The Red Cross in Peace and War by Clara Barton PDF
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Project Gutenberg's The Red Cross in Peace and War, by Clara Barton This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Red Cross in Peace and War Author: Clara Barton Release Date: November 17, 2013 [EBook #44202] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED CROSS IN PEACE AND WAR *** Produced by KD Weeks, David Edwards and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of public domain works put online by Harvard University Library's Open Collections Program, Women Working 1800 - 1930) Transcriber’s Notes Autograph letters and similar documents which were presented only as images in the original have been transcribed here, and can be found at the end of the text. The captions of those images will serve as links to their transcriptions. The lists of Illustrations and Contents have several anomalous, though accurate, entries. For example, the section on the re-incorporation of the Red Cross, beginning on page 94, appears in the Contents between sections on p. 184 and p. 197, for no apparent reason. The reference has been placed in its proper position in the Contents. Also, please note that the entries in the Contents do not always refer to formal sections of the text. They sometimes direct one to a change of topic otherwise unmarked in the text itself. Several of the photographs associated with the Spanish American War, which were included at the end of the volume on pp. 675 and 676, are listed in the Illustrations where their subjects would appear. Illustrations have been moved to avoid breaking paragraphs. On occasion, they may appear out of the normal page order. The opening of the section on General History is labeled “Chapter I”, the only use of that designation in the volume. Footnotes have been consolidated at the end of the volume, and linked for convenient reference. Please see the Transcriber Notes at the end of the text for more details about the preparation of this text. CLARA BARTON. From a portrait taken about 1875. THE RED CROSS IN PEACE AND WAR BY CLARA BARTON AMERICAN HISTORICAL PRESS 1906 Copyright 1898, by Clara Barton From the President of the United States In his Message to Congress December 6, 1898. It is a pleasure for me to mention in terms of cordial appreciation the timely and useful work of the American National Red Cross, both in relief measures preparatory to the campaigns, in sanitary assistance at several of the camps of assemblage, and, later, under the able and experienced leadership of the president of the society, Miss Clara Barton, on the fields of battle and in the hospitals at the front in Cuba. Working in conjunction with the governmental authorities and under their sanction and approval, and with the enthusiastic co-operation of many patriotic women and societies in the various States, the Red Cross has fully maintained its already high reputation for intense earnestness and ability to exercise the noble purposes of its international organization, thus justifying the confidence and support which it has received at the hands of the American people. To the members and officers and all who aided them in their philanthropic work, the sincere and lasting gratitude of the soldiers and the public is due and freely accorded. In tracing these events we are constantly reminded of our obligations to the Divine Master for His watchful care over us and His safe guidance, for which the nation makes reverent acknowledgment and offers humble prayers for the continuance of His favors. ILLUSTRATIONS. Clara Barton, from a portrait taken about 1875 Frontispiece. The International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland opp. 16 Clara Barton, taken about 1885 opp. 17 The First Red Cross Warehouse, Washington, D.C. 21 National Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, from 1892 to 1897 22 Some of the First Members of the American National Red Cross 43 A Group of American National Red Cross Members 44 A Group of American National Red Cross Members 55 Suburban Headquarters, American National Red Cross 56 Some Red Cross Decorations Presented to Clara Barton 83 Chronological Historic Tree 84 Clara Barton, taken about 1884 113 “Josh V. Throop” 114 Camp Perry 143 Red Cross Headquarters 144 Johnstown, Pa., before the Flood of 1889 155 Red Cross Hotel, Locust Street, Johnstown, Pa. 156 Red Cross Furniture Room, Johnstown, Pa. 163 Typical Scene after the Flood at Johnstown, Pa., May 30, 1889 164 In Memoriam 174 Typhus Fever Patients in the Russian Famine, 1891–92 181 Count Lyoff Tolstoi 182 Women Cutting Potatoes for Planting—Sea Island Relief, S.C., February, 1894 199 A Windfall for St. Helena 200 Testimonial from Russian Workmen for American Help and Sympathy in the Famine of 1892 217 A Russian Peasant Village 218 Receiving Room for Clothing, S.C. Island Relief, 