The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-09
EDITORS CHAT.
Clara Barton as Light Bearer-From An
tietam TO Armenia

CLARA BAETON's LIGHT
Since Clara Barton has been lahorinE So sue
cessIuily among the prosecuted Brmenlans
many stories aud anecdotes have been received
of her services 20 the sick and wounded sol
diers Of the Army Of the Potomac, in the dark
days Of war.
Does ever anyone stop to think what this
world wonld he without any light2 Never to
see the Ole familiar places the faces OF friends
always to grope in utter darkness-to perish
like the plan,s for want Of the blessed sunlight.
There are those who never see the light,
someone says. All, yes, the unfortunate bllnd
But for them the light exists, though they may
not see IL: TO minister 80 their necessities are
the thousand eyes of day, the torch-bearers of
the starry night.
But 70 be sick and in affection aud distress /;
20 be wounded and weary and dying, aud yet
no light One trembles as he tries to imagine
anything so unGtteTably sorrowful aud hope
less.
Some of the strongest figures of speech in
Holy Writ are those that seek to describe the
distress Of those deprived of light. They shall
be "csst into utter darkness" is told of those
whose hearts are closed TO the ministerings OF
love Too late was the doom Of the foolish
Tnaidens condemned 10 the darkness OF the
outer wall because they failed TO keep their
lamps trimmed and burning.
or Clara Barton, the torch bearer OF everiast-
1D4 rove Il bNtES HAOtl - Aoia- II Nao t'' 80
battle OF Antietain, and her experiences alter
the battles Of Bull Run. Cedar Mountain aud
Chantilly, and her remembrance that IN the
former battle tie Surgeons lights had gone out
had made her doubi y-careful to provide every
variety Of supplies that might be needed at the
dlsscctinc tables
Following the lines of artillery her mule
teams had gone through the smoke and fog of
hattie and unloaded their supplies in an old
barn adjoining 8 cornfeld. The army supplies
had not arrived aud the Surgeons were binding
up the wounds of brave boys with corn husks.
All dav long she worked increasingly, feed
ing the fainting and dying bread dipped IN
wine; and finding neal -four and salt hidden
IN the barn by Confedcrates she set Is men to
making cruel, carrying it from the barn and a
farmhouse near 10y to the poor fellows falling
like shcayes before the sickle.
The nnrches of the house were used for
operating tables. All day long, under fierce
battle Clara Barton and The Surgeons worked
over the dying men. One OF the doctors, now
an old man in the West, says: Never shall
forget the terror which seized me as ] looked
about for candles The supplies had not cono.
Tie armies had stopped their firing. Darkness
crept over the hills and the valley. Surgeon
near me said hurriedly: This bit Of candle 10
all the light we have for the night thou
sand suffering, dying, wounded men! They
will perish before the day dawns!'"
" GOOD sod j SAID what horror!
Just then Clara Barton came back to her
post with hig bucket Of Cruel and said, cheer
fully: Doctor, We must light up; we can't
work nor move about in the dark"
poor boy almost at her feet, said: " Shall
die ne-hcre-in-in-th ;"
Miss Barton replied. joyonsly: Why
Doctor brought 30 lanterns and hundreds Of
candlesl ] learned a lesson at Bull Run. We
had email supply. ] said after that, light
must he NY first thought"
Both armies had lain down to rest The
dead were moved 10 ono side that the wounded
might have care, aud night settled down
the dreaGfa fol scene.
The lanterns were quickly lighted and hung
in tie bare old rooms, on tire porches. the fences
aud wagons. Candles wero Pickering in all
possible places, aud the work OF Surgeons, doc
tors and helpers went steadily Oh all through
the night
Tie boy who was SO terrified by the darkness
said as Miss Barton knelt beside him. with The
lantern on her arm: oh, shan't die alone
9Owi ] can see y0u I"