Part 1
Transcriber's Notes
Certain typographical features of the original cannot be reproduced Illustrations cannot be reproduced in this version of the text. They are indicated in the text, in their approximate positions, as: [Illustration: <caption>]. Autograph letters, signatures, and similar documents which were presented as images in the original, but have been transcribed here, in lieu of captions.
Italic fonts are rendered using delimiting underscores, as _italic_. The 'oe' ligature is spelled with separate characters. Words in all small capital letters, including those which employ mixed case, are shifted to uppercase.
Footnotes, which appeared at the bottom of the page, are positioned at logical breaks following their references. They have been assigned unique letters, beginning with 'A', and appear as:
[A] Text of footnote.
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. 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.
The opening of the section on General History is labeled "Chapter I", the only use of that designation in the volume.
[Frontispiece: CLARA BARTON. _From a portrait taken about 1875._]
THE RED CROSS
IN PEACE AND WAR
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration: William McKinley]
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
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
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
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
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
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
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 683
TO THE PEOPLE.
In 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."
[Illustration: Clara Barton.]
[Illustration: 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._]
[Illustration: CLARA BARTON. _Taken about 1885._]
INTRODUCTION.
To 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.