1893–94 235 South Carolina Sea Island Relief 236 The Island District from Savannah to Beaufort 251 Sick with the Famine Fever 253 Hunger-Stricken 254 Miss Barton’s Room 271 In the Old Schloss of Baden 272 Red Cross Headquarters, Constantinople 281 View from Red Cross Headquarters, Constantinople 282 Turkish Cemetery 282 Chief of the Dersin Kourds and His Three Sub-Chiefs 291 Chief of the Dersin Kourds 292 Decoration of the Royal Order of Melusine 300 Tower of Christ, Constantinople 301 W.W. Peet, Esq. 302 Rev. Henry O. Dwight, D.D. 302 Rev. Joseph K. Greene, D.D. 302 Rev. George Washburn, D.D. 302 Signature of the Sultan 303 Turkish Dispatches 306, 307 Map of the Country traversed by the Red Cross Expeditions carrying American Relief to the Victims of the Armenian Massacres in 1896 309 Interior of Gregorian Church at Oorfa 308 American College Buildings, Aintab 311 American and Armenian Quarters, Harpoot 311 Marash 312 Red Cross Caravan 312 A Bit of Palou 318 Rev. C.F. Gates, D.D., Harpoot 321 3 4 Miss Caroline E. Bush, Harpoot 321 First Expedition Embarking on Ferryboat, Euphrates River 321 A Turkish Teskere or Passport 322 Diarbeker, Vilayet of Diarbeker 331 Ruins of an Old Gateway at Farkin 332 Some Methods of Work 340 Salemlik 341 Pera Bridge, Constantinople 341 Turkish Coffee House 342 Hamalls—Showing Manner of Carrying Heavy Burdens 342 Red Cross Expeditions Passing through the Valley of Catch Beard 348 A Turkish Procession in Arabkir 349 Judge Alexander W. Terrell, United States Minister to Constantinople during the Armenian Troubles 351 Armenian and Turkish Decorations 352 Group of Armenian Teachers and Pupils, Harpoot American Missionary College 357 Clara Barton, taken in 1897 358 A Part of the American National Red Cross Fleet in the Spanish-American War of 1898 371 Officers of the Executive Committee American National Red Cross 372 Admiral William T. Sampson 381 Governor-General’s Palace, Havana 382 Entrance to Harbor of Havana—Punta Park 391 John D. Long, Secretary of Navy 392 On San Juan Hill, Santiago 407 Spanish Guerillas 409 A Mounted Advance, Reconnoitring 410 United States Steamship “Oregon” 413 “Almirante Oquendo,” after the Engagement 419 United States Warships before the Entrance to Santiago Harbor 421 “Marie Teresa” after the Engagement 424 Chickamauga Camp 427 Camp Thomas, Headquarters American National Red Cross 428 Fortifications of Manila 440 Red Cross Dining Room for Convalescents, Fort McPherson, Ga. 445 Dining Tent Attached to Red Cross Kitchen, at Camp Hobson, Ga. 446 Panorama of Manila 451 In the Trenches before Santiago 453 A Soldier Funeral 463 McCalla Camp—Early Morning Attack 454 A Typical Cuban Camp 464 A Cuban “Block House,” Garrisoned 481 A View of Eastern Cuba 482 A Part of the Red Cross Corps 499 “I Am with the Wounded.”—Clara Barton’s Cable Message from Havana 500 Wreck of the Battleship “Maine,” Havana Harbor 517 The Prado—Principal Street in Havana 518 Havana Harbor 535 Captain C.D. Sigsbee 536 Street in Cavite 539 Citizens of Jaruco Presenting a Memorial for the Victims of the “Maine” 553 Little Convalescents in Hospital 554 Location of Shore Batteries, Santiago 556 July Fifth in Rifle Pits 558 Scenes on the “State of Texas” and in Siboney 570 The Physicians and Nurses of the Orphanage and Clinic in Havana 571 A Cuban Thatch Hut 581 A Battery of Cuban Artillery 582 A Group of Red Cross Sisters 591 Diploma of Gratitude for Miss Clara Barton from the Red Cross of Spain 592 View of Santiago de Cuba from the Harbor 675 5 6 View of Morro Castle, Santiago de Cuba 676 The Burning of Siboney 597 Annie E. Wheeler 609 The Youngest Red Cross Nurse 610 Scenes in Siboney 627 Scenes in Santiago 628 Refugees from Santiago 636 Santiago Refugees at El Caney 639 Establishing Headquarters Ashore 640 Starving in the Plaza 647 Los Fosos 648 Bringing in the Wounded 657 Clearing for a Cross Road 658 CONTENTS. PAGE To the People 13 Introduction 17 The Red Cross. General History 23 Organization and Methods of Work 27 Occupation in Times of Peace 29 Services in Time of War 30 Neutral Countries in Time of Peace 34 International Correspondence. M. Moynier’s First Letter 36 American Association of the Red Cross. Constitution and Original Incorporation 46–47 First International Conference 48 The Treaty of the Red Cross 57 Governments Adopting the Treaty 58 Address by Clara Barton 60 Action of the United States Government 72 The “Additional Articles” Concerning the Navy 74 International Bulletin, Extract from 77 Accession of the United States to the Treaty and “Additional Articles” 80 Proclamation of President Arthur 85 International Bulletin. Concerning Adhesion of the United States 87 International Committee. Letter Acknowledging Notice of Adhesion by United States 90 International Committee. Fiftieth Circular Announcing Adoption of Treaty by United States 91 The Reincorporation of the American National Red