Part 25

Says Captain Charles F. Walcott of the Twenty-first Regiment (afterward Brigadier-General), and the author of the history of the regiment: “Our true friend, Miss Barton, a Twenty-first woman to the backbone, was now permanently associated with the regiment and, with two four-mule covered wagons which by her untiring efforts she kept well supplied with delicacies in the way of food and articles of clothing, was a ministering angel to our sick. General Sturgis kindly ordered a detail from the regiment of drivers and assistants about her wagon. And this true, noble woman, never sparing herself nor failing in her devotion to our suffering men, always maintained her womanly dignity, and won the lasting respect and love of our officers and men.”

Clara Barton’s last message to the regiment was delivered forty-five years after the Civil War, through an address and original poem, she then being eighty-nine years of age. The occasion was the annual reunion of the regiment, the date August 23, 1910; the reunion held at Worcester, Massachusetts.

Picture taken on the occasion of the annual reunion of the Twenty-first Massachusetts Regiment Association—on August 23, 1921—Sixtieth anniversary of the day the Regiment left Worcester for the field.

On Fame’s eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread; And Glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead. THEODORE O’HARA.

I hear the loved survivors tell How naught from death could save, ’Til every sound appears a knell And every spot a grave. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

“I never made a secret of the fact that of all the glorious regiments that marched to the music of the Union and cooled their heated brows in the shadows of the Stars and Stripes, the Twenty-first Massachusetts was peculiarly my own—nearest in my thoughts, and deepest in my love, and there are many who know that more than once my heart went down in agony under the blood-stained soil with the lifeless forms of its bravest and its best. I would divide the last half of the last loaf with any soldier in that regiment, though I had never met him.”—CLARA BARTON.

Top, left hand corner—Clara Barton. Top, right hand corner—Carrie E. Cutter. Lower row, center—Flora S. Chapin.

But evil on itself shall back recoil, And mix no more with goodness when, at last, Gathered like scum, and settled to itself, It shall be an eternal restless change, Self-fed and self-consumed. If this fail The pillared firmament is rottenness, And earth’s base built on stubble.

XCVII

CLOSING INCIDENTS—THE BIOGRAPHY—OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

I am so glad to see you; I was afraid you wouldn’t get here in _time_. CLARA BARTON. From “Notes” at Oxford, Massachusetts, Oct. 2, 1911.

AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK FOR CLARA BARTON

Accompanying the letter under date of December 14, 1909, came data from Clara Barton to be used in her proposed biography, and which data the author had previously promised to make use of as soon as his private business would permit him to give the time necessary to do this literary work. Commenting on the author’s final acceptance of her commission, in her letter she said: “Your talent to writing a biography of me—of me! Your talent and time for such as this! ‘Why was this waste made’?” The object hoped for in her letter of September 21, 1911, wherein Clara Barton says “_I must see you_” and therein the “dispatch” referred to, was that she might consult the author on her biography and to make a final request that after her passing he would protect her good name which, continuously being assailed, she then thought to be in jeopardy.

Arriving at Oxford, Massachusetts, at the end of a special trip from California for the final consultation as to the facts and motives involved in her persecution, on October 3, 1911, in the sick room and at the time when she thought that she had but a few hours to live, the author made the promise. The further object of the visit at Oxford, on the part of the author, was to try to stimulate her health, through a possible sea voyage. That there had been in anticipation for several months previous such sea voyage was well known in her household, and is personally indicated by her in her Easter Greetings for 1911. In this letter she writes: “And we may expect you in the East!! That is more than I _dared_ hope. It would surely be a luxury to visit the old _old_ countries of the world. I should indeed be glad to see them with you.”

I may come to California this winter; will do so, if I am able.

CLARA BARTON. From “Notes” of a visit in the sick room at Glen Echo, Maryland, Oct. 20, 1911.

