Table Of Content139.3 16 S4]s
atonal Pare Service
US. Department of the Intrior
Clara tart Nationa Historie Ste
fs administered by the
‘George Washington Memorial Parkway
The Life of Clara Barton
A Chronology, 1821-1912
OLUE
December 25, 1821
1825-1836
1833-1835,
1836
May 1839
1845
April 19,1846
1850-185)
July 18,1852
October 1851
5a. -1854.
1854-1855
1855-1857
1857 - 1860
Fall 1860
April, 1861
April 1g, 1861
Clarissa Harlowe Barton was born in North Oxford, Massachusetts, the
youngest of Stephen and Sarah Stone Rarton’s live culdven,
(Clara Barcon gained an education at local schools and through home
tutoring from her older brothers and sisters,
Miss Barton cazed for her brother Davidl Barton, who was injured and
‘bedeidden following. fall from a harn root,
‘Noted English phrenologist L. N. lwler advised Clara Rarton’s parents to
have her teach schoo.
‘Miss Barton passed examinations and beggin a teaching career in the
schoo's near Oxford, Massachusetts.
‘Miss Barton established a school for the children of her brother's mill
workers,
Clara Bacton's sister, Dorothea (Dolly; Barton, died,
Miss Barton spent a year furthering her avn education at the}
Liberal Inslitute, Oneida County, New York.
(Clara Barton's mother, Sarah Barton, died.
Miss Harton travelled to Hightstown, New Jersey lo visil Mary Norton, a
school iriend, Miss Bursa resumed ker teaching catver,
Miss Barion established :he first free public school in Rerdentown, New
Jersey. Enrollment grew rapilly and a male principal was hired, Miss
Barton lefr Bordentown andl the teaching profession.»
‘Miss Barcon maved to Washington, DC, and warkéd 38 a jecaréling clerk
acthe U.S. Pare Office for Charles Masta Conkinisioner of Parents
Her salary $1,200 peranum, equalled those of the men she worked with
‘The status of female government workers was never a certainty. Secretary
vf the Interior Robert MeClelland of the Pierce administration was
upposed lo women working in government offices andl reduced Miss
Marlon ww vopyist atthe rate of 10 cents per exch 150 words copied
Miss Harton returned (o Massachusetts and lived with relatives ancl iriends
after her positian a Lhe Patent Ollice was eliminated by the administration
of President James Buchanan,
She returned to her former Patent Ollice position as.a copyisc with the
lection of President Abraham Linculn,
‘The Civil War began with the firing on 11, Sumter, South Carolina,
Riots in Baltimore, Maryland - kin route co devencl the naliva’s capital,
Une 6th Massachusetts Infantry was attacked by mubs ef soulherti-
sympathizing Ballimoreans as the soldiers marched across town, They
arrived in Washington, DC. beaten and with several members of theit
regiment dead. Miss Barton found them temporarily quartered in the
Senale Chanber of the US Capitol and provided supphes irom her own
househuld for tis comfort. The overwhelming response to her request
Jor additional supplies for the troops marked the start of her carver us the
‘Angel uf thy Battlefield,
July 21,1861 Battle of First Manassas (Bull Rum), Virginia - Miss Barton tended to
wounded soldiers as they arrived in Washington, DC. She established a
distribution agency after recelving addinonal supplies sent in response to
an acvert’seuteal in the Worcester Spe
1862 Henri Dunant, Swiss businessman, published an accouat of Inv 1859
bbatlle of Solferina in Ialy between French and Austrian. In Us Sonpenir de
Solferino, he outlined a need for wartime relief societies, Clara Barton was
‘unaware uf this publication.
‘Murch 21,1862 Clare Barton’ father, Stephen Barton, died in North Oxford,
Massachusetts, On his deathbed, he encouraged Gara Barton lo cortinue
hes patriotic support tor the Union,
August3, 162 Miss Barron gained official permissiun lo transport supplies to battietialds
August 9.1862 Battle of Cedar Mountain (Culpepper), Virginia - This was the first
documented battle at which Clara Barion served in the fleld. Arriving om
August 13, she spent wa days and nights rending the wounded. Before
leaving, she provided assistance at afield hospital far Confederate
prisoners,
August 28-30, 1862 Battle of Second Manassas (Bull Run), Virginia.
