CLARA BARTON.
From a por trail taken about i8j§.
THE RED CROSS
IN PEACE AND WAR
By Clara Barton
AMERICAN HISTORICAL PRESS
1906
SOCIAL WELFARE
LIBRARY
Copyright, 1898, by Clara Barton
,^t«>C.« NATIONAL R£0 c^oj.
'^■'SH'NGTON, D.C.U-S-^
Si]
From the President of the United States
In his Message to Congress December 6, 1898.
It is a pleasure for nie to mention in terms of cordial appreciation
the timely anil 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 interna-
tional organization, thus justifying the confidence and support which
it has received at the hands of the American people. To the mem-
bers 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 obliga-
tions to the Divine Master for His watchful care over us and His safe
guidance, for which the nation makes reverent acknowledgment and
ofifers humble prayers for the continuance of His favors.
Z^jz^j^^^,,..^':^°-rfL..^
ILLUSTI^ATIONS.
PAOB.
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 1 1 3
"Josh V. Throop" "4
Camp Perry I43
Red Cross Headquarters 144
Johnstown, Pa., before the Flood of 1889 15S
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 '74
T)phus 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
(3)
4 Till- Ri:i) CROSS.
PAGE
Receiving Room for Clothing, S. C. Island Relief, 1S93-94 ......... 235
South Carolina Sea Island Relief 236
The Island District from Savannah to Beaufort 251
Sick with the Fauiiue Fever 253
Hunger-Stricken 254
Mi.ss Barton's Room 271
In tlie 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 Cro.ss 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
ILI.USTRATIONS. 5
PAGE
Some Methods of Work 340
Salenilik 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 Anneiiian Troubles 351
Armenian and Turkish Decorations 352
Group of Arnieuian 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 Connnittee 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 McPhersoii, 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
6 THlv RKI) CROSS.
PAOB
McCalla Camp— Karly Morning Attack 454
A Typical Cuban Camp 464
A Cuban " Block House," Garrisoned 481
A View of PXstern Cuba 4*2
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 Harlx)r 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 ilie l\c(l Cross of Spain . . 592
View of Santiago de Cuba from the Harbor 675
View of Morro Castlf, Santia;;o 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 64>.»
Los Fosos . . , 648
Bringing in the Wounded , 657
Clearing for a Cross Road 658
Contents.
FAOB
To THE PKOFI.E 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. ]\I. Moynier's First I.etter 36
American Association of the Red Cross. Constitution and Original In-
corporation 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
Significance of " Red Cross " in its Relation to Philanthropy. Address
by Clara Barton 97
(7)
Tlili RED CROSS.
VAGB
MicHiOAN Forest Fires '°7
Mississii'i'i AND Ohio RivKR Floods m
Mississippi AND Louisiana Cyclonk '12
Ohio River Flood ^'5
Down the Mississippi '-'
"The Little Six" I3<^
Texas Famine • 13^
The Mount Vkrnon Cyclone H5
Yellow Fever Epidemic in Florida -147
The MacCleuuy Nurses I5'
The Johnstown Flood i 5j
Arrival at Johnstown 158
Appointment of Committees 160
The Work of Relief 161
Farewell to Miss Barton 169
" The Dread Conemaugh " 170
In Menioriam 174
The RUS.SIAN Famine 175
Count Tolstoi on the Character of the Peasants 176
Beginning of American Relief 177
Appreciation of American Sympathy 1 80
Dr. Hubbell's Report 184
CONTENTS. 9
PAOE.
The Reincorporation of the American National Red Cross 94
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 Nezvs 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
10 IHli KlUJ CKObiS.
PAGE.
Gencrnl Field Ajienl's Report 334
Medical Reix.rt 35°
The Spanish-Amkrican War 360
Home Cani{)s 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
CONTENTS II
PAGE.
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
Iwos Fosos 521
The Orphanage 522
Destruction of the "Maine" 524
Jaruca 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
12 THI-: Ri:i) cR(xss.
PAGE.
Thf TraiisjKirt " Clinton " at tho Disposition t)f tlie Red Cross 583
Leaving Santiajjo for Havana 584
Departure from Havana 585
Reports.
Report of Dr. A. Monae Lesser 587
Report of rinancial Secretary, Mr. C. H. H. Cottrell 600
The Schooner " Mary E. Morse." Distribution of Ice 624
lyctter of Santiago Committee 637
Medical Report by E. W. Egau, 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.
]NJ 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 un-
pleasant incidents to relate, and unfortunate con-
ditions 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 suffer-
ing 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 arc 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 i)art
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 re-
sistance, he encounters an overwhelming force and a battle of unfore-
14 KKD CROSS.
seen proportions, witli 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
tlu- International Connnittee 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 ef^ficiency, preparing to utilize not
onlv 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 lire-
sides, 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
TO THE PUBLIC. 15
perh^jx!, 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."
Ai)^cc/ra^7Bay?''^^x
c/?^^
Copyright, 1898, by Clara Barton ^;5:igo^
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITl^EH OF THE RED CROSS,
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.
Dr. Appia died, succeeded by M. E. Jouard Naville. Recent additions to the
Committee are, N. Adolphc Moynier and M. Paul des Guulles, Secretary to
the President.
CLARA BARTON.
Taken about 1885.
INTRODUCTION,
-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 per-
formed, 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 pntting
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 solitan,' 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 f>eace. When a
2 (IJ,
i8 INTRODUCTION.
proposition for an absolute and common disarmament of nations, made
by the strongest of the rulers of EuroiX', will not be met by cynical
sneers and suggestions of Machiavelian cratl.
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 finaiicial 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 nuist be wrong or hidden, and to save ourselves
from painful suspicion, it was decided, rightly or wrongly, that the
story nnist 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 com-
mitted 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 nobl}'^ done that have fallen even upon its
humblest ministers and assistants
INTRODUCTION. -v
It has been truthfully said that " so great has been the pressure to
share the difficulties and dangers of this service with only transpor-
tation 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 cir-
cumstance 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 trans-
lated 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
so INTRODUCTION.
woke the slumbering sympathies of the world tliat auy 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 written by myself
in 1883, which in turn was based upon the records and the literature
of the International Committee, and the official correspondence con-
nected with the treaty.
/(PXCCO^CL TSoyP'X^'Z^ -•
'ruT;Z^'^^'^^ W.KKHOVSH, WASH.NOTOK, D. C.
The Red Cross,
CHAPTER I.
"N June 24, 1859, occurred the memorable battle of Sol-
ferino, in which the French and Sardinians were arrayed
against the Austrians. The battle raged over a wide
reach of country and continued for sixteen hours; at the
end of which sixteen thousand French and Sardinian sol-
diers and twenty thousand Austrians lay dead or were
wounded and disabled on that field. The old and ever-recurring fact
reappeared: the medical staff was wholly inadequate to the immense
task suddenly cast upon them. For days after the battle the dead
in part remained unburied, and the wounded where they fell, or crawled
away as they could for shelter and help.
A Swiss gentleman, Henri Dunant by name, was then traveling
near that battlefield, and was deeply impressed by the scenes there
presented to him. He joined in the work of relief, but the inadequacy
of preparation and the consequent suffering of the wounded haunted
him afterwards and impelled him to write a book entitled '* A
Souvenir of Solferino," in which he strongly advocated more humane
and extensive appliances of aid to wounded soldiers. He lectured
about them before the "Society of Public Utility" of Genev^a. M.
Gustav Moynier, a gentleman of independent fortune, was then presi-
dent of that society. Dr. Louis Appia, a philanthropic physician, and
Adolph Ador, a counsellor of repute in Geneva, became interested in
his views. They drew the attention of Dufour, the general of the
Swiss army, to the subject, and enlisted his hearty co-operation. A
meeting of this society was called to consider "a proposition relative
to the formation of permanent societies for the relief of wounded .sol-
diers." This meeting took place on the ninth of February, 1863. The
tnatter was laid fully before the society. It was heartily received and
acted upon and a committee was appointed with M. Moynier at its head
(23)
24 THE RED CROSS.
to examine into methods by which the desired results might be obtained.
So fully did this committee realize its responsibility and the magni-
tude, grandeur and lalxjr of the undertaking, that the first steps were
made even with timidity. But overcoming all obstacles, it decided
upon a plan which seemed possible, and announced for the twenty-
sixth of the following October a reunion to which were invited from
many countries men sympathizing with its views or able to assist in
its discussions. This international conference was held at the appointed
time, and continued its sessions four days. At this meeting it was
decided to call an international convention to be held at Geneva during
the autumn of the following year (1864). At this convention was
brought out the Geneva Treaty, and a permanent international com-
mittee with headquarters at Geneva was formed, and the fundamental
plan of the national permanent relief societies adopted.
One of the first objects necessary and desired by the International
Committee for the successful prosecution of its work was the co-operation
by some of the more important states of Europe in a treaty which
should recognize the neutrality of the hospitals established, of the sick
and wounded, and of all persons and effects connected with the relief
service; also the adoption of a uniform protective sign or badge. It
inquired with care into the disposition of the several governments, and
was met with active sympathy and moral support. It first secured the
co-operation of the Swiss Federal Council and the Emperor of France.
It shortly after procured the signatures of ten other governments, which
were given at its room in the city hall of Geneva, August 22, 1864, and
was called the Convention pf Geneva.
Its sign or badge was also agreed upon, namely, a red cross on a
white ground, which was to be worn on the arm by all persons acting
with or in the service of the committees enrolled under the convention.
The treat}'- provides for the neutrality of all sanitary supplies,
ambulances, surgeons, nurses, attendants, and sick or wounded men,
and their safe conduct when they bear the sign of the organization, viz:
the Red Cross.
Although the convention which originated the organization was
necessarily international, the relief societies themselves are entirely
national and independent; each one governing itself and making its
own laws, according to the genius of its nationality and needs.
It was necessary for recognition and safety, and for carrying out
the general provisions of the treaty, that a uniform badge should be
agreed upon. The Red Cross was chosen out of compliment to the
THE RED CROSS. 25
Swiss republic, where the first convention was held, and in which the
central committee has its headquarters. The Swiss colors being a
white cross on a red ground, the badge chosen was these colors reversed.
There are no " members of the Red Cross," but only members of
societies whose sign it is. There is no ' ' Order of the Red Cross. ' ' The
relief societies use, each according to its convenience, whatever methods
seem best suited to prepare in times of peace for the necessities of
sanitary service in times of war. They gather and store gifts of money
and supplies; arrange hospitals, ambulances, methods of transportation
of wounded men, bureaus of information, correspondence, etc. All
that the most ingenious philanthropy could devise and execute has been
attempted in this direction.
In the Franco- Prussian war this was abundantly tested. That
Prussia acknowledged its beneficence is proven by the fact that the
emperor affixed the Red Cross to the Iron Cross of Merit. The number
of governments adhering to the treaty was shortly after increased to
twenty-two and at the present date there are forty-two.
The German-Austria war of 1866, though not fully developing the
advantages of this international law, was yet the means of discovering
its imperfections. Consequently, in 1867 the relief societies of Paris
considered it necessary that the treaty should be revised, modified and
completed. Requests were issued for modification. The International
Committee transmitted them to the various governments, and in [868 a
second diplomatic conference was convened at Geneva at which were
voted additional articles, improving the treaty by completing its design
and extending its beneficial action to maritime warfare.
During the war of 1866 no decisive trial of the new principles
involved in the treaty could be made, for Austria at that time had not
adopted it. But in 1870-71 it was otherwise. The belligerents,
both France and Germany, had accepted the treaty. Thus it became
possible to show to the world the immense service and beneficent results
which the treaty, through the relief societies, might accomplish.
The dullest apprehension can partially appreciate the responsibility
incurred by relief societies in time of war. The thoughtful mind will
readily perceive that these responsibilities involve constant vigilance
and effort during periods of peace. It is wise statesmanship wliich
suggests that in time of peace we must prepare for war, and it is no
less a wise benevolence that makes preparation in the hour of peace for
assuaging the ills that are sure to accompany war. We do not wait till
battles are upon us to provide efficient soldiery and munitions of war.
2(, THE RKD CROSS.
Everything that foresii;lit and caution can devise to insure success is
made ready and kept ready against the time of need. It is equally
necessary to hold ourselves in readiness for effective service in the
mitigation of evils consequent upon war, if humane work is to be
undertaken for that purpose.
Permanent armies are organized, drilled and supported for the
actual service in war. It is no less incumbent if we would do efficient
work in alleviating the sufferings caused by the barbarisms of war,
that we should organize philanthropic efforts and be ready with what-
ever is necessary, to be on the field at the sound of the first gun. An
understanding of this truth led the conference of 1863 to embody in
its articles as one of its first cardinal characteristics the following: " In
time of peace the committee will occupy itself with means to render
genuine assistance in time of war."
The International Committee assumed that there should be a relief
association in every country which endorsed the treaty, and so generally
was the idea accepted that at the end of the year 1864, when only ten
governments had been added to the convention, twenty-five committees
had been formed, under each of which relief societies were organized.
It was, however, only after the wars of 1864, 1866 and 1870 that the
movement began really to be popular. These conflicts brought not
only contestants, but neutral powers so to appreciate the horrors of
war, that they were quite ready to acknowledge the beneficence and
wi.sdom of the Geneva Treaty. Many who approved the humane idea
and expressed a heart^' sympathy for the object to be obtained, had
heretofore regarded it as Utopian, a thing desirable but not attainable,
an amiable and fanatical illusion which would ever elude the practical
grasp. Nevertheless, the work accomplished during the wars referred
to won over not only such cavillers, but persons actually hostile to the
movement, to regard it as a practical and most beneficent undertaking.
The crowned heads of Europe were quick to perceive the benign uses
of the associations, and bestowed upon the central committees of their
countries money, credit and personal approbation. The families of
sovereigns contributed their sympathy and material support. The list
of princes and princesses who came forward with personal aid and
assumed direction of the work, was by no means small, thus proving cor-
rect the augury of the Conference of 1863, that " The governments would
accord their high protection to the committees in their organization."
From one of the bulletins of the International Committee we make
the following hopeful extract :
ORGANIZATION AND METHODS OF WORK. 27
" The whole of Europe is marshaled under the banner of the Red
Cross. To its powerful and peaceful sign the connnittee hopes to bring
all the civilized nations of the earth. Wherever men fight and tear
each other in pieces, wherever the glare and roar of war are heard,
they aim to plant the white banner that bears the blessed sign of relief.
Already they have carried it into Asia. Their ensign waves in Sil:>eria,
on the Chinese frontier, and in Turkestan, and. through the African
committee, in Algeria and Egypt. Oceanica has a committee at Batavia.
Japan accepted the Treaty of Geneva in 1886, and on the breaking out
of hostilities between Japan and China, the Minister of War issued a
notif cation to the Japanese army, September 22, 1894, calling theit
attention to the substance of the treaty."
ORGANIZATION AND METHODS OF WORK.
One of the things considered indispensable, and therefore adopted
as a resolution by the Conference of 1863, was the centralization of the
work in each country separately by itself.
While the treaty must be universally acknowledged and its badge
accepted as a universal sign, it was equally essential that the societies
of the different countries should be simply national and in no resj^ect
international. It was therefore ordained by the conference that all
local committees or organizations desirous of working with the Red
Cross, should do so under the auspices of the Central Committee of theii
own nation, which is recognized by its government and also recognized by
the International Committee from which the sign of the Red Cross
emanates. Singularly enough, the International Committee has had
considerable difficulty in making this fully understood, and frequently
has been obliged to suggest to local committees the necessity for their
subordination to the Central or National Committee. Once in three
months the International Committee publishes an official list of all
central committees recognized by it as national. In this way it is able
to exercise a certain control, and to repress entanglements and abuses
which would become consequent on irresponsible or counterfeit organi-
•/.ations. To recapitulate: the Commission of Geneva, of which M.
Moynier is president, is the only International Committee. All other
committees are simplj- national or subordinate to national committees.
s8 Till- RICI) CROSS.
The Conference of 1863 foresaw tluU national differences would prevent
a universal coile of nianajieinent, and that to make the societies inter-
national would destroy them, so far as efficiency was concerned. They
therefore adopted a resolution that " Central committees should organize
in such a manner as seemed the most useful and convenient to them-
selves." Every committee being its own judge, has its own constitu-
tion and laws. To be efficient, it must have the recognition of its own
government, must bear the stamp of national individuality and be con-
structed according to the spirit, habits and needs of the country it repre-
sents. No hierarchy unites the national societies; they are indej^endent
of each other, but they have each an individual responsibility to the
treaty, under the ensign of which they work, and they labor in a com-
mon cause. It is desirable that they should all be known by one name,
namely, the Society of the Red Cross. The functions of the Interna-
tional Connnittee, whose headquarters are at Geneva, were also deter-
mined by the Conference of 1863. It is to serve provisionally as an
intermediate agent between national committees, and to facilitate their
connnunications with each other. It occupies itself with the general
interests of the Red Cro.ss in correspondence, and the study of theo-
retical and practical methods of amelioration and relief.
The national connnittees are charged with the direction and respon-
sibility for the work in their own countries. They must provide
resources to be utilized in time of need, take active measures to secure
adherents, establish local societies, and have ati efficient working force
always in readiness for action, and in time of war to dispatch and dis-
tribute safely and wisely all accumulations of material and supplies,
nurses and assistants, to their proper destination, and, in short, what-
ever may be gathered from the patriotism and philanthropy of the
country. They must always remember that central committees without
abundant sectional branches would be of little use.
In most countries the co-operation of women has been eagerly
sought. It is needless to .say it has been as eagerly given. In some
countries the central committees are mixed, both sexes working
together; in others, sub-committees are formed by women, and in
others, such as the Grand Duchy of Baden, woman leads.
As a last detail of organization, the Conference of 1863 recom-
mended to the central committees \.o put themselves en I'appoj't with
their respective governments, in order that their offers of service should
be accepted when required. This makes it incumbent upon national
societies to obtain and hold government recognition, by which they are
REUEF SOCIETIES IN TIMES OV PEACE. 29
endowed with the inimunities and privileges of legally constituted
bodies and with recognition from other nations in time of war, not
otherwise possible to them.
OCCUPATIONS OF RELIEF SOCIETIES
IN TIMES OF PEACE.
Organization, recognition and communication are by no means all
that is necessary to insure the fulfillment of the objects of these asso-
ciations. A thing most important to be borne in mind is that if money
be necessary for war, it is also an indispensable agent in relief of the
miseries occasioned by war. Self-devotion alone will not answer. The
relief societies need funds and other resources to carry on their work.
They not only require means for current expenses, but, most of all, for
possible emergencies. To obtain and prudently conserve these resources
is an important work. The Russian Society set a good example of
activity in this direction. From the beginning of its organization in
1867 it systematically collected mone)' over the whole empire and
neglected nothing that tended to success. It put boxes in churches,
convents, armories, railroad depots, steamboats, in every place fre-
quented by the public. Beside the collection of funds, the Confer-
ence of 1863 recommended that peace periods should be occupied
in gathering necessary material for service. In i868 there were in
Geneva alone five depots where were accumulated one thousand two
hundred and twenty-eight shirts, besides hosiery, bandages, lint, etc.,
for over one thousand wounded. There were also large collections
in the provinces, and now, thirty years later, these accumulations have
probably greatly increased. In other countries the supplies remaining
after wars were gathered in depots and were added to abundantly.
Thus, in 1868, the Berlin Committee was in possession of supplies
worth over twenty-five thousand dollars. Especial care is taken to
acquire familiarity with the use of all sanitary material, to eliminate
as far as possible whatever may be prejudicial to sick or wounded men,
to improve both sanitary system and all supplies to be used under it, to
have everything of the very best, as surgical instruments, medicine
chests, bandages, stretchers, wagons, tents and field hospitals.
We would refer to the effort made in the national exhibitions of the
various countries, where the societies of the Red Cross have displayed
30 THE RED CROSS.
their practical iniprovemenls and inventions in competitive fields, taxing
to the utmost human ingenuity and skill. Some countries have taken
grand prizes. An exposition at The Hague was held in 1867 exclusively
for the work of the Red Cross. Permanent museums have been
established where all sorts of sanitary material for relief are exhibited,
as may l)e seen in Stockholm, Carlsruhe, St. Petersburg, Moscow and
Paris. The museum of Paris is the most important of all, and is
international, other countries having participated in its foundation.
Anotlicr method is the publication of works bearing upon this subject,
some of which are scientific and very valuable. Not less important is
the sanitary personnel. Of all aid, efficient nurses are the most difficult
to obtain. There are numbers of men and women who have the will
and devotion necessary to lead them into hospitals or to battlefields,
but very few of them are capable of performing well the duties of
nurses. Therefore, but a small portion of the volunteers are available.
The relief societies soon found that women were by nature much better
fitted for this duty than men can be, and to enable them to fulfill to
the best advantage the mission for which they are so well adapted, it
was decided to afford them the best possible professional instruction.
For this purpose, during peace training schools were established fi-om
which were graduated great numbers of women who are ready at a
moment's notice to go upon the battlefield or into hospitals. The.-e
professional nurses find no difficulty during times of peace in securing
remunerative employment. Indeed, they are eagerly sought for by the
conununity to take positions at the bedside of the sick, with the proviso
that they are to be allowed to obey the pledge of their society at the
first tocsin of war. There are schools for this purpose in England,
Germany, Sweden, Holland, Russia and other European countries,
and nothing has been neglected to make them thorough and to place
them on a strong and solid basiS:
SERVICES IN TIME OF WAR.
Notwithstanding the readiness with which most persons will
perceive the beneficent uses of relief societies in war, it may not be
amiss to particularize some of the work accomplished by the societies
of the Red Cross. Not to mention civil disturbances and lesser conflicts.
SERVICES IN TIME OF WAR. 3i
they participated in not less than five great wars in the first ten years,
commencing with Schleswig-HoLstein, and ending with the Franco-
German. Russia and Turkey have followed, with many others since
that time, in all of which these societies have signally proved their
power to ameliorate the horrors of war. The earlier of these, while
affording great opportunity for the beneficent work of the societies,
were also grand fields of instruction and discipline to the committee,
enabling them to store 'up vast funds of practical knowledge which
were to be of great service.
The Sanitary Commission of the United States also served as an
excellent example in many respects to the relief societies of Europe,
and from it they took many valuable lessons. Thus in 1866 Eunjpe
was much better prepared than ever before for the care of those who
suffered from the barbarisms of war. She was now ready with seme
degree of ability to oppose the arms of charity to the arms of violence,
and make a kind of war on war itself. Still however there was a lack
of ceutralizjation. The provincial committees worked separately, and
consequently lost force. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, large
amounts of money were gathered, and munificent supplies of material
brought into store. The Austrian Committee alone collected 2,170,000
francs, and a great supply of all things needed in hospital ser\ice.
The Central Committee was of great use in facilitating correspondence
between the different peoples comprising the Austrian Empire, the
bureau maintaining correspondence in eleven different languages.
Italy was not backward in the performance of her duty. She used
her abundant resources in the most effectual way. Not only were her
provincial societies of relief united for common action, but they
received external aid from France and Switzerland. Here was exhib-
ited the first beautiful example of neutral powers interfering in the
cause of charity in time of war — instead of joining in the work of
destruction, lending their aid to repair its damages. The provincial
committees banded together under the Central Committee of Milan.
Four squads, comprising well-trained nurses and assistants, were
organized and furnished with all necessary material to follow the
military ambulances or field hospitals, whose wagons were placed at
their disposal.
Thus the committee not only reinforced the sauitar>' personnel
of the army, but greatly increased its supplies. It provided entirely
the sanitary material for the Tyrolese volunteers, and afforded relief to
the navy, and when the war was over it remained among the wounded.
32 THE RED CROSS.
In addition to the supplies this committee afforded, it expended in
money not less than 199,064 francs.
But after all it was Germany standing between the two armies
which distinguished herself. Since the Conference of 1863 she had
been acting on the rule of preparation, and now found herself in readi-
ness for all emergencies. The Central Committee of Berlin was flooded
with contributions from the provincial committees. In the eight
provinces of Prussia 4,000,000 of thalers were collected, and the other
states of Germany were not behind. So munificently did the people
betJtow their aid, that large storehouses were provided in Berlin and in
the provinces for its reception, and at the central depot in Berlin two
hundred paid persons, besides a large number of volunteers, and nearly
three hundred ladies and misses were employed in classifying, parcel-
ing, packing up, and dispatching the goods. Special railroad trains
carried material to the points of need. In one train were twenty-six
cars laden with 1800 to 2000 cwt. of supplies. Never had private
charity, however carefully directed, been able to accomplish sucii
prodigies of benevolence. It was now that the beneficence of the
Treat)' and the excellence of the organization were manifested. But
the committee did not confine itself to sending supplies for the wounded
to the seat of war. It established and provisioned refreshment stations
for the trains, to which those unable to proceed on the trains to the
great hospitals without danger to life, were admitted, nursed and cared
for with the tenderest solicitude until they were sufficiently recovered
to be removed, or death took them. At the station of Pardubitz from
six hundred to eight hundred were cared for daily for two months, and
lodging provided for three hundred at night. This example suffices to
show the extraordinary results of well-organized plans and concerted
action. During the war, the relief societies had also to contend with
the terrible scourge of cholera. There can be no estimate of the misery
assuaged and deaths prevented by the unselfish zeal and devotion of the
wearers of the Red Cross.
In the interval between the wars of 1866 and 1867, and that of
1870-71, the time had been improved by the societies existing under
the Geneva Treat)-, in adding to their resources in every possible
manner. Improvements were made in all articles of sanitary service;
excellent treatises regarding the hygiene of the camp and hospital were
widely circulated; the press had greatly interested itself in the promul-
gation of infonnation regarding all matters of interest or instruction
pertaining to sanitary effort, and almost universally lent its powerftd
SERVICES IN TIME OF WAR. 33
influence to build up the societies. Ten new societies were formed during
this time. In Germany the work of the Red Cross was so thoroughly
organized, that at the first signal from Berlin, committees arrived as if
by magic at all required points, forming a chain which extended over
the whole country, and numbered over two thousand persons. This is
more remarkable since Germany was a neutral power. Constant com-
munication was kept up between these committees and the central
bureau, and the most perfect order and discipline were maintained.
Relief was sent from one or another of these stations as was needed.
The state afforded free transport, and the voluntary contributions of the
people kept up the supplies of sanitary material, so that there was
never any lack or danger of failure. With the government transports,
whether by land or water, there went always the agents of the Red
Cross, protected by their badges and flag, to wait on the invoices, hasten
their progress, see to their being kept in good order, and properly
delivered at their destination. Depots of supplies were moved from
place to place as exigencies demanded. The greatest care was taken
to prevent disorder or confusion, and the best military circumspection
and regularity prevailed. The great central depot at Berlin comprised
seven sections, viz: Camp material; clothing; dressing, for wounds;
surgical apparatus; medicines and disinfectants; food and tobacco; and
hospital furnishings. Did space allow, it would be desirable to give
statistics of the contributions in money and supplies to this service.
Suffice it to say, the humanity of peoples is far beyond that of govern-
ments. Governments appropriate immense sums to carry on destructive
conflicts, but the work of relief societies the world over, and especially
during the war of 1870-71, has shown that the philanthropy of the
people equals their patriotism. The sums given to assuage the miseries
of the Franco-Prussian war were simply fabulous. In 1863, fears were
expressed that there would be difficulty in collecting needful funds and
supplies to carry out the designs of the treaty. These misgivings
proved groundless. After the war of 1870-71, notwithstanding nothing
had been withheld in the way of relief, the societies settled their
accounts with large balances in their treasuries.
In France not nearly so much had been previously done to provide
for the exigencies which fell upon them, but the committee worked with
such vigor and so wrought upon the philanthropy of individuals, that
active measures of relief were instantly taken. Gold and supplies
poured into the hands of the committee at Paris. One month sufficed to
organize and provide seventeen campaign ambulances or field hospitals,
31 THE RKD CROSS.
which immediately joined the army and accompanied it through
the first period of the war, or until the battle of Sedan. In Paris
ambulances were stationed at the railroad depots to pick up the wounded,
and a bureau of information was created for soldiers' families. When
the siege of Paris was about to take place, the committee threw, with-
out delay, a commission into Brussels charged with the direction and
help of flying hospitals. Nine connnittees were established in the
provinces, with power to act for the Central Committee and to invite the
people to help. Meanwhile the committee in Paris did its utmost to
mitigate the distress that reigned there, and to prepare for the result of
the siege. History has recorded the sufferings, the horrors of misery
that accompanied and followed that siege; but history can never relate
what wretchedness was averted, what agonies were alleviated, what
multitudes of lives were saved, by the presence and effort of the relief
societies ! What the state of France must have been without the mer-
ciful help of the Red Cross societies the imagination dare not picture.
After the armistice was signed there were removed from Paris, under
the auspices of the relief societies, ten thousand wounded men, who
otherwise must have lingered in agony, or died from want of care; and
there were brought back by them to French soil nine thousand men
who had been cared for in German hospitals.
HELP FROM NEUTRAL COUNTRIES.
Neutral countries also during this war were read}' and bountiful
with help; and those working under the treaty did most effectual
service. England contributed 7,500,000 francs, besides large gifts of
sanitary supplies; in one hundred and eighty-eight days' time she sent
to the seat of war twelve thousand boxes of supplies through the agents
of the Red Cross.
To give an idea of the readiness and efficacy with which the com-
mittees worked even in neutral countries, one instance will suffice.
From Pont-a-Mousson a telegram was sent to London for two hundred
and fifty iron beds for the wounded, and in forty-eight hours they
arrived in answer to the request. England kept also at the seat of war
agents to inform the committee at home of whatever was most needed
in supplies. The neutral countries sent also surgeons, physicians and
HELP FROM NEUTRAL COUNTRIES. 35
nurses, and in many other ways gave practical testimony to the benign
efl&cacy of the G^jneva treaty.
As will be seen by the foregoing pages, the objects and provisions
of the Geneva convention and the societies acting under it, are designed
for, and applicable to, the exigencies of war only. The close contact of
the nations hitherto signing this treaty, renders them far more liable
to the recurrence of war among them than our own, which by its
geographical position and distance from neighboring nations, entertains
a feeling of cecurity which justifies the hope that we may seldom, if
ever again, have occasion to provide for the exigencies of war in our land.
This leads the American Red Cross to perceive the great wisdom,
foresight and breadth of the resolution adopted by the convention of
1863, which provides that "Committees shall organize in the manner
which shall seem most useful and convenient to themselves;" also in
their article on the organization of societies in these pages occurs the
following: "To be efficient, societies must have government recog-
nition, must bear the stamp of their national individuality, and be
constructed according to the spirit, habits, and needs of the country
they represent. This is essential to success. ' '
As no work can retain its vitality without constant action, so in a
country' like ours, with a people of so active a temperament, an essen-
tial element in endearing to them a work, is to keep constantly before
them its usefulness. With this view the question of meeting the want
heretofore felt on all occasions of public calamity, of sufficient extent
to be deemed of national importance, has received attention at the
hands of this association. For this purpose the necessary steps have
been inaugurated to organize auxiliary societies, prepared to co-operate
with the central association in all plans for prompt relief; whilst the
volunteers who shall render personal aid will be expected to hold
themselves in the same readiness as in the case of an international call.
It must, however, be distinctly understood that these additional
functions for local purposes shall in no manner impair the international
obligation of the association; but on the contrary it is believed will
render them more effective in time of need.
It may appear singular that a movement so humane in its purposes,
so wise and well considered in its regulations, so universal in its appli-
cation, and every way so unexceptional, should have been so long in
finding its way to the knowledge and consideration of the people of the
United States. This fact appears to have been the result of circum-
stances rather than intention. While eminently a reading people, we
36 ' THE RKD CROSS.
are almost exclusively confined to the English language. The litera-
ture of the Red Cross is entirely in other languages, largely French,
and thus has failed to meet the eye of the reading public.
It will be observed that the first convention was called during our
war; no delegates were especially sent by the United States, but oui
Minister Pleni|x>tentiary to Switzerland, acting as delegate, sent a copy
of the doings of the convention to our government for recognition.
In the midst of civil war as we were at the time the subject was very
naturally and properly declined.
It was again most fittingly presented in 1866 through Rev. Dr.
Henry W. Bellows, and by this eminent gentleman and philanthropist
a Society of the Red Cross was actually formed; but for some cause it
failed, and the convention was not recognized. The International
Committee became in a manner discouraged in its efforts with the
United States, but finally it was decided to present it again through
Miss Clara Barton, and accordingly the following letter was addressed
to President Hayes during the first year of his administration:
International Committee for
THE Relief of Wounded Soldiers,
Geneva, August 19, 1877.
To the Presidetit of the United States, at Washmgton:
JIr. President : The International Committee of the Red Cross desires most
earnestly that the United States should be associated with them in their work,
and they take the liberty of addressing themselves to }-ou, with the hope that you
will second their eCForts. In order that the functions of the National Society of
the Red Cross be faithfully performed, it is indispensable that it should have the
sympathy and protection of the government.
It would be irrational to establish an association upon the principles of the
Convention of Geneva, without the association having the assurance that the army
of its own country, of which it should be an auxiliarj', would be guided, should
the case occur, by the same principles. It would consequently be useless for us to
appeal to the people of the country, inasmuch as the United States, as a govern-
ment, has made no declaration of adhering officially to the principles laid down by
the convention of the twenty-second August, 1864.
Such is then, Mr. President, the principal object of the present request. We
do not doubt but this will meet with a favorable reception from you, for the
United States is in advance of Europe upon the subject of war, and the celebrated
" Instructions of the American Army " are a monument which does honor to the
United States.
You are aware, Mr. President, that the Government of the United States was
officially represented at the Convention of Geneva, in 1864, by two delegates, and
this mark of approbation given to the work vvhicn was being accomplished was
then considered by every one as a precursor of a legal ratification. Until the
FIRST LETTER FROM M. GUSTAV MOYNIER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, URGING THE ADOI'TION OK THE TREATY OF GENEVA..
[Origiual autograph translation by Clara Barton.]
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'iluxjo adoivdZicL 6ij oM. C/viU^voC fijuyfiZt^ hoi onfu i^e/ii JudaAoU.oL
38
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ydid'e?
on
(A3jl hcvu^ cchjiodxj a/n ClMs. aofcL clmrtrOd^ oftttTaovt
liayncLuyto u) "^[Cru Y/?/s 'fVLesjuiit'AJLO'LLeT/'.
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CUncl a>^ koftJL YncxJ- XfcuL njiil ^a/'AjfuAjL cui YA/'j fc
t'Otruy-.
1
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3Q
AI'T(m;ka1-H HNIXIKSKMKNT HY PRHSrOKNT GARFIELD.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON
/^^ ^, //#/.
INTKRNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. 41
present time, however, this confirmation has not taken place, and we think that
this formality, which would have no other bearing than to express publicly the
acquiescence of the United States in those humanitarian principles now admitted
by all civilized people, has only been retarded because the occasion has not offered
itself. We flatter ourselves with the hope that, appealing directly to your generous
sentiments, will determine you to take the necessary measures to put an end to a
situation so much to be regretted. We only wait such good news, Mr. President, in
order to urge the founding of an American Society of the Red Cross.
We havo already an able and devoted assistant in Miss Clara Barton, to
whom we confide the care of handing to you this present request.
It would be very desirable that the projected asseveration should be undei
your distinguished patronage, and we hope that you will not refuse us this favor.
Receive, Mr. President, the assurance of our highest consideration.
For the International Committee: G. Moynier, President.
This letter was sent to Miss Barton, who, having labored with
committees of the Red Cross during the Franco- Prussian war, thus
becoming familiar with its methods, was very naturally selected as the
bearer of the letter, and the exponent of the cause. Moreover, foreign
nations had secured her promise to present it to the government on her
return to her country and endeavor to make its principles understood
among the people.
Accordingly the letter was presented by Miss Barton to President
Hayes and by him referred to his Secretary of State, but as no action
was taken, and no promise of any action given, it was not deemed
advisable to proceed to the organization of societies formed with special
reference to acting under the regulations of a governmental treaty hav-
ing no present existence, and no guaranty of any in the future.
Thus it remained until the incoming of the administration of Pres-
ident Garfield when a copy of the letter of Mr. Moynier was presented
by Miss Barton to President Garfield, very cordially received by
him, and endorsed to Secretary Blaine; from whom after full consider-
ation of the subject the following letter was received:
Departmknt ov St.\tk,
Washington. May 20, /SS/.
Miss Clara Barton, A)ncrican Representative of the Red Cross, ete., Washing-
ton:
Dear Madam: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter
addressed by Mr. Moynier, President of the Red Cross International Convention,
to the President of the United States, bearing the date of the nineteenth .Augu.st,
1877, and referred by President Garfield on the thirtieth March, l88l, to thia
department.
42 THE RKn CROSS.
It npjK\irs, from a careful perusal of the letter, that Mr. Moynier is anxious
thai llii- government of the United States should join with other goveruments of
the world in this International Convention.
Will you be jjleased to say to Mr. Moynier, in reply to his letter, that the
President of the United States, and the officers of this government, are in full
sympathy with any wise measures tending toward the amelioration of the suffering
incident to warfare. The constitution of the United States has, however, lodged
the entire war-making power in the Congress of the United States; and, as the
participation of the United States in an International Convention of this character
is consequent upon and auxiliary to the war-making power of the nation, legisla-
tion by Congress is needful to accomplish the humane end that your society has in
view. It gives me, however, great pleasure to state that I shall I)e happy to give
any measures which you may propose careful attention and consideration, and
should the President, as I doubt not he will, approve of the matter, the adminis-
tration will recommend to Congress the adoption of the international treaty which
you desire.
I am, madam, with very great respect, your obedient servant,
James G. Blaine.
On the twenty-fifth of June the following letter from Mr. Moynier,
president of the International Committee of Geneva, in reply to the
preceding letter of Secretary Blaine, was received by Miss Barton, and
duly presented at the State department:
Geneva, June 13, /881.
To the Honorable Secretary of State, James G. Blaine, Washington:
Sir: Miss Clara Barton has just communicated to me the letter which she has
had the honor to receive from you, bearing date of May 20, 1881, and I hasten to
express to you how much satisfaction I have experienced from it. I do not '^oubt
now, thanks to your favorable consideration and that of President Garfield, that
the United States may soon be counted among the number of signers of the Geneva
Convention, since you have been kind enough to allow me to hope that the propo-
sition for it will be made to Congress by the administration.
I thank you, as well as President Garfield, for having been willing to lake into
serious consideration the wish contained in my letter of August 19, 1877, assuredly
a very natural wish, since it tended to unite your country with a work of humanity
and civilization for which it is one of the best qualified.
Since my letter of 1S77 was written, several new governmental adhesions
have been given to the Geneva Convention, and I think that these precede ats will
be much more encouraging to the United States from the fact that they hr e been
given by America. It was under the influence of events of the recent war of the
Pacific that Bolivia signed the treaty the i6th of October, 1879, Chili on the 15th
of November, 1879, Argentine Republic on the 25th of November, 1879, and Pern
on the 22d of April, 1881. This argument in favor of the adhesion of your country
is the only one I can add to my request, and to the printed documents that Miss
Barton has placed in your hands, to aid your judgment and that of Congress.
IP^I^PI
SOME OF THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN
NATIONAL RED CROSS.
A GROUP OF AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS MEMBERS.
INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. 45
I now await with full confidence the final result of your sympathetic efforts,
and I beg you to accept, sir, the assurance of uiy high consideration.
G. MOYNiER, President.
The very cordial and frank expressions of sympathy contained
in Secretary Blaine's letter gave assurance of the acceptance of the
terms of the treaty by the government at no distant day, and war-
ranted the formation of societies. Accordingly a meeting was held in
Washington, D. C, May 21, 1881, which resulted in the formation
of an association to be known as the American [National] Association
of the Red Cross. A constitution was adopted, a copy of which follows:
46 THK RED CROSS.
CONSTITUTION.
NamCy Location.
Article i. Tliis Association shall be known as the American Association
of the Re<i Cross, with its office located at Washington, D. C, and shall consist
of the snhscribers herennto, and such other persons as shall hereafter be elected
to membership ; and it shall constitute a Central National Association with power
to organize state and territorial associations auxiliary to itself.
Objects of Association.
Art. 2. The objects of the National Association are,
First, To secure the adoption by the Government of the United States of the
Treaty of August 22, 1864.
Second, To obtain recognition by the Government of the United States, and
to hold itself in readiness for communicating therewith at all times, to the end
that its purposes may be more widely and eflfectually carried out.
Third, To organize a system of national relief and apply the same in
mitigating the sufferings caused by war, pestilence, famine and other calamities.
Fourth, To collect and diffuse information touching the progress of mercy,
the organization of national relief, the advancement of sanitarj- science and
hospital service, and their application.
Fifth, To co-operate with all other national societies, for the furtherance of
the articles herein set forth, in such ways as are provided by the regulations
governing such co-operation.
Duties.
Art. 3. This association shall hold itself in readiness in the event of war or
any calamity great enough to be considered national, to inaugurate such practical
measures, in mitigation of the suffering and for the protection and relief of sick
and wounded, as may be consistent with the objects of the association as indicated
in Article 2.
Officers.
Art. 4. The officers of this association shall consist of a president ; first vice-
president ; other vice-presidents, not to exceed one from each State, Territor}-, and
the District of Columbia ; a secretan- ; treasurer ; an executive board ; a board for
consultation, which shall consist of ihe following officers of the United States
Government, viz: The President and his cabinet : General of the Army ; Surgeon
General; Adjutant General, and Judge Advocate General, and such other officers
as may hereafter be deemed necessary.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. 47
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE RED CROSS.
Original Incorporation.
The undersigned, all of whom are citizens of the United States of America,
and a majority of whom are citizens of the District of Coluuil>ia, desirous of form-
ing an association for benevolent and charitable i)urj)oses to co-oi)erate with tht
Comity International de Secours aux Militaires Hless^s of Geneva, Swit/.crlainl, do,
in pursuance of sections 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550 and 551 of the Revised SUitutes
of the United States, relating to the District of Columbia, make, sign and acknowl-
edge these:
Articles ok Incorporation.
I.
The name of this association shall be the American Association of the Red
2.
The term of its existence shall be for twenty (20) years.
The objects of this association shall be:
1st. To secure by the United States the adoption of the treaty of August 22,
1864, between Italy, Baden, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Spain, Portugal, France,
Prussia, Saxony, Wurtemberg, and the Federal Council of Switzerland.
2d. To obtain recognition by the Government of the United States, and to
hold itself in readiness for communicating therewith at all times, to the end that
its purposes may be more wisely and effectually carried out.
3d. To organize a system of national relief and apply the same in mitigating
the sufferings caused by war, pestilence, famine and other calamities.
4th. To collect and diffuse information touching the progress of mercy, the
organization of national relief, the advancement of sanitary science, and their
application.
5th. To co-operate with all other similar national societies for the furtherance
of the articles herein set forth, in such ways as are provided by the regulation?
governing such co-operation.
4.
The number of this association, to be styled the " Executive Board," for tht
first year of its existence, shall be eleven (11).
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals at the city of
Washington this first day of July, A. D. 1881.
THE RED CROSS.
THE FIRST INTHRNATIONAL CONFERENCE.
Tht proceedings of this Conference and what led up to it we learn chiefly from
the historical report of the Conference by Mr. Gustav Moynier and Dr.
Louis Appia, of the International Committee of the Red Cross. It ivas the
U'ork of this Conference that laid the foundation for the Treaty of Geneva,
adopted in the folloiving year.
In the year 1864, Europe was covered, as if by enchantment,
with a network of committees for the relief of wounded soldiers; and
this plienomenon would have led the least discerning persons to suspect
that this special work was entering on a new phase. Several of these
committees had already begun to exercise their functions in the Schles-
wig-Holstein war, yet all unanimously proclaimed that they would
constitute themselves as permanent institutions, and, in a great measure,
they seemed to obey one watch-word. All, in fact, declared in their
charter of establishment, that they would conform to the resolutions
of the Geneva Conference.
What, then, was this conference, whose magic wand had, so to
speak, electrified all nations? It seems too important an historical fact
to be passed over in silence, because we feel certain that an inquiry into
its nature, and how it arose, will prove highly interesting.
I. It originated with the Societe Genevoise d'utilite publique, which
had undertaken to contribute toward the progress of philanthropy.
At its sitting of the ninth of February, 1863, it discussed the question,
in accordance with the proposition of one of its members, M. Henri
Dunant, whether means might not be found to form, during a time of
peace and tranquillity, relief societies, whose aim should be to help the
wounded in time of war by means of volunteers, zealous, devoted and
well qualified for such work.
Although it had no very clear idea of what should be done, in order
to obtain the result which seemed desirable, the society took the matter
under its patronage, and entrusted the examination of it to a special
commission, with full power to act.
The course to be pursued was long debated in this little com-
mittee, the members of which finally agreed to submit the question to
more competent judges. It was, in fact, necessary, before encouraging
the formation of societies of volunteers, to know whether any need for
them had been felt, and whether they would not be regarded with a
FIRST INTERNATIONAL COXI'I:ri<:NCK. 49
jealous eye bj^ the administrative or military authorities. It was also
necessary to determine what should be the nature of their action under
various social and political forms of government. In order not to
venture recklessly on a road bristling with obstacles, it was therefore
evident that they ought to take as guides experienced men, versed in
the practice of war, and belonging to different nationalities. An Inter-
national Conference appeared to be indispensable to tire work, as a basis
or starting point. If, after this ordeal, the first idea, upon which the
most divergent opinions were even then professed, should be recognized
as impracticable, its partisans would at least possess the consolation of
having done their best. We shall have, said one of them, the approval
of our consciences, and the feeling that we have done that which it is
right men should do who love their neighbor. If, on the contrary, the
thing were pronounced to be good, useful and acceptal^le, what encour-
agement such a decision would afford them to launch out upon their
course ! What moral force they who should first put themselves
in the breach would receive ! It was not a time to hesitate. The
circular convoking the meeting was issued on the first of September,
1863.
Nothing was neglected that could give the greatest publicity to
this appeal. It was brought specially to the notice of the International
Statistical Congress, sitting at Berlin, in the month of September, 1863,
which expressed an opinion entirely favorable to the project.
At length the day fixed for the opening of the Conference arrived.
On the morning of the twenty-sixth of October, in the rooms of the
Athenaeum at Geneva, might be seen an assembly composed of eighteen
official delegates, representing fourteen governments, six delegates of
different associations, seven unaccredited visitors, with five members
of the Geneva Committee. It was sufficient to glance over the list of
the thirty-six members of the Conference, to understand that the expecta-
tion of its promoters was attained, and even surpassed, and that their
initiative had already found its reward in the meeting of such a body.
It was impossible that a deliberation among men so eminently qualified
should not throw the fullest light on the question submitted to them.
The committee tells us that the eagerness with which the invitation
was responded to soon justified the propriety of the step it had taken.
It became convinced that, in drawing public attention to the insuffi-
ciency of the official sanitary service, it had touched a sensitive chord,
and had responded to a universal wish. It was also convinced that it
was not pursuing a chimerical object. If, for a moment, it had feared
50 THE RED CROSS.
that its project would only attract mere dreamers and Utopians, it was
reassured on seeing that it had to deal with men in earnest, with medi-
cal and military magnates. It also received much encouragement from
persons who were prevented from taking part in the debates, but who
testified to the lively interest they took in them.
It was then, with the most happy auspices that General Dufour
opened the Conference, which lasted four days, under the presidency
of M. Moynier, president of the Genevoise Society of Public Utility,
and the vice-presidency of His Highness Prince Henry XIII., of Reuss,
the delegate of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Every one seemed
animated by the best motives, and desirous not to lose so good an
opportunity to open a new arena for the cause of charity. It was inter-
esting to witness the general unanimity, as new as it was spontaneous,
on a question of humanit}^ instantaneously developed into one of philan-
thropic urgency. Dr. Landa, delegate of the Spanish Government,
well expressed the sentiment of the assembly when he exclaimed, ' ' Oh,
that we may be so happy as to discover the basis which shall render the
the useful institution we aspire to found durable and effectual ! " The.
magnitude of the result which may be obtained, and the tears which
may be wiped away, demand that we should devote all our efforts to
attain it; and if this work be realized, it will be an event which all
friends of humanity will be able to hail with the greatest joy. We
feel, said the president of the Conference, that a great duty is imposed
upon us, and we shall not rest until we have found means to lessen for
our fellow-creatures the privations, the sufferings and the evils of all
kinds which are the inevitable consequences of an armed contest.
So much good-will was not superfluous, in order to accomplish
the arduous task of the Conference. For what, indeed, w^as it laboring ?
For nothing less than to reconcile two opposites — charity and war.
The propriety of voluntary aid being admitted, it was necessary to
leave it sufficiently free, in order that zeal might not be cooled by
unreasonable conditions; yet, at the same time, to subject it to a certain
discipline, so that it might have access to the army without being an
encumbrance to it. Here was the real problem to be solved. Here
was a link to be established between the civil and the military, which,
though opposed, are not necessarily incompatible, and should be
encouraged to live fraternally side by side. The experience of modern
wars seemed to justify this inquiry, for it was averred that here the
administration of voluntary offerings had been defective. Besides,
the question presented itself in a new character, owing to the fact that
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. 51
a staff of volunteers occupied an important place in it. If this view of
the case was to take precedence of all others, nothing less than a com-
plete revolution was intended, and its importance being acknowledged,
it would have been wrong to engage in it otherwise than earnestly. It
was for discussion to reveal the opinion that was entertained of it.
Independently of all that was difficult in the very nature of the
subject with which the conference was to occupy itself, it met with
another obstacle, in the consideration which it was obliged to give to
the different forms of government under which civilized nations dwell.
It is certain that a relief committee would be bound to modify
its conduct, and its hands would be more or less free, according to the
political or social circle in which it would have its existence. For
example, where individual initiative is highly developed, as in Switzer-
land and America, there will be found liberty for the efforts of free
societies which would not be tolerated to the same degree in France or
Austria. The consequence of this situation was, that, called to draw
up a code of military philanthropy for the use of all nations, the
Conference could only advocate general principles, so that its decisions
might be everywhere acceptable.
Here it took its stand, and following the advice of its president,
it left to each society the duty of regulating minute details as it might
judge expedient. It wisel}^ confined its ambition to the construction
of a solid foundation for the monument which it wished to erect, and
which was perhaps destined to become one of the glories of our
century.
Let us now give heed to the voice of the Conference, and let us
cast our eyes over the resolutions, placed side by side with the propo-
sitions presented by the Geneva Committee, under the title of Projct de
Concordat. It is evident, indeed, from a comparison of the.se two docu-
ments that the first ideas were true, since they have only been slightly
modified. The authors of this project, however, offer it as the
eminently perfectible fruit of their first meditations, and as a basis
which they deemed it right to furnish to the Conference, in order to
guide it in its labors.
Generai. Provisions.
Article i. There shall be, in each of the contracting countries, a national
committee, whose duty shall consist in remedying, by all the means in its jx)wer,
the inadequacy of the official sanitarj- service of the armies in active service.
This committee shall organize itself in the manner which may appear to it the
most useful and expedient.
52 THE RED CROSS.
Art. 2. Sections, unlimited in number, shall be founded, in order to second
the national cotnniittee. These shall be necessarily subordinate to the committee,
to which alone shall belong the supreme direction.
Art. 3. Every national committee shall place itself in communication with
the government of its own country, and shall ascertain that its efforts of service
will l)e accepted in case of war.
Art. 4. Ill time of peace, the committees and their sections shall occupy
themselves with iinprovements to be introduced in the militar}' sanitary service, in
the establishment of ambulances and hospitals, in the means of transports for the
wounded, etc., and in pursuing the realization of these objects.
Art. 5. The committees and sections of the different countries shall reassemble
in international congresses, in order to communicate the result of their experience,
and to concert together on the measures to be taken in the interests of the work.
Art. 6. In the month of January every year, the national committees shall
present a report of their labors during the past year, adding to it such communica-
tions as they may consider useful to be brought to the knowledge of the committees
of other countries. The exchange of these communications and reports shall be
managed through the medium of the Geneva committee, to whom they shall be
addressed.
Speciai. Provisions in Case of War.
Art. 7. In case of war, the committees of the belligerent nations shall furnish
the necessary aid to their respective armies, and, in particular, shall provide for
the formation and organization of corps of volunteer nurses.
They shall solicit the support of the committees belonging to neutral nations.
Art. 8. The volunteer nurses shall bind themselves to serve during a limited
time, and not in any way to meddle in the operations of the war.
They shall be employed, according to their wish, in field service or in that of
the hospitals. Females will necessarily be assigned to the latter.
Art. 9. The volunteer nurses shall wear a uniform in all countries, or an
identical distinctive badge. Their person shall be sacred, and military chiefs shall
afford them protection.
At the commencement of a campaign, the soldiers of both armies shall be
informed of the existence of these corps, and of their exclusively benevolent char-
acter.
Resolutions of the Conference.
The International Conference, desirous to give aid to the wounded soldiers in
all cases where the military medical service shall be inadequate, has adopted the
following resolutions:
Article i. There shall be in every country a committee whose duty it will be
to co-operate in time of war by all the means in its power, with the sanitary ser-
vice of the army.
This committee shall organize itself in the manner which may appear to it as
the most useful and expedient.
Art. 2. Sections, unlimited in number, shall be formed, in order to second the
committee, to which the general direction will belong.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. 53
Art. 3. Every committee shall place itself in communication with the govern-
ment of its ovpn country, in order that its offers of assistance, in case of need,
may be accepted.
Art. 4. In time of peace the committees and sections shall be occupied with
the means to make themselves really useful in time of war, especially in preparing
material aid of every kind, and in endeavoring to train and instruct volunteer
nurses.
Art. 5. In the event of war, tlie committees of the belligerent nations shall
furnish relief to their respective armies in proportion to their resources; in partic-
ular, they shall organize and place the volunteer nurses on an active footing, and,
in conjunction with the military authority, they shall arrange places for the recep-
tion of the wounded.
They shall solicil the assistance of the committees belonging to neutral
nations.
Art. 6. On the demand, or with the concurrence, of the military authority,
the committees shall send volunteer nurses to the field of battle. They shall there
place them under the direction of tl:e military chiefs.
Art. 7. The volunteer nurses employed with armies shall be provided, by
their respective committees, with everything necessary for their maintenance.
Art. 8. They shall wear, in all countries, a white baad around the arm with
a Red Cross upon it, as a distinctive and uniform badge.
Art. 9. The committees and sections of the different countries shall meet in
International Conference, in order to communicate to each other the results of
their experience, and to decide on the measures to be adopted for the advance-
ment of the work.
Art. 10. The exchange of communications between the commmitees of the
different nations shall be made provisionally through the medium of the Com-
mittee of Geneva.
Independently of the above resolutions, the Conference expressed the follow-
ing wishes :
A. That the governments should grant protection to the national committees
which may be formed, and should, as far as possible, facilitate the accomplishment
of their task.
B. That, in time of war, neutrality should be proclaimed by the belligerent
nations for the field and stationary hospitals, and that it may also be accorded, in
the most complete manner, to all officials employed in .sanitary work, to volunteer
nurses, to the inhabitants of the country who shall assist the wounded, and to the
wounded themselves.
That an incidental di.stinctive sign be adopted for the medical corps of all
armies, or, at least, for all persons attached to this service in the same army.
That an identical flag be also adopted for the field and stationary hospital.-; of
all armies.
The innovation which is most striking, in reading these documents, is the
pre-existence of the committees for war, and their creation ami maintenance in
times of peace.
If those societies which have hitherto labored had only conformed to this
arrangement, they would have been spared nmch trouble, and would have been
able to give to their resources a more judicious direction. If each of them had
54
THE RICH CROSS.
been enlightened by the experience of its prcdecessuis ; if each had known before
hand that wliich it would have to do in such and such an emergency ; if it had
anticipated obstacles in order to remove them ; and if it had been provided with
money and material, it would have been able to render nmch greater services, and
would not, to the siime extent, have been a victim either to its inexperience or to
its precipitation. The preliminary study of ways and means would have left traces
of something more systematic and would have prevented much waste and many
false calculations. Voluntary action will be so much more efficacious when it shall
have preorganized. At a meeting of the different German relief committees held
at Berlin, on the tenth of July, 1864, Raron Tinti, of Vienna, strongly insisted on
this truth, and the Committee of Schwerin did the same in its report of 1S65.
When our generosity shall be less ignorant, it will know where and in what way
it can be useful ; we shall economize our means ; we shall multiply our gifts by the
good employment that we shall make of them, and by the direction that will be
given to the public desire. Bis dat, qui cito dat. He who gives opportunely gives
twice.
A GROUP OF AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS MEMBER&
INTERNATIONA!. RED CRO.SS TREATY. 57
THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS TREATY.
CONVKNTION OF GKNKVA.
For Ihc Amelioration oj the Condttion of the Wounded in Arinits al the Field,
August 22, 1864.
The sovereigns of the followinj^ countries, to wit : Baden, Belgium, Denmark,
Holland, Spain, Portugal, France, Prussia, Saxony, Wiirtemberg, and the Federal
Council of Switzerland, animated by a common desire of mitigating, as far as in
their power, the evils inseparable from war, of suppressing needless severities and
of ameliorating the condition of soldiers wounded on fields of battle, having
concluded to determine a treaty for this purpose, these plenipotentiaries, after the
due interchange of their powers, found to be in good and proper form, havo agreed
upon the following articles, to wit :
Article i. Ambulances (field hospitals) and military hospitals shall be
acknowledged to be neutral, and as such shall be protected and respected by
belligerents, so long as any sick or wounded may be therein. Such neutrality
shall cease, if the ambulances or hospitals should be held by a military force.
Art. 2. Persons employed in hospitals and ambulances, comprising the staff
for superintendence, medical service, administration, transport of wounded, as
well as chaplains, shall participate in the benefit of neutrality whilst so employed,
ami so long as there remain any to bring in or to succor.
Art. 3. The persons designated in the preceding article may, even after occu-
pation by the enemy, continue to fulfill their duties in the hospital or ambulance
which they may have, or may withdraw in order to regain the corps to which they
belong. Under such circumstances, when the persons shall cease from their func
tions, they shall be delivered by the occupying army to the outpo.stsof the enemy.
They shall have specially the right of sending a representative to the headquarters
of their respective armies.
Art. 4. As the equipment of military hospitals remains subject to the laws
of war, persons attached to such hospitals cannot, on withdrawing, carry away any
articles but such as are their private properly. Under the same circumstances an
ambulance shall, on the contrary, retain its equipment.
Art. 5. Inhabitants of the country who may bring help to the wounded shall
be respected and shall remain free. The generals of the belligerent powers shall
m.-ike it their care to inform the inhabitants of the appeal addressed to their
humanity, and of the neutrality which will be the consequence of it. Any
w(ninded man entertained and taken care of in a house shall be considered as a
protection thereto. Any inhabitant who shall have entertained wounded men in
his house shall be exempted from the quartering of troops, as well as from a part
of the contributions of war which may be imposed.
Art. 6. Wounded or sick soldiers shall be entertained and taken care of, to
whatever nation they may belong. Commanders-in-chief shall have the power to
deliver immediately to the outposts of the enemy, soldiers who have been wounded
58 THE RED CROSS.
iu an engagement, when circumstances permit this to be done, and with the cob-
sent of lx)th parties. Those who are recognized after they are healed as incapable
of serving, shall be sent back to their country. The others may also be sent back
on the condition of not again bearing arms during the continuance of the war.
Evacuations, together with the persons under whose directions they take place,
shall \ie protected by an absolute neutrality.
Art. 7. A distinctive and uniform flag shall be adopted for hospitals, ambu-
lances, and evacuations. It must on every occasion be accompanied by the
national flag. An arm badge (brassard) shall also be allowed for individuals
neutralized, but the delivery thereof shall be left to military authority. The flag
and arm badge shall bear a red cross on a white ground.
Art. 8. The details of execution of the present convention shall be regulated
by the commanders-in-chief of belligerent armies, according to the instructions of
their respective governments, and in conformity with the general principles laid
down in this convention.
Art. 9. The high contracting powers have agreed to communicate the present
convention to those governments which have not found it convenient to send pleni-
potentiaries to the International Convention at Geneva, with an invitation to
accede thereto; the protocol is, for that purpose, left open.
Art. id. The present convention shall be ratified and the ratification shall be
exchanged at Berne, in four months, or sooner, if possible.
In witness thereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and
have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.
Done at Geneva, the twenty-third day of August, 1864.
GOVERNMENTS ADOPTING THE TREATY.
List in chronological order of the governments which have adopted
the articles of the Convention of Geneva, of the twenty-second of
August, 1864:
France September 22, 1864.
Switzerland October i, 1864.
Belgium October 14, 1864.
Netherlands November 29, 1864.
Italy December 4, 1864.
Sweden and Norway December 13, 1864.
Denmark December 15, 1864.
Spain December 15, 1864.
Baden December 16, 1864.
Greece January 17, 1865.
Great Britain , February 18, 1865.
GOVERNMENTS ADOPTING TREATY. 59
Mecklenburg-Schweriii March 9, 1865.
Prussia June 22, 1865.
Turkey July 5, 1865.
Wiirtemberg June 2, 1866.
Hesse Darmstadt June 22, 1866.
Bavaria June 30, 1866.
Austria July 21, 1866.
Portugal August 9, 1866.
Saxony October 25, 1866.
Russia May 22, 1867,
Pontifical States May 9, 1868.
Rouraania November 30, 1874.
Persia . December 5, 1874.
San Salvador December 30, 1874.
Montenegro November 29, 1875.
Servia March 24, 1876.
Bolivia October 16, 1879.
Chili . . November 15, 1879.
Argentine Republic November 25, 1879.
Peru April 22, 1880.
United States March i, 1882.
Bulgaria March i, 1884.
Japan June 5, 1886.
Luxemburg October 5, 1888.
Hungarj'' ..........
Congo Free State December 27, 1888.
Venezuela 1894.
Siam June 29, 1895.
South African Republic September 30, 1896.
Honduras May 16, 1898
Nicaragua May j6, 189^
6o THR RKD CROSS.
The following public address, written in 1881, is inserted because
of its historical character, showing as it does, quite as well as anything
that could now be written, the general apathy in America concerning
the treaty, and the many obstacles that had to be overcome by years
of struggle and weary waiting :
ADDRESS BY CLARA BARTON.
To the President, Congress, and People of the Ujiiled States:
A brief statement of how I became acquainted with the Red
Cross may serve to explain at once its principles and methods, as
well as the present attitude of our government in regard to it.
The practical beneficence of the sanitary and christian commis-
sions of the United States attracted the attention of the civilized world.
I had borne some part in the operations of field hospitals in actual
service in the battles of the Civil War, and some public notice had been
taken of that work. But, broken in health, I was directed by my
physicians to go to Europe prepared to remain three years.
In September, 1869, I arrived at Geneva, Switzerland. In
October I was visited by the president and members of the " Inter-
national Committee for the relief of the wounded in war." They
wished to learn if possible why the United States had declined to sign
the treaty. Our position was incomprehensible to them. If the
treaty had originated with a monarchial government they could see
some ground for hesitancy. But it originated in a Republic older than
our own. To what did America object, and how could these objections
be overcome? They had twice formally presented it to the government
at Washington, once in 1864, through our Minister Plenipotentiary at
Berne, who was present at the convention; again in 1868, through
Rev. Dr. Henry W. Bellows, the great head of war relief in America.
They had failed in both instances. No satisfactory nor adequate
reason had ever been given by the nation for the course pursued.
They had thought the people of America, with their grand sanitary
record, would be the first to appreciate and accept it. I listened in
silent wonder to all this recital, and when I did reply it was to say that
I had never in America heard of the Convention of Geneva nor of the
ADDRESS. 61
treaty, and was sure that as a country America did not know she had
declined; that she would be the last to withhold recognition of a
humane movement ; that it had doubtless been referred to and declined
by some one department of the government, or some one official, and
had never been submitted to the people; and as its literature was in
languages foreign to our English-speaking population, it had no way
of reaching us.
You will naturally infer that I examined it. I became all the
time more deeply impressed with the wisdom of its principles, the good
practical sense of its details, and its extreme usefulness in practice.
Humane intelligence had devised its provisions and peculiarly adapted
it to win popular favor. The absurdity of our own position in relation
to it was simply marvelous. As I counted up its roll of twenty- two
nations — not a civilized people in the world but ourselves missing, and
saw Greece, Spain, and Turkey there, I began to fear that in the eyes
of the " rest of mankind " we could not be far from barbarians. This
reflection did not furnish a stimulating food for national pride. I grew
more and more ashamed. But the winter wore on as winters do with
invalids abroad. The summer found me at Berne in quest of strength
among its mountain views and baths.
On the fifteenth of July, 1870, France declared w^ar against Prussia.
Within three days a band of agents from the " International Committee
of Geneva," headed by Dr. Louis Appia (one of the prime movers of
the convention), equipped for work and e7i route for the seat of war,
stood at the door of my villa inviting me to go with them and take
such part as I had taken in our own war. I had not strength to trust
for that, and declined with thanks, promising to follow in my own
time and way, and I did follow within a week. No shot had then
been fired — no man had fallen — yet this organized, powerful commis-
sion was on its way, with its skilled agents, ready to receive, direct
and dispense the charities and accumulations which the generous
sympathies of twenty-two nations, if applied to, might place at its
disposal. These men had treaty power to go directl}'' on to any field,
and work unmolested in full co-operation with the military and com-
manders-in-chief ; their supplies held sacred and their efforts recognized
and seconded in every direction by either belligerent army. Not a
man could lie uncared for nor unfed. I thought of the Peninsula in
McClellan's campaign — of Pittsburg Landing, Cedar Mountain and
second Bull Run, Antietam, Old Fredericksburg with its acres of snow-
covered and gun-covered glacee, and its fourth-day flag of truce ; of its
62 THE RED CROSS.
dead, and starving wounded, frozen to the ground, and our commissions
and their supplies in Washington, with no effective organization to go
beyond ; of the Petersburg mine, with its four thousand dead and
woinided and no flag of truce, the wounded broiling in a July sun —
died and rotted where they fell. I remembered our prisons, crowded
with starving men whom all the powers and pities of the world could
not reach even with a bit of bread. I thought of the widows' weeds
still fresh and dark through all the land, north and south, from the
pine to the palm; the shadows on the hearths and hearts over all my
country. Sore, broken hearts, ruined, desolate homes ! Was this
people to decline a humanity in war? Was this a country to reject a
treaty for the help of wounded soldiers? Were these the women and
men to stand aloof and consider? I believed if these people knew that
the last cloud of war had forever passed from their horizon, the tender,
painful, deathless memories of what had been would bring them in
with a force no power could resist. They needed only to know.
