Above: Statue of Mary Ann Ball "Mother" Bickerdyke giving aid to one of her fallen soldiers, located in Galesburg, Ill., her hometown. Photo credited to "TeaRoom Mike".
Recovery
Due to the efforts of women like "Mother" Bickerdyke, Mary A. Livermore, Mary Walker and others, many infirmed soldiers received improved care either through their direct involvement or due to their diligence in improving convalescent care. Pvt. Bickel was fortunate to have fallen ill after these resourceful women had persevered in their efforts to make a difference.
July 29th, 1862, found Pvt. Bickel arriving, by another hospital ship, to Evansville, Indiana where he was admitted to General Hospital # 2. It was here at Evansville, George was examined further and found to be disabled and unfit for field duty. Pvt. Bickel was given his Disability Discharge and relieved from military service on September 30th, 1862.
Post War
George Bickel returned home to Wakarusa, Elkhart County, Indiana after receiving his discharge papers. He tried his hand at farming but his war related illnesses prevented him from engageing in full time labor.
George did find time to marry Elizabeth Rhinebold on June 29th, 1865 and fathered six children with the last child being born in 1880.
In 1879, George applied for a Civil War disability pension. He listed his ailments as chronic diarrhea, partial deafness and heart palipatations. George passed away on April 14th, 1881 before his Disability Pension was acted upon. George's widow, Elizabeth, was successful in recovering his Civil War Disability Pension and a Civil War Widow's Pension for her and the children in April of 1888.
George and Elizabeth Bickel rest one mile south of Wakarusa, Indiana in North Union Cemetery. The cemetery is well cared for by Olive Township and has each veteran's graves marked with appropiate bronze markers for their service. A GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) marker with flag adorns the Bickel headstone.