September 1,867 —_Ratileof Chantilly, Virginia - Arriving at Fairfax Staliun aller the
battle, Miss Barton tended to the wounded and prepared! the injured! lor
evacnation by train co Washingwun, DC,
Seprember4,1962 Battle of South Mountain, Maryland - Miss Barton aided che wounded at
battles near Harper's Ferry and South Mountain.
September 17,1862 Battle of Antietam, Maryland - Miss Barton and her wagons arrived on
the field with the Army of the Potomac prior 20 the battle. She provided.
surgeons with desperately needed medical supplies. Daring the bale she
‘yas nearly killed when a bullet passed through the sleeve of her dross,
keiling the yenunded man she was arcending. Aichough lacking medics
raining, al the insistence of a wounded soldier, she extracted a bullet [rom
his chess, using her pocket knile. Working lur several days fallowing the
conflict, Miss Barton was weakened by lyphuid lever:
Sepr.- Nov. 1862 Miss Barton travelled with the Army of the Potumae as it pursued the
retreating Confederates inlo Virginis. She provided aid to the wounded,
‘al scveral minur skirmishes and accompanied patients to hospitals in
‘Washingwn, DC.
December 13,1862
April 863,
May 1863
August 10-11, 1865
January
May, 1864
May 1864
June 1864
June 23, 1864
August 64
January -
‘March 10, 1865
‘March 1865
Balle of Fredericksburg, Virginia Miss Barton assisted in a hospital of
Une IX Curps, which was established ar the Lacy TTouse (Chatham, VA}. She
‘einained in the field through most of the month, following the route of the
Uniou Ary,
Migs Barton arrived at Hilton Head, South Caroling, in preparation Zor che
‘aulicipated bombardment of Charleston. She joined Captain David Barton,
her brother and an Army Quartermaster, and Steven E, Bartoa, hee fiftsen
year old nephew who way serving in the military te'egraph vilice, She met
and befriended Colonel John J. Elwell
Miss Harton sel Frances D. Gage, together they worked to ecucate
former slaves and prepare them for their life heyond slavery, Miss Barton
developed a0 interest in che growing movement for equal righty among
swamen snd Alrican-Americans,
Siege of It. Wagner, South Carolina - Miss Barton helped tw ex:ablish
field hospitals and disteibulcd supplics following the failed assaults,
Miss Harton relurned lo Washington, DC, to collecr supplies and to
recuperate.
Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House near
Fredericksburg, Virginia - Miss Barlon arranged for the onening, of
private homes for the care of wounded wilh the assistance of Senacor
Henry Wilson, chairman of the Military Allsirs Committee.
Fredericksburg continued ro be an important hospital and logistical center
Joc the Union Army, as wounded poured in frum thy overland campaigns
advancing upon Richmond.
Miss Barron is placed in charge of diet and nursing at a X Coxps hospital
near Point of Rocks, Virginia, appointed by Army of the Janes Commander
Major General Benjamin I, Butler. The “Bying hospital” served the
‘wounded from the almost «lily fighting outside Perersbure.
The dirst Geneva Convention for the Amelioration af the Condition of
‘Wounded in Armies in the Lield is held in Geneva, Switzerland. ‘The
International Committee of the Red Cross wats established, Clara Barton s
uunayeare uf this event and the United States does nt joia the organtzation.
‘Miss Barton cared for her dying brother, Stephen Barwon,
With the assistance of Senalor Wilson, Miss Barton won the appruval of
President Abraham Lincoln to address the problem of large numbers uf!
:igsng soldiers. By authority at the President, she established the Office
‘of Correspondence with I'riends of the Missing Men of the Linited States
Arly on March u, Recognition by the War Repartment followed two
‘months later. She directed a four-year search far missing men.