As I journeyed on and saw the work of these Red Cross societies
in the field, accomplishing in four months under their systematic organ-
ization what we failed to accomplish in four years without it — no
mistakes, no needless suffering, no starving, no lack of care, no waste,
no confusion, but order, plenty, cleanliness and comfort wherever that
little flag made its way — a whole continent marshaled under the banner
of the Red Cross — as I saw all this, and joined and worked in it, you
will not wonder that I said to mySelf " If I live to return to my country
I will try to make my people understand the Red Cross and that
treaty." But I did more than resolve, I promised other nations I
would do it, and other reasons pressed me to remember my promise.
The Franco-Prussian war and the war of the commune were both enor-
mous in the extent of their operations and in the suffering of individuals.
This great modern international impulse of charity went out every-
where to meet and alleviate its miseries. The small, poor countries
gave of their poverty and the rich nations poured out abundantly of
their vast resources. The contributions of those under the Red Cross
went quietly, promptly through international responsible channels,
were thoughtfully and carefully distributed through well-known agents,
returns, accurate to a franc, were made and duly published to the credit
of the contributing nations, and the object aimed at was accomplished.
America, filled with German and French people, with people humane
and universal in their instincts of citizenship and brotherhood, freighted
ships with supplies and contributions in money prodigal and vast.
ADDRESS f^2
They arrived in Europe, but they were not under the treaty regula-
tions. No sign of the Red Cross authorized any one to receive and
distribute them. The poor baffled agents, honest, well meaning and
indefatigable, did all that individuals without system or organization
could do. But for the most part the magnificent charity of America
was misapplied and went as unsystematized charity always tends to go,
to ruin and to utter waste. The object aimed at was not accomplished.
At the end of the report of the international organization of the
Red Cross occurs something like this: " It is said that the United States
of America also contributed something for the sick and wounded, but
what, or how much, or to whom,or when or where, it is impossible to tell."
In the autumn of ^873, I returned to America more broken in
health than when I left in 1869. Then followed years of suffering in
which I forgot how to walk, but I remembered my resolve and my
promise. After almost five years I was able to go to Washington with
a letter from Monsieur Moynier, president of the International Com-
mittee of Geneva, to the President of the United States, asking once
more that our government accede to the articles of the convention.
Having been made the official bearer of this letter, I presented it in
1877 to President Hayes, who received it kindly, referring it to his
Secretary of State, Mr. Evarts, who in his turn referred it to his assist-
ant secretary as the person who would know all about it, examine and
report for decision. I then saw how it was made to depend not alone
upon one department, but one man, who had been the assistant secre-
tary of state in 1864 and also in 1868, when the treaty had been on the
two previous occasions presented to our government. It was a settled
thing. There was nothing to hope for from that administration. The
matter had been officially referred and would be decided accordingly.
It would be declined because it had been declined. If I pressed it to a
decision, it would only weigh it down with a third refusal. I waited.
My next thought was to refer it to Congress. That step would be
irregular, and discourteous to the administration. I did not like to
take it, still I attempted it, but could not get it considered, for it
promised neither political influence, patronage, nor votes.
The next year I returned to Washington to try Congress again.
I published a little pamphlet of two leaves addressed to the members
and senators, to be laid upon their desks in the hope they would take
the trouble to read so little as that, and be by so much the better pre-
pared to consider and act upon a bill if I could get one before them.
My strength failed before I could get that bill presented, and I went
64 THE RED CROSS.
home again in midwinter. There tlien remained but a portion of the
term ol" that administration, and I determined, if possible, to outlive
it, hoping another would be more responsive. Meanwhile I wrote,
talked, and did whatever I could to spread the idea among the people,
and March, 1881, when the administration of President Garfield came
in, I went again to Washington. The subject was very cordially
received by the President and carefully referred by him to Secretary
Blaine, who considered it himself, conferred fully with me, and finally
laid it before the President and the cabinet. Perhaps the most satis-
factory account of that transaction will be found in the letter of Mr.
Blaine addressed to me, (see page 41), which gives the assurance that
President Garfield would reccommend the adoption of the treaty in
his message to Congress.
What were the provisions of that treaty which had been so con-
spicuously and persistently neglected and apparently rejected by this
whole government, whose people are as humane as any people in the
world, and as ready to adopt plain and common sense provisions
against evils sure to come upon themselves and those whom they hold
most dear ? It was merely the proposed adoption of a treaty by this
government with other nations for the purpose of ameliorating the
conditions incident to warfare, humanizing its regulations, softening
its barbarities, and so far as possible, lessening the sufferings of the
wounded and sick who fall by it. This treaty consists of a code of
ten articles, formed and adopted by the International Convention
of Geneva, Switzerland, held August 22, 1864, which convention
was composed of delegates, two or more from each of the civilized
nations of the world, and was called at the instance of the mem-
bers of the Society of Public Utility of Switzerland.
The sittings of the convention occupied four days, and resulted, as
before stated, in a code of ten articles, to be taken by the delegates
there present, back to the governments of their respective countries for
ratification. Four months were allowed for consideration and decision
by the governments, and all acceding within that time were held as
having signed at the convention. At the close of this period, it was
found that twelve nations had endorsed the terms of the treaty and
signed its articles. The protocol was left open for such as should
follow. The articles of this treaty provide, as its first and most impor-
tant feature, for the entire and strict neutrality of all material and
supplies contributed by any nation for the use of the sick and wounded
in war; also that persons engaged in the distribution of them, shall not
ADDRESS. 65
be subject to capture; that all hospitals, general or field, shall be neu-
tral, respected and protected by all belligerents; that all persons com-
prising the medical service, surgeons, chaplains, superintendents, shall
be neutral, continuing their work after the occupation of a field or post
the same as before, and when no longer needed be free to retire; that
they may send a representative to their own headquarters if needful;
that field hospitals shall retain their own equipments; that inhal)'tants
of a country who entertain and care for the wounded of either side, in
their houses, shall be protected; that the generals of an army shall so
inform the people; that commanders-in-chief shall have the power to
deliver immediately to the outposts of the enemy soldiers who have been
wounded in an engagement, both parties consenting to the same; that
the wounded, incapable of serving, shall be returned when healed; that
all transports of wounded and all evacuations of posts or towns shall be
protected by absolute neutralit5\ That the sick and wounded shall be
entertained regardless of nationality; and that commanders-in-chief
shall act in accordance with the instructions of their respective govern-
ments, and in conformity to the treaty. In order that all may under-
stand, and no mistake be possible, it also provides that one uniform
international flag shall mark all hospitals, all posts of sick and wounded,
and one uniform badge or sign shall mark all hospital material, and be
worn by all persons properly engaged in the hospital service of any
nation included within the treaty; that this international flag and sign
shall be a red cross on a white ground, and that the nations within the
compact shall not cease their endeavors until every other nation capable
of making war shall have signed this treaty, and thus acceded to the
general principles of humanity in warfare recognized by other peoples.
Thirty-one governments have already signed this treaty, thirty-
one nations are in this humane compact. The United States of
America is not in it, and the work to which your attention is called,
and which has occupied me for the last several years, is to induce her
to place herself there.
This is what the Red Cross means, not an order of knighthood,
not a commandery, not a secret society, not a society at all by itself,
but the powerful, peaceful sign and the reducing to practical usefulness
of one of the broadest and most needed humanities the world has ever
known.
These articles, it will be observed, constitute at once a treaty
governing our relations with foreign nations, and additional articles of
war governing the conduct of our military forces in the field. As a
66
THK RKD CROSS.
trc.'ity under the constitution, the President and Senate are competent
to deal with theni; as additional articles of war, Congress must sanction
and adopt them before they can become effective and binding upon the
govennnent and the people. For this reason I have appealed to Con-
gress as well as to the Executive Department.
On the breaking up of the original convention at Geneva, the
practical work of organizing its principles into form and making them
understood and adopted by the people, devolved upon seven men,
mainly those who had been instrumental in calling it. These men were
peculiarly fitted for this work by special training, enlarged views, and a
comprehensive charity, no less than by practical insight, knowledge of
the facts and needs of the situation, and a brave trust in the humane
instincts of human nature. They are known to-day the world over as
" The International Connnittee of Geneva for the relief of the sick and
wounded in war." This committee is international, and is the one
medium through which all nations within the treaty transact business
and carry on correspondence.
The first act of each nation subsequent to the treaty has been to
establish a central society of its own, which of course is national,
and which has general charge and direction of the work of its own
country. Under these comes the establishment of local societies. It
will be perceived that their system, aside from its international feature,
is very nearly what our own war relief societies would have been had
ihey retained permanent organizations. Indeed, it is believed that we
furnished for their admirable system some very valuable ideas. The
success of the Red Cross associations consists in their making their
societies permanent, holding their organizations firm and intact, guard-
ing their supplies, saving their property from waste, destruction and
pillage, and making the persons in charge of the gifts of the people as
strictly responsible for straightforward conduct and honest returns, as
they would be for the personal property of an individual, a business
firm, or a bank.
In attempting to present to the people of this country the plan of
the Red Cross societies, it is proper to explain that originally and as
operating in other countries they recognize only the miseries arising
from war. Their humanities, although immense, are confined to this
war centre. The treat}'^ does not cover more than this, but the resolu-
tions for the establishment of societies under the treaty, permit them
to organize in accordance with the spirit and needs of their nationalities.
By our geographical position and isolation we are far less liable to the
ADDRESS. 67
disturbances of war than the nations of Europe, which are so frequently
called upon that they do well to keep in readiness for the exigencies of
war alone. But no country is more liable than our own to great over-
mastering calamities, various, widespread and terrible. Seldom a year
passes that the nation from sea to sea is not, by the shock of some sudden,
unforeseen disaster, brought to utter consternation, and stands shivering
like a ship in a gale, powerless, horrified and despairing. Plagues,
cholera, fires, flood, famine, all bear upon us with terrible force. Like
war these events are entirely out of the common course of woes and
necessities. L,ike death they are sure to come in some form and at
some time, ard like it no mortal knows where, how or when.
What have we in readiness to meet these emergencies save the good
heart of our people and their impulsive, generous gifts? Certainly
no organized system for collection, reception nor distribution; no
agents, nurses nor material, and, worst of all, no funds; nowhere any
resources in reserve for use in such an hour of peril and national
woe; every movement crude, confused and unsystematized, every
thing as unprepared as if we had never known a calamity before and
had no reason to expect one again.
Meanwhile the suffering victims wait! True, in the shock we
bestow most generously, lavishly even. Men "on Change" plunge
their hands into their pockets and throw their gold to strangers, who
may have neither preparation nor fitness for the work they undertake,
and often no guaranty for honesty. Women, in the terror and excite-
ment of the moment and in their eagerness to aid, beg in the streets
and rush into fairs, working day and night, to the neglect of other
duties in the present, and at the peril of all health in the future— often
an enormous outlay for very meagre returns. Thus our gifts fall far
short of their best, being hastily bestowed, irresponsibly received and
wastefuUy applied. We should not, even if to some degree we might,
depend upon our ordinary charitable and church societies to meet
these great catastrophes; they are always overtaxed. Our communi-
ties abound in charitable societies, but each has its specific object to
which its resources are and must be applied; consequently they cannot
be relied upon for prompt and abundant aid in a great and sudden
emergency. This must necessarily be the case with all societies which
organize to work for a specific charity. And this is as it should
be; it is enough that they do constantly bestow.
Charity bears an open palm, to give is her mission. But I
have never classed these Red Cross societies with charities, I have
68 Till- RKD CROSS.
rather considered them as a wise national provision which seeks to
garner and store up something against an hour of sudden need. In all
our land we have not one organization of this nature and which acts
uptin the system of conserved resources. Our people have been more
wise and thoughtful in the establishment of means for preventing and
arresting the destruction of property than the destruction of human
life and the lessening of consequent suffering. They have provided
and maintain at an immense cost, in the aggregate, a system of fire
departments with their expensive buildings and apparatus, with their
fine horses and strong men kept constantl}' in readiness to dash to the
rescue at the first dread clang of the fire bell. Still, w^hile the electric
current may dash upon us at any moment its ill tidings of some great
human distress, we have no means of relief in readiness such as these
Red Cross societies would furnish.
I beg you will not feel that in the presentation of this plan of
action I seek to add to the labors of the people. On the contrary, I am
striving to lesson them by making previous, calm preparation do away
with the strain and confusion of unexpected necessities and haste, I
am providing not weariness, but rest.
And, again, I would not be understood as suggesting the raising
of more moneys for charitable purposes; rather I am trying to save the
people's means, to economize their charities, to make their gifts do
more by the prevention of needless waste and extravagance. If I
thought that the formation of these societies would add a burden to our
people I would be the last to advocate it. I would not, however, yield the
fact of the treaty. For patriotism, for national honor, I would stand
by that at all cost. My first and greatest endeavor has been to wipe
from the scroll of my country's fame the stain of imputed lack of com-
mon humanity, to take her out of the roll of barbarism. I said that
in 1869 there were twenty-two nations in the compact. There are now
thirty-one, for since that date have been added Roumania, Persia, San
Salvador, Montenegro, Servia; Bolivia, Chili, Argentine Republic and
Peru. If the United States of America is fortunate and diligent she
may, perhaps, come to stand No. 32 in the roll of civilization and
humanity. If not, she will remain where she at present stands, among
the barbarians and the heathen.
In considering this condition of things it seemed desirable to so
extend the original design of the Red Cross societies operating in other
lands as to include not only suffering by war, but by pestilence, famine,
fires or floods — in short, any unlooked-for calamity so great as to place
ADDRESS. 69
it beyond the means of ordinary local charity, and which by public
opinion would be pronounced a national calamity; but that this addi-
tion should in no way impair the original functions of the society, and
that for their own well being they should be held firm by the distin-
guishing feature of the international constitution, which provides that
local societies shall not act except upon orders from the National Asso-
ciation, which is charged with the duty of being so fully informed upon
all such subjects, both at home and abroad, as to constitute it the most
competent judge of the magnitude and gravity of any catastrophe.
During all these years no societies under the true banner of the
Red Cross of Geneva were or could be organized, for the government
had not yet ratified the treaty and no department of the government
had then intimated that it ever would be ratified. It could not be a
responsible or quite an honest movement on my part to proceed to the
formation of societies to act under and in conformity to a treaty of
special character so long as our government recognized no such
treaty and I could get no assurance that it ever would or indeed could
recognize it.
But this delay in the formation of societies, however embarrass-
ing, was in no manner able to interfere with the general plan, or the
working details for its operations, which had been arranged and decided
upon before the presentation of the subject to the government in 1877,
and published in pamphlet form in 1878, making it to cover, as it now
does, the entire field of national relief for great national woes and
calamities in time of peace, no less than in war. The wise provisions,
careful preparations and thorough system which had been found so
efl&cient in the permanent societies of the Red Cross in other countries,
could not fail, I thought, to constitute both a useful and powerful
system of relief in any class of disasters. I therefore ventured so far
upon the generous spirit of their original resolutions in the plan of
our societies as, mechanically speaking, to attach to this vast motor
power the extra and hitherto dead weight of our great national
calamities, in order that the same force should apply to all and serve
to lighten I hoped, so far as possible, not only the woes of those
directly called to suffer, but the burdens on the hearts and hands of
those called to sympathize with their sufferings.
The time allowed for the practical test of this experiment has been
short. Scarcely three months in which to organize and act, but the
brave societies of the Red Cross of western New York, at this moment
standing so nobly among their flame-stricken neighbors of Michigan —
70 THK RED CROSS.
so generously responding to their calls for help, are quite sufficient I
believe to show what the action and results of this combined system
will be when recognized and inaugurated.
It may be said that this treaty jeopardizes our traditional policy,
which jealously guards against entangling alliances abroad; that as we
are exempt by our geographical position from occasions for war this
treaty must bring us not benefits but only burdens from other people's
calamities and wars — calamities and wars which we do not create and
of which we may properly reap the incidental advantages. But this
treaty binds none to bear burdens, but only to refrain from cruelties; it
binds not to give but to allow others to give wisely and to work
humanely if they will, while all shall guarantee to them undisturbed
activity in deeds of charity. There is then in the Red Cross no
" entangling alliance " that any but a barbarian at war can feel as a
restraint. This inculcated wariness of foreign influences, wonderfully
freshened by the conduct of foreign rulers and writers during the rebel-
lion and deepened by the crimes and the craft directed primarily at
Mexico and ultimately at us, made the people of America in 1864
and 1868 devoutly thankful for the friendly and stormy sea that rolled
between them and the European states. And it is not perhaps alto-
gether strange that American statesmen, inspired by such a public
opinion, should then have been but little inclined to look with favor
upon any new international obligations however specious in appearance
or humane in fact. But the award of Geneva surely opened the way
for the Red Cross of Geneva. Time and success have made plain the
nation's path. The postal treaty since made among all nations and
entered into heartily by this has proved salutary to all. It has
removed every valid state reason for opposition to the harmless,
humane and peaceful provisions of the treaty of the Red Cross.
But in the midst of the rugged facts of war come sentimental
objections and objectors. For, deplore it as we may, war is the great
fact of all history and its most pitiable feature is not after all so much
the great numbers slain, wounded and captured in battle, as their cruel
after treatment as wounded and prisoners, no adequate provision being
made for their necessities, no humane care even permitted, except at
the risk of death or imprisonment as spies, of those moved by wdse
pity or a simple religious zeal.
Among these hard facts appears a conscientious theorist and asks,
Is not war a great sin and wrong ? Ought we to provide for it, to make
it easy, to lessen its horrors, to mitigate its sufferings? Shall we not
ADDRESS. 71
in this way encourage rulers and peoples to engage in war for slight
and fancied grievances ?
We provide for the victims of the great wrong and sin of intem-
perance. These are for the most part voluntary victims, each in a
measure the arbiter of his own fate. The soldier has generally no part,
no voice, in creating the war in which he fights. He simply obeys as
he must his superiors and the laws of his country. Yes, it is a great
wrong and sin, and for that reason I would provide not only for, but
against it.
But here comes the speculative theorist! Isn't it encouraging a
bad principle; wouldn't it be better to do away with all war ? Wouldn't
peace societies be better? Oh, yes, my friend, as much better as the
millennium would be better than this, but it is not here. Hard facts
are here; war is here; war is the outgrowth, indicator and relic of
barbarism. Civilization alone will do away with it, and scarcely a
quarter of the earth is yet civilized, and that quarter not beyond the
possibilities of war. It is a long step yet to permanent peace. We
cannot cross a stream until we reach it. The sober truth is, we are
called to deal with facts, not theories; we must practice if we would
teach. And be assured, my friends, there is not a peace society on the
face of the earth to-day, nor ever will be, so potent, so effectual against
war as the Red Cross of Geneva.
The sooner the world learns that the halo of glory which sur-
rounds a field of battle and its tortured, thirsting, starving, pain-racked,
dying victims exists only in imagination; that it is all sentiment, delu-
sion, falsehood, given for effect; that soldiers do not die painless deaths;
that the sum of all human agony finds its equivalent on the battle-
field, in the hospital, by the weary wayside and in the prison; that,
deck it as you will, it is agony; the sooner and more thoroughly the
people of the earth are brought to realize and appreciate these facts,
the more slow and considerate they will be about rushing into hasty
and needless wars, and the less popular war will become.
Death by the bullet painless! What did this nation do during
eighty agonizing and memorable days but to watch the effects of one
bullet wound? Was it painless? Painless either to the victim or the
nation ? Though canopied by a fortitude, patience, faith and courage
scarce exceeded in the annals of history, still was it agony. And when
in his delirious dreams the dying President murmured, "The great
heart of the nation will not let the soldier die," I prayed God to
hasten the time when every \younded soldier would be sustained by
72 THE RKD CROSS.
this sweet assurance; that in the combined sympathies, wisdom,
enlightenment and power of the nations, he should indeed feel that
the great heart of the people would not let the soldier die.
Friends, was it accident, or was it providence which made it one
of the last acts of James A. Garfield in health to pledge himself to urge
upon the representatives of his people in Congress assembled, this great
national step for the relief and care of wounded men ? lyiving or dying
it was his act and his wish, and no member in that honored, considerate
and humane body but will feel himself in some manner holden to see it
carried out.
ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The president of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, in
November, 1881, laid before President Arthur the matter of the
Treat)' of Geneva, and the unfulfilled desire of President Garfield that
the United States should give its adhesion to that international com-
pact. To this President Arthur gave a cordial and favorable response,
and made good his words by the following paragraph in his first annual
message, sent to the forty-seventh Congress:
At its last extra session the Senate called for the text of the Geneva Convention
for the relief of the wounded in war. I trust that this action foreshadows such
interest in the subject as will result in the adhesion of the United States to that
humane and commendable engagement.
This part of the message was immediately taken up in the Senate
and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, consisting of
the following named gentlemen, to wit: William Windom, Minne-
sota; George F. Edmunds, Vermont; John T. Miller, California;
Thomas W. Ferry, Michigan; Elbridge G. Lapham, New York; John
W.Johnston, Virginia; J. T. Morgan, Alabama; George H. Pendleton,
Ohio; Benjamin H. Hill, Georgia.
During the consideration of the subject an invitation was extended
to the president of the American Association, its counsel and other
associate members to meet the above named Senate Committee at the
Capitol, for conference, and for an explanation of such points as still
remained obscure, to aid t>ieir deliberations, and to facilitate investi-
gations,
ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. 73
On the seventeenth of May, 18S1, Hon. Omar D. Conger submitted
to the United States Senate the following resolution, which was consid-
ered by unanimous consent and agreed to:
Resolved^ That the Secretary of State be requested to furnish to the Senate
copies (translations) of Articles of Convention signed at Geneva, Switzerland,
August 22, 1864, touching the treatment of those wounded in war, together with
the forms of ratification employed by the several governments, parties thereto.
On the twelfth of December, 188 1, in response to the above resolu-
tion. President Arthur addressed to the Senate a message transmitting
a report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, touching
the Geneva convention for the relief of the wounded in war, which
message, report and accompanying papers were as follows:
(Senate Ex. Doc. No. 6, 47th Congress, ist Session.)
Message from the President of the United States, transmitting in response to
Senate resolution of May 17th, 1881, a report of the Secretary of State, with
accompanying papers, touching the Geneva convention for the relief of the
wounded in war.
December 12, 1881. — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and
ordered to be printed.
To Senate of the United States:
I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the seven-
teenth of May last, a report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers,
touching the Geneva convention for the relief of the wounded in war.
Chester A. Arthur.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, December 12, 1S81.
To the President:
The Secretary of State, to whom was addressed a resolution of the Senate,
dated the seventeenth of May, 1881, requesting him "to furnish to the Senate copies
(translations) of Articles of Convention signed at Geneva, Switzerland, August 22,
1864, touching the treatment of those wounded in war, together with the forms of
ratification employed by the several governments, parties thereto," has the honor to
lay before the President the papers called for by the resolution.
In view of the reference made, in the annual message of the President, to the
Geneva convention, the Secretary of State deems it unnecessary now to enlarge
upon the advisability of the adhesion of the United Slates to an international
compact at once so humane in its character and so universal in its application as to
commend itself to the adoption of nearly all the civilized powers.
James G. Blaine.
Department of State,
Washington. December /a, i88t.
74 THE RED CROSS.
THE "ADDITIONAL ARTICLES" CONCERNING THE RED
CROSS FOR THE NAVY.
The governments of North Germany, Austria, Baden, Bavaria,
Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands,
Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Wiirtemberg, desiring
to extend to armies on the sea the advantages of the convention con-
cluded at Geneva the twenty-second of August, 1864, for the ameliora-
tion of the condition of wounded soldiers in armies in the field, and to
further particularize some of the stipulations of the said convention,
proiK»sed and signed the following additional articles:
Additional Articles to the Convention of Geneva of the twenty-
second August, 1864, signed at Geneva the twentieth of October, 1868.
Article I. The persons designated in Article II. of the convention shall,
after the occupation by the enemy, continue to fulfill their duties, according to
their wants, to the sick and wounded in the ambulance or the hospital which they
serve. When they request to withdraw, the commander of the occupying troops
shall fix the time of departure, which he shall onl}- be allowed to delay for a short
time in case of military necessity.
Art. II. Arrangements will have to be made by the belligerent powers to
ensure to the neutralized person, fallen into the hands of the army of the enemy,
the entire enjoyment of his salary.
Art. III. Under the conditions provided for in Articles I. and IV. of the
convention, the name "ambulance " applies to field hospitals and other tempo-
rary establishments, which follow the troops on the field of battle to receive the
sick and wounded.
Art. IV. In conformity with the spirit of Article V. of the convention, and
to the reservations contained in the protocol of 1864, it is explained that for
the appointment of the charges relative to the quartering of troops and of the
contributions of war, account only shall be taken in an equitable manner of the
charitable zeal displayed by the inhabitants.
Art. V. In addition to Article VI. of the convention, it is stipulated that,
with the reservation of officers whose detention might be important to the fate of
arms, and within the limits fixed by the second paragraph of that article, the
wounded fallen into the hands of the enemy shall be sent back to their country',
after they are cured, or sooner if possible, on condition, nevertheless, of not again
bearing arms during the continuance of the war.
Art. VI. The boats which, at their own risk and peril, during and after an
engagement pick up the shipwrecked or wounded, or which, having picked them
up, convey them on board a neutral, or hospital ship, shall enjoy, until the accom-
plishment of their mission, the character of neutrality, as far as the circumstances
of the engagement and the position of the ships engaged will permit.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES. 75
The appreciation of these circumstances is entrusted to the humanity of all
the combatants. The wrecked and wounded thus picked up and saved must not
serve again during the continuance of the war.
Art. VII. The religious, medical and hospital staff of any captured vessel are
declared neutral, and, on leaving the ship, may remove the articles and surgical
instruments which are their private property.
Art. VIII. The staff designated in the preceding article must continue to
fulfill their functions in the captured ship, assisting in the removal of wounded
made by the victorious party; they will then beat liberty to return to their country,
in conformity with the second paragraph of the first additional article.
The .stipulations of the second additional article are applicable to the pay and
allowance of the staff.
Art. IX. The military hospital ships remain under martial law in all that
concerns their stores; they become the property of the captor, but the latter must
not divert them from their special appropriation during the continuance of the
war.
The vessels not equipped for fighting, which during peace the government
shall have officially declared to be intended to serve as floating hospital ships, shall,
however, enjoy during the war complete neutrality, both as regards stores, and
also as regards their stafT, provided their equipment is exclusively appropriated to
the special service on which they are employed.
Art. X. Any merchantman, to whatever nation she may belong, charged
exclusively with removal of sick and wounded, is protected by neutrality, but the
mere fact, noted on the ship's books, of the vessel having been visited by an
enemy's cruiser, renders the sick and wounded incapable of serving during the
continuance of the war. The cruiser shall even have the right of putting on board
an officer in order to accompany the convoy, and thus verify the good faith of the
operation.
If the merchant ship also carries a cargo, her neutrality will still protect it,
provided that such cargo is not of a nature to be confiscated by the belligerents.
The belligerents retain the right to interdict neutralized vessels from all com-
munication, and from any course which they may deem prejudicial to the secrecy
of their operations. In urgent cases, special conventions may be entered into
between commanders-in-chief, in order to neutralize temporarily and in a special
manner the vessels intended for the removal of the sick and wounded.
Art. XI. Wounded or sick sailors and soldiers, when embarked, to whatever
nation they may belong, shall be protected and taken care of by their captors.
Their return to their own country is subject to the provisions of Article VI. of
the convention, and of the additional .'\rticle V.
Art. XII. The distinctive flag to be used with the national flag, in order to
indicate any vessel or boat which may claim the benefits of neutrality, in virtue
of the principles of this convention, is a white flag with a red cross. The belliger-
ents may exercise in this respect any mode of verification which they may deem
necessary.
Military hospital ships shall be distinguished by being painted white outside,
with green strake.
Art. XIII. The hospital ships which are equipped at the expense of the aid
societies, recognized by the governments signing this convention, and which are
5
76 THK RKD CRO.SS.
furnishetl with a coimnission ciiianatiiig from the sovereign, who shall have given
express authority for tlieir heiiig fitleil out, and with a certificate from the proper
naval authority that they have l)een placed under his control during their fitting
out and on their final departure, and that they were then appropriated solely to the
purpose of their mission, shall be considered neutral, as well as the whole of their
staff. They shall be recognized and protected by the belligerents.
They shall make themselves known by hoisting, together with their nationar
flag, the white flag with a red cross. The distinctive mark of their staff, while
performing their duties, shall be an armlet of the same colors.
The outer painting of these hospital ships shall be white, with red strake.
These ships shall bear aid and assistance to the wounded and wrecked bellig-
erents, without distinction of nationality.
They nmst take care not to interfere in any way with the movements of the
combatants. During and after the battle they must do their duty at their own
risk and peril.
The belligerents shall have the right of controlling and visiting them; they
will be at liberty to refuse their assistance, to order them to depart, and to detain
them if the exigencies of the case require such a step.
The wounded and wrecked picked up by these ships cannot be reclaimed by
either of tiie combatants, and they will be required not to serve during the con-
tinuance of the war.
Art. XIV. In naval wars any strong presumption that either belligerent
takes advantage of the benefits of neutrality, with any other view than the interest
of the sick and wounded, gives to the other belligerent, until proof to the con-
rary, the right of suspending the Convention Treaty, as regards such belligerent.
Should this presumption become a certainty, notice may be given to such
belligerent that the convention is suspended with regard to him during the whole
continuance of the war.
Art. XV. The present act shall be drawn up in a single original copy, which
shall be deposited in the archives of the Swiss Confederation.
An authentic copy of this act shall be delivered, with an invitation to adhere
to it, to each of the signatory powers of the convention of the twenty-second of
August, 1864, as well as to those that have successively acceded to it.
In faith whereof, the undersigned commissaries have drawn up the present
project of additional articles and have affixed thereunto the seals of their arms:
Von Roeder, Westenberg,
F. Loffler, F. N. StaaflF,
Kohler, G. H. Dufour,
Dr. Mundy, G. Moynier,
Steiner, A. Coupvent des Bois,
Dr. Dompierre, H. de Preval,
Visschers, John Saville Lumley,
J. B. G. Galiffe, H. R. Yelverton,
D. Felice Baroffio, Dr. S. Lehmann,
Paalo Cottrau, Husuy,
Ji. A. Van Karnebeck, Dr. C. Hahn,
Pr. Fichte.
THE CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 77
{TnUrnational Bulletin, January, i88i.'\
THE GENEVA CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
The friends of the Red Cross are not ignorant that the list of vStates which
have signed the Geneva Convention presents a grave and lamentable lack. One
of the most civilized nations of the world, and consequently one of the best pre-
pared to subscribe to the principles of this treaty, that is to say, the United States
of America, does not appear there. Their absence is so much the more surprising
because the proceedings of the Geneva Convention have only been, in some
respects, the partial reproduction of the celebrated " Instructions of the American
Army," edited by the late Dr. Lieber, and adopted by President Lincoln (.\pril
24, 1863), and put in practice by the armies of the North during the war of seces-
sion. More than this, it is remembered that the Government at Washington had
been represented at the Diplomatic Conference of Geneva in 1864 by two delegates
at the debates relative to the Geneva Convention, but without being furnished
with sufficient power to sign it. [Protocol of the session of August 9, 1S64.]
These were Messrs. George J. Fogg, United States Minister at Berne, and Charles
S. P. Bowles, European Agent of the American Sanitary Commission.
It was expected, then, that the adhesion of the United States would soon fol-
low, but nothing came of it. Nevertheless, in the hope that this result would not
be too long delayed, an aid society was formed at New York in 1866, when the
civil war had come to an end, to gather in some way the heritage of the Sanitary
Commission, which had just filled with much brilliancy, and during several years,
the role of a veritable Red Cross Society.
One might have thought that the Berlin Conference in 1869 would be a de-
termining circumstance which would induce the United States to enter into the
European concert.
The invitation to assist at the Conference at Berlin in 1869 was addressed to
the Government of the United States, which declined it with thanks, as not hav-
ing taken part in the Convention of Geneva. The society of which we have just
spoken was in like manner invited, but it also was not represented.
This double absence called out a proposition from M. Hepke, privy counsellor
of the legation, a proposition, supported by the signatures of thirty-eight other
delegates present, and adopted unanimously by the members of the Conference.
The text of it was as follows:
"The Conference having arrived at the end of their labors, express a lively
regret at having been deprived of the precious assistance of the delegates from the
United States of North America, convinced that the great and noble nation which,
one of the first in the world, has rendered eminent ser\'ices to the great humani-
tarian work, will welcome with sympathy the results of their labors, the Conference
desires that the protocols of these sessions shall be addressed by their President to
the Government of the United States of North America, and to the different aid
committees which exist in that country."
7S THE RED CROSS.
That step unfortunately remained without results. The society which had itsseat
at New York, comprehending that its existence would be unnatural and its position
false so long as the gt)vernnlent refused to sign the convention, finished by dissolv-
ing towards the end of 1S72.
Since then, the International Committee, which would not despair of success,
made upon its part several new attempts, which invariably met with absolute non-
attention. Happily the history of the Red Cross was there to prove that the most
tenacious resistance is not indefinite, and that sooner or later the sentiments of the
most recalcitrant governments are modified under the control of circumstances.
How many we have seen who at first believed their adhesion useless, or even
dangerous, and who have been led to repentance on the occurrence of wars in
which their armies were to be, or had been, engaged, because they comprehended
at that moment only to what point their fears were chimerical or their indifference
injurious to those depending upon them for protection.
In the United States time has done its work as elsewhere, though peace has
long reigned there. The change of sentiment which has been produced in regard
to the Red Cross has revealed itself recently on the sixth of December, 1881, in
the message of President Arthur at the opening of the fourth session of the Forty-
seventh Congress. We read there the following paragraph:
"At its last extra session the Senate demanded the text of the Geneva
Convention for aiding the wounded in time of war. I hope that this fact proves
the interest which the Senate feels in this question, and that there will result from
it, the adhesion of the United States to this humane and commendable treaty."
It seems, then, that we touch the port; the matter is seriously considered, and
it will be with lively satisfaction that we shall register the result which has been so
long the end of our desires.
We will not terminate these retrospective considerations, without telling
what we know of the causes which have recently led to decisive steps in the
question.
It is, above all, to a woman that this result is owing, and the name of that
woman is not unknown to our readers. We spoke to them several years ago
of Miss Clara Barton, one of the heroines of the American war, where she
reproduced the charitable exploits of Miss Nightingale; she was honored at the
conclusion of the war with a national recompense. *
♦This statement is not exact; indeed, it does some injustice as well to Miss Barton as to the
American Congress, and was doubtless derived from misstatements promulgated in the United
States, the result of a general misunderstanding of the facts, and an error, of course, unknown
to a foreign writer.
Precisely what the Thirty-seventh Congress did was to pass the following joint resolution of
both houses, and in accordance with the same to pay over to Miss Barton the sum mentioned in
it for the uses and purposes therein set forth:
March 10, 1866.
A resolution providing for expenses incurred in searching for missing soldiers of the Army of the
United States, and for further prosecution of the same.
H^hereas, Miss Clara Barton has, during the late war of the rebellion, expended from her own
resources large sums of money in endeavoring to discover missing soldiers of the armies of the
United States, and in communicating intelligence to their relatives; therefore.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled. That the sum of fifteen thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated out
of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to reimburse Miss Clara Barton for
THE CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES. 79
Then, being in Europe at the time of the French and German war, she r.gain
flew to the battlefield. Returning at last to her own country with entecbled
health, she determined to give what strength remained to her to the service of the
Red Cross, and took for her task to plead its cause with the influential men of the
American government. Quitting her home at Dansville, she passed long months
at Wasliington to carry conviction to the minds of the President, of his ministers,
of members of Congress, writing for the journals, publishing pamphlets to .spread
the ideas the triumph of which she had at heart. She had need of mucb perse-
verance and energy to avoid renouncing her plan, for she waited long before finding
a favorable opportunity. It was not until the accession of President Garfield that
she could catch a glimpse of success. She then found in the Chief Magistrate of
the nation a man who warmly espoused her cause, and in the Secretary of State,
Mr. Blaine, an auxiliary as zealous as he was devoted. We have seen by the
quotation which we have borrowed from the last Presidential messag; that Mr.
Arthur shares the sentiments and ideas of his predecessor on the subject of the
Geneva Convention, and it is hardly probable that he will encounter upon this
point opposition from Congress.
The name of Miss Barton will probably not figure in the oflBcial documents
which will be the fruit of her labors, but here, where we have entire liberty to
render homage to her devotion, we are happy to be able to proclaim her imperish-
able title to the gratitude of the Red Cross.
To the name of Miss Barton we should join that of M. Edouard Seve, who,
after having rendered important service to the Red Cross in South America, where
he represented Belgium to Chili, has continued to use his activity in favor of the
same cause in the United States since he has been called to the position of consul-
general at Philadelphia. His efibrts have certain!}' contributed to render the
Government at Washington favorable to the Geneva Convention.
The preceding article was already printed when we received from the inde-
fatigable Miss Barton a new pamphlet upon the Red Cross and the Geneva Con-
vention. This little work is destined to initiate the Americans into the origin and
histon,-of the work, with which they are as yet but imperfectly acquainted, and for
which it is the aspiration of the author to awaken their interest ; in particular, we
find there the confirmation of the steps of which we have spoken above, and especi-
ally the text of the two letters addressed by the International Committee, one on
the amount so expended by her, and to aid in the further prosecution of the search for missing
soldiers, and the printing necessary to the furtherance of the said object shall hereafter be done
by the Public Printer.
Approved March lo, 1866.
[14 Vol. U. S. Statutes at Large, p. 350.]
This, therefore, was not recompense for services; it was reimbur^jement for money expended;
it was money expended by a private citizen for public uses, and this, mainly, after the close of
the war. The government recognized its value to the people, and refunded the money, and that
without solicitation on Miss Barton's part.
This work was a fitting, even necessary, result of her four years' voluntary and unpsid
8er\'iceson the field, not as an ordinary nurse, but as a sort of independent sanitary commission,
whom the government, the soldiers, and the poeople came at last to implicitly trust, for they
never found their trust betrayed nor themselves disappointed by any want of discretion, sagacity,
or energy on her part. It cannot be set forth here, it can only be alluded to most briefly. In its
details it must form a chapter in the story of a life singularly original, successful, and beneficent.
— [Report of the American (National) Association of the Red Cross of 3]
So THE RKD CROSS.
the ninth of August, 1877, to President Hayes, the other on the thirteenth of June,
to Secretary of Stale Blaine.
The pamphlet which we have announced has been published by the American
National Society of the Re<l Cross, with which we have not yet had occasion to
make our readers acquainted. This society, recently established at the suggestion
of Miss Barton, and of which she has been made president, is only waiting for the
official adhesion of the United States to the Geneva Convention to put itself in
relation with the societies of other countries. We will wait until then to speak of
it aud to give the details of its organization.
ACCESSION OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE TREATY OF
GENEVA AND TO THE ADDITIONAL ARTICLES.
On the first day of March, 1882, the President, by his signature,
gave the accession of the United States to the Treaty of Geneva of August
22, 1864, and also to that of October 20, 1868, and transmitted to the
Senate the following message, declaration, and proposed adoption of
the same:
Message from the President of the United States, transmitting an acces-
sio?i of the United States to the Conventiofi concluded at Geneva on
the twenty-second Atigust, 1864., betrveeyi various powers, for the
amelioration of the wounded of armies in the field, and to the
additional articles thereto, signed at Geneva on the twentieth October^
1S68.
March 3, 1882.— Read; accession read the first time referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations, and, together with the message, ordered to be printed in
confidence, for the use of the Senate.
March 16, 1882.— Ratified and injunction of secrecy removed thereform.
To the Senate of the United Slates:
I transmit to the Senate for its action thereon, the accession of the United
States to the convention concluded at Geneva on the twenty-second August, 1864,
between various powers, for the amelioration of the wounded of armies in the field,
and to the additional articles thereto, signed at Geneva on the twentieth of
October, 1868. Chester A. Arthur.
Washington, March 3, 1SS2.
Whereas, on the twenty-second day of August, 1864, a convention was con-
cluded at Geneva, in Switzerland, between the Grand Duchy of Baden and the
ADHESION TO THE TREATY. 8i
Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the
Kingdom of Spain, the French Knipire, the Grand Duchy of Hesse, the Kingdom
of Itiily, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Portugal, the Kingdom
of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Wiirtemberg, for the amelioration of the wounded
in armies in the field, the tenor of which convention is as follows:
(See treaty and additional articles, already inserted.)
Now, therefore, the Presideiit of the United States of America, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, hereby declares that the United States accede
to the said convention of the twenty-second August, 1864, and also accede to the
said convention of October 20, 1868.
Done at Washington this first day of March in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand eight hundred and eighty-two, and of the Independence of the United States
the one hundred and sixth.
(Seal.) Chester A. Arthur.
By the President.
Fred'k T. Frelinghuysen,
Secretary of State.
The same day the president of the American Association sent by-
cablegram to President Moynier, of the International Committee at
Geneva, the glad tidings that the United States had at last joined in
the great humane work of the world by ratifying the treaties of the
Red Cross; and on the twenty- fourth of the same month, President
Moynier replied as follows:
COMITE aNTERNATIONAIv de Secours
AUX MiUTAIRES BI.ESSES,
Geneva, March 24, 1882.
Miss Clara Barton, President of the American Society of the Red Cross, IVash-
ington:
Mademoiselle: At last, on the seventeenth instant, I received your glorious
telegram. I delayed replying to it in order to connuunicate its contents to my col-
leagues of the International Committee, so as to be able to thank you in the name
of all of us and to tell you of the joy it gives us. You must feel happy too, and
proud to have at last attained your object, thanks to a perseverance and a zeal which
surmounted every obstacle.
Please, if opportunity offers, to be our interpreter to President Arthur and
present him our wannest congratulations.
I suppose your government will now notify the Swiss Federal Council of its
decision in the matter, and the latter will then inform the other Powers which
have signed the Red Cross Treaty.
Only after this formality shall have been complied with can we occupy ourselves
with fixing the official international status of your American society. We have,
however, already considered the circular which we intend to address to all the
societies of the Red Cross, and with regard thereto we have found that it will be
82 TIIK RKD CROSS.
necessary for us as a preliminary measure to be furuished with a document certi-
fyiii){ that the American society has attained the second of its objects, /. e., that it
has been (»>fncially) recognized by the American Government.
It is imjwrtant that we be able to certify that your government is prepared to
accept your services in case of war, that it will readily enter into co-operation
with you, and will encourage the centralization under your direction of all the
voluntary aid. We have no doubt that you will readily obtain from the competent
authorities an official declaration to that effect, and we believe that this matter
will be merely a formality, but ive attach the greatest i>nportance to the fact in
order to cover our responsibility, especially in view of Ihc pretensions of rival
societies which might claim to be acknowledged by us.
It is your society alone and none other that we will recognize, because it
inspires us with confidence, and lue would be placed in a false position if you
failed to obtain for it a privileged position by a formal recognition by the
government.
We hope that you will appreciate the motives of caution which guide us in
this matter, and that you may soou enable us to act in the premises.
Wishing to testify to you its gratitude for the services you have already ren-
dered to the Red Cross, the committee decided to offer to you one of the medals
which a German engraver caused to be struck off in 1S70 in honor of the Red
Cross. It will be sent to you in a few days. It is of very small intrinsic value
indeed, but, such as it is, we have no other means of recompensing the most
meritorious of our assistants. Please to regard it only as a simple memorial, and
as a proof of the esteem and gratitude we feel for you.
Accept, mademoiselle, the assurance of my most distinguished sentiments.
G. MoYNiER, President.
The requirements contained in the foregoing letter, in regard to
the recognition of the American Association of the Red Cross, were
fully and generously complied with by the various branches of the
Government of the United States, and the documents conveying the
ofi&cial recognition were transmitted by the Honorable Secretary of
State to the American consul at Geneva, with instructions to deliver
them to the International Committee.
The following is the proclamation by President Arthur announc-
ing to the people the adoption by the United States of the Treaty of
Geneva, and the Additional Articles concerning the Navy:
Copyright, 1898, by Clara Barton.
SOME RED CROSS DECORATIONS PRESENTED TO CLARA BARTON.
The Iron Cross of Merit presented by Emperor William I. and Empress
Augusta, in recogtiition of services in the Franco-German War of iSjo-ji.
The Geneva Medal of Honor presented by the ComitS International in recog-
nition of services in securing the adhesion of the United States to the treaty of
the Red Cross. The Servian Red Cross presented by Queen Natali of Servia.
opyright, KS98, by Clara Barton.
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORIC TREE.
Showing the development of the Red Cross during the first twenty-five years of
its existence. The City of Geneva, its origin. The central branch represents
the ivork of the Coniite International. The right branch the formation of the
national societies or committees. The left branch the date of adhesion to the
treaty by the various nations.
A PROCI.AMATION. 85
By the President of the United States of America:
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, on the twenty-second day of August, 1864, a convention was con-
cluded at Geneva, in Switzerland, between the Grand Duchy of Baden and the
Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the King-
dom of Spain, the French limpire, the Grand Duchy of Hesse, the Kingdom of
Italy, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Portugal, the Kingdom
of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Wiirtemberg, for the amelioration of the
wounded in armies in the field, the tenor of which convention is hereinafter
subjoined:
And whereas, the several contracting parties to the said convention exchanged
the ratification thereof at Geneva on the twenty-second day of June, 1865;
And whereas, the several states hereinafter named have adhered to the said
convention in virtue of Article IX. thereof, to wit:
Sweden, December 13, 1864; Greece, January 5-17, 1865; Great Britain,
February iS, 1865; Mecklenburg-Schwerin, March 9, 1865; Turkey, July 5, 1865;
Wiirtemberg, June 22, 1866; Hesse, June 2, 1866; Bavaria, June 30, 1866; Austria,
July 21, 1866; Persia, Decembers, 1S74; Salvador, December 30, 1874; Montenegro,
November 17-29, 1875; Servia, March 24, 1S76; Bolivia, October 16, 1879; Chili,
November 15, 1879; Argentine Republic, November 25, 1879; Peru, April 22, 1880.
And whereas, the Swiss Confederation, in virtue of the said Article IX. of said
convention, has invited the United States of America to accede thereto;
And whereas, on the twentieth October, 1868, the following additional articles
were proposed and signed at Geneva, on behalf of Great Britain, Au.stria, Baden,
Bavaria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, North Germany, Sweden
and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Wiirtemberg, the tenor of which Additional
Articles is hereinafter subjoined (see page 74);
And whereas, the President of the United States of America, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, did, on the first day of March, one thousand
eight hundred and eighty-two, declare that the United States accede to the said
convention of the twenty-second of August, 1864, and also accede to the said con-
vention of October 20, 1868 ;
And whereas, on the ninth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and
eighty-two, the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation, in virtue of the final
provision of a certain minute of the exchange of the ratifications of the said con-
vention at Berne, December 22, 1864, did, by a formal declaration, accept the said
adhesion of the United States of America, as well in the name of the Swiss Con-
federation as in that of the other contracting states ;
And whereas, furthermore, the Government of the Swiss Confederation has
informed the Government of the United States that the exchange of the ratifica-
tions of the aforesaid Additional Articles of the twentieth October, 1S6S, to which
the United States of America have, in like manner, adhered as aforesaid, has not
86 THK RED CROSS.
yet taken place between the contracting,' jiarties, and that these articles cannot be
regarded as a treaty in full force and effect ;
Now, therefore, l)e it known that I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United
suites of America, have caused the said Convention Treaty of August 22, 1864, to
be made public, to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may
be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens
thereof; reserving, however, the promulgation of the hereinbefore mentioned
Additional Articles of October 20, 186S, notwithstanding the accession of the
United States of America thereto, until the exchange of the ratifications thereof
between the several contracting states shall have been effected, and the said
Additional Articles shall have acquired full force and effect as an international
treaty.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of
our Ivord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, and of the Independence of
the United States the one hundred and seventh.
(L.S.) Chester A. Arthur.
By the President.
Fred'k T. Freunghuysen,
Secretary of State.
United States of America, Department of State, to all to ivhom these presents
shall come, greeting:
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original on file in the Depart-
ment of State.
In testimony whereof I, John Davis, Acting Secretary of State of the United
States, have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal of the Department
of State to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this ninth day of August, A. D. 1882, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventh.
(L.S.) John Davis.
Thus was the American branch of the Red Cross welcomed into
the fellowship of kindred associations in thirty-one other nations, the
most prosperous and civilized on the globe, its position assured, and its
future course made simple, direct and untroubled.
The official bulletin of the International Committee also hailed the
accession of the United States to the treaty, in an article of character-
istic caution and of great significance. In that article, which is quoted
in full hereafter, the distinction was carefully pointed out between that
wliich had already been fully agreed to, and had become invested with
all the force and solemnity of international treaties, and the proposed
amendment which had been drawn up and considered with a view to
ultimate adoption. This proposed amendment had received the sanction
ADHESION OF THE UNITED STATES. 8?
and signatures of the International Committee at Geneva, without
ever having been formally adopted by any nation. The United States
had, at the same moment adopted both, thus becoming the thirty-
second nation to adhere to the treaty of August 22, 1864, and the first
to adopt the proposed amendment of October 20, 1868.
[fnteinaliona! BuUelin for April, /5&.]
ADHESION OF THE UNITED STATP:s TO THE CONVENTION OF GENEVA.
Referring to the article inserted in our preceding bulletin, p. 42, we are happy
to be able to announce that the act of adhesion which we presented was signed at
Washington the sixteenth of March, in pursuance of a vote by which the members
of the Senate gave their approval with unanimity. Our readers will doubtless bt
surprised, as we are, that after the long and systematic resistance of the Govern-
ment of the United States against rallying to the Convention of Geneva, thert
cannot be found in the American legislature a single representative of the opposi-
tion. So complete a reversal of opinion cannot be explained, unless we admi(
that the chief officers of the nation had cherished, up to the present time, preju-
dices in regard to the Convention of Geneva — prejudices which vanished as soon
as they fully comprehended what was expected of them, and recognized that
there was nothing compromising in it to the political condition of their country.
With the zeal of new converts, they have even gone beyond the mark, inas-
much as they have voted their adhesion not only to the convention of the twenty-
second of August, 1864, but also to the plan of Additional Articles of the twentieth
of October, 1868, which was not the matter in question, since they had never had
the force of law; we give this news only under every reserve, because we have
received contradictory information on the subject. If this defect in form is found
in the official document which will be sent to the Swiss Federal Council one could
fear it might retard the so nmch desired conclusion of this important affair, but it
need not be too much regretted, since it will enable us to understand the opinion
of the great Transatlantic Republic upon maritime questions as they relate to the
Red Cross.
The action of the United States, mentioned in this article, was
perhaps somewhat characteristic. It seemed to give itself to the move-
ment of the Red Cross witli a gracious earnestness seldom seen in the
cautious forms of diplomatic action, and it certainly was in very
decided contrast with its former hesitancy.
No doubt could now rest in any mind that the adhesion of the
United States was, at last, hearty and sincere, and calculated to allay
any distrust which its former isolation and declination of the treaty
might have anj'where engendered.
This action of the Government of the United States also rendered
the position of the National Association exceptionally satisfactory, and
88 THE RKD CROSS.
introduced it to the International Committee at Geneva and all the
affiliated societies under circumstances calculated to promote in the
greatest degree its usefulness and harmony, and to add to the gratifica-
tion of all who personally have any part in the operations of the
American Association.
For all this it is indebted to the judicious and thoughtful care and
exalted statesmanship of the President of the United States, his cabinet
and advisers, and the members of the Forty-seventh Congress, who,
without one breath of criticism, or one moment of delay, after they
came to fully understand "the subject and comprehend its purposes and
object, granted all that was then asked of them, in the adhesion to the
treaties, in the recognition of the National Association, and the provisions
for printing and disseminating a knowledge of its principles and
practical work.
Perhaps no act of this age or country has reflected more credit
abroad upon those specially active in it, than this simple and beneficent
measure. It must, in its great and humane principles, its far-reaching
philanthropy, its innovations upon the long established and accepted
customs and rules of barbaric cruelty, its wise practical charity, stand
forever next to the immortal proclamation of freedom to the slaves that
crowns the name of Abraham Lincoln.
Special thanks are peculiarly due to those who have been its active,
wise and unwavering friends, who have planned its course so truly,
and set forth its purposes so clearly, that it will hereafter be misunder-
stood only by those who are unwilling to learn, or who are actively
hostile to its beneficent aims.
Perhaps at the risk of seeming invidious — for we would by no
means ignore, and have no less gratitude for the legion of generous
helpers we cannot name — we might state that among those who have
been foremost to aid and encourage us have been the Hon. Omar D.
Conger, of Michigan, who, first in the House, and afterward in the
Senate, has been conspicuous for persistent and courageous work ; also,
Hon. William Windom, of Minnesota, Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, who was first to investigate and take the matter up
as a member of President Garfield's cabinet ; Senator E. P. Lapham,
of New York, who has spared neither time nor thought, patience nor
labor, in his legal investigations of the whole matter ; and probably no
person has done more than he to throw light upon obscure parts and
point out the true and proper course to be pursued in the accomplish-
ment of the work, and the acceptance of the treaty. Senators Morgan,
ADHESION OF THE UNITED STATES. 89
of Alabama; Edmunds, of Vermont ; Hawley, of Connecticut; Anthony,
of Rhode Island ; Hoar, of Massachusetts, all accorded to it their
willing interest and aid. Indeed, all sections and parties have seemed
eager to help the Red Cross; a result that might, perhaps, have been
anticipated, since it asks only an opportunity to faithfully work according
to methods approved by thoughtful experience, and toward ends that
all humane persons must approve.
To the American newspaper press, and perhaps to the New York
Herald more than to any other newspaper, through its international
character, wonderful enterprise, and far-reaching circulation, the Red
Cross is indebted for timely aid and noble furtherance of its objects and
aims. It has been quick to discern their substantial character, and
generous and full in commending them. Still, the same difficulty con-
fronts us in regard to publications as persons — where all have been so
willing it is difficult to distinguish. Not less than three hundred peri-
odicals and papers have, within the last two years, laid upon our desk
their graceful tribute of encouraging and fitly spoken words, and it has
been given as an estimate of an experienced city editor, gathered
through his exchanges, that over five hundred editorial notices were
given of our little Red Cross book of last year, and these, invariably,
so far as met our eyes, kindly approving and encouraging. The
capacity of the Red Cross to carry on most wisely and well its benefi-
cent work must in the future, as it has done in the past, depend
largely upon the active and cordial co-operation of the newspaper
press; and we do not doubt that it will continue to receive the
same prompt and efficient assistance so long as it shall continue to
deserve it.
By the combined assistance of all these powerful friends of the Red
Cross, the country has at last been rescued from the position in which it
had been standing for the last seventeen years — a puzzling wonder to its
admiring friends, a baffling enigma to all, treating its enemies subdued
with romantic generosity, and its enemies taken captive in war with all
the tenderness of friends, and yet, clinging, apparently with intense fierce-
ness, to an unsocial isolation, to savage rules and regulations of war
that only barbarians would ever wish to practice, pouring out its
beneficence in astonishing prodigality, and in untold volume, variety
and value upon strangers, and yet seemingly hesitating only when it
was proposed by international law and system to use and not waste its
magnificent voluntary offerings, but to entrust them all to responsible
agents, trained in the very torrent and tempest of battle, to wisely
90 TIIH RKD CROSS.
apply this generosity to tlie great and awful needs of war — agents held
to lousiness rules, with calm accountability amid distraction and panic,
trained to protect material, to give and take receipts, and at last to
account faithfully for everything entrusted to them, like the officers of
a well-regulated bank.
The final adhesion of the United States to the treaty of the Red
Cross has created a lively sense of satisfaction in all its affiliated
societies wherever, throughout the world, its beneficent work is carried
on ; particularly, by the International Committee of Geneva, has this
wise and simple act of beneficence and common sense and common
humanity been regarded with sentiments of gratitude and renewed
hope. The American National Association has received the following
expression of the sentiments of the noble and philanthropic president
of the International Committee, written upon the receipt from the
United States of the official documents of recognition :
COMITE INTEK NATIONAL DE SECOURS
Aux MiLiTAiREs Blesses,
Geneva, September 6, 1882.
Miss Clara Barton, Washington , D. C:
Mademoiselle: I come to thank and congratulate you cordially upon your
new success. I have read your letters of the i ith and 14th with the most lively
interest, and I have also received, through the medium of the United States consul
at Geneva, all the official documents which you have announced to me.
The position of your society is now entirely [tout a fait) correct, and nothing
more opposes itself; so that by a circular we can now make it known to the socie-
ties of other countries. I am already occupied in the preparation of this document,
but I am obliged to leave for Turin, where I go to attend the reunion of the Inter-
national Institute of Law, and it will not be until my return, say about the twen-
tieth of vSeptember, thit I can press the printing of the circular. In any case, it
will be ready before the end of the month.
Accept, mademoiselle, the assurance of my distinguished sentiments.
G. MoYNiER, President.
The circular alluded to in this letter of M. Moynier announces the
adhesion of the United States to the great international compact of the
Red Cross, and authenticates and opens the way for the voluntary
action of the people and the government in international humanitarian
action, through the medium of the American Association of the Red
Cross, and is in the following terms:
INTERNATIONAL CIRCULAR. 91
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE. FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF THE RED CROSS.
Fiftieth Circular to the Presidents and Mkmijers of the National
Central Committers.
Geneva, September 2, 1882.
Gentlemen: When on the twenty-third of August, 1876, we announced to
you by our thirty-fourth circular, that the American society for aid to the wounded
had had only an ephemeral existence, and had finished by dissolution, we still
entertained the hope of seeing it revive, and we asked the friends of the Red
Cross to labor with us for its resuscitation.
To-day we have the great satisfaction of being able to tell you that this appeal
has been heard, and that the United States is again linked anew to the chain of
our societies.
Nevertheless it is not the old association which has returned to life. That
which we present to you at this time has a special origin upon which we ought to
give you some details.
Its whole history is associated with a name already known to you, that of Miss
Clara Barton. Without the energy and perseverance of this remarkable woman we
should probably not for a long time have had the pleasure of seeing the Red Cross
revived in the United States. We will not repeat here what we have said elsewhere
of the clahns of Miss Barton to our gratitude, and we will confine ourselves to
mentioning what she has done to reconstruct a Red Cross society in North
America.
After having prepared the ground by divers publications, she called together
a great meeting at Washington on the twenty-first of May, 1881; then a second,
on the ninth of June, at which the existence of the society was solemnly set forth.
On the same day President Garfield nominated Miss Barton as president of this
institution.
The International Committee would have desired from that time to have given
notice of the event to all the central committees, but certain scruples restrained it.
Remembering that the first American society had been rendered powerless by
the distinct refusal of the cabinet at Washington to adhere to the Geneva Conven-
tion, it took precaution and declared it would wait, before recognizing the young
society, until the government should have regularly signed the treaty of 1864.
Miss Barton, understanding the special propriety of this requirement, redoubled
her eCForts to attain this end, and we know that on the first of March she gained a
complete victory upon this point.
There remained another question with respect to which the International
Committee did not feel itself sufficiently informed. Just how far was the Amer-
ican Government disposed to accept the services of this .society? We have
often said, and we repeat it, that a society which would be exposed, for the want
of a previous understanding, to find itself forbidden access to its own army incase
of war, would be at fault fundamentally, and would not be qualified to take its
place in the International concert. Further upon this point Mi.ss Barton and the
92 THE RED CROSS.
members of the American Central Committee, sought to enter into our views.
They conferred with the competent authorities. The desired recognition was very
difficult to obtain, for it was contrary to American customs and traditions. It was,
nevertheless, accomplished after considerable discussion. On this point Miss
Barton has stated to us that the s^overnment, in acquiescing in the decision which
had been expressed, was entering upon a path altogether new, and that the official
recognition of the Red Cross Society was for the latter a very exceptional honor.
Certain documents resulted therefrom which have been communicated to us
directly by the Secretary of State, at Washington, showing:
1st. That the American Association of the Red Cross has been legally con-
stituted by ati Act of Congress.
2d. That President Arlhur has declared himself in full sympathy with the
work, and very willingly has accepted the presidency of the Board of Consultation.
3d. That the principal meuibers of the cabinet have consented to become
members of a board of trustees, empowered to receive subscriptions and to hold
the funds for the society.
4th. Finally, that Congress unanimously, without discussion or opposition,
has voted a sum of one thousand dollars, to be expended by the government in
printed matter, designed to inform the people of the United States of the oi]f.,ani-
zation of the Red Cross. The initiation of this last measure was not the wo k of
the societ}' but of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate ; consequ<jntly
it bears witness to the spontaneous impulse with which the Houses of Congress
came into accord with the views of Miss Barton.
We must add that the International Committee attaches so much the more
importance to the fact that this society took an official position, because there was
created, at nearly the same time in the United States, two other institutions, claim-
ing to pursue a similar object, but of which the Committee of Geneva is absolutely
ignorant. One, called "The Woman's National Relief Association," which con-
cerns itself with all public calamities, among other things with the calamities of
war, but more especially with shipwrecks, and has for its distinctive emblem a
blue anchor ; the other has taken the name of " The Order of the Red Cross. " Dr.
James Saunders is the president of it, with the title "Supreme Commander."
This order proposes to organize more or less in a military way and appears desirous
of imitating the orders of chivalry in ancient times.
The American Central Committee of the Red Cross has its seat at Washington,
but has already founded branches in other localities, at Dansville, Rochester,
Syracuse, etc. Soon, doubtless, cities of the first class will also take their
turn.
We will give in our next bulletin the complete text of the constitution and
by-laws of the American society, which, as will be seen, has not believed it ought
to limit its program to assistance in case of war, but has comprised within it, in
conformity witli a suggestion of the conference at Berlin, the other great calamities
which might befall the country and its inhabitants.
As for ourselves, we have greeted with joy the addition of the United States
to the countries already enrolled under the Red Cross ; it is for our work an im-
portant and long desired reinforcement, and we doubt not our impressions in this
regard will be shared by the twenty-eight central committees to which we address
these lines.
PREPARATION OF HISTORY. 93
We also hope that next year some representatives of the American society
will cross the Atlantic in order to fraternize with the delegates of the other
iiatitT.is, who will certainly he happy to meet thcni at the conference at Vienna.
Receive, gentlemen, the assurances of our distinguished consideration.
For the International Committee of the Red Cross.
President: G. Moynier.
Secretary: G. Ador.
The foregoing pages deal only with the official history of the
Red Cross and its inauguration in this country, closing with the
accession of the United States to the Treaty and its promulgation in
1882. The original formation of the Red Cross was had previous to
the adoption of the Treaty by the government, and, indeed, primarily
for that very purpose. That was the corner-stone upon which rested
the entire structure of the Red Cross in America at that date, and
constituted almost entirely the work undertaken by it to perform.
During the first ten years of the existence of the organization it
had accomplished all that had been promised, and a great deal more;
and had proved the utility of its work on almost continuous fields of
national calamity of the character defined in the "American Ainend-
ment " to the Treaty. But the American government had not given
the Red Cross the official recognition that it desired and was entitled
to; and it could not take its appropriate place by the government of
which it was so eminently a part. As long as government provides for
war, so long must it recognize its adopted twin sister of peace, the
Red Cross; as long as it finds it necessary to deliberately mutilate
men, so long should it take part in healing them.
In order to strengthen the organization, and make its influence
more widely felt, the members decided to adopt a plan that would
enable them to work on a somewhat broader basis; accordingly, on
April 17, 1893, the Red Cross was reincorporated and has continued
its labors up to the present time under the provisions of the instrument
a copy of which follows:
94 THE RED CROSS.
THE RE-INCORPORATION OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL
RED CROSS.
Certificate op Incorporation ok the American Nationai. Red Cross.
Kuow all men by these presents, that we, Clara Barton, Julian B. Hubt)ell,
Steplien E. Barton, Peter V. DeGraw and George Kennan, all being persons of fnll
age, citizens of the United States, and a majority residents of the District of
Columbia, being desirous of forming an association to carry on the benevolent and
humane work of "The Red Cross" in accordance with the Articles of the Inter-
national Treaty of Geneva, Switzerland, entered into on the twenty-second day of
August, 1S64, and adopted by the Government of the United States on the first day
of March, 1SS2, and also in accordance with the broader scope given to the humane
work of said treaty by " The American Association of the Red Cross," and known
as "The American Amendment," whereby the suffering incident to great floods,
famines, epidemics, conflagrations, cyclones, or other disasters of national magni-
tude, may be ameliorated by the administering of necessary relief; and being
desirous of continuing the noble work heretofore performed by " The American
Association of the Red Cross," incorporated in the District of Columbia for the
purpose of securing the adoption of the said Treaty of Geneva by the United States,
for benevolent and charitable purposes, and to co-operate with the Comite Inter-
national de Secours aux Militaires Blesses.
Now, therefore, for the purpose of creating ourselves, our associates and
successors, a body politic and corporate in name and in fact, we do hereby
associate ourselves together under and by virtue of sections 545, 546, 547, 548, 549
and 550 of the Revised Statutes of the United States relating to the District of
Columbia, as amended and in force at this time ; and do make, sign and acknowl-
edge this Certificate of Incorporation, as follows, to wit :
First. — The name by which this association shall be known in law is : "The
American National Red Cross."
Second. — The principal office of the association shall be in the City of
Washington, District of Columbia.
Third. — '^h^ term of its existence shall be fifty years from the date of this
certificate.
Fourth. — The objects of this association shall be, iu addition to the purposes
set forth in the above preamble, as follows, to wit :
1. To garner the store materials, articles, supplies, monej's, or property of
whatsoever name or nature, and to maintain a system of national relief and admin-
ister the same in the mitigation of human suffering incident to war, pestilence,
famine, flood, or other calamities.
2. To hold itself in readiness for communicating and co-operating with the
Government of the United States, or any Department thereof, or with the "Comite
International de Secours aux Militaires Blesses," of Geneva, Switzerland, to the
end that the merciful provisions of the said " International Treaty of Geneva "
may be more wisely and effectually carried out.
