Daughters of the American Revolution honor Civil War nurse

Published 1:48 pm Friday, May 22, 2026

A dedication ceremony for a new grave marker honoring Union Civil War nurse Sarepta Canright Patterson was held May 17 at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn. The marker was purchased and installed by the Lakota Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, based in Auburn, to recognize Patterson’s service and preserve her story for future generations. Honored guests attending the ceremony included Cheryl Rakes, City of Auburn Councilmember, Lynne Stallcop, State Regent of the Washington State Society, NSDAR, and Katey Purgatorio, First Vice Regent of the Washington State Society, NSDAR. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sarah Schuler, a member of the Children of the American Revolution and a student at Cascade Middle School.

Sarepta Patterson was born Sept. 14, 1834, in New York. During the American Civil War, Patterson served as a nurse for one year in a Union hospital in Annapolis, Maryland, before continuing three additional years of volunteer nursing service. After the war, she became a member of the National Association of Civil War Army Nurses. In her later years she settled in Auburn, where died on April 29, 1916, at the age of 83.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Membership is open to women 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot who aided in achieving American independence during the Revolutionary War. Through projects such as scholarships, veterans support, and community education, DAR chapters work to preserve American history and honor the individuals whose service helped shape the nation.