April 9, 1865
Summer 1865
February 21, 1866
March 10, 1866
1866 - 1868
November 30, 1867
December 1868
1869
September 1869
July 18, 1870
September 17,1870
Br
Confederate General Robert E, Lee surrendered to General Llysses
Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, signalling che end! of (he Civil
War.
Andersonville, Georgia - Aided largely by records kept by prison survivor
Dorance Apwatat, Miss Barton assisted in the locating and marking of
nearly 13,000 Linion graves. She raised the US Haga the dedt'eation of
Anclersonville National Cemetery on Augast 17,1965,
Mins Harton testified during the 3y:h Congress about her experience in
Andersonvil
(Congress appropriated $15,000 lo reimburse Miss Barlon for expenses
associated with her scarch for missing men,
Miss Barton delivered over 200 leclures throughoul the northeast ard
imiderest regarding her Civil War experiences, She shared platforms with
other prominent figures including Frederick Douglass, Ralph Waldo
Emerson, William Lloyd Garrison, und Mark’ Tain. She allen earned 875
to Sioo per lectare,
‘Miss Barton met Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. the
resulting fricndstaips aligned Miss Bacton with the suffrage movement.
‘Miss Barlon lost her voice while delivering a speech from fatigue and
‘mental prosiration,
Miss Rarlon closed the Office of Ci
Missing Men of the United States Army, having recewed and answerval
6342 letters ane !dentified 22,000 missing men.
On the advice of her doctor, Miss Barton uavelled to Europe (o regain her
health. While visiting Switzerland, she met Dr. Louis Appia, ancl, for the
firse time, read about the Interniiunal Red Grass,
Franco-Prussian War - Napoleon IM declared war on Prussia and irs
‘German allies
“Miss Barton met and established a lifelang freindshi with rhe Grand
Drchess Louise of Baden. daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm | Under the
“sponsorship of the Grand Duchess and the Intemational Red Crass, Miss
Barton lelt for the besicged city of Strasbourg, France. She met Antoinette
Margot, who became her co-worker, travelling companion, and translator,
In Strasbourg, they onginized elif efforts and established sewing factories
in nrdar to provide clothing for the residents and employmeat for woneu.
‘Miss Barlon directed reliel work in Paris far six weeks, established
‘wurkroums in Lyon, and provided assistance in Besancon and Belfort
1872-1873
October 1873
1876
187;
=1881
May 21,288
August 22,1881
Autumn 3881
March 16,1882
Spring 1882 and
1883
May 1883
1884-1890
February 1884
Mise Barton suffered from nervous exhausrion and temporarily lost her
eyesight. She traveled to England in an arremmpt ro recuperate
Miss Barton returned to the United States, but nervous sirain continued to
plague her. Her condition worsened when her sist, Say Barton Vassall
died on May 24. 1874
Miss Barton moved to Dansville, New York, first to a sanitarium and later
‘tw he: own home, Relaxation, a healthful diet, and congenial company
sllowed her to regain her heaith. She mer Julian [lubbell, a chemistry
‘wacher, who eventually became her most devoted fallower.
‘Miss Barton concentrated on educating the public and gamering supparr
foran American society of the Red Cross, She wrote and distributed the
pamphlet, The Red Gross of the Gencva Comventici: What le fs. She met with
President Rutherford B. Hayes to inform him about the Red Cross and
coliste the sid of friends to help publicize the orgarizacion,
The American Association of the Red Cross was formed. Miss Barton was
elected president al a meeting held June y in Washington, DC.