3. To collect and diffuse information concerning the progress and application
of mercy, the organization of national relief, the advancement of sanitary science
and the training and preparation of nurses or others necessary in the application
of such work.
RE-INCORPORATION. 95
4. To carry on and transact any business, consistent with law, that may be
rtecessary or desirable in the fulfillment of any or all of the objects and purposes
hereinbefore set forth.
5. The affairs and funds of the corporation shall be controlled and managed
by a Board of Directors, and the number of the directors for the first year of the
corporation's existence, and until their successors are lawfully elected and quali-
fied, is five, and their names and addresses are as follows, to wit:
Clara Barton, Washington, D. C; Peter V. DeGraw, Washington, D, C; Dr.
Julian B. Hubbell, Washington, D. C; Dr. Joseph Gardner, Bedford, Ind., and
Stephen E. Barton, Newtonville, Mass.
The names and addresses of the full membership of the association, who shall
be designated as charter members, are as follows, to wit:
Clara Barton, Washington, D. C; Hon. William Lawrence, Bellefontaine,
Ohio; Peter V. DeGraw, Washington, D. C; George Kennan, Washington, D. C.
Dr. Julian B. Hubbell, Washington, D. C. ; Colonel Richard J. Hinton, Washing
ton, D. C; Mrs. Henry V. Boynton, Washington, D. C; Rev. Rush R. Shippen
Washington, D. C. ; Rev. Alexander Kent, Washington, D. C. ; Rev. William Mer
ritt Ferguson, Washington, D. C. ; General Edward W. Whitaker, Washington
D. C; Joseph E. Holmes, Washington, D. C; Mrs. Peter V. De Graw, Washington
D. C. ; Mrs. George Kennan, Washington, D. C. ; Mrs. R. Delavan Mussey, Wash
ington, D. C; Mrs. Omar D. Conger, Washington, D. C. ; A. S. Solomons, Wash
iugton, D. C; Walter P. Phillips; New York, N. Y.; Joseph Sheldon, New Haven
Conn.; John H. Van Wormer, New York, N. Y.; Albert C. Phillips, New York
N. Y.; Mrs. Walter P. Phillips, New York, N. Y.; Mrs. Joseph Gardner, Bedford
Ind.; Dr. Joseph Gardner, Bedford, Ind.; Miss Mary E. Almon, Newport, R. I.
Dr. Lucy Hall-Brown, Brooklyn, N. Y.; John H. Morlan, Bedford, Ind., and
Stephen E. Barton, Newtonville, Mass. But the corporation shall have power to
increase its membership in accordance with by-laws to be adopted.
In witness whereof, we have hereto subscribed our names and affixed our seals
in triplicate, at the City of Washington, District of Columbia, this seventeenth
day of April, A. D. 1893.
Witness:
Stephen E. Barton, George Kennan, 1
Clara Barton, S. G. Hopkins, I ^g^^^ ^
Julian B. Hubbell, F. H. Smith, |
P. V. DeGraw, J
I, S. G. Hopkins, a Notary Public in and for the said District of Columbia, do
hereby certify that Clara Barton, Julian B. Hubbell. Stephen E. Barton, P. V.
DeGraw and George Kennan, whose names are signed to the foregoing and
annexed " Certificate of Incorporation of the American National Red Cross" bear-
ing date of April 17, A. D. 1S93, personally appeared before me, in the said District
of Columbia, the said Clara Barton, Julian B. Hubbell, Stephen E. Barton, P. V.
DeGraw and George Kennan, being personally well known to me as the persons
who executed the said certificate, and each and all acknowledged the same to be
his, her and their act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
Given under my hand and official seal, this seventeenth day of April, A. D. 1893.
(Signed. ) S. G. Hopkins, Notary Public.
96 TIIK RED CROSS.
Immediately following our accession to the Treaty of Geneva,
March i, 1882. the president of the Red Cross was asked by the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, to prepare a history of
the Red Cross for publication by them through the government print-
ing office. This was done, and a book of two hundred and twenty-
seven pages was issued, giving an account of the origin of the organ-
ization, the steps by which it became a treaty, of our own initiation,
and not only the exact text by which our accession was made, but that
of every other nation within the treaty up to that time, 1882.
A bill for a reprint by Congress of fifty thousand copies of this
book was lost in the session of 1898 through lack of time.
No consecutive book has been published by us since that date,
but the history has been perhaps even more fully told, and that scores
of times, in public addresses which its president and assistants have
been called to make before great assemblies, selections from some of
which will appear in this volume, as the fullest information given in
the most compact manner that we can render in the short space of time
allotted us.
The very title of the organization, viz.: "Relief in War," has
been a misnomer, and through all the early years especially was very
generally misunderstood by the public. I have not unfrequently been
invited and innocently urged to attend peace meetings and large
charity gatherings for the poor and afflicted on the ground of needing
instruction myself; inasmuch as I " was engaged in advocating war,
wouldn't it be well to hear something on the other side? " And I
have been invited to become party to a discussion in which the merits
of peace and war should be compared.
Large organizations of women, the best in the country, and, I
believe, the best in the world, have faithfully labored with me to merge
the Red Cross into their society as a part of woman's work; without
the smallest conception or realization of its scope, its international
character, its treaty obligations, and the official ground it was liable
at any time to be called to occupy.
THE ADDRESS. 9/
Many charming invitations, from ladies even more charming, to
address their convention or meeting, have still contained some well
chosen word which might imply a question, if indeed the Red Cross
really were the humane and philanthropic institution it claimed to be;
naturally the address usually dealt with the question as it was put.
I name tliese facts as mere relics of the past, amusing now, but
instructive to you of the present day (when no child even questions the
motives of the Red Cross), as showing what it had to meet and live
through in order to live at all.
In order to .show the enthusiastic devotees of the present year how
questionable the beneficence of the Red Cross appeared to the best
people only a few years ago, I introduce the following address, read,
by request, before a congress of women, 1895 or 1896, hoping that the
charitably disposed reader will understand and appreciate the state of
mind engendered by the title of the request made, and forgive any
seeming acerbity:
ADDRESS.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RED CROSS IN ITS RELATION
TO PHILANTHROPY?
I am asked to say something upon the " Significance of the Red
Cross in its Relation to Philanthropy." I am not sure that I understand
precisely w^hat is desired.
If a morning paper should announce that three or four of the
greatest political bosses or greatest railroad kings in the country had
quietly met somewhere, and sat with closed doors till long after mid-
night, and then silently departed, people would ask, "What is the
significance of that ? What mischief have they been devising in
secret?" In that sense of the word, significayice — which is a very
common one — the Red Cross has none that I ever heard of. It has no
rich offices to bestow, no favorites to reward, no enemies to punish. It
has no secrets to keep, no mystic word or sign. Its proceedings would,
and do, make a valuable library, accessible to all men and all women
from Norway to New Zealand.
I will not say that it is so simple and common in character that he
who runs may read, but surely she who desires information can sit
down, read and obtain it. The Red Cross has been quietly doing its
,^8 THE RED CROSS.
work for thirty years and is now established in forty independent
nations. No other institution on earth, not even Christianity, has a
j>ublic recognition .so nearly universal. None has ever adhered more
'•losely to its one .single purpose of alleviating human .suffering. Has
that any significance or any connection with philanthropy ? Let us
see.
An institution or reform movement that is not selfish, must
originate in the recognition of some evil that is adding to the sum of
human suffering, or diminishing the sum of happiness. I suppose it is
a philanthropic movement to try to reverse the process. Christianity,
temperance and sanitary regulations in general are examples. Great
evils die hard; and all that has yet been done is to keep them within
as narrow limits as possible. Of these great evils, war is one. War is
in its very nature cruel — the very embodiment of cruelty in its effects —
not necessarily in the hearts of the combatants. Baron Macaulay
thought it not a mitigation but an aggravation of the evil, that men of
tender culture and humane feelings, with no ill will, should stand up
and kill each other. But men do not go to war to save life. They
might save life by keeping the peace and staying at home. They go
solely with intent to inflict so much pain, loss and disaster on the
enemy that he will yield to their terms. All their powers to hurt are
focused upon him.
In a moving army the elements of destruction, armed men and
munitions of war, have the right of way; and the means of preserving
and sustaining even their own lives are left to bring up the rear as they
best can. Hence, when the shock and crash of battle is over, and
troops are advancing or retreating and all roads are blocked, and the
medical .staff trying to force its way through with supplies, prompt and
adequate relief can scarcely ever reach the wounded. The darkness of
night comes down upon them like a funeral pall, as they lie in their
blood, tortured with thirst and traumatic fever. The memory of such
scenes set a kindly Swiss gentleman to thinking of ways and means for
alleviating their horrors. In time, and by efforts who.se history must
be familiar to many of you, there resulted the Geneva Convention for
the relief of the sick and wounded of armies. I shall not trace its
hi.stor}', as it seems to be more to the present purpose to explain
briefly what it proposed to do, and how it proceeded to do it.
The convention found two prime evils to consider. First, the
existence of war itself; second, the vast amount of needless cruelty it
inflicted upon its victims. For the first of these, with the world full
THE ADDRESS. 99
of standing armies, every boundary line of nations fixed and held by
the sword, and the traditions of four thousand years behind its cus-
toms, the framers of the convention, however earnest and devoted,
could scarcely hope to find an immediate, if indeed, a perceptible miti-
gation. Only time, prolonged effort, national economics, universal
progress and the pressure of public opinion could ever hope to grapple
with this monster evil of the ages.
But the second — if it were not possible to dispense with the need-
less cruelties heretofore inflicted upon the victims of war, thus relieving
human misery to that extent, seemed to the framers of the convention
a reasonable question to be considered. This is what it proposed to
do. A few sentences will explain how it proceeded to do it.
A convention was called at Geneva, Switzerland, for the fourth of
August, 1864' to be composed of delegates accredited by the heads of
the governments of the world, who should discuss the practices of war
and ascertain to what extent the restraints of the established military
code in its dealing with the sick and wounded of armies were needful
for the benefit of the service; and to what extent they were needless,
of benefit to no one, causing only suffering, of no strength to the ser-
vice, and might be done away with; and to what extent war-making
powers could agree to enter into a legal compact to that end. The
consideration, discussion and concessions of two weeks produced a
proposed agreement which took the form of a compound treaty, viz:
A treaty of one government with many governments — the first ever
made — a compact known as the Treaty of Geneva, for the relief of the
sick and wounded in war.
Its basis was neutrality. It made neutral all sick, wounded, or
disabled soldiers at a field; all persons, as surgeons, nurses and
attendants, who cared for them; all supplies of medicine or food for
their use; all field and military hospitals with their equipments; all
gifts from neutral nations for the use of the sick and wounded of any
army; all houses near a battlefield that would receive and nurse
wounded men: none of these should be subject to capture. It provided
for the sending of wounded men to their homes, rather than to prison;
that friend and foe should be nursed together and alike in all militar\^
hospitals; and, most of all, that the people who had always been forcibly
restrained from approaching any field of action for purposes of relief,
however needed (with the single exception of our Sanitary Commission,
and that under great difficulties and often under protest) should not
only be allowed this privilege, but should arm and equip themselves
loo THE RED CROSS.
with relief of all kinds, with the right to enter the lines for the helpless;
thus relieving not alone the wounded and dying, but the armies of their
care.
It provided a universal sign by which all this relief, both of persons
and material, should be designated and known. A Greek red cross on
a field of white should tell any soldier of any country within the treaty
that the wearer was his friend and could be trusted; and to any officer
of any army that he was legitimately there and not subject to capture.
Some forty nations are in that treaty, and from every military
hospital in every one of these nations floats the same flag; and every
active soldier in all their armies knows that he can neither capture nor
harm the shelter beneath it, though it be but a little " A " tent in the
enemy's lines, and every disabled man knows it is his rescue and his
home.
It may be interesting to know the formula of this compact. It
recognizes one head, the International Committee of Geneva, Switzer-
land, through which all communications are made. One national head
in each country which receives such communications, transmitting them
to its government. The ratifying power of the treaty is the Congress
of Berne. The organization in each nation receives from its govern-
ment its high moral sanction and recognition, but is in no way sup-
ported or materially aided by it. The Red Cross means not national
aid for the needs of the people, but the people' s aid for the needs of the
7iation. The awakening patriotism of the last few years should, I
think, make this feature more readily apprehended.
As the foreign nations furnish the only illustrations of the value
and material aid of the Red Cross in war, let us glance at what it has
accomplished.
The first important war after the birth of the Treaty of Geneva,
was between Germany, Italy and Austria. Austria had not, at that
time, entered the treaty, and yet its objects were understood and its
spirit found a responsive chord in the hearts of the people. Over
$400,000, beside a great amount of material, were collected by that
country, and made use of for the relief of the combatants. Italy
was fairly well organized and rendered excellent service, furnishing
much substantial assistance. Germany, which was in the vanguard
of the treaty nations, was throughly organized and equipped. She
was the first to demonstrate the true idea of the Red Cross — people's
aid for national, for military, necessity. Great storehouses had been
provided at central points, where vast supplies were collected. In an
THE ADDRESS. loi
incredibly short time, between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 were raised
for relief purposes, and large numbers of volunteers came to help the
already organized corps of workers. Great trains of supplies were sent
to the front. The wounded enemy was tenderly cared for, and every-
thing was accomplished so well and so systematically, that it proved the
incalculable value of organized, authorized, civil aid. French and
Swiss Red Cross workers also rendered great assistance, this being the
first instance of neutrals taking an active part.
In the Franco-Prussian War the German Red Cross performed
even better service, it having learned many valuable lessons in the
German- Austrian conflict, and through their efforts an infinite amount of
good was accomplished and great suffering averted. Not only were the
wounded and sick soldiers tenderly cared for, but the unprovided families
of soldiers were also supplied. The French Red Cross at the breaking out
of the war was poorly organized and penniless. Within one month, how-
ever, hospitals had been established, ambulances and a large amount of
field supplies were at the front, with a considerable relief force to care
for the sick and wounded. The French Association, not including the
branches in the provinces, spent over $2,000,000 and assisted 110,000
wounded. Many neutral Red Cross nations assisted in rendering aid
and relief in this great war. England alone sent a million and a half
dollars, besides twelve hundred cases of stores. Eighty-five thousand
sick, wounded and famishing French soldiers entered Switzerland, and
were cared for by the Central Committee at Berne. The International
Committee at Geneva, in one instance, asked for and obtained 2500
seriously wounded French soldiers, supplied their wants, and sent them
to their own country'.
In the great Russo-Turkish War, the Red Cross of Russia, splen-
didly equipped, with ample means and royal patronage, was, at the
beginning of hostilities, greatly hampered by the jealousy of the mili-
tary. The relief organizations were assigned places well in the rear; but
ere many months had passed the military surgeons gladly accepted the
Red Cross aid, and colossal work did it perform. Over $13,000,000
were raised, and all that was necessary .spent in supplying relief. The
neutral Red Cross countries furnished valuable assistance in this war
also.
In the recent war between Japan and China, you undoubtedly read
of the wonderful work performed by the Japanese Red Cross. This
society followed the precedent of Germany, in tenderly caring for the
wounded enemy, even though fighting against a nation not in the
ii.j THE RED CROSS.
treaty. Japan had a cruel, merciless enemy to fight, and yet her sol-
diers were instructed to have respect even for a dead enemy.
It is needless to give further illustrations; history records the won-
derful achievements of this greatest of relief organizations, though it
cannot record the untold suffering which has been averted by it.
Is the Red Cross a humanitarian organization ? What is the sig-
nificance of the Red Cross? I leave these two questions for you to
answer.
But war, although the most tragic, is not the only evil that assails
humanity. War has occurred in the United States four times in one
hundred and twenty years. Four times its men have armed and
marched, and its women waited and wept. That is on an average of
one war every thirty years. It is now a little over thirty years since
the last hostile gun was fired; we fondly hope it may be many years
before there is another. A machine, even a human machine, called into
active service only once in thirty years is liable to get out of working
order; hence to keep it in condition for use, no less than for the possible
good it might do, the American Society of the Red Cross asked to have
included in its charter the privilege of rendering such aid as it could in
great public calamities, as fires, floods, cyclones, famines and pestilence.
In a time of profound peace that has been the only possible field
of activity. It is not for me to say whether that field has been success-
fully cultivated, but a few of the facts wdll determine whether the
innovation upon the treaty will commend itself to your judgment, as it
has to those of the older societies of Europe.
Naturally it required not only diplomacy but arguments to obtain
a privilege never before ofi5cially considered in the unbroken customs
of an international treaty. They must be submitted to a foreign con-
gress. The same argument pertained fifteen years ago that pertains
to-day, namely, that in all our vast territory, subject to incalculable
disasters, with all our charitable, humane and benevolent associations,
there was not one which had for its object and duty to hold itself in
preparation and training to meet and relieve the woes of these over-
mastering disasters. All Avould gladly aid, but there were none to
lead. Everybody's business was nobody's business, and the stricken
victims perished.
We asked that under the Red Cross Constitution of the United
States its national organization should be permitted to act in the capa-
city of Red Cross relief agents, treating a national disaster like a field
of battle, proceed to it at once with experienced help, equipped with
THE ADDRESS. 103
all the needful supplies and means to commence relief, overlook and
learn the needs of the field, make immediate statements of the true
condition and wants to the people of the country, who, knowing the
presence of the Red Cross there, could, if desirable, make it the
medium of their contributions for relief either in money or material.
To relieve the necessities in every way possible, keep the people at
large in possession of reliable information, hold the field until relief
has been given, and retire when all needed aid has been rendered.
This privilege was graciously granted by the ratifying Congress at
Berne, and is known as the ' ' American amendment ' ' of the Red
Cross. Nations since that date, on becoming signatory to the treaty,
have included that amendment in their charters.
This is the principle upon which we have acted. The affording of
relief to the victims of great disasters anywhere in the United States,
is what the National Red Cross has proceeded to do, and it has confined
itself strictly to its privileges, acting only in disasters so great as to be
national. It never asks aid; never makes an appeal: it simply makes
statements of the real condition of the sufferers, leaving the people free
to exercise their own humanity through any medium they may prefer.
In the thirteen years of relief work by the Red Cross in the
United States, every dollar and every pound that has been received
and distributed by it, has been the free-will offering of the people,
given for humanity without solicitation, and dispensed without reward.
It has received nothing from the government. No fund has been
created for it. No contributions have been made except those to be
distributed as relief at its fields. Its officers serve without pay. There
is not, nor ever was, a salaried officer in it, and even its headquarters
meets its own costs. Among the various appropriations made by Con-
gress for relief of calamities in the past years, as in great river floods,
not a dollar so appropriated has ever been applied through the Red
Cross, although working on the same field. I name these facts, not
by way of complaint, or even comment, but to correct popular errors
of belief, which I know you would prefer to have corrected. True to
its method, this is simply a statement of the real condition of things,
and left to the choice of the people — the Red Cross itself is theirs,
created for them, and it is peculiarly their privilege to deal with it as
they will.
The following list of calamities with the approximate value of
material furnished, as well as money, will give you some appreciation
of the services rendered in the cause of humanity by the American
i,)4 Jill*: ki-:!) CROSS.
National Re<l Cross. Limit of time and space forbids even an attempt
at description of its various fields. I can only name the most impor-
tant, with estimated values distributed on each:
Michigan Forest Fires, 1881, material and money. . . . $ So.ooo
Mississippi Floods, 1SS2, money and seeds 8,000
Mississippi Floods, 1SS3, material and seeds 18,500
Mississippi Cyclone, 18S3, money 1,000
Balkan War, 1SS3, money 500
Ohio and Mississippi Floods, 1S84, feed for stock and
people, clothing, tools, house furnishings 175,000
Texas Famine, 18S5, appropriations and contributions on
statements made upon personal investigation . . . 120,000
Charleston Earthquake, 18S6, money 500
Mt. Vernon, 111., Cyclone, 1S88, money and supplies . . 85,000
Florida Yellow Fever, iSSS, physicians and nurses . . . 15,000
Johnstown Disaster, 1889, money and all kinds of mate-
rial, buildings and furnishings 250,000
Russian Famine, 1891-92, mainly food 125,000
Pomeroy, Iowa, Cyclone, 1893, money and nurses . . . 2,700
South Carolina Islands, 1893-94, money and all kinds of
supplies and materials, tools, seeds, lumber, etc. . . 65,000
$946,200
Only about one-eighth of the above estimates represent cash; the
balance represents material.
In each of these emergencies something has been added to the sum
of human happiness, something subtracted from the sum of human woe;
the naked have been clothed, the hungry fed, new homes have sprung
up from the desolated ruins, crops revived, and activities and business
relations resumed. In a neighboring State and its adjacent islands
scarcely two hundred miles distant from this, could to-day be found
several thousand human beings, living in their homes, enjoying theii
family lives, following their ordinary avocations, cultivating the ground,
who, if asked, would unhesitatingly tell 3'ou that but for the help of the
Red Cross, they would two years ago have been under the ground they
now cultivate.
If the alleviation of human miseries, the saving of life, and the
bringing of helplessness and dependence back to methods of self-
sustenance and independence are counted- among the philanthropic
movements of the day, then to us, who have seen so much and
worked so long and .so hard among it, it would seem that the Red
THE ADDRESS. 105
Cross movement has some "significance" in connection with phil-
anthropy.
There remains but one question more. To whom is this movement
due? Who instituted it? In what minds did it originate? I wish I
could say it was all woman's work; but the truth compels the fact that
this great, humane idea originated with men; the movement was insti-
tuted by them. They thought it out, and they wrought it out, and it
was only meet and proper that they should, for the terrible evil that
made it necessary was theirs as well. Women as a rule are not war-
makers. For centuries the caprices of men have plunged the world in
strife, covered the earth's surface with armies, and enriched its soil
with the best blood that ever flow^ed in human veins. It is only right
that at length, in the cycle of ages, something should touch man's
heart and set him humbly down to find out some way of mending as
much of his mischief as he could. Perhaps he " builded better than
he knew," for in that one effort he touched the spring that sooner or
later will mend it all. No grander or truer prophecy has ever been
made than uttered in that first convention: " The Red Cross shall teach
war to make war upon itself.^' It is 'the most practical and effective
peace-maker and civilizer in the known world. It reaches where noth-
ing else can. If proof of this be wanting, study the action of Japan in
its late war.
But is man doing this work alone? No — gladly, no ! Scarcely had
he made his first move, when the jeweled hands of royal woman
glistened beside him, and right royallj^ have they borne their part.
Glance at the galaxy — the great leader and exemplar of them all,
Empress Augusta of Germany, her illustrious daughter, the Grand
Duchess of Baden, Eugenia, Empress Frederick, Victoria and Princess
Louise of England, Margherita of Italy, Natalia of Serv'ia and the entire
Court of Russia, and to-day the present Empress of Germany, and the
hard-working Empress of Japan, with her faithful, weary court, even
now busy in the hospitals of convalescing Chinese. The various aux-
iliary societies of women of all the principal Red Cross nations are a
pride and a glory to humanity.
These nations have all two important features in their movement,
which, thus far, have not been accorded to us. Their governments
have instituted laws protecting the insignia and name of the Red Cross
from misuse and abuse as trademarks by unscrupulous venders, and
appropriation by false societies for dishonest purposes. This lack, and
this alone, has thus far rendered general organization in the United
io6 TIIK RKI) CROSS.
States impracticable and unsafe. For seven years the most strenuous
efforts at protection have failed; the loss has been to the people in
general.
The second advantage of other nations is that citizens, the men of
wealth in those countries, have created a Red Cross fund for its use,
varying in amounts from a hundred thousand to several millions of
dollars. Russia, I lielieve, has a fund of some three millions. It seems
never to have occurred to our wealth-burdened men that possibly a
little satisfaction might be gained, some good accomplished, and some
credit done the nation by a step in that direction. It will dawn upon
them some da}', not, perhaps, in mine, but in some of yours, and then,
ladies, you can well join hands with them, and discern more clearly
than now the ' ' significance of the Red Cross as related to philanthropy."
THE MICHIGAN FOREST FIRES.
T may be necessary to recall to the mind of the
person reading these pages hastily, the fact that the
National Red Cross of America was formed nearly
a year before the accession to the treaty. This was
done by the advice of President Garfield, in order
■ to aid as far as possible the accession. "Accord-
ingly a meeting was held in Washington, D. C,
May 21, 1 88 1, which resulted in the formation of
an association to be known as the American
National Association of the Red Cross."
Several years of previous illness on the part of its president had
resulted in fixing her country home at Dansville, N. Y, , the seat of
the great Jackson and Austin Sanitarium and the acknowledged foun-
dation of the hundreds of health institutions of that kind which bless
the country to-day. The establishment of the National Red Cross in
Washington had attracted the attention of persons outside, who, of
course, knew very little of it; but among others, the people of Dans-
ville, the home of the president, felt that if she were engaged in some
public movement, they too might at least offer to aid. Accordingly, on
her return to them in midsummer, they waited upon her with a request
to that effect, which resulted in the formation of a society of the Red
Cross, this being the first body in aid of the National Association
formed in the United States. It is possible I cannot make that more
clear than by giving an extract from their report of that date, which
was as follows:
In reply to your request, given through the secretary of your association, that
we make report to you concerning the inauguration of our society, its subsequent
proceedings and present condition, the coinniittee has the honor to submit the
following statement:
Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y., being the country residence of ATiss
Clara Barton, president of the American Association of the Red Cross, its citizens,
desirous of paying a compliment to her, and at the same time of doing an honor to
themselves, conceived the idea of organizing in their town the first local society of
(107)
io8 THE RED CROSS.
the Red Cross in the United States. To this end, a general preliminary meeting
was held in the Presbyterian Church, when the principles of the Treaty of Geneva
and the nature of its societies were defined in a clear and practical manner by Miss
Barton, who had been invited to address the meeting. Shortly after, on the twenty-
second of August, iS8i, a second meeting, for the purpose of organization, held in
the Lutheran Church and presided over by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Strobel, was
attended by the citizens generally, including nearly all the religious denominations
of the town, with their respective pastors. The purpose of the meeting was
explained by your president, a constitution was presented and very largely signed,
and officers were elected.
Thus we are able to announce that on the eighteenth anniversary of the Treaty
of Geneva, in Switzerland, August 22, 1864, was formed the first local society of the
Red Cross in the United States of America.
Almost immediately following this occurred the memorable forest
fires of Michigan, which raged for days, sweeping everything before
them — man, beast, forests, farms — every living thing, until in one
report made of it we find this sentence: "So sweeping has been the
destruction that there is not food left in its track for a rabbit to eat,
and, indeed, no rabbit to eat it, if there were." Here occurred the
fir.st opportunity for work that the young society had found, and again
I give without further note their report:
Before a month had passed, before a thought of practical application to
business had arisen, we were forcibly and sadly taught again the old lesson that
we need but to build the altar, God will Himself provide the sacrifice. If we did
not hear the crackling of the flames, our skies grew murky and dark and our
atmosphere bitter with the drifting smoke that rolled over from the blazing fields
of our neighbors of Michigan, whose living thousands fled in terror, whose dying
hundreds writhed in the embers, and whose dead blackened in the ashes of their
hard-earned homes. Instantly we felt the help and strength of our organization,
young and untried as it was. We were grateful that in this first ordeal your
sympathetic president was with us. We were deeply grateful for your prompt
call to action, given through her, which rallied us to our work. Our relief rooms
were instantly secured and our white banner, with its bright scarlet cross, which
has never been furled since that hour, was thrown to the breeze, telling to every
looker-on what we were there to do, and pointing to ever}' generous heart an outlet
for its sympathy. We had not mistaken the spirit of our people ; our scarce-opened
doorway was filled with men, women and children bearing their gifts of pity and
love. Tables and shelves were piled, our working committee of ladies took every
article under inspection, their faithful hands made all garments whole and strong ;
lastly, each article received the stamp of the society and of the Red Cross, and all
were carefully and quickly consigned to the firm packing cases awaiting them.
Eight large boxes were shipped at first, others followed directly, and so continued
THE MICHIGAN FOREST I'lRlCS. loy
until notified by the Relief Committee of Michigan that no more were needed.
Meanwhile the hands of our treasurer were not left empty, some hundreds of
dollars were deposited with him. A most competent agent, our esteemed towns-
man and county clerk of Livingston County, Major Mark J. Bunnell, was dispatched
with the first invoice of funds and charged with the duty of the reception of the
supplies, their proper distribution and of making direct report of the condition and
needs of the sufferers.
The good practical judgment of the people and society led them to consider
the near approach of winter and the unsheltered condition of the victims, bereft
of every earthly possession, and warm clothing and bedding were sent in great
abundance. Our cases were all marked with the Red Cross and consigned to
Senator Omar D. Conger, of Port Huron, who led the call of the Michigan
committee and to whom, as well as to his kindhearted and practical wife, we are
indebted for many timely suggestions and words of grateful appreciation.
In a spirit of gratitude and hope we submit this partial report of our first
work under the Red Cross, which can be but partial, as our rooms are still open
and our work is in progress awaiting such further calls as may come to us. We
are grateful that we are called, grateful that your honored President, with the
acquired skill of the humatiC labors of many years in many lands, was with us to
counsel and instruct. We are glad to have learned from this early object lesson
the value of organized effort and the value of our own organization.
We hope our report may be satisfactory to you, and that our beautiful little
valley town, quietly nestling among the green slopes of the Genesee Valley, after
having offered the first fruits of the Red Cross to its own countrymen, may always
be as prompt and generous in any call of yours for suffering humanity.
The neighboring citj^ of Rochester, forty miles to the north
of Dansville, hearing of the activitj' of its smaller neighbor in the
;^reat disaster that was paralyzing all, desired also to unite in the work
and knowing much less even than Dansville of what the Red Cross
might mean, still desired to act with it, if possible; and appended
herewith will be found their report, which will be.st tell their story
Influential citizens of Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y., having become inter-
ested in the subject of the Treaty of Geneva and the Red Cross work going on in
Dansville, sent a request through the mayor of the city to Miss Clara Barton to
address them in a public meeting. Miss Barton met an audience of thinking,
philanthropic men and women, to whom it was a pleasure to unfold her theme.
The result was a proposition to organize a .society before adjournment. Accord-
ingly names were pledged, and, the second evening after, a constitution was
adopted and officers were elected, Edward M. Moore, M. D., president. . . . .
Steps were immediately taken for reducing to practice the theory of their
newly formed society, and in three days from the connnencemcnt of its existence
its agent, Profe.ssor J. B. Hubbcll, was on the burnt fields of Michigan with instruc-
tions to examine into the condition ot the people and report their neces-sities to the
no THE RED CROSS.
society from actual observation. These duties were faithfully and judiciously per-
formed, and on the day following his report of the special need of money the sum
of ^12500 in cash was forwarded as a first installment. At last reports the sum
raised amounted to j;3So7.2S and the society numbered 250 members. It is evident
that no full report can be made concerning a movement of which only the first
steps are taken, and which is still in active operation, but it is believed that the
instances are rare when, with no distress of its own as an incentive, but from the
simple motive of benevolence, a ])eople has accomplished so much, both in organ-
zation and practical results, in so brief a space of time.
Following close on the organization in Rochester, the citizens
of the sister city of Syracuse and vicinity, in Onondaga County,
N. Y. , met at the Board of Trade rooms and perfected their organi-
zation under the above name. Rev. Dr. Richmond Fiske, a widely
known philanthropist, prominently connected with the principal
charities of the city, assisted by Professor G. F. Comfort, of the Syra-
cuse University, led the movement. The constitution, embracing in
admirable form the principles of the Geneva Convention, was signed
by a large number present and officers were appointed representing
the names of the leading people of the city.
These were the first steps of the American National Association
of the Red Cross in relief work and in the organization of auxiliary
societies. The completion of this work, which may have seemed
premature and preliminary, left the association free to continue its
efforts with the Government of the United States on behalf of its
accession to the treaty.
MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO RIVER FLOODS— 1882.
j^HE spring rise of the waters of the Mississippi brought
Ipi great devastation and a cry went over the country in
regard to the sufferings of the inhabitants of the
Mississippi valley. For hundreds of miles the great
river was out of its bed and raging madly over the
country, sweeping in its course not only the homes
but often the people, the animals, and many times
the land itself. This constituted a work of the relief clearly within
the bounds of the civil part of our treaty, and again we prepared for
work. Again our infant organization sent its field agent, Dr. Hub-
bell, to the scene of disaster, where millions of acres of the richest
valley, cotton and sugar lands of America, and thousands upon
thousands of homes under the waters of the mightiest of rivers —
where the swift rising floods overtook alike man and beast in their
flight of terror, sweeping them ruthlessly to the gulf beyond, or leaving
them clinging in famishing despair to some trembling roof or swaj'-
ing tree top till relief could reach and rescue them.
The National Association, with no general fund, sent of its
personal resources what it was able to do, and so acceptable did these
prove and so convincing were the beneficences of the work that the
cities of Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans desired to be permitted
CO form associate societies and work under the National Association.
This was permitted, and those societies have remained until the present
time, New Orleans organizing for the entire State of Louisiana. The
city of Rochester, proud and grateful of its success in the disaster a
few months before, again came to the front and again rendered excel-
lent service.
It was a singular fact that on the first day of March, 1S82, while
the National Association was in session busily engaged in devising
ways and means for extending the relief which to them seemed so
needed and so slender, a messenger came from the Senate of the United
States to announce to them that tl:e vote had been taken and that the
fun
112 THE RED CROSS.
United States had acceded to the Treaty of Geneva without a dissent-
ing voice. This closed a meeting joyfully which had opened with
many misgivings. Fresh courage and hope were taken and every
energy called into action for the furtherance of the work which seemed
then fairly commenced.
In the spring of 1883 occurred the first great rise of the Ohio River;
1000 miles in extent. This river, although smaller than the Missis-
sippi, is more rapid in its course, and its valleys hold the richest
grain lands, the most cultivated farms and representing, in fact, the
best farming interests of America.
The destruction of property was even greater here than in the
cotton and cane lands of the Mississippi. Again our field agent was
dispatched and did excellent work. The entire country was aroused,
and so liberal were the contributions to the various committees of
relief that when Dr. Hubbell retired from the field, having completed
the work, he had still unexpended funds in hand. But they were
soon needed.
MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA CYCLONE.
less than a month occurred the fearful cyclone of
Louisiana and Mississippi, which cut a swath clear
of all standing objects for thirty miles in width and
several hundred miles in length, running southeast
from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.
Our special agent for the South, Colonel F. R.
Southmayd, took charge of the Red Cross relief in this
disaster, and so efl&cient was his work that societies
struggled for organization under him and the Red
Cross was hailed as a benediction wherever he passed. This was in
May, 1883.
Our association now enjoyed for eight months a respite from active
work. It was surely needed. It was the longest rest we had yet
known, and afforded some small opportunity to gather up its records
of past labors, organize some societies and compile a history of the
Red Cross, so much needed for the information of our people and so
earnestly asked for by them as well as by the United States Senate.
From this history the preceding pages of this book have been
extracted.
CLARA BARTON.
Taken about 1S84.
Copyrig}it, iSiyS, by Clara Barton.
"JOSH V. THROOP."
The first steamer used in the United States by the American Red Cross, 1884.
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS.
UT the respite was all too short for our purposes.
The rapidly melting snows of February, 1884,
brought the one thousand miles of the Ohio River
again out of its bed. A wild cry went out all over
the country for help. The government, through
Congress, took immediate action and appropriated
'»^^. <.>o several hundred thousand dollars for relief, to be
applied through the War Department. The Red
Cross agents must again repair to the field, its societies be again
notified.
But its president felt that if she were to be called every year to
direct the relief work of the association in these inundations it was
incumbent upon her to visit the scene in person, to see for herself what
floods were like, to learn the necessities and be able to direct with the
wisdom born of actual knowledge of the subject ; and accordingly, with
ten hours' preparation, she joined Dr. Hubbell on his way and pro-
ceeded to Pittsburg, the head of the Ohio River. There the societies
were telegraphed that Cincinnati would be headquarters and that
money and supplies should be sent there. This done, we proceeded to
Cincinnati by rail.
Any description of this city upon our entrance would fall so far
short of the reality as to /ender it useless.
The surging river had climbed up the bluffs like a devouring
monster and possessed the town; large steamers could have plied along
its business streets; ordinary avocations were abandoned. Bankers and
merchants stood in its relief houses and fed the hungry populace, and
men and women were out in boats passing baskets of food to pale,
trembling hands stretched out to reach it from third story windows of
the stately blocks and warehouses of that beautiful city. Sometimes
the water soaked away the foundations and the structure fell with a
crash and was lost in the floods below; in one instance seven lives
went out with the falling building; and this was one city, and prob-
ably the best protected and provided locality in a thousand miles of
thickly populated country.
"5
ii6 THK RKD CROSS.
It had not been my intention to remain at the scene of disaster,
but rather to see, investigate, establish an agency and return to
national headquarters at Washington, which in the haste of departure
had been left imperfectly cared for. But I might almost say, in mili-
tary parlance, that I was "surprised and captured. "
I had made no call beyond the Red Cross societies — expected no
supplies from other sources — but scarcely had news of our arrival at
Cincinnati found its way to the public press when telegrams of money
and checks, from all sides and sources, commenced to come in, with
letters announcing the sending of material. The express office and
freight depots began filling up until within two weeks we were com-
pelled to open large vSupply rooms, which were generously tendered to
the use of the Red Cross. A description could no more do justice to
our flood of supplies than to the flood of waters which had made them
necessary — cases, barrels and bales of clothing, food, household sup-
plies, new and old; all that intelligent awakened sympathy could
suggest was there in such profusion that, so far from thinking of
leaving it one must call all available help for its care and distribution.
The government would supply the destitute people with food,
tents and army blankets, and had placed its military boats upon the
river to rescue the people and issue rations until the first great need
should be supplied.
The work of the Red Cross is supplemental and it sought for the
special wants likely to be overlooked in this great general supply and
the necessities oiitside the limits of governmental aid. The search
was not difficult. The government provided neither fuel nor clothing.
It was but little past midwinter. A cyclone struck the lower half of
the river with the water at its greatest height and whole villages were
swept away in a night. The inhabitants escaped in boats, naked and
homeless. Hail fell to the depth of several inches and the entire
country was encased in sleet and ice. The water had filled the coal
mines so abundant in that vicinity until no fuel could be obtained.
The people were more likely to freeze than starve and against this
there was no provision.
We quickly removed our headquarters from Cincinnati to Evans-
ville, three hundred miles below and at the head of the recent scene of
disaster. A new staunch steamer of four hundred tons burden was
immediately chartered and laden to the water's edge with clothing
and coal; good assistants, both men and women were taken on board;
the Red Cross flag was hoisted and as night was setting in, after a
THE OHIO RIVKR FLOODS. ii;
day of intense cold — amid surging waters and crashing ice, the float-
ing wrecks of towns and villages, great uprooted giants of the forest
plunging madly to the sea, the suddenly unhoused people wandering
about the river banks, or huddled in strange houses with fireless
hearths — the clear-toned bell and shrill whistle of the "Josh V.
Throop" announced to the generous inhabitants of a noble city that
from the wharves of Evansville was putting out the first Red Cross
relief boat that ever floated on American waters.
The destroyed villages and hamlets lay thick on either bank, and
the steamer wove its course diagonally from side to side calling the
people to the boat, finding a committee to receive and distribute, and
learning as nearly as possible the number of destitute persons, put off
the requisite quantity of clothing and coal, and steamed away quickly
and quietly leaving sometimes an astonished fcic^ sometimes a multi-
tude to gaze after and wonder who she was, whence she came, what
that strange flag meant, and most of all, to thank God with tears and
prayers for what she brought.
In this manner the Red Cross proceeded to Cairo, a distance of
four hundred miles, where the Ohio joins the Mississippi River, which
latter at that time had not risen and was exciting no apprehension.
Returning, we revisited and resupplied the destitute points. The
government boats running over the same track were genial and
friendly with us, and faithful and efficient in their work.
It should be said that, notwithstanding all the material we had
shipped and distributed, so abundant had been the liberality of the
people that on our return to Evansville we found our supply greater
than at any previous time.
At this moment, and most unexpectedly, commenced the great
rise of the Mississippi River, and a second cry went out to the govern-
ment and the people for instant help. The strongest levees were
giving way under the sudden pressure, and even the inundation of the
city of New Orleans was threatened. Again the government appro-
priated money, and the War Department sent out its rescue and ration
boats, and again the Red Cross prepared for its supplemental work.
In an overflow of the Mississippi, owing to the level face of the
country and the immense body of water, the valley is inundatcfl at
times thirty miles in width, thus rendering it impossible to get animals
to a place of safety. Great numbers drown and the remainder, in a
prolonged overflow, have largely starved, the government having
never included the domestic animals in its work of relief. This
ii8 THE RED CROSS.
seemed an omission of vital importance, both humanely and economi-
cally considered, and the Red Cross prepared to go to the relief of the
starving animals of the Mississippi valley. It would also supply
clothing to the destitute people whom the government would feed.
The navigation of the Mississippi River calls for its own style of
boats and pilotage, the latter being both difficult and dangerous,
especially with the changed channels and yawning crevasses of a
flood.
The steamer "Throop" was left at Evansville and the "Mattie
Bell" chartered at St. Louis and laden with corn, oats, hay, meal and
salt for cattle ; clothing and cooking utensils for the destitute people ; tea,
coffee, rice, sugar and medicines for the sick: and as quickly as possible
followed the government steamers leaving the same port with rations
of meat and meal. These latter boats kindly burdened themselves
with large quantities of our forage which our overladen boat could not
contain.
We soon found that our judgment in regard to the condition of
the animals had been correct. Horses, mules, cows, sheep and pigs
had been hastily gotten upon floating rafts and platforms of logs
raised above the water, or had taken refuge, as many as could, on the
narrow strips of land, known as broken levees, say eight to twelve feet
in width, just peering above the water; and here they stood often
crowded beyond the possibility of lying down, with no morsel of food
save the wee green leaves and tips of the willow branches and gray
moss which their pitying owners, largely poor negroes, could gather in
skifl^s and bring to them. Day by day they stood and wasted, starved,
and their bodies floated down the stream, food for the birds of prey hov-
ering above. Week after week hour after hour the mighty river, pour-
ing through its monster crevasses, spread wider and wider every hour.
We left our steamer at times and were rowed out in little boats for
miles alongside of the levees, and went among the cattle. Some waded
out into the water to their backs to reach after the green scum which
gathered and swam delusively upon the surface. Some, unable to
stand, lay stretched at length with head and horns dabbling in the
mud, fearlessly turning great pitiful eyes upon us as we approached.
Others, reeling, followed us tamely about, as if beseeching us to feed
them. I need not add that they were fed. Committees of both
white and colored persons were formed and the requisite quantity
of food for the animals and clothing for the people were left with
these committees at every needy point. Our steamer was reladen,
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS. uy
or our supplies replenished at each available port, and in this manner
we passed to New Orleans, and returning, resupplied our connnittees.
The necessity for a change of boat on the Ohio and Mississippi
has been mentioned; that the "Throop" was discharged at Evansville
and the Red Cross body passed over to St. Louis. Perhaps some
reference to the journals of that date would best illustrate the necessity
for these movements, as -.veil as the spirit of the people and of the
times.
l-'ioni an editorial in the Chicago Inter-Ocain of 2\larch 31, iJ<84,
the following extract is taken:
The day is not far distant— if it has not already come — when the American
people will recognize the Red Cross as one of the wisest and best systems of phil-
anthropic work ill modern times. Its mission is not accomplished when it has
carried the generous offerings of the people to their brethren who have met with
sudden calamity. It does not stop with the alleviation of bodily suffering and the
clothing of the destitute — blessed as that work is, when wisely done, so as not to
break down the manly spirit of self-help. The Red Cross has become a grand
educator, embodying the best principles of social science, and that true spirit of
charity which counts it a sacred privilege to serve one's fellowmea in time of
trouble. The supplying of material wants — of food, raiment and shelter is only a
small part of its ministry. In its work among suffering humanity, when fire or
flood or pestilence has caused widespread desolation, the Red Cross seeks to carry
to people's hearts that message which speaks of a universal brotherhood. It is all
the time and everywhere sowing the seed of brotherly kindness and goo<lwill,
which is destined in time to yield the fruits of world-wide peace. Once let the love
of doing good unto others become deeply rooted and practiced as an international
custom, and arsenals and ironclad navies will give way to the spirit of equity. War
will cease as a relic of barbarism, and peace will shed its benedictions over all
nations.
From the Evansville yi^/^/v/a/ of April 3, the following:
The president of the Red Cross left for St. Louis last night, where she will
take charge of a steamer which has been chartered under her direction for relief
-service in the lower Mississippi. . . . The mission of the Reil Cross, which has
done such wonderful and effective work in the Ohio valley, is not yet completed.
The lower Mississippi cries for aid. The destruction of property below the mouth
of the Ohio is, if possible, greater than was experienced on the Ohio. Life has not
been in such desperate peril, but property has been swept away by oceans of water,
and the landowner, with corn and cotton fields, has been reduced to pauperism
. . . This year the overflow has been of such a character tiiat neither crop,
mortgage, nor advance are safe, and the renter and half-share farmer must suffer.
The Red Cross comes to the rescue. Miss Barton will be accompanieil by .several
ijo THE RKD CROvSS.
ladies from this city and will bi; joined by many gcnUemeu and ladies from St.
Louis.
From the St. Louis Democrat, April 4, the following:
Miss Clara Barton arrived at the " Southern " yesterday morning. Miss Barton
is accompanied by Mrs. De Bruler and Miss Knola Lee, of Evansville, Ind., Dr. J.
B. llubbell, field agent, and Mr. John Hitz, of Washington, D. C. The members
of the party were busily engaged yesterday in superintending the loading of the
steamer " Mattie Bell," which leaves for the inundated districts of the lower Mis-
sissippi this morning. Miss Octavia Dix, secretary of the St. Louis branch of the
Red Cross, will accompany the expedition.
The brave men of the Fifth Corps in the Cuban War of 1898,
endured hunger and thirst and other conditions better remembered
than described. Some of them partook of the gracious offerings of
hot gruel, malted milk, boiled rice, apple wine, and prune cordial at
the hands of Mrs. Dr, Gardner. It will perhaps interest them to
know that she is the same who, as Miss Enola Lee, was one of the
company of the "Mattie Bell" in 1884.
Some of the men of the War of 1861 may remember the officer who
had charge of the Commissary Department at Washington. I shall never
forget the man who, despite all rank and position, stood many an hour
of many a day beside my army wagons loading at his headquarters,
and who wisely directed the selection of material best suited to and
most needed at the proposed terminus of the dark and weary journey
I was about to undertake — it was then Colonel, now General Beckwith
of the regular army. He was in 1884, holding the position of Com-
missar)'- at St. Louis. In the same old time spirit and in the old time
way he came upon the deck of our little steamer, and directed the
placing of the supplies of the "Mattie Bell. " One will never forget
the terror depicted on his fine face when he saw the bales of hay taken
on board. "Great heavens, you are not going to risk that! Think
of it — you in the middle of that great, rushing river, no land in sight,
and your ship on fire!" Still, the risk was taken, and both the ship
and the stock were saved.
A few hours previous to the sailing of the "Mattie Bell" from St.
Louis a stranger came on board and asked to be permitted to go with
us. There was nothing very remarkable in his appearance, either for
or against; but on general principles we objected to taking on a stran-
ger without some good reason for it, His quiet persistence, however,
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS. 121
won, and perhaps through lack of active measures on the part of some
one he went. He was a silent man — walked by himself, or stood alone
on some unfrequented corner of the deck. As we got lower down and
more tributaries were pouring their contributions into the mighty
volume that rolled and seethed about and beneath us, the danger
became more imminent. Running after dark was out of the question,
and timely orders were given one afternoon to tie up for the night;
but our captain, anxious to make a headland a few miles further on,
begged permission to run a little later, sure he could reach it before
dark.
His request was rather reluctantly granted, and as we steamed
on a fog and mist came up and night set in with us still afloat. In
less than a half hour the stranger rushed to me with: "We are in a
crevasse ! We must pull out or we are lost ! I have warned the engi-
neer and captain. " The forward rush of the boat ceased ; she stood
still, pulled first one way then the other, shivered and struggled amid
the shrieks of the reversed engine, while we waited, thoroughly
aware of the s-tuation and the doom awaiting us all, depending on the
power and strength of one mute body of steel and one firm man at the
helm. At length the struggling ceased; the engines had triumphed
over the current. We commenced to move slowly backward, and with
a grateful awe in our hearts that no words could express we found a
place of safety for the night.
Daylight revealed to us a crevasse opened the day before where
the river had broken through to a width of thirty rods, with the water
pouring down a depth of twelve or fifteen feet in a perfect
torrent into the current below, and rolling off in a self made track to
some other stream or to the Gulf of Mexico.
I have no way of accounting for this incident, but the reader will
perhaps not be "too hard" on me, if I say with the father of "Little
Breeches," "I have believed in God and the angels ever since one
night last spring."
Dowx THE Mississippi.
Down the Mississippi all was changed. Two worlds could scarcely
differ more. The ofttimes shoreless waste of waters; the roaring
crevasse through the broken levees; the anxious ebony faces and the
hungry animals that "looked up and were not fed, " among whom and
which we floated, could not fail to carry our thoughts br.ck ct times
I-' J THE RED CROSS.
to the history of the Deluge and the Ark. The simile, however, had
this important difference; we were by no means so good as to be
preserved, nor they so bad as to be destroyed.
Any bare description of this voyage constitutes only the woody
framework of the structure. You will readily imagine that, when it
should be clothed with its ever recurring incidents it would become a
very different edifice. Never a day that did not bring us incidents to
be remembered, sometimes sad and touching, sometimes laughable or
ridiculous.
The rough, tattered and uncouth garb of the Ohio River farmer
and woodsman was offset by his quick wit and sterling sense, and the
rude dialect of the Southern negro was buried out of sight by his
simple faith. But the most touching of all was the honest gratitude
which poured out on every side.
These people adopted the Red Cross and those who bore it, and
we, in turn, have held to them. We selected helpers from among
them, banded them together, gave them responsibility and thus made
them mutual helps to each other and to us as well, in case of subse-
quent disaster.
One day as we were near the left bank of the river we saw a small
herd of cattle wading out far into the water for what they could reach.
A few cabins stood back of them. Steaming as near as we could we
made fast to the body of a small fig tree and called the negroes, men
and women, to us in their skiff.
It proved to be a little neighborhood of negroes with no w^hite
"boss," as they say, but had their own mules and cows and were
farming independently. But the food and feed were gone. The
government boats had passed without seeing them, and no help had
come to them. Their mules and cows were starving; they had no one
to apply to. They had their little church ; and their elder, a good,
honest-faced man, who led them onto the boat, told the story of their
sufferings and danger. We selected two men and two women, formed
them into a committee of distribution and wrote out formal directions
and authority for them. But before presenting it to them to sign, I
asked them seriously if we left these supplies with them if they
thought they could share them honestly with each other and not
quarrel over them.
They were silent a moment. Then the tallest of the women rose
up, and with commanding gesture said: "Miss, dese tings is from de
Lord ; dey i? not from you, caze you is from Him, He sent you to
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS. 123
bring dem. We would not dare to quarrel ober deni things; we would
not dare not to be honest wid 'em."
I presented the paper with no further pledge. It was signed with
one name and three marks. The supplies were put off on the only
little spot of land that could be reached. The negroes left the boat
and stood beside the pile, which seemed a little mountain in the level
space of waters. We raised steam and prepared to put off, expecting
as we did so some demonstration, some shout of farewell from our new-
found friends on shore and held our handkerchiefs ready to wave in
reply — not a sound — and as we "rounded to" and looked back, the
entire group had knelt beside the bags of grain and food and not a
head or hand was raised to bid us speed. A Greater than we had
possessed them, and in tearful silence we bowed our heads as well and
went our way.
After the first rush of danger was over and repairs commenced
among the business men, it was not always easy to find faithful willing
agents to distribute supplies among those who had nothing left to
repair but their stomachs, and no material for this.
At Point Coupee the Mississippi sends out a false branch of thirty
miles in length, forming an island, and again joining the main river
at Hermitage. These are known as False River and Island. The
government boats had not entered False River, and there was great
want among both people and cattle.
All the way down we were besought to hold something back for
this point. At Hermitage we found the one business man, owner of
the boat which plied the thirty miles of river, its warehouse and all.
He, of course, was the only man who could take charge of and distri-
bute relief around the island ; and Captain Trudeau was sought. He
was a young, active man, full of business, just pulling out of his own
disaster, and did not know how to attend to it. "Guessed the trouble
was most over up there; hadn't heard much about it lately." We
knew better and felt discouraged that persons could not be found of
sufficient humanity to distribute relief when brought to them.
I was sitting heart sore and perplexed in my stateroom trying to
think out a way when two rather young women of prepossessing
appearance entered with a bouquet of early flowers for me, introducing
themselves as Mrs. and Miss Trudeau, wife and sister of the captain.
I scarcely felt gracious, but those fair womanly faces were strong to
win, and I entered into conversation asking Mrs. Trudeau what she
thought of the condition of the people of the i.sland. Her face grew sad
'J THE RED CROSS.
as she said in touching tones, "Indeed, I cannot say, Miss Barton; my
husband's boat runs around twice a week and I tried to go on it for a
while, but the sight of such destitution and those starving cattle,
mules, cows, horses and sheep were beyond my endurance, I had
nothing to give them, and I could not see it, and so left off going."
"Would you ladies take the agency of the Red Cross to deliver
supplies to these people?"
I shall not forget the appropriate and womanly manner in which
this delicate lad}^ received the abrupt proposition — no hesitation, no
surprise, no self-depreciation, no simpering, but the straightforward
reply, "We would, most willingly and gladly, and do our best. Our
warehouse could store them, our boat take and we distribute them,"
The customary official document was at once drawn up and signed.
An hour later the busy captain rushed in to see how nmch was
really expected of him.
"Captain," I said, "I have found agents to distribute our relief,
and very satisfactorily, I think, and shall be able to release you from
all responsibility." His fine face fell; he had not expected this and
in spite of all did not relish being quite relieved from duty. I went
on: "You will have some share in it, captain. For instance, you will
supply storage in 3'our warehouse; your boat will take supplies on any
day when demanded. Your men will handle and load all material.
You will, in short, provide all accommodations, do all the work, meet
all the cost, obey orders implicitly, but have none of the credit! Mrs.
and Miss Trudeau are my agents."
The good fellow fairly threw up his hat. "Good! That's just
what I'm used to. It shall be done. " And it was done; but how well
it was done I could not describe to you — not only wisely and well, but
elegantly.
The captain's warehouse had little empty space after our cargo of
supplies had gone into it. The next day but one would be the day
appointed for Governor McEnnery, of Louisiana, to make at Point
Coupee his re-election speech, which would call all the people of the
island who could reach it to that point to see and hear the popular
governor. The little steamer "Governor Wiltz" was laden with sup-
plies, and under direction of Madame Trudeau proceeded to Point
Coupee in order to meet the people, learn the needs, and inform every-
one that supplies and relief were at hand. The gallant governor
addressed the crowd from the deck of the "Governor Wiltz" under the
Red Cross flag, and took passage on her down the river.
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS. 125
We resupplied these agents 011 our return. We did this all the
way among both white and black. And from that time the Red Cross
has had faithful, willing agents along all the uncertain track of the
lower Mississippi.
Months later, in January, i885, when a sea voyage, foreign
travel, the cares of an international conference of military men, the
splendor of foreign courts, much of weariness and illness had passed
between, and I had thought all those little days of river work gone
from memory, I found myself in the upper gallery of the New Orleans
Exposition, and stepping in at a restaurant at the end of the hall was
met by Colonel Lewis, the noted colored caterer of the South. He had
been on the relief committee of New Orleans appointed to meet our
steamer at the time of our visit in May.
He came with cordial recognition, seated me and was telling me
of his success in the restaurant when all his waiters, men and women,
seemed to forget their work and stood gazing at us. The colonel
smiled and said, "They have caught sight of the Red Cross brooch at
your neck and recognize you by it. They will come to themselves in
a few minutes."
Next day I went in again for my lunch, when Colonel Lewis
brought tome a little, thin, white-haired mulatto man of seventy-three
years, but still able to take charge of and direct the help at the tables,
saying, "This, Miss Barton, is Uncle Amos, whom I promised yester-
day to introduce to j'ou when 3'ou came again. Uncle Amos is my
most true and faithful man." I reached out for the withered, hard,
dark bony hand he gave me as he said: "Yes, Miss Barton, I wants
to see and speak to you, to tell you in de name of our people
how grateful dey is for what your society has done for dem. Dat is
never forgot. You come to us when we had nothing. You saved
what was never saved befo' in a flood, our cattle, so dey could go on
and help derselves to raise something to eat. Dey has all heard of it;
all talk about it in de churches and de meetings. Our people is
singular in some tings; dey never forgets a kindness. Dey hab
notions. Dey hab a way of nailing up a hoss-shoe obcr de do' for
luck. I want to tell you dat in a thousand little cabins all up and
down dis river dey has put up a little Red Cross ober de do' and
every night before dey goes to bed dey names your name and prays
God to bless you and de Red Cross dat He sent to dem in time of
trouble and distress." Uncle Amos looked straight in my face the
while. Colonel Lewis wiped hiseyes, and I got away as fastas I couM.
126 THE RED CROSS.
It would scarcely be faithful to the subject of this relief if some
mention were not made of the third trip, namely, that of the voyage
up the Ohio after the fall of the waters and the attempted return of the
people to their former homes.
From an editorial of the Evansville Joiirnal, May 28, 1884,
headed "Good By Red Cross," we make an extract or two which has
reference to the voyage and its purposes:
The Red Cross, having concluded its labors on the Ohio River below this
point, will start to-day for the upper Ohio and go as far as Pittsburg, relieving the
meritorious cases on the way. . . , The "Josh V. Throop," which has been
rechartered for this trip, was loaded last Saturday. A part of the load was distrib-
uted between this point and Cave-in-Rock, and the room made vacant by the
lower river distribution was filled with additional stores yesterday which will be
distributed up the river. The load consists of what the people in the overflowed
country will want and most need. There is clothing in immense quantities, over
a hundred plows, large quantities of rakes, hoes, scythes, spades, shovels, groceries,
flour, meat, meal, corn, bedsteads, chairs, buckets, tubs, tables, queeusware, tinware,
pots, kettles, skillets, etc.
This trip was arranged in general at Cincinnati, when Miss Barton first came
West. At that time her policy took definite shape and it has never changed. She
saw that the government was providing for all the immediate necessities of the
sufferers and looked forward to the time when the unfortunate people would come
almost hopelessly back to ruined homes — come back to find houses, furniture, tools,
food, everything gone — and although aid would have been extended during the
calamity by the government and benevolent institutions, the ruined people would
have but a poor chance to proceed in the business of life. This was the anticipated
ojiportunity of the Red Cross; this was the time Miss Barton foresaw would be
pregnant with possibilities for doing large good, and the event has fully justified
her prophetic view of the situation. The load now on the "Throop" will not
only provide for the house, it will do much for the farm.
It would be difficult to imagine a vo5'age more replete with live
interest than this beautiful May passage from Evansville to Pittsburg.
The banks were dotted with the marks of torn and washed-out
homes; and occasional!}' one found the familj', from father and mother
to the w^ee little ones, gathered about the bare spot that once was
home, trying in vain to find enough of the buried timbers to recom-
mence a framework for another house, if ever they could build it,
with all the hunger and need for dail}' food staring them in the face.
Picture, if possible, this scene: A strange ship, with two flag.«;,
steaming up the river; it halts, turns from its course, and draws up to
the nearest landing. Some persons disembark and speak a few minutes
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS. 127
with the family; then a half dozen strong mechanics man a small boat
laden with ail material for constructing a one-room house, take it to
the spot and commence putting it up. Directly here is a structure
with floor, roof, doors, windows and walls; the boat returns for furni-
ture. Within three hours the strange ship sails away leaving a
bewildered family in a new and clean house, with a bed, bedding,
table, chairs, clothing, dishes, candles, a well-made little cooking stove,
with blazing fire, with all the common quota of cooking utensils, meat,
meal, groceries, a plow, rake, axe, hoe, shovel, spade, hammer, hatchet
and nails, etc. We ask few questions, they none; but often it proves
that the little, bare, boyhood feet of that desolated father had once
skipped through the dewy grass of the green hills of New England,
the brave old parent of States, where great riches are slow to come,
and famishing hunger never enters.
Again, referring to the Evansville Journal oi May 28 we find the
following:
A band of little folks in Chicago, called the " Busy Bees," were organized in a
plan to extend succor to the suffering and collected a large box of goods which
they sent to Miss Barton, with the request that it might be put where it would do
the most good. She was some time in finding a place where she could put it with
the greatest satisfaction to the givers and the donees. She found the opportunity
she had been looking for yesterday. On her last voyage a gentleman at Cave-in-
Rock told her that a poor, but worthy, family was in that vicinity, and on becoming
acquainted with the family Miss Barton gave them some supplies and left fifteen
dollars with the gentleman aforesaid, to either give to the family or spend for them
as he might think best. He concluded that it would be judiciously expended by
the people for whom it was intended and accordingly turned it over to them. The
woman of the family came some days afterward to the gentleman, bringing with
her another woman who was very destitute, and said: "This is my neighbor, and
I have come to ask you if you think Miss Barton would care if I divided my fifteen
dollars with her." "Most certainly not," was the reply; and then, out of her
penury did this poor woman giv She retained ten dollars and gave five. Yester-
day Miss Barton divided the contents of the store the "Busy Bees" had gathered
among these two families, consisting of eight and five persons respectively. When
she was delivering the goods to the poor woman who had generously shared with
her neighbor, Miss Barton gave her back her five dollars, and said: " You have read
where it is said. He that giveth to the poor Icndeth to the Lord, and He has sent it
back already."
On February 11, 1884, Congress, in response to appeals from Ohio,
Kentucky and West Virginia, appropriated $300,000 for the relief of the
people who had lost their homes and other property by the Ohio River
128 THR RED CROSS.
floods. On February 15, the first appropriation having been consid-
ered hardly sufficient to meet the demands, $200,000 more were appro-
priated for the same purpose, making $500,000 in all to be expended
untler the direction of the War Department. A boat load of supplies
was sent down the river from Pittsburg; two boats left Cincinnati,
one going up the river and the otiier down; one boat went down the
river from Louisville and a fifth boat was sent down the river from
Hvansville. Afterward some additional boats were sent out from
other places. Between February 15 and March 15, 536,000 rations
were distributed by the government at a cost of $350,000. The re-
maining $150,000 were transferred to the Mississippi flood relief.
In the official report of the relief furnished to the Ohio River
flood sufferers, written by R. P. M. Ames, Assistant Surgeon U. S.
Marine Hospital Service, Evansville, Ind. , he speaks as follows of the
part taken by the Red Cross in this work:
At this time also the Red Cross Association came actively to the front for now
had the time arrived when this association, of all others, could do the most
good. . . . Through its instrumentality much suffering and destitution has
been relieved throughout the Ohio valley which it would have been almost impos-
sible to reach but for this organization. With Miss Clara Barton at the head, and
a large corps of active and intelligent assistants, the relief work performed bj- this
association has been most thorough and efficacious. Contributions of money and
clothing have been sent to all points in the inundated districts of the Ohio valley
where such assistance was needed, while a thorough and careful investigation by
members of the association of the flooded territory has rendered the aid most
beneficial. As soon as it became apparent that the suffering from the high water
would necessitate the various relief movements, Miss Barton removed her head-
quarters from Washington, D. C, to Cincinnati. O., where she carefully and
intelligently superintended the distribution of a large amount of supplies donated
from all parts of the countrj', consisting of money, food, clothing and fuel. As
the water receded then came the time for the relief proffered by this association to
be given.
After remaining several days in Cincinnati and relieving all the suffering so far
as it was met with, Miss Barton, on March 3, removed her headquarters to Evans-
ville, Ind., where arrangements were at once commenced to reach and aid the
sufferers between this point and Cairo, 111. Captain J. V. Throop kindly placed
his steamer, the "Josh V. Throop," at the disposal of the Red Cross without any
expense except the actual running cost of the boat. The steamer was at once
loaded with an immense quantity of boxes, barrels, bales and bundles of clothing,
being donations from various private parties and relief organizations throughout
the country which had been accumulating here for some time, together with a
large amount of bedding and fuel, and started on its mission of mercy down the
river in charge ot Miss Clara Barton, Saturday, March 8, 1884.
THE OHIO RIVER FLOODS. 129
Miss Barton was accompanied and assisted on this trip by Dr. J. B. Hubbell,
of Washington, D. C, the field agent of the association; Rev. E. J. Galvin, agent
of the Chicago Red Cross Association; Miss Hamilton, of St. Louis, with Mrs. De
Bruler and several other Evansville ladies. Relief was given to all the sufferers
needing it below Evansville and Wickliff, Ky., below Cairo. The party reached
Cairo March 15, and after proceeding down the river to Wickliff, Ky., turned
back, arriving at Evansville March 20. In addition to the supplies mentioned,
the Kev E.J. Galvin, of Chicago, had placed at his disposal |25,ooo, from which
checks were drawn and left with any party needing financial assistance. Miss
Barton and her corps of assistants remained in Evansville after their return until
Apiil 2, when the relief transactions throughout the Ohio valley having been prac-
tically finished, she removed her headquarters to St. I<oui.s, Mo., where a relief
boat was at once fitted out and similar assistance tendered to the sufferers in the
inundated districts of the lower Mississippi. Miss Barton was further aided on this
trip by Mr. John Hitz, of Washington, D. C.
On May 25th Miss Barton made a second trip down the Ohio with the
steamer " Josh V. Throop " under charter with household supplies and farm-
ing implements for the recent sufferers. The boat went as far as Elizabeth-
town, or possibly a few miles below, and then turning back, proceeded up
stream to Wheeling or Pittsburgh till the supplies were exhausted.
130 THE RKD CROSS.
"THE LITTLE SIX."
It is possible that some readers may recall the story of the " Little
Six," which was locally published at the time, but which I venture to
reproduce, as an extract from the Erie Dispatch, of Monday March 24,
1884:
Dispaii/i readers doubtless recollect its account some weeks ago of the manner
in which six children of Waterford gave a public entertainment for the benefit of
the Ohio flood sufl'erers; how they themselves suggested it; how their efforts were
crowned with success; and how they brought the entire proceeds, I51.25, raised by
their unpaid efforts, to the editor of the Dispatch with the request that the latter
forward it " where it would do the most good." The Dispatch complied by for-
warding it to Miss Clara Barton, president of the American Red Cross Association.
