CLARA BARTON

CLARA BARTON
(1821 - 1912) American nurse who tended the wounded in the Civil War and later founded the American Red Cross. Rare T.L.S. with Civil War content, 2pp. 4to., Brooklyn, July 23, 1899 to HARRIETT L. REED (1876-1911), a member of the Women's Relief Corps. In part: '…I wish to hand this to a young lady of this city…in behalf of Mrs. Clayton who remembers to have once served in the Tenth Army Corps Hospital at Point of Rocks, where I was, in the front of General Butler's Army.She with four other ladies came out from this city…and did volunteer service as nurses. Not under me as I had no nurses under me, but wherever they found something to do. Mrs. Clayton is now a widow…is poor and ill and helpless…you who know everything may be able to rend her a service…in the hope that you may be able to give some word of counsel or advice…[I] am at present with Dr. Hall-Brown…' On June 23, 1864 Barton was placed in charge of nursing at a X Corps hospital near Point of Rocks, Virginia, appointed by Major General Benjamin F. Butler. The 'flying hospital' served the wounded from the almost daily fighting outside Petersburg. Dr. Lucy Hall-Brown (d. 1907) was a prominent physician and friend to Barton. Fine condition.