Clara Barton 1821-1912

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In 1861, when the Civil War erupted, Barton left her job to dedicate herself to delivering supplies to Union soldiers, including those in the 6th Massachusetts Infantry. This marked the beginning of her lifelong commitment to helping those in need during times of conflict and disaster. By 1862, she had received official authorization to transport supplies to battlefields, attending every major battle in Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina. During these battles, she cared for the wounded and earned the nickname “angel of the battlefield.” Despite having no formal medical training, she was appointed head nurse for one of General Benjamin Butler’s units in 1864. Barton also worked alongside Frances Gage to assist formerly enslaved people in transitioning to freedom. After the war, she played a key role in locating missing soldiers and marking thousands of graves, and she provided testimony before Congress about her experiences during the war.