The Red Cross founder, Clara Barton, was a nurse in the Civil War.
Most people know that Clara Barton was a nurse during the Civil War and that she founded the American Red Cross.She was much more than that.In this series of posts, we will show you everything you need to know about Barton, from her nursing career to her time as an international relief organizer.To demonstrate how amazing Clara Barton was, the goal is for these posts to be posted.
There was no formal training in nursing for Clara Barton.She obtained her nursing skills by nursing a member of her own family.Barton's older brother, David, was seriously injured in a fall during a barn raising.Clara was only eleven years old when she took care of him for two years.She would benefit from those skills when the war broke out.
In her autobiographical sketch, Clara wrote that she learned to take all directions for his medicines from his physician and to administer them like a genuine nurse.I was accepted and acknowledged as a nurse of a man almost as soon as I learned how to handle the snakes and crawling leeches.
During the Civil War, Barton provided medical supplies and food to the hospitals on the battlefields, but she also assisted the surgeons on many occasions.After the Battle of Antietam, she nursed many wounded soldiers and removed a bullet from a man's face.She assisted with the nurses in the Army of the James.She was responsible for organizing and moving the tent hospitals, as well as assisting with the wounded sent north from the battles.
The experience of Col. John J. Elwell was similar to that of Barton.A woman was bathing my temples and fanning my face as I slept.The angel of mercy, Clara Barton, was there to help the soldiers.
Barton operated independently as a nurse during the Civil War.She was often one of the first civilians on the field after battles.At Antietam, she arrived while the battle was going on.Her constant drive to comfort the afflicted caused her to write to her friend MaryNorton in the summer of 1862, "I only wish I could work to some purpose."My lot is too easy and I am sorry for it.
Barton went to Europe to recover from the Civil War.She discovered the value of the Red Cross in Switzerland and decided to bring it to the United States.Barton provided aid to the organization during the Franco-Prussian War.She attempted to start an American branch of the Red Cross after returning home.
The Red Cross was able to care for the health and well-being of the victims as well as helping with food, clothing and supplies because of Barton's experiences in the Civil War and Europe.Providing medical supplies and helping to evacuate the wounded became core services provided by the Red Cross.
This is the second post in a series about Clara Barton's career.To be directed to the others, click below.
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