Angels of the Battlefield A History of the Labors of the Catholic Sisterhoods in the Late Civil War

"Angels of the Battlefield" by George Barton is a historical record from the late 1800s that tells the stories of Catholic nuns and their important work during the Civil War; the author's preface introduces his reason for writing this history, citing a lack of attention given to the work of the Catholic Sisters and emphasizing their humility and challenges in collecting their stories from archives, interviews, and records. It shines a light on these women's selfless care for injured soldiers, noting how vital their support was to the war's medical system. Setting the stage, Barton reflects on the Sisters' unrecognized contributions, highlighting the difficulties in gathering their experiences amid the backdrop of a divided nation, and getting the reader ready for a journey through personal and historical events.