When the struggle came at last, and her home was broken up in New Orleans by the absence of her husband in the field, she returned to the parental roof, to beguile the time in the companionship of her mother.  But the separation, with the anxiety it brought, became intolerable; besides, from the positiveness of her opinions and the warmth of her zeal, she soon became ill at ease in the land of her birth.  So, with her mother’s approval, she resolved to face all perils, and to return and share the fortunes of the Confederacy.  Taking her little boy she set out for “Dixie,” and, after many trials, arrived at Richmond, Virginia, just after the battle of Bull Run.  Here she was kindly cared for by some old acquaintances, among whom was Commodore Maury, a friend of her family, and who had dedicated his “Geography of the Sea” to her uncle, George Manning, of New York.  Through his introduction she made many dear friends among the ladies of Richmond, some of whom pressed her to come and dwell with them; but she neither needed nor was seeking roof and shelter.  If she so wished, she might have found them with her husband’s relatives in Alabama.  What she felt the want of was occupation,—­work in behalf of the cause to which, in spite of selfish reasons, she felt impelled to devote herself.

In order that she might have this work, and at the same time be where assistance could be rendered her husband and friends at the front, she asked to be appointed a hospital matron.

Commodore Maury for some time protested against such a step, saying that she was too young, and had been too tenderly raised; but she persisted, so he finally yielded, as appears from the following letter: 

  “RICHMOND, August 10, 1861.

  “MY DEAR FANNY,—­You bear the heart of a true and tender woman, in
  the breast of a noble patriot.  I will no longer oppose your wishes,
  and mean to help you all I can.  Command me at any and all times.

  “Yours truly,

  “MATTHEW F. MAURY.”

At first she assisted in a private hospital maintained by some Richmond ladies, who, by turns, sent in all the food required.  Permission was applied for to enter the Louisiana hospital, but it was refused.

In a few weeks she was appointed matron-in-charge of the Second Alabama Hospital, with liberty to receive a limited number of her friends, who might be taken care of there.

Soon after she entered upon her regular duties the sick and wounded began to pour in, and from this time forward she was constantly employed till within a few weeks of the battle of Shiloh.  With the departure of her husband’s command to Tennessee, she was disposed for a like change of field-duty.  She now left Richmond, and for a few weeks only was occupied with a visit to her husband’s relatives.  Then she resumed her hospital work at Gainesville, Alabama.