The frst local Society 0° the American Association of the Red Cross was
orgarized in Dansville, Now York, Over the nex Lew months, additions
chaplers were formed in ather towns andl vilies,
‘Michigan - Vorest Fires - Some 15 million acres were destroyed and nearly
300 lives were last in just aver 5 hours, Ihe American Red Cross assisted
jn rebuilding more chan 5o dwellings and distributed tons of aid mate-ial
Julian Hubbell directed the effort as the first chief field agent
On March 1, President Chester A. Arthur signad the Ireaty of Geneva,
Following unanimous ratification by the Senate, the America joined the
International Red Cross,
Mississippi River Floods - Miss Barion directed American Red Cross
relief work during looding dong dhe Mississippi Raver and ix uibutaries,
while aboard the ships Mate Helle,
Miss Barton was appointed superintendent of the Massachusetts
Reformatory Prison for Women in Sherborn, She aecepledl the leimpurtey
postion at the request of Governor Benjamin F. Butler, bur resigned after
ight months, She spoke at che Incemational Conference on Prison Reform
held ix Saratoga, New York,
Miss Rarton delivered ntmerous lectuces promoting the Red Cross.
Ohio River Hlonds - Sever ilnniding tell over s,u00 families homeless,
Miss Barton dinccied the relief effort and Ike Aincrican Reg Crass
discrisured $175,000 in cash and supplies.
August 1884
December 1884.
November 1885
December 1885
‘March 1886
Summer 1886
September 1886
sy
June 1887
September 1887
1888
Eebruary 18h
March 15,1888
August 888
Miss Barton -tavelled to Europe as one of three U.S. deleyales to th
Tnlernstional Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva, Switzerland:
‘The “American Amendment,” which allowed the Red Cross to provide
peacclime disaster relief; was adopted Cue in large part ro Mise Barton's
innovations with the American Red Cr
Dansville, New York, Typhoid Fever Epidemic ‘The American Red
‘Cross provided linsncial and medical assistance to the stricken cawen,
Galveston, Texas Fires - Railroads provided free trancportation as the
American Red Cross donalcd supplies, including 1ga barrels of flour
Balkan War Relief - At the request of the International Red Cross,
American societies provided linancial assistance during the Bulgarian and
Serbian War, The Depaasy andl St, Louis Red Cross Socierigs in Missouri
proviledl $590 and S200, respectively
Miss Barton moved w Washinglon, DC,
Miss Rarlon attended the Nutional Encampment of the Grand Army of the
Republic (GAR) in San Francisen, California,
Charleston, South Carolina, Earthquake - Clara Barton travelled to the
scene and the American Red Cross donated $50, Offers were made by
‘Miss Berton for additional assistance, but were not accepted.
Central Texas, Drought - Miss Rarlon’s report of the situation motivated
the state logislature lo send! Sian.n00 to the stricken area,
Miss Barton volunteers the services of the American Red Cross al the
‘Natioual Drill und Encampmeac in Washington, [3C., Within 6 days, 2ne
cases of illness were treated in a mobile hospital
Misa Bartiin served as delegate to the International Congress of the Red
Cross at Carlsrube, Germany
Migs Harton arrended meetings al various women’s wutitage associations
and spoke at several rallies in New York, New Jersey, and Massuchuscits,
She served as vice president and was a featured «pwaker of the First
Intemational Wornan’s Suffrage Comference in Washinglou, DC,
Mount Vernon, Ilinois, Tornado - Miss Barton and the American Red
Cross assisted 3,000 homeless by providing food, shelter, and clathing
Clara Barton’s brother, David Rarlon, die
Jacksonville, Florida, Yellow Fever Epidemic - Miss Barton:
alfocted arcas and coordinated relief with he Howsrd Association, Red
Gross nurses immune to the disease were provided by the New Orleans
chapter.
May 31,1889
AHigo's
891
Bye
March #892
1893-94
1896
Vebruary 28,1897
1898
February 15,1898
April 25,1898
Johnstown, Pennsylvania Mood - Miss Barton arrived to direct relief
‘operations after over 2,000 died and thousands mor: were left homeless
During four months of work, over $200,000 in supplies and 839,000
in cash were provided. This disaster reliel program became the most
‘elehraced effort in the early history of the Ametican Red Cross.
firesin Milwaukee,
Red Cross provided disaster reel follow
Wisconsin, a droughr in South Dakota, and s
Kentucky, Texas and Lowa,
Abutkling was constcucted for Miss Barton as part of Ecwin and Fedveard
Ralelay’s National Chautauqua tm Glen Echo, Maryland, a few miles
northwest of Washington, DC. Ihe building was primarily used as a Red
Cross warehouse for soveral years,
Clara Bartoa wrote the puem, The Wousen Who Went tothe bield.