The following letter tells the storj' of the disposition of the money. The names
of the noble little band, of which any town in the nation ought lobe proud of, are:
Reed White, Florence Howe, Lloyd Barton, Joe Farrar, Mary Barton, Bertie
Ensworth. The oldest is twelve years of age.
MISS BARTON'S LETTER.
A TOUCHING INCIDRNT VERY TOUCHINGI^Y REI,ATED.
Red Cross Relief Steamer, "Josh V. Throop,"
OFF Shawneetown, Illinois,
Ohio River, March iS, iSS^,
Mr. M. E. Camp, Editor of the Erie Dispatch:
At length, I have the happiness to inform you that I have placed the con-
tribution of the brave Little Six to my own satisfaction, and, as I believe, to the
satisfaction of the little donors and the friends interested in them as well. Your
letter inclosing the touching article describing their pretty thought and act, and
the check for the sum donated by them to the sufferers from the floods, came
during the early days of hurry and confused activity. The entire matter was too
beautiful and withal unique, to meet only a common fate in its results. I could
not, for a moment, think to mmgle the gift of the little dramatists with the
common fund for general distribution, and sought through all these weeks for a
fitting disposition to make of it, where it would all go in some special manner to
relieve some special necessity. I wanted it to benefit some children who had
" wept on the banks " of the river which in its madness had devoured their home.
I watched carefully all the way down on this trip, and tried, last Sunday, at
Smithland on our return to make a little " foundation " for a children's help and
instruction at that town which had suffered so terribly; but I could not satisfy
myself, and after telling the pretty story to the best people of the town assembled
on our boat, I still declined to leave the appropriation, waiting in confi^\eu,ce for
"THE LITTLR vSlX." 131
the real opportunity to present and which we have met in the last hour. As we
ncared that picturesque spot on the Illinois side of the Ohio, known as "Cave-in-
Rock," we were hailed by a woman and her younj^ daughter. The boat " rounded
to " and made the landing and they came on board— a tall, thin worn
wotnan in a tattered suit, with a good, but inexpressibly sad face, who
wished to tell us that a package which we had left for her at the town
on our way down had never reached her. She was a widow — Mrs. Plew — whose
husband, a good river pilot, had died from overwork on a hard trip to New Orleans
in the floods of the Mississippi two years before, leaving her with six children
dependent upon her, the eldest a lad in his " teens," the youngest a little baby girl.
They owned their home, just on the brink of the river, a little " farm " of two or
three acres, two horses, three cows, thirty hogs and a half hundred fowls, and in
spite of the bereavement they had gone on bravely, winning the esteem and com-
mendation of all who knew them for thrift and honest endeavor. Last year the
floods came heavily upon them, driving them from their home, and the two horses
were lost. Ne.xt the cholera came among the hogs and all but three died. Still
they worked on and held the home. This spring came the third flood. The water
climbed up the bank, crept in at the door and filled the lower story of the house.
They had nowhere to remove their household goods, and stored them in the garret
carefully packed and went out to find a shelter in an old log house near by, used
for a corn crib. Day by day they watched the house, hailed passing boats for the
news of the rise and fall of the water above, always trusting the house would
stand — "and it would," the mother said ("for it was a good, strong house), but for
the storm." The wind came and the terrible gale that swept the valley like a tor-
nado, with the water at its height, leveling whole towns, descended and beat upon
that house and it fell. In the morning there was no house there and the waves in
their fury rushed madly on. Then these little children " stood and wept on the
banks of the river," and the desolation and fear in the careful mother's heart, none
but herself and her God can know.
They lived in the corn-crib, and it was from it they came to hail us as we
passed to-day. Something had been told us of them on our downward trip, and
a package had been left them at "Cave-in-Rock," which they had not received.
We went over shoe-tops in mud to their rude home, to find it one room of logs,
an old stone chimney, with a cheerful fire of drift-wood and a clean hearth, two
wrecks of beds, a table, and two chairs, which some kind neighbor had loaned.
The Government boats had left them rations. There was an air of thrift, even in
their desolation, a plank walk was laid about the door, the floor was cleanly swept,
and the twenty-five surviving hens, for an equal number was lost in the stonn,
clucked and craiked comfortably about the door, and there were two and a half
dozen fresh eggs to sell us at a higher rate than paid in town. We stood, as we
had done so many scores of times during the last few weeks, and looked this piti-
ful scene in the face. There was misfortune, poverty, sorrow, want, loneliness,
dread of future, but fortitude, courage, integrity and honest thrift.
" Would she like to return to the childhood home in Indiana? " we asked the
mother, for we would help them go.
" No," she said tenderly. "My husband lived and died here. He was buried
here, and I would not like to go away and leave him alone. It won't be very
long, and it is a comfort to the children to be able to visit his grave. No, I
132 THE RED CROSS.
recko!! we will stay here, and out of the wreck of the old house which sticks up
out of the mud, we will put another little hut, hijjher up in the bank out of the
way of the flrxxls, and if it is only a hut, it will be a home for us and we will get
into it."
There were no dry eyes, but very still hearts, while we listened to this
sorrowful but brave little speech, made with a voice full of tears.
Our thoughtful field agent. Dr. Hubbell, was the first to speak.
" Here are six children," he said with an inquiring glance at nie.
No response was needed. The thing was done. We told the mother the
story of the " Little Six " of Waterford, and asked her if that money with enough
more to make up one hundred dollars would help her to get up her house ? It was
her turn to be speechless. At length with a .struggling, choking voice she managed
to say — " God knows how much it would be to me. Ves, with my good boys I can
do it, and do it well."
We put in her hands a check for this sum, and directed from the boat clean
boxes of clothing and bedding, to help restore the household, when the house shall
have been completed.
Before we left her, we asked if she would name her house when it would be
done. She thought a second and caught the idea.
"Yes," she replied quickly, with a really winsome smile on that worn and
wear}' face, "yes, I shall name it 'The Little Six,' "
And so, dear Mr. Camp, will you kindly tell those brave little philanthropic
dramatists, that they are to have a house down on the banks of the great rolling
river, and that one day, I think, will come a letter to tell them that another six
children are nightly praying God to bless them for the home that will shelter them
from the floods and the storms.
Sincerely and cordially yours,
Clara Barton.
In repl}' the following letters were received:
W^A.TERFORD, Pa., March 25, 1R84.
M. E. Camp, Editor of Erie Dispatch:
Dear Sir: The "Little Six " met yesterday and wrote the accompanying
letter, which they would like to have you forward to Miss Clara Barton. They
wish me to thank you for sending them copies of your paper containing Miss Bar-
ton's beautiful letter to them. If j-ou or Miss Barton ever had anj* doubts in
regard to a child's appreciation of favors shown, I wish you could have seen those
bright, happy faces as they gave three cheers for "ye editor" and three times
three for Miss Clara Bartoii and the " Home of the Little Six " on the banks of the
Ohio.
Mrs. Loyd Benson, Committee.
Waterford, March 24, 1884.
Dear Miss Barton:
We read your nice letter in the Dispatch, and we would like very much to see
that house called "The Little Six," and we are so glad we little six helped six
"THE UTTLE SIX." 133
other little children, and we thank you for going to so much trouble in putting
our money just where we would have put it ourselves.
Sometime again when you want money to help you in your good work, call
on the " L/ittle Six. "
Joe Farrar, twelve years old.
Fl^ORENCE Howe, eleven years old.
Mary Barton, eleven years old.
Reed White, eleven years old.
Bertie Ensworth, ten years old.
L1.0YD Barton, seven years old.
It cotild not fail to have been a satisfaction to me to know that I
had done my work as they would have ' ' done it themselves. ' '
As long as we remained on the river this family was occasionally
visited by our boat. On one occasion a strong flagstaff twenty feet in
length was taken and firmly set upon the bank near where they would
place their house. Its well-lettered cross board at the top showed
" L,ittle Six Red Cross Landing," and this point has remained a land-
ing on the Ohio River probably unto this day.
During this trip on the upper Ohio, which was even 3'et scarcely
safe for running at night, we had, after a hard day's work, found a
cove and tied our boat for the night. It was a rather sequestered spot,
and the appearance of a full-size river steamer, halting for the night on
one of its banks, attracted the attention of the few people residing there,
and at dusk a body of five or six men came to the boat to ask if we
were in trouble that w^e stopped there, and if there were anything they
could do for us. We quieted their kindly apprehensions and invited
them on board. The lights revealed a condition of personal poverty
which should have more naturally asked help than offered it. On the
entire trip with its thousands of miles, among white and black, we had
never seen such evidences of destitution. They scarcely could have
decently gone among civilized people, and yet as they spoke, there was
no lack of sense. On the contrary, they seemed in many ways to be
men of the world. Their language, while provincial, had nothing
uncommon in it, and altogether they were a study to us. We
gave them some supper, and while eating, learned the facts of their
lives.
Either by blood or marriage, they were all relatives, consisting of
six families, making in all about thirty people. They all lived
together — rtich living as it was — and there seemed to be among them a'
perfectly good understanding. They had always lived on the river
banks, probably more on the river than off" of it. They vvere not
i.U THE RKD CROSS.
farmers, never planted or raised anything^, subsisting mainly upon fish
and the floating drift to be picked up. Thus, they clung to the river
like the muskrat and beavsr, and were washed out with every flood.
Sixteen of them at that time were living under some slanting boards.
After supper our men quietly invited them to the clothing depart-
ment on the stem of the ship, and exchanged their garments.
Thus we got hold of these people, clothed, fed, encouraged and
advised them, got them into houses, furnished them, formed them into
a little colony, put up a landing named, at their own request, " Red
Cross Big Six," and took care of the women and children. Every
man foreswore his drink, his cards and his betting, and went to work
for the first time in his life.
We found a faithful merchant to stand by, advise them and report
to us. From year to year we have helped to keep them clothed. The
children immediately went to school, and the next year for the first time
they planted land and raised their own food; and the growing thrift
and strange prosperity of this body of heretofore vagrants began after a
time to excite tfie envy of its neighbors, wlio thought they were getting
on better than themselves, and their merchant friend had to repel it.
Only one or two of them could write a little, but they made good use
of their accomplishment as far as possessed. One day I received a
letter from one of their savants, Charley Hunter, out of which among
much that was encouraging, with considerable labor, I deciphered the
following: " We are all doing well. We don't drink or play cards no
more. I got the flannel undershirts and drawers and the medicine you
sent me. My rhumatis is better. I know now I have got two friends;
one is you and the other is God,"
I was sorry he named me first; I do not think he intended it. I
might add that two years later these people had united with the church;
that the children were all in school, and that one daughter was being
educated for a teacher.
On the lower Ohio one of the villages most wrecked by the waters
and the cyclone was Smithland, an old aristocratic borough on the
Kentucky side. They had no coal, and we supplied them as we went
down. On our return we lowered steam and threw out our landing
prow opposite the town. The whistle of the ' ' Throop ' ' was as welcome
to their ears as the flag to their eyes.
It was a bright, clear, spring morning and Sunday. In an hour
the entire little hamlet of people stood on our decks; only four, they
said, were left at home, and these sick and infirm. They had selected
"THE LITTLE SIX." 135
their lawyer to speak their thanks, and they had chosen well. No
words will ever do justice to the volume of native eloquence which
seemed to roll unbidden from his lips. We listened in mute surprise
until he finished with these sentences :
At noon on that day we were in the blackness of despair. The whole village
in the power of the demon of waters, hemmed in by sleet and ice, without fire
enough to cook its little food. When the bell struck nine that night, there were
seventy-five families on their knees before their blazing grates, thanking God for
fire and light, and praying blessings on the phantom ship with the unknown device
that had come as silently as the snow, they knew not whence, and gone, they knew
not whither.
A few days later we finished the voyage of relief, having covered
the Ohio River from Cincinnati to Cairo and back twice, and the Mis-
sissippi from St. Louis to New Orleans and return, occupying four
months' time on the rivers, in our own chartered boats, finishing at
Pittsburg and taking rail for Washington on the first of July, having
traveled over eight thousand miles, and distributed in relief, of money
and estimated material, $175,000.
The government had expended an appropriation from the treasury'
on the same waters of $150,000 in money, and distributed it well. The
difference was that ours was not appropriated; we gathered it as we
used it.
THE TEXAS FAMINE.
CCASIONAIv rumors reached us in the years 1885 and 1886
; about a drouth in Texas and consequent suffering, but
they were so contradictory and widely at variance that
the public took little or no heed of them. During the
year of 1886 the Rev. John Brown, a North Presbyterian
minister, located at Albany, Shackelford County, Texas,
began making appeals by circular and oral address to the people of the
Northern States, in which he asserted that there were a hundred
thousand families in northwestern Texas who were utterly destitute
and on the verge of starvation. He stated that since the close of the
war a large number of poor families had been constantly crowding into
Texas from the Southern States principally, induced thither by land
agents and others, who gave glowing representations of the character
of the soil for farming purposes.
These poor people, by hard labor and industry, had been generally
able to make a living and nothing more. The last fall they had planted
wheat and other grain quite extensively, but the rains came not and
everything perished; and in the following spring and summer, too,
everything put into the ground was blasted by the hot winds, so that
not a thing was raised for man or beast. For fifteen months no rain
had fallen, and the condition of the people was pitiable and called aloud
to the charitable throughout the land for relief They must be carried
through to the next summer or they would perish. At a meeting of
the citizens of Albany, Texas, they decided that the task of relieving
the sufferers was greater than the well-to-do people of the State were
able to undertake, and that an appeal should be made to the good-
hearted people of the North for immediate aid. The Governor of
Texas also published an appeal to the people of the whole land, asking
for food for these people. But as there was no concerted action, and so
many denials of the stories of suffering, little or nothing in the way
of relief work was accomplished for some time. Spasmodic attempts
were made, and some food for man and beast was contributed, but not
enough to relieve a hundredth part of the needy.
(136)
THK TICXAS FAMINE 137
The Rev. Dr. Brown went to the State Capital and endeavored to
interest the Legislature in the matter, but there were seenaingly so nuich
misunderstanding and unbelief, and so many conflicting interests to
reconcile, that he failed to receive any substantial assurances and left
the place in disgust. When the citizens of Texas could not agree as to
the necessities of their own people it was not to be expected that the
citizens of the country would take much interest in them, hence the
relief movement languished from inanition.
About the middle of January, 1887, Dr. Brown came to Washing-
ton and, as solicitor and receiving agent for the committee which had
issued an appeal to the country, appealed to me, as president of the
American National Red Cross, asking our organization to come to the
relief of the people, who were in a deplorable state, greatly needing
food and clothing. I immediately shipped to Texas all the stores that
were then in our warehouse, but they were no great quantity.
An appeal direct to the Red Cross required immediate attention,
and I at once sought a conference with President Cleveland, who was
greatly worried over the contradictory stories that were constantly
printed, and was anxious to learn the truth about the matter. When I
said that I should go to Texas and see for myself, he was greatly
pleased, and requested me to report to him the exact situation just as
soon as I had satisfied myself by personal investigation.
Dr. Hubbell and I proceeded directly to Albany, Texas, where we
arrived near the end of January. We were met by the leading citizens
and most heartily welcomed and accorded every privilege and attention.
We began our investigations at once in a systematic way, carefully
noting ever^^thing we heard and saw; and in the course of a two weeks'
trip over the afflicted region, we learned the extent of the need and
formulated plans for its relief.
Making Albany our object point, we traveled by private conveyance
over such territory as we thought sufficient to give a correct knowledge
of the condition of the country and the people. We met large numbers
of the residents, both collectively and at their homes, and learned from
them personally and by actual observation their condition and what
they had to depend upon during the next few months. It will be Ixjrne
in mind that when we entered upon this investigation little or no relief
had come from the State, and none was positively assured.
Almost no rain had fallen during a period of eighteen months;
two planted crops had perished in the grt)und, and the .seed wheat sown
*he previous fall gave no signs of life. The dust was rolling over the
i;^S Till-: RI'I) CROSS.
great wind-swept fields, where the i)eople had hidden their last little
forlorn hope of borrowed seed, and literally a heaven of brass looked
down npon an earth of iron.
Here were twenty to forty counties of a size commensurate with
Texan dimensions occupied by new settlers, making their first efforts
in the pioneer work of developing home life in an untried country, soil
and climate. They had put their all into the new home and the little
stock they could afford for its use. They had toiled faithfully, planted
two and three times, as long as there was anything to plant or sow,
and in most instances failed to get back their seed. Many had grown
discouraged and left the country. The people were not actually
starving, but they were in the direst want for many of the necessities
of life, and it was only a matter of days when they would have reached
the condition of the reconcentrados as we later found them in Cuba.
Hundreds of thousands of cattle had died for the want of food and
water, and their drying carcasses and bleaching bones could be seen
in every direction as the eye wandered over the parched surface of
the plains.
I at once saw that in the vastness of its territory and varying
interests the real need of these suffering communities was not under-
stood by the Texas people — it had not come home to them — but that
once comprehending, it would be their wish to ha.ve it known and
cared for by themselves and not by others outside of the State.
Assuring these poor people that their actual condition should be
made known to their own people, through the authoritative means of
the Red Cross, and that the)^ should be speedily cared for, we bade
them farew^ell and hurried away to Dallas, where we intended to send
out a statement to the people of the State.
Arriving there, we sought an intervaew with Colonel Belo of the
Dallas Nc7vs and laid before him the result of our observations. He
placed the columns of his paper at our disposal, and through them we
enlightened the people of the true status of affairs in their own State.
The response was as quick as it was gratifying, and thence onward
there was no further necessity for appealing to anyone outside of the
State limits. Indeed, that act in the first place was the greatest mis-
take, as to the average Texan, feeling a genuine pride in the State's
wealth and resources, it savored of frauds and imposition, and prejudiced
him against the brother who would pass him by and appeal to outsiders.
The Texas Legislature appropriated one hundred thousand dollars
foi food, and in the meantime rain began to fall and the entire aspect
THE TKXAS FAMINK. i39
of affairs began to change for the better. But there were still many
needs unprovided for — clothing, fuel, seeds for gardens and fields, live
stock and many other things — and it vi^as necessary to place these needs
before the people. This the Nezvs took upon itself to do; and upon my
suggestion it opened a popular subscription and announced that it
would receive contributions of seed or cash and would publish the same
from day- to day and turn them over to the constituted authorities
appointed to disburse them. In order to encourage the movement I
inaugurated it with the first subscription, and from that time until
now I do not believe any one has heard of any need in Texas that has
not been taken care of by her own people.
Congress had appropriated ten thousand dollars for seed to be
given the Texas drouth sufferers; but President Clev'eland promptly
vetoed the act and thereby laid himself open to a greal deal of unkind
criticism. He was right, however, and by his resolute action saved
the nation's money and the State's pride. I know that it must have
been an unpleasant duty for the President to feel compelled to apply
his pruning knife to that tender shoot, for he was one of the first to
respond with his own personal check to the call for aid for the drouth
sufferers; and the subject had always held his kindly interest.
The services of the Red Cross, beyond those given by its presi-
dent and field agent in making their investigation, were not required
in this emergency; and as we had ^^erformed the duty most needed, viz. :
to unravel the misunderstanding and rightly inform the people of the
true condition of affairs in the stricken district, we concluded that our
task was ended and that we could return to our home.
On our return to Washington the following report was made to the
President:
February ip, iSSp.
To the Presidcfit of the United States:
Mr. President — I have not been unmindful of your distinguished
permission to write you concerning the condition of the people of
Texas suffering from the drouth. Desiring to spare your time and
labor so far as possible, I delayed my communication until the investi-
gations should be completed, and my opinions in regard to the extent
of their necessities, and the sources from \vhich relief should properly
emanate, could be satisfactorily .settled in my own mind.
The prime reason for my going in person, to Texas was my entire
inability to solve the mystery of why Texas was not equal to the care
of its own poor and the meeting of its own calamities. T could not
140 Till-: RICI) CROSvS.
comprehend how a couple of seasons of drouth in one sparsely settled
corner of an old State of six millions of acres, with a treasury out of
debt, should throw the people of that State upon the charity of the
other States, or upon the support of the general government. My
investigations brought to light the following perplexed conditions:
She had contending interests between her original cattlemen who
wanted the lands left open, and the farmers who came in to settle them
up; the former placing every obstacle, like the cutting of fences and
driving off stock, in the way of the little immigrant!
A second conflicting interest arose between these same original
lords of the soil — the free ranchmen — and those, who, through railroad
grants or purchase, had become actual owners of land which they
desired to sell, and for this purpose, and to this end, held out unwar-
ranted inducements, clothed in glowing descriptions, both false and
dangerous, to encourage innnigration, for which no preparation against
the failure of crops from any cause, or toward the opening of industries
of any other kind had been made — not even the taking care to leave a
small sum at the discretion of the governor in case any harm might
befall these newly invited citizens. The immigrants, on their part,
coming, as they had been instructed to believe, into a semi-tropical
climate, with exhaustless soil covered with almost perpetual verdure,
made no provisions beyond the wants of the hour. One looked long
and generally in vain for some trace of a cellar, or storehouse, or barn,
or even the marks of some former hayrick, which might betoken some
thought of provision for the future on the part of these so-called farmers.
Pioneer like, they had wasted what they could not at the moment use.
In this condition the drouth struck this section of the country.
Fearing the effect of these conflicting interests, the mistake was
made of their coming out of the State to solicit aid, in the place of
turning bravely and confidently to the people of her rich Southern
sections for help among themselves.
Again, the mistake of overstatement was made, and a poj^ulation
of thousands represented as ' ' starving, ' ' when in reality no one had
starved nor was expected to. They were in far too great want, but
not "starving." These statements served to mortify and incense the
people, and to turn the strength of nearly the entire press of the State
against the statements of those representing the distress, and literally to
kill all help from both without and within.
Added to this, the courtesy of the railroads entering the State, and
which at the first call for help had generously offered free freight on all
THK TEXAS FAMINE.
t4i
gifts for the drouth sufferers, had most unfortunately been abused, and
the occasion used by dealers to send goods in free to their customers
for sale. This had the effect in ten days to shut off all free railroad
transportation into the State, and thus it remains to-day, and th'^^
freight on a carload of gift oats from the grain centres of the North-
west would exceed their value when there.
These were a part of the perplexing conditions which confrontea
me upon my arrival in Albany, January, 1887.
The Legislature was occupied in electing a senator, and so con-
tinued during two weeks, paying no attention to the Relief bill before
it. Meanwhile, I occupied myself in traveling by private conveyance
among the people, learning their conditions from themselves. They
suffered every necessity but homelcssjiess, and this was the worst feature
in the case Lacking this, they would have felt justified in going away
and seeking plenty in the homes of others; but how to pick up their
unfed children and travel out, leaving their few cattle to the cowboys
and the farm to the tax collector.
I attempted to write the real state of things to you; but of what
use? I might as well have sent you a tangled skein of silk to pick out
for the winding. It was clearh^ no case for a great call for charity
from the people at large, neither for governmental aid. Te.xas was a
thousand times equal to it herself, when once she looked it clearly in
the face and set about the work. This she at length connnenced by
an appropriation of $100,000 for food.
As good fortune would have it, rains commenced, the wheat was
apparently saved, and hope revived. There was still need for s'aple
grains at once to plant and sow the fields. These must come from the
people within the State, as they had closed all avenues from without,
and it was proper they should furnish them. But it could only be
accomplished by the aid of the press, which was still pointing its horns
at John Brown, who persisted in declaring that ' ' a million of dollars
must come from Congress or the people of the North." There was no
way but to reach the press, and turn its powers in the true direction.
The arrangement was not difficult for us to make. The colunnis
of both the Dallas and Galveston News are open for a " Seed Fund "
from the State, pledged to close them only when the need is met. I left
that night, feeling that the skein was unraveled, and our part of the
work done.
I thank you with all my heart, Mr. President, for the encourage-
ment given me at the connnencement, and the privilege of writing ytm.
,4J THK RED CROSS.
I have done this little bit of work faithfully, and hope it may meet
your approval. I am home, with scarcely strength to leave my bed,
but I trust we have heard the last of " Texas drouth.''
I have the honor to be,
Most respectfully,
Clara Barton.
THE MOUNT VERNON CYCLONE.
ILLINOIS.
UNDAY, February 19, 1888, will ever be a memorable day
in the annals of the little town of Mount Vernon, 111. —
a day of supreme horrors, destruction and death. There
had been thunder and lightning during the afternoon,
followed b)' rain and hail, which had given away to an
ominous stillness. The sky was covered with a wierd
light, and the air was strangely oppressive. The clouds
rapidly changed color, rolling and whirling, and dropping nearer to
the earth, until suddenly they assumed the dreaded shape of a huge
funnel or inverted cone, which came whirling along with an awful
roar, and within three minutes after the fury of the storm had struck
the town, thirty people had been killed and scores of others injured,
and an immense amount of property destroyed.
Mount Vernon is the county seat of Jefferson county, and con-
tained four thousand inhabitants. It was a pretty and prosperous
place; its business centre surrounded a public square, whose four sides
were lined with stores, and the middle ground occupied by the
county court house, a fine three-story building; its broad streets were
bordered with shade trees and lighted by electricity.
The cyclone cut a broad swath through the eastern half of the
town, destroying everything in its path, tearing down brick hou.ses,
uprooting trees, and picking up small wooden houses and carrying
them along as if they were made of cardboard, and finallj' dashing
them to pieces against more substantial obstacles. In a very few
minutes after the storm had passed, the sun shone out brightly, but
on what a scene! The air was filled with cries of anguish coming
from the maimed sufferers crushed under the ruins, and with the wail-
ings for the dead and missing.
To add to the horrors already wrought, fire broke out in a dozen
places. Those who were uninjured quickly came to the rescue,
quenching the flames and exerting themselves to relieve the unfor-
tunate victims, who were, in most ca.ses, pinned down under the
(145)
T46 THE RKD CROSS.
wreckage of their houses. All night long these brave men and women
worked, antl whcMi morning came the few houses that remained stand-
ing were filled with the dead and injured.
Appeals for assistance were sent out to the people of the country,
but through an improper statement of the situation, the public was
misled, and not realizing the pressing needs of the stricken com-
munity, failed to take up the matter in a business-like manner, and
the town was left to suffer for a little of the great abundance that was
around them. In their extremity the despairing citizens appealed
to the Red Cross for aid, which responded at once.
A most deplorable situation was presented: the people were
homeless and helpless, neglected, and in a state of mind bordering on
insanity.
After a somewhat hasty examination of the situation, the follow-
ing simple message was sent to both the Associated and the United
Press :
The pitiless snow is falling on the heads of three thousand people who are
without homes, without food or clothing and without money.
Clara Barton.
With only this little word to explain the needs, our generous
American people responded promptly and liberally, as they always do
when they fully understand what is needed.
It was unnecessary to remain longer than two weeks with these
people, who, as soon as they recovered from the first shock of their
great misfortune, and when they felt that kind friends were by their
side, lending them moral and substantial support, manfully commenced
to bring order out of chaos, to rebuild their town and resume their
usual avocations. Large quantities of relief supplies of all kinds
quickly came to hand, and when we were ready to leave them, the
Citizens' Committee had in its treasury a cash balance of ninety
thousand dollars. And thus, with their blessings ringing in our ears,
we left them.
We were scarcely home from Mount Vernon when the yellow fever
of Florida broke out in the summer and autumn of 1888.
YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC IN FLORIDA.
i^URING the month of August, 1888, yellow fever broKe
out in Jacksonville, and in September it was declared to
be epidemic, the usual alarm and exodus of citizens taking
place. On September eighth heroic measures to depopulate
the city were taken. Every person that was still well and
could leave was requested to go; very little urging was
necessary. Camps were established outside of the city,
where those who had not the means to go further and get better
quarters were enabled to live under medical surveillance, and away
from the seat of infection.
The Mayor of Jacksonville had made an appeal for doctors and
nurses, which had been quickly responded to, and they were doing
everything possible to attend to the rapidly increasing number of
patients.
On the formation of the Red Cross Society of New Orleans in 1893,
it had been carefully and wisely arranged that in case of yellow fever
becoming epidemic in any place, no unacclimated persons, or those not
immune, should be sent as assistants by the Red Cross. New Orleans
was the home of the famous "Old Howard Association," that had
won its reputation and worn its grateful renown from the horrors of
Memphis to the present time. This body freely united with the Red
Cross of New Orleans, and it was arranged that the southern states,
through this society, should provide all Red Cross nurses for yellow
fever, and that the northern portion of the country should raise the
money to pay and provide them. We felt this to be a security, and
an immediate provision which the country had never before known.
Fearing that this might not, at its first inception, be fully understood,
I called at once on Dr. Hamilton, then in charge of the Marine
Hospital, explaining it to him, and offering all the nurses that could
be required, even to hundreds, all experienced and organized for
immediate action. Perhaps it was not strange that a provision so
new and so unknown in the sad history' of plagues and epidemics,
should have seemed Eutopian, and as such been brushed aside as not
only useless, but self-seeking and obtrusive. Like the entire organi-
9 (147)
148 THE RKI) CROSS.
zatioii of which it was a i)art, it had to wait and win its way
against custom or even prejudice, b\' honest worth and stern neces-
sity. It was the "old, old story." The world takes reform hard
and slow.
As it was, however, we did what we could. Headquarters were
established at the Rij^gs House in Washington. The good hearted
people of the north who felt that they must go to Florida, had by some
means gotten the idea that they must have a pass from the Central
Conunittee of the Red Cross in order to go. They came to us in
hundreds and were mercifully held back from a scourge for which
they would have been both food and fuel. Whilst the entire people
of the country in pity and horror at the reports received, were holding
meetings, raising money, and pouring funds like water into the
doomed city of Jacksonville, where the scourge had centered, and to
which every effort was made to confine it.
Not realizing the opposition there might prove to be to our nurses,
we called upon their old time leader. Colonel F. R. Southmayd, the
efficient secretary of the Red Cross Society of New Orleans, instructing
him to enlist a body of nurses and take them at once to the fever
district. He enlisted thirty, both men and women, white and
colored, took a part with him, the remainder following next day.
Colonel Southmayd, Southern born and bred, was a man of quick
impulse and intense feelings; his heart was warm with the love of
humanity and the sense of justice. He had been identified with the
old Howard Association almost from its inception, and had worked
through every epidemic of fever or other disease that had afflicted
the South since the war; and he knew full well the value of the
services of his chosen nurses. He strongly resented the injustice that
he felt they were receiving, and naturally became involved in an
unfortunate altercation with his superiors. In order to restore peace
and remove an impediment to effective work, I withdrew the Colonel,
requesting him to come to Washington and assist the Central Com-
mittee.
He came in obedience to the call, but burning with a sense of
indignity and injustice to himself and the faithful suffering nurses he
had brought — even with the lack of the good right arm which had
swung his sword for the Confederate cause till it dropped from the
shoulder, he was not an easy man to hold; but duty to the Red
Cross, which he loved, and loyalty to its officers, whom he honored,
YELLOW FEVI«:R EPIDEMIC IN FLORIDA. 149
hold him quiet. He would never return 10 New Orleans, but at length
retired to some northern city, where, after a few years he died,
beloved and respected by those who knew his proud high soul, sterling
worth and devotion to humanity.
His was one of the strong hearts that carried the impress of its
memories and griefs to the grave, and we always felt that somewhere
on that heart that had ceased to beat could have been found a spot still
bruised and sore on which was written Jacksonville.
Refugees who had fled from Jacksonville, carried the plague to
several smaller places in the surrounding country, where in some
instances it acquired quite a foothold ; but owing to their obscurity and
the lack of communication with the outside world, they were left
alone to fight the disease as best they could. Among these places
was the little town of MacClcnny, where as soon as it became known
that there was a case of fever within its limits, all trains were ordered
to rush through without stopping, and an armed quarantine was placed
around it with orders to shoot anyone attempting to leave the town.
Thus left to their fate, without doctors, nurses or food, in any quantity,
their situation was pitiable. There were a number of volunteers who
had made attempts to get into MacClenny, but owing to the unreason-
ing panic existing, they were not permitted to enter the place.
Colonel Southmayd had heard of these neglected people, and he
succeeded while en route to Jacksonville in dropping off ten nurses so
much needed at MacClenny. How he did this, I have told in a little
brochure entitled " The MacClenny Nurses," that was issued at the
close of the year 1888 as a holiday greeting, and intended as a public
acknowledgment of the appreciation in which the Red Cross held
those noble men and women who braved everything that they might
serve their stricken brethren. Following is the story:
I50 THIv RICD CROSS.
"THE MacCLENNY NURwSES.'
A HOLIDAY TRIBUTE
TO
RED CROSS WORKERS,
IN
fVatvn appreciation and grateful acknowledgment of the faithful hand's,
thai toiled, and the generous hearts that gave.
BY
Clara Barton,
President of the American Association of the Red Crost.
"THE MACCLENNY NURSES."
During the fourth week in November a dispatch to National Headquarters
announced that the last band of Red Cross nurses, known as the MacClenny
nurses, had finished their work at Enterprise, and would come into Camp Perry
to wait their ten days' quarantine and go home to New Orleans for Thanks-
giving.
Seventy-nine days ago that would mean that their little company of
eighteen, mainly women, steaming on to Jacksonville, under guidance of their
old-time trusted leader, vSouthmayd, of New Orleans, listened to his announce-
ment that the town of MacClenny, thirty-eight miles from Jacksonville, Florida,
and through which they would soon pass, was in a fearful state of distress; a
comparatively new town, of a few thousand, largely Northern and Western peo-
ple, suddenl}' stricken down in scores; poor, helpless, physicians all ill, and
no nurses; quarantined on all sides, no food, medicine, nor comforts for sick
or well.
"Nurses, shall I leave a part of you there; the train cannot stop in, nor
near the town, but if I can manage to get it slowed up somewhere, will you
jump?"
"We will do anything you say. Colonel; we are here in God's name and
service to help His people; for Him, for you, and for the Red Cross, we will
do our best and our all. "
"Conductor, you had a hot box a few miles back; don't you think it should
be looked to after passing MacClenny?"
"I will slow up and have it seen to. Colonel, although it may cost me my
oflBcial head." And it did.
One mile be3-ond town, the rain pouring in torrents, the ground soaked,
slippery, and caving, out into pitchy darkness, leaped three men and seven
women from a puffing, unsteady train, no physician with them, and no instruc-
tions save the charge of their leader as the last leap was made, and fhe train
pushed on. "Nurses, you know what to do; go and do your best, and God
YELLOW FJvVI-:r epidemic IX FLORIDA. 151
help you." Hand to hand, that none go astray in the darkness, they hobbled
back over a mile of slippery cross-ties to the stricken town. Shelter was found,
the wet clothes dried, and at midnight the sick had been parceled out, each
nurse had his or her quota of patients, and were in for the issue, be it life or
death. Those past all help must be seen through, and lost, all that could be
nmst be saved. The next day a dispatch from Southmayd went back to New
Orleans for Dr. Gill, a Norwegian by birth, tall, straight, honest, and true as
the pines of his nativeland, to come and take charge of the sick and the nurses
at MacClenny. It was done, and under his wise direction they found again a
leader. Their labors and successes are matters for later and more extended record.
It is to be borne in mind that these nurses found no general table, no table
at all but such as they could provide, find the food for, and cook for them-
selves, for the sick, the children, and the old and helpless who had escaped the
fever and must be cared fur. No patient could be left till the crisis was passed,
and many are their records of seventy-two hours without change or sleep or
scarcely sitting down. As the disease gradually succumbed to their watchful
care, experience and skill, they reached out to other freshly attacked towns and
hamlets. Sanderson and Glen St. Mary's became their charge, and return their
blessings for life preserved.
On November first it was thought they could safely leave and go into camp
for quarantine; but no regular train would be permitted to take them. The
Red Cross secured and paid a special train for them, and, as if in bold relief
against the manner of their entry seven weeks before, the entire town, saving
its invalids, was assembled at the station at seven o'clock in the morning to bid
them good-by and God-speed.
But their fame had gone before them, and "Enterprise," a hundred miles
below, just stricken down among its flowers and fruits, reached out its hand
for aid, and with one accord after two days in camp, all turned back from the
coveted home and needed rest and added another month of toil to their already
weary record. At length this was ended, and word came again to us that they
would go into quarantine. Their unselfish, faithful, and successful record
demanded something more than the mere sending of money. It deserved the
thanks of the Red Cross organization in the best and highest manner in which
they could be bestowed; it was decided that its president, in per.son, should
most fittingly do this, and accordingly left Washington on the morning of
November twenty-second in company with Dr. Hubbell, Field Agent, for
Camp Perry, the quarantine station of Florida. Two days and one night by
rail, a few miles across country by wagon, where trains were forbidden to stop,
and another mile or so over the trestles of St. Mary's on a dirt car with the
workmen, brought us into camp as the evening fires were lighted and the bugle
sounded su^^per. The genial surgeon in charge, Dr. Hutton, who carried a
knapsack and musket in an Illinois regiment in '62, met us cordially and
extended every possible hospitality. Soon there filed past us to supper the tall
doctor and his little flock; some light and fair-skinned, with the easy step of
a well-bred lady, others dark and bony-handed, but the strong kind faces below
the turbans told at a glance that you could trust your life there and find it again.
They were not disturbed that night, and no certain information of our arrival
got among them. It was cold and windy, and the evening short, as nine
152 Till-: RKD CROSS.
o'clock brouglit laps and lights out. In spite of all caution the news of our
coming hail spread over the surrounding country, and telegrams bringing both
thanks for what had been received and the needs for more, came from all sides,
and the good mayor of MacClenny made his troubled way to reach and greet us
in person, and take again the faithful hands that had served and saved his people.
Surgeon Hutton's headijuarter tent was politely tendered for the first meeting,
and as one could never, while memory lasts, forget this scene, so no words can
ever adequately describe it. The ample tent was filled. Here on the right the
maj'or, broad shouldered, kind faced and efficient, officers of camp, and many
visitors, wondering what it all meant ; in the centre the tall doctor and his
faithful band. Eliza Lanier, Lena Seymour (mother and daughter), Elizabeth
Eastman, Harriet Schmidt, Lizzie Louis, Rebecca Vidal, Annie Evans, Arthur
Duteil, Frederick Wilson and Edward Holyland.
I give these names because they are worthy a place in the history of any
epidemic; but no country, race, nor creed could claim them as a body: four
Americans, one German, one French, one Irish, three Africans, part Protestant,
and part Catholic, but all from New Orleans, of grand old Howard stock, from
Memphis down, nursing in every epidemic from the bayous of the Mississippi
to Tampa Bay ; and hereafter we will know them as the ' ' Old Guard. ' '
Here, in the winds of approaching winter they stand in the light garb of
early September in New Orleans, thin, worn, longing for home, but patient,
grateful and glad. Some trifling "nubia" or turban about the head, but only
one distinguishing feature in common. A pitiful little misshapen Red Cross,
made by their own hands, of two bits of scarlet ribbon, soiled, fringed, and
tattered, pinned closely upon the left breast of each, strove in mute appeal to
say who they were, and what they served. A friendly recognition and some
words of thanks from their president, opened the way for those anxious to fol-
low. The rich, warm eloquence of Mayor Watkins plainl}' told from how near
his heart the stream of gratitude w^as flowing, and his manly voice trembled as
he reverted to the condition of his stricken people, on that pitiless night, when
this little band of pilgrim strangers strayed back to them in the rain and dark-
ness. "I fear they often worked in hunger," he said, "for then, as now, we
had little for ourselves, our sick, or our well ; but they brought us to our feet,
and the blessing of every man, woman and child in MacClenny is on them. "
It was with a kind of paternal pride that Dr. Gill advanced and placed
before us his matchless record of cases attended, and life preserved. "This is
the record of our work," he said. "lam proud of it, and glad that I have been
able to make it, but without the best efforts of these faithful nurses I could not
have done it; they have stood firm through everything; not a word of complaint
from, nor of, one of them, in all these trying months, and I thank you, our
president, for this opportunity to testify to their merits in your presence."
The full cups overflowed, and as we took each brown calloused hand in ours,
and felt the warm tears dropping over them, we realized how far from calloused
were the hearts behind them. The silence that followed was a season of prayer.
Then came opportunity for some conversation, questions and explanations.
"We wish to introduce to our president our chief nurse, whom Colonel South-
mayd placed in charge of us when we left the car, and directed us to obey him ;
he is younger than any of us, Ed. Holyland." A slight young man with clear.
YKLLOW FKVKR KPIDKMIC IX laORIDA. 153
olive complexion, and dark browed, earnest eyes that looked you straight In
the face, came forward; his apparent youthfulness gave rise to the 6rst remark:
"How old are you, Mr. Holyland?"
"Twenty-nine, madam. "
"And you have taken charge of these nurses?"
"Iliave done what I could for their comfort; I think that was what the
Colonel desired; he k::ew they would need only care and advice, they would do
their best of themselves. During the few days that Colonel Southmayd remained
in Jack.sonville, " he contiimed, "he was able to send us some such comforts as
we needed for the sick, and some nourishing food for ourselves; but this was
only a few days, you know, and after that we got on as well as we could with-
out. I know that after he left the nurses gave to the sick, the children, the old
and the helpless, what they needed for tlieir own strength."
"But you did not tell us this, INIr. Holyland."
"No, we were dazed and frightened by the things we heard. We felt that
your organization was having enough to bear. We knew we must look to you
for our pay, and we thought, under the circumstances, that would be your
share. But permit me, please, to call your attention to Mr. Wilson (a stout
colored man advanced), who took charge of a little hospital of six cases, and
carried them all through day and night without an hour's relief from any per-
son, and saved every case."
"And permit me," chimed in the clear-toned Irish voice of Lizzie Louis,
"to tell of Mr. Holyland himself, who found a neglected Italian family a mile
or more outside of the town. He went and nursed them alone, and when the
young son, a lad of thirteen or fourteen years died, knowing there was no one
to bury him there, he wrapped him in a blanket and brought him into town on
his back, for burial. ' '
Holyland's face grew sad, and his eyes modestly sought the floor, as he
listened to this unexpected revelation.
"I wish to speak of something else," added one of the men, "which we
were held back from doing, and for which we are now very glad. We should
not have thought of it ourselves. It is customary," he continued, "when a
patient dies in an epidemic, to give the nur.se ten dollars for preparing the body
for burial; this was done in our first case, but Mr. Holyland had the gift promptly
returned with thanks, and the explanation that we were employed by an organ-
ization which fully rewarded its nurses, and was too high and too correct to
accept tribute for misfortune; it was enough that the patient was lost."
By this time poor black Annie Evans, the "]Mannny" of the group, could
hold quiet no longer, and broke silence with, "Missus President! whar is de
Colonel? Colonel Southmayd; dey tells uie all de time he's gone away from
New Orleans, and I can't b'l'eve 'em. He can't go away; he can't lib any-
whar else, he was always dar. I'se nursed in yellow fever and cholera more'n
twenty-five year, and I neberwent for nobody but him; it arn't no New Orleans
for uswidout him dar. I doesn't know de name of dat place dey say he's gone
to, and I doesn't want to; he'll be in New Orleans when we gets dar. "
There were pitying glances among the group, at this little burst of feeling,
for in some way it was an echo of their own ; and Lena Seymour added tenderly :
154 THK RED CROSS.
"We have been Iryiiij^ fi)r these two months to convince "Maiumy" about this,
but she is firm in her faith and sometimes refuses to hear us. " But the subject
changed with "How many cases did you lose in this epidemic, Mammy?"
"I didn't lose no cases! Lor' bless you, honey, I doesn't lose cases if dey
hasn't been killed afore dey gets to me; folks needn't die of yellow fever."
We didn't suppose that "Mammy" intended any reflection upon the medi-
cal fraternity.
"Bu^ now, friends, we must turn to our settlement, which cannot be diffi-
cult. Three dollars a day for each nurse, for seventy-nine days, till you are
home on Thanksgiving morning. But here are only ten. There are eighteen
on our list who left with you and Colonel Southmayd ; where are your com-
rades?" Some eyes flashed and some moistened, as they answered, "We do
not know." "They remained in the car that night, and went on to Jackson-
ville." Swift, dark glances swept from one to another among them. Instinc-
tively they drew closer to each other, and over knitted l)rowsand firmly set teeth,
a silence fell dark and ominous like a pall, which the future alone can lift.
The bugle sounded dinner, and this ended our little cauiij-meeting, than
which, few camp-meetings we believe, ever came nearer to the heart of Him
who ofTercil His life a ransom, and went about doing good.
The winds blew cold acro.ss the camp; the fires shot out long angry tongues
of flame and drifts of smoke to every passer-by. The norther was upon us.
Night came down, and all were glad of shelter and sleep. The morning, quiet,
crisp, and white with frost, revealed the blessing which had fallen upon a
stricken land.
Thanksgiving was there before its time. The hard rules relaxed. One day
more, and the quarantine was at an end. The north-bound train halted below
the camp, and all together, president and agent, tall doctor and happy nurses,
took places on it. The first for headquarters at Washington, the last for New
Orleans, and home for Thanksgiving morning, full of the joys of a duty well
done, rich in well-paid labor in the love of those they had befriended and the
approval of a whole people south and north when once their work should be
known to them.
To the last they clung to their little home-made Red Crosses as if they had
been gold and diamonds; and when at length, the tracks diverged and the part-
ing must be made, it was with few words, low and softly spoken, but meaning
much; with a finger touch upon the little cross, "When you want us, we are
there. ' '
The fever spread during the fall to several points in Georgia,
Alabama and Mississippi, and resulted in the usual panic and flight
from many places; but happily the disease got no great headway before
the frost put an end to its career.
It was late in November when we closed this work; worn and dis-
heartened as we were by both the needful and the needless hardships
of the campaign, we were glad of the two or three months in which no
call for action was made upon us.
THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD.
the thirty-first of May the knell of disaster rang over the
entire world, and we were sharply reminded that the need
of the Red Cross is ever present, and that its members
must hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's
notice. The news of the awful calamity of Johnstown, Pa.,
with all its horrors, appalled us ; and so frightful and improb-
able were the reports, that it required twenty-four hours to
satisfy ourselves that it was not a canard.
In order to get an intelligent idea of this disaster and the terrible
damage wrought by the irresistible waters, it may be well to give
a short sketch of the city of Johnstown and its adjacent surround-
ings. Before the flood there were thirty thousand people in this
busy community, which embraced the city of Johnstown proper and
numerous suburbs. The city is situated at the junction of Stony
Creek and the Little Conemaugh, forming the Conemaugh River.
These streams are liable to sudden overflows, and owing to the
contraction of the waterway in the lower part of the city by
the dumping of cinders and slag from the large iron works on the
banks of the stream, and also encroachments by riparian owners, the
upper portion of the city is liable to inundations. About nine miles
above the city a dam had been thrown across the Little Conemaugh
River many years ago for commercial purposes, but had been abandoned
and the site with much surrounding property had been subsequently
purchased by a sporting club, whose membership embraced some of
the wealthiest citizens of Pennsylvania. These gentlemen were
attracted by the picturesque scenery, and the hunting and fishing
of the vicinity, and they spent thousands of dollars in improving
and beautifying their holdings. The dam was raised to a height of
over seventy feet and held an immense body of water covering many
acres.
This large mass of water was a constant source of fear to the in-
habitants of the lower valleys, who were aware of the danger that
(157)
158 THK RED CROSS.
threatened them ; and many protests were made against the continu-
ance of the danger, but owing to the prominence of the owners of the
dam, and the strong social and political influence they exerted, they
remained unmolested in the possession of the monster that was to break
its bounds and carry death and destruction in its pitiless pathway.
A steady rainfall for several days in the latter part of May caused
overflows in all the streams in western Pennsylvania, and much of the
city of Johnstown was already under water to a depth of from two to
ten feet, wlien suddenly the dam over the Little Conemaugh gave way,
and its flood, resembling a moving mountain of water thirty feet high,
was precipitated upon the doomed city. Numbers of the inhabitants,
who had carried the fear of this disaster in their minds for years,
had become so alarmed by the long continued rains, and the floods that
were already upon them, took their families and fled to the high
grounds on the hillsides. But the great majority of the people,
who, though fully aware of the danger, had lived with it so long that
they had become careless and indifierent, took no precautions whatever.
These were overwhelmed by the tide almost without warning, and
before they could seek safety were swept away.
The number of lives lost will never be accurately known ; but in
all probability it reached in the entire valley nearly five thousand.
It is said that property to the amount of twelve millions of dollars was
absolutely lost.
It was at the moment of supreme affliction when we arrived at
Johnstown. The waters had subsided, and those of the inhabitants
who had escaped the fate of their fellows, were gazing over the scene
of destruction and trying to arouse themselves from the lethargy that
had taken hold of them when they were stunned by the realization of all
the woe that had been visited upon them. How nobly they responded
to the call of duty ! How much of the heroic there is in our people
when it is needed ! No idle murmurings of fate, but true to the god-
like instincts of manhood and fraternal love, they quickly banded
together to do the best that the wisest among them could suggest.
For five weary months it was our portion to live amid these scenes
of destruction, desolation, poverty, want and woe; sometimes in tents,
sometimes without; in rain and mud, and a lack of the commonest
comforts, until we could build houses to shelter ourselves and those
around us. Without a safe, and with a dry goods box for a desk, we
conducted financial affairs in money and material to the extent of
nearly half a million dollars.
I shall never lose the memorj' of my first walk on the day of our
THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. 159
arrival — the wading in mud, the climbing over broken engines, cars,
heaps of iron rollers, broken timbers, wrecks of houses; bent rail-
way tracks tangled with piles of iron wire; among bands of workmen,
squads of military, and getting around the bodies of dead animals,
and often people being borne away; — the smouldering fires and
drizzling rain — all for the purpose of officially announcing to the com-
manding general (for the place was under martial law) that the Red
Cross had arrived on the field. I could not have puzzled General
Hastings more if I had addressed him in Chinese; and if ours had
been truly an Oriental mission, the gallant soldier could not have
been more courteous and kind. He immediately set about devising
means for making as comfortable as possible a "poor, lone woman,"
helpless, of course, upon such a field! It was with considerable difficulty
that he could be convinced that the Red Cross had a way of taking care
of itself at least, and was not likely to suffer from neglect. I don't
believe he quite got over his mistrust until a week later, when
carloads of lumber from Iowa and Illinois began to come in consigned
to the president of the Red Cross. As this was the only lumber that
had come, the military were constrained to "borrow" from us in
order to erect quarters in which to entertain the Governor of the State
on the occasion of his first visit.
Our first duty was to study the situation and take up the line of
relief as necessities developed and opportunities presented. Western
Pennsylvania and Ohio had been " instant in season." Pittsburg had
mainly provided for the survivors who were injured. Ohio had sent
its troops under its eSicient Adjutant-General Axline ; and food, the
first necessity, was literally pouring in from every available source.
But the wherewithal to put and keep clothes upon this denuded
city full of people, and something to sleep on at night was a problem ;
and shelter for them, a present impossibility. The possible must be
attempted.
The first days brought in dispatches and letters to the amount of
about a hundred a day, tendering sympathy, offering help, and giving
notice of material and money sent. We were then living in tents and
working literally night and day, some of us at work all the time.
From one mammoth tent, which served as a warehouse, food and
clothing were given out to the waiting people through the hands of
such volunteer agents, both women and men, as I scarcely dare hope
ever to see gathered together in one work again. The great cry which
had gone out had aroused the entire country, and our old-time helpers,
full of rich experience and still riclier love for the work, faithful to the
i6o THK RKI) CROSvS.
cross of humanity as the devotee to the cross of the Master, came up
from every point — the floods, the cyclones, the battlefields — and kneel-
ing before the shrine, pledged heart and service anew to the work.
Fair hands laying aside their diamonds, and business men their cares,
left homes of elegance and luxury to open rough boxes and barrels,
handle second-hand clothing, eat coarse food at rough board tables,
sleep on boxes under a dripping canvas tent, all for the love of humanity
symbolized in the little flag that floated above them.
Clergymen left their pulpits, and laymen their charge to tramp
over the hillsides from house to house, find who needed and suffered,
and to carry to them from our tents on their shoulders, like beasts of
burden, the huge bundles of relief, where no beast of burden could
reach.
Let it not be supposed that all this was accomplished without per-
plexity to someone. Goods came in from many sources of transport,
five entries by freight and express requiring to be constantly watched ;
for, strange to say, there is no work in which people grow more reck-
less, selfish and jealous, than in the distribution of charities. Persons
outside grew anxious that the receipt of goods was not acknowledged
before they were received ; that checks were not drawn and returned
before the bank safes were out of the mud ; and that houses were not
built and the people living in them before it was possible to find a cleared
spot for a little tent in which a workman could sleep at night. We
finally found space, however, for the erection of a pine warehouse, fifty
by one hundred and fifty feet in dimensions in the centre of the old
town. The building was put up in four days, and, still in the rain,
our accumulation of supplies was removed to it on the first of July.
We had been early requested by official resolution of the Finance
Committee of the city of Johnstown to aid them in the erection of
houses. We accepted the invitation, and at the same time proposed
to aid in furnishing the nucleus of a household for the homes which
should in any way be made up. This aid seemed imperative, as
nothing was left for them to commence living with, neither beds,
chairs, tables, nor cooking utensils of any kind; and there were few if
any stores open, and no furniture in town.
It now became possible to more fully systematize the work; and a
committee of Johnstown ladies of every denomination was formed, at
our request, to receive the people and ascertain their greatest wants,
which were carefully noted on printed blanks to be returned to us.
These wants we undertook to fill without further trouble to the people
themselves.
THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. 161
The result of this committee's work was the written requests of
three thousand families, aggregating eighteen thousand persons, to be
served, in addition to two thousand others whom we had previously
promised to help.
The great manufacturers of the country, and the heavy contrib-
uting agents, on learning our intentions, sent, without a hint from us,
many of their articles, as for instance. New Bedford, Mass., sent
mattresses and bedding; Sheboygan, Wis., sent furniture and enameled
ironware; Titusville, Pa., with a population of ten thousand, sent
ten thousand dollars' worth of its well-made bedsteads, springs, exten-
sion tables, chairs, stands and rockers; and the well-known New York
newspaper. The Mail aiid Express^ sent car loads of mattresses,
feather pillows, bed-clothing, — sheets, and pillow slips by the thousand,
and cooking utensils by the ten thousands. Six large teams were in
constant service delivering these goods.
When the contributions slackened or ceased, and more material
was needed, we purchased of the same firms which had contributed,
keeping our stock good until all applications were filled. The record
on our books showed that over twenty-five thousand persons had been
directly served by us. They had received our help independently and
without begging. No child has learned to beg at the doors of the Red
Cross.
Meanwhile our building contracts were not neglected. It is to be
borne in mind that the fury of the deluge had swept almost entirely
the homes of the wealthy, the elegant, the cultured leaders of society,
and the fathers of the town. This class who were spared, were
more painfully homeless than the poor, who could still huddle in
together. They could not go away, for the sujffering and demoralized
town needed their care and oversight more than ever before. There
was no home for them, nowhere to get a meal of food or to sleep. Still
they must work on, and the stranger coming to town on business must
go unfed, and return to Cressou at night, if he would .sleep, or, indeed,
escape being picked up by the military guard.
To meet these necessities, and being apprehensive that some good
lives might go out under the existing lack of accommodations, it was
decided to erect a building similar to our warehouse. The use of the
former site of the Episcopal Church was generously tendered us by the
bishop early in June, for any purpose we might desire. This house,
which was soon erected, was known as the " Locust Street Red Cross
Hotel ;" it stood some fifty yards from our warehouse, and was fifty by
one hundred and sixteen feet in dimensions, two stories in height,
102 THIv KKD CROSS.
with lantern roof, built of hemlock, single siding, papered inside with
heavy building paper, and heated by natural gas, as all our buildings
were. It consisted of thirty-four rooms, besides kitchen, laundry,
bath rooms with hot and cold water, and one main dining-hall and sit-
ting room through the centre, sixteen feet in width by one hundred in
length with second floor gallery.
It was fully furnished with excellent beds, bedding, bureaus,
tables, chairs and all needful housekeeping furniture. A competent
landlady, who like the rest, had a few weeks before floated down over
that same ground on the roof of her house in thirty feet of water five
miles below the city, rescued in a tree top, was placed in charge, with
instructions to keep a good house, make what she could, rent free, but
charging no Johnstown person over twenty-five cents for a meal of
food.
This was the first attempt at social life after that terrible separation,
and its success was something that I am very glad of. The house
was full of townspeople from the first day, and strangers no longer
looked in vain for accommodations.
The conception of the need of this house, and the method of select-
ing its inmates and the manner of inducting them into their new home,
were somewhat unique and may be of interest to the reader. We had
noticed among the brave and true men, who were working in the mud
and rain, many refined looking gentlemen, who were, before this great
misfortune carried away most of their worldly belongings, the wealthiest
and most influential citizens. Never having had to struggle amid .such
hardships and deprivations, their sufferings were more acute than those
of the poorer and more hardy people; and it did not require any great
foresight to know that they were physically incapable of such labor if
prolonged, nor to predict their early sickness and death if they were
not properly housed and fed. As the salvation of the town depended
in a great measure upon the efforts of these men, it was vitally neces-
sary that their lives should be preserved. Realizing all this, it occurred
to us that the most important thing to do, next to feeding the hungry,
was to provide proper shelter for these men and their families. The
idea once conceived was soon put in the way of realization.
It was decided that we should erect the house as quickly as pos-
sible, furnish it completely, and when ready, invite the citizens to a
reception within its hospitable walls. This arrangement was carried
out, and a printed invitation was issued, of which the following is a
facsimile:
THK JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. ><')=;
cJ^ c^^^ui^e- K^ t>'/>o^t
-^cM- -O-s- r/z-xto* <vV^ ^X»*-
o^#«**rf.-i
J^.
c-7i&i*^e--^«»'t c-?^*©--^** c-.SVrtf c-**-^
On the afteruoon of July 27, hundreds of citizens called on us and
congratulations and good wishes were the order of the da)^ As the
members of each family whom we had selected to occupy apartments
in the house arrived, they were quietly taken aside and requested to
remain and have dinner with us. After all the guests were departed
except those who had been requested to remain, dinner was announced,
and the party was seated by the members of the Red Cross. Beside
the plate of each head of the family were laid the keys to an apartment,
with a card inviting the family to take possession at once, and remain
as long as they chose.
I cannot describe the scene that followed ; there were tears and
broken voices ; suffice to say, the members of that household were
i66 THK RKD CROvSS.
made happy and comfortable for many long months ; and I venture to
assert that those now living recall those days with the fondest recol-
lections.
This revealed a want so great, that a second house of the same
dimensions and qualities was erected just across the river, known as
the " Kernville Red Cross Hotel." Another competent landlady was
installed in charge, who had not only lost her home, but her beautiful
daughter of twenty years. This house was also filled; and a fourth
house of forty by one hundred feet was next built in the form of a
block, the families living separately, for the accommodation of the
working people of Woodvale, where no house was left. This was
known as the " Red Cross Block," or " Woodvale House."
There was no rent to pay for accommodations in this house, the
only cost to the tenant being for fire, lights and living.
Johnstown had neither a hospital nor an almshouse— never had,
its poor being taken to Ebensville, twenty miles distant. Under
ordinary circumstances this might do, but with the scant, poor homes
of this winter we felt it to be unsafe, and saw that better provision
should be made. Accordingly the use of some half-dozen unset portable
houses, known as the " Oklahomas," was asked of the Flood Commis-
sion, and erected adjoining our warehouse, as separate wards connected
by a covered way, and provided with an adjoining house of eighteen
by thirty feet, two stories high, for kitchen, dining, store, sleeping and
living rooms for the use of the wards and attendants. These were all
fully equipped and warmed for the accommodation of thirty patients,
with the best of new outfit, and the hospital was known as the
"Johnstown Infirmary."
These things accomplished, there remained but one more danger
to be guarded against. The citizens still had no organization of their
own for the relief of their needy people through the coming winter, and
no protection against any alarming report which might be sprung upon
them. Any sensational writer could still, if he chose to, report two
hundred cases of typhoid fever in Johnstown, alarming the whole
country, with not a case of genuine typhoid there, and there were none
to say him nay ; or that its people were freezing or starving, with
nowhere the authority to correct the misstatement. This protection
was needed, not alone for Johnstown, but the people at large as well.
A few well-timed suggestions were sufiicient. The meetings were
held in our house and some of the leading men and women of the city
effected a permanent organization to be incorporated under the name
of the " Benevolent Union of Conemaugh Valley."
THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. 167
This completed, we had only to turn over to their hands, as the
leaders of the town, our warehouse with its entire remaining stock,
amounting to some thousands of dollars; the care of the infirmary; one
of our trained clerks, with all papers and accounts of our relief work
from the day of its inception; one of our experienced working men to
handle transportation — to fit up for them large, warm rooms for winter
use; give them our blessing; accept theirs in fullest measure; say good
bye to them and to our faithful helpers, with heavy hearts and choking
voices, and return to our home, bearing the record of a few months of
faithful endeavor among a people as patient and brave as people are
made, as noble and grateful as falls to the lot of human nature to be.
Enterprising, industrious, and hopeful, the new Johnstown, phoenix-
like, rose from its ruins more beautiful than the old, with a ceaseless
throb of grateful memory for ev^ery kind act rendered, and every thought
of sympathy given her in her great hour of desolation and woe. God
bless her, and God bless all who helped save her !
We had employed during our sojourn in Johnstown a working force
of fifty men and women, whom we had housed, fed and paid, with the
exception of the volunteers who worked for the good they could do and
would accept nothing. The means which we so largely handled came
from everywhere; accounts were rendered for everything, and no word
of business complication ever came to us. There never has in all our
work.
There was much to do in Johnstown after we left ; buildings to
remove and property to care for when it had served its purpose and
the ground became needed. But there is always a right time for any
benevolent work to cease; a time when the community is ready to resume
its own burdens, and when an offered charity is an insult to the honest
and independent, and a degradation to the careless and improvident,
tending to pauperize and make them an added burden on their better-
minded fellow citizens. And then, the moment the tradesman is able
to re-establish himself, he looks with jealous eyes on any agency that
diverts possible business from his channels. Tiius it is not only wise hut
just to all concerned to withdraw all gratuities from a people the instant
they are able to gain even a meagre self-support.
A rather curious circumstance, somewhat on the line of this reflec-
tion, fell to our lot after leaving Johnstown. The houses that we had
built and furnished were indispensable to the tenants during the winter,
when there were no other houses to be had; but in the spring the city,
rejuvenated, began to build up again, and we were notified that the
land on which our large houses were standing was needed by the
i68 THK RED CROSS.
owners, who wished to use it for their own purposes, and they requested
the Red Cross to remove its buildings. We promptly sent an agent to
attend to the matter, and he began the work of vacating the premises.
There was no hardship involved in this, as all the tenants were by this
time in condition to pay rent, the relief fund of $r, 600,000 having been
distributed among them in proportion to their losses, and there were
houses that they could get; in a few days our houses were empty.
Then a new factor entered into the situation. When it became gener-
ally known that the Red Cross must remove these immense houses,
and that a large quantity of lumber and house furnishings were to be
disposed of, the self-interests of the dealers in those commodities were
at once aroused, and they strongly protested against the gratuitous
distribution of those articles among the people of Johnstown, asserting
that the inhabitants were now prospering and had the means to buy
everything they needed, and that a gift from us of any of these things
would be an injustice to the honest traders who were trying to re-es-
tablish themselves.
We saw the justice of their objection and gave assurances that no
injury should be done them, still to have fully conformed to their idea
and transported the entire material to some other point, ^'ould have
put the Red Cross to an amount of trouble and cost unjust to itself.
I am not prepared to say that our quiet field agent in charge of
the work did not find resting places for very much of this material in
still needy homes, where it did no harm to any one and for which no
one but the pitiful recipients were the wiser.
Notwithstanding the fact that we took away from Johnstown as
little material and furniture as was possible, after quietly disposing of
the greater part of it, and this at an expense and inconvenience to our-
selves which we could ill afford, there were those, who could not under-
stand why we should take anythins; away ; and their unkind miscon-
struction and criticisms have scarcely ceased echoing even to this late
day.
The paths of charity are over roadways of ashes; and he who
would tread them must be prepared to meet opposition, misconstruc-
tion, jealousy and calumny. Let his work be that of angels, still it
will not satisfy all.
There is always an aftermath of attempted relief where none is
needed ; and more or less criticism of any work, for it is always so
much easier to say how a thing ought to be done than it is to do it.
These little unpleasantnesses, however, cannot deprive us of
the thousand memories of gratitude, appreciation, and kindnesses
THE JOHNSTOWN FI.OOD. 169
exchanged, which were mutually needful and helpful; nor of the
many lifelong friendships formed that will bless us all our days.
I may perhaps be pardoned for (juoting a few lines from the official
report of the Johnstown Flood Finance Committee, appointed by
Governor Beaver, as showing how these gentlemen, the foremost men
in the community, regarded our efforts to give them a helping hand:
In this matter of sheltering the people, as in others of like importance,
Miss Clara Barton, president of the Red Cross Association, was most helpful. At
a time when there was a doubt if the Flood Commission could furnish houses
of suitable character and with the requisite promptness, she offered to assume
charge, and she erected with the funds of the association three large apartment
houses which afforded comfortable lodgings for many houseless people. She
was among the first to arrive on the scene of calamity, bringing with her Dr.
Hubbell,the field oflicer of the Red Cross Association, and a staff of skilled assis-
tants. She made her own organization for relief work in every form disposing
of the large resources under her control with such wisdom and tenderness that
the charity of the Red Cross had no sting, and its recipients are not Miss Bar-
ton's dependents, but her friends. She was also the last of the ministering
spirits to leave the scene of her labors, and she left her apartment houses for
use during the winter, and turned over her warehouse, with its store of furni-
ture, bedding and clothing and a well-equipped infirmary, to the Union Benevo-
lent Association of the Conemaugh Valley, the organization of which she
advised and helped to form ; and its lady visitors have so well performed their
work that the dreaded winter has no terrors, mendicancy has been repressed,
and not a single case of unrelieved suffering is known to have occurred in all
the flooded district.
