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"Red Rover" was the first hospital ship of the United States Navy, the first Navy ship that women served on and the apparent namesake of the popular children's game. It was also build and launched in Cape Girardeau in 1859.

"Red Rover" was a steamer brought by the Confederate Navy a the beginning of the Civil War and used as a transport. At the Battle of Island #10 near New Madrid, MO, it was captured by Union forces in April 1862. The Union Navy outfitted it as a military Hospital ship, which had never been done before. The ship contained operating rooms, amputations rooms, medical supplies, wards and accommodations for the female nurses, some of whom were members of the Catholic order Sisters of the Holy Cross.

African-American women served as paid aids.

One of the modifications allowed the new hospital ship to carry up to 300 tons of ice in its lowest hold: an important commodity for the sick and wounded soldiers. "Red Rover" made many trips up and down the Mississippi and other rivers, carrying soldiers to hospitals and treating lesser cases on board. Wherever "Red Rover" went, it was in great need, and the staff treated soldiers from both sides of the war.

After the war, a popular children's game known as Gates of the City was renamed Red Rover, perhaps because the vessel was called back and forth across the river so often or because it served both sides of the conflict.

Generations of children since have played the game that features the chant "Red Rover, Red Rover, send (name here) right over!"

And it all began here in Cape Girardeau, MO

Marker is on North Water Street near Broadway Street.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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