Clara Barton: A Brief Biography

Clarissa “Clara” Harlowe Barton was born in Oxford, Massachusetts on December 25, 1821. Clara’s father, Captain Steven Barton, was a government official and a captain of the local army. He enjoyed educating Clara on the ways of the military. He taught her about the importance of keeping the troops supplied with weaponry, clothing, food, and medical necessities. He also taught her geography and told her stories about the Indian War in Michigan and Ohio. Clara’s mother, Sarah Stone Barton, was an eccentric lady with an explosive temper. Clara was the youngest child. She had two sisters and two brothers. Barton’s siblings aided in her education growing up. Her two sisters helped her learn to read while her brothers taught her math and how to ride a horse. In 1833, when Barton was eleven years old, her brother, 25 year old David Barton, was helping to build a barn when he fell from the roof and was seriously injured. Barton did not go to school for two …show more content…
After her father died Clara left the Washington Infirmary and went to help the soldiers in the battle field. She took three army wagons of supplies with her. Some of the supplies were given by the Army quartermasters in Washington but the majority was bought from donations or Clara’s own money. Clara arrived at the Battle of Antietam and found surgeons trying to make dressings out of corn husks because they had no supplies with them. These surgeons were over worked and tired. Clara had uninjured soldiers carry water, prepare food, and perform basic first aid for the injured soldiers and the surgeons. Clara would travel with the Union Army and helped not only the union soldiers but also the confederate prisoners of war. She would feed, dress wounds, comfort the dying, and talk and listen to both the Northern and Southern soldiers. Due to her compassion and war efforts she became known as the “Angel of the