PROPOSED HOME IN CALIFORNIA

A few days after the consultation at Oxford she rallied, and on a Pullman was taken to her Glen Echo home. Seriously ill and thinking this would be her last ride, she expressed the wish to have for the party of three, consisting of her physician, her nephew and herself, the Pullman exclusively. The cost for the use of the car would be three hundred dollars. This having been made known to her she protested the seeming extravagance whereupon a friend, after having been refused such tender by the Pullman office in New York, himself made the tender of the car, without cost to her. Characteristic of her, she declined to accept the courtesy, but said she would have accepted such courtesy from the Pullman Company. She accepted, instead, a drawing room—to save the proposed expense, even by another. Early on the way to Glen Echo, she is reported to have said to those accompanying her: If he were here now I would not leave the car until I shall have reached California, where I would make my home with my friend as long as I live, thereby accepting his invitation to become his guest permanently—in his home nearby and overlooking the Pacific ocean.

She stood the journey so well, says her physician, that again she said to us just before reaching Washington that she would be glad to remain on the train and continue on to California, emphasizing “That’s what I’d like to do.” The physician further comments: “Her faith in her friend’s loyalty would have been sufficient tonic to make the journey easy and a delight, and I feel sure now that had she taken the journey then, as she expressed the wish, the end of the journey would have found her in an _improved condition_, with constant-increasing physical strength.”

In the author’s diary for October 20, 1911, is found the following:

At ten A.M. visited Calumet Place. Mrs. John A. Logan and I then went to Glen Echo on the street car. Visited Miss Clara Barton, who was in a chair awaiting our presence. Spent an hour or so with her. She was in good spirits, happy and much improved in health. Mrs. Logan and she talked over personal matters. She received me most cordially, and said she was most happy to see me; also said she would like to go to California with me. Mrs. Logan, Dr. Hubbell, Stephen E. Barton and I had a talk in the room downstairs on matters of personal interest to Miss Barton, formulating a plan for her vindication.

FORECASTING THE BIOGRAPHY

In April, 1912, her physician, Dr. Julian B. Hubbell, wrote from Glen Echo that a few hours before her passing Clara Barton expressed the wish that, if not exclusively so, in any event the author _must be_ associated with her biographer. The protection of her “good name” by her biographer was more to her than a recital of her deeds of valor. She had in mind in selecting her biographer not what fame thereby might come to him, not kinship nor the family name, not what profit there might be in her biography. She had in mind her own “good name,” and the cause such “good name” represents. These were to her vital; these to her were dearer than life itself. Respect for the wish of the dying, and the dead, is regarded sacred; such wish has been regarded sacred, and binding, throughout the centuries, alike by Christian and Pagan. To do violence to the sentiment and well known wish of Clara Barton, on the part of the author, similarly would do violence to the sentiment of the country which would protect her “good name,” a name historic and beloved by the people—violence to the sentiment pervading all humanity.

As the financial executor had possession of, and control of, the historic data prerequisite, for all practical purposes he could name the biographer of the nation’s heroine;—could dictate what data and sentiment must be, and must not be, included in the biography of his Aunt. As soon after her passing as it could be written and reach California there came from her nephew, Mr. Stephen E. Barton, of her nearest of kin and by her made the Executor of her Estate, the following letter:

ONE OF MY AUNT’S LAST REQUESTS

Boston, Mass., April 20, 1912.

Col. Charles Sumner Young, Los Angeles, Cal.

My dear Col. Young:—

When the death of our beloved occurred at Glen Echo on the morning of the 12th inst. Doctor Hubbell thought you were at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco and I immediately wired you there, but I was notified that you had left the city. I was exceedingly glad to receive your beautiful message of the 13th from Los Angeles.

I followed your wishes by placing some beautiful flowers in your name upon her bier at Oxford and I knew that the sympathy and tenderness of your great heart were with us that day. I am sending you Worcester newspapers, which will give an account of the last ceremonies, all of which were carried out just as she desired them, both at Glen Echo and Oxford....

I am sending you enclosed a copy of the tribute written by Mrs. Logan and read at the Glen Echo services by her daughter.

Has it not the ring of eloquence, of justice and of fearless friendship? I gave it to the Associated Press, but I believe it was used only in a garbled form. You are at liberty to use it in any form which you choose.

