It was founded in St. Louis August 1861, under the leadership of Reverend William Greenleaf Eliot (1811-1887), to care for the wounded from the battle of Wilson's Creek.
It was founded in St. Louis August 1861 under the protection of General John C. Frémont and under the leadership of Reverend William Greenleaf Eliot (1811-1887). Its first mission was to care for the wounded from the battle of Wilson's Creek.