Russian Famine Relief Supervised by Clara Barton and Julian Hubbell,
the American Red Crass sponsored ils Hirst overseas operation. Flour aud
cornmeal shipments fed 7.000.
Sea Islands, South Carolina, Hurricane - Afler a hurricane and tidal
swave Tell over 5,090 dead, the American Red Cross labored for Lea.
snon:hs aid the predominantly African-American population of the
burrier islands,
Armenian Famine Relief, Ottoman Fmpire Miss Barton Lnwelled
lo Tstanbul and supervised the relief of the starving aad sick dunwugh
the encouragment of more advunced farming techniques and hygiene
practices, Miss Barton distributed aver Sis,o00 in aid despite (1e haste
‘conditions presented by the Otloman Armenian conic
The warchouse in Glen cho, Maryland, became Clara Barton's
ermancint residence and national headquarters fur the Amer.can Red
Cross. She remodeled and occupied the house until her death in 1gta
Miss burton directed American Rel Cross relief worl int Cuban
reconcenrrade camps. This hunsriturian work on behalf of civilians
continues until 9900,
Explosion of the U. §. 8. Maine - “Lam with the wounded,” Clava
Barton telegraphed President William McKinley following the explosion
of the USS Maine, Phe blast killed 266 crew meanbers. Tivo days earlies,
she had dined abowrd the ship with Captain Charles Sigsbec.
Spanish-American War - Clara Burtan continued to coordina‘e civilian
relief, established orphanages. aad supported military hospitals. Uhe first
roliv! ship to ener the habor of Sanciago following its sw-tender was
The Srate of Texas, with Miss Rarlor and Red Cross workers on board,
She also met Coloael Theadore Roosevele and provided supplics ior
wounded Rough Riders following skirmishes near Siboney Bay
Octoher thigh
1899
Tune 61900
September 8, 1900
May 1902
1903
1903
December 1903
1904
May 14,1904
April gos
1907
April 12, 1912
‘Miss Barton was elected honorary president of The Natignal Society of
the Spanish War, Miss Barton resigned from the positian after learning
from Susan B. Anthony that the society did not accep African-American
members,
Miss Barton published The Red Cross it Peace and Wi:
‘The incorporation of American Nacional Red Crass provided for
protection of the organizations important insignia,
Galveston, Texas, Hurricane and Tidal Wave - Hased in Galveston
and Houston, Miss Barton directed her last major eld relief effort in
the wake of a storm that left 6,000 dead. Tn arwo-month period. the
operation distributed $120,000 worth of money and supplies, as well as,
14 million strawberry plants,
Miss Barton led the 1S delegation to the International Conference uf the
Red Cross in St. Pezersburg, Russia
‘The American Red Cross established che short-lived Deoartment of
First Aid for the Injured
Although aligned with the Universalist Church, Clara Barton became
defender of Mary Baker Eddy and the Christian Science faith. Like
many people of the Victorian era, Miss Barton was also interested in fata
besling, astrology, and spiritualism,
Butler, Pennsylvania, Typhoid Fever Epidemic - Miss Barton tavellec
to the Scene, distributed supplies. and then luened Uae relief project ever
16 local authorities,
Miss Barton published a book called A Story of the Red Crass,
(Clara Barcan resigned as President of the American National Red Crass,
in the wake of mounting criticism of her management style, ability, and
age.
‘Miss Barton established the National First Aid Association of America
und served as honorary president for 5 years. The organization
emphasized basic first aid instruction, emergency preparedness, and
loseloped fire aid kils. Ambulance hrigadkes were formed in conjunction
with poe and fire departments.
Miss Burton published, The Story of My Childhood,
(Clara Bator. died at her home mn Glen Echo, Maryland, atthe age of go.
Burial followed ac the family ceractery plotn Oxfore, Massachusects,
Notes