At this moment I have not time to say more, but I hope to hear from you and to see you again. There is much to do and to say in the future. I shall need the good advice and guidance of such friends as your good self and one of my Aunt’s last requests was that I invite you with a few other such friends to compose a committee to advise with me in the future.

Very truly yours, (Signed) STEPHEN E. BARTON.

EXCERPTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

Concerning the biography of my Aunt, she desired that I call to my assistance several of her good friends, including your dear self.

STEPHEN E. BARTON.

From a letter to the author, and dated November 18, 1912.

I judge from your letter that you may not be aware that a preliminary biography of my Aunt has been written by Reverend Percy H. Epler, of Worcester, and published by the Macmillans.

I have organized a literary committee composed of Reverend William E. Barton of Oak Park, Illinois, Reverend Percy H. Epler of Worcester, Massachusetts, Honorable Francis Atwater of New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. Julian B. Hubbell of Glen Echo, Maryland, and myself.

STEPHEN E. BARTON.

From a letter to the author, and dated February 29, 1916.

AUTHORIZED

Charles Sumner Young was authorized by Clara Barton to write the history of her life and so far as I know the only person so authorized.

JULIAN B. HUBBELL.

Clara Barton’s General Field Agent for the twenty-three years she was President of the American Red Cross.

Glen Echo, Maryland, July 8, 1922.

XCVIII

Last words of Clara Barton: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Let me go! Let me go!

PERCY H. EPLER, Author.

A diagnosis of Clara Barton’s illness was made a few months before she passed. The report of the Doctors was that every organ in her body was perfect—heart, lungs, stomach—every organ functioning as in her youth. THE AUTHOR.

This morning’s papers (Tuesday, April 23, 1912) are filled with startling stories to the effect that Miss Barton died of a broken heart, caused by a clique of Washington politicians and ambitious society people. That she died of a broken heart, so caused, is a fact. W. H. SEARS, Secretary to Clara Barton.

Considerable comment was caused at the funeral of Clara Barton by the absence of any representative of ——, or of the American National Red Cross, the organization which Miss Barton founded; neither were there any flowers from either the organization nor the White House in evidence. Rockford (Ills.) _Register Gazette_.

Governments are but the voice of the people. CLARA BARTON.

The Government of my country _is_ my country, and the people of my country are the government of my country as nearly as a representative system will allow. CLARA BARTON.

The Government which I thought I loved, and loyally tried to serve, has shut every door in my face, and stared at me insultingly through its windows. CLARA BARTON.

The humanity of peoples is beyond that of Governments.

CLARA BARTON.

Ingratitude! Thou marble-hearted fiend, more hideous when thou showest thee in a child than the sea monster.

SHAKESPEARE.

Of all the anguish our Heavenly Father calls us to endure—none pierces more keenly, nor wounds more deeply, than the sting of ingratitude. CLARA BARTON.

Dear Clara Barton! I hope that somewhere she is reaping a glorious reward of her life-long heroism and self-sacrifice. MRS. LA SALLE CORBELL PICKETT.

Clara Barton will still live as a potential force for good, and coming centuries will see her labors carried on even as they were carried on while she directed them in person.

Springfield (Illinois) _News_.

Sublime, O Life, when in Easter balms did cease, When shadows of thy sunset hour bore thee “peace.” E. May Glenn Toon.

A RECORD HISTORY AT THE FUNERAL

The funeral exercises for Clara Barton, who had served for 23 years as President of the Red Cross, were held in her Red Cross home in Glen Echo, Maryland. Flowers in profusion were there; her personal and _real_ friends, with moistened eyes and aching hearts, were there; hundreds of telegrams of sympathy from all over the country were there; millions of humanity-loving American men and women, in spirit, were there; her devoted friend and immediate successor as President of the Red Cross, Mrs. General John A. Logan, was there.