Cross 94 Significance of “Red Cross” in its Relation to Philanthropy. Address by Clara Barton 97 Michigan Forest Fires 107 Mississippi and Ohio River Floods 111 Mississippi and Louisiana Cyclone 112 Ohio River Flood 115 Down the Mississippi 121 “The Little Six” 130 Texas Famine 136 The Mount Vernon Cyclone 145 Yellow Fever Epidemic in Florida 147 The MacClenny Nurses 150 The Johnstown Flood 157 Arrival at Johnstown 158 Appointment of Committees 160 The Work of Relief 161 Farewell to Miss Barton 169 “The Dread Conemaugh” 170 In Memoriam 174 7 8 The Russian Famine 175 Count Tolstoi on the Character of the Peasants 176 Beginning of American Relief 177 Appreciation of American Sympathy 180 Dr. Hubbell’s Report 184 Sea Islands Hurricane 197 Coast of South Carolina 197 Admiral Beardslee’s Description of the Hurricane 203 Relief Work South of Broad River 211 Report by John McDonald 211 Hiltonhead District Clothing Department. Report by Mrs. MacDonald 220 Medical Department. Report by Dr. E.W. Egan 222- 228 Relief Methods in Field. Dr. Hubbell’s Report 232 On the Charleston Group. Report by H.L. Bailey 244 The Clothing Department. Mrs. Gardner’s Report 252 The Sewing Circles 257 A Christmas Carol 261 Mrs. Reed’s Report 263 Leaving the Field 268 Letter to Charleston News and Courier 268 Circular to Clergymen and Committees 273 Armenia 275 Distance and Difficulties of Travel and Transportation 305 Funds 307 Committees 310 To the Press of the United States 313 To Contributors 313 To the Government at Washington 314 To Our Legation in Constantinople 314 To the Ambassadors of other Nations 315 Commendatory 315 “Marmora.” Poem by Clara Barton 319 Report of Financial Secretary 324 General Field Agent’s Report 334 Medical Report 350 The Spanish-American War 360 Home Camps and American Waters 361 The Central Cuban Relief Committee, Appointment of 362 The Red Cross Requested to Administer Relief in Cuba 365 Taking Command of the “State of Texas” 368 Relief Work at Tampa and Key West 368 Feeding Spanish Prisoners of War 369 Correspondence with Admiral Sampson 370 Appointment of the Executive Committee of the Red Cross and the Relief Committee of New York 375 Communication from Secretary of State Acknowledging Official Status of the American National Red Cross 377 9 10 The Modus Vivendi with Spain 384- 394 Services of the Red Cross accepted by the Government 395 Appointment of Red Cross Field Agents for the Camps 395 Camp Alger, Washington, D.C. 397 Camp Thomas, Chickamauga Park 408 Jacksonville and Miami, Florida 414 Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Ga. 420 Camp Hobson, Lithia, Ga. 422 St. Paul Red Cross 425 Montauk Point, Long Island 426 Pacific Coast 431 The Red Cross of California 433 The Red Cross of Oregon 441 The Red Cross, Seattle, Wash. 452 Porto Rico 460 Report of Horace F. Barnes 460 Shipments by United States Transports 470 Relief Committee of New York, Report by 473 Women’s Auxiliaries of the Red Cross 491 “Women who went to the Field.” Poem by Clara Barton 509 Cuba and the Cuban Campaign 514 Havana 520 Los Fosos 521 The Orphanage 522 Destruction of the “Maine” 524 Jaruco 527 Matanzas 531 Senator Redfield Proctor’s Speech in United States Senate 534 Artemisa 540 Sagua La Grande 542 Cienfuegos 544 Back to Havana 545 Leaving Havana 549 On Board the “State of Texas” 550 Tampa 552 Arrival at Santiago 555 Siboney 557 Hospital Work at Siboney 560 Relief Work at the Front 566 Entering the Harbor of Santiago 576 Unloading the “State of Texas” 577 Feeding the Refugees 577 Relief Work in Santiago 578 Departure of the “State of Texas” 580 The Transport “Clinton” at the Disposition of the Red Cross 583 Leaving Santiago for Havana 584 Departure from Havana 585 Reports. Report of Dr. A. Monae Lesser 587 Report of Financial Secretary, Mr. C.H.H. Cottrell 600 The Schooner “Mary E. Morse.” Distribution of Ice 624 11 12 Letter of Santiago Committee 637 Medical Report by E.W. Egan, M.D. 642 Clothing Department. Report by Miss Annie M. Fowler 656 The Red Cross of Other Nations 662 To the Congress of the United States. Address by Clara Barton 666 To the Committees on The Red Cross 674 To the Auxiliaries of the Red Cross and the Nurses Who Went to the War 677 Unwritten Thanks 680 A Word of Explanation 680 Conclusion 681 Notes 682 TO THE PEOPLE. I n recounting the experience of the Red Cross in the Cuban campaign, I have endeavored to tell the story of the events as they succeeded each other, recording simply the facts connected with the work of the War Relief, and refraining from criticism of men and methods. There were unpleasant incidents to relate, and unfortunate conditions to describe, but I have neither said nor written that any particular person, or persons, were to blame. It is not my duty, nor is it within my power, to analyze and criticise all the intricate workings of a government and its armies in the field. The