Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-09-21
WORK OF THE RED CROSS
RRTTLEFIELO HORRORS, LED TO THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOCIETY,".

Henri Dunaut SO Shocked by the Scenes
He Witnessed at Solferino That He
Formed Corps to Work in the Cause
of Humanity-Some Interesting Facts.
The history of the Red Gross So
cietyis but little known in the United
States. Our peace-loving people have
been for so many years free from the
terror OF war which has continually
confronted European nations that we
became supremely Indifferent to the
emergency that at some time might
arise, when we should be called upon
to take care of the sailors and soldiers
wounded in the defence of our coun-
try.
It is nearly forty years since NJ.
Henri Dunant,a native of the republic
of Switzerland, witnessed the battle
of Solferino, and was Mortified OBJ
server of the unnecessary suffering of
the wounded from lack of care. Be-
ing greatly impressed by the sight he
published little book called "Sou-
venir de Solferino," md pointed out
the urgent necessity of forming corps
of surgeons and nurses who could
work in the cause of humanity, re.
gardless of nationality, and who might
be protected by flag of neutrality,
and be permitted to serve on the field
of battle and aid the wounded. This
little volume appealed to all who read
it, and the outcome was convention
held at Geneva, Switzerland, in Au-
gust, 1864, by representatives from
sixteen of the great nations of The
world, who then signed q compact of
snict neutr ality that assured, under
certain specified regulations, COM
plete protection to the members of the
association when caring for the
wounded on the field of battle. The
flag of Switzerland is heraldically de-
scribed as ION y field gules, cross
argent" and the society adopted it
out of compliment to its birthplace,
only y.reversing the colors. Today the
insignia of the International COM
mittee is the red cross on white
field. and is the only military hospital
flag in the civilized world which pro-
tects all persons from molestation who
work under it or rightfully wear the
emblem when performing their SER
vice. The insignia is jealously
guarded, and the brassards and arm
let's, that are sewed on the sleeve
when issued in time of war, are
marked with private devices, SO that
both armies may be protected from
spies, and that none but those en-
gagged in the work of helping the
wounded shall be immune.
NJ. Gustav Moynier, president of
the Society of Public Utility, was
elected and still remains president of
the international committee of the
Bed Cross, the headquarters of which
are at Geneva. Sixty-two nations
have signed the compact. In 1882,
Miss Clara Barton, who hal already
distinguished herself by her services
as nurse during the civil war, was
delegated by the president of the
United States torepresenth her country
at q congress of the Red Cross COM
mittee, and she was made member
of the international board ofmanagers
when the United States government
signed the international treaty. It
was at Miss Barton;s suggestion that
a line of work was adopted by the in,
ternational, committee, so that each
nation might pursue an occupation In
time of piece that would qualify it to
be offservice in an emergency, there
by r ing ;ts ~atiopr