I'm looking to find the apropriate documentation for the following somewhat specialized impression. A ward matron at a depot hospital in Harper's Ferry, December 1864, who needs to spend most of her time in the liason office in town rather than the hospital in Bolivar Heights. So far my research is saying that such women were hired by the military hospital system from all over and assigned where they were needed, thus she's not nesseccarily local. I'm thinking a loyalty oath is needed, a pass from the provost for the town area, a letter of employment vouched by a Surgeon, ??? a friend suggested a letter of credit to buy food/supplies from local stores for the hospital... perhaps a paper to draw her daily ration and voucher of her character so the landlady will rent to her... where do I find this info? where can I find further info? any other thoughts or suggestions? thanks.

I'll copy my response from the AC Forum, since I think that one may have got buried.  Hope this helps:

Women in Federal hospitals had to receive clearance through Miss Dix, a stipulation enshrined in General Orders:

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 861.

War Department, Adjutant-General's Office,
Washington, October 29, 1863


The employment of women nurses in the U. S. General Hospitals will in future be strictly governed by the following rules :

1. Persons approved by Miss Dix, or her authorized agents, -will receive from her, or them, "certificates of approval," which must be countersigned by Medical Directors upon their assignment to duty as nurses within their Departments.

2. Assignments of "women nurses" to duty in General Hospitals will only be made upon application by the Surgeons in charge, through Medical Directors, to Miss Dix or her agents, for the number they require, not exceeding one to every thirty beds.

3. No females, except Hospital Matrons, will be employed in General Hospitals, or, after December 31, 1863, borne upon the Muster and Pay Rolls, without such certificate of approval and regular assignment, unless specially appointed by the Surgeon- General.

4. Women nurses, while on duty in General Hospitals, are under the exclusive control of the senior medical officer, who will direct their several duties, and may be discharged by him when considered supernumerary, or for incompetency, insubordination, or violation of his orders. Such discharge, with the reasons therefor, being endorsed upon the certificate, will be at once returned to Miss Dix.
The above comes from William Grace's Army Surgeon's Manual, 1864:
http://books.google.com/books?lr=&ou...K6I5Z0C&jtp=86

Now all you have to do is find a copy of one of those certificates. If you do, please post it here because I'd love to see one. Thanks!

Thank you for your response. The request has gotten some activity on the other forum, so interested folks can follow it there: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?p=153249#post153249