conditions that existed during the campaign and the suffering that had to be endured, were by no means peculiar to the Spanish-American War. Suffering, sickness, confusion, and death—these are inseparable from every armed conflict. They have always existed under such circumstances; they are a part of war itself, against which no human foresight can wholly provide. Every civilized government is financially able to provide for its armies, but the great and seemingly insuperable difficulty is, to always have what is wanted at the place where it is most needed. It is a part of the strategy of war, that an enemy seeks battle at a time and place when his opponent is least prepared for it. Occasionally, too, an attacking commander is deceived. Where he expects only slight resistance, he encounters an overwhelming force and a battle of unforeseen proportions, with unexpected casualties, occurs. This is the universal testimony of nations. If it were not so, all needs could be provided for and every move planned at the outset. It was for these reasons that a body of gentlemen, now known as the International Committee of Geneva, aided by National Associations in each country, planned, urged and finally succeeded in securing the adoption of the Treaty of the Red Cross. For these reasons the Treaty of Geneva and the National Committees of the Red Cross exist to-day. It is through the National Committees of the Red Cross in each treaty nation, that the people seek to assist the government in times of great emergency, in war or other calamity. It is only by favoring the organization of this Auxiliary Relief in times of peace, encouraging its development to the highest state of efficiency, preparing to utilize not only all the ordinary resources, but also the generous support of the people, through the Red Cross, that a government may hope to avoid much of the needless suffering, sickness and death in war. In carrying out its mission, to assist in the prevention and relief of suffering, the Red Cross has neither the desire nor the intention to be censorious, and is actuated neither by political opinion nor motives of interference. It is but the outward and practical expression of that universal sympathy that goes out from the millions of homes and firesides, from the great heart of the nation, to humanity in distress, to the soldier on the march, in the bivouac and on the field of battle. Through all the past years, during which the Red Cross has sought recognition, protection and co-operation, it was but for one purpose—to be ready. Our only regret is that, during the late war, we were not able to render greater service. Even the little that was accomplished, could not have been done without the ever ready assistance of the President and the Secretary of War. Before us now lie the problems of the future, and the question is: How shall we meet them? As friends of humanity, while there is still a possibility of war or calamity, it behooves us to prepare. In America perhaps, we are apt to undervalue careful preparation and depend too much upon our impulses. Certainly in no other country have the people so often risen from a state of unreadiness and accomplished such wonderful results—at such a great sacrifice. The first American war since the adoption of the Treaty of Geneva, has brought the Red Cross home to the people; they have come to understand its meaning and desire to become a permanent part of it. Now that the appropriate time has come, it is the purpose of the Red Cross, relying upon the active sympathy of the government and the generous support of the people, to continue its work of preparation, until in its councils and in its ranks the whole country shall be represented, standing together, ready for any great emergency, inspired by the love of humanity and the world-wide motto of the Red Cross: “In time of peace and prosperity, prepare for war and calamity.” Signature of Clara Barton 13 14 15 THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND. Dr. Appia died, succeeded by M.E. Jouard Neville. Recent additions to the Committee are, N. Adolphe Moynier and M. Paul des Goulles, Secretary to the President. CLARA BARTON. Taken about 1885. INTRODUCTION. T o be called to tell in a few brief weeks the whole story of the Red Cross from its origin to the present time seems a labor scarcely less than to have lived it. It is a task that, however unworthily it may now be performed, is, in itself, not unworthy the genius of George Eliot or Macaulay. It is a story illustrating the rapid rise of the humane sentiment in the latter half of the nineteenth century. On its European side, it tells of the first timid and cautious putting forth of the sentiment of humanity in war, amid the rattling swords and guns of Solferino, its deaths and wounds and its subsequent awful silence. It tells of its later fertilization on the red fields of Gravelotte