of the Bahiana, a 1530-ton iron screw steamer built for the South American and General Steam Navigation Co. by Laird, but requisitioned at the outbreak of the Crimean War, during which she was used as a transport. Having “heard so much of [his] kindness” Nightingale ventures to address Green “tho’ a stranger … to ask whether it would not be possible to with draw [sic] my Nurses from the place assigned to them, & put them into a cabin more fitting for women. Should it be impossible, I would prefer keeping them to go by another ship. Altho’ I was particularly anxious that they should they should go by the “Bahinaia” from knowing of your kindness so well by reputation.”
Nightingale identifies the women in question in a letter to Sir Richard Airey the day before: “The bearers of this are Elizabeth Whitehead, nurse, and Marianne Preston, cook: they are to embark today on the Bahiana for Scutari.” Preston is to proceed to England, Nightingale has “discharged her every claim, for which I have her receipt, therefore she has no claim upon you for anything farther … I do not consider her strictly honest, therefore I am particularly anxious to assure you that her every expense has been defrayed.” As to Whitehead, she has a broken leg, and has been laid up for three months, “she is a dangerous woman but an excellent nurse … she has contracted habits in the relaxed discipline here which would do essential mischief here in our untrustworthy but disciplined set.” She would like her examined, and sent back straight back to England, but if she needs further convalescence “she must remain at my house … and she must go into our garden only for air. I do not want her airing herself in the street …” (All quoted in Nightingale Collected Works, vol. XIV, The Crimean War, p. 247).
It is clearly that Nightingale knew what she was up against in making her request of the Captain.
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