Clara Barton and Her Contributions to the Civil War

Clara Barton was a shy child who grew up with only one close friend. She excelled in school, but not in socialization skills. Her family relocated to help the wife and children of a family member who had passed. The house needed repair. Clara quickly jumped in to assist. She began to play with her male cousins and was able to fit in. Clara grew up to become a teacher and eventually opened a school in New Jersey that became the first free school to be opened in that state.

Clara’s father was a former Captain. When she spoke with her Father regarding the war effort, He strongly encouraged her to help the soldiers. That was all the encouragement she needed and gathered medical supplies. Ladies’ Aid society contributed bandages, food and clothing to also be distributed to the soldiers. It is apparent the Clara was very active in providing aid to the soldiers. She fought to gain access to work on the front lines. She would continue to deliver medical supplies and provisions to the front line soldiers. There are some heroic stories associated to her time on the front line. One stated that a bullet went through the sleeve of her dress without even grazing her, but killed the man whom she was taking care of.

It is stories like these along with the fact that Clare was a woman that would exaggerate her services during wartime. With any account, there is some truth behind the story. Clare was truly a humanitarian and devoted her life to helping others. She had a way of understanding men and was able to relate to them. She never married. These characteristics were not the norm for women of her era and most likely contributed to her extraordinary legend. She continued to supply the soldier’s medical supplies and care throughout the war and was named by Union general Benjamin Butler as the “lady in charge” of the hospitals on the front lines.

After the war she travelled the country lecturing about her war experiences. She then traveled to Europe and me Susan B. Anthony and was moved to the woman’s suffrage movement. She the met Frederick Douglass and became an activist for civil rights. Later yet, she was introduced to Dr. Appia who invited her to be the representative for the Red Cross. This began her lifelong journey with the Red Cross.

The activities of Clara Barton during the Civil War were a short time period in her lifetime. Historians have often overstated her war efforts. The truth is that Clare was committed to helping the soldiers. There was no drama in her efforts, but a need to provide for those who were suffering and in need. The fact that she was one of the only women allowed on the front lines, romanticized her role in the civil war. The fact that she was also a single woman attending to male soldiers could have contributed to the illusion of this nurse among men.

Clare was a woman with an endless desire to help others and need for everyone to be free of suffering. She was born a timid child a blossomed into an extroverted woman with many associates and contacts. She was known worldwide and an ambassador of good will. She was a legend in her own time. Clara should be recognized and honored for all of her contributions to humanity, but her activities during the Civil War were a mere sliver of her accomplishments. Historians have embellished the chapter of her life that was the most unique role for a woman of that time and place. She deserves to be remembered for all of her life accomplishments.