and Sedan beneath my own personal observation. It was from such surroundings as these that the Red Cross has become the means by which philanthropy has been grafted onto the wild and savage stem of war. From the first filaments spun in the heart of a solitary traveler have been drawn onward stronger and larger strands, until now more than forty of the principal nations of the earth are bound together by bonds of the highest international law, that must make war in the future less barbarous than it has been in the past. It gives hope that “the very torrent, tempest and whirlwind” of war itself may some day at last, far off, perhaps, give way to the sunny and pleasant days of perpetual and universal peace. When a proposition for an absolute and common disarmament of nations, made by the strongest of the rulers of Europe, will not be met by cynical sneers and suggestions of Machiavelian craft. On its American side it is a story of such immense success on the part of the American National Red Cross in some of its greatest and most difficult fields of labor, that no financial report of them has ever been made, because the story would have been altogether incredible. The universal opinion of ordinary business people would have been that these results could not have been obtained on the means stated, and therefore something must be wrong or hidden, and to save ourselves from painful suspicion, it was decided, rightly or wrongly, that the story must remain substantially untold till its work in other fields had prepared the public mind to accept the literal truth. But the time has come at last when the facts may properly be set forth without fear that they will be discredited or undervalued. It will relate some of the experiences, the labors, the successes and triumphs of the American National Red Cross in times of peace, by which it had prepared itself to enter upon the Cuban contest as its first independent work in time of war. The Red Cross has done its part in that contest in the same spirit in which it has heretofore done all the work which has been committed to its care. It has done it unobtrusively, faithfully and successfully. It may not altogether have escaped censure in the rather wild cyclone of criticism that has swept over the country, but we remember not so much the faultfinding that may have occasionally been poured out upon the Red Cross, as the blessings and benedictions from all sides for work well and nobly done that have fallen even upon its humblest ministers and assistants. It has been truthfully said that “so great has been the pressure to share the difficulties and dangers of this service with only transportation and subsistence for pay, that the Red Cross could on these terms have had as many volunteers as there were enlisted men, if their services could have been utilized and made important.” Indeed, it seems to have become the milder romance of war, and is gradually winning its way into the very heart of the pomp and circumstance of “glorious” war itself. The Red Cross has therefore come to be so loved and trusted, its principles and insignia have been so deeply set into the substance of international law and the life of many great nations, that people everywhere are beginning to ask with enthusiasm about its origin and history; about the principles on which it acts. They ask for some statement of its experiences, its hardships and its perils, and for some account of those who have been most prominent in its operations. It is partially to answer these and many similar inquiries that this book has been prepared. It is in part a compilation and revision of various statements necessarily incomplete and unsatisfactory, made from time to time to meet emergencies. In part it has been wholly rewritten. A great portion of the story of the Red Cross has been told in other languages than English, because it was of work done by other than English people. Much of this literature has never been translated or placed within the reach of the English-speaking public. Although the gradual growth of the idea of something like humanity in war, stimulated by the ignorant and insane horrors of India and the Crimea, and soothed and instructed by the sensible and practical work of Florence Nightingale, had slowly but surely led up to the conditions which made such a movement possible, it was not until the remarkable campaign of Napoleon III. in Northern Italy again woke the slumbering sympathies of the world that any definite steps revealed themselves. In compiling this book I have been compelled to make use of much of the material contained in a previous history 17 18 19 20 written by myself in 1883, which in turn was based upon the records and the literature of the International Committee, and the official correspondence connected with the treaty. Signature of Clara Barton
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