History will record that certain then acting officials of the Red Cross, either personally or in sympathy, were _not_ there; that not a flower, not a word of sympathy, from any Red Cross official was there; that not national honors, not even Red Cross honors, were then bestowed lovingly or at all upon the great and good Red Cross Mother, that made possible officially the very existence of the then Red Cross officers.

And history will record that no good reason could be given why these certain Red Cross officials were _not_ there; and history will further record that the reason must be understood as that in the case of Another when, on a similar occasion, no Pontius Pilate and no politicians were there, but “many women were there beholding from afar.” And finally history will again record that, centuries after the doer of “petty politics” shall have been forgotten, the doer of humane deeds will shine as a fixed star in humanity’s firmament, diffusing her beneficent rays upon the millions, in generations as they successive come and go.

XCIX

Clara Barton saved too many lives to count.

Worcester (Mass.) _Telegram_.

The lives he had saved were enough to gain Heaven’s chiefest diadem. CLARA BARTON.

God’s plans are known only to Himself. He alone knows what plan He is working out. CLARA BARTON.

The grave is but a covered bridge, leading from light to light through a brief darkness. LONGFELLOW.

The paths of glory lead but to the grave. GREY.

FROM LINCOLN’S FAVORITE POEM

Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud? Like a swift-fleeing meteor, a fast flying cloud, A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, He passeth from life to his rest in the grave.

WILLIAM COLLINS.

CLARA BARTON’S LAST RIDE

On her last ride from Glen Echo, Maryland, to Oxford, Massachusetts, Clara Barton went by the Federal Express. She was accompanied by her three friends, Stephen E. Barton, Doctor Julian B. Hubbell and Doctor Eugene Underhill. Every consideration was shown her by her personal friends and the railway company. Because of the fog on New York Bay and certain formalities to be imposed by the New York City authorities, an embarrassing delay was menacing the party. To circumvent the delay the party ignored the advice of the railway authorities to take another route from Jersey City, and continued on to New York.

At New York, to make connections with the outgoing train, the party transferred themselves to a covered express wagon. It was nearly midnight. The streets were wet and slippery from the fog. The busy throng of human beings were in their slumbers. The streets were bereft of all things living, save now and then a belated traveler; and silent, except the tread of his footsteps on the sidewalk.

The party’s destination, Oxford, must be reached at a certain hour. There must be no delay. The driver was urged to hurry. He became impatient and, turning to one member of the party, asked: “Whom have you got in this box anyway?” Then came the reply: “It’s the body of Miss Clara Barton.” “You don’t mean the Civil War Nurse, the Red Cross woman!” “Yes, that’s the one.”

Then there followed a scene pathetic, and most dramatic. Dropping his lines and throwing up his hands the driver exclaimed: “My God! is it possible? My father was a Confederate soldier and, at the battle of Antietam, was wounded in the neck. Miss Barton found him on the battlefield and bound up his wounds in time to save his life. And just to think ‘the likes o’ me,’ a poor driver, is hauling her body across the city tonight.”

C

Clara Barton has to her credit 72 achievements, every one of which entitles her to a page in history.

W. H. SEARS, Secretary to Miss Barton.

Clara Barton,—this woman’s immortal work.

_Boston Transcript._

Not all the noblest songs are worth one noble deed.

ALFRED AUSTIN.

Clara Barton,—her work and her achievements,—wonders wrought by that noble woman of New England.

Oakland (Cal.) _Tribune_.

Clara Barton,—no other whose achievements even approximate hers; her allegiance ran the whole race of mankind.

Sacramento (Cal.) _Union_.

Clara Barton,—measured by any scale you may choose, was the most useful woman of her day and generation.

Bangor (Me.) _News_.

By our deeds, and by our deeds alone— God judges us—if righteous God there be, Creeds are as thistle-down, wind-tossed and blown, But deeds abide throughout eternity. GEORGE BARLOW.

All who work beneath its glorious folds (Red Cross) are coworkers not only with the noblest spirits of all ages and all countries but, even reverently be it spoken, co-workers with the Divine beneficence whose blessed task we know will one day wipe every tear from every eye. CLARA BARTON.

