Kimball, Martha G. (1840–1894)

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Kimball, Martha G. (1840–1894)

American philanthropist and war nurse. Born in Portland, Maine, in 1840; died in 1894.

Martha Kimball accompanied her husband, who was an appraiser of captured cotton, to the front in the Civil War, acted as a nurse during Sherman's campaign in Georgia, and was appointed inspector of hospitals. Acting on her suggestion, General John Logan, as head of the Grand Army of the Republic, introduced the observance of Decoration Day.

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