Clara Barton's Contributions To The Civil War

From April 12, 1861 to May 9th, 1865 the United States of America was engaged in the Civil War. An estimated 620,000 soldiers died. After each battle it was evident that provisions and care was needed for soldiers falling victim to their wounds. As a volunteer, Clara Barton took a courageous stand by collecting and distributing supplies in her home and in warehouses, and later was given permission to nurse the wounded on the battlefiled.

Clara's first work began on April 19,1861, while providing supplies to the 6th massachusetts Infantry after an attack. These men that she was treating were some that she grew up with and taught, makinh her have a close connection to them. In addition to tending to their every need, she offered personel help to the men by praying for them, reading stories to them, and listening to their issues. Clara soon recognized that her calling was to be beside the men on the battlefield and help them throughout the war.
She worked in field hospitals at battles such as the battle of Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Charleston, and many more. “I always tried . . . to succor the wounded until medical aid and supplies could come up—I could run the risk; it made no difference to anyone if I were shot or taken prisoner.”-Clara Barton, in her memoirs. At the battle of Antietam, Clara had been working in the midst of fighting and a bullet went through her sleeve on her dress and killed the man she was treating. She had to move on the next wounded man and not be bothered by the bullet.

Clara Barton's work on the battlefield did not go unnoticed and by the end of the Civil War, she was nicknamed the "Angel of the