ACHIEVEMENT—WORLD RECOGNITION

Clara Barton was the recipient of twenty-seven decorations, medals of honor, diplomas of honor, badges, jewels, flags, resolutions, votes of thanks, and commendations from rulers of nations, legislative bodies, Red Cross decorations, relief committees, and distinguished, or titled, personages,—as testimonials of her great work for humanity. THE AUTHOR.

Some day the full and complete history of Clara Barton and her unparalleled achievements will be given to the world, and no library on the face of the earth will be complete without a set of the volumes of that history.

W. H. SEARS, J. B. HUBBELL, Ex-Secretaries to Clara Barton.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE LEADING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE LIFE OF MISS CLARA BARTON

(Especially prepared for this volume by her ex-secretary, W. H. Sears)

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Organized, conducted and popularized Free School System, Bordentown, N. J., at her own expense. Commenced her school with six pupils, all boys, and in one year had six hundred; secured five teachers to assist and had promises of a new building, if she would continue. It was built for her and is still in use. “Pauper Schools,” that is, Public Schools at public expense, were ridiculed by the people. The six boys were renegades from private schools. Third week, room filled and assistant required. Such was the success that the private schools were discontinued and a four thousand dollar school house, three stories of brick, was built and Miss Barton inaugurated the _Free Public School of Bordentown, N. J._ With six hundred pupils and eight teachers, impetus was given to the cause of free education over the State, 1852–4.

2. First Woman Clerk in Government Office, Washington, D. C. A place of trust at $1,400 per year, in charge of caveats, Patent Office, which position she gave up at the opening of the Civil War to work in the field. 1854–’61, under Mr. Charles Mason, Commissioner of Patents. Discharged when Buchanan came in; but recalled under Lincoln; resigned when war came on.

THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

3. Met and furnished relief at “Old Infirmary,” where Judiciary Square Hospital now stands; first day and next day at Capitol, in Senate Chamber (Senate not in session) to wounded soldiers of the 6th Mass. Volunteers in Washington, on arrival from the Baltimore attack by mob, April 19, 1861. _First Civil War Field._

4. Met and furnished relief to sick and wounded soldiers, brought from the front on trains and boats to Washington, D. C., May 1, 1861 to July, 1862.

Afterwards she was on the following fields of battle and relief:

5. James Island, battlefield, July 7, 1862.

6. Cedar Mountain, battlefield, August 9, 1862, 3,700 killed and wounded.

7. Second Bull Run, battlefield, August 30 to September 1, 1862. Found seven of her old pupils, Massachusetts schools, in this field and each had lost an arm or leg.

8. Chantilly, battlefield, August 31 to September 1, 1862.

9. Point of Rocks, Md., battlefield, September 4, 1862.

10. Point of Rocks, Md., battlefield, September, 1862.

11. Antietam, battlefield, September 16 and 17, 1862.

12. Falmouth battlefield, December 11 and 12, 1862.

13. Fredericksburg, battlefield, December 12 and 13, 1862. 18,000 killed and wounded.

14. Folly Island, battlefield, April 10, 1863.

15. Morris Island, battlefield, July 10 to September 7, 1863.

16. Fort Wagner, battlefield, September 7, 1863.

17. Charleston, S. C., battlefield, September 8, 1863.

18. The Wilderness, battlefield, May 6–7, 1864.

19. Spotsylvania, battlefield, May 8 to 21, 1864.

20. Petersburg, battlefield, June 15 to 18, 1864.

21. Petersburg Mine, battlefield, July 30 to August 5, 1864.

22. Deep Bottom, battlefield, August and September, 1864.

23. Richmond Campaign, battlefield, January 1 to April 3, 1865.

24. Annapolis Hospital, 1865, met starving, sick and wounded returning Federal prisoners and furnished relief.

THE MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING TO THE MEMORY OF CLARA BARTON

by the American Forestry Association at Glen Echo, Md., 3 P. M., Easter Sunday, April 16, 1922. The occasion—to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the passing of Clara Barton.