Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate
of medicine, "has rendered valuable service to the Government and her
efforts have been earnest and untiring in a variety of ways," and that
she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in charge
of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major
Generals Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in
the service of the United States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic
zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals,
to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a
prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract
surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in
the military service, a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws,
be conferred upon her; and Whereas in the opinion of the President an honorable
recognition of her services and sufferings should be made: It is ordered,
That a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said Dr.
Mary E. Walker, and that the usual medal of honor for meritorious services
be given her. Given under my hand in the city of Washington, D.C., this
11th day of November, A.D. 1865. Andrew Johnson, President
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