Clara Barton Essay

Beginning life

Clarissa Harlowe Barton was born on December 25, 1821. Her parents were Stephen and Sarah Stone Barton. She was born in a small, white cottage in North Oxford, Massachusetts. Clarissa was also known as Clara Barton. Dorothy, Stephen, David, and Sally were her siblings names. In 1829, she turned eight, and her parents sent her off to boarding school. That was because her parents thought it would help her open up and not be so shy. Then Clara quits school to stay home and nurse her brother David from 1832 to 1834. A few months later, Clara returns to her studies and takes advanced classes which include philosophy, chemistry, and Latin. In May of 1839, Barton teachers her first class of 40 children at District school No.9 in

North Oxford.

The first public school in New Jersey is started by Clara. Barton was given the title of a schoolmistress, and aman was brought in to act as a superintendent.. She also enrolls in Clinton Liberal Institute in New York. Another accomplishment she makes is being the first woman to work in the U.S. Patent office in Washington D.C during February 1854. But then later on Barton later her job in the Patent Office because of their political views. A significant event happens when Clara Barton is around, Abraham Lincoln’s his inauguration speech on March 4, 1861.

Barton was also brave to stand up against army official who repeatedly refused to grant her permission to serve on the battlefield.

War
In that same year, the Confederate army fires on Fort Sumter on April 12 which starts the American Civil War. Later, the Union Army suffers defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run in Virginia on July 21, 1861. A year later, Barton delivers medical supplies and food to Union troops at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. Barton went through army ranks to finally get permission to serve wounded soldiers on battlefields. After, she faced criticism from U.S. president who did not want to sign the Treaty of Geneva. The Second Battle of Bull Run is fought on August 30 while Barton nurses the injured. The Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862 is the bloodiest battle of the Civil War occurs. On her way to Washington, she was strong when her eye, feet, and nose, and lungs hurt. Yet she still went out and helped injured soldiers on the battlefield. A battle at Fredericksburg, Virginia begins on December 12, Barton cares for hundreds of men at Lacy House. Clara is stationed in South Carolina, an eight-month plague beings in July to capture Fort Wagner. The American Civil War comes to an end in 1865. On April 9, General Lee surrenders to General Grant.

Clara Barton then arrives in Annapolis, Maryland, on March 11.

She begins locating missing prisoners of war. Then the Franco-Prussian War breaks down on July 15. Barton helps the International Red Cross relief efforts. Clara was determined to establish the Red Cross Association. Even though some members accused her of stealing and mismanaging the Red Cross funds. Barton didn’t believe them and moved on from there. In 1873, Clara returns to the United States in October determined to convince the United States to sign the Geneva Convention. The American Red Cross Association meets for the first time on May 21, 1881. During the Michigan forest fire the American Red Cross offers help for the first time. In St.Petersburg, Russia Clara attended the Seventh International Red Cross conference during the summer of 1902. On May 14, 1904 Barton turns in her resignation as a president of the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross Come to America

Clara Barton establishes the Red Cross in America in 1873.

The American Red Cross still helps and assists people when natural disasters occur. The Red Cross organizes blood doationsand is the nation's largest provider of blood to hospitals. The Red Cross has offered support and counseling to military service people and their families. Clarissa Harlowe Barton laid to rest in her home in Glen Echo, Maryland on April 12, 1912. “Like the old war horse that has rested long in quiet pastures, I recognize the bulge- note that calls me to my place, and, though I may not do what I once could, I am come to offer what I may.” -Clara

Barton