clara barton

Clara Barton’s full name is actually Clarissa Harlowe Barton. She was born on December 25, 1821, Christmas Day. She lived from 1821-1912. She was born in Oxford, Massachusetts. Over the years of Clara’s life she became very aware of the help that people needed. She helped wounded and hurt people her whole life. Her first work that she did was in the Civil War. Many people enjoyed her work and appreciated everything that she did. She helped the United States in a great way bring the Red Cross to the country. Clara Barton made society aware of the need for medical care and humanitarian aid in the late 1800’s and was therefore crucial in the creation of the American Red Cross.
Barton lived in her home in Oxford, Ma until the age of nine. When Barton was nine she moved to another house in the same town. She was the youngest of five children. Their names were Dorothy, Steven, Sally, and David. Her father’s name was Captain Steve Barton. The mother’s name was Sally Stone Barton. Her favorite brother was David, he taught her how to ride a horse. Clara was not a loud child; she was very sensitive and shy. She went away to Boarding school when she was only nine, but did not stay th

There was no food left to give the soldiers. Clara was very upset and could not stand to see the soldiers to be starving like that. “There hungry bodies where lying on the floor begging for food.” Clara said. Clara was so upset with the situation she went to Washington to talk to a man named Henry Wilson. She told him about what was going on and in how bad of shape the soldiers were and by the next day the soldiers had food and homes.

War broke out April 14, 1861 and Washington was in an uproar. Clara went to the Infirmary to see if she could be of help. She wanted to help and become a volunteer. She heard about what was happening to the men from MA and she went to her apartment and grabbed anything she thought they would need. She took clothes, needles, thread, soup, pins, towels, and underwear. She packed food and eating utensils. Clara brought the food to the men and they ate it happily and she also gave them copies of their home newspaper, “The Worcester Spy.” Barton helped all men from MA and made sure they always had supplies. All the men appreciated Barton for all the things she was doing for them. The men wrote home about how much Barton was helping and the women started sending things from home. Barton then began going to the docks to nurse the wounded soldiers. Many men were dying because they were not getting medical care soon enough. Barton’s father became sick. She had to return home to take care of him. He encouraged Barton to do well in war. He died at the age of 88.