The Johnstown Daily Tribune was one of the enterprising and
reliable papers of the unfortunate city, which, though drowned
out, would not stay dead, and insisted on "pulling itself together,"
and cheering the people along in their efforts to re-establi.sh their homes
and their fortunes. On the eve of our departure the Tr/Y'/^;/!? published
an editorial which we are fain to believe reflected the feelings of the
people, and which was as follows:
FARKWRLIv TO IMLSS BARTON.
How shall we thank Miss Clara Barton and the Red Cross for the help they
have given us? It cannot be done; and if it could, Miss Barton docs not want
our thanks. She has simply done her duty as she saw it and received her pay
— the consciousness of a duty performed to the best of her abilit}-. To see us
,70 thp: rkd crOvSvS.
upon our feet, struj4ji;liiig forward, helpiiij^ ourselves, caring for the sick and
inflrni and ini])<)verished — that is enough for Miss Barton. Her idea has been
fully worked out, all her plans accomplished. What more could such a woman
wish?
We cannot thank Miss Barton in words. Hunt the dictionaries of all lan-
guages through and you will not find the signs to express our appreciation of
her and her work. Try to describe the sunshine. Try to describe the starlight.
Words fail, and in dumbness and silence we bow to the idea which brought her
here. God and humanity ! Never were they more closely linked than in stricken
Johnstown.
Men are brothers! Yes, and sisters, too, if Miss Barton pleases. The first
to come, the last to go, she has indeed been an elder sister to us — nursing,
soothing, tending, caring for the stricken ones through a season of distress such
as no other people ever knew — such as, God grant, no other people may ever
know. The idea crystallized, put into practice. "Do unto others as you would
have others do unto you." "Even as ye have done it unto the least of these,
so also have ye done it unto Me!" Christianity applied. Nature appeased and
satisfied. This has been Miss Barton's work, and nobly has she done it.
Picture the sunlight or the starlight, and then try to say good-bye to Miss
Barton. As well try to escape from yourself by runniNg to the mountains. "I
go, but I return" is as true of her as of Him who said it. There is really no
parting. She is with us, she will be with us always— the spirit of her work
even after she has passed away.
But we can say God bless you, and we do say it. Miss Barton, from the
bottom of our hearts, one and all.
Some bard, whose name I do not know, but whose sad, lovely
words frequently recur to me, has commemorated the disaster of the
Coneraaugh in the following beautiful poem, which, I think, is worthy
of preservation:
"THE DREAD CONEMAUGH. "
I tarried in Conemaugh Valley
One beautiful morning in spring.
And loveliness mantled the mountains,
The meadows and everything.
The breezes were laden with odor
Akin to the blossoming rose,
And happiness brightened the faces
Of people refreshed by repose.
But death, the remorseless destroyer,
Looked down on the valley, so green.
Beheld the quaint homes on the hillsides,
The towns nestled snugly between.
THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. 171
And, hungry for awful disaster,
For grief, lamentation and tears.
Death paused where a lake in the mountains
Had shimmered untroubled for years.
The water grew dark in his presence,
Grew dark in the presence of death,
And shrank from the terrible visage.
Away from his poisonous breath.
A tempest came forth in its fury
And soon with an ominous flow
The overcharged lake in the mountains
riunged into the valley below.
A rumble, a roar, and destruction
Came down with the pitiless flood
To stifle the cry of the wicked
To silence the prayer of the good;
Like straws in a bubbling cauldron
These homes in the valley were tossed
Away on the hurrying waters.
Along with the dying and lost.
There brother was taken from brother.
The false were destroyed with the true.
There lovers were torn from each other
With never a parting adieu.
Confusion wrought havoc so wanton
That mercy grew deaf for a while.
And beings, half demon, made merry
On Conemaugh's funeral pile.
But Heaven will surely remember
The names of the noble who died
To rescue their perishing brothers
From death in that horrible tide.
For some of the noblest heroes
That ever calamity saw.
Repose unintcrred in the valley
Where wanders the dread Conemaugh.
The incidents attending a field of relief — some pathetic and sor-
ro'^ful, others laughable and ludicrous — so loom up in the memory
v;hen the subject is opened, as almost to encumber the pen as one
writes. Referring to our landlady at Locust Street Hotel, Mrs. Henrie,
one recalls her wonderful experience during the night of the flood.
By some means, entirely alone, she floated down the stream, not only
I7J THH RKD CROSS.
through Johnstown, but miles below in the darkness of the night,
until some time next day perhaps she managed to stay herself in a
tree-top, where she clung among the branches, her clothing torn from
her in shreds during her struggle for life, until discovered and taken
away.
The family of Mr. John Tittle, one of the oldest, most respected
and beloved in the town, floated clinging to the top of their house,
without knowing that they were moving, but thought others were
moving as they passed them ; until at length, fearing that Mrs. Tittle's
strength and courage would fail, her husband joined hands with her
firmly over the ridge-pole, and thus they hung on opposite sides of the
roof through the long night. The courage and strength did often fail,
and her pleading went out to her husband : " Oh, let us let go and
end it, John ! We cannot escape ! I cannot endure it longer ! " to be
answered by his words of hope and cheer and a tightened grasp on the
aching wrists. At length, near morning, having reached the vicinity
of Kernville, the house struck the bridge and remained stationary.
One by one the inmates slid onto the bridge and gained the land on
the Kernville side.
They had left within the house, unable to be gotten out, the old,
decrepit black mammy of a lifetime, the great silky-haired setter,
" Rob," and the poll-parrot hanging in her cage. All had been trans-
ferred, as the water rose, to the topmost peak of the attic, where they
were left to their fate. The great bread-wagons of Pittsburg, with
their sturdy policemen, were already there ; the dead and the living
were being picked up together as they floated down. Some con-
sciousness began to return to the dazed survivors, and at length it
was thought safe to attempt an entrance to the Tittle mansion, still
floating at the bridge.
On gaining the attic, this picture as described at the time, presented
itself: the water had never quite reached it; Poor, old mammy sat in
the highest corner, with hands clasped, her chin resting on her knees,
and her lips muttering her woes and her prayers ; long-eared, silky-
haired " Rob," no longer a " setter " at least, bounding and roaring a
welcome that required physical strength to resist; and "poll," her
cage topsy-turvy, striding about the floor, with an air of offended
dignity, hungry and cross, said " she had had a devil of a time."
During one of the early days Mr. K., a citizen of the town, came
into my tent, bringing with him another man — tall, firmly knit, dark
visaged, with hair tangled and matted, and still the bearing of a man
if not a gentleman. On introducing his companion, Mr. K. said that
THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD. i;^
he had been exceedingly unfortunate, and he had brought him to me
to see if anything could be done for him. " I hoped so," and turned
to inquire what was most needed. " Had he a family ; did they want
food, or clothing? Had he little children?" His face grew darker
still and his frown deeper, as at length, in a tone approaching contempt,
he replied: "No; I don't want anything jj/^z^ can give; you have
nothing for me." I had still the courage to persevere, and added,
"What would you have me do, if I could do it ? " Again a silence
and a mental struggle that shook his whole frame, as he half hissed
between clenched teeth, " Let me look on the face of one dead child ;"
and rushing from the tent, he disappeared from me forever.
He had had five motherless children, for whom he toiled early and
late in the great Cambria Iron Mills. The flood swept his little home
before he could reach it, and every child was lost. He had wandered
about the river banks, watched the receding waters, dug in the sands
for the little bodies hidden beneath, until reason had given way — till
even God seemed cruel and mankind weak idiots.
1/4
TIIK RICD CROSS.
^p. jtuu-u-^rv ^•yij/JvV;'^ ai^u^e^^-nr
H^l»
Executed and presented to Clara Barton by one of the Johnstown sufferers. .
A PEN MEMORIAL TO CLARA BARTON BY ONE OF THE JOHNS-
TOWN FLOOD SUFFERERS, MR. J. F. DRURY.
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE,
1891-1892.
O properly understand the Russian Famine of 1891-92.
WW and the rehef work of the Red Cross connected there-
^^O with, one needs to keep in mind the ordinary moral and
economic condition of the Russian peasantry. They
were, many of them, not long ago serfs attached to the
land in a condition but little better than American slaves.
Though the liberation of the serfs made their legal con-
dition better, it left them in condition scarcely less dis-
couraging than before. They were subject to all the disabilities of
hard bargains on every side, from the exactions of taxes levied in one
way or another, and payable in services or goods, all of which called
for an ever increasing sacrifice. They were subject to onerous military
service, and penal exactions for violations of the law. These condi-
tions surrounded them with an atmosphere of depressing poverty, fear
and hopeless endurance, if not of despair. They have not felt the
stimulating habitual influence of hope, of courage, of enterprise. They
are not educated to surmount discouragements by overcoming them.
Difiiculties do not down easily before them ; they go down before diffi-
culties and disasters in something like apathetic despondency, or live
in an amazing light-hearted, careless recklessness that easily turns to
drink, to idleness, weakness, disease and early death. Fear is with
them always, as if fate was over and against them.
The climate of Russia is cold in winter, and the means of cooking
and artificial warmth are scanty, and not easily procured at any time ;
thus, when the famine really came upon them, observers were divided
in opinion whether the famine, or fear of famine, or of something
worse, destroyed or paralyzed these people the more.
The harvest yields of 1889 and 1890 had been much less than an
average, and at the beginning of 1891 but little of the old supplies cf
grain was left over. The harvest of 1891 was nearly a total failure
throughout a vast region in central Russia extending from Moscow,
roughly speaking, say, three hundred miles in a northeasterly direction
over a plain eight hundred to a thousand miles in width, beyond the
Ural Mountains, and some distance into Siberia in Asiatic Russia — a
district of nearly a million square miles. Ordinarily this is the most
(175)
i;6 Tin-: RHD CROSS.
productive part of the Empire, upon which the remainder of the
country had been accustomed to dravv for food supplies in the frequent
cases of deficiency elsewhere. The appearance of the country is similar
to our prairie States in the early days before the growth of the planted
trees ; and the soil is a rich, black loam that usually produces good
harvests.
It was estimated by those best qualified to judge that from thirty
to thirty-five millions of people were sufferers by the famine of 1891.
Count Tolstoi on the Character of the Peasants.
Count Tolstoi gave up his whole time to mitigating the suffering
caused by this great disaster, and to understanding the situation
broadly. He went into the homes of the people, and studied their
needs sympathetically; he placed himself by their side, and with his
dramatic instinct understood them, ascertained where the hurt was
felt, and how it could be cured, if it could be cured at all.
At that time the Count wrote of these poor, unfortunates: "I
asked them what sort of a harvest they had had, and how they
were getting along; and they replied in a blithe, off"-hand manner:
'Oh, right enough, God be praised!" And yet these people
who reside in the most distressed districts of the government of
Toula, cannot possibly live through the winter, unless they bestir them-
selves in tijue. They are bound to die of hunger, or some disease
engendered by hunger, as surely as a hive of bees left to face the
rigors of a northern winter, without honey or sweets, must perish
miserably before the advent of spring. The all-important question,
therefore, is this : Will they exert themselves while yet they possess
the strength, if, indeed, it be not already wholly exhausted ? Every-
thing that I saw or heard pointed with terrible distinctness to a negative
reply. One of these farmers had sold out the meagre possessions
which he could call his own, and had left for Moscow to work or beg.
The others stayed on and waited with naive curiosity watching for what
would happen next, like children, who, having fallen into a hole in the
ice, or lost their way in a dense forest and not realizing at first the
terrible danger of their situation, heartily laugh at its unwontedness."
"Unless they bestir themselves in time" — what a text is this !
They are all the time overborne by the apathy of fear, of unused
powers, of suppression and depression. Courage, hope, enterprise to
bestir themselves, where will they come from ? Not, surely, from fear,
and more discouragement.
THE RUvSSIAN FAMINE. 177
The Beginning ok the American Relief.
The work of the American National Red Cross in the Russian
famine of 1891-92 was comparatively less than in some others of the
conspicuous fields in which it had done its work. The impulse to help
in the work of that relief sprang up simultaneously in many American
hearts and homes, in New York, in Philadelphia, in Minnesota and
Iowa. In Iowa it took the form of a veritable crusade for a most holj-'
cause; beginning in the fervid and indomitable spirit of Miss Alice
French — the " Octave Thanet " of literature — it quickly enlisted Mr.
B. F. Tillinghast, editor of the Dave7iport Democrat, who became its
director-in-chief and organizing force, everywhere organizing it, and
promoting it in every direction and in every form. The movement
was taken up by the women of Iowa, and Governor Boies became
a prime mover, till the whole State at last joined in a triumphal
march bearing corn, God's best gift to man, to the Atlantic coast in a
procession of two hundred and twenty-five carloads, exceeding five
hundred bushels in each car. The corn was consigned to Clara
Barton in New York and reached her agents there without accident or
delay.
The American National Red Cross had authentic intelligence of
the famine in Russia before it had attracted general attention ; it had
placed itself in communication with the Secretary of State, the Honor-
able James G. Blaine, and the Russian Charge d' Affairs at Wash-
ington, Mr. Alexander Gregor, and had ascertained that Russia would
gladly receive any donations of relief that the people of America
might send to her famine stricken people. Not only would they
receive supplies, but would send their ships for them, and provide inland
transportation from Russian ports to the destitute people for whom
these benefactions were intended. America declined to allow her
suffering sister nation to cross the seas to get this food, and quickly
arranged to carry it to her. All the American agencies concerned in
this movement met it in the noblest spirit ; railroad companies gave
free transportation, telegraph companies the free use of wires, brokers
and steamship agents declined their usual commissions, and some
insurance companies even gave premiums for the safe delivery of the
precious cargo into the hands of the starving people.
Congress had been appealed to for ocean transportation, and the
Senate had voted a liberal appropriation, but the bill was defeated in
the House of Representatives. Then the citizens of Washington took
up the matter and were joined by the Society of Elks, one of the
178 THE RKD CROSS,
noblest of our benevolent orders, ever ready to join in any good cause
for humanity ; and funds to charter a steamship to carry the cargo
to Russia were soon raised and placed in the hands of the Red Cross.
The sentiment that roused and sustained this great movement on
the part of the people of America was a mingled one of sympathy for
starving Russian peasants, and gratitude for timely moral help of the
Russian navy in years gone by.
Was it accident or design that chose the British steamship " Tyne-
head " to carry this material expression of American sympathy and
gratitude and enabled the president of the American National Red
Cross, on the deck of a British vessel, in presence of the American
people, to say that, " these tributes of America to Russia in her hour
of temporary distress were not to be counted as gifts, for they had
been richly earned; not even accounted as loans, for they had been
anticipated a hundred fold in an hour of our own peril — far greater,
God grant, than Russia may ever know. They were not even the
principal of a great national debt; but a tithe of the interest long due,
and joyously acknowledged — acknowledged there under the triple
shadow of the three great flags floating above, blending now in their
mighty folds the finest, purest attributes of God's holy gifts to man,
peace, love and charit}'."
Mr. Tillinghast, in describing the scene of the departure of the
" Tynehead " from New York, at which the above quoted words were
spoken, said: " Captain Carr, a brave man and a Briton, who had been
tossed b}'^ the waves from the Indian Ocean to the Bay of Fundy, was
for a moment speechless. The hardy sailors about him bowed, and
their eyes moistened. There was not a man on that ship who had ever
before been charged with the delivery of such a cargo."
A tug hauled the ship out into the river at high tide. She was
greeted by saluting whistles of passing ferries, yachts and steamers,
by waving flags and cheers from thousands. The "Tynehead" was
headed for the long voyage to the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic on the
shores of Russia.
Dr. Hubbell, representative of the Red Cross to the international
conference of the Red Cross to be held at Rome, and authorized to
proceed to Riga and receive and distribute with the Russian Red Cross
this gift of Iowa, was already on his ocean voyage and ready to do his
part in this beautiful blending of international courtesies and services
that it is the mission of the Red Cross to devise and to carry out where-
ever it can make or find the fitting opportunity. Dr. Hubbell arrived
on time at Riga and will further on state the facts about the distribution
of the cargo.
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. 179
It must not be thought that the Russian government or people
were indiflferent to the sufferings of their fellow countrymen during
this great misfortune, or that they made no sufficient eff^ort to meet
their needs or relieve their sufferings. The question has often been
asked : " While America was so active in this charity, what was the
government of Russia doing for its unfortunates ?" Perhaps this query
is best answered by quoting from the official report of the American
Ambassador at St. Petersburg, the Hon. Charles Emory Smith, to his
government, which was written at that time, and says:
In the presence of this national disaster the Russian government has not been
passive. Without reviewing the administrative system, it must be said that it }ias
sought to grapple in liberal measures with the tremendous problem. Before the
first of March, 1892, it had appropriated one hundred and fifty million rubles or
seventy-five million dollars for this purpose, and the direct outlay by June can
hardl}^ be less than two hundred million rubles. Besides this, taxes have been
remitted, and work has been furnished where practicable. Vast quantities of
grain have been bought and brought from the rich fields of the Caucasus, though,
with the limited means of communication and the loss of horses, it has been
difficult to convey it to the regions remote from the railroads. Large public
works, employing hundreds of thousands of men, have been undertaken. The
forests of the imperial domain have been opened to the peasants for fuel. The
proprietary class have, as a rule, in this emergency, proved worthy of their posi-
tions and responsibilities. There are single families taking care of as many as
twenty thousand people. The women, especiall}-, have come forward with a
consecration and self-sacrifice which commands admiration.
I*" it were not invidious or indelicate many cases might be cited of ladies of
gentle birth who have left their homes, braved the dangers of disease, faced the
hardships of an unaccustomed and trying life, and given up weeks and months to
the feeding of the hungry and ministering to the sick. One thing ought in fair-
ness to be said. The Emperor has been published abroad as indifferent. It is
only just to remark that this peculiar kind of indifference has been manifested
not merely in a vigorous direction of the later governmental operations of relief,
even to the summary dismissal of inefficient agents; but in gifts from his private
purse, which, if the belief of St. Petersburg can be accepted, amount to fifteen or
twenty times all the contributions of all the world outside of Russia.
Ambassador Smith estimates that the American donations sup-
ported more than seven hundred thousand people for a month. This
may be accepted as the result of their practical work for humanity.
From the above report it will be seen that the distress was so exces-
sive and widespread that even the available resources of so great an
empire as Russia were sorely taxed in the endeavor to succor its famish-
ing people; and that its people of all classes rose nobly to the work of
the occasion.
i8o THE RIU) CROSS.
Al'PRKCIATIOX Ul' AmKKICAN SYMPATHY.
That the substantial sympathy of the American people was fully
appreciated by the Russian people may be gathered from what follows.
The mayor of St. Petersburg, in an address on behalf of that city to
American donors, declared:
The Russian people know how to be fjrateful. If up to this day these two
great counlries, Russia and the United States, have not onlj- never quarreled, but
on the contrary, wished each other prosperity and strength always, these feelings of
sympathy shall grow only stronger in the future — both countries being conscious
that, in the season of trial for either it will find in the other cordial succor and
support. And when can true friendship be tested if not in the hour of misfortune?
A peasant of Samara sent to a Russian editor, together with three
colored eggs, a letter which he a.sked to have forwarded to America.
It appeared in the Cejihny Magazine. Here is an extract:
Christ is risen! To the merciful benefactors, the protectors of the poor, the
feeders of the starving, the guardians of the orphans — Christ is risen! North
Americans! May the Lord grant you a peaceful and long life and prosperity in
your land, and ma}' your fields give abundant harvests — Christ is risen. Your
mercifulness gives us a helping hand. Through your charity you have satisfied the
starving. And for your magnificent alms accept from me this humble gift which I
send to the entire American people for your great beneficence, from all the hearts
of the poor, filled with feelings of joy.
Count Bobrinskoy, writing officially to' the secretary of the Iowa
Russian Famine Relief Commission, used these words:
It gives me very great pleasure indeed to express to you the sincere apprecia-
tion that the Ru.ssian people entertain toward the splendid work organized in
America for the relief of the sufferers in our famine-stricken districts. I can assure
that the same deep gratitude is felt, not only b}' the poor who have received the
generous American contributions, but also by us all, who, having worked for this
relief, know how much it was needed. I know by Dr. Hubbell how great was the
activity of your peoples as well as that of Miss Clara Barton in sending us the
"Tynehead," and how much you have done in the interests of our people. The
names of "Indiana," "Missouri," " Conemaugh," "Tynehead" and "Leo"
will always remind us of the most beautiful example of international charity and
fraternal love that history has perhaps ever mentioned.
On the first anniversary of the arrival of the Iowa ship, " Tyne-
head," at Riga, there was a significant event in Philadelphia. The
Russian man-of-war, the " Dimitre Donskoi," the flagship of the North
Atlantic vSquadron, anchored in the Delaware River. The vessel was
decorated with flags and the officer of the day was the Grand Duke
COUNT LYOF NIKOLAYIiVITCII TOLSTOY
THE RUvSSIAN FAMINE. 183
Alexander. By special invitation of this representative of the Czar,
Dr. Hubbell and the nine other American commissioners, wlio went to
Russia in behalf of the donors were present on board. They were
received with the most impressive honors. The Czar had sent gifts by
his officer, and the presentations were made in the name of his majesty,
under the imperial flags. A large open trunk contained ten boxes of
polished wood, and each of these was inscribed : " In remembrance of
your visit to Russia." Accompanying each was a letter expressive of
his majesty's gratitude. The tokens were all magnificent specimens
of Russian art work in silver.
The Department of State at Washington, under date of January
II, 1894, issued the following information:
On November 7, 1893, the United States Minister at St. Petersburg received from
the nobility of that city, through their marshal, Count Alexis Bobrinskoy, an
address to the people of the United States. This address, which is in the English
language, embodies, in terms fitly chosen, the thanks of the Russian people to the
American for the aid sent to their country from our own during the famine periods
of the past two years ; it is beautifully engrossed and its illumination embraces
water-color drawings, which render it a most attractive work of art. The docu-
ment, which is superbly bound and enclosed in a fine case, was duly forwarded to
this city by Minister White, and will be given a conspicuous place in the library of
this department.
The following is the Text of the Testimonial from the Nobility of
;'; int rctc.sburg tu the People of the United States:
In the annals of Russia for 1892, painful though the memory be, history will
point out many a bright and joyous page scattered throughout the Empire, on
which will be written in letters of gold the beautiful story of brotherly love as
exemplified by the good people of the United States of America.
Hardly had human voices been heard calling for bread in certain governments
of Russia, that had suffered from drought, hail, and untimely frost, ere that
friendly people across the Atlantic, moved by an earnest desire to help the afflicted
and to feed the hungry, collected from every state in the Union, as if by one accord,
shipload after shipload of corn, and dispatched them, one after the other, on their
errand of mercy and relief.
Deejjly grateful for such evident signs of evangelical feeling and interest, the
Assembly of Noljles of the govcrnuient of vSt. Petersburg, as representatives of the
intellectual class in Russia, has resolved to express their warm and heartfelt grati-
tude to those friendly people who form the great nation of the United States of
America.
May the Lord bless and keep all those kind-hearted Americans, men, women
and children, who took part in that great and good work of charity, and may the
Hand that giveth unto us all, reward them bountifully, and ever keep them from a
like misfortune.
(Signed.) The Marshal of the Nobility of St. Petersburg,
Count Alexis Bohrinskoy.
i84 THE RKD CROSS.
Previous to receiving this beautiful tribute, on the arrival of the
S. S. " Indiana " from Philadelphia while not connected with the Red
Cross work, a similar artistic tribute to American donors was presented
by the workmen of Libeau to rej^resent the sentiment of the workmen
of Russia, we introduce it as an additional illustration of the universal
sentiment of tender sympathy and gratitude of the Russian people.
Dr. Hubbell's Report.
Arrived in St. Petersburg. It would be a week or ten days before
we could expect the arrival of the " Tynehead," with its cargo for the
famine sufferers; but we had a copy of her manifest and knew what
she would bring.
There was something of anxiety, amounting even to consternation,
among those who would have to do with the reception of the ship, for
reports from the United States had been circulated that persons were
ou board the vessel who were objectionable, if not avowed enemies to
the Russian government, and such could not be recognized nor received.
This concern could not easily be dispelled until it was made clear that
no one was aboard the "Tynehead" save its own officers and crew.
Elaborate ceremonies had been held on the arrival of the other relief
ships and were contemplated for the " Tynehead." This we did not
want, and took occasion to express the feelings of the Red Cross and
of American donors in a letter acknowledging courtesies extended
from the president of the Russian Red Cross affording opportunities
to visit its various institutions, and particularly the regular working
departments, in its clinics, dispensaries, hospitals and training for
active service in civil as well as military field work.
St. Petersburg, May ^, 1892.
To His Excellency, General, de Kauffmann,
President of the Red Cross of Russia:
Honored President : — I desire to express my thanks for the courtesies and
the privilege of becoming acquainted with the every day practical work of the
Red Cross of Russia as shown by the kindness of your secretaries.
Nowhere have I seen more complete, comfortable and generous provision for
the general care of the sick poor than here in the institutions of the Red Cross
and under its work.
And there can be no doubt that the practical experience that the workers are
receiving daily will greatly increase their efficiency for service in time of war.
It will be a source of pleasure to make a report to the American Red Cross of
the practical work of the Russian Society in time of peace.
Regarding the arrival of the cargo of the ship "Tynehead," I trust your
'.xcellency has already understood by our Charge d'Affairs, Mr. Wurts, that no
THK RUSvSIAN FAMINE. 1S5
public demonstrations have been nor are desired. This cargo is largely from the
people of an agrictdtural Stale, many of whom have sufTercd from failure of crop?
in their own country, and thus keenly appreciate similar conditions that others
may suffer when such a vast territory as the interior of the Russian Kmpire is
denied rain season after season in succession ; and they have simply taken this
method of expressing their sympathy, for it is their custom to give in like manner
in their own country whenever occasions of calamity or suffering of any kind require
the aid of outside help At this particular time they feel that perhaps the same rains
that had been withheld from their brothers in Russia had given the increase to
their own crops, which have been unusually abundant the past year ; and thus
added dut^y to desire. Moreover, there is a deep brotherly feeling throughout the
nation ; for our people never forget that Russia has always been the friend of
America.
And further, the arrangements of your various committees in the matter of
distribution leave nothing to be desired, and that the final reports will afford great
pleasure and satisfaction to those who have them to make, there is every reason to
believe. With great respect,
J. B. HUBBELL,
General Field Agent American Red Cross
in charge cargo " TyneheadJ'*
The following is General Kauffmann's answer :
St. Petkrsburg, May \\, 1892.
J. B. HuBBETX, M. D., General Field Agent, American Red Cross:
Much Honored Sir: — I am eager to express to you herewith my most sincere
thankfulness for the sympathetic account of the activity of the Russian Red Cross So-
ciety, which you have been so kind to give in your letter of the eighth May current.
You have had the occasion topersuadeyourself of the common direction between the
Russian and American Societies of the Red Cross, by which the help to our fellow
creatures is not restricted to the relief of suffering in time of war, but is extended
to all the calls of national calamities, from the gratuitous medical treatment of the
poor to the large help afforded in time of epidemic disease, famine and other
calamities. It is to me a great pleasure to see the sympathy of the American people
to the Russian, the proof of which has been in the last years so evident. As you
are instructed by the American Red Cross to express this feeling of sympathy to
our society, I beg you to believe the heartfelt expressions of the like feeling from
our side, which I pray to present in our name to ypur society and to the people of
the United States.
The gift brought by the " Tynehead " will be accepted with deep gratitude and
distributed among the needy people, according to the wish of the givers, through
the offices of the beneficent committee under the august presidency of His Imperial
Majesty the Heir to the Crown.
I avail myself of the present occasion to pray you to accept the assurance of
my perfect consideration.
The president of the Russian Red Cross Society,
M. de Kaukfmann.
i86 THE RKD CROSS.
Through the help of Mr. Wurts of our legation; our Consul-Gen-
eral, Dr. Crawford ; Count Bobrinskoy, representing the Russian Red
Cross, and the Government, as well as the Czarowitch Committee; and
through the active help of Mr. \V. H. Hilton, an Knglishman at the
head of the large linseed oil works, deacon in the Anglo-American
Church, whose thirty years' business acquaintance over Eastern Russia
and his sympathy with a people in distress, particularly fitting him for
the work; with these agencies the assignment of the cargo was arranged
to be sent to eighty-two famine centres for distribution. It was to be
consigned to persons of unquestioned integrity and fitness for the work.
These people had been communicated with, and theiracceptanceof the
charge assured, and the number of carloads that each should receive
made known to each, that he might make the necessary provision for
its reception and distribution. Count Bobrinsko)^ had ordered 320
freight cars to be in readiness at Riga to receive and transport the cargo
free of cost to whatever point might be desired. When these prelimin-
ary arrangements had been completed and the " Tynehead " sighted
from the signal station, we started in company with Count Bobrinskoy
for Riga, the port that had been previously selected by the Russian
Ambassador in Washington as being free from ice and most favorable
for transporting the cargo to the interior.
The "Tynehead" was a big ship, one of the largest ocean freighters,
and came too heavily loaded to enter the harbor until her cargo had
been partly discharged by lighters, and she anchored eight miles from
the port. The governor's ship, having on board his excellency,
M. Znovief ; Count Bobrinskoy, representative of the Czarovitch Com-
mittee; N. von Cramer, representing the Red Cross of Russia; R. Ker-
kovius, president of the Exchange of Riga; von Richer, chief of police;
von Keldermann, chief of customs; von Nagel, captain of the port;
N. P. Bornholdt, United States consul, and J. B. Hubbell steamed an
hour down the river to welcome the " T^'nehead," which had all flags
and streamers flying and by the activity of our consul, Mr. Bornholdt,
the lighters already lying alongside to take in the grain. After an hour
on board the captain was brought back in the governor's ship on which
we lunched, and later dined at the governor's palace, where the captain
was presented with a beautiful tea service of Russian enamel inlaid
work as a present f:om the Czar.
It was arranged that two lines of cars be kept on the dock, into
which the grain should be carried direct from the ship, which lay along-
side the wharf As soon as a car was filled it was shifted, weighed
and sealed, and when enough were filled they were made into trains
THK RUSSIAN FAMINE. 187
and sent to their destinations with right of way over every other traffic
on the road, not excepting express and passenger trains; and at their
destination no person presumed to break the seal save the one to whom
it was consigned.
When we reached Riga, we learned that two hundred and forty
peasants had been waiting on the dock two days, waiting and waiting
for the ship from America. Not waiting for food, for Riga was not in a
famine province, but waiting that they might not miss the opportunity
and the honor of imloadiiig the American ship that had brought food to
Iheir unfortunate brothers in the interior. As soon as they could get
into the hold of the ship, one hundred and forty of them began the un-
loading. They worked night and day, without rest, determined to unload
the entire cargo themselves without help. But on the third night our con-
sul, Mr. Bornholdt, insisted on their having a relief of twelve hours, and
when the twelve hours were up they were all in their places again, and
remained until the cargo was out, declining to take any pay for their
labor. Twelve women worked along with them, in the same spirit, in
the ship and on the dock, with needles, sewing up the rents in the bags
to prevent waste in handling.
Only a part of the " Tynehead's " cargo was in bags; hence for
convenience and economy in handlnig and the final distribution, we
purchased in St. Petersburg and Riga 43,000 additional bags to sack
the rest of the cargo, which in all amounted to nearly 117,000 bushels
of shelled corn, 11,033 bags of flour and meal, besides small amounts
of wheat, rye, bacon, canned goods, drugs, etc., requiring 307 Russian
freight cars for its transportation. Some of this was reshipped on
steamboats sent up the headwaters of the Volga, reshipped again on
cars nearly to the foot of the Ural Mountains, a distance of 3,000 miles
from Riga. Notwithstanding our declaration while in St. Petersburg
that neither the Red Cross nor the American people desired any public
ceremonies in the way of acknowledgments: dinners, excursions and
public demonstrations and illuminations were planned, which we felt
ourselves obliged to decline on the ground we had first taken, that any
effort and any money proposed to be used in this manner would be most
acceptable to all Americans if turned into food for the hungry, whom
we had come to help.
At our hotel the Russian and American colors were crossed over
the entrance; in the shop windows were the American colors, and in
other places, where it seemed that these were not easily procured,
title-pagesof American sheet-music were displayed — such as "America,"
"Hail Columbia," " Yankee Doodle, " "Star-Spangled Banner," etc.,
i88 Till-: RI-:!) CROSS.
and little ooys in the streets carried American flags of their own make.
One little fellow had made the Russian flag on one side and the
American on the other side of his device. The telephone office was
kept open all night, to be ready for any possible want, and the loco-
motive with steam up for any possible service. The Custom House
floated on its main staff only the American flag during the entire
time of the unloading of the "Tynehead," from Saturday morning
until Tuesday noon — three days and a-half. When all was finished at
Riga, the last train on its way, all had been so well planned, so well
done in every particular that we felt there was not the least necessity
for any further attention on our part in looking after this charge. But
to the donors at home Russia was a long way off"; they had no per-
sonal knowledge of the people they were trying to help, and some
critics had circulated misgivings about the gifts reaching their intended
destination. Hence, that we might be prepared to give a report from
personal observation for the satisfaction and the gratification of the
people at home, who had contributed these stores, it was decided to see
how some of the final distributions were made.
Our first objective point in the famine district was the Province of
Nijni Novgorod. But we must go by Moscow, where by the cour-
tesy of Count Bobrinskoy a telegram was received, stating that his
brother would pass through the city to the famine district, and his
company could be made available, if desired. Such an opportunity was
not to be lost, and our course is changed to the south, first by rail
to Bogorodizk, thence by droschky to Michailovskoi, to the house
of Shestoparoff", manager of the beet sugar mills of the Bobrinskoys.
Here the home taste and appearance of everything inside make one feel
as if he were in his own New England home, although not a word
of English is heard. After breakfast the next morning we go to the
distributing station, which is supported by the Bobrinskoy family in
one of the sugar mill buildings. Here we find the doctor, the baker,
the soupmaker, several of the first ladies of the place, great cauldrons
of excellent soup, tea, milk. Nestle' s food, rye and corn bread — the
tea and milk are for the sick and for the children — and the doctor, who
is familiar with every family, directs who shall receive and what- The
bread and the soup are served on regular account, the houses and
families all having been visited and the condition of each carefully
recorded. As soon as one is able in part to care for himself the bread is
sold at a moderate price.
A number of villages are supplied from this bakery and kitchen,
and this is but one of nine carried on by this family entirely at their
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. 189
own expense. In the afternoon we visit different villages, some twenty-
houses or more. We find two Red Cross nurses from Moscow, who
are at work and have their home with the peasants. In four months
one has lost but four cases ; the other but two ; and the average
number of sick in the past four months by the doctor's report is three
hundred. The peasants say they would rather do without the doctor
than be without the nurses in the village.
The peasants' home consists of one or two square rooms, built of
logs, stone, or mud bricks, with floor of earth, and furniture of boards.
One quarter of the room is given up to the brick oven, which is so con-
structed that it ser^-es not only for a stove, oven, cupboard, and bed in
cold weather, but the chickens and small animals find protection from
the cold underneath during the severe cold weather. Usually a large
horizontal pipe of terra cotta passes overhead and out through a
thatched roof of straw, which is often two feet thick. The fuel may be
wood, straw, or dry dung; fuel is scarce. A deep cellar, well covered,
outside, may hold potatoes, roots, etc. The cattle and other animals
find shelter in a room adjoining the family. At Bogorodizk another
royal family, in addition to work similar to the above named, supplied
the peasants with raw material for spinning, weaving and making of
native goods and garments both for themselves and for the market,
which the countess found either at home or by sending them to the
larger cities. Through letters of introduction we had the good fortune
to find Count Tolstoi on his estate at Yasnia Polonia.
When the count was asked his opinion of the cause of the exist-
ing conditions, he said the government might not like to have him
say that the peasants should have more land and own it themselves —
that now they have only enough in the best seasons to give barel}^ food
for their support, and when a year of scarcity comes, they cannot help
being destitute. When asked if there had been improvement in their
conditions since the emancipation, he said if that meant in the way of
property, financially, no, but mentally there had been progress and
development.
One of the first questions Count Tolstoi asked was, ' ' What do you
think of most? I would excuse him for such a question; but he
always liked to get into sympathy with the person he was talking with
and to know how to understand him. What subjects occupied ray
mind most when going to sleep? " etc.
At night I slept in the library surrounded by English and Ameri-
can books and magazines.
When asked about the demoralizing effect of giving free help to
IQO
THE RIvD CROSS.
the peasants, as said by many, he thought that an excuse of those who
did not want to help. The peasant was never so unhappy as when out
of work and had nothing to do. Even a day's idleness was tiresome to
him, and he did not think that a people who had been worked to their
full endurance for a generation were going to be demoralized by giving
them soup when they were hungry.
Peasants were coming at all hours of the day to see the count.
At dinner time two had been waiting several hours. The Count let
the dinner go on, and stopped to read a long paper they had brought;
read it through carefully; had a long talk with them; unfolded the
paper again to look over passages more carefully; after further talk he
read again, and told me after they were gone, for I remained with hira,
that they were having a law suit and had come to hira for advice, and
so far as he could judge, the peasants were in the right.
When I bade him good-bye he said, from what he had heard of
Miss Barton, he felt that she must be a very near relation, and wished
me to give her his love.
Starting again for Nijni Novgorod we meet at Moscow Mr. Frank
G. Carpenter, the writer and lecturer, who accompanied us through the
Volga and southern districts. I^eaving Moscow in the evening by the
fast express, we reached Nijni the next forenoon at ten. Here we were
entertained by the governor. The city of Nijni Novgorod has a popu-
lation of about sixty thousand ten months of the year; during the
other two months its population is increased to six hundred thousand.
This extra population from the twenty-seventh of July to about the
fifteenth of August inhabit the "dead city" in which not a single
family lives the rest of the year. Yet it contains one of the largest and
finest buildings in Russia, and not a match nor a cigar can be lighted
at any time under penalty of twenty- five rubles. The " dead city "
is built at the junction of the Oka River with the Volga, so that it is
yearly inundated to the ceiling of the first stories, when the spring rise
of forty feet or more comes with the melting of the snow. Here, too,
is located one of the largest churches of Nijni, and on the Volga side
the Siberian wharves.
In the living city is the residence of the governor on a clay bluff
four hundred and seventy feet above the river, with the business part
at the foot of the bluff adjoining the river. Nijni being in direct line
of free river transportation as well as railway connection between St.
Petersburg, Siberia, China, and the Caspian districts, the Caucasus,
the oil region of southern Russia, with its wine, grain and fruit dis-
tricts, make this city a great commercial centre. And the pulse of
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. 191
famine or plenty is probably felt here as soon as in any part of the
empire.
In the two months named, traders from nearly every European and
Asiatic country gather here with every variety of goods and product
that can be carried by rail, water, or caravan : grains, hides, leather,
teas, metals, precious stones, fish, meats, cloths, silks, peasants' works
and weavings; and the great sandbar in the river Oka of several hun-
dred acres is covered with Siberian iron. Electricity furnishes light
where needed, for it will be remembered that it is light enough
in this latitude to read at midnight in summer time. Here are
also royal quarters for the governor and State officials, whose social and
executive residences are in the " dead city " during the entire time of
the fair, in which time the governor is an absolute czar in power. To
give briefly a Russian view of the famine and how it was felt in a
single province and the Russian manner of dealing with it I give the
following abridged account:
Nijni claims to have been the first provincial government of Russia
to take active measures to relieve the sufferers by famine. The first
news came to the governor from reports of dry weather in his province
in May, 1891, for the crops of the three preceding years had been
short, and at this time the peasants had begun to ask for bread, having
already sold a part of their horses and tools; and only two of the eleven
districts had sufficient bread for their people.
Without waiting to consult the general government, in order to
save time, the governor took the responsibility upon himself of imme-
diately purchasing one hundred and twenty-five thousand poods (a pud
is about forty pounds), or twenty-two hundred tons of grain, and sent
this in the early part of June to the districts most affected by the drouth.
He used his influence to stop speculation in grain, Nijni being a great
grain centre, and formed a commission from all the districts to carry
out relief measures. It was after this that the Department of the
Interior appropriated one million rubles ($550,000) to buy bread.
It has been a custom in Russia that when a loan is made to the
poor peasayits that the rich peasants of the community are held equally
responsible for the payment ; hence they have fallen into the habit of
claiming an equal apportionment whenever loans have been made for
relief measures in times past. Thus the Zemstvo (the elective magis-
trates of the village) have the power in themselves to say that they had
not ordered nor asked for the grain, and refuse to receive it for those
really needing it. Hence the governor of Nijni ordered that only
those receiving should be charged with the loan.
192
THE RED CROwSS.
The whole loan here received was 6,350,000 rubles, all of which
except 150,000 rubles had been distributed when we visited the
district.
In the nine needy districts of Nijni Novgorod Province there
were 5X7,000 persons needing assistance that were excluded from the
government loan as being between the ages of fifteen and fifty-five —
"therefore able-bodied and able to work." The Nijni governor
followed his judgment rather than the instructions of the Minister of
the Interior, and seeing that this amount was insufficient and that no
provision had been made for cattle and horses, he tried to get permission
to begin public works in order to furnish labor and pay to those need-
ing it; but this was not secured until December, when 3,000,000 rubles
were appropriated for roads, 420,000 rubles for town improvements,
40,000 for schools and churches. From eight to ten thousand men
were given work in the woods at fifty kopeks, 27 cents, per day, and
one ruble and fifty kopeks, about 77 cents, per team.
To secure a general interest of the people the governor made every
public commission (boards of directors, trustees, etc.), take an active
part in the relief work. He created commissions among the nobility
to superintend relief work, combining the Red Cross, the churches and
other individual organizations all into one committee, so that when
the Crown Prince's committee was formed on the twenty -eighth of
December 341,550 rubles had been received and distributed besides
52,020 poods, 2,080,800 pounds, of bread which had been given
to those who had no right to the governmental loan.
By contributions three hundred and thirty-one kitchens were estab-
lished in villages, giving meals for one-half to two kopeks per meal.
Nijni, with a living population of sixty thousand, contributed one hun-
dred and ninety thousand rubles. Places were established in Nijni
where twenty kitchen meal tickets may be purchased for one ruble.
The citizens buy these and give to such as they desire to help.
From Nijni we take steamer down the Volga, and through the
kindness of Mr. Zeveke, owner of the American Steamboat Line, so
called because American names are given to all of his twelve large
steamboats, we are allowed time to visit each town on the Volga, as
we pass down the river. At each place the grain has been received and
being used. At Samara we find Mr. Bezant, one of our consignees, just
recovering from the typhus which was contracted in his relief work.
And we get direct reports from Count Tolstoi, Junior, whose work is
in this province farther to the east, and Prince Dolgoruhow, another
consignee in the district of Burulich; these have ten carloads of the
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. 193
"Tynehead's" corn, and are saving the lives of many. At this time
the Province of Samara alone had lost five hundred thousand cattle, as
many horses and 1,500,000 sheep from the famine.
At Volsk we saw many people around the church. The bells in
a dozen different towers all ringing; from another church a large pro-
cession of a thousand people were coming, bearing on high poles
crosses and banners and icons. They are joined by the people from
the first church, with their crosses and banners which are not raised
till the fi.rst procession is joined, and all march in their variegated red
and 3-ellow and bright colored dresses, with bare feet and uncovered
heads in the broiling sun, miles away to the open fields to pray for rain,
which has still been withheld from this .section of SaratofF Province.
The town of Saratoflf has a population of 125,000, contains many
Germans, from having been one of the German colonies founded by
Queen Catherine during her reign, to encourage agricultural industries.
Here as in Volsk we found the people in the fields praying for rain,
and in the evening it came. Here we met Mr. Golden, an Englishman,
who has been the active agent in the SaratofF district, and Mr. Muhler,
a German, who has been the active worker on the east side of the
Volga in Samara Province. Both these gentlemen, together with a
Catholic Bishop, say that the American help, both in material and
money, came so timely that it saved thousands of lives that other-
wise must have been lost. It came when they could get nothing from
other sources, and their thanks to America are unbounded. The relief
was " as if the Lord had ordered it." Of the " Tynehead's " cargo,
Saratoff received fifty-three carloads and the Province of Samara one
hundred and four cars.
There was a small quantity of the corn that got wet when put into
the ship during a rain in New York, and had begun to heat when
unloaded. This was sent to SaratofF with a suggestion that they use it
for their cattle, but when we reached that place the peasants had
washed the corn and dried it, and said it made very good bread.
As a typical incident and as an expression of the universal feeling
throughout Russia : — when we reached the platform of the station at
SaratofF to start westward, a Russian gentleman who could speak a
little English, and another one and his wife who could not, came to the
train, with an attendant bearing champagne and glasses, and made a
speech of thanks, expressing the gratitude of the people of Russia to
America for the heartfelt sympathy she had so beautifully expressed.
The help she had brought to their people in a time of distress made
every Russian feel to want to personally express his thank?. Wishing
194 THE RED CROSS.
every success to its representatives, they drank to America and bon
voyage.
To see some of the smaller consignments, on our way eastward
from SaratofF we stopped at an inland station and went into the
country some miles near Tambof, where two carloads of corn had been
consigned. Here it was being ground in the wind- mills and made
into the old-fashioned New England rye and Indian loaves and baked
in great, brick ovens, just as we had found in other places.
Referring back to Riga. After the last car had been sealed and the
way-bills sent, we were speaking of the harmony and unity that existed
in all the different branches of this relief work, and it incidentally
came out that the count and his family were carrying on an extensive
system of relief among the peasants in the famine district, supplying
some thirty villages with rye and corn bread, obtaining their corn from
southern Russia, with soup, broth and tea for the sick and Nestle's
food for the babies — the latter an experiment of his own. It was sug-
gested that in such an extensive work as this he should have had some
of the American corn, but he replied they could get on very well with-
out it; that his family had taken that work upon themselves to do at
the beginning, and would continue to do it until next August and did
not need other help. I expressed a desire to see this work, which I
later found was a fair sample of what is being so quietly done all over
Russia that its extent is unknown until one comes upon it. And it was
at Michailoviski that we had the pleasure of seeing some of this work.
Everywhere we found people of all classes giving their time to the
work of relief to supplement the governmental help; and this does not
mean simply directing, superintending, or planning work for others to
execute, but I found men giving up their own business, the attention of
their estates, to see personally to the detail as well as the general work.
I found cultivated, intelligent, refined women making their homes in
the huts of the peasants, where they could be nearer their work. I
found countesses working in the huts of the typhus hospitals, or taking
the sick into their own homes, giving up social enjoyments and personal
comforts, their own plans, in order to make their work of relief more
effective. If the official side of Russia is subject to criticism, as some-
times claimed, surely the quiet, personal work and self-sacrifice of its
people in this calamity is an example for any Christian land.
Sitting at the hotel table Count George told how his conscience
would protest against a good' dinner after he had returned from his
investigating tours in the famine district to learn the situation, as a
member of the Grand Duke's Committee, for, "the ruble spent for
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. 195
wine and coffte would keep a peasant child or mother a whole month."
But he says when he got back to St. Petersburg a few days away from
the distressing scenes, his mind occupied with other business, it did not
trouble him at all to eat a good full meal just as he had done before.
On another hand to show how suffering continues in any place
from lack of competent oversight this incident will show.
When going over the ground to see how the relief work had been
done for his committee, he came to a village that was in a very bad
condition. Many sick and dying for want of food, he asked the Zemstov
if a kitchen could not be established. The reply was no; there was no
one to manage it. "But," he said, "you have a school here; the
teacher can take charge of the kitchen." " No; he is not capable; he
is too slow and of no account, and we intend to get rid of him as soon
as we can get someone to take his place. There is not a person in the
village that could conduct a kitchen." The count in his rounds came
to the school house and found, as he had been told, that the school-
master did look miserable enough in an old, worn and even ragged
coat, and learned that he had not received his wages for some months;
there was no money to pay him. His roll showed a list of sixty
pupils; there were but fifteen present. When asked where the others
were, he replied that it was so near the holiday time — only ten days —
that he had let them go home. The count turned to one of the boys
and asked if he had had anything to eat to-day, expecting him to say
no; but he said yes; " he had a warm soup this morning." The same
question to the second boy, with the same reply; and so on with all
the fifteen. When asked where they got their soup, they said the
master had given it to them, and had been doing so for some weeks.
The master stood in the corner with his face very red, looking very
much ashamed. It was then learned that when the school-master found
his pupils coming to school without food, he began to use the savings
he had laid b}', to feed them, until his purse would not allow him to
continue with so large a number; and he had let all but the fifteen go,
and he was feeding and teaching them from the savings of other years.
The count said he could not pay him his wages due, but he furnished
the village with the means for a soup kitchen, and the master was put
in charge and conducted it in such a manner that no one thought of his
being an incompetent manager.
The shipping of the cargo of corn in the " Tynehead " to the
Baltic in a voyage of twenty-eight days and its distribution through
Russia answers a number of questions that were raised when the propo-
sition to send corn to Russia was contemolated. These questionings
196 THE RICI) CROSS.
came from business men, shippers, boards of trade, the produce
exch?nge and philanthropists, and by some it was stoutly asserted
that corn could not bear ocean transportation that distance without
spoiling.
And if it should pass without spoiling, it was affirmed they had
no mills to grind it in Russia, that the peasant knew nothing about
corn, that they could not change their habit of living, and therefore
would be unable to make use of it, if received. One of the leading
business men of the country went so far as to write that we might as
well ship a cargo of pebbles as a cargo of unground corn. Hence there
was a degree of satisfaction to see the entire cargo, with the excep-
tion of a small quantity referred to loaded in the rain, come out of the
ship in as good condition as when it was put in the hold, and to find
in our journey in the interior that the peasants even needed no sugges-
tion about grinding it in their windmills, which were amply sufficient.
But when the little corn that had heated was sent to Samara with
the suggestion that it be used to feed the cattle, with four additional
days in the hot state in the cars, and this was still used by the peasants
and called ^ood, it removed any doubt that might be forced into one's
mind that a starving peasant would die rather than eat a food that he
was not accustomed to.
Referring back to St. Petersburg, after our list had been made up
for the general distribution of the cargo, Mr. Hilton carefully went
over it and said, from his personal knowledge of the people to whom
the consignments were to be made, he would be willing to personally
guarantee that 80 per cent of everything sent according to the list would
be honestly and faithfully distributed, just as the donors wished, and
he further believed that the remaining 20 per cent would be as faithfully
handled.
My trip to the various places of distribution, widely separated and
at unexpected times, confirmed Mr. Hilton's belief that the entire cargo
could not have gone through better hands in any land.
To be able, after such observations and inquiries, to give this report
is a satisfaction that repays for all the anxious care and responsibility
naturally felt with such a charge.
To add to this, the deep gratitude expressed by nobleman and
peasant alike, in capital or in far-away, unfrequented interior village,
always the same, even the humblest peasant refusing compensation for
any service rendered an American, manifests a genuine gratitude and
friendliness to America and Americans which has characterized Russia
during many years.
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE.
Coast of South Carolina.
is probable that there are few instances on record where
a movement toward relief of such magnitude, com-
menced under circumstances so new, so unexpected, so
unprepared and so adverse, was ever carried on for
such a length of time and closed with results so entirely
satisfactory to both those served and those serving, as this
disaster, which, if remembered at all at the present day, is
designated as the "Hurricane and Tidal Wave of the Sea
' Islands off the Coast of South Carolina. " The descriptions
of this fearful catastrophe I shall leave to the reports of those who
saw, shared its dangers and lived within its tide of death. They
will tell how from 3,000 to 5,000 human beings (for no one knew the
number) went down in a night; how in the blackness of despair they
clung to the swaying tree tops till the roots gave way, and together
they were covered in the sands or washed out to the reckless billows
of the great mad ocean that had sent for them ; of the want, woe
and nothingness that the ensuing days revealed when the winds
were hushed, the waters stilled and the frightened survivors began
to look for the lost home and the loved ones, and hunger presaged
the gaunt figure of famine that silently drew near and stared
them in the face. How, with all vegetable growth destroyed, all
animals, even to fowls, .swept away, all fresh water turned to salt
— not even a sweet well remaining — not one little house in five hun-
dred left upright, if left at all; the victims with the clothing torn
and washed off them, till they were more nearly naked than clothed
— how these 30,000 people patiently .stood and faced this silent second
me.ssenger of death threatening them hour by hour. Largely igno-
rant, knowing nothing of the world, with no real dependencies upon
nny section of its people, they could only wait its charity, its pity,
its rescue and its care — wait and pray— does anyone who knows the
negro characteristics and attributes doubt this latter? Surely, if
(197)
(98 'THE RKD CROSS.
angels do listen, they heard pleading enough in those hours of agony
to save even the last man and woman and the helpless babe. Some-
thing saved them, for there is no record of one who died of star^
vation or perished through lack of care.
I have promised to leave these descriptions to tho.se who saw. 1
will also leave the descriptions of the work of relief done at the field
to those who so faithfully performed it, the members of my working
staff and the volunteer workers of other fields who came to their assist-
ance on this.
I place here the more important of the reports made to me at the
time, but which have until now remained under seal, no general report of
that field having been made. The main interest of these reports will
consist in showing the methods of work adopted, not only to preserve
so many people in life with so small means as we had at hand, but to
preserve them as well from habits of begging and conditions of
pauperism; to teach them self-dependence, economy, thrift; how to
provide for themselves and against future want, and help to fit them
for the citizenship which, wisely or unwiselj', we had endowed them
with. I will then, with the reader's kind permission, simply show
the open doorway through which we were called to enter that field and
introduce the nationally renowned advocates and escorts who personally
conducted us and placed its work in our hands.
About the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth of August, 1893, the
press commenced to give notice, such as it could get over wrecked
roads and broken wires, of a fearful storm coming up from the West
Indies that had struck our coast in the region of South Carolina,
sweeping entirely over its adjacent range of islands, known as the Old
Port Royal group, covering them from the sea to a depth of sixteen
feet, with the wind at a rate of one hundred and twenty miles an houl
—that its destructive power was so great that it had not only swept
the islands, but had extended several miles onto the mainland of the
State.
I chanced to be familiar with the geography and topography of
that group of islands, having lived on them in the capacity of war
relief many months during the siege of Charleston in 1863-64. Know-
ing that they scarcely averaged four feet rise above the sea level, with
no mountains, not even hills that could be called such, that the soft,
sandy soil could not be trusted to hold its tree roots firm, that the
habitations were only huts, to be washed awa3'' like little piles of
boards — I thought I saw no escape for the inhabitants and that all
THE vSEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 2or
must have perished; and so replied to all inquiries at first made as to
whether this were not a disaster for the Red Cross to relieve, "No,
there was nothing left to relieve." Later and more reliable news
brought the astonishing fact that it was estimated that from thirty to
forty thousand had survived and were in the direst need. Was not
this a call for the Red Cross? Still more emphatically, "No; if that
is the case, it is beyond the Red Cross. Only the State of South Caro-
lina or the general government can cope with that;" and again we
closed our ears and proceeded with our work.
But the first week of September brought pitiful paragraphs from
various Southern sources — one I recall from the governor of the State,
in which he proclaimed his perplexity and great distress at the condi-
tion of these poor people, needing everything, and who, at that season
Oi the year, with crops all destroyed, would continue to need; and
closed by wondering "if the Red Cross could perhaps do anything for
them. ' '
It would not do to close our ears or eyes against this suggestion,
and I at once sought our congressional neighbor. General M. C.
Butler, of South Carolina, then in the Senate, now on the Cuban Com-
mission, asking his views. The response was such as would not have
been looked for in that busy, hard-worked Senator, surrounded by a
network of political wires, some of them only too likely to be "live;"
he dropped all business, telegraphed at once to Governor Tillman at
Columbia to learn the conditions and urgently requested us to go, and
he would even leave his seat and go with us as soon as w^e could be
ready. Time is never a question with the Red Cross, and the next
night, in a dark cheerless September mist, with only two assistants, I
closed a door behind me for ten months, went to the station to
meet General Butler, prompt and kind, and proceeded on our way.
At Columbia we were joyfully surprised at meeting Governor Tillman,
prepared to accompany us, with a member of his stafiF, and thu.s power-
fully reinforced we made our entrance into Beaufort.
The work of relief had been wisely placed at first in the hands
of committees from both Beaufort and Charleston, comprising the best
business men of each city — its lawyers, merchants, bankers, all men
of prominence and known practical ability. They had done and were
doing all possible for them to do, with hearts full of pity, hands full
of work, themselves large losers by the storm, business nearly
wrecked, and needing every remaining energy for the repairing of
their own damages and those of the citizens about them.
202 THE R^:D CROSS.
The governor, at whose request they had formed, realizing the
necessities of the case, sought to release them, calling them together
in each city and successively relieving them, placing the Red Cross in
full charge of the relief. With the little knowledge we had of the
conditions and surroundings, it would have been madness to accept, at
least until both more knowledge and more numerical force were
gained, and the refusal was as prompt as the proffer had been. We
however promised to remain in Beaufort, meet with the committee
each (lay, advise with them, study the situation and report our con-
clusions when we could safely arrive at them.
Thus we remained until th^ first day of October, when, realizing
that the relief coming in from outside would soon diminish, as the
excitement should wear away, that the sum in hand was painfully
small, that the number of destitute was steadily increasing, that the
winter was approaching and they must be carried through in some
manner till the next year's crops could grow; and that, in order to do
this a fixed system of relief must be adopted, a rigid economy enforced
and every person who could do so must be made to work for his food
and receive food and raiment only in return for labor; that this could
only come from persons who had no interests but these to subserve
and with the light of all experience that could be called to the task.
Even then a successful result was questionable; but there was no
question of the fatal result of any other course, and after a thoughtful
council of our official board (which had meanwhile become nearly filled)
on the night of September thirtieth it was decided that the Red Cross
would accept the appointment of the governor and enter upon its
duties the following day.
Accordingly, at the meeting of the next day, October i, 4 p. m.,
the Beaufort Relief Commission, as appointed by the governor, was
formally released as a committee and immediately re-elected by the
Red Cross as its "advisory board," to meet and advise with us as we
had done with them.
Through all these years the tenderness springs to my heart and
gathers in my eyes as I recall the kindly and affectionate intercourse
of months, without one break, that grew up between us. And
although some have been called to higher service and greener fields, I
am confident that none of us will ever seek on this side a better, more
trusted, kindlier association than were found in these.
I desire to supplement the foregoing allusions to the storm by the
full and ably rendered account of commodore, now admiral, Beardslee,
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 203
then in command of the naval forces of that section, with head-
quarters at Paris Island. The admiral and his charming wife wert
our neighbors, and most efficient helpers through all our work:
Admiral Beardslee's Dksckiption of the Hurricane.
Mrs. Beardslee and I were i)articipators in the events and shared
the dangers brought to the inhabitants of the Sea Islands of South
Carolina by the terrific West India hurricane, with accompanying
tidal wave, which desolated those unfortunate islands in August, 1893.
Since our recent return and while on the journey, and at New
York, friends whom we have met, and new acquaintances, have almost
universally exhibited much interest in the description of the situation
of affairs on those islands, before, during and after the storm, and to
many the simple details which were to us but household words,
brought the first realizing sense of the magnitude of the calamity.
Miss Clara Barton, the president of the American branch of the
International Organization of the Red Cross, who has the manage-
ment of contributions and of the dispensing of aid among the Sea
Islands now, and had occupied a similar position at Johnstown, made
us her agents to dispense on one of the islands, where weekly we
feed over four hundred persons, and I know we are but doing as she
would wish, in continuing so to act, during our brief respite from our
work.
Therefore I most cheerfully comply with the request, and trust
that my efforts to interest and revive interest will not be in vain.
Geography of the Coast.
I will premise with a bit of geography: The coast of South Caro-
lina is bordered for over a hundred and fifty miles by an archipelago
consisting of hundreds of islands and islets from a hundred square
miles to as many yards in area. These are nearly all well wooded
with pine, oak, magnolia and gum trees. Many of them consist
largely of arable land, which, before the war of the rebellion, was
divided by hedges into great plantations, whereon the rich planters,
aided by their hundreds of slaves, cultivated, besides vegetables of all
kinds, the famous long staple "Sea Island cotton." The islands are
separated from each other and from the main land by arms of the sea,
204 THK RKD CROvSS.
here called rivers, or creeks, according to their width and depth, some,
as Beaufort, Hroad and Coosaw rivers, from one to three miles in
widtli and thirty feet in depth, and others, which, at low tide, are but
marshes, with a thread of water.
After the War.
After the war the large plantations were subdivided into five, ten
and twenty-acre farms, which were by the government distributed
among the "heads of families," generally of the slaves who were left on
them, and these negroes, with their descendants, still occupy these
farms, living in comfortable cabins, each plantation having its own
hamlet or colony. After the first shock of change was over, these
negroes developed into orderly, industrious, thriving Christian com-
munities. Each farm was thoroughly cultivated, and there was
produced every year good crops of potatoes, sweet and Irish, peas,
corn, melons and one or two bales of cotton, which, mortgaged to the
local storekeeper, generally a whiie man, furnished them with groce-
ries. All raised and owned horses, mules, hogs, cattle, turkeys,
domestic fowls and ducks. All were owners of one or more buggies,
carts, plows and other agricultural implements, and those who lived
near the sea owned one or more boats, with outfit of nets and fishing
gear, and from spring until winter the sea yielded abundant harvest
of good fish, turtles, crabs, shrimps, prawns, clams and oysters, and
the marshes furnished terrapin, which sold at very remunerative figures.
as I well know, for the storm took from me nearly three hundred of
them. Every cabin was comfortable, from their point of view, fur-
nished, and in many were sewing machines, house organs and
melodeons, and for every member of the family, however slightly
attired on week days, a fine, often gorgeous, suit of Sunday clothes —
and they are all church-goers.
The great barn-like structures chat they build for churches are
presided over by preachers of their own race — "reverence doctor" is
the title — and are crowded. They have also smaller places of w'orship,
called "praise houses," where they assemble once or twice a week in
the evening to indulge in "shouting" a mingled prayer, responding,
singing, and when "spirit dun come pow'ful," a wild, waltzing sort
of a dance, such as I have seen in Africa. They have schools which
troops of well-dressed children attend daily. There are lots of children,
and but a very small portion of those under twenty have not quite a fair
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 205
common school education. Said an old aunty to a lady friend of mine:
"Has yer children, honey?" "Yes, aunty, I have three boys and one
girl." "Is dat all?" "Yes, isn't it enough?" "Dat's as the Lord
wills, honey; to some He sends little litters and to some big ones. I'se
got thirteen head and I'se dun loss four head. "
The Disastrous Storm.
The climate is perfect, very little labor produces good results, and
I think that without going more into detail you will all admit that
the Sea Islanders were a happy, contented, vory comfortably fixed set
of people. So it was at the going down of the sun on the twenty-
seventh day of August, 1893. When the sun rose the next morning,
hundreds of those cabins had been swept from the earth, with all they
contained. Over thirty thousand of those people were homeless,
clotheless, foodless, with no resources. Over eight hundred were dead
(the figures are from actual census). A hurricane on its way from the
Gulf of Mexico to the north had swerved somewhat from the usual
course of these storms, its centre, instead of following the Gulf Stream,
had come in over the land, and the great uprising of the surface of the
sea, which always occurs at the calm centre of these storms, caused by
the low atmospheric pressure, as shown by low barometer, had, instead
of dissipating itself on the surrounding ocean, inundated our islands
to depths varying from one to ten feet according to the height of the
land, the average height of the tidal wave, above high water, being
about seven feet. Thus the surface of each island was a sea, and
driven by the tremendous force of the wind over a hundred miles per
hour, as recorded at Charleston, north of us, and at Savannah, south,
into death-dealing waves.
The houses, all built on TDosts two to four feet above groun(\ c'r^'^
down like card houses. Some collapsed and crushed their inmates ;ti
the spot; others went drifting off with men, women and children
clinging to them, until falling to pieces they dropped their living
freight into eternity. Some escaped by seeking shelter amid the
branches of the giant pines and oaks; some were so saved, but others
had but found death traps, for yielding to the force of the wind, many
were thrashed to death by the whipping branches, or knocked off into
the raging sea below. And among the thousands of these trees which
were uprooted, or twisted off, were many on who.se branches people
were clinging. I knew nothing of what was occurring on other islands
2o6 THR RKD CROSS.
than the one we were dwelling on, Paris Island, where I am in com-
mand of the naval station ; for, deprived of every means of communica-
tion with the outer world by the destruction of all railroads and steam-
ers that connected with us, telegraph and telephone lines down, and
all of my boats either sunk or wrecked, our own affairs had my entire
time and attention.
A Work of Rescue.
I have been a sailor for forty- five years, and as such have battled
with many tempests, but on my own ship, with plenty of sea room, I
have known what to do to increase safety and lessen danger. But in
this case I was nearly helpless. Fortunately I alone knew this, for I
was now surrounded by those who looked to me for help. I was forced
to "keep a stiff upper lip," but the task was not a slight one. My
house is a two-story frame, built on brick piers, about sixty rods from
the beach. Between it and the water were six negro cabins and two
quite large houses. Shortly after sunset the weaker of them suc-
cumbed, but the tide was not yet so high but that my men succeeded
in saving from the wrecks the women and children, all of whom were
carried first to the largest of the two houses. About ii p. m. the tide
was at its height, and there came driving onto my lawn and under my
house great timbers, wrecks of houses, wharves, and boats, and fortu-
nately a large flat boat, called a lighter. Some of the braver of my
men captured this boat by plunging in up to their necks and pushed
and pulled it to the house where the refugees had gathered, at which
the screams told us there was trouble. They got there just in time to
rescue about fifty and brought them to my house.
During all this time the rain was falling in torrents and every
person was soaked through, and as the wind was from the northeast,
the rain was cold, and they were chilled through. An attempt to get
up a fire in my kitchen stove disclosed the fact that my woodshed was
gone and there was no wood. Some empty packing boxes in the
garret were utilized ; then a big pot was put on to make coffee. We
then found that excepting in a few pitchers there was no fresh water.
My cistern had been overflowed by the sea. Fifty men were put to
bailing and pumping, and weather boards from my shed and servants'
quarters were quickly extemporized into gutters and pipes — then the
rain proved a blessing, and we were saved from water famine. But
there were chances of a food famine. My storerooms and those of my
THE SEA ISIvANDS HURRICANE. 207
only white neighbor, the civil engineer of the station, held all of the
food on the island, and there were hundreds to feed. Fortunately it
was Sunday. Saturday is our marketing da3% and we nad a week's
supply under ordinary circumstances, but with such a lot of boarders
we had to handle it very sparingly.
