Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-23
CLARA BARTON As TEACHER.
How the ':AnseI Of the Battlefield" Created
Discipline.

When Clara Barton taught school in
New Jersey, at least one son of that
state, later to be enrolled with the
Boys in Blue, WAS convinced of that
quality of mercy for which she after
ward became known as the Angel of
the Battlefield.s = n-t""
HartfW. Bodine, who was a member
of Company A, 9Th New Jersey Vol
unteers. in the Civil War, cherishes
some pleasant memories Of the famous
mother of the Red Cross" and that is
why his daughter bears the name of
Clara Barton Bodine. t,c
There were some formidable-lnoking
fellows among the pupils Who, gEeeted
Clara Barton upon her advent as
teacher at the hamlet of Cedarville in
1851" says Mr.. Bodine. THE school
house was a crude affair in those days.
Against the sides and rear of the room
were the roughly built desks. fenced
in by benches made of heavy slabs
which We're among the obstacles that
the boys and girls We're obliged to sur
mount in the performance of their
daily tasks. In the center stood
large tin plate stove. partly surrounded
by seats for the smaller children. In
front of the window was the teachers
desk, and there was just room enough
by the door for a water pail. Both the
wit and patience of Clara Barton's pre-
decessors had been exhausted by the
unrlly spirits that inha bited this place,
chief of whom was myself. who led the
boys and who determined to make the
place SO uncomfortable that every
teacher would find it pleasanter to re-
sign than to remain"
"At the first sign of danger the gen.
tie young woman went to the defiant
boy" said Hart Bodines mother, in
telling the story, land pleasantly asked
him to assist her in carrying out the
whips. The former teacher evidently
had firm faith in Solomon's precept,
and had freely used the rod, keeping i.
when in state of inactivity resting
on nails behind the desk. Not fully
understanding her meaning, Hart
shambled UP, alert for her dodge as
he thought. But when she had him
carry them all out Of doors and break
them in small bits and tenderly took
him by the hand. assuring him she
would never need them. for he was one
OF, her big boys and she could depend
on him to help to keep order in the
school, he was simply overwhelmed,
and the soldier is not ashamed to con-
fess he cried like a calf
From that time on Hart was
model of obedience in the schoolroom,
and so great was the gratitude of Clara
Barton that all the changes and scenes
of the next ten years We're not suffi-
cient to efface it.
I'm the midst of her work of mercy
among the soldiers in Virginia she
learned of Bodine's presence in the
army, and ordered an ambulance 10
take her to Brandy's Station, where
his regiment was encamped, and where
she took bundle of clothing, cakes
and jellies for her former pupil. A few
years afterward, when my boys do
mestic life was blessed by the advent
of little girl. the fathers pride could
only find expression by giving her the
name Clara Barton.
ITO all who remember Clara Barton
as a teacher at Cedarville her success
cipline reigned throughout her term OF
service. and her influence over her
pupils has sometimes been attributed
to her great knowledge of human ma
ture. So Well was her ability known
that 60 young people were at one time
sheltered in the small schoUihouse UNI
der her care.
"One of her peculiarities was never
to sit at her desk. Often in the winter
days she stood by the stove with one
foot crossed in somewhat masculine
fashion and resting on the hearth. She
sometimes walked to the .schOOlhouse
through deep snow. with rubber boots.
Her first duty at the assembling Of
| school was the sweeping lp Of the dirt