National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-09
AN HEROIC LIFE.
Early strnxgles OF Miss Glars Barton 70
Help the Sick and Dying Soldier.


al. S. B." sends The REPUBLICAN the
following interesting account of the inner life Of
Miss Clara Barton: Every person has an outer
and an inner life. The first is seen and known TO
the outside world while the second is known only
to each individual and the Great Searcher OF
Hearts. It was my good fortune 10 be so situated
during the early part of the late war as to know
something of that inner life Of Miss Barton Mhen
the first gun was fired upon Sumter, and the nrst
bugle TO arms was sounded in the ears OF the
American people, Miss Barton was resident Of
| this city and occupied quiet room on Seventh
street, and was employed in writing Tor the Patent
Office. She had previously, for many years, been
most successful teacher in Massachusetts,, New
jersey and elsewhere; but long and laborious
service made it necessary for her TO seek some
other vocation in order to regain her wasted
mental and physical strength.
DURING THE FIRST YEAR Oy THE WAR
her labors were necessarily confined to the camps
and hospitals in and this city, but this line of
duty was too narrow and easy for her generous i'm
pulses and self-sacrife;ng spirit. so she planned
| and worked and asked for means and liberty TO go
TO the front. Many long and weary months elapsed
before her cherished wish gratihed. During
these months of anxious waiting met her nearly
every day, and know full well that neither sleep
nor food were csred for, and only INDUCED in I'M
der the imperative law of necessity. At last,
| through the influence Of Senator Wilson, who was
always a strong personal friend, the way was
opened for her heaven appointed work among the
sick, the wounded, and the dying At the siege of
Charleston she was on the burning sands of Nor
ris Island for six long and weary months. at the
battle of Fredericksburg She with her assistants,
| was everywhere, caring for the wounded and the
dying.
SHOT AND SHELL FLEW ALL AROUND
her, but she needed them not believing that good
deeds for God and humanity's sake make even
this life immortal until the work is done At the
time of the great battle at Antietam she was sick
in Washington; but when the news came Of the
suffering condition of our army she went to Gen
eral Rucker, assistant quartermaSter general, and
asked for two fourhorse teams, with full supplies
for the battlefield. Without moments hesita-
ton, General Rucker, who knew her well, eOm
piled with her wishes, and in few brief hours
she was on her way 70 AntietaIn- She Travelled
day and night, and arrived there with her sup
plies the close of the second days battles, just
as the last supplies on the field had given out.
The JOY of officers and men as they saw her we'll
loaded teams coming into camp can better be i'm
agined than described. During this journey, or
one similar, while passing through valley,
rebel battery from neighboring hill
COMMENCED SMELLING HER.
Her teamsters and mules became frightened, and
were inclined TO turn back. During the fright the
pole to one of the wagons was broken, while shot
and shell were flying thick all around them. For
tunately they had an extra pole with them, and
Miss Barton got out of the wagon into mud and
mire, and resoutely ordered the men 10 assist her
TO repair the damage. Her courage and heroism
overcame the timidity of her drivers, and, after
making the needed repairs, she again mounted the
wagon with her men, and drove on in safety.
These are but few of the of similar thrill
ing facts in this remarkable woman's history. In
the late war between France and Germany she
was sent for by
KING WILLIAMS DAUGHTER
to act with her in miniStering to the sick and
wounded on the battle-ields of that ever memoir
able war OF her worth and abors of love there the
testimonials which she received give ample proof
While high and low rich and poor, of all ranks and
grades in the various walks of life, have admired
her selfsacrifeing devotion tosufering humanity,
no tongue of SANDER has found the slightest ma
terial for food in her pure and noble life. And
hence, added 10 her many crowns shall be the
sparkling gems Of modest virtue and Christian
love