Thk Next Day.
By daylight the storm had modified and the sea subsided. Then
came work. First of all my mules and carts were started with search
parties for drowned people. Before night there were nine such laid
out in my coal shed. To those we gave Christian burial, but to twelve
others found during the next forty -eight hours, guided by the buzzards
that had begun their feasts, we for sanitary reasons had to treat them
as we did the many carcasses of animals, bury them at once where we
found them. On the second day I captured a passing sailboat, one of
the very few left, and obtained from Port Royal a big load of provi-
sions, with which I started a store, paying the big gang of laborers
that I had employed with checks on the store, where food was
furnished at cost.
Red Cross to the Rescue.
On the fifth there came to us a great blessing. The Red Cross
Association had been appealed to and had responded. Miss
Barton, its president with her staff of physicians, nurses and other
trained people, came, investigated and took charge of us, and under
their systematic, business-like methods, taught them by much ex-
perience in many great calamities, are now keeping, and will keep,
as long as the good people of the country will furnish the means,
starvation away from this miserable mass of humanity.
It may be that in this favored part of the country, where cyclones
and earthquakes do not occur, many of your readers know little of this
organization. I will tell them a little and close. During our war,
in 1863, a congress composed of representatives of the leading nations
of Europe met at Geneva, Switzerland, its object being to make such
international rules as would tend to lessen the horrors of war and alle-
viate the sufTering. The United States was invited to participate, and
Miss Clara Barton, a woman even then well known for her career of
charitable deeds, and for her abilities, was afterward selected to bring
in the United States to the treaty. Miss Barton secured for the United
2o8 THE RED CROSS.
States the privilege of adding to its war relief that of sufferings from
storms, earthquakes, floods and other calamities due to natural causes.
This addition is known as the American amendment. An American
branch was formed, of which Miss Barton was elected president. She
has a large and able corps of experienced assistants scattered through-
out the Union, ready to respond at once to her call and hurry to place
their services, free of cost, at her disposal. This corps of helpers take
nothing for granted; they investigate for them.selves and learn accu-
rately just who need help, and how much, and what kind. Books are
kept, and every penny or penny's worth accounted for. The Red
Cross does not, as a body, give charity — it dispenses intelligently that
of others. The body is your and my agent to see that what we choose
to give shall be honestly and intelligently put where it will do the
most good. Its members, from principle, do not beg. It is their busi-
ness to present facts to the public and let every man, woman and child
act on his or her unbiased judgment. She has done me the honor to
accept my service as an amateur. I am not quite so strictly bound by
the rules as are the members, therefore if anyone detects a little ten-
dency to beg in this article it is my fault, not that of the Red Cross,
Presknt Headquarters.
At this present time Miss Barton has her headquarters in Beau-
fort, where she has chartered a large warehouse, over which she and
her staff camp out, living, although I am told she is well off, in the
plainest of styles. Her desk is a dry goods box, with a home-made
drawer; her bed, a cot. Her agents are distributed on the various
islands, living in negro cabins and tents. The Red Cross flag floats in
their midst, and the food, clothing and other articles are served to the
crowds of negroes, and trained nurses and physicians are caring for the
sick and wounded. Hundreds of men are laboring digging drains to
get clear of the brackish swamp water left by the mingling of sea water
and rain, building houses and boats for the helpless, and the colored
women, made beggars by the storm, have been organized into sewing
societies, which repair all ragged garments sent, turn ticking into
mattress covers, homespun into garments.
Detaii. op the Work.
There is now being served out, once a week, the following rations,
which is all that her stock of stores allows: To a family of seven
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. ^oq
persons for one week, one peck of hominy, one pound of pork. To those
who work for the conimunit}-, double the above. To sick people, a
small portion of tea or coffee, sugar and bread. She would gladly
double or quadruple this allowance, but she has not the material.
Thus it stands. There are 30,000 American citizens who must be
almost entirely supported by charity luitil they get a spring crop in
April or May. Unless they are furnished with food they will starve,
without bedding they will die from exposure; without medicines, of
fever. Everything not perishable is needed, especially money to buy
lumber, nails, bricks and hardware to rebuild the houses, cast-off and
warm clothing, cooking utensils, pans, pots, spoons, etc. Most of the
express companies send free all articles directed to :
Miss Clara Barton,
Presidetit Red Cross Association, Beaufort, S. C.
For storm sufferers.
White SuffereRvS.
In response to further inquiries Admiral Beardslee furnishes us
the following:
There is a very small population of whites living on the Sea
Islands, and of them the greater number are storekeepers, supplying
the negroes and taking mortgages on their growing crops, principally
the cotton. As nearly all of the crops, including the cotton, which
was nearly ready for picking, were ruined, these storekeepers, in
addition to great direct loss by the flood, which swept away their
storehouses, have lost largely by unrecoverable debts, thus they are
not able to do much toward the relief of the sufferers. * * * Among
the sufferers there are a few white families, generally descendants of
the old-time planters, who, having recovered by purchase small por-
tions of their family property, have made their living by hard work
as farmers and truck growers. They are, in some cases, reduced to
abject poverty.
The merchants of the city of Beaufort lost heavil}-. Most of the
principal stores were on Bay street, their storehouses stretching out on
the wharf. All of these with the back buildings on them were swept
away, and the merchants are not in position to give much help.
Nearly all of the old Southern families were impoverished by the war
and can do little, and that little is to a great extent very naturally
2IO THE RED CROSS.
bestowed upon the negroes and their descendants, who were at one
time their slaves.
What is Needed.
The State of South Carolina is poor, one of its greatest sources of
revenue, the phospliatc business, which paid in royalties nearly $600
per day into its treasury, and expended thousands of dollars weekly,
in payment of labor, was badly crippled and temporarily, at least,
ruined. All of the dredges, lighters and most of the tugs and many of
the "mines, " the great establishments where the phosphate rock is
dried, crushed and prepared for export, were destroyed. * * * »
While anything or everything eatable, wearable or usable in any
shape will do good, I would suggest as most valuable, money with
which to buy lumber and hardware to rebuild houses, and food, hard
bread, hominy, pork and cheap groceries, warm cast-off clothing, thick
underclothing, cooking utensils, such as frying pans, tea kettles, pots,
pans, etc., second hand as good as any, and children's clothing, of
which but a limited supply has been received.
There will be no necessitj^ to mend up clothing, the sewing
societies will do that and prepare for use bedticking, homespun and
cloth of all kinds.
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE.
RELIEF WORK SOUTH OF BROAD RIVER.
Next to the account of Admiral Beardslee, I desire to place that of
Mr. John MacDonald, who, from having faced death in the rigging of
the ill-fated "Savannah" for three days, enduring every privation and
danger that could be endured, still lived to come to us, and to generously
volunteer his services to the Red Cross as one knowing how to feel for
those with whom he had sufTered in common. After a visit to the
northern end of the islands, and a full verbal report to us of their con-
ditions and needs, he went in a like capacity to the southern end, and
finding less likelihood of other assistance there, decided to take this
as his field and accordingly made headquarters at Hilton Head, where
he did most efficient and praiseworthy work, drawing from the supplies
at Beaufort such as could be spared from the needs of the other hun-
dreds of distributing points.
The work of Mr. MacDonald and his capable wife (for he married
while there Miss Ida Battell, a charming trained nurse from Mil-
waukee) was intelligent and comprehensive to an uncommon degree,
not only relieving the colored population of the entire island, but
raising them to a higher degree of industrial intelligence and self-
help than they had ever dreamed of. I desire to tender in behalf of
friendless humanity my grateful tribute of thanks to Mr. and Mrs.
MacDonald for faithful and efficient service.
Report by Mr. McDonai,d.
On the night of August 27, 1893, while en route from .Boston to
Savannah on the steamer "City of Savannah," the terrible devastating
cyclone, which swept over the Sea Island Coast of South Carolina, was
experienced by me in all its awfulness, terminating in the wreck and
complete break up of that magnificent ship, and the terrible suffering
and endurance of three days lashed to the rigging, without food or
water and facing and hourly expecting death. Where could help come
from? All the boats and ships in the.se waters had probably met the
same fate as ours. All hope of help from nearby was abandoned, and
our eyes were fastened on the North with anxious watchfulness. On
the third night, when all hope had died out, in the darkness shot up
212 THE RED CROSS.
a bright signal light — the last we had on board — and in a few moments
another light shot out into the sky about two miles away; our cry for
help was answered ! Out of the North came help to us, and after the
perilous work of rowing from one ship to the other, trip after trip,
through breakers and high-running seas, we were saved and carried
into port.
On arriving in Savannah and seeing from the papers, as the re-
ports slowly came in, the awful wreckage which had been wrought on
the islands, my sympathies were naturally aroused, for who could
better know what these people must have passed through? When, a
few days later, the call was issued for the Red Cross to assume control of
the relief work, I abandoned the plans which had brought me South
and joined Miss Barton's forces.
A first inspection of the devastated district was appalling, and
even as the scenes of distress, sickness and destitution became more
familiar, its sadness did not wear away. Here were prett)^ islands,
where, a few days before, cotton had been in its full luxuriance, corn
almost ready for harvesting waving in the breeze, a bounteous harvest
smiling in the faces of a contented people, their little homes intact and
comfortable and each one congratulating himself and each other on a
prosperous season as the fruits of their labors. Yes, prosperous, for
to these colored people, whose needs are small, whose ambition
receives no stimulus, fifty or sixty bushels of corn is a bounteous har-
vest. But the storm came!
In a few hours neat cottages were a heap of ruins, scattered per-
haps miles away ; giant trees lay across the roads, twisted and knotted
into almost impossible shapes; corn and cotton gone, and human
beings — missing. Roads flooded with water, almost impassable, but
still alive with people — here a mother looking for her children, a
husband for his wife, children for their parents. There in the marsh,
a dark object is seen lying prostrate. Onward they push, waist deep
in water and mud, till they grasp the inanimate object, and after a
moment's silence a piercing wail announces another loved one found,
dead. Go with them as they carry their dead home. Home! where
is it? Gone!
A few boards or branches of trees have been put together, tent
fashion, covered with corn stalks and mud, and into this the family
crowd, wet (for it rained incessantly nearly two weeks after the storm),
hungry, sick, ragged and helpless, unable to think or act for them-
selves, dazed by the calamity which had befallen them; they looked
THE SKA ISLANDS HURRICANK 213
around for some hand to lead them out of their pitiable condition,
but everywhere the same wreckage and destitution faced them. But
where should they look ?
As we on the wreck amidst the breakers looked northward, so
these people cast their eyes thither and sent out a plea for help.
Hoping against hope, they lingered on, until, when everything seemed
darkest, a gleam of light shot out of the Northern .sky and help came
quickly; they were saved from starvation. They grasped at the
finger of help extended to them, as a drowning man at a straw,
and with a supreme effort dragged themselves out of a listless,
apathetic condition and endeavored out of chaos to bring order. With
such a vast territory, and so many thousands of destitute people to
care for, the task of systematizing the work was a heavy one. It
was, however, divided into districts, and each willing helper entered
on his labor with very little to encourage him, but with obstacles
innumerable. How to get from island to island — boats all wrecked;
how to get supplies to them; how to pick out the most needy cases to
serve first when all were needy and the .supplies scanty. The steam
launch from the United States navy-yard was placed at my service and
provisioned for a week.
I started out to the district assigned me, comprising the following
named islands: Hilton Head, Pinkney, Harry Young, Savage, Hunt-
ing, Bull's, Spring, Barataria and Dawfuskie, with Bluffton on the
mainland south of Broad River, a treacherous stream, four miles wide,
which received the full fury of the Atlantic and renders navigation by
small craft hazardous. To prevent as far as possible any imposition on
the part of applicants for relief, who were not in absolute necessity, I
made my inspection from house to house, going into their corn cribs and
estimating from their supply on hand how long they could ^'jf/.y/ without
assistance. The condition of their houses, clothing and sickness in
their families was also carefully noted. The stagnant water lying
on the land, with no outlet, the hot sun, beating down on decaying
animal and vegetable matter, the drinking water all polluted, had
caused malaria in its worst form to be general amongst the people.
With my medicine case constantly with me, scantily provided with
quinine and other simple remedies, I relieved the cases as I met them,
.sending the wor.st cases to Beaufort, where they could be attended to by
one of the doctors on the staff of the Red Cross located at headquarters.
After examining some three hundred families on Hilton Head
Island, after driving from one end of the island to the other — •
214 THK RKD CROSS.
♦Iftceii miles — and being met on every hand with appeals for aid of every
description, from young and old, from strong, healthy, able-bodied
men to weak, tottering old uncles and aunties, I concluded that issu-
ance of relief, without requiring some work from those able to work,
would be demoralizing, and act as an incentive to people outside to
flock to the islands, claiming assistance. What work should be
organized was the next question. There were no ditches on the
islands. Those which had been dug in ante-bellum times had become
filled up. Had there been any outlet or drainage of any description,
so that the waters could have run off the land, the loss of crops conse-
quent on the heavy rains which followed the storm would not have
been so serious. I therefore put those who were able to work digging
ditches, those refusing to work I refused assistance. The result of this
was that a total length of about thirty-seven miles of ditches, varying
from two to four feet wide and from two to six feet deep, were dug. The
benefit of this work was apparent during the summer and fall follow-
ing, which was an unusually wet season, and in the bottom lands, but
for these ditches, the crops would have been inundated. As it was,
exceptionally good crops were produced, the health of the island was
improved and a large area of otherwise waste land was reclaimed and
rendered tillable.
After visiting mj^ district I concluded to make Hilton Head my
headquarters. There was no building available so tents had to be
brought over for our use as storage, hospital, sewing and living
accommodations. What willing hands to help make our camp com-
fortable ! Some making cupboards, desks, stools, benches, bedsteads,
out of old packing boxes, some gathering moss to lay on the floor as a
carpet, and finally unfurling the Red Cross flag to the breeze and we
were established. To simplify the work of issuing supplies weekly, I
gave each family a card. On this I marked everything to be issued
and each issue was crossed off, preventing it being presented twice in
one week. It also enabled the old and sick to send by children or any
one else, and receive the supplies without coming themselves.
How shall I describe our daily work? No regular hours, no rou-
tine, no system apparently, and yet everything went along in the
twenty-four hours of duty as smoothly as possible. No regular hours?
No; unless from sunrise to sunrise may be counted regular. No
routine — no system? No; unless attending to everything as soon as
it presented itself may be called system. At daylight the applicants
would be around the tents waiting to see ' ' Mr. Red Cross, ' ' and from
THE SKA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 215
then on a steady stream of people, some sick, wanting medicine;
some hungry, wanting food; some ragged, wanting clothes; some
loafers, wanting anything they could get. As soon as this stream
could be stennned.and a little breakfast eaten hastily, came visits to the
sick who were unable to come to us; and in all sorts and conditions of
vehicles, from a shaky cart with an ox as motive power, to a roadcart
behind a mule, we went wherever we were called. On returning to
camp, deputations of applicants from other islands would be in waiting,
and while eating dinner, these would be attended to. After this the
men working on the ditches would be visited. When it became dark
and everyone had gone home, we would visit our hospital tents, make
patients comfortable for the night, and retire to our own tents, hoping
to sleep, hoping against hope, for "the poor ye have always with you:"
and this case was no exception, for at all hours of the night we were
called out to go anywhere from one to six or seven miles, to attend
someone who was sick or dying. In the midst of this work visits had
to be paid periodically to the other islands in my district (where I had
local committees to look after the distribution of supplies) often taking
up two or three days. And what a scene of bustle our camp presented
every Friday when the .supplies came ! Thirty or forty carts in line
at the landing— the boat arrives — all hands help unload, and then load
the carts, the number of sacks or boxes in each cart being marked
down against the driver, and away they go to the camp, three miles
away. As soon as they arrive, the crowd of waiting recipients hand
in their cards, and as they are called in one by one, their bags ready
opened, the "weekly ration " is quickly measured, dropped in, the
card returned marked, and away they go. While all this is being
done, a flotilla of small boats from the other islands in the district, is
at the landing, and as each "captain" presents his order issued by
me, my storekeeper gives him the supply for his island, and away he
goes home, to enact the same scene with cards and empty bags and
hungry people. Nor was this all. Houses must be built, lumber and
nails measured and distributed (tents being provided for the houseless
temporarily). Those whose houses were not damaged were required to
help others rebuild. Their clothing had to be brought over, repaired and
distributed. How this was done is shown in Mrs. Macdonald's report.
This seems very simple to write about now after a year's lap.se of
time, but it does not convey to the mind of the reader the constant
anxiety resting on the mind of the Red Cross officer, with, as I had,
2,554 P<2ople in absolute need of all the necessaries of life ; separated
2i6 THE RED CROSS.
from Beaufort, tlie source from which I had to draw all my supplies, by
Broad River, with the majority of the boats in this district rendered
helpless by the storm — it was a matter of constant anxiety how I should
get my weekly supplies for this large number of people, scattered over
so large a territory, with so many rivers to cross. If the supplies were
not here on time, think of these people having to tramp home empty-
handed to hungry children, who could not understand that " it was too
rough to cross Broad River." With this difficulty constantly before
me, it is a satisfaction now to put on record the self-sacrificing zeal of
one colored man on Hilton Head Island — Ben Green — who placed his
boat and the services of himself and men at my disposal and, without
fee or reward of any kind, for several months, during good and bad
weather, brought over the large amount of supplies required for this
district. Another anxiety was, whether, when the boat went to
Beaufort, sufficient supplies would be on hand to satisfy the demands
of all the districts, or whether I should be put on "half rations."
Amid all this anxiety, there were occasional gleams of sunshine to
cheer us in our arduous work, as, when I received from Miss Sarah S.
Monroe, of 13 W. Ninth street. New York, two boxes of delicacies for
the sick, and, after Mrs. Macdonald had cooked beef tea, corn starch,
etc., and sent it round by little girls to the old and sick, how they
would " tank de good L,awd fer sendin' de buckra to look after us po'
cuU'd folks; " how the name of "Miss Cla' Ba'ton " was on every-
body's tongue, the infant girls named Clara Barton and the boys
"Red Cross." The self-appointed "Red Cross Deacons," with an
enormous Red Cross stitched on a piece of white cotton and worn on
the left arm, were conspicuous in showing their gratitude for the
bounty received. Then, when planting time came and seeds of every
description and in large quantities were distributed to them, how
eagerly they w^orked in their gardens, planting garden ''yarbs"
(herbs) and then their corn, cotton, etc. Our thanks are due to the
J. C. Vaughan Seed Store of New York and Chicago (through Mr. Burt
Eddy, their Southern Agent), for a large supply of potatoes and other
seeds sent direct to me.
A brief summary of food supplies issued in my district shows :
Meat 7,440 lbs.
Grits 16,410 pecks.
Beef 395
^^L^ ^92 cans j,p„,ti,^3i^.k.
CofiFee 143 lbs.
Sugar ........... I20 lbs.
ks.
}
X'KSTIMONIAL FROM RUSSIAN WORKMEN FOR AMERICAN HELP
AND SYMPATHY IN THE FAMINE OF 1S92.
THE SEA ISI.ANDS HURRICANE. riQ
There were 454 cases of sickness treated at the camp and 75 visits
made to the sick at home. In May, with the vegetables and wild
fruits in good supply and marketable, their crops all growing well, I
asked the people, " Can you manage to get along now without further
help?" They answered "Yes ; we are thankful for what has been done
for us, and will try to pull through till harvest, alone." On the
twentieth of May I issued a month's supply to each family, took down
the Red Cross flag and closed the relief work for this district. A year
has passed since then. I am now a permanent resident on Hilton Head
Island. I watched the crops grow, saw a good harvest gathered in,
the people resumed their old-time cheerful tone, and the storm became
a memory. With the exception of a very few old people who are
hardly able to totter, and have no one to plant or work for them, the
people of this island are again prosperous and happy. Occasionally
some kind friend enables me still to make some old uncle or auntie
happy with a litUe help, and so they totter down to "where the storme
shall cease to roll."
THK RED CROSS.
CLOTHING BRANCH, HILTON HEAD DISTRICT.
REPORT BY MRS. MACDONALD.
Accustomed as I had been, in Chicago and other large cities, to
see a miscellaneous assortment of rags worn under the name of cloth-
ing, I was little prepared for the sight of the almost nude condition of
the great mass of people, which came to my notice on first entering on
the relief work of the Sea Island Sufferers. After a couple of days and
nights spent in the clothing room in Beaufort, packing barrels and
boxes for the Hilton Head District, we proceeded there and amid loud
exclamations of " closen " had the freight hauled to our camp. Before
an hour had passed we were besieged with applicants, but as our
present supply was limited, we could only attend to a few of the worst
cases, and these were told to come at ten o'clock the next morning.
Having already procured the information regarding the families — ages,
sex and number of children — we spent the time in putting into bundles
suitable clothing for such as had been told to come. Fearful of being
late, they began to assemble by daylight, and as each man or woman
was seen emerging, " toting " the bundle, a hum of voices would assail
the lucky one with " Bress de Lawd; what ye done get?" The
experience with this first installment showed that some work must be
expended on the clothing before distribution, to make it more servic-
able. As the men were put to work in the ditches, so the women who
were able to leave their families were called on for a week's work each
in the .sewing tents; a sewing machine was borrowed from one, and
Miss Mary Clark (who was put in charge) assorted the garments,
giving to some patching to do, to others buttons to sew on, to others
apparently useless garments to make into children's clothing. When
all got steadily to work, one would commence a patter song, the rest
would quickly join in, and, to the accompanying rattle of the sewing
machine, work and music blended. To hear them sing, one would
hardly think they had just pas.sed through a great calamity; but it was
the calm which follows the storm — they knew their troubles were over,
and they were going to get " kiverin " for the " chilluns." How they
worked! Garment after garment w^as quickly mended, examined by
Miss Clark for faults, and then placed in its proper barrel, ready for
giving away. When all the clothing had been repaired, the list of
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 221
needy ones was examined, and, as before, the most.needy told to come
the next day. But the " most needy" generally included half the
island, for telegrams never flew faster than did the news that clothes
were going to be issued. Then, when the last garment had been
issued, some happy, some dejected, they would go away to await the
next issue. So week by week, a constant stream of barrels, boxes and
bundles would be received, mended and given away to those who, many
of them, hardly knew what a whole garment was. Occasionally one,
more crafty than tlie rest, would try to excite extra sympathy by pro-
ducing a goodly array of " motherless chilluns," borrowed for the
occasion, in the hope of getting an extra supply, not knowing that we
already knew the full number and ages of each family. The system
adopted by the Red Cross of first quietly getting its information com-
plete, and then going to work, k.iovving what to do and how to do it,
showed its value in preventing imposition, which must always be met
with to some extent, in all charitable work. In this way 3,400 gar-
ments were repaired and given away in this district, besides shoes,
hats, etc.
While the sewing was in progress in one tent, I helped attend the
cases in the hospital tents, and made daily calls when necessary on
patients who were unable to come to me. My experience in Hahne-
mann Hospital, Chicago, fitted me for this part of the work. In all this
work the lack of suitable supplies had to be overcome. As soon as our
busiest season had passed and the sickness had abated, I opened a free
school in one room of our house, expecting to teach reading, writing
and arithmetic to ten pupils. The attendance rose almost immediately
to forty and we gave up another room to the use of the school, and I
had one of the older pupils assist me with the younger ones. To
Mr. Proudfit, of Morristown, N. J., are due our thanks for his generous
contributions, enabling us to purchase slates, books and other school,
supplies.
222 THE RED CROSS.
WAREHOUSE AND SHIPPING DEPARTMENT.
In introducing the dual reports of Dr. E. W. Egan, I imagine that
I realize sonietliing of the feeling of the Queen of Sheba wlien she
proclaimed that the half had not been told. The practical, unswerving
and unique method of procedure pursued by Dr. Egan with these
thousands of ignorant, hungry wards and waifs would constitute an
interesting study for the most advanced philanthropist. The problem,
as he tersely states it, of how to make thirty thousand dollars feed and
shelter thirty thousand people a year, was not easily solved; and yet,
largely under his original calculation and undeviating faithfulness to
his own plans, it was solved, and how successfully, all the years from
that time to this have testified. The medical aid which he established
among these poor, deluded sufferers was as if an advanced clinic from
his Alma Mater ^ Jefferson College, or the University of Pennsylvania,
had been suddenly opened in their midst. The old dislocated joints,
broken bones, tumors, internal diseases, carried about and dragged en
through 3-ears of pain, disappeared; they literally took up their beds
and walked. Their faithful hearts, like their eyes, followed him in
admiring confidence, as with hurried step and quick glance he passed
among the distributers of the warehouse; and if he told them that a
pound of meat and a peck of grits was enough for a week — all they
could have and must be supplemented either by work, if obtainable, or
fish or game, if it could be caught — there was no complaint, no demur:
"The doctor said so, and it was all right."
It is a comfort to me as I write to know that his skillful hand is
now on the keys that have for such weary months locked in the untold
agonies of the terrible dens in western Cuba, designated, for the lack
of some more appropriate term, as " hospitals."
Report by E. Winfield Egan, M. D.
The first official word of the Port Royal Relief Field, ambiguously
called the Sea Island Relief Field, came to Dr. J. B. Hubbell, the
general field agent of the American National Red Cross, with whom
it was my privilege to be at Indianapolis, attending the annual reunion
of the Grand Army, where, for the first time in the history of that
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 223
organization, the Red Cross of Geneva took its place upon the arms of
the surgeons, tlie ambulances and the tents which were regularly dis-
tributed along the line of march. Twenty-four hours found us en route
to Beaufort, S. C, which was to be the headquarters of the American
National Red Cross, through its year of effort to take care of 30,000
human beings living upon the islands, known as the " Sea Island " or
Old Port Royal group, as they were called during the war, lying off
the coast of South Carolina, between Charleston and Savannah, and
which had been devastated by that memorable cyclone of August 27,
1893.
I reported to the president, at headquarters, for duty the twenty-
eighth day of September, 1893. Upon arrival I found the president
and field secretary quartered in an unused club house, using parts of
billiard tables for dining purposes, desks made of dry goods boxes,
crude furniture made in a day and nicely upholstered with manila
paper — in short, it was camping out indoors.
The local relief committee was still in charge. Miss Barton and
her staff meeting with them by invitation as an advisory board.
The Red Cross headquarters was the scene of busy census takers;
men from every part of the field were constantly coming and going,
bringing reports of the number of people, their condition, the condition
of their homes and their needs.
Their reports were being carefully indexed and entered upon one
great book for future reference, a record of the greatest relief field
America has ever known.
October 2, came my "marching orders" which were, "Take
charge of the warehouse and stores, make an inventory of them,
disperse these men and rid this city of the demoralizing influence of
idle people." The doors were closed and preparations for an inventory
begun.
The manner of distribution previous to November 2, though
performed by willing workers, was not, could not be, that systematic
distribution which comes only after years of experience.
The warehouse had to be cleaned, partitioned, shelved and made
ready for the repacking, separating heavy from light goods, and
getting ready for receiving and shipping. The inventory showed not
enough food to keep ten families two weeks.
On November 9, the doors of all the departments at headquarters
were opened. The question of remuneration for workmen's services
must be determined uj^on and a standard adopted There were at
224 THE RED CROSS.
headquarters twenty-five workmen in-doors — white and colored — beside
the cartnacn and out-door laborers.
A standard of fifty cents in value was adopted for a day's work
and was given in flour, meal, grits, pork, or whatever there was in the
storeroom at the end of each day, and the next day an entirely new
set of men was employed, and this daily change lasted over a month,
thus distributing to over a thousand people something beside the
regular tveekly distribution.
Women were engaged to sew sacks and other light work (just as
necessary as heavier), and they were paid in the same manner and at
the same rate as men. Will some of my readers think that these
women, some with large families to support, and all having some one
depending upon them, should receive less than the men, because they
were women ?
Shovels, spades and axes came in a few days in response to an
order from our president, and men were put upon the public roads to
clear and improve their condition and repair the damage which the
storm had done.
The tools were all marked before they left headquarters with a
Greek cross — on the steel or iron part they were stamped with a steel
die and the wood handles were burned with an iron die.
This marking served many purposes. There was an indescribable
respect for the Red Cross among the people it served and its insignia
was its representative which meant a great deal for them.
It removed a temptation; they were instructed that those imple-
ments were only loaned and must not see idle days, and were to be
passed on to the next workmen when their labors were finished. The
marking made them undesirable propert}' and none were lost, though
hundreds were at work all the time. Mau}'^ were broken, and the
pieces were returned to headquarters, mended and put into circulation
again.
Other sets of workmen were those who opened old drains and
made new ones through the low farming portions of the islands. These
men generally worked one week in relays of twelve. (A more detailed
account of these drains will be found in the general field agent's
report. ) Six months later, when the high water came, a few who had
refused to go into these relays of workmen and open the drains, lost
much of their crop — could a rebuke have been more eloquent ?
All the workmen were paid from headquarters through their over-
seer, who received the clothing, grits and meat, and proportioned it to
THE SEA ISI.ANDS HURRICANE. 225
each man. In all cases where a man worked, he received the regular
weekly allowance of one peck of grits and one pound of meat, in addi-
tion to what he received for his work.
The spirit shown by these people, after they had been instructed in
the demoralizing effect of free and plenteous distribution, was remark-
able: they did not beg for food, they asked for work, and the Red Cross
made work for them.
The relief supply was received at three points: the railroad station,
about one and a quarter miles from headquarters, the steamer " Pilot
Boy," bringing goods from Charleston, and the "Alpha," bringing a
few goods from Savannah. Freight wa.*- brought to headquarters in
small carts drawn by horses or cattk ol any kind, and it was always
an interesting sight to the stranger: the animals were driven with a bit,
with ropes for harness, and in most instances the bend of a tree had
been sawed out and used as saddles, on which were ropes or wire
holding up the shafts, with burlap or crudely made cushions to protect
the animal's back — all indications of the primitive condition of a peo-
ple who were to be the wards of the Red Cross for a year, but who
were also to be given an object lesson in practical life which was more
to them, more to the country-, than the little allowance of grits and
meat to which they must add something more to support their families.
" They must not eat the bread of idleness," said our president. " We
must not leave a race of beggars, but teach them the manliness of self-
support, and methods of self-dependence."
The distributing was done through sub-committee men, represent-
ing anywhere from five people into the hundreds. They were the
appointees of the local relief committee and retained to the end of the
field, with but few exceptions. They came weekly, tri-monthly and
monthly; those who came thirty and forty miles in crude boats were
given supplies enough to last a month, for it was a long and sometimes
difficult journey.
Each sub-committee man presented himself at headquarters and
was referred, in his turn, to the main office, where an order was issued
for whatever the notes of the investigating committee called for — grits,
meat, nails, hatchets, saws, lumber and clothing the most frequent.
These orders were brought to the shipping room, where they were
filled, marked with name of sub-committee man, his address and a Red
Greek Cross, the insignia which would entitle it to protection and
many times free transport to its destination. A complete record of this
was made in the shipping room.
226 THE RED CROSS.
A most importaut step was the uniform issue to each person on the
Red Cross books. How was it to be done ? What could be done ? All
important questions were as familiar to each officer as his own depart-
ment questions. The president would call her staflF together (and
many times it was in the small hours of the morning) and present the
question for consideration. It was at one of these meetings the fact
had been presented that the prime problem was *' How to feed 30,000
people with $30,000 for one year ? " It was evident that they must be
provided with a way to produce something themselves, and to this end
all assistance was given.
One peck of grits and one pound of pork to a family of seven for
one week was the regular Red Cross supply, and this was given to all
who needed assistance, and the laboring men received one peck and one
pound for their work.
The description given us of the negro on our arrival was not flat-
tering. " He cannot be trusted! " " He'll steal anything he can get! "
" You can't make him work! " and similar expressions came from all
sides. But Miss Barton had seen the negro before and knew the best
way to lift him up, and her wnsdom was manifest all through that
field, as the splendid gardens (producing more than the people could
eat or sell), the mended condition of the clothing, the division of cot-
tages into rooms, the carefully selected, bottled and labeled seeds for
next 3'ear's planting, and the general elevation of their habits proved
beyond argument.
They were treated like gentlemen and they felt the responsibility.
They were trusted and told so, and they lived up to the trust. They
were shown the necessity of w^ork, and they worked like men and
women. No race of people could have borne their affliction better,
more cheerfully (they are pre-eminently a cheerful, happy people) and
with less record of crime than did these 30,000 people, the vast majority
of whom were negroes.
One important and erroneous impression among some of the less
intelligent was that seeds were of little account which they raised in
their own garden, and the proper procedure was to buy each year
from the merchants "new and good seeds," and that practice was
common.
One day one of the sub-committee men brought in a very large,
magnificent onion, and with some pride presented it as a result of his
work, and said, " Miss Barton, if I could git some ob dat y'ar seed, I
reckon I could raise onyun 'uough to pay fo a critter nex' year."
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 227
"Well," said Miss Barton, "do you think you could not raise seeds
enough from those onions? "
" Oh, bress you, no marni. You see dem ain' good what we raise;
we has to buy de seed."
Then followed a long explanation and agricultural logic such as
Jack Owen (for that is his name) had never heard before, and when
he left he said: " To tink dat I could'n know befo' dat a good onyun
mus' bring good seed, and dat good seed mus' bring good onyun. I
sabe my seed now, sho. "
When he returned to his plantation, he called his neighbors
together and gave them as many of the instructive points as he could
remember, and they now plant seeds of their own raising and have
established, in a very crude way, an exchange of seeds from "up
country ' ' and neighboring islands.
An early crop was of great importance to the wards of the Red
Cross, and our president began to look around for white potatoes, know-
ing their early productiveness. The merchants said the soil would not
raise them; the negro would not take care of them; they did not
know what they were, and if they did raise them, they would not
eat them.
Inquiry showed them to cost $5.00 per barrel, and was it any
wonder thej^ did not eat them ?
In the face of all this opposition Miss Barton ordered over one
thousand bushels of white potatoes for planting. These were brought
to headquarters and cut into small pieces (each having an eye or sprout)
— a novel sight, the forty women cutting potatoes for seed. These
were distributed from headquarters and from the two Red Cross sub-
stations— Wadmalaw Island and Hilton Head Island — representing
respectively the northern and southern end of the district. It is almost-
needless to add that tlie potatoes were planted, from which a fine crop
was raised and eaten, and the people were grateful.
Corn for planting was another important distribution; 2200 bushels
of corn were distributed, and a second crop raised by many who had
never asked mother earth for more than one crop. There were many
doubts among the people as to the possibility of a second crop, so a
second planting was urged to get the fodder for their cattle, and the full
corn in the ear rewarded their second planting.
228 THE RED CROSS.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT.
BY K. WINFIKLD EGAN, M. D.
The storm had left the sanitary condition of the islands in a very
unhealthy state, and it became necessary to establish a medical and
surgical department at headquarters.
Dr. Magruder of the United States Marine Hospital Service had
done very efficient work in the vicinity of Beaufort, but many of the
wells refilled with a brackish red-colored water and there were many
cases of illness, two-thirds of which were fever, which, in the healthiest
times, exists upon the islands.
It required many emptyings of the wells to get good water and
many wells had to be abandoned, as good water could not be brought
into them.
A clinic and dispensary was opened from 12 till 2 daily, at head-
quarters, and patients were required to see a local physician before
they applied to the Red Cross, and if they could not get medical aid from
any other source they were admitted and treated.
This precaution was taken to protect the local physicians, who
were themselves heavy losers by the cyclone and could not afford to
do as much as they wished to. There were some noble-hearted men
among them who counted no sacrifice too great to relieve their fellow
beings.
It is always the policy of the Red Cross to protect the merchants
and people who have goods to sell, and giving in the way it does, it not
only protects, but improves their business after the first effects of the
calamity have passed off — say two or three months (according to the
field) and it is conceded at every field where the Red Cross has worked,
that it has left the locality more prosperous than even before its
calamity.
The average number of patients treated daily between November
ninth and April 2d at this clinic was seventy-three. Nights were devoted
to seeing those patients who were unable to leave their beds, and this
" out-patient " service was only made possible by the tireless, faithful
and competent nurses who had volunteered their services to the cause
of humanity and had been assigned to the medical department by Miss
Barton.
THE SEA IvSI^ANDS HURRICANE. 229
Patients came from all parts of the field, and as there was no
hospital, they were placed in families who were on the supply list,
and something additional given for the care of the sick.
Sunday was given wholly to surgical cases and the operating
room was often opened at daylight and not closed till dark; operations
var)-ing from a simple incised wound to a laperotomy were performed
and the crude appliances often made the surgeon wish for a moderately
well equipped operating room in one of our hospitals.
It would be difficult to write a ver}' clear medical history of the
majority of cases from a subjective examination, and I insert one as
an example :
" I got a lump in de stomach here, sir" (pointing just above the
pubic bone), " and he jump up in de t'roat and den I gits swingness in
de head. Dat lump he done gone all over sometime; I fine him here
and den he go way down in de leg.
April 2. A telegram from our president (who was in Washing-
ton, D. C), ordered me to the northern end of the district, with head-
quarters on James Island, and on April 4 the scarlet banner of
humanity waved over a hastily arranged office where for two weeks
from forty to fiftj' patients were seen every day, when it became
evident the trouble was in their drinking water. A tour of the island
showed wells only twelve inches deep and draining the surface for rods
around. These were curbed, cleaned, dug deeper and in many instances
filled up and new ones dug. Three barrels w^ere generally sunk for
curbing.
This labor was performed without a promise to pay, willingly and
well, and it was not long before the dail}' number of applicants for
medical aid on James Island was reduced to ten or twelve.
Medicines and surgical dressings were provided for the work in
this district by Mr. E. M. Wister, of Philadelphia, Mr. John Wright,
of Greenfield, Mass., and others. These gentlemen not only con-
tributed, but came personally to the field to lend their aid, the former
spending a week at a time in the Cumbahee River district, in a small
crude boat, among the unhealthiest parts of the islands.
Many rough places were smoothed by Mr. W. G. Hinson, of
James Island, who did much to lighten the work of the Red Cross
representatives in his locality, and it is always a pleasure to look back
upon his efforts to help the people in their affliction.
One of the great evils existing upon the islands is the charlatanism
practiced upon the ignorant.
230 THK RIU) CROSS.
" Traveling doctors," who never saw a materia medica, infest the
country and sell every imaginable cure, as well as cures which are not
imaginable.
Removing lizards, toads and various other things from various
parts of the body is one form and perhaps the highest type of medical
fraud. The "doctor" will declare the petient "conjured," and at
once contract to remove the ofifending spirit, the usual fee being five
dollars; in 90 per cent of such cases, he takes a lien on a cow, horse,
or pig, and finally, by foreclosure, gets the animal, for by the present
unjust system of trial justices, almost any verdict may be rendered.
I was asked to see a case one evening which was described to be a
sore arm. It was four miles distant, but the husband of the patient
had driven over for me because " de pain is powerful bad, sir."
I found the woman sitting in a chair, her right arm resting on a
barrel that had been rolled in for the occasion, an immense poultice of
bread, meal, feathers and numerous other ingredients wrapped around
the arm, the whole w^eighing about three pounds. As I lifted the
cloth I found a mass of the ordinary ground worms dead upon the
surface. With aery of pleasure, the couple said, " Dat 'em ! Dat 'em !
He tole us dat arm full of worm and slio' 'nuf he come out."
Could anything appeal more piteously; could it be more pathetic?
Think, at our very doors exists such barbarity, while each year
thousands upon thousands of dollars go as many miles to help a people
far beyond some of the people of our own country.
I removed the poultice, washed the arm, and found a compound
communicated fracture of both bones of the forearm.
Who could stand by such a picture with an unmoved heart or an
unmoistened eye! Tell her the error? No; only asked her not to let
strangers treat her when she was ill and advised her to go to some
doctor she knew in the future.
Dried green peas coated with sugar was one of the staple drugs,
and others as useless, but not as harmless.
I found there a grateful people. They would bring eggs, chickens,
berries and all kinds of gifts, including money, and when told that the
Red Cross never recei\'ed pay for its work, its was hard for them to
understand; but as weeks passed, they learned it and tried to help each
other as they had been helped. On the first of June the medical
distributing department of the American National Red Cross was closed
and all the officers were ordered to headquarters, where the field was
closed and the president and staff left for Charleston, to repack and
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 231
ship to the northern district, June 7, 1894. Then came a few weeks at
the Charleston Headquarters. Through the courtesy of Mr. Kaufman,
his long warehouse (150 feet by 40 feet) was at the disposal of the
Red Cross from the time it received the Charleston Committee to the
close of its field, with privilege of occupying it as long as they wished.
Tents were pitched in this room and Miss Barton and her staff
lived there until June 30, when the field was officially closed.
Miss Barton and her party went to Washington, leaving Dr. Hub-
bell, the general field agent and myself.
Crops of vegetables and corn, building and ditching were in prog-
ress and instruction was necessary, and this instruction was given as
follows :
Each day we would meet from fifty to three or four hundred people
and give them a good practical talk, with about these headings for
notes :
"Owe no man anything."
How to keep out of debt.
Don't sell cotton before it is picke;ti.
Plant more vegetables, and why.
Divide cottages into rooms.
Don't mortgage, which was a continuation of the instruction given
daily from the beginning of the field.
These talks were of much help and the islanders would drive miles
to get the advice which they knew was given unselfishly.
THI-: Rlvl) CROSS.
RELIEF METHODS IN THE FIELD.
However brilliant may be the scintillations lighting up the
descriptions of the worker who sees a field for the first or the first few
times, it is always to the steady-burning flame of the veteran of all the
fields from the earliest to the latest, that we look for the steady light,
b\' which we shall see the calm facts, and so far as possible, the
machinery that moves the whole.
It will be remembered that Dr. Hubbell was the agent of the Red
Cross in the Michigan fires of the North in 1881. We saw him in the
snows of Russia, and now find him at the Islands. The doctor's
reports are always an unknown quantity. They may be but a few
sentences; they may be many pages, but never too much. I will ask
of him that he give his report independentl3S and not to me. The
various topics which he will touch, render this preferable:
Dr. HubbeIvIv's Report.
On this field there were many first things to be done. Among
these were the feeding of the people, rebuilding the houses, cleaning
out the wells, draining the land of salt water, clothing and placing the
people in ways to help themselves; half a million feet of lumber to be
rafted down to accessible points, from the mills on the rivers which
emptied into the waters of these island inlets. While this was being
floated down, the well men and women were instructed in different
kinds of work: to take care of the helpless, rebuild their homes, and
to provide shelter and food for themselves.
While the people of these islands, in great measure, own their little
tracts of land, they retain the old plantation name for their home.
These plantations usually contain from twenty to forty families. The
inhabitants of each plantation were directed to select a representative
from their own number who should be the representative and commit-
teeman for that plantation, whose duty it should be to communicate
with the Red Cross, receive and distribute supplies for his people, and
be the director of the various kinds of work that should be carried on
among his people. These committeemen from all over the islands
THE SEA ISr.ANDvS HURRICANE. 233
would come to headquarters to receive their instruction — food, seeds,
tools, clothing, and learn the methods of work.
These committeemen were received at headquarters by Miss Barton
personally as well as by her officers, and careful explanations given to
them that the supplies and the help that we were to give were in no way
from the government, as many supposed from their memory of the old
" Freedmen Bureau " days, but that they were the contributions very
largely of poor people from over the country, who themselves had little
to give, for the times were hard, but these had heard of the pitialjle
condition of the storm sufferers, and were willing and glad to divide
the little they had to help them into their homes again. The funds we
had in hand, they were made to understand, were very small, far less
than we could wish, not likely to be much increased, and we should
depend upon them to help us to use them to the very best advantage,
and we would do our best in the same way to help them.
Among the early contributions were a quantity of garden seeds.
More were sent for, particularly of those vegetables that would grow
there profitably during the late autumn and winter. It may not be
generally known that it was not the custom of these people to plant
anything but cotton, corn, sweet potatoes and rice. Hence they knew
almost nothing about the raising of other field or garden products.
These committeemen were carefully instructed and directed how
to prepare the ground and plant the various kinds of new seeds which
were put up in packages for families, which he would take home and in
turn instruct his people what to do with them; in this way lettuce,
onions, and garden peas were planted, and in a few weeks these
plantings began to supply them with a vegetable food to go along with
their grits and meat.
From among those who could handle tools, building comnuttees
were formed whose duty it was to repair and rebuild the houses, first,
of widows and the infirm, and afterward, their own. These com-
mittees were furnished with nails, lumber, and the necessary hardware;
tools were purchased, marked with the insignia, and loaned until their
work should be finished, when they would be returned and another
committee would take these same tools and begin work on another
plantation.
At the same time a foreman for ditchii:g would be elected from a
plantation, who would select his force of men, clean out the wells and
ditch the lands of his plantation, working jointly with adjoining
plantations, so that the ditching of one piece of land should not flood
234 THK Rl<:i) CROSS.
his neighbor. Spades, shovels, axes, hoes, mattocks, were furnished
these men, who, when their work was finished, would return the tools
to headquarters for others to take and work with in the same way.
Men acquainted with the building of flood gates, or " trunks," as
they are called, and dams, built and put these in to protect the open-
ings of the ditches from the incoming tides.
Through their committees each man was instructed to split out
palings from the fallen timber and fence in a large garden, so that it
should'be secure from his chickens and pigs. Nails and tools were
likewise furnished for this work, frows, crosscut saws, axes, hatchets,
hammers, etc.
As the season advanced, in February, the planting time, seedmen
of New York and Philadelphia, as well as other cities, hearing of the
success of these amateur gardeners through the winter season, sent
generously from their stores, and the Congressmen of several districts
joined them in directing the seeds in the Agricultural Department
apportioned for their distribution to be sent direct to the Red Cross for
the Sea Islanders. Again these committeemen, as formerly, were
called and instructed in the manner of preparing the ground and plant-
ing each kind of seed, with instructions to communicate what he had
learned to his neighbors, as before. As these peoples had never before
made gardens, even the leading business men and merchants laughed
at the idea of attempting to "make truck gardeners out of these peo-
ple." Notwithstanding this. Miss Barton bought nine hundred
bushels of Early Rose potatoes. Women were set at work carefully
cutting these into one or two eyes each for planting. This provision
also removed any possible temptation, with their scant provisions, to
use them at once for food.
The seed corn, like everything else in all this vicinity, had been
destroyed by the storm. Again Miss Barton sent to the Ohio valley
for two carloads of seed corn. This was distributed over the entire
storm-swept section, and many of these people at harvest time said
that if the storm had brought them nothing but this new varietj^ of
seed corn, it would have been a blessing, for their crop was double
what it had ever been before.
In order to preserve the quality of the famed " sea island cotton,"
which is a special variety, with long, silky fibre, used for making
thread, the furnishing of this seed was given to the care of the local
cotton merchants, who were directly interested in preserving its high
standard and market value.
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 237
In the feeding and ' ' rationing ' ' of these people the}- were as
carefully instructed in the principles of economy and care as in other
lines of work. Where a fisherman could be found, he was furnished
with a boat or net to supply his people with fish to help out with the
living, and this was a great aid. The living ration for a family of
seven was half a peck of grits a week and a pound of pork, simply
as an insurance against starvation for those not having work. Those
who were at organized work under a regular foreman received double
that amount, i. e. , two pecks of grits or meal and two pounds of pork
a week for each man.
At all times these people were cautioned about going into debt for
any purpose, and so faithfully did they follow these suggestions that
when we questioned them in their churches when their corn was ready
to use, no more than one in thirty had contracted debts for food or
living supplies, — a matter of special interest in view of the fact that it
has always been the custom of the country, to go into debt for food
supplies until the crop should be ready for market. True, on some of
these islands additional help was received from other sources, notably
on St. Helena, Ladies and Port Royal, through the influence of some of
the resident merchants and other friends — local merchants rebuilding
their stores and warehouses gave employment to some, shipping to
others, and later, a partial reopening of the phosphate industry brought
labor to others.
It will be remembered that these people were constantly receiving
lessons in practical econom}^ and suggestions in improvising and turn-
ing to best account what they might have at hand. The.se in.structions,
coming from Miss Barton direct made a deep impression on the minds
of these people, and they were faithfully followed up by her repre-
sentatives, who had received their lessons beforehand in practical,
common sense econom}'. I recall an incident. After showing a number
of the committeemen through the office and living apartments at head-
quarters, where they saw desks, working tables, book shelves, wash-
stands, wardrobes, commodes, all neatly covered with manila paper or
hung with tasty calico curtains or draperies, with neat and attractive
effect — and then when shown the constructions they were amazed to
find that nearly every piece of furniture before them was made from
various sizes of dry goods boxes (that are usually broken up for
kindlings) with shelves inside or on top, as occasion required. One
of these committeemen made the practical remark that this half-hour
observation and instruction was worth just seventy-five dollars to him,
14
23S THE RICI) CROSS.
for it showed him how for the present he could save that amount of debt,
which he considered necessary to make his house furnishing comfortable
for his family.
Careful reports of tools borrowed and returned, of work done each
week, as the basis of additional food support, encouraged accuracy,
system and responsibility.
I hope it may not prove too tedious if a few average reports of
committees are here given from different sections of the field and a
sample " labor sheet " to more clearly show some of the kinds of work
done, and the character and spirit of the people. The labor sheet is
intended to be a record of the tools given out and returned, the number
of men at work, the kind of work done — whether ditches, bridges,
roads, dams, repairing wrecked houses, or building new ones, digging
wells, building chimneys, fencing gardens, splitting boards or shingles,
etc. , and also the record of the condition as observed by the visitor or
inspector of the work.
The following sample is the work of Committeeman Jackson Gilli-
son, of Stuart Point, Port Royal Island, being one of the first who
began work:
Labor on Port Royai. Island.
Committee, Jack Gillison. Stuart's Point, Place,
BUILDING AND REPAIRING.
1893
Dec
April
87
5o
a 0
DESCRIPTION.
Sandj' Brown's House
, 12 X 18,
Rebuilt.
12
Abby Hamilton's "
12 X 15,
Shalcot Mack's
10 X 15,
"
Thomas Devoe's "
10 X 15,
Robert Marshall's "
15 X 15,
August Dunkin's "
12 X 18,
"
Storm Jackson's "
Shingled.
Sanford Howard's "
All except shingles.
Thomas Williams' "
Tissey Small's
Rebuilt.
Sibby Robinson's "
moved :
!oo feet on hill and blocked up
Alfred Davis'
finished to the shingles.
24
Dick Bright" s
finished after frame has been put up.
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE.
Labor on Port Royal Island — Continued.
239
1894
Feb
16
Depth. Length.
April
27
1 Trunk (Tide Gate), repaired .
2 Trunks ( " " ), made . .
5(x. — iCjoo feci Dikea
700
600
400
700
500
400
400
600
300
200
600
800
150— S650 Ditches.
3 Trunks.
On Ladies Island George Barnwell, foreman for Eustis Place and
Hazel Farm, reports four houses built, ten repaired, 87,870 feet of
ditching, fifty feet of dam, three miles of road across the island, thirty
feet wide, cleared up and repaired; this latter required seventy-five
men at work three weeks cutting out fallen trees, rebuilding bridges,
and filling in washed places. Barnwell says, in closing his report :
The improvement of the land that is redeemed and put in good order for the
farmers on Kustice Place, including the houses, is worth about three thousand
dollars. July 20th, 1894.
At that time we endorsed on this report the following
August 4th we inspected this work and found all well done, but we found
several buildings that Barnwell had begun were not mentioned in his report
because they were not finished when he made it Houses and ditches give
evidence of good practical work.
240 THIv RKI) CROSS.
From two plantations on St. Helena's Island Rev. D. E.
Washington's report shows 32,331 feet of ditching, two houses built,
four repaired. The close of his report has this :
To the Red Cross officers: We, the ixiulersigncd sufferers, return a vote of
thanks to you for the goodness you have done for us by giving us ditches to save
our crops. The value to us is |20oo.
D. E. Washington,
Agent of the Mary Ann Chaplin,
Tom Fripp and Village Plantations.
I find this observation on the back of this report, after a visit to
look at his work and to speak to his people :
August 13th, 1894, went over this vv^ork in part. The ditches are doing excel-
lent service and have been of great value to the plantations during the wet season.
It may be that the width of the ditches is hardly sufficient in all places, but the
condition of the people is most gratifying, and the work of Reverend Washington
has been markedh' unselfish.
On reaching his place we learned for the first time that his own house, a large
plantation building of former years, had been burned just before the storm, and he
has since been living in his stable. This personal loss he has never mentioned to
the Red Cross people, although his duties as committeeman brought him in con-
tact with them every week for nearly a year.
From the mainland Rev. "Wade Hampton, in returning his tools,
after making nearly one mile of canal and ditches, and 330 feet of
causeway, says :
We, the committee on said places (Chaplin, Fripp, Toomer, and Tom
Rhodes), return our sincere thanks to you for the rations and the tools to work
with, for it was just the same as if you had given us a hundred dollars apiece.
This is to the Red Cross, by your committee. Most respectfully,
Wade Hampton,
Agent Chaplin Plantation.
From another section of the mainland, William Grant, of
Pocotaligo, reports nearly two miles of canal eight feet wide, and about
the same amount of ditches, and the building of four houses.
l^HE vSEA ISLANDS MURRlCAN^. 241
jack Snipe, a young man, almost a boy, after building 5 chimneys,
getting out over 4000 shingles and clapboards, and repairing 1 1 houses,
began and made 2000 feet of ditches, and we find this endorsement on
his paper. "July 27, I went over part of Jack Snipe's work to-day.
H- was a hard working, conscientious man, but not very strong physi-
cally. After his work of building and repairing as the leader of his
luj.i, he took charge of the ditching; got sick from working in the
water, and died soon after. Mrs. Barker, one of our volunteer trained
nurses, worked faithfully during all his illness to save him, but in
vain."
Ben Watkins, on Baker Place, shows 19,562 feet of ditches, i
house built, 2 repaired, 3 large gardens fenced, 7 wells dug. July
24, 1894, inspected this work, both buildings and ditches, and found
the work well done, the ditches being new and important, carrying the
water from three large ponds. One main ditch is from four to .seven feet
deep, equally wide at the top. The crops are in excellent and promis-
ing condition, and Watkins' work is more than he has claimed for it,
besides being practical and well done. The Gregorys and Browns on
Baker Place have attractive homes, neat and orderl}^ with appearances
of thrift and industry."
These quotations taken at random from a list of a hundred reports
serve to give an idea of the kind and quality of the work done over
the entire field, as well done in one district as another from Charleston
to Savannah, a distance of 150 miles, including a large area of the
mainland as well.
While these people are in large measure cut off from the advantages
that come from travel and contact with the outside world, they have a
peculiar style of expression, and a musical sweetness of voice that is
unusually attractive. They are of different origin and type from the
Virginia or "upland people;" many are good scholars, due largely to
the schools of Miss Batoum and Miss Murray on St. Helena, and others
established soon after the war. Nearly all read and write. Still, there
are some that retain the old-time style of expression, as in the follow-
ing: " W^e's de bes garden I eber seen sence I was a man grown."
" All de .squash,' de tomaty and de watermillion seed gone died, but de
Lo'd's will must be done."
" All de house (houses) is done ractified." " I couldn't tell a lie,
for I 'z deacon in de chuch. I has to be respectable." Another says:
" I'v ]yen dar from de fust upstartment, and dar ain't ben de fust rag
gin to dose people."
242 THK RlvD CROSS.
Another: A man who had seen the Red Cross staff getting on the
boat to go to Charleston said: "I tell you, doctor, when I see Miss
Barton gettin' on the boat to go away I }ust /eli so, my eyes couldn't
help leakin' water, for you all have saved us people."
After the general relief had closed, and the body of the Red Cross
staff had left, Dr. Egan remained with me to help finish the distribu-
tion of a renuiant of supplies and tools that could be kept in use, and to
encourage the continuance of the general improvements so well begun.
Considerable attention was given to visiting the work, and the people
on the different islands in their churches, where practical suggestions
were made on the line of the instructions they had received from head-
quarters at first. These talks were always preceded by an inspection
of the fields, gardens, buildings and work which had been done on the
place, for the purpose of better judging what kind of suggestions would
be of most profit to the people; but the subjects usually taken up would
be headlined thus:
Prosperity.
Keep out of debt. Debt is a burden and a hindrance to prosperity,
the cause of much trouble and bad feeling. " Owe no man anything."
How to keep out of debt. Keep the garden producing something
to live on the entire year. The climate here will allow this to be done.
Then a list of vegetables suitable for the soil and the climate that
experience has shown can be raised with success.
On the farm keep some kind of profitable crop growing the entire
year, both for profit and for feed for the stock. Follow the regular corn
crop with a second one for fodder, or with some of the root crops, as
turnips, beets, rutabagas, cabbage or collards.
Plant such things as the fowls will injure inside the garden fence.
Fruits; figs and grapes grow from cuttings, and are easily raised,
if only protected from the pigs, the goats, or the cattle. Pears, peaches,
apples, oranges, pomegranates, pecans, walnuts, grow with a little care.
(Fine samples of vegetables and fruits raised on the islands, often by
their own people, were shown in evidence. )
L,et each one raise and preserve his own meat, or have a neighbor
who has been successful, put it up for him until he learns how for
himself. This point was particularly made, because the general custom
of the country is to sell hogs for three or four cents a pound and pay
twelve to sixteen cents a pound for pork.
THE SKA LSLANDS HURRICANE. 243
Homes: — Make them neat, light, attractive; have trees, flowers
and the simple conveniences, any and all of which can be had by a little
thought, labor and interest.
In the line of health, use less pork, more vegetables, fruit, milk,
eggs, and pure water. Good wells are necessary, ditches are necessary
for health as well as for agricultural development. If all the planta-
tions are well drained, it will in large measure banish fevers from the
islands.
Observe among your people which one succeeds best in any under-
taking, whether it is in the raising of a particular kind of crop, or the
saving of it, the successful curing of his meat, the raising of fruit, the
breeding of good stock, or having attractive home — go to thai one for
that particular kind of information or instruction that you want.
Strive to improve the moral standing, which is necessary for physical
as well as social advancement.
No one who has been with these people, worked with them as we
have, but must be pleased to observe their gratitude, their gentle man-
ner of expressing it, their desire to improve and their attention to
instruction or suggestion, their cheerful disposition and their faith in
God and the Red Cross.
244 THE RED CROSS.
ON THH CHARLHSTON (iROHP.
Among those who lived the storm and later brought their experience
and quickened sympathy to us for such help as they could give to their
still suffering companions in danger and woe, was our tireless and
faithful assistant, Mr. H. L. Bailey, of Charleston.
It has never been my good fortune to find one who — entirely new
to the work and to its conception — has grasped more readily the field
of labor presented to him. The success attending his work and the
satisfaction attested by his beneficiaries are rich stores of memory for a
lifetime. The Red Cross could not have asked for better service.
Report of Mr. H. L. Bailey.
In order to make the following narrative more complete I deem it
not amiss to preface it with a short account of my own experience in
the great Cyclone of 1893, and a few incidents relating thereto.
In August, 1893, I was doing business on that part of Edisto
Island, known as " Little Edisto," and spending the nights at a small
place "just across the creek" called " Brick House," said place taking
its name from an old and substantial brick house which had been built
on that spot, at a time ante-dating the Revolutionary War, and much
honored in that locality on account of its antiquity and the good mate-
rial of which it was built, the bricks, etc., having been imported from
Holland.
On Saturday morning, August 30th, I went to m}^ business on
"Eittle Edisto" as usual, and on arriving I remarked to Mr. Whaley
(my employer) how promising the crops were looking, and the bright
prospects of a fine harvest. His answer was " Yes; but I am afraid a
storm is brewing, and one of unusual severity, too, because the signs
of the last few days have been ominous of such, and I feel very uneasy."
I, being young and skeptical, of course took no heed of his prophetic
words, and alas, only a few hours more convinced me that something
of unusual magnitude was upon us. I retired that night, and on
awaking next morning (Sunday) took breakfast, and parted from Mr.
W. to spend the day at " Brick House," promising him to return that
THE SKA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 245
evening and remain all night. But circumstances intervened (which
prevented nie from doing so for several days later) so appalling that
even as I write them now, a cold shudder conies over me, and all the
horrors of that awful time come back.
Sunday morning dawned dull and hazy with a stiff breeze blowing
from the east and in crossing the creek, I remarked to my companion
that we would have bad weather, and on reaching ' ' Brick House ' ' we all
began speculating on the approaching storm (no one ever dreaming
such a storm was coming), etc., etc., and so the day wore on, the wind
rising higher and higher every moment, and towards afternoon the
trees began to bend and sway in a terrible manner, branches and limbs
flying in all directions. By sunset we were all thoroughly alarmed
and moved over to the previously mentioned " Brick House," deeming
that the safest place to pass the night, and in a few hours' time the
whole population of the village was gathered under its protecting roof,
all feeling thankful a safe shelter was provided for us. How we passed
that night of terror, only God knows, for the winds blew, the rain fell,
and the tide rose, until towards midnight it seemed as if everything was
lost; but the old house stood and carried lis through until dawn of
another day, and then what a sight met our anxious eyes. What had
been a smiling pretty village, was nothing but a pile of wreckage and
a mass of ruins, some houses having been washed away completely,
and those that remained, so badly damaged as to be uninhabitable. To
make matters worse even our food had been swept away, and there we
were, cut off from the island on this point of land, wrecked, desolate
and hungry, some of us with only the clothing on our backs, all the
balance gone; and as far as the eye could reach there was nothing to
see but water, and those spots from which the tide had receded, covered
with portions of houses, trunks of clothing broken open and scattered,
drowned poultry, and every crop ruined and prostrated. After a little
while we found some grist that had been saved by a colored man, and
cooking this with some saltwater and "drowned" chicken, we sub-
sisted till evening, when help came in the shape of water and food.
By Wednesday I returned to " Little Edisto " and Mr. Whaley,
who I had been so anxious about during the storm. I found the
brave old man "holding the fort," and tr>'ing to save, by drying out,
etc., what the storm had left; but oh! how different everything looked.
What had been of so much promise and beauty had been literally
swept from the face of the earth, nothing remaining but ruin, desolation
and death for those whose all had been taken from them if help did
246 THK RIvD CROSS.
not conic quickly. It is hard for those who were not there to realize
such a condition of things; but just imagine a whole island completely
covered with water (and a raging sea, at that) from three to six feet in
depth. Can you wonder that so many poor creatures were drowned
or that anything was saved at all ?
Fortunately Mr. Whaley had saved some provisions which were
stored in his house out of the reach of the tide, and gathering up all
else we could find, we began issuing food to the poor hungry negroes
around us, who had been entirely bereft of their all. And there I
stayed on that little island for some time after the cyclone, giving out
each day of our own little store, food, medicine and comfort to those
who came, trusting that when that supply was exhausted, other means
would be provided to carry on the good work, thus so nobly begun;
for it must be understood that those who had, freely gave to those who
had not, and the men of that section worked hand to hand and heart
to heart to help those of their colored brethren, who otherwise must
have died of hunger, sickness and exposure.
Such then, was the condition of affairs when news was received
that the Red Cross would take the field, and a sigh of relief, and a
prayer to God went up from thousands of homeless, hungry, helpless
and demoralized people, who had gone through so much, it seemed a
miracle they were still alive. I then went to Charleston and immedi-
ately wrote to Miss Barton offering her my services, telling her of my
knowledge of the people and the islands, and how glad I would be to
help her in any way to relieve the necessities of the thousands that were
begging for help. My oifer was accepted; a telegram summoning me
lo Beaufort, the Red Cross Headquarters, and there I made the
acquaintance of the noble lady who had come to our stricken people
with her valued corps of assistants, to perform a task that was gigantic
in its contemplation.
I was retained by Miss Barton in Beaufort three weeks, and by
practical teaching was soon able to grasp intelligently the true intents
and purposes of the Red Cross, and able then to undertake any duty
assigned me. I was then sent to take charge of the district composed
of Edisto, Wadmalaw, John's and Kiawah Islands, the first three
named being very large islands, with a combined population of nearly
10,000 souls.
Kiawah being directly on the sea was almost entirely submerged
by tidewater, and on the other islands, those portions which were
directly exposed to the sea and the. tributary streams suffered in like
THE SEA ISI.ANDS HURRICANE. 247
manner. Cotton, the main dependence of the people, was ahnost
totally destroyed, and only in some localities were any potatoes and
corn saved, and these badly damaged, I found viany people hungry,
destitute, without suitable habitation or sufficient clothing and badly
demoralized. Such, then, was the condition of things when I took
charge, and how to meet the various proljlems that arose, and to cover
this territory in the most intelligent and speedy way of course became
my first object. After planning a little I soon arrived at a happy solu-
tion, and proceeded to organize the territory into working condition.
Rockville, on Wadmalaw Island, had been selected as the most
central point to work from, and making this my headquarters and basis
of supplies, I secured a house and was soon comfortably fixed, with
sufficient supplies on hand to meet the immediate wants of the people.
To reach all these people quickly and often was the next point to be
settled (scattered as they were over an area of vast dimensions, divided
in many places by streams, at times dangerous to navigate). This
difficulty was overcome by thoroughly canvassing each island, and
establishing one or more sub-stations at the most central location, and
from these stations I would each week make my distribution of rations,
receive reports, arrange work for the coming week and transact other
business. All this time petitions of various kinds had been coming in,
and my time was fully occupied in seeking out those who were in imme-
diate want, among the old people and children especially, and I soon
got that settled sufficiently to give me a chance to start all able-bodied
men, that needed help, in ditching, house-building, bridge-building
and any other work I could find that would benefit the general com-
munity; and soon I had large forces at work on each island. A school
for children was established at Rockville, which was successfully con-
ducted for some time, and a wharf built, which is as unique as it is
substantial, having been built by native workmen with raw materials
cut and hewn out of the woods, the piles being driven by a pile driver
of our own construction. This wharf stands to-day, a monument of
strength and an object lesson to those who were doubtful of its com-
pletion. On the several islands much good work was done; new dams
being thrown up; bridges rebuilt and abandoned lands reclaimed. I
occupied this field for over eight months, and during that time visited
every district one day of each week and personally distributed all
rations given out, thus being certain that nothing was misappropriated.
