Nursing in the Field
Field hospital, Second Army Corps, Brandy Station. Courtesy
of the Library of Congress
of the Library of Congress
Nursing in the field could be very dangerous at times. Some women even went into battlefields to collect the wounded before the battle was even over. Others waited just behind the battle lines, waiting for the injured to be brought to them so that they could do their duty. The shifting battleground could put nurses in danger, as well as stray bullets.
Even a few children like twelve year old Delity Powell Kelly served near the front lines. Women and sometimes children followed their men to war. Many wives came with their husbands.
Even a few children like twelve year old Delity Powell Kelly served near the front lines. Women and sometimes children followed their men to war. Many wives came with their husbands.
Clara Barton
Clara Barton. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Clara Barton, perhaps the most famous Civil War nurse, worked to distribute goods to soldiers, and took her collections directly to the front. She later became superintendent of Union nurses towards the end of the war. Afterwards, she created a letter-writing campaign in an attempt to find missing soldiers. She later campaigned to get the United States to sign the Treaty of Geneva which would give relief to wounded soldiers. The U.S. finally signed it in 1882. She also encouraged the creation of the Red Cross which was established in 1881. She was its first president, although she retired in 1904. She was not afraid to venture onto the front lines.