From Monday until Saturday I would travel by team and boat, on an
average of twenty miles a day, never allowing rain, wind or anything
24S THK RED CROvSS.
else to keep nie from going, as some of these poor people had to walk
miles to reach the point of distribution, and I could not disappoint
them and cause them to go back empty handed. The distribution of
seeds, as they came in season, was started from the beginning, and soon
gardens of various dimensions began to spring up in all directions, thus
making another valuable food supply which was practically inexhaus-
tible, as long as no frosts interfered. Happily the season was propi-
tious, and the people by these little gardens were well supplied with
vegetables of all kinds. Corn, bean and Irish potato seed were also
supplied. Knowing these people as well as I did (having been amongst
them from childhood), I had a peculiar sympathy for them, and in
ever)'^ possible way so conducted my affairs as to benefit and instruct
them in the highest possible manner, the results obtained fully repay-
ing me for all my exertions in their behalf. I never at any time found
them anything but kind, respectful and extremely grateful for what
was bestowed upon them, and the evidences shown to-day, amply testify
to the good that was done by Red Cross methods and teachings. Of
course troubles and trials would arise, but these were soon overcome,
and things would go on smoothly again.
The methods adopted by Miss Barton, and through me carried
out, gave universal satisfaction, and all able-bodied men were willing
and anxious to w^ork for their rations. The clothing (a large quantity),
with the exception of that given by me in exchange for labor, was dis-
tributed through the sewing societies formed by Miss Barton.
This field was taken in December, 1893, and held till August,
1894, when I left there, feeling satisfied that all danger from want and
privation was over. Vegetables had been abundant, still coming in,
the rivers furnishing their portion in abundance of fish, etc.; all crops
promising a good harvest, the people in the meantime having been
brought safely through the most trying period of their lives. Many
incidents could be mentioned of the trials and sufferings endured by
these people, and when the whole story is told, those who bestowed
their charity in this, the most appalling disaster that has ever visited
our coast, will not feel that it was injudiciou.sly expended, or their
kindness misplaced.
Too much cannot be said in praise of Miss Barton, that great and
wise general, on this most peculiar and difficult field, for there never
was a man or woman who labored more zealously or untiringly in a
work so varied in its character or harder to perform. Enough has been
.said to tell the arduous duties to be performed, and the cares and
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 249
anxieties attendant upon a work of this kind, but after a hard day's
work, the consciousness of having made so many poor souls happy would
take away all feeling of fatigue, and long in the night would we be
packing and unpacking goods and clothing, and sometimes all day
Sunday, thus showing that no amount of time or effort was spared in
behalf of those dependent upon us.
In regard to the good accomplished by the Red Cross (a question
so often asked), can more be said than this? That human life was
saved from death by starvation; the homeless were housed, and the
naked were clothed, and by our words of counsel and cheer we were
enabled to give new hope and life to a people who were in a most piti-
able condition. Some ivho 7vere not on that hard fought field have
been so bold as to criticise us, but we who were there with these people
in their hour of need, and worked with them heart to heart and shoul-
der to shoulder, know what we did and the everlasting good accom-
plished,
I kept a complete record of all goods received and everything
given out, from a pint of grits to a barrel of clothing. Committees
composed of the most intelligent men and women were formed to inves-
tigate and report for each plantation, and as each new applicant
appeared, their home was immediately visited, and relief extended
according to their needs. In justice to all who came, I can truly say
that in very few instances was I imposed upon, as they very seldom
stated other than the truth in regard to their condition. This narrative
could be extended indefinitely, there is so much to write about, but fear
I must come to a close, as my patient readers must be tired by this
time. Sincerely trusting that these lines will convey their true mean-
ing to those interested, I will subscribe myself as a sincere admirer of
Miss Barton and that grand institution she so fittingly represents.
Eight thousand one hundred and nine souls were in the wards of the
Red Cross in this district, in the following proportions on each island :
Edisto 1, 812
Wadmalaw 2,123
South John's 1,650
North John's 2,469
Kiawah 55
8, 109
Upwards of 200 packages of clothing (barrels, boxes and cases)
were giv^n out, besides blankets, comforters, etc., special attention
250 THE RED CROSS.
being given to those who were sick, old or helpless. Food stuff was
distributed in the following amount:
Grits 1, 5 27 bushels.
Meal 163 bushels.
Rice - ,672 pounds.
Wheat flour 23,980 pounds.
Bacon 7,000 pounds.
and other sundries, such as tea, vSugar, canned beef, etc. Seeds were
supplied, such as peas, tomatoes, okra, melon, bean, corn, etc., of the
following amounts:
Corn 1 40 bushels.
Bean 60 bushels.
Irish potato 75 bushels.
Assorted seed 30 bushels.
Assorted seed 3 crates.
Garden seed 3 boxes.
Statement of Work Done on Each Island.
WADMALAW ISLAND.
Twenty miles of ditching.
One-half mile of road work.
One house repaired and others rebuilt.
Three chimneys repaired and others rebuilt.
Five hundred shingles cut and split.
Six thousand feet of planking and timber hewn and cut.
Wharf built at Rockville of the following dimensions:
One hundred and ten feet long.
Ten feet wide with a bulkhead twenty by thirty feet.
A school started and carried on for several months.
EDISTO ISLAND.
Two hundred and eleven and one-half miles of ditching.
One thousand four hundred and seventy feet of causeway,
twelve by two feet, built.
Two hundred feet of timber cut and hewn.
One bridge eighty feet long and twelve feet wide rebuilt.,
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE.
251
KIAWAH ISLAND.
One bridge thirty-four feet long and ten feet wide rebuilt and
put in order.
One bridge fifty feet long and ten feet wide rebuilt and put in
order.
Eumber to do same cut and hewn out of the woods.
Nine hundred feet of causeway repaired and put in good
order.
The above account does not include the hundreds of little thing.''
which would cotne up from day to day, and the many cares that werf
upon lis at all times, requiring immediate attention.
THR ISI.AXn DISTRICT FROM SAVANN.\H TO BK.\UFORT.
•THIv RICD CROSS.
THE CLOTHING DHPARTMENT.
Whilst food for the nourishment of these thousands of human
bodies was of the first and higliest importance, it was followed so
closely by the necessity of something to cover them, that the two
seemed well nigh inseparable; and while our men stood over the boxes
of meats and the bags of grain, by the carload and the trainload, it was
no less imperative, that some one stand by the boxes and barrels of
clothing sent from, everywhere — sent by the great, warm, pitying hearts
of our blessed, generous countrywomen, from the church, with its
towering steeple and the soft-toned bell that calls to prayer, the blazing
bazaar, wath its galaxies of beauty, animate and inanimate, the dimly
lighted, one little room of the woman who has toiled out all day and
returns weary and heavy laden to the waiting family of little ones, who,
in the midst of their own hard life an J the need of much, still bless
God for a fate better than those they hear of — from all of these alike
come the gifts of Dorcas. In tons they come, and some one must,
"stand and deliver," as hour by hour goes out the appeal: " Closen
marm — please give me some closen. I's lost all I had! " How literally
true this was may be judged by the fact that here as at Johnstown, there
were those who came out of that terrific strife for life with no thread
left on the body but the shirt band about the neck, which a strong, well-
sewed button had served to hold.
Again, as always, we turned to our " Mistress of the Robes," Mrs.
Dr. Gardner, whose quick and clear judgment seems to double the
value of all she handles. She goes to every field, helps to organize,
and remains as long as the strength in her slender, wiry bod}' permits.
She left her unpretending report as far as she was able to do, or to
make it:
Mrs. Gardner's Report.
On the first day of October, 1893, the American National Red
Cross took charge of the relief work of the Sea Islands of South
Carolina. During the month before this and just after the storm, the
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 255
clothing department had been in the hands of a very efficient local
committee composed of some of the most prominent ladies and gentle-
men of the section around Beaufort.
In the first days after a disaster of this kind, the necessity of relief
work is so great, that it is impossible to keep a correct record of supplies
that pour in from every part of the country, and this was no exception,
with both hearts, and hands full, distributing to the thousands of
destitute who were imploring them on every hand for help, this
committee had nothing to tell of what had been received.
After we took charge, a faithful record was kept, and when there
was a mark of any kind to show us where the goods came from, an
acknowledgment was sent at once. Many, many things came without
a sign of any directions to tell where they were from. In these cases
close watch was kept for any writing inside to give some clew. I have
even taken the newspaper the box, barrel or parcel was lined with, and
tried in that way to reach the donors.
The people of the United States are a most generous people, and
yet so modest with it, that they very often miss the verification of the
saying that " it is more blessed to give than to receive." Could they
stand, as do the members of the National Red Cross, and look into the
glad, grateful faces of the relieved ones, there would be no need of our
president sending out circulars and letters all over the country, praying
that articles for the relief be plainly marked. Would it be out of place
for me to urge the good people wdio read this report to remember this
when sending to the next field ?
The distribution of the clothing had to be systematically planned.
Here was a territory 150 miles long by 50 miles wide, not on the main
land, but on islands, surrounded by water, with the most treacherous
channels, and many impossible to even get into. The people to be
helped, kind and industrious, but they had been dependent from their
cradles, and were in such a dazed condition, they hardly knew what
had overtaken them.
The clothing, plenty of it, but all for adults. What was to
become of the little waifs of the wind, rain and high tide? Evidently
these goods had to be fashioned into little garments.
Bedding, comparatively none, and every few minutes the plea,
" Please miss, just a little bedding to keep the chilluns warm at
night. ' '
I have stood at my table from 7 a. ni. until way into the night,
opening boxes, barrels and parcels, and not one piece of bedding to
256 THE RKD CROSS.
come to my hands. The people on half rations, thinly clothed and
nothing to keep them warm of a night.
This, as well as all other puzzling questions, were referred to our
most honored president, and I have asked her to tell how she came to
the rescue, and by her wise forethought not only assisted her own
workers, but placed a responsibility upon the people that made them
help each other, and gave them a self-respect that they would have
gained in no other way.
THE SEA ISLANDvS HURRICANE. 257
THE SEWING CIRCLES.
There are many points in the administration of relief that will
never present themselves nntil forced upon the mind by the absolute
necessities of the case. It was not long until we were confronted with
a condition of things that called for ingenious methods and diplo-
matic action. All foods sent or purchased were always of good quality
and in readiness for immediate distribution and use — these could be
given to the committeeman, who in turn sent them out as veritable
rations a specified quantity to each. There was no question, no
judgment required, no opportunity for favoritism, no chance for reserve.
But with the clothing all these conditions changed and securities
vanished. The committeeman w^ho came for the rations of food, took
also the boxes of clothing, and naturally claimed the privilege of
distribution. The clothing sent was very largely, as is always the case,
for women and children. This rough negro, however well versed
in corn meal, hominy and bacon, was not likely to prove a skillful
manipulator of women's wardrobes. Jealousies would arise and
criminations follow. Again the chothing was almost entirely second-
hand, sent hastily, and usually so out of repair as to be nearly useless
for actual wear until overlooked, mended, strengthened and put into
proper condition. How was this to be done ? Thirty thousand people
to clothe, winter at hand, little shelter, and almost no bedding — surely
li'e could not undertake this labor. That a poor, imtaught negro labor-
ing women, would never of herself mend a hole, or sew on a button,
even if she had a button, a needle, and thread, and a place to do it in.
How to formulate some system by which this could be done, how to
get them under intelligent direction, to get the women interested and
into the work and the men out of it, for the committeemen were fast
gaining in importance and influence among the other men by reason of
patronage, a kind of " political pull," one might say.
1 struggled with this problem som« days, until finally — it might
have been the spirit of the Widow Bedott that come to my assistance —
for suddenly there flits through my perplexed mind the idea of " sewing
societies." No amendment was required, and the resolution was put
25t THE RED CROSS.
and motion carried in far less time than it had taken to evolve the idea.
Word went out at once that the president of the Red Cross, accom-
panied by her staff, of ladies especially, would be pleased to meet the
women of one of the most important islands; that the meeting would
be held in the interest of the women; that they might consider it their
meeting — but men were not forbidden — would they .kindly appoint a
day, and place of meeting, and the hour most convenient for themselves.
The church which had been repaired was selected, and its clergyman
notified us.
It was a sunny autumn day when our party crossed over the ferry
and landed on the sandy beach of Coosaw, and took our pathways
through the clumps of shrubs and trees, basking in the sunshine, but
ripening and reddening with the dying year. Soon groups of women
commenced to appear from the by paths and the little trails on either
side, dressed in the best we had given them, and traveled on with
cheery faces, full of expectation.
After a journey of perhaps two miles, the little ' ' ractified '"^ church
came in sight, or rather would have come in sight but for the crowd of
people gathered about it. The entrance was politely held clear for us.
The little edifice, which would seat with its gallery perhaps two hundred
persons, was packed with a waiting audience. The platform and desk
had been reserved for the "extinguished visitors," and we took our
places. The entire space filled and echoed with the sweet, plaintive
melody that the negro voice alone can give. This was followed by
earnest prayer by the pastor; then a little speech of welcome by the
elder, and we were introduced to our audience. And, who could ask a
more attentive or sympathetic audience than this! The president, who
has addressed some bodies of people, never stood before one that she
enjoyed or honored more. Here was the simplicity of nature, the
earnestness of truth, the innate trust in the love and care of the living
God of Heaven that even its winds and waves could not shake, and
the glorious spirit of resignation that could suffer and be glad, if not
strong.
But to business. The situation was fulh' explained to them, and
they were told that in spite of all we had for them, they alone could
comfortably clothe themselves through the winter. Then the plan of
a well arranged sewing society, with its constitution, laws, officers and
regulations was explained, and their approval and co-operation asked.
On a unanimous assent, they were required to select twenty-five
women from among them, who should retire for twenty minutes and
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 259
discuss the subject among themselves, selecting their chief officers, and
so far as possible, give us the points of their organization.
In the body of women that rose and retired for consultation one
saw good ground for hope of success. A part were the strong, matronly
women, whose childhood and youth had been passed in the service of
the hospitable home of the master in the old days of elegant luxury
" 'fo de wa'," and who needed no one to teach them courtesy or what
belonged to a family household; others were sewing girls, some of
whom had partially learned trades, and a few were teachers, for the
great majority of the children of ten years and upwards on these
islands had been taught to read. These women needed only the proper
instruction, encouragement, the way opened for them, the suitable
material distributed, and the liberty of action and conscience, with no
patronage or politics invading their premises.
The system formulated for one society became the system for all;
each district which received rations of food had its regularly organized
sewing society for the clothing sent to them on requisition. First
soma room was found, with a fire, shelves arranged for garments and
tables for work. Of the twenty-five official women, each should give
one week of her time in every month, but changing regularly in order
that at no time should there be more than one-fourth of the number
new to the work in hand. Four women should visit and inspect
applicants for assistance, and two should attend entirely to the wants
of the feeble and old and the sick, to see that they were in no way
neglected.
Of those in the sewing room, a part cut overgarments for children,
as there are never enough of these; others repaired and mended. As
the barrels and boxes went in from the committeemen, they were
received and opened on one side of the room; when repaired they were
placed on the shelves on the opposite side and given out from there
on the recommendation of the visiting inspectors. Along with the
clothing went thread, needles, pins, thimbles, wax, shears, knives and
pieces for mending. For the bedding, besides two thousand heavy
wool blankets which were donated, as many more purchased; cotton
batting and calico, or muslin, by the ton were bought, and the societies
instructed in tying " comforts," which in many instances served as both
cover and l>ed.
There was never any complaint with these women about the time
given to, or the labor performed, in this ser\'ice for the cotnmon weal,
and seldom any difficulty arose bet»v«^f>n them. If so, a few words set
26o THE RKD CROSS.
it right, and the offending individual was discovered, pointed out, and
put out of the society, with the usual explanatory remark: "She want
too much rule; she done always do make trouble." But whatever
trials the day might bring to them, the}- were solaced and forgotten in
the nice afternoon lunch, and the steaming cups of tea and coffee pre-
pared by one of the members from the rations so wisely planned and
faithfully sent by Mrs. Gardner.
Next to the absolute necessity for the distribution of food supplies,
and the great essentials of life itself, I regard the sewing societies as
perhaps the most important feature of the field. From these they
learned not alone the lesson of self-help, but of mutual help, which they
had never known before. It had never occurred to them to look about
and see who was in need, and find away to help it; and it was a glad
satisfaction to hear their voluntary pledges when we left them, never
to give up the custom of these societies, and the habit of caring for
their poor.
Appended to Mrs. Gardner's report are long, tiresome lists of
names of recipients, which, however necessar}' and business like in their
time and place, we maj^ well spare the reader in these belated years;
but one little list appeals to me with such loving interest, that I am
constrained to ask the privilege of inserting it. It is a partial roll of
the presidents of the sewing societies, of whose tireless, faithful work
no adequate description could be given. And when we read among
them the name of Mrs. Admiral Beardslee, and that missionary of
scholarship and teaching on St. Helena, Miss Ellen Murray, the lovable
and accomplished late wife of Robert Small, and Mrs. John MacDonald,
who humbly and magnanimously placed themselves side by side with
poor, unlettered, but honest and faithful Patty Frazier, and her kind,
the reader will feel with me that it is indeed a roll of honor:
Society. President.
Coosaw Works Mrs. Mary Chaplain
Beaufort Mrs. General Small
Hilton Head Mrs. John MacDonald
Wadmalaw Mrs. Frank Whale}'^
Ladies' Island Mrs. Sam Green
St. Helena Miss Ellen Murray
Coosaw Island Maria Rivers
Bennet's Point C. C. Richardson
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 261
Society. President.
Musselboro Mrs. Phillips
Hutchinson, Holders, ) ... „.
^ c ^^.^ \ W. Rivers
Beef, Warreti J
Rockville H. L. Bailey
Edisto Amanda Brown
Tommy Johns Mary Jenkins
Johns Island Mrs. Chas. Wilson
Big State Plantation Jackson Field
Jericho, Rhetts. F. C. Garrett
Dixouville General Saunders
Paris Island Mrs, Beardslee
Tommy Rhodes Patty Frazier
Christmas, which two months before had seemed but a veil of
future blackness, opened bright and cheerful. Most of the churches
had been in some way reopened, and Christmas Eve brought again its
melody, its prayer and its praise.
There was in all this a Christian spirit, so sweet, so much to be
commended, that I could not refrain from passing in my little contribu-
tion of a Christmas carol, for which they at once found a tune and sang
■t with a will. lyight-hearted, happy race.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
For my 30,000 Sea Island Frieuds.
A Loving Greeting and Merry Christmas. — Clara Barton.
Lo! The Christmas morn is breaking,
Bring the angels bright array,
For the Christian world is waking,
And the Lord is born to-day.
Shout then, brothers; shout and pray.
For the blessed Lord is born to-day.
No more tears and pain and sorrow,
Hark ! I hear the angels say
Blessed be the bright to-morrow,
For the Lord is born to-day.
Shout then, sisters; shout and pray,
For the blessed Lord is born to-day.
262 THE RRD CROSS.
Forget your night of sad disaster,
Cast your burdens all away,
Wait the coming of the Master,
For the Lord Is born to-day.
Shout then, children; shout and pray.
For the blessed Lord is born to-day.
In the sunlight, soft and golden,
Round the babe the angels play;
List, their notes so grand and olden,
Lo! The Lord is born to-day.
Shout, all people; shout and pray
For the blessed Lord is born to-day.
THK SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 263
CLOTHING DEPARTMENT— Continued.
As the work dropped from the weary hand of Mrs. Gardner,
another, stronger, more fresh and new in the work, took it up. Mrs.
Harriette h. Reed, of Boston, who, while never permanently with us,
seldom allows a field to escape her. We regard it as a loss to any
field where her genial presence, clear perception and sound judgment
take no part. Mrs. Reed, like our beloved and brilliant countrywoman,
Mrs. Logan, went to the civil war of 186 1, a bride. Her gallant young
husband, Captain J. Sewall Reed, took the first detachment of volun-
teer cavalry from California, known as the " California One Hundred."
He fell in an ambuscade, in the Army of the Potomac, 1864. His
brave young wife was always with him at the front, and received his
dead body when brought in. Thus early bereft, she took up the
march of life alone, and faithfully and tirelessly has she made it, with
a cheering word and an outstretched hand to every weary comrade in
the tedious march of more than three decades, and still she serves, and
still they call her blessed.
Her graceful report, which has lain in my portfolio since 1893,
now comes to light with its waiting companions:
Mrs. Reed's Report.
The preceding account of the distribution of clothing, relates to
the early part of the work covering a period of several months, and
was under the charge of Mrs. Dr. Gardner, of Bedford, Ind., who was
called home.
Coming upon the scene about this time, I was more than glad to
take up her work to a small extent, and for three months it was my
privilege to labor in this field of the Red Cross vvork, bringing so
often to my mind the words of the Master, "for I was naked and ye
clothed me."
And what a strange, unusual and extraordinary field of labor it
was and how unlike anything I had ever seen before. Let me briefly
picture a few of the regular types of "sufferers" besieging head-
quarters, the old, decrepit uncle of the days " befo' the wah " with
^64 THE RKD CROSS.
white head and bent shoulders; the little one, toddling along behind
the young mother, hiding in her tattered garments, with great black
eyes peering through the rags; the strong young man, barefoot or with
pieces of shoes tied on with strings, coat and pants that looked like
relics of a bygone time and a conspicuous absence of under garments;
the old-time "mammy" shivering with cold and begging for a little
" closen " to keep her warm, all these and more were our daily, hourly
visitors, imploring our aid and needing it oh, how sorely! And what
heartrending tales of loss and sorrow and fearful destitution w^ere
brought to us by these messengers from a stricken people! Many of
them, before the cyclone, had comfortable little homes- and clothing
sufficient for their simple needs; occasionally a sewing machine was
owned, and sometimes, in more favored homes, an organ. Now, there
was absolutely nothing of all this. Parents, children, friends were
gone — not a vestige left of the home; horses, mules, cows, hens swept
away, and scarcely clothing enough left to cover part of the family. It
was not an infrequent tale that fell upon our ears, that the little band
that had left the home were all that could find sufficient clothing to
come in and the rest were left nearly naked in consequence.
Verj' early in the morning a motley crowd gathered in the street,
in the vicinitj^ of headquarters, and all day long they were coming and
going and it was far into the evening before the last one had departed.
And, what a good-natured, patient, orderly crowd it was! Seldom was
there any loud talking, screaming, quarreling such as is ordinarily
heard in a like gathering, in scenes wath which I had been more familiar.
The shadow of the terrible calamity that had befallen them had in no
wise departed from them, and not yet had the dawn of the new day
restored the happy, careless, cheery manner that seems to be natural
to them.
When they were admitted to the office, singly or in small groups,
as was necessary, for our quarters were limited, how quietly, respect-
fully, they made their entrance! No crowding nor jostling to get the
best places or be served first, but patiently waiting their turn, entering
with a low bow or deep courtesy, they received the slip of paper that
meant so much to them and, with words and tears of gratitude, with-
drew as quietly as they came.
It is simply impossible within the limits of this report, and indeed
words are inadequate, to convey even a faint idea of the immensity of
the labor required in this department. Kind hearts all over our land
had been stirred by the appeals that had been made for those needy
THE SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 265
ones, and boxes, barrels, bundles, all sorts and descriptions of these
came pouring in upon us. All of these must be unpacked and sorted
and again repacked before they could reach those for whom they were
intended. Think of this, careful housekeepers, as you sort over and
pack away your family wardrobe and household goods. Think what
it would mean to sort over and pack away clothing for the use of thirty
thousand people.
As I think it will not be without interest to our readers, to give a
little closer view of the people among whom we worked; for this
purpose I shall make a few extracts from various letters received at
Red Cross headquarters. The first is a plea for help and is a fair
sample of these papers, I copy words and spelling with no attempt at
correction :
Miss Clara Barton the queen ok the Red cross Society.
we ar now, making a Plead before you niam. we are the suffers of the Storm,
we beg you mam to helph we to som clothing, mam we ar all naked, mam,
there is Som old People is there mam can not helph thorn Self Some motherlis
children is there can not helph them Self Waiting for Som clothing If you Please
mam. Thanks you mam for the Rashon (rations) we get it mam But no clothing
we Get We is the committee of the clothing.
This is signed by the three women of the committee.
As pleas for help came by mail, so also did letters of thanks and
a few of these will tell their own story much better than any description
ot mine could possibly hope to do. Here is one:
we the people of this Plantation have sen much thank to you Dear madam for
the closing (clothing) what you have send for ous the very children sen there
thanks to you for the shoes an closing that you have sent for them an we the'
people pray Day and night that the god of heaven will keep you an gard you an
when this short life is pass heaven will be your home nothing more to say at
present. Signed by one member of the committee, a woman.
266 THE RKD CROSvS.
As an instance of the desire of many of the committees in charge
of the distribution of clothing, to be honest and fair, I copy another
letter :
Miss Barton :
Dear Madam : Mrs. Diana Williams president of Sewing Society No. i
Say she coming over for Clothing on Monday I dont think eny clothing need not
right away I wouhl like to see on my Section how many needy person are not serve
in Clothing yet and plese dont send over no clothing before for it will take me some
time, when clothing are need to go over I will let you now (know) for further
information I can explain it something I like to say to you before eny more cloth-
ing go over.
I have thus far mentioned the more pleasant features of this work,
but no one will be surprised if I toitch lightly upon some of its trials.
Life was not always " one long, bright, sunny day " in the Sea Islands,
any more than it is in the more favored sections of our land. This
great work of relief had its reverse side ; the usual trials, disappoint-
ments and discouragements attending most lines of philanthropic work
were not lacking here. Not all were entirely content with the
necessary restrictions and methods ; not all were wholly satisfied with
such things as could be found for them just at that time ; not all
committees worked in absolute peace and harmony, and the common
faults of humanity in general were not wholly absent.
I well remember one instance which will illustrate these conditions.
Two rival committees presented themselves before our president, both
anxious to establish their rights and claims, and with great earnestness
and vehemence related their grievances. With her usual wisdom and
patience, sitting in their midst like a judge in his court, she pronounced
the sentence which was that no more clothing should be issued to either
side for the present. This will explain the following letter :
Hon. Miss Barton :
Dear Madam : We the people of this Island give you grate thanks, for what
you are Doing for us. as the cormittee We have put Before us, are Doing all in
their power and knowdge (knowledge) We Believe, and Dear Madam the com-
mittee of the cloth (clothes) Who Went before you with the corruption We Dont
recunize (recognize) them in that for We the people of this island are very happy
for all that you are Doing for us. Now Dear Madam We ask you, as vs^e lem that
the close are stop on account of the fust (fuss) that the cormittee made among
themselves this we nows nothing about this nether the cormittee We put before us
these don't no anything about it
THE SKA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 267
This is signed by twenty-two men of the Island.
Scenes of this sort were not of frequent occurrence and were the
exception to the rule of general satisfaction which prevailed every-
where. As the months went by, smiles returned to their faces and
hope to their hearts, and by every method in their power, they evinced
a most sincere desire to do something for their benefactors. Delegations
of men and women came from long distances, sailing in their boats
days and nights, oftentimes to express their gratitude and thanks.
With the coming of spring, they brought us early vegetables from
their gardens, seeds having been furnished them b}- the Red Cross ;
they searched the woods and the fields for the beautiful wild flowers so
abundant there, till our rooms were filled with beauty and fragrance
and our hearts gladdened by their brightness,
I have tried in this very imperfect report to give a little idea of
our life at the Sea Islands and the manner of our work. Its great
magnitude, its far-reaching results must be imagined, for they cannot
be told. The histor)^ of philanthropy has few brighter pages to record
and its pleasant memories will gladden our hearts long after its weary
hours are forgotten.
268 THI-: RED CROSS.
LEAVING THE FIELD.
If it be desirable to understand when to commence a work of
relief, to know if the objects presented are actually such as to be bene-
fited by the assistance which would be rendered, it is no less desirable
and indispensable that one knows when to end such relief, in order to
avoid, first, the weakening of effort and powers for self-sustenance;
second, the encouragement of a tendency to beggary and pauperism,
by dependence upon others which should be assumed by the persons
themselves. It has always been the practice of the Red Cross to watch
this matter closely and leave a field at the suitable moment when it
could do so without injury or unnecessary suffering, thus leaving a
wholesome stimulus on the part of the beneficiaries to help not only
themselves individually, but each other.
Seldom a field, or any considerable work of relief which may have
attracted public notice, comes to a close that there does not some person
or body of persons arise and propose to continue the work under some
new form, but using the former well established sources of sup-
plies; to put out new appeals to old patrons, detailing great need,
newly discovered, and thus keep the sympathetic public forever on the
anxious seats of never-ending pity and help. We have been compelled
to guard against this at the close of every long-continued field, notably
Johnstown, where it became necessary for the citizens to organize a
"Home Relief" to keep sensational strangers off the ground, and
their well arranged ' ' Benevolent Union ' ' of to-day is the result.
The Sea Islands were no exception, and at the last moment of our
stay a well-drawn petition was discovered (for it was to be kept con-
cealed until we were gone) , and was checked only by the vigorous aid
of the Charleston Neivs and Courier, of June 25, 1894, always our stay
and friend in time of trouble. I append a letter to that journal which
followed a visit from their able correspondent. The last weeks of our
stay in that place were passed in Charleston, hence the letter dates
from there:
To the Editor of the " New% and Courier,**
Charleston, S. C:
If no other service called for my pen this morning it would be sufficient
motive that it comes to thank you for the graceful, manly and cordial note of
THE vSKA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 269
yesterday, which will always hold its place among my treasures of elegant litera-
ture, asking for a personal audience for your correspondent for some facts con-
cerning the work which has recently been brought to a close. * « ♦
It is little to say that, without the strong, honest support given in notes of no
uncertain sound, bearing in every line the courage of its convictions, of the
Charleston News and Courier, no work of relief of this great disaster could have
lived and been carried on to any success * * *
The rations issued have been as follows: St. Helena, 5,724 persons; Ladies'
Island, including Coosaw, Corn, Morgan and adjoining smaller islands, 3,500;
Hilton Head, including the twelve islands in the group and adjoining mainland,
including Bluffton, 2,875; Paris Island, 597; Port Royal Island, 2,666; Kean's Neck,
situated on the mainland, including Coosaw and Pacific phosphate districts, 1,437;
Hutchinson Island district, including Bennett's and Musselboro Points, Fenwick,
Seabrook, Baird's, Sampson and other smaller islands, 3,238; Edisto, Wadmalaw,
John's and adjacent islands, S,ooo. The above figures do not include the special
issue on the mainland of 34,000 in number nor the regular labor rations of 6,500,
which is a double ration.
I say I was more than willing to leave all this needful detail to other hands,
inasmuch as the subject which I desired to present is of a different nature, con-
cerning the general points of welfare, and, may I say, reputation of vSouth Carolina,
and addressed to the people of all this grand and goodly State of old renown.
Proud and chivalrous, all the world knows that it must be hard and distasteful for
her to accept help under any conditions, and it is only in the fury of an elemental
rage, as when the earth crumbles under her, or the seas roll over her, that anyone
essays to attempt it; and it was for this reason, if no other had been needed, that
I came personally to stand among my workers, and see to it that the Red Cross, at
least, bear in all it did a demeanor of delicacy and respect, wdiere it must extend
its aid. I believe it has done this.
It cannot be necessary to repeat at this late day that I was asked by your
governor to accept the charge of the relief of the sufferers of the Sea Islands, of
whom it was said there were thirty thousand who would need aid until they could
raise something to subsist upon themselves. This was accepted with great hesi-
tancy, and only in view of the fact that no other body of persons in all the land
appeared to assume the responsibility, and with the cordial, unselfish and generous
support of the advisory committee of Charleston and Beaufort, to whom our
earnest thanks are due, the work has been carried on to a successful conclusion.
It later developed that an equal number of persons, both white and colored,
residing on the seagirt coast of the State, now known as the "mainland," were
nearly as destitute as the islanders, and many of them equally storm swept.
Finding these people appealing to us, and well knowing that, in the depressed
financial condition of the entire United States, we could not .'lafely take on this
double charge, we memorialized the South Carolina Legislature in November; the
people, also under our advice, petitioned for a little aid to get them through the
winter. The governor al.so recommended the .suggestion.
For some reason, which we never knew, no response was given. We never
questioned this, but redoubled our exertions to meet the wants as they came by
single rations issued upon application, until our books show an issue up to June i
of over 34,000 to the needy white and colored on the mainland of the State, from
270 THE RED CROSS.
Charleston to Savannah. No applicant, unless detected in absolute imposiiiou,
and this after having been repeatedly served with all he needed for the time, has
ever been declined. Our thirty thousand Sea Islanders have received their weekly
rations of food, they have been taught to distribute their own clothing, making
official report, and have done it well. They are a well clothed people, and over
20,000 gannents have gone to the mainland. Thousands of little homes have been
rebuilt or repaired, and are occupied. Over 245 miles of ditches have been made,
reclaiming and improving many thousands of acres of land; nearly five tons of
garden seeds, producing all varieties of vegetables in their well-fenced gardens of
from a quarter of an acre to one acre and more for each family, with 800 bushels
of peas and beans, have been provided. These seeds have been distributed on the
islands and to every applicant from the mainland; 1,000 bushels of Irish potato
seed, 400 bushels of which went to the mainland; 1,800 bushels of seed corn, 800
bushels of this distributed on the mainland. Those provisions , together with a
revival of the phosphate industries, the fish in the rivers and their boats in repair,
have served to make the 30,000 vSea Islanders, whom we were asked to take charge
of nine months ago, a prosperous and self-heli^ing people. They know this and
realize that they can take care of themselves, and we cannot but regard any attempt
at throwing them again upon the charities of the outside world as demoralizing,
misleading and fatal to them, as a self-supporting and independent class of indus-
trial people, and a matter which should concern the State whose wards they are.
* ***** *
Clara Barton.
Charleston, S. C, June 24, 1894.
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THE SKA ISLANDS HURRICANE. 273
^^116 ^iiicrii|an Rational |{eil %rona,
INCORPOOATCO UNOE« TM£ LAWS OF THE OlSTfllCT Of COUOMBi*, OCTOOt R I, tMI.
runiDiitT or 1MB Unitbo Stats for the Relief of SuITi-rlim
ClA>A Ba.toi.. l-.old...! AAd Trm.afn.
CioAOA Kai»A», lir>i VIn P>«l<Uni
Febntary 26, iSg^.
Copy of Circular Letter Sent to Each Clergyman and Committeeman of Our Sea
Island Relief IVork the Season After We Came Away front the Islands.
A'X.lthougli the claims upon our time are more than we can meet by working
all the (lay and much of the night, the memory and the interest of our faithful
Sea Island friends with whom we worked last year, through the months that fol-
lowed the great storm, still claim much of our thoughts.
Another planting season is approaching, and we are hoping that your people
have been doing the preparatory work of ditching for the raising of good crops.
If any have not begun this work, will you see those who would take an active
interest in the public good, like yourself, and get them to start the work again at
once, so that there may be as great an advance over last year's improvements as
last year was over previous years.
Get the neighbors to join together and clean out the old ditches, make all the
new main ditches and canals that they can, and then make the smaller ones to
connect with them; this will help to give them better health, less fever, larger
crops and better ones.
We hope they will give particular attention to their gardens and have even
better ones this year than they did last, improving each season by experience and by
learning from one another, particularly from those who have been most successful.
Dr. Hubbell has made a list of seeds profitable to plant, in two groups, as
follows:
For EARI.Y Pi,anting.
Early purple-top strap-leaf turnip, early cabbage, lettuce, rutabaga turnips.
In a hot-bed or in a protected place, where they can be covered at night when
it is cold, the cabbage plants and tomato plants should be started at once, to be
ready for transplanting when the ground is warm.
For Planting When the Time for Frost is Past.
Early Rose potatoes, onions (sets and seed), early turnip, blood beet, early
corn, English peas, snap or wax beans, bush Lima or Sevier beans, early squash,
okra, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, collards, late cabbage, taniers, and large sugar
beet for stock. (Some of these may be planted in the field.)
16
274 THK RED CROSS.
In the field (with corn or cotton) pumpkins and large squashes, cantaloupes
and watermelons may be planted.
The garden should be well fertilized and no weeds or grass allowed to grow.
The weeds take the nourishment from the plants, use up and waste the fertilizers.
There should be a good fence to keep the chickens out; then the garden, with
the chickens and their eggs, will furnish most of a good living for a family until
the regular crops can be harvested and save from debt.
A good garden and a variety of crops are as necessary for the prosperity of a
farmer as they are for his health.
Every Sea Islander should plant now a few fig cuttings and a few grape cut-
tings, and such fruit trees as he may be able to get; peaches, pears, pecans. In a
few years these plantings (if protected from the goats, pigs and cattle) will give
plentiful fruit through the " dry season " (particularly the fig), and the grapes and
other fruit will be a luxury and profit in their sea.son, besides keeping the people
in health.
With good ditches everywhere, with plenty of vegetables from the gardens,
figs and grapes, there should be almost no sickness on those prosperous islands,
and every one should be happy.
Regarding the other crops, as cotton, corn, rice, sweet potatoes, peanuts and
cow peas, the people should be encouraged to get and save the best seed. Select
from the earliest and best of their own or their neighbor's raising. Fertilize as
much as possible with those fertilizers that they can get by their own labor, such
as marsh-grass, sea mud, stable compost, fish, oyster shell lime, ashes, etc. (and
some commercial fertilizer).
They should strive to raise the best of everything. The best yields the most
for the same labor, and brings the highest price, gives the greatest satisfaction to
him who grows it and him who buys it. That means prosperity, which we wish
for you all in largest measure.
Enjoin the people to keep out of debt, to " owe no man anything;" this course
.fill make the road of honesty and integrity easier and shorten the waj' to
plenty and prosperity; speak no evil of thy neighbor, then all will work together
happily in their public work of ditches, bridges, roads, wells, etc., and live happy
in their homes.
The people should not forget the fact that water from wells not thoroughly
cleaned will breed fever and other sickness, and that good pure water will in a
large degree keep the fever off.
To encourage the general continuance of this w^ork of improvement your
people so readily took up at our request and carried on of yourselves to our gratifi-
cation and to the astonishment of your old-time neighbors, I will have copies of
this letter sent to other leading Sea Island citizens, thus all may be at work at the
same time and all will receive the benefits of your united labors by lessened sick-
ness and increased crops.
May the good Lord bless the efforts of a faithful people is the wish of
Your friend,
Ci,ARA Barton,
President of the A^nerican Red Cross.
ARMENIA.
N November, 1895, the press commenced to warn us of
a possible call for the relief of the terrible sufferings
of Armenia, which were engaging the attention of
the civilized world. These warnings were followed
later by a letter from Rev. Judson Smith, D. D., of
Boston, secretary of the American Board of Com-
missioners for Foreign Missions, referring his sugges-
tion back to Rev. Henry O. Dwight, D. D., of the
American Board of Foreign Missions at Constanti-
nople. The American Red Cross was requested by
these representative gentlemen, to undertake the distribution of relief
funds among the sufferers of Armenia. Owing to the disturbed condi-
tion of the country and of its strict laws, combined as they were with
existing racial and religious differences, it was found almost impossible
at Lhe moment to distribute the relief needed. The faithful but dis-
tressed resident missionaries were themselves helpless sufferers to a
great extent and practically prisoners in their own houses. These had
not always been spared to them in the wild excitement which reigned
for several months previous, otherwise they would have been the nor-
mal chainiels for distributing aid. This written request from Dr. Smith
was nearly identical with a similar one from Mr. Spencer Trask, of New
York, who, with others, was about to form a National Armenian Relief
Committee, to be established in that city. Following their letters,
both of these gentlemen. Dr. Smith and Mr. Trask, came to Washing-
ton to personally urge our compliance with the request that we accept
the charge of this distribution of relief funds. Accustomed to the
trials, responsibilities and hardships of field relief labor, this proposition
seemed something to be shrunk from rather than accepted and we natu-
rally hesitated. The idea, however, became public, and a general
importunity on the part of the people became prevalent. The necessity
for immediate action was urged ; human beings were starving and could
not be reached, hundreds of towns and villages had not been heard
(275)
276 THK RKI) CROSS.
from since the fire and sword went over them, and no one else was so
well prepared for the work of field relief, it was said, as ourselves. It
was urged that we had a trained force of field workers, and as Turkey
was one of the signatory powers to the Red Cross Treaty of Geneva,
having given its adhesion as long ago as July, 1865, it must conse-
quently be familiar with its methods and humanitarian ideas. Thus it
was hoped that she would the more readily accept its presence than
that of a more strange body of workers. These are only a shadowing
of the reasons urged on behalf of our acceptance. Under this pressure,
coupled with our strong sympathies, the subject was taken into serious
consideration with the simple demand on our part of two positive
assurances: First, we must be assured by the committees that we were
the choice of the people of the entire country, that there was no oppo-
sition to us, and that there was perfect unanimity between themselves;
there must be nowhere any discord; the task would be difficult enough
under the best conditions. Second, that they had the funds to dis-
tribute. Assured on both these points, our promise was given that we
would go and do our best to make the desired distribution in the inte-
rior of Asia Minor.
With this ray of hope that something might be done, the pent-up
sympathies of the people burst forth. Public meetings were held,
addresses made, Armenian conditions estimated, horrors reproduced,
responsibilities placed, causes canvassed, and opinions expressed;
honest, humane, and entirely natural, precisely the course to rouse
public sentiment and indignation, if that were the only or the main
object in view. In consideration, however, of the relief effort, it was
of questionable wisdom perhaps, when it is borne in mind that we had
yet to ask the opening of a door hitherto closed against the world,
when we needed permission to enter, in order to reach the starving
sufferers with the relief that was planning for them. In the enthusiasm
of the hour, this fact seemed to be entirely lost sight of. It also
seemed to be forgotten that if this difficult and delicate task were to be
assigned to the Red Cross and its officers, that the making of their
mission or of themselves personally, prominent or laudatory features of
public gatherings where Ottoman officials or representatives were
always listeners, could not fail to render the post more difficult, and
prospects of success more doubtful.
The international and neutral character of the Red Cross, as a
medium of relief in mitigation of war or overwhelming calamity,
appeared to be overlooked or wholly misunderstood. It was not recog-
nized th^*" only by abstaining from discordant opinions could we be in
ARMENIA. 277
a position to perform our work. By the obligations of the Geneva
Treaty, all national controversies, racial distinctions, and differences in
creed must be held in abeyance and only the needs of humanity con-
sidered. In this spirit alone can the Red Cross meet its obligations as
the representative of the nations and governments of the world acting
under it. But American enthusiasm is boundless, and its expression
limitless; and the same breath that crushed the Ottoman Empire,
scattered it to the winds or sunk it in the lowest depths, elevated
the Red Cross and its proposed relief out of sight among the clouds.
Precautionary remonstrance from us was in vain, but it was not
until after we had publicly given our consent, made all arrangements
and appointed our aids, that the fruits of these ardent demonstra-
tions became visible in a pronunciamento through the Turkish Min-
ister resident at Washington, prohibiting the Red Cross from entering
Turkey.
I found this decision on the part of the Bey and his government
very natural and politically justifiable— our own government and peo-
ple would probably have done the same or even more under similar con-
ditions, provided similar conditions could have existed among them. I
was ready to abide by the decision and remain at home. This, neither
people nor committees, would consent to. Of course our selected force
of more than a score of trained and experienced field workers, each a
specialist, must be given up. If any relief were now attempted it could
only be individual, with two or three officers from headquarters as
indispensable aids.
Previous to the announcement of the Turkish Minister prohibiting
the Red Cross from entering Turkey, the promise had been gained from
us to leave by the steamship " New York " on the twenty-second of
January, and notwithstanding the reply to a cablegram from the De-
partment of State to Constatitinople, asking if the prohibition against
the entrance of the Red Cross was really official and from the govern-
ment itself, or but semi-official, had not been received, our promise was
kept and we sailed with this uncertainty resting over us.
The picture of that scene is still vivid in my memory. Crowded
piers, wild with hurrahs, white with parting salutes, hearts beating
with exultation and expectation — a little shorn band of five, prohibited,
unsustained either by govennnent or other authority, destined to a port
five thousand miles away, from approach to which even the powers of
the world had shrunk. What was it expected to do or how to do it?
Visions of Don Quixote and his windmills loomed up, as I turned away
and wondered.
278 THE RED CROSS.
A week at sea, to be met at midnight at Southampton, by messen-
ger down from London, to say that the prohibition was sustained, the
Red Cross was forbidden, but that sucli persons as our minister, Mr.
Terrell, would appoint, would be received. Here was another delicate
uncertainty which could not be committed to Ottoman telegraph, and
Dr. Hubbell was dispatched alone to Constantinople (while we waited
in London) to learn from Mr. Terrell his attitude toward ourselves and
our mission. Under favorable responses we proceeded, and reached
CotLStantinople on February 15; met a most cordial reception from all
our own government officials, and located />r(7 tern, at Pera Palace Hotel;
it being so recently after the Stamboul massacres that no less public
place was deemed safe.
The following day we received in a body the members of the Mis-
sionary Board in Constantinople, including its treasurer, W. W. Peet,
Esq. , and Dr. Washburn, president of Robert College, and here com-
menced that friendly intercourse which continued without interruption,
strengthening as the days wore on through the half year that followed,
till moistened eyes and warm hand-grasp at parting told more plainly
than words how fraught with confidence that intercourse had been. If
one would look for peers of this accomplished Christian body of our
countrymen, they would only be found in the noble band of women,
who, as wives, mothers and teachers, aid their labors and share their
hardships, privations and dangers. I shall always feel it a privilege
and an honor to have been called, even in a small way, to assist the
efforts of this chosen body of our countrymen and women, whose
faithful and devoted lives are made sacred to the service of God and
their fellow men.
The first step was to procure an introduction to the government
which had in one sense refused me ; and accompained by Minister Ter-
lell and his premier interpreter, Gargiulo, perhaps the longest serving
and one of the most experienced diplomatic officers in Constantinople,
I called by appointment upon Tewfik Pasha, the Turkish Minister of
Foreign Affairs or Minister of State. To those conversant with the
personages connected with Turkish affairs, I need not say that Tewfik
Pasha is probably the foremost man of the government; a manly man,
with a kind, fine face, and genial, polished manners. Educated
abroad, with advanced views on general subjects, he impresses one as a
man who would sanction no wrong it was in his power to avert.
We were received at the Department of State in an uninterrupted
interview lasting over an hour. As this was the main interview and
the base of all our work, it is perhaps proper that I give it somewhat
ARMENIA. 279
in detail. Mr. Terrell's introduction was most appropriate and well
expressed, bearing with strong emphasis upon the suffering condition of
the people of the interior in consequence of the massacres, and the
great sympathy of the people of America, their intense desire to help
them, the heartfelt interest in their missionaries whose burdens were
greater than they ought to bear, and the desire to aid them, and that
for all these reasons we had been asked to come; that our objects were
purely humanitarian, having neither political, racial, nor religious bear-
ing; that as the head of the organization thus represented I could
have no other ideas, and it was the privilege of putting these ideas into
practice and the protection required meanwhile that the people of
America, through him and through me, were asking.
The Pasha listened most attentively to the speech of Mr. Terrell,
thanked him, and replied that this was well understood; that they knew
the Red Cross and its president, and, turning to me, repeated: "We
know you, Miss Barton; have long known you and j'our work. We
would like to hear your plans for relief and what you desire."
I proceeded to state them, bearing fully upon the fact that the con-
dition to which the people of the interior of Asia Minor had been
reduced by recent events had aroused the sympathy of the entire
American people until they asked, almost to the extent of a demand,
that assistance from them should be allowed to go directly to these
sufferers, hundreds of whom had friends and relatives in America — a
fact which naturally strengthened both the interest and the demand;
that it was at the request of our people, en masse, that I and a few
assistants had come; that our object would be to use the funds our-
selves among the people needing them wherever they were found, in
helping them to resume their former positions and avocations, thus
relieving them from continued distress, the State from the burden of
providing for them, and other nations and people from a torrent of
sympathy which was both hard to endure and unwholesome in its
effects; that I had brought skilled agents, practical and experienced
farmers whose first efforts would be to get the people back to their
deserted fields and provide them with farming implements and material
wherewith to put in summer crops and thus enable them to feed them-
selves. These would embrace plows, hoes, spades, seed-corn, wheat,
and later, sickles, scythes, etc., for harvesting, with which to save the
miles of autumn grain which we had heard of as growing on the great
plains already in the ground before the trouble; also to provide for
them such cattle and other animals as it would be possible to purchase
or to get back; that if .some such thing were not done before another
2So THE RED CROSS.
winter, unless we had been greatly misinformed, the suffering there would
shock the entire civilized world. None of us knew from personal observa-
tions, as yet, the full need of assistance, but had reason to believe it
very great. That if my agents were permitted to go, such need as
they found they would be prompt to relieve. On the other hand, if
they did not fihd the need existing there, none would leave the field so
gladly as they. There would be no respecting of persons; humanity
alone would be their guide. " We have," I added, " brought only our-
selves, no correspondent has accompanied us, and we .shall have none,
and shall not go home to write a book on Turkey. We are not here
for that. Nothing shall be done in any concealed manner. All dis-
patches which we send will go openly through your own telegraph,
and I should be glad if all that we shall write could be seen by your
government. I cannot, of course, say what its character will be, but
can vouch for its truth, fairness and integrity, and for the conduct of
every leading man who shall be sent. I shall never counsel nor per-
mit a sly or underhand action with your government, and you will
pardon me. Pasha, if I say that I shall expect the same treatment in
return — such as I give I shall expect to receive."
Almost without a breath he replied — " And you shall have it. We
honor your position and your wishes will be respected. Such aid and
protection as we are able to, we shall render."
I then asked if it were necessary for me to see other officials. " No,"
he replied, " I speak for my government; " and with cordial good
wishes, our interview closed.
I never spoke personally with this gentleman again; all further
business being officially transacted through the officers of our Lega-
tion. Yet I can truly say, as I have said of my first meeting with our
matchless band of missionary workers, that here commenced an
acquaintance which proved invaluable, and here were given pledges of
mutual faith of which not a word was ever broken or invalidated on
either side, and to which I owe what we were able to do through all
Asia Minor. It is to the strong escorts ordered from the Sublime
Porte for our expeditions and men, that I owe the fact that they all
came back to me, and that I bring them home to you, tired and worn,
but saved and useiul still.
Dr. Hubbell, and the leaders of the five expeditions tell us that
they were never, even for a portion of a day, without an escort for pro-
tection, and this at the expense of the Turkish Government, and
that without this protection they must not and could not have pro-
ceeded.
RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS, CONSTANTINOPLE.
VIEW FROM RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS, CONSTANTINOPI.E.
TURKISH CEMETERY.
ARMENIA. 283
This interview with Tewfik Pasha was equal to a permit. Both
Minister Terrell and myself cabled it to America as such. Dr. Hubbell,
as general field agent, commenced at once to fit himself for a passage
by the Black Sea, through Sivas to Harpoot. He had engaged a drago-
man and assistants, and with Ernest Mason, who went with us as
Oriental linguist, was prepared to ship next day, when at Selamlik I
was officially waited upon by a court chamberlain who informed me
that although greatly regretting it, they were compelled to ask me to
delay my expedition, in order to giv^e the government time to translate
and read some of the immense quantities of newspaper matter which
was being thrown in upon them from America, and which from its con-
text appeared to be ofiicial, representing all our State governors as
engaged in a general move against Turkey, and that the chief seat of
operations was the National Capitol. The Chamberlain tried by motions
to show me that there were bushels of papers, and that it was impos-
sible for them to translate them at once; that if they prove to be official
as appeared by the great names connected with them, it was imperative
that the government consider them; but if it proved to be mere newspaper
talk it was of no consequence, and I was begged to delay until they
could investigate. Having recer ed some specimens myself, I did not
wonder at this request, I only w ondered at the kindly courtesy with
which it was made. I will take the liberty of inserting one of the clip-
pings which I had received as a sample of what Turkey had to con-
sider. This is only one among scores, which had ied me to consider
how, with these representations, we were ever to get any further:
PRO-ARMENIAN ALLIANCE.
ITS WORK To BK EXTENDED TO THE REMOTEST SECTIONS OF THE UNITED
STATES— GOVERNORS OK ST.\TES WILL AID.
[Special dispatch to the Sunday Herald.'\
Washington, D. C, February S, iSi)6.
The pro-Armenian Alliance, with headquarters in this city, .says the Even-
ing News, which is working hand in glove with Miss Clara Barton and the Red
Cross Society for the relief of the Armenians, is rapidly completing arrangements
for extending its work to the remotest sections of the United States. The per-
manent organization of the alliance was perfected in this city a little over a
week ago, when the following ofTicers were elected: President, R. S. Tharin;
vice-presidents, P. Sunderland, I). D. , and I. E. Gilljcrt, D. D. ; secretary, H.
L. Sargent; treasurer, F. A. Stier.
Within a few days the broadest promulgation of a pamphlet prepared by the
alliance will begin.
284 THE RED CROSS.
On the title page of the little book, will appear these unique mottoes: "God
igainst Allah, Christ against Mohammed, Bible against Koran, Heaven against
Hcli:"
It is proposed to i)rocced at once with the organization of local alliances
throughout the Union, any per.>,on connected with a Christian organization or
society, regardless of denomination, being eligible to membership.
The headquarters of the alliance at the National Hotel are open from ten to
twelve o'clock.
It is intended to send out about two million of the pamphlets explaining
the purposes of the alliance, in lots of two hundred thousand or more. The
delegates to the national convention will be selected by the different local clubs.
Well knowing, however, that investigation would show no trace
of government or other official authority, we decided to lose no time,
but to prepare ourselves for work at the earliest moment; and taking
up the role of merchants, went into Stamboul, and purchased from the
great wholesale houses, immense quantities of such material as could
not fail of being useful and needed, to be later taken by caravans into
the interior.
Just at this interval, a request was brought to me by Dr. Washburn,
of Robert College, from Sir Philip Currie, English ambassador, asking
if I could not be "persuaded" to turn my expedition through the
Mediterranean, rather than the Black Sea, in order to reach Marasli
and Zeitoun, where the foreign consuls were at the moment convened.
They had gotten word to him that ten thousand people in those two
cities were down with four distinct epidemics — typhoid and typhus
fevers, dysentery and smallpox — that the victims were dying in over-
whelming numbers and that there was not a physician among them,
all being either sick or dead, with no medicines and little food. This
was not a case for " perstiasion," but of heartfelt thanks from us all
that Sir Philip had remembered to call us whom he had never met. But
here was a hindrance. The only means of conveyance from Constan-
tinople to Alexandretta were coasting boats, belonging to different
nationalities, and which left only once in two weeks and irregularly at
that. Transport for our goods was secured on the first boat to leave,
the goods taken to the wharf at Galata, and at the latest moment in
order to give time, a request was made to the government for ieskeres
or traveling permits for Dr. Hubbell and assistants. To our surprise
they were granted instantly, but by some delay on the part of the
messenger sent for them, they reached a moment too late ; the boat left
a little more than promptl}', taking with it our relief goods, and leaving
ARMENIA. 285
the men on the dock to receive their permits only when the boat was
beyond recall. It was really the fault of no one. With the least
possible delay the doctor secured passage by the first boat to Smyrna,
and a fortunate chance boat from there, took him to Alexandretta, via
Beyrout and Tripoli, Syria. The goods arrived in safety and two
other of our assistants, whom we had called by cable from America,
Messrs. Edward M. Wistar and Charles King Wood, were also passed
over to the same point with more goods. There caravans were fitted
out to leave over the, to them, unknown track to Aintab, as a first
base. From this point the reports of each of these gentlemen made to
me and compiled with this, will be living witnesses. I leave them to
tell their own modest tales of exposure, severe travel, hard work and
hardship, of which no word of complaint has ever passed their lips.
There has been only gratitude and jo}^ that they could do something
in a cause at once so great and so terrible.
These little changes and accidents of travel, of not the slightest
importance or concern to any one but ourselves, were naturally picked
up and cabled to America as "news." The naming of the mere facts,
with neither explanations nor reasons assigned, could not be under-
stood and only created confusion in the minds of the readers. They
must, nevertheless, be accepted by our reporters, circulated and dis-
cussed by our anxious people and perplexed committees.
The transcript of a paragraph from a letter received from America,
March 25, will serve to recall, at this late date, something of the state
of feeling at the moment prevailing in America:
Great doubt and dissatisfaction is felt here at the changeable course you
seem to pursue — why you should propose to go first to the Black Sea, then to
the Mediterranean, then not at all. Why to Smyrna, then to Alexandretta,
points where nothing is the matter and no help needed? They feel that you do
not understand your own course, or are being deceived — will never get into the
country — a fact which, it is said, is clearly seen here.
To further elucidate the intense feeling in our sympathetic country
we give a few sentences from other letters received at that time:
What are those folks doing over there? First we hear they are going to
Harpoot by the Black Sea, next they have gone to Smyrna; there is nothing
thematter at Smyrna; next to Alexandretta ; what have they gone there for? that
is no place to go; any one can go to Alexandretta. They don't seem to know
what they are about. They will never get into the country; we .said so when
they went; they ought to have known better themselves; we knew the Sultan
would forbid them, as he has; they are only being duped.
286 THK RED CROSS.
Unpleasant and somewhat ludicrous as these criticisms were they
served a purpose in coining back to us, as by them we were able to
understand more full}' the cables which had preceded them. " Give us
news in full of your doings, it is important that we know," Every
cable was answered with all the news we could send by that costly
method.
I had asked permission and escort for two caravans from Alexan-
dretta, but had learned later from them that they would unite and go
together to Aintab, in company with the Rev. Dr. Fuller, of that city,
who requires no introduction to the missionary or religious world. At
this junction Mr. Gargiulo, of the legation, came to me in great haste
(he having been sent for by the Sublime Porte) to know where ourexpe"
ditions were. They had provided for two and could only get trace of
one; where was the other? Please get definite information and let them
know at once. I had served on too many battlefields not to understand
what this meant. I knew our men were in danger somewhere and some
one was trying to protect them, and sent back the fullest information
that there was but one expedition out, and waited. Two days later came
the news of the massacre at Killis by the Circassians. Killis lay
directly in their track, unknown to them, and the Turkish troops had
unexpectedly come up and taken them on. I can perhaps, at this dis-
tant date, give no more correct note of this, and the condition of things
as found, than by an extract from a letter written by me at the time to
our world's friend and mine, Frances Willard. We were at this moment
securing the medical expedition for Marash and Zeitoun:
Dear Frances Willard : . . . . May I also send a message by you
to our people, to j'our people and my people; in the name of your God and my
God, ask them not to be discouraged in the good work they have undertaken.
My heart would grow faint and words fail, were I to attempt to tell them the
woes and the needs of these Christian martyrs. But what need to tell? They
already know what words can say — alone, bereft, forsaken, sick and heartbroken,
without food, raiment or shelter, on the snow-piled mountain sides and along
the smoking valleys they wander and linger and perish. What more should I
say to our people, but to show them the picture of what they themselves have
already done.
The scores of holy men and women sustained by them, with prayers in their
hearts, tears in their voices, hovering like angels and toiling like slaves, along
all these borders of misery and woe, counting peril as gain and death as naught,
so it is in His Name. But here another picture rises; as if common woe were
not enough, the angel of disease flaps his black wings like a pall, and in once
bright Zeitoun and Marash contagion reigns. By scores, by hundreds, they die ;
no help, no medicine, no skill, little food, and the last yard of cotton gone to
ARMENIA. 287
cover the sick and dying. To whom came the cry, "Help or we perish! Send
us physicians!" The contributed gifts of America open the doors of classic
Beyrout, and Ira Harris, with his band of doctors, speeds his way. In Eskand-
aroon sleep the waiting caravans. The order conies, "Arise and go! henceforth
your way is clear." Camels heavy laden, not with ivory and jewels, gold in
the ingot and silk in the bales, but food and raiment for the starving, the sick,
and the dying. Onward they sweep toward dread Killi.s — the wild tribe's
knives before, the Moslem troops behind — "go on! we protect;" till at length
the spires of Aintab rise in view. Weary the camels and weary the men — Ilub-
bell, r'ullcr, Wistar, Wood, JMason — names that should live in story for the brave
deeds of that march but just begun. The quick, glad cry of welcome of a city
that had known but terror, sorrow and neglect for months — a little rest, help
given, and over the mountains deep in snow, weary and worn their caravans go,
toiling on toward fever and death. Let us leave them to their task. This is
the work of America's people abroad. My message, through you, to her people
at home — not to her small and poor, but to her rich and powerful people, is,
remember this picture and be not weary in well doing.
CiyARA Barton.
While the first and second expeditions were fitting out from Alex-
andretta, the terrible state of things at Zeitoun and Marash was con-
firmed by the leading missionaries there, and we were asked to assume
the expen.se of physicians, druggists, medicines and medical relief in
general. This we were only too glad to do. Negotiations had already
been opened by them with Dr. George E. Post, of Beyrotit, the glorfous
outcome of which was the going out of Dr. Ira Harris, of Tripoli,
Syria, with his corps of local physicians, and the marvelous results
achieved. For some cause the doctor took the route via Adana, rather
than by Alexandretta, and found himself in the midst of an unsafe
country with insufficient escort. After a delay of two or three days, he
got a dispatch to us at Constantinople. This di.spatch was immediately
sent through our legation to the Porte, and directly returned to me
with the written assurance that the proper steps had been instantly
taken. On the same day Dr. Harris left Adana with a military escort
that took his expedition through, leaving it only when safe in Marash,
Dr. Hubbell had arrived some days previous, but following instruc-
tions left immediately on the arrival of Dr. Harris, to pursue his inves-
tigations in the villages, and supply the general need of the people
wherever found. This formed really the fourth expedition in the field
at that early date, as the separate charges later so efficiently assumed
by Messrs. Wi.star and Wood, who were on the ground previous to the
medical expedition, became known as the second and third expeditions.
It will be inferred that the assignment, furnishing and direction of
these several expeditions, nearly a thousand miles distant, four weeks
288 THE RKD CROSS.
by personal travel, six weeks to write a letter and get reply, from two
days to almost any time by telegraph, according to the condition of the
wires, and in any language from Turkish and Greek to Arabic, with all
other duties immediately surrounding, could not leave large leisure for
home correspondence. While conscious of a restlessness on this score,
we began to be mystified by the nature and text of dispatches from
committees at home: " Contributors object to Turkish distribution."
What could it mean ? We could onl)' reply: ' ' Do not understand your
dispatch. Please explain." These were followed by others of a similar
character from other sources; finally letters expressing great regret at
the means to which I had been compelled to resort in order to accom-
plish my distribution, and the disastrous effect it could not fail to have
upon the raising of funds. " Well, it was probably the only wa}' to do,
they had expected it, in fact, foretold it all the time." — What had I done?
The myster)^ deepened- Finally, through the waste of waters and the
lapse of time it got to me. — A little four-line cablegram from Constant!
nople as follows:
The council of ministers has decided that Miss Clara Barton can work only
in conjunction with the Turkish Commission in the distribution of relief, and
can only use their lists of destitute Armenians. An Irade to that effect is ex-
pected.
No one had thought to inquire if this statement were trice, no one
had referred it to me, and as well as I ought to be known by our people,
the question if I would be likely to take such a step, seems not to have
been raised. It had been taken for granted through all America, Eng-
land, and even the Missionary Boards of Turkey, that I had pledged
myself and signed papers, to distribute the funds entrusted to me, under
Turkish inspection and from lists furnished by Turkish officials.
Myself and my officers appeared to be the only persons who had never
heard of it. Astonished and pained beyond measure it was plainly and
emphatically denied.
Our press books of that date are marvels of denial. Sir Philip
Currie and the Turkish Government itself, came to the rescue, declar-
ing that no such course was ever intended. Secretary Olney was cabled
to try ' ' to make the people of America understand that the Turkish
Government did not interfere with their distribution." In spite of all
this, it went on until people and committees were discouraged ; the lat-
ter cabling that in the present state of feeling little or nothing more could
be expected, and gently suggesting the propriety of sending the balance
ARMENIA. 289
in hand to other parties for distribution. My own National Red Cross
officers in America, hurt and disgusted at the unjust form affairs were
taking, in sympathy, advised the leaving of the field and returning
home.
Here was a singular condition of affairs. A great international
work of relief, every department of which was succeeding beyond all
expectation, wherein no mistakes had been made, letters of gratitude
and blessing pouring in from every field of labor, finances carefully
handled and no pressure for funds. On the other hand a whole nation
in a panic, strong committees going to pieces, and brave faithful officers
driven through pity to despair and contempt, and the cause about to
be abandoned and given up to the lasting harm of all humanity. So
desperate a case called for quick and heroic measures. Realizing the
position of the committees from their own sad reports, I at once cabled
relieving them from further contributions : " IVe will finish the field
7vithoiit further aid.'' To my Red Cross officers I dictated the following
letter, wiiich I believe was used somewhat by the harassed committees
in struggling on to their feet again :
Ay Az- Pacha, Taxim, Constantinople, April 18, i8g6.
P. V. DeGraw, Esq. , Corresponding Secretary,
Atnerican Nationat Red Cross, IVashinglon, D. C, U. S. A.:
Dear Mr. DeGraw: I received both your and Stephen E. Barton's
heavy-hearted and friendly letters, and they fell on soil about as heavy. I
could not understand how it could be, for I knew we had done our best, and I
believed the best that could have been done under the circumstances and condi-
tions. I knew we held a great, well organized relief that would be needed as
nothing else could be. That, besides us, there was no one to handle the ter-
rible scourge that was settling down — no one here, no one to come, who could
touch it. I knew I was not interfered with; that no "restrictions" nor propo-
sitions had been imposed or even offered ; that the government was considerate
and accorded all I asked.
But what had stirred America up and set it, apparently, against us? The
relief societies going to pieces, and turning sad glances here? We could not
understand it. I did not wonder that you thought we "had best come home,"
still I knew we would not; indeed, we could not. I have a body of relief on
these fields, hundreds of miles away in the mountains, a thousand miles from
me, that I could not draw off in six weeks, and if we were to, it would be to
abandon thousands of poor, sick, suffering wretches to a fate that ought to
shock the entire world. Sick, foodless, naked, and not one doctor and no
medicine among them ; whole cities scourged and left to their fate, to die
without a hand raised to help excepting the three or four resolute missionaries,
tired, worn, God-serving, at their posts until they drop. The civilized world
2QO Till*: ri-:d crOvSvS.
running over with skilful physicians, nnd not one there; no one to arraifge to
get them there; to pay expenses, take special charge and thus make it possible
for them to go. And we, seeing that state of things, holding in our grasp the
relief ■\ve had been weeks prejoaring and organizing in anticipation of this, to
turn back, draw off our helpers, send back the doctors already' started, give all
up because somebody had said something, the press had circulated it, the world
had' believed it, our disappointed committees had lost heart and grown sore
struggling with an occupation rather new to them, and the people had taken
alarm and faileel to sustain them.
Was this all there was of us? No purpose of our own? "On Change, " like
the price of wheat on the market? In the name of God and humanity this field
must be carried, these people must be rescued; skill, care, medicines and food
for the sick must reach them. And it is a glad sight to my soul to think of
Turkish troops taking these bands of doctors on to Marash. They have done it,
and are at this very hour inarching on with them to their field of labor. What
does one care for criticism, disapproval or approval, under circumstances like
these. Don't be troubled — we can carry it. We are fair financiers, not dis-
mayed, and God helping, can save our hospitals.
It remains to be said that the remedy was effective. The panic
settled away and it is to be hoped that there are few people in any
country to-day who do not understand that America's fund was dis-
tributed by its own agents, without molestation or advices from the
Turkish or any other government.
I have named this incident, not so much as a direct feature of the
work of distribution, nor to elicit sympathy, as to point a characteristic
of our people and the customs of the times in which we are living, in
the hope that reflection may draw from it some lessons for the future.
One cannot fail to see how nearly a misguided enthusiasm, desire for
sensational news, vital action without thought or reflection, came to the
overthrowing of their entire object, the destruction cf all that had
been or has since been accomplished for humanitj^ and the burial of
their grand work and hopes in a defeated and disgraceful grave,
which, in their confusion, they would never have realized that they
had dug for themselves. They are to-day justly proud of their work
and the world is proud of them.
Our very limited number of assistants made it necessary that each
take a separate charge as soon as possible ; and the division at Aintal)
and the hastening of the first division, under Dr. Hubbell, northeast-
ward to Marash, left the northwestern route through Oorfa and Diar-
bekir, to Messrs. Wistar and Wood ; the objective point for all being
Harpoot, where they planned to meet at a certain date. Nothing gave
?:-U(
CHIEF OF THE DERSIN KOURDS.
ARMENIA. 293
me greater joy than to know they would meet our brave and world-
honored countrywoman, Miss Shattuck, isolated, surrounded by want
and misery, holding her fort alone, and that something from our hands
could go to strengthen hers, emptied by the needs of thousands every
day. If they might have still gone to Van, and reached our other
heroic, capable and accomplished countrywoman, Dr. Grace Kimball,
it would have been an added joy. But the way was long, almost to
Ararat ; the mountains high and the snows deep ; and more than all it
seemed that the superb management of her own grand work made help
there less needed than at many other less fortunate points. It seemed
remarkable that the two expeditions separating at Aintab, on the sixth
day of April, with no trace of each other between, should have
met at Harpoot on April 29, within three hours of each other ; and
that when the city turned out eyi masse, with its missionaries in the
lead, to meet and welcome Dr. Hubbell and the Red Cross, that far
away in the rear, through masses of people from housetop to street,
modestly waited the expedition from Oorfa.
This expedition containing as it did two leading men, again
divided, taking between them, as their separate reports show, charges
of the relief of two hundred villages of the Harpoot vilayet, and later
on Diarbekir, and that by their active provision and distribution of
farming implements and cattle and the raising of the hopes and
courage of the people, they succeeded in securing the harvest and
saving the grain crops of those magificent valleys.
While this was in progress, a dispatch came to me at Constanti-
nople, from Dr. Shepard, of Aintab, whose tireless hands had done the
work of a score of men, saying that fevers, both typhoid and typhus,
of a most virulent nature, had broken out in Arabkir, two or three
days north of Harpoot ; could I send doctors and help ? Passing the
word on to Dr. Hubbell, at Harpoot, the prompt and courageous action
was taken by him which his report will name, but never fully show.
It is something to say that from a rising pestilence with a score of
deaths daily, in five weeks, himself and his assistants left the city in a
normally healthful condition, in which it remained at last accounts, the
mortality ceasing at once under their care and treatment.
During this time the medical relief for the cities of Zeitoun and
Marash was in charge of Dr. Harris, who reached there March 18.
The report of the consuls had placed the daily number of deaths from
the four contagious diseases at one hundred. This would be quite
probable when it is considered that ten thousand were smitten with the
prevailing diseases, and that added to this were the crowded conditions
17
294 THE RICD CROSS.
of the patients, by the thousands of homeless refugees who had flocked
from their forsaken villages; the lack of all comforts, of air, cleanliness,
and a state of prolonged starvation. Dr. Harris' first report to me w^as
that he was obliged to set the soup kettles boiling, and feed his patients
before medicine could be retained. My reply was a draft for two hun-
dred liras, with the added dispatch: " Keep the pot boiling; let us know
your wants." The further reports show from this time an astonish-
ingly small number of deaths. The utmost care was taken by all our
expeditions to prevent the spread of the contagion and there is no
record of its ever having been carried out of the cities, where it was
found, either at Zeitoun, Marash, or Arabkir. Lacking this precau-
tion, it might well have spread throughout all Asia Minor, as was
greatly feared by the anxious people. On the twenty- fourth of May
Dr. Harris reported the disease as overcome. His stay being no longer
needed, be returned to his great charge in Tripoli with the record of a
medical work and success behind him never surpassed if ever equaled.
The lives he had saved were enough to gain heaven's choicest diadem.
Never has America cause to be so justly proud and grateful as when
its sons and daughters in foreign lands perform deeds of worth like
•:hat.
The appalling conditions at Zeitoun and Marash on the arrival of
Dr. Harris, naturally led him to call for more physicians, and the most
strenuous efforts were made to procure them, but the conditions of the
field were not tempting to medical men. Dr. Post had already sent the
last recruit from Beyrout, still he manfully continued his efforts.
Smyrna was canvassed through the efforts of our prompt and efficient
Consul, Colonel Madden, on whom I felt free to make heavy drafts,
remembering tenderly as we both did, when we stood together in the
Red Cross rehef of theOhio floods of 1S84. Failing there, I turned my
efforts upon Constantinople. Naturally, we must seek nationalities
outside of Armenians. We succeeded in finding four Greek physicians,
who were contracted with, and sailed May 11, through perplexing
delays of shipping, taking with them large and useful medical supplies
and delicacies for the sick, as well as several large disinfecting machines
which were loaned to us by the Turkish Government, Dr. Zavitziano,
a Greek physician, who kindly assisted us in many ways, conducting
the negotiations. Through unavoidable delays they were able to reach
Alexandretta only on May 25. By this time the fevers had been so far
overcome that it was not deemed absolutely necessary for them to pro-
ceed to Marash; and after conferring with Dr. Harris, they returned to
Constantinople, still remaining under kindly contract without remunera-
ARMENIA. 295
tion to go at once if called upon by us even to the facing of cholera, if
it gained a foothold in Asia Minor. We should not hesitate to call for
the services of these gentlemen even at this distance if they became
necessary. This was known as the fifth expedition, which, although
performing less service, was by far the most difl&cult to obtain, and the
most firmly and legally organized of any.
The closing of the medical fields threw our entire force into the
general relief of the vilayet of Harpoot, which the relieving missionaries
had well named their "bottomless pit," and where we had already
placed almost the entire funds of the Boston and Worcester committees.
One will need to read largely between the lines of the modest
skeleton reports of our agents in order to 'comprehend only approxi-
mately the work performed by them and set in motion for others to per-
form. The apathy to which the state of utter nothingness, together
with their grief and fear, had reduced the inhabitants was by no means
the smallest difficulty to be overcome; and here was realized the great
danger felt by all — that of continued almsgiving, lest they settle down
into a condition of pauperism, and thus, finally starve from the inabil-
ity of the world at large to feed them. The presence of a strange body
of friendly working people coming thousands of miles to help them,
awakened a hope and stimulated the desire to help themselves.
It was a new experience that these strangers dared to come to them.
Although the aforetime home lay a heap of stone and sand, and noth-
ing belonging to it remained, still the land was there and when seed to
plant the ground and the farming utensils and cattle were brought to
work it with, the faint spirit revived, the weak, hopeless hands un-
clasped, and the farmer stood on his feet again ; and when the cities
could no longer provide the spades, hoes, plows, picks, and shovels,
and the crude iron and steel to make them was taken to them, the
blacksmith found again his fire and forge and traveled weary miles
with his bellows on his back. The carpenter again swung his hammer
and drew his saw. The broken and scattered spinning wheels and
looms from under the storms and debris of winter, again took form and
motion, and the fresh bundles of wool, cotton, flax, and hemp, in the
waiting widow's hand brought hopeful visions of the revival of indus-
tries which should not only clothe but feed.
At length, in early June, the great grain fields of Diarbekir, Far-
kin and Harpoot valleys, planted the year before, grew golden and
bowed their heavy spear-crowned heads in waiting for the sickle. But
no sickles were there, no scythes, not even knives, and it was a new
and sorry sight for our full-handed American farming men, to see those
296 THE RED CROSS.
poor, hard, Asiatic hands, trying by main strength to break the tough
straw or pull it by the roots. This state of things could not continue,
and their sorrow and pity gave place to joy when they were able to
drain the cities of Harpoot and Diarbekir of harvest tools, and turned
the work of all the village blacksmiths on to the manufacture of sickles
and scythes, and of the flint workers upon the rude threshing ma-
chines.
They have told me since their return that the pleasantest memories
left to them were of those great valleys of golden grain, bending and
falling before the harvesters, men and women, each with the new sharp
sickle or scythe — the crude threshing planks, the cattle trampling out
the grain, and the gleaners in the rear as in the days of Abraham and
Moab. God grant that somewhere among them was a kind-hearted
king of the harvest who gave orders to let some sheaves fall.
Even while this saving process was going on, another condition no
less imperative arose. These fields must be replanted for the coming
year, or starvation bad been simply delayed. Only the strength of
their old time teams of oxen could break up the hard sod and prepare
for the fall sowing. Not an animal — ox, cow, horse, goat or sheep —
had been left. All had been driven to the Kourdish mountains.
When Mr, Wood's telegram came, calling for a thousand oxen for the
hundreds of villages, some of which were very large, I thought of our
not rapidly swelling bank account, and all that was needed everywhere
else, and replied accordingly. But when, in return, came the telegram
from the Rev, Dr. Gates, president of Harpoot College, the live, active,
practical man of affairs, whose judgment no one could question, saying
that the need of oxen was imperative, that unless the ground could be
ploughed before it dried and hardened, it could not be done at all, and
the next harvest would be lost, and that " Mr. Wood's estimate was
moderate," I loosened my grasp on the bank account and directed the
financial secretary to send a draft for 5,000 liras ($22,000) to care of
Rev. Dr. Gates, Harpoot, to be divided among the three expeditions for
the purchase of cattle and the progress of the harvest of 1897.
This draft left something less than $3,000 with us to finish up the
field in all other directions. As the sum sent would be immediately
applied, the active services of the men would be no longer required, and
directions went with the remittance to report in person at Constanti-
nople, Unheard of toil, care, hard riding day and night, with risk of
life, were all involved in the carrying out of that order. Among the
uncivilized and robber bands of Kourds, the cattle that had been stolen
and driven off must be picked up, purchased and brought back to the
ARMENIA. 297
waiting farmer's field. There were routes so dangerous that a brigand
chief was selected by those understanding the situation as the safest
escort for our men. Perhaps the greatest danger encountered was in
the region of Farkin, beyond Diarbekir, where the official escort had
not been waited for, and the leveled musket of the faithless guide told
the difference.
At length the task was accomplished. One by one the expeditions
closed and withdrew, returning by Sivas and Samsoun and coming out
by the Black Sea. By that time it is probable that no one questioned
the propriety of their route or longer wondered or cared why they
went to Smyrna or Alexandretta, Sivas or Samsoun. The perplexed
frowns of our anxious committees and sympathetic people had long
given way to smiles of confidence and approval, and glad hands would
have reached far over the waters to meet ours as warmly extended
to them.
With the return of the expeditions we closed the field, but con-
tributors would be glad to know that subsequent to this, before leaving
Constantinople, funds from both the New York and Boston committees
came to us amounting to some $15,000. This was happily placed with
Mr. Peet, treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions at Stamboul, to
be used subject to our order, and with our concurrence it is now being
employed in the building of little houses in the interior as a winter
shelter and protection where all had been destroyed.
The appearance of our men on their arrival at Constantinople con-
firmed the impression that they had not been recalled too soon. They
had gone out through the snows and ice of winter and without change
or rest had come back through the scorching suns of midsummer — five
months of rough, uncivilized life, faring and sharing with their beasts
of burden, well nigh out of communication with the civilized world,
but never out of danger, it seemed but just to themselves and to others
who might yet need them that change and rest be given them.
Since our entrance upon Turkish soil no general disturbance had
taken place. One heard only the low rumbling of the thunder after
the storm, the clouds were drifting southward and settling over Crete
and Macedonia, and we felt that we might take at least some steps
towards home. It was only when this movement commenced that we
began to truly realize how deep the roots of friendship, comradeship,
confidence, and love had struck back among our newly found friends
and countrymen ; how much a part of ourselves — educational, humani-
tarian and official — their work and interest liad become, and surely firom
them we learned anew the lesson of reciprocity.
298 THIv RKD CROSS,
Some days of physical rest were needful for the men of the exper i-
tions after reaching Constantinople before commencing another jour-
ney of thousands of miles, worn as they were by exposure, hardship
and incessant labor, both physical and mental. This interval of time
was, however, mainly employed by them in the preparation of the
reports submitted with this, and in attention to the letters which fol-
lowed them from their various fields, telling of further need, but more
largely overflowing with gratitude and blessing for what had been
done.
For our financial secretary and myself there could be neither rest nor
respite while we remained at a disbursing post so well known as ours.
Indeed there never had been. From the time of our arrival in February
to our embarkation in August there were but two days not strictly
devoted to business, the fourth of July and the fifth of August — the
last a farewell to our friends. For both of these occavSions we were
indebted to the hospitality of treasurer and Mrs. W. W. Peet, and
although held in the open air, on the crowning point of Proti, one of
the Princes' Islands, with the Marmora, Bosporus and Golden Horn
in full view, the spires and minarets of Constantinople and Scutari tell-
ing us of a land we knew little of, with peoples and customs strange
and incomprehensible to us, still there was no lack of the emblem that
makes every American at home, and its wavy folds of red, white and
blue shaded the tables and flecked the tasteful viands around which sat
the renowned leaders of the American missionary element of Asia
Minor.
Henry O. Dwight, D. D., the accomplished gentleman and diplo-
matic head, who was the first to suggest an appeal to the Red Cross,
and I am glad to feel he has never repented him of his decision. One
fact in regard to Dr. Dwight may be of interest to some hundreds of
thousands of our people: On first meeting him I was not quite sure of
the title by which to address him, if reverend or doctor, and took the
courage to ask him. He turned a glance full of amused meaning upon
me as he replied: " That is of little consequence; the title I prize most
is Captain Dwight." "Of what?" I asked. "Company D, Twen-
tieth Ohio Volunteers, in our late war." The recognition which fol-
lowed can well be imagined by the comrades for whose interest I have
named the incident.
Rev. Joseph K. Greene, D. D., and his amiable wife, to whom so
much is due towards the well being of the missionary work of Constan-
tinople. I regret that I am not able to reproduce the eloquent and
patriotic remarks of Dr. Greene on both these occasions, so true to our
ARMENIA. 299
country, our government and our laws. Rev. George P. Knapp,
formerly of Bitlis, whose courage no one questions. Mrs. L,ee of
Marash, and Mrs. Dr. George Washburn of Robert College, the worthy
and efficient daughters of Rev. Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, the veteran mission-
ary and founder of Robert College, living in Lexington, Mass. A half-
score of teachers, whose grand lives will one day grace the pages of
religious history. And last, though by no means least, our host, the
man of few words and much work, who bears the burden of monetary
relief for the woes and wants of Asia Minor, W. W. Peet, Esq.
It was a great satisfaction that most of our field agents were able to
be present at the last of these beautiful occasions and personally render
an account of their stewardship to those who had watched their course
with such interest. The pleasure of these two days of recreation will
ever remain a golden light in our memories.
As the first official act of the relief work after our arrival in Con-
stantinople was ni}^ formal presentation to the Sublime Porte by the
American Minister, Honorable A. W. Terrell, diplomatic courtesy
demanded that I take proper occasion to notify the Turkish Govern-
ment of our departure and return thanks for its assistance, which was
done formally at "Selamlic," a religious ceremony held on the Turkish
Sabbath, which corresponds to our Friday. The Court Chamberlain
delivered my message to the palace. It was received and responded to
through the same medium and I took my departure, havii^g finished
my diplomatic work with that government which had from first to
last treated me with respect, assisted my work and protected my
workers.
To correct certain impressions and expressions which have been
circulating more or less extensively in this country, and for the correct
information of the people who through their loyal interest deserve to
know the facts, I make known my entire social relations while residing
in Turkey. Personally I did not go beyond Constantinople. The
proper conduct of our work demanded the continuous presence of both
our financial secretary and myself at headquarters. I never saw, to
pensonally communicate with, any member of the Turkish Government
excepting its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tewfik Pasha, as named
previously. I ricver spoke with the Sultan and have never seen him-
excepting in his carriage on the way to his mosque.
On being informed through our Legation that the Turkish minister
at Washington, Mavroyeni Bey, had been recalled and that hif, succes-
sor was about to leave for his new position, I felt that national courtesy
required that I call upon him and, attended by a member of our
300
THE RED CROSS.
legation, my secretary and myself crossed the Bosporusto a magnifi-
cent estate on the Asiatic shore, the palatial home of Moustapha Tahsin
Bey, a gentleman of culture, who had resided in New York in some
legal capacity and who, I feel certain, will be socially and oflScially
acceptable to our Government.
I have received a decoration, officially described as follows :
Brevet of Chevalier of the Royal Order of Melusine, founded in 1186, by
Sibylle, Queen and spouse of King Guy of Jerusaleui, and reinstituted several
years since by Marie, Princess of Lusignan. The Order is conferred for
humanitarian, scientific and other services of distinction, but especially when
such services are rendered to the House of Lusignan, and particularly to the
Armenian nation. The Order is worn by a number of reigning sovereigns, and
is highly prized b}' the recipients because of its rare bestowal and its beauty.
This decoration is bestowed by His Royal Highness, Guy of Lusignan, Prince
of Jerusalem, Cyprus and Armenia.
Some months after returning home I received through our State
Department at Washington the Sttltan's decoration of Shefaketand its
accompanying diploma in Turkish, a reproduction and translation of
which is here given :
TOWER OF CHRIST, CONSTANTINOPLE.
W. W. PEET, ESQ.
REV. HENRY O. DWIGHT, D. D.
KKV. JOS. K. GREENE, D. D.
REV. GEO. WASHBURN, D. D.
Js,
i^-f^c^ji^
%
^^,
'^'^^.
^•fJfOi
-^^^^..U/a .. ...
^-'^■^^.yj
TURKISH DTPT.OMA ACCOATPANYIXG DECORATION.
As Miss Barton, American citizen, possesses many great and distinguished qualities ami
recompense is due to her, I am pleased therefore to accord to her the second class of my decn
tions of Shefaket— [Translation.]
(303)
304 Tlir RKD CROSS.
The first notice of tliis honor came to me throuj:::h our own
Smithsonian Institute, as indicating its scientific character.
On the ninth of August we took passage on board the steamsliir
" Meteor," a Roumanian steamer plying between Constantinople and
the ports of the Black Sea. our objective point being Costanza, at the
mouth of the Danube River. This was our first step toward home, and
the leaving of a people on whom, in common with the civilized world,
our whole heart interest had been centred for more than half a 3'ear;
having no thought, however, until the hour of parting revealed it, of
the degree of interest that had been centred on us.
On the spacious deck of the steamer were assempled our entire
American representation at Constantinople, prepared to accompany us
through the Bosporus, their boats having been sent forward to take
them off near the entrance of the Black Sea.
The magnificent new quay in either direction was crowded with
people without distinction of nationality, the strange costumes and
colors commingling in such variety as only an Oriental city can pro-
duce, patiently waiting the long hour of preparation. When at length
the hoarse whistle sounded and the boat swayed from its moorings, the
dense crowd swayed with it and the subdued tones pealed out in
tongues many and strange; but all had one meaning — thanks, blessings
and God speed. We received these manifestations reverently, for while
they meant kindliness to us and our work, they meant far more of hom-
age and honor for the nation and people we represented. And not only
in Constantinople but the shores of the Bosporous as we proceeded
presented similar tokens of recognition — the wavy Stars and Stripes
from Robert College, Rebek, and Hissar, told more strongly than words
how loyal to their own free land were the hearts and hands toiling so
--.IthfuUy in others.
Touching at Budapest for a glimpse at its Millenial Exposition; at
Vienna to pay respects to our worthy Minister, Hon, Bartlett Tripp;
we hastened to meet the royal greeting of the Grand Duke and Grand
Duchess of Baden, attheir beautiful island of Minau in Lake Constance
— the wedding gift of the Grand Duke to his young princess bride forty-
three years ago. It was a great pleasure to be able to bring our hard-
worked men into personal contact with these active royal personages,
who know so well in their own philanthropic lives how to appreciate
such labor in others.
Lest some may not recall directly the lines of royal succession, our
readers will pardon me if I say that the Grand Duchess of Baden is
the only daughter of the old Emperor William and Empress Augusta,
ARMENIA. 305
the sister of Germany's "Fritz," the aunt of the present Emperor,
the mother of the Crown Princess of Sweden, and the granddaughter
of the beloved Queen Louise, whom she is said to very much
resemble.
Oni day was given to Strasburg — another labor field of the
Franco- German war, of longer duration than Armenia — reaching Lon-
don on the twenty-fourth day of August.
Our passage was engaged on the "Servia," to sail September i,
when the news of the terrible troubles in Constantinople reached us.
We were shocked and distressed beyond words. The streets where we
had passed, the people who had served us, the Ottoman Bank where
we had transacted business almost daily for nearly a half a year, all in
jeopardy if not destroyed. Our men of the interior feared a general
uprising there, in which case we might be able to help. Our sense of
duty did not permit us to proceed until the facts were better known.
We cancelled or rather transferred our passage by the "Servia," tele-
graphed to Constantinople and cabled to America, expressing our
willingness to return to the field if our services were in any way
needed. Kindly advices from both directions, together with a more
quiet condition of things, decided us to continue our journey, and
engaging passage by the " Umbria " for the fifth, we arrived in New
York on the twelfth of vSeptember, eight months lacking ten days from
the time of our departure on the twenty-second of January.
Distances and Difficulties op Travel, Transportation and
Communications.
For the convenience of the closely occupied who have not time to
study as they read, I have thought it well to condense the information
above referred to in a paragraph, which can be taken in at a glance,
in connection with the map.
The one great port of Asia Minor is Constantinople. To reach
the centre, known as Anatolia or Armenia, there are two routes from
Constantinople. One by way of the Mediterranean Sea to Alexan-
dretta, the southern port or gateway ; the other by the Black Sea, to
reach the northern ports of Samsoun and Trebizond, lying along the
southern coast of the Black Sea. There is no land route, but a " pony
post," like the overland days of California, takes important dispatches
for the government, or money. The way is infested by brigands.
3o6
Till": RIvl) CROSS.
There are no regular passenger boats, but Russia, Austria, France
and Greece have dispatch — in reality, coasting boats — one of which
aims to leave Constantinople each week, although at first we found it
at least two weeks between the times of sailing and irregular at that.
The time from Constantinople to Alexadretta is eight to ten days.
From Constantinople to Samsoun, two days. From either of these ports
the interior must be reached by land.
From Alexandretta to Harpoot is fifteen (15) days,
" ** " Marash is five (5) days.
" " " Zeitoun is seven (7) days.
" " " Oorfa is six (6) days.
** " " Diarbekir is twelve (12) days.
On the north from Samsoun to Harpoot is fifteen (15) days.
These journeys were made by horse, mule or donkey, over moun-
tain paths, rocks and precipices. Only in comparatively a few places
are there roads allowing the passing of a wheeled vehicle of any kind,
even the passing of a horse along the steep declivities is sometimes
dangerous.
Communications.
As will be seen, the sending of a letter from Constantinople to
the interior, requires at the best vsix weeks, or forty-six days with no
delays.
Only the large and more important towns have telegraphic com-
munication. This requires two, three, four days of a week, according
to circumstances. These dispatches are all sent and must be answered
in Turkish.
Head of Turkish 1 klec.rm'ii Blank.
ARMENIA. 307
^.l
Grf
[Translation of above Telegram.]
Arabker, May 17, /Sg6.
Miss Barton:
Since three days we are attending with our doctors and their attendants to one
hundred sick per day. The contagious fever (typhus) is diminishing. Miss Bush
and all the party are distributing clothing and bedding. Lemme is giving imple-
ments and seed to the farmers. The needs here are extreme. Wistar's party are
at Pyre. Wood with his party are working in the district of Palou.
HUBBELL,
The larger towns have mails usually leaving once a week, carried
on horses with a military guard. No newspaper is published in Asia
Minor.
The missionary stations, with but two or three exceptions, are not
near the seacoast, but from three to fifteen days' travel from either the
Mediterranean or the Black Sea, or three to twenty-live days to the
nearest Mediterranean port. As will be seen by reference to the map
the following stations are on the seaboard: Trebizond on the Black Sea;
Smyrna and a small station near Merisine on the Mediterranean, and
Constantinople on the Bosporus.
The following are inland and curing several months in the winter
and spring must be nearly, if not quite, inaccessible to outside approach:
Adabazar, Bardezag, Brousa, Cesarea, Marsovan, Hadjin, Tarsus,
Adana, Mardin, Aintab, Marash, Sivas, Harpoot, Oorfa, Erzingan,
Erzroom, Van, Bitlis,
Funds.
It should be distinctly understood by contributors that neither
their letters, nor any individual contributions came to us; these were
received by the committees or parties raising the funds in America.
3o8
THE RKI) CROSS.
The letters were doubtless faithfully acknowledged, and the various
sums of money placed in the general fund forwarded to us by them.
All contributions received by us directly at Constantinople are acknowl-
edged in our report.
Although an account of the disposition of all funds is rendered in
the report of the financial secretary, which, after verification, I signed
A^/
'^^SMsS ■
< M I,
INTERIOR OF GREGORIAN CHTTRCH AT OORFA, WHERE MANY HTJNDREDS
OK WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE MASSACRED.
jointly -with him, I will, however, at the risk of repetition, take the
liberty of adding the following remarks on the subject;
It is to be borne always in mi : 1 that the amount of money to be
distributed was never made a concern of ours, provided they were
actually ''funds to distributed To the question so frequently and
kindly asked of us, "Did you have money enough, or were you embar-
rassed in your operations by want of funds? " I beg to have this reply
intelligently understood: that we had always money enough in hand
for the work in hand. We were never embarrassed in our operations
by lack of funds, holding, as I alwaj'S have, thnt charitable relief in
order to be safe and efficient, should be conducted on the same reason-
?? ":=
^ .1
SI
o ^
H
W
13
w
p4
(309)
3IO THE RRD CROSS.
able basis as business, and that a good businessman, unless by accident
on the part of other persons, or of circumstances, will never find himself
embarrassed, as he will never undertake more than he has the means to
successfully accomplish. We were never embarrassed in our operations
by lack of funds, and our committees will testify that no intimation of
that kind ever came to them from us. This would have been both
unwise and unjust. According to the universal system of charitable
relief, all was being done that could be done; but if asked if we had
enough for the needs of the people, enough to relieve the distress through
desolated Asia Minor, enough to make those people comfortable again,
then a very tender chord has been touched. No hearts in America are
more sore than ours; its richest mine might drain in that attempt.
Our men in the interior have seen and lived among what others vainly
strive to picture; they are men of work, not words, and under heaven
have labored to do what they could with what they had. It is their
stewardship they are trying to render to a great-hearted, sympathetic
and perplexed people, racked by various emotions, seeking light through
every channel, and conclusively solving and settling in a score of ways,
every day, problems and questions which have unsettled a considerable
portion of the world for centuries.
^ The Committees.
On behalf of the wretchedness and suffering met through Asia
Minor, we return heartfelt thanks to the committees who labored with
such untiring zeal toward their relief. We were never unmindful of the
ilifficulties which they were constantly called to encounter and to over-
come. Not having in hand the funds desired or even guaranteed, they
must raise them, and this largely from persons whose sympathies out-
ran their generosity, if not their means. This naturally opened the
door for excuses for withholding, until it could be seen that " some-
lliing was actually being accomplished ; " then the doubt if anything
" could be accomplished ; " next the certainty that it " could not be,"
and so on through whole chapters of dark prophecies and discourage-
ments sufiicient to dishearten the most hopeful natures, and weaken at
times the best efforts that could be put forth. Against volumes, nay,
oceans of these discouragements, our committees must have struggled,
with more or less of success, and again for their efforts on behalf of
such suffering as even they never witnessed, we return with reverence
our sincerest gratitude. Their efforts have been herculean, their ob-
sfuctions scarcely less.
AINIKKICAN COr,I<lCGK BUILDINGS, AIM".
r
-u^^
tli^-^S:S^
^mm
'l^l^v
"^*!i-
AMERICAN ANP AKML.MAX Ol AKTl.K.S, llAKl
RED CROSS CARAVAN,
ARMENIA. 313
The cause of these difficulties lay in the customary conception and
methods of charitable relief which they were naturally compelled to
adopt and follow. Until the world comes to recognize that charity is
not beggary, and should not be made to depend upon it, that a legiti-
mate and ready fund to draw from in order to facilitate and validate its
transactions is as necessary as in other movements, the difficulties of
our tireless and noble committees will be everywhere met.
It is with these views that the Red Cross has never solicited means
in aid of its work of relief Heretofore on all its fields, the people have
been left free to contribute what they desired, and through whom they
desired, and it is we believe, a well understood fact, that the use of the
name of the Red Cross in the raising of funds for the late Armenian relief,
was simply incidental, one of the methods naturally resorted to in order
to secure the end, and by no concurrence of ours, as has been previously
and fully explained.
To THE Press of the United States.
Among the dark hours that came to us in the hopeless waste of
work and woe on every side, the strong sustaining power has been the
Press of the United States. While naturally compelled to give circula-
tion to unauthorized reports from other sources, it has evidently done
it with regret, and hastened by strong editorials, in words of no un-
certain vsound, to set right before its readers any errors that may have
crept in. The American press has always been loyal to the Red Cross
and to its work, and once more it is our privilege to tender to it our
meed of grateful praise.
To THE Contributors of the United States,
Whose sympathy, God-like pity and mercy prompted them to the
grand work of relief for the half million suffering and dying in a land
they had never seen, whose purses were opened, whose own desires
were repressed that they might give, not of their abundance, but of
their scantiness ofttimes, whose confidence made us their almoners,
whose whole-hearted trust has strengthened us, whose hearts have been
with us, whose prayers have followed us, whose hopes have sustained
us, and whose beckoning hands were held out in tenderness to welcome
us back to them, what can be said, what can be done, but to bow our
314 THK RKD CROSS.
heads in grateful recognition of the words of unexpected commenda-
tion which nearly overwhelm us, and pray the gracious God that He
bless our work, to the measure of the praise bestowed.
To OUR Government at Washington ;
To its cordial sympathy so warmly expressed through its honored
Secretaries of State and Navy, and through whose ready access we
were at all times able to reach the public, our earnest and respectful
thanks are rendered, begging our warm-hearted people to bear in mind
that our rulers are a part of, and like themselves ; that the security of
the government lies largely in the fact that responsibility tends to con-
servatism— not necessarily less sympathetic, but less free, more respon-
sible and more thoughtful.
To our Legation in Constantinople.
Our thanks are due to our genial minister, Hon. A. W. Terrell, his
accomplished secretary, a.\\A charge d' affairs, J. W. Riddle, his inter-
preter and dragoman, Gargiulo; our Consul General, Luther Short,
Esq. ; the consular interpreter, Demetriades, from every one of whom
we received unremitting care and attention during all the months of
our residence at Constantinople, and without which aid we could not
have succeeded in our work. There was not an hour that their free
service was not placed at our command. Through them all govern-
mental business was transacted. The day was never too long nor the
night too short for any active help they could render ; I only hope that
our diplomatic service at all courts is as faithfully and cheerfully ren-
dered as at Constantinople. In this connection I desire to make special
mention of the assistance of United States Consul, Dr. Milo A.
Jewett, at Sivas, and Consular Agent, Daniel Walker, at Alexandretta.
Both personally and oflEicially I believe the record of Minister Ter-
rell will sustain him. While firm and direct of speech he is a man of
uncommon courtesy, abounding in the old time hospitality of his native
state, Virginia. If at the close of his official term, he shall be able to
report that through all the months — nay, years — of unheard-of troubles,
dangers and deaths in the country to which he was assigned, while
some hundreds of his fellow citizens were constantly and peculiarly
exposed to these dangers, that with no direct governmental aid or
authority, without even a ship of his own country in port, that no life
ARMENIA. 315
in his charge has been lost, and that only such clangers, hardships and
losses as were incident to the terrible transactions about them had been
inflicted upon them, we will, I trust, look calmly at the results, and
decide that if this were not diplomacy, it was a very good substitute.
To THE Ambassadors of Other Nations at Constantinople.
To these high and honorable gentlemen our thanks are due. To
Sir Philip Currie of Kngland, there seemed to come no difference in
sentiment between our people and his own ; a tower of strength where-
ever he took hold. Germany and Russia were cordial and ready to
aid, as also our English Consul, R. A. Fontana, at Harpoot, and C. M,
Hallward, at Diarbekir; and following these, may I also name the
ready help of Renter's Express and the United and Associated Presses
of both Constantinople and London .
Commendatory.
Here is a phase of our work which should not be entirely passed
by, and yet, if only partially taken up would overrun our entire report.
Only one or two excerpts must suffice to show what the others might
mean.
From Rev. Dr. H. O. Dvvight, one word among the many so
generously spoken :
Miss Barton has done a splendid work, sensil)ly and economically managed.
Wherever her agents have been, the missionaries have expressed the strongest
approval of their methods and efficiency. The work done has been of great and
permanent importance.
From Rev. Joseph K. Greene, D. D., to the New York '' ludcpend
enf :
After some six months of service, Miss Clara Barton and her five ahle assist-
ants have left Constantinople on their return to America. It was only on the
.^i6 THE RKD CROSS.
earnest solicitation of the missionaries, the officers of the American Board and
many other friends of the sufferinjj Armenians that Miss Barton undertook the
relief in this land. The difficulties of the work, arising from the suspicions of
the Turkish authorities, the distance from the capital to the sufferers, the perils
ami discomforts in communicating with them, and from unfamiliarity with tlie
languages and customs of the people of the land, would surely have appalled a
less courageous heart. Under such circumstances it is only just and fair that
the American public should be apprised of the substantial success of this mis-
sion of the Red Cross.
In the first place. Miss Barton has shown a rare faculty in getting on well
with everybody. To facilitate her work she, and the assistants whom she loves
to call "my men," laid aside all the insignia of the Red Cross and appeared
everywhere simply as private individuals. She clearly understood that she
could accomplish her mission only by securing the confidence and good will of
the authorities, and this she did by her patience and repeated explanations,
and by the assistance of the American Legation. When the irade, or imperial
decree sanctioning her mission, was delayed, she sent for^'ard her assi.stants
with only a traveling permit for a part of the way, trusting, and not in vain,
that the local authorities, instructed from headquarters, would facilitate their
way. As a matter of fact, while Mr. Pullman, her secretary and treasurer,
remained at Constantinople with Miss Barton, her distributing agents, namely.
Dr. Ilubbell and Mr. Mason, Mr. Wistar and Mr. Wood, either together or in
two parties, traveled inland from Alexaudretta to Killis, Aintab, Marash,
Zeitoim, Birejik, Oorfa, Diarbekir, Farkin, Harpoot, Palou, Malatia, Arabkir,
Egin, Sivas, Tokat, Samsoun and back to Constantinople without interruption
or molestation. They were readily and constantly supplied with guards, and
could not with safety have made their perilous four months' journey without
them. Demands are said to have been made that the distribution of aid be
made under the supervision of government officials, but in fact, Miss Barton's
agents knew how to make their distributions in every place, after careful con-
sultation and examination, without any interference on the part of the author-
ities.
Miss Barton received in all about |;i 16,000, and an unexpended balance of
$15,400 was committed to Mr. Peet, the treasurer of the American Missions in
Turkey, to be held as an emergency fund, subject to Miss Barton's orders. No
expense has been incurred for Miss Barton or her agents save for traveling
expenses and the wages of interpreters, and with this exception the entire sum
expended has gone to the actual relief of the sufferers. While the fund com-
mitted to the Anglo-American Committee, of which Mr. Peet is a member — a
sum four to five times the amount committed to Miss Barton — has been
expended through the missionaries, largely to save the hungry from starvation,
the relief through the agents of the Red Cross has for the most part been wisely
devoted to the putting of the poor sufferers on their feet again, and thus helping
them to help themselves. Some 500 liras (a lira is %i^.i\.ooi good mone}') were
given for the cure and care of the sick in Marash, Zeitoun and elsewhere, and
some 2,000 liras' worth of cloths, thread, pins and needles were sent inland; but
many times this amount was expended in providing material for poor widows,
seeds, agricultural implements and oxen for farmers; tools for blacksmiths and
ARMENIA.
317
carpenters, and looms for weavers. In some places Miss Barton's agents had the
pleasure of seeing vegetable gardens coining forward from .seed furnished hy the
Red Cross, and village farmers reaping the grain with sickles which the Red
Cross had given. The great want now — a want which the funds of the Red
Cross agents did not permit them to any large extent to meet — is aid to the
poor villagers to help them rebuild their burned and ruined houses, and thus
provide for themselves shelter against the rigors of the coming winter. The
Red Cross agents have, however, gathered a great stock of information ; and
passing l)ythe horrors of the massacres and the awful abuse of girls and women,
as unimpeachable witnesses they can l)ear testimony to the frightful sufferings
and needs of the people. We most sincerely hope and pray that Mi.ss Barton
and the agents and friends of the Red Cross will not esteem their work in
Turkey done, but knowing now so well just what remains to be done, and what
can be done, will bend every effort to secure further relief for the widows and
orphans of the more than sixty thousand murdered men — mostly between the
ages of eighteen and fifty — whose lives no earthly arm was outstretched to save.
While we gratefully bear witness to the wise and indefatigable efforts of
Miss Barton's ag'euls, permit us to add that during her more than six months'
stay in Constantinople Miss Barton gave /z^r.?^//" unremittingly to the work of
her mission. She seems to have had no time for sight-seeing, and not a few
of her friends are disposed to complain that she had no time to accept the
invitations of those who would have been glad to entertain her. The only
relaxation she seems to have given herself was on two occasions — the first, a
Fourth of July picnic with a few American friends, on one of the Princes'
Islands, and the second, another picnic on the same island, on Wednesday,
August 5, when, with three of her "men," she met some twenty American lady
teachers and missionaries, in order to bid them a courteous farewell. The first
occasion she unqualifiedly declared to have been the happiest Fourth of July
she had ever had; and inspired by the occasion, she penned some verses which
she kindly read to her friends on the second gathering, and which we very
much wish she would permit the editor of the Independent to publish. On the
second occasion, at Miss Barton's request, the financial secretary read his report
and Dr. Hubbell and Mr. Wood presented reports of the work of distribution.
We gratefully acknowledged the honor done us in permitting us to hear these
reports; and, remembering our concern for Miss Barton while preparing for the
work of distribution six months ago, we gladly expressed our joy and congrat-
ulations now on the happy return of her faithful and efficient agents, of whom
it may be truly said that they went and saw and conquered. We rejoiced that
these new friends had come to know so well the American missionaries in
Turkey, and were truly thankful for a mutually happy acquaintance. We
wished Miss Barton and her "men" a hearty welcome on their arrival, and,
now, with all our hearts, we wish them god-speed on their return home.
Constantijiople, Turkey.
The little "verses " so kiiidly referred to by Dr. Greene, were not
even written, but were a simple train of thought that took rhythmic
3i8
THK RED CROSS.
form as we crossed ov^er the sea of Marmora, on our way to an island
celebration of the Fourth of July. Later I found time to put them on
paper and read them to the guests at our farewell meeting, presenting
them to our host, Mr. W. W. Peet. They appear to have gained a
favor far beyond their merit, and by request of many friends they are
given place in the report as a "part of its histor>\"
AN ANCIENT MOSQUE IN KILLIS.
ARMENIA. 319
MARMORA.
It was twenty and a hundred years, oh bhie and rollincj sea,
A thousand in the onwatd march of human liberty,
Since on its sunlit bosom, wind-tossed and sails unfurled,
Atlantic's mighty billows bore a message to the world.
It thunders down its rocky coast, and stirs its frugal homes;
The vSaxon hears it as he toils, the Indian as he roams ;
The buffalo upon the plains, the panther in his lair,
And the eagle hails the kindred note, and screams it through the aii
"Make way for liberty," it roared, "here let the oppressed go free,
Break loose your bands of tyrant hands, this land is not for thee.
The old world in its crusted grasp grinds out the souls of men.
Here plant their feet in freedom's soil, this land was made for them. "
The mother slept in her island home, but the children heard the call,
And ere the western sun went down, had answered, one and all;
For Britain's thirteen colonies had vanished in a day,
And six and half a hundred men had signed their lives away.
And brows were dark, and words were few, the steps were quick and strong.
And firm the lips as ever his who treasures up a wrong;
And stern the tone that offered up the prayer beside the bed.
And many a Molly Stark that night wept silent tears of dread.
The bugles call, and swords are out, and armies march abreast.
And the old world casts a wondering glance to the strange 1 ight in the west ;
Lo, from its lurid lightnings play, free tossing in the wind,
Bursts forth the star-gemmed flag that wraps the hopes of all mankind
And weary eyes grew brighter then, and fainting hearts grew strong.
And hope was mingled in the cry, "How long, oh Lord, how long?"
The seething millions turn and stir and struggle toward the light;
The free flag streams, and morning gleams where erst was hopeless night
And grim Atlantic thunders still adown its rocky shores.
And still the eagle screams his note, as aloft he sails and soars;
And hope is born, that even thou, in some far day to come,
O blue and rolling Marmora, shalt bear the message home
Dedicated to W. W. Peet, Esq. Clara Barton.
Co7istantinof>le, July ^, 1896.
320 THK RED CROSS.
Reports are always tedious. If some reader, having persevered
thus far, if such there be, shall fiud himself or herself saying with a
little thrill of disappointment, " But this does not give the information
expected, it does not recommend any specific course to be pursued,
whether emigration for the Armenians, and if so, where, and how;
or autonomy, and if so, how to be secured, and assured; if more ships
should be sent, and what they should do when there; if greater
pressure of the Powers should be demanded by us, or what course, as a
nation, we ought to pursue. We had expected some light on these
questions."
Appreciating and regretting this disappointment, we must remind
our anxious readers and friends — for such they are — that we have never
been required to do this; that all conclusions to that efifect are simply
inferential, and all such expectations were born of anxious hope. But
that which we feel does immediately concern us, and comes directly
within our province, is, to state that notwithstanding all that has been
done through all sources, infinitely more remains to be done by some
one; and while speculation upon the moral duty of nations, the rights
or wrongs of governments, the problem of whether one ruler or another
shall sit upon a throne for the next six months; what expressions of
individual principle in regard to certain actions should be given; the
proper stand for a people to take and maintain on high moral and
religious questions — all important subjects — none value them more than
I — all marking the high tone and progressive spirit of the most
advanced stage of human thought and culture the world has yet known,
it would seem that each and all of these, imperative and important as
they are, admit of at least a little moment of time for consideration, and
will probably take it whether admitted or not.
But the facts are, that between the Archipelago and the Caspian
Seas, the Black and the Mediterranean, are to-day living a million and
a half of people of the Armenian race, existing under the ordinances of,
at least, semi-civilization, and professing the religion of Jesus Christ;
that according to the stated estimate of intelligent and impartial
observers of various countries and concurred in by our own agents,
whose observations have been unrestricted, from 100,000 to 200,000 of
these persons, men, women and children, are destitute of shelter,
raiment, fire, food, medicines, the comforts that tend to make human
life preservable, or any means of obtaining them, save through the
charitable beneficence of the world.
The same estimates concur in the statement, that without such
outside support, at least 50,000 of these persons will have died of
iUSlI. UAKl'tJOT
REV. C F. GATES, D. D., HARPOOT.
FIRST EXTKUITIUN ICMBAKKING ON FKRRY BOAT,
EUPHRATES RIVER.
in.A!M-.^:4!^!iU[JMm»
1^;.
-»■*'* i,f ^. ■»♦--«■!■ . *.;^-*.^f^ C
:. Cl.na Ilartou
A TURKISH TESKERE OR PASSPORT.
ARMENIA.
323
starvation or perished through accumulated hardship, before the first
of May, 1897,
That even now it is cold in their mountain recesses, the frosts are
whitening the rocky crests, trodden by their wandering feet, and long
before Christmas the friendly snow will have commenced to cover their
graves.
These facts, bare and grim, are what I have to present to the
American people; and if it should be proposed to make any use of them
there is not much time for consideration. We have hastened, without
loss of a day, to bring them plainly and truthfully before the public as
a subject pertaining peculiarly to it.
I would like to add that this great work of human relief should
not fall wholly upon the people of our own country — by no means with-
out its own suffering poor — neither would it. The people of most
enlightened nations should unite in this relief, and I believe, properly
conferred with, would do so.
None of us have found any better medium for the dispensation of
charitable relief than the faithful missionaries already on the ground,
and our government oflScers, whose present course bespeaks their
active interest.
Clara Barton.
A BIT OF PAI.OU.
324 THR RED CROSL
KHPORT OF THH FINANCIAL SHCRHTARY.
The following financial report, of necessity, has to deal with the
currencies of five different countries, viz.: American, English, French,
Austrian and Turkish, but as nearly all except expenses of travel and
maintenance are in Turkish money, and as American, English, French
and other moneys received were naturally reduced to the coin of the
Ottoman Empire, we were obliged to make our accounts to correspond.
As the report is made on the gold basis of loo piasters to a lira, our
friends may easily find the value in American money by multiplying
the number of piasters by 4.4, as a gold lira (100 piasters) is approxi-
mately worth four and four-tenths dollars.
Owing to the difference in values between gold and silver coin, the
wide range of values between the same coin in different cities, also the
singulat variation of the purchasing power of the same coin in the same
cities for various commodities, complicated and curious mathematical
problems have constantly confronted us, and for the correctness and
accuracy of our report we are under many obligations to W. W. Peet,
Esq., treasurer of the American Board of Foreign Missions; the officers
of the Imperial Ottoman and Credit Lyonnais Banks; as well as George
Kiinzel, Esq., expert accountant of the Administration de la Dette
Publique Ottomane. Our grateful acknowledgments are also due and
heartily given to Rev. Dr. H. O. Dwight, the executive head of the
Missionary Board at Constantinople, and Rev. Dr. George Washburn,
president of Robert College, for many valuable suggestions.
To give a single illustration of the acrobatic acquirements of the
sprightly piaster, theignus fatuus characteristics of themejidieh (nom.
20 piasters), and the illusive proclivities of the lira, we will outline a
transaction connected with our first medical expedition, under Dr. Ira
Harris, of Tripoli, Syria. We had sent four hundred liras to Dr.
George E. Post, of Beyrout, who was fitting out the expedition for us,
and presumed we would receive a receipt for that amount, or for 40, 000
piasters, its equivalent. The acknowledgment came, and we were some-
what nonplussed to note that we had been credited with a sum far
exceeding that amount. A letter of inquiry was sent, as we supposed
our good doctor had made an error. We quote a paragraph or two in
his letter of reply: " I am not surprised that 3'ou do not quite under-
stand the intricacies of Turkish finance. After thirty-three years of
ARMENIA. 325
residence, I am. still trying to get some idea of what a piaster is. * * *
In Beyrout it is worth one piaster and five paras, with variations; a
mejidieh is worth from nineteen piasters to almost anything. Kvery
town has its rate. ^ * =i^ The nominal value changes daily. Thus
if I credit you to-day with 123.20 piasters on the lira, next week I may
be out of pocket, or vice versa. * * * Internally, it is well nigh
impossible to keep accounts. * * * The only way our college books
are kept is by giving the rate as it is when the account is entered and
as it appears in all receipts and other vouchers."
We were much gratified with this assurance, for if a college president,
after thirty- three years' study, had not solved the piaster puzzle, there
was some excuse for us. Hundreds of accounts and bills have been
received, audited and paid, and scarcely any two correspond in piaster
equivalents. Therefore, although the money unit is the gold piaster,
and the monetary standard the gold lira, the frequent changes in valua-
tion is very bewildering to foreigners, and necessitates frequent confer-
ence with persons who, after long years of residence, have reached an
equitable basis by which monetary equivalents can be ascertained.
A glance at our column of receipts shows a considerable variation in
rates of exchange, and also the selling price of British gold (most of
our drafts and cabled credits were in English sovereigns). We sold
the greater part of our gold at a rate exceeding no, which is the
commercial rate in business transactions. In all credits received, the
values are of course given according to the rate on the day of sale.
Many of our accounts, receipts and vouchers are curiosities, as they
are in various languages, Arabic, Kourdish, Turkish, Armenian,
Greek, Italian, etc. They were interesting but at the same time
exceedingly perplexing to us, though our expert accountant found no
difficulty with any of them, and right here we desire to make special
acknowledgment to Mr. Kiinzel for his excellent but unpaid services.
In our column of expenses will be found an exceedingly rare Red
Cross item, namely, "Wages Account." All the native or local
doctors and apothecaries with one exception, had to be paid "conta-
gious di.=ease rates," as they called it. The exception was Dr. Ira
Harris, of Tripoli, Syria, that brave and self-sacrificing American,
whose great medical ability and splendid surgical skill accomplished .so
much in curing the sick in the terribly distressed cities of Marash and
Zeitoun, with their many surrounding villages. We are glad to make
this public acknowledgment in full appreciation of his heroic services.
Besides the doctors, there were interpreters and dragomen for the
various expeditions in the field to whom wages were paid. No adverse
326 THE RKD CROSS.
reflection is designed in the making of this statement, as the conditions
surroiuuHng life and service in that region of operation made such
remuneration an equitable necessity.
It is, we think, a well understood fact that the Red Cross officers
neither receive nor ask any remuneration for their services, but away
fi( ::i our own country we did not find the splendid volunteer aids we
have had on former fields. But few could be found, and these we have
lind with us both in Constantinople and Asia Minor, and very efficient
1. .^>ers they have been; to these our thanks are due and cordially
given.
After our expeditions had entered the field, and begun work, the
first remittances to our chief officers were sent in a manner which for
slowness and seeming insecurity would have appalled American busi-
ness men. The modus operandi was as follows: A check for the
amount desired was drawn and taken to the bank; after half an hour or
more the gold would be weighed out and handed over — our bankers
would have performed the same service in two minutes. The coin was
tiien put into a piece of stout canvas cloth, done up in a round ball,
securely tied and taken to the Imperial Turkish postoffice, where it was
placed in a piece of sheepskin, all the ends brought together very
evenly, cut off square and covered with sealing wax, the strong cords
binding the package in a peculiar manner were woven in so that the
ends could be passed through a small wooden box like a pill box; this
box was filled with wax. After the imperial post and our seals were
attached, bakshish given, and the package insured in an English com-
l^aiiy, the only thing remaining after the three or four hours' work and
delay was to go home and, with fear and trembling, wait some twenty-
five or thirty days until the pony express arrived at its destination and
acknowledgment by telegraph of the receipt of the money relieved the
nervous strain as far as that package was concerned. This trying busi-
ness was kept up until it became possible to use drafts in the interior.
We are happy to report that, though the money had to be taken
through a country infested with robbers, outlaws and brigands, we
never lost a lira.
Bakshish is another custom of the country, infinitely more exas-
perating than our " tip " system, which is bad enough. This is trying
to most people, but peculiarly irritating to a financial secretar}'. Bak-
shish is a gift of money which an Oriental expects and demands for the
most trifling service. Beggars, by instinct, seem to know a financial
secretary and swarm around in the most appalling manner. To make
any headway with this horde at least two Turkish words must be
ARMENIA. 327
mastered the first day, uaiiiely, " Yok,'' No, and " Hide-git,'' " Be off
with you." These expressions are sometimes efficacious with beggars,
but the bakshish fiend must be paid something.
As long columns of figures have no interest to the great majority
of people, and detailed accounts of receipts and expenses are never
read, as it is of no possible importance what moneys were received at
certain tines, or what goods were purchased on specific days for the
field work, or gold or drafts sent into the interior, we give our state-
ment in as condensed a form as possible. The committees have
received their respective reports, with all vouchers and other detail.
We believe the account of our stewardship will be approved by
our countrymen ; we know that the people w^hom we came to assist,
are grateful and thoroughly appreciative, as numberless letters of grat-
itude, testimonials and personal statements abundantly prove.
To the $1 16,326.01, at least a third if not a half more should be
added, as in all kinds of industrial business we have made the money
do double duty. For instance: We purchased iron and steel and
gave to the blacksmiths to make tools. That started their work.
They paid us for the iron and steel in tools ; these we gave to other
artisans to start their various trades. In like manner spinning, weav-
ing and garment-making avocations were commenced. Speaking of
values, the consensus of opinion of our countrymen in the interior is,
that putting a price on our work, the people of Anatolia have gained
twice or thrice the actual money spent, and that the moral support
given was far beyond any valuation. (At such a money valuation
then, the aggregate value of the chief distribution will be nearly
1350,000.)
A few words of explanation in regard to the table of expenditures:
" Cash sent to the Interior " includes all moneys sent by pony express
or draft, and of this amount something over seven thousand liras are in
the hands of W. W. Peet, Esq.; Rev. C. F. Gates, at Harpoot; C. M.
Hallward, Esq., British Consul, at Diarbekir; Rev. E. H. Perry, at
Sivas, and other equally responsible representatives, for an emergency
fund, to be used, on order, as occasion requires.
" Relief Expeditions, General and Medical," represents largely the
goods purchased and shipped with the four expeditions from Constanti-
nople and Beyrout for relief purposes. A portion of this supply is still
held at different stations awaiting the proper time for its distribution to
the best advantage.
"General Expense Account" represents freights, postage, bak-
shish, hammals, car fares, carriages, etc. " Donations for Relief of
328 THE RliI) CROSS.
Orphan Children " represents sums of money given to the Armenian
and German hospitals for Armenian refugee children. The other items
we think explain themselves.
It will be observed that the special Red Cross fund, as noted in
our tabulation of debits and credits, more than covers expenses of
" Red Cross Headquarters, Field," " Travel and Maintenance," " Gen-
eral Expense and Wages Accounts," and " General and Medical Relief
Expeditions Accounts," all of which items were of direct benefit to the
field as all were necessary to the successful conduct of our work. We
only mention this to show that, besides the work we have been able to
successfully perform, the Red Cross has also materially contributed mon-
etarily to the field. And it will not be out of place to note that in the
total of cash expended ($i 16,326.01) there is shown to be an administra-
tive cost amounting to $7,526.37, as covered by such items as
"Telegrams and Cables," "Wages Account," "General Expense,"
"Headquarters, Field," "Stationery and Printing," and " Travel and
Maintenance. ' ' This cost was but a fraction over 6 per cent on the cash
total. If the estimated money value in field results be taken at three
times the cash received and paid, for relief material, food, etc. , as stated,
it will be found that the cost of administration is only about 2 per cent.
In either account or estimate theresult is gratifyingthough not surprising
to the officers of the Red Cross, since the methods pursued are the fruits
of a wide experience that evaded no responsibility and learned only to
spend wisely for the trust imposed and accepted. It is also satisfactory
to know that such expenditures came direct from the " Special Founds"
of the Red Cross itself. An examination of the balance sheets accom-
panying this report shows that of funds expended, the Red Cross is
credited with $24,641.93, which leaves an excess for relief over the cost
of administration of $17,115.56.
Perhaps this brief financial review of the work achieved may be
properly closed by a reference to the sincere enthusiasm and earnestness
with which the efforts to raise funds in the United States were ani-
mated. The incidents herein mentioned may also illustrate how the
wisdom of experience accepts the earnestness and yet discounts without
criticism the over confident calculations, to which a noble zeal may
run. It would appear that the collection of funds for the purpose of
relieving a Christian people in danger of starvation and violent death by
knife or bullet — of aiding a historic race in the throes of dissolution
from massacre, and dispersion in winter by storm and famine, would
be a very easy thing to accomplish. A good many of our countrymen,
unaccustomed to great relief work, found the collection of the means
ARMENIA. 329
needed, a task more than difficult. A single illustration will prove how
misleading is the conception. It must be borne in mind always that
the Red Cross never solicits funds. It sees its field of benefit work and
having fully examined the needs, states theiu through the press and all
other public avenues, to the American people, leaving the response
direct to their judgment and generosity. When it is asked to accept
the administration of relief funds and material, in fields like this that
awaited it in Asia Minor, the trust is surely met, but tbe Red Cross
does not ask for the means and money. Others do that, stating that
the work will be under its charge. When it is once accepted there is no ,
retreat, no matter how far the exertions may fall short of reaching the
hoped-for results.
Last November (1895), after many petitions had been received and
carefully considered, representatives of the great Armenian Relief Com-
mittees came to Washington for the purpose of supplementing such
earnest petitions by personal appeals. A conditional consent having
been obtained, the subject of funds was brought up by the following
question:
" Miss Barton, how much do ^'•ou think it will cost to relieve the
Armenians ? "
The question was answered by another: " Gentlemen, you are con-
nected with the various missionary boards, with banks and other great
institutions and enterprises. What amount do you consider necessary ?' '
After deliberation, $5,000,000 was suggested as the proper sum and
the question was asked if the Red Cross concurred. Miss Barton, with
the faintest suggestion of a smile, replied that she thought $5,000,000
would be sufficient. As the difficulties of raising money became
more apparent to the committees, numerous meetings were held and
various other amounts suggested, Miss Barton agreeing each time.
From $5,000,000 to $500,000, with a guarantee for the balance; then
$100,000 cash, with $400,000 guaranteed, and so on, until $50,000 was
named to start the work with, such sum to be available on the arrival
of the Red Cross in Constantinople. The president and a few officers
of the Red Cross arrived there on February 15, iSy6, but it was late in
the following April before the $50,000 was received. These facts as
given are intended solely to show the difficulties the committees had to
contend with in raising the amount they did.
For general information it will, perhaps, not be inappropriate to
state that all relief work is governed and conducted on military lines to
preclude tlie possibility of confusion, as the Red Cross on fields of dis-
aster is the only organized body in a disorganized community. Thus,
330 THE RED CROSS.
wherever the organization has control, Miss Barton has personal super-
vision of all departments: the financial, receiving and disposing of all
funds; the correspondence, opening all letters and directing replies; the
field, assigning workers to attend to such duties as are best suited to
their various abilities, who report daily, if possible, and receive instruc-
tions for the prosecution of the work, the supplies, receiving accurate
reports of all material and giving directions as to its disposition.
Gkorge H. Pullman.
Constayitinople, August i, i8g6
■^^0%--^'
!
2
5^
ARMENIA.
333
J^JNANCIAL PAIANCE SHJ^1£7 OF THE KEUEF FuNDS AND SERVICE
IN Asia Minor.
The AmeAcan Nati'^u.l Red Cross, in account with the Relief Field
Mhio'\
Dr.
^'o The liatlonal Relief Committee *Ltq.
The New Knghind Relief Committee
The Worcester Relief Committee
. The Ladies' Relief Committee, of Chicago
The Friends of Philadelphia, through Asa S. Wing ....
Citizens of Newark, through C. H. Stout, Esq
Citizens of Milton, North Dakota
St. George's Church S. S. through C. H. Stout, Esq. . . .
Ransom Post, G. A. R., Wales, Minn
The Davenport, Iowa, Relief Committee
American Ladies in Geneva, Switzerland
Miss Phillips, Mission school, Ralisori, India
Mrs. Dr. Galbraith, Tarentum, Pa
"Sailors' Rest," Genoa, Italy
A citizen of Chester, N. J.
Miss Mayham Winter, Philadelphia, Pa
The American National Red Cross (special)
OF 1896
of Asia
Total
Cr.
B^ telegrams and cables Ltq.
Cash sent to interior "
Relief expeditions, general "
Relief expeditions, medical "
Wages account "
General expense account "
Red Cross headquarters, Field "
Stationery ant printing "
Expense acco.\i<t, travel and maintenance "
Donations for relief of orphan children "
Emergency Fund, deposited with W. W. Peet "
Total "
14,784 51
5.667 25
402 18
922 50
481 69
674 65
4 66
40 06
2 95
54 78
585
13 20
3 30
2 33
02
I 14
3.376 66
26,437 73
245 12
18,965 70
2,917 81
543 68
421 20
138 02
235 05
1 28 79
542 36
100 00
2,200 00
" 26,437 73
I have carefully examined the books, accounts and vouchers of the American
National Red Cross, in its relief work in Asia Minor, and find everything correct
and accurate.
(Signed.) George Kunzel,
Accountant, Aduiinistration Ottoman Public Debt.
Constantinople. August /, iSg6.
* Ltq. 2,223.78 of this .<;um was Special Red Cross Funds drawn from Browu Brothers &
Company. Ltq.— Turkish Lira about %\.\a. Lt.|. 26.417. 71 $116,326.01.
334 THE RED CROSS.
GENERAL FIELD AGENT'S REPORT.
Anatolia, Asia Minor.
To Miss Clara Barton, President:
In speaking of the relief work in Asia Minor, may I be allowed to
begin at Constantinople, at which place, while waiting for the necessary
official papers for our work, we were all busy selecting and purchasing
relief supplies, camping outfit, cooking utensils, and making other
preparations for interior travel; and also securing competent inter-
preters and dragomans. Although the Irade of the Sultan granting
permission to enter Asia Minor had not yet been receiv-ed, we were
naturally anxious to follow the first shipment of supplies purchased and
sent by steamer to the port of Alexandretta as the safest route, to be
forwarded again by camels under guard to different places in the
interior; and with our own men to accompany and attend the work of
distribution. Accordingly, accompanied by interpreter Mason, I left
Constantinople on the tenth of March, touching at Smyrna, Latakea,
Mersina and Tripoli, reaching Alexandretta on the eighteenth, and by
the kind help of our Consular Agent, Mr. Daniel Walker, and Mr.
John Falanga, began making up the caravans for shipment to Aintab,
as a central point for the southern field.
By the time the caravans were ready and horses for travel selected,
Mr. Wistar and Mr. Wood, with dragomans, arrived by steamer from
Constantinople. Rev. Dr. Fuller, president of the Aintab (American)
College, had also just come through with friends from Aintab to take
steamer, himself to return again immediately, and together we all set
out under soldier escort the next morning. Alexandretta was in a state
of fear while we were there, notwithstanding the fact that the warships '
of England, France, Turkey, and the United States lay in her harbor.
Kirk Khan, the first stopping place on our journey inland, was
threatened with plunder and destruction on the night before our arrival
there. At Killis we found the town in a state of fear from the recent
massacres. Here, with Dr. Fuller, we visited the wounded who were
under the good care of a young physician just from the college at
Aintab, but without medicine, surgical dressings and appliances.
These with other needed things we arranged to send back to him from
the supplies that had gone ahead.
ARMENIA. 335
Aiutab, with its American school, college, seminary and hospital
buildings standing out in relief and contrast from the native buildings,
was a welcome reminder of home ; and the greeting of the hundreds of
pupils as they came hurrying down the road to welcome back their own
loved president, became a welcome for the Red Cross. We were most cor-
dially offered the hospitality of Dr. Fuller's house and home, but as we
were still strangers in a strange land, it seemed best to place ourselves
in a khan, where we could have better opportunity to make an acquain-
tance with the people to obtain the varied information necessary
to accomplish best results in the disposition of our relief. Here we
remained long enough to learn the needs of the place and surrounding
country, to obtain carefully prepared lists of those artisans needing
tools and implements for their various trades and callings. Supplies
were left, clothing, new goods for working up, thread, needles, thim-
bles, medicines, and surgical stores.
Aintab is favored with its Mission Hospital; with its surgeon and
physician, Dr. Shepard and Dr. Hamilton, and a strong American
colony of missionary teachers, besides the Franciscan Brothers, who
are doing excellent select work. The Father Superior was killed near
Zeitoun. Supplies were selected and mads up for Oorfa, Aintab,
Marash and other points, while a quantity of supplies, by the kindness
of Dr. Fuller, was left in storage in the college building to be forwarded
as our inquiries should discover the need. To Oorfa, where the
industrial work had been so successfully established by Miss Shattuck,
we sent material and implements for working, needles, thread, thimbles,
cotton and woolen goods for making up. To Marash and Zeitoun,
ready-made goods in addition to new, with surgical appliances and
medicines.
From Aintab, Mr. Wood and Mr. Wistar started by way of the
most distressed points needing help eastward, and then north to Har-
poot ; and because of your telegram of the report of typhus and
dysentery at Marash and Zeitoun, we started in that direction, with
Rev. L. O. Lee, who was returning home. After facing rain, snow
and mud for three days we came to Marash. Here we remained until
our caravan of goods came on. Typhus, dysentery and smallpox
were spreading as a result of the crowded state of the city; Marash
had been filled with refugees since the November massacres, notwith-
standing a large part of its own dwelling houses had been burned and
plundered. The surrounding country had also been pillaged, people
killed and villages destroyed, and the frightened remnant of people
had crowded in here for protection, and up to this time had feared to
336 THE RKD CROSS.
return. With insufficient drainage and warm weather coming on,
typhus, dysentery and smallpox already in the prisons, an epidemic
was becoming general. True, the preachers fcquesied mothers not to
bn?ig childrc7i with smallpox to church, nevertheless the typhus and
smallpox spread, and rendered medical supervision a necessity. By
the efforts of Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Macallum, wives of the missionaries
of the Marasli station, a hospital had been established with plenty of
patients, but they had no funds for physicians or medicines. Medicines
were left and funds furnished for a native doctor educated in America
(who himself had just recovered from typhus) and was placed in charge
of the hospital and out-of-door service, and was doing efficient work
before we left Marash. Arrangements were made with Rev. Mr.
Macallum to have tools and implements made and distributed to
artisans and villagers; and we left with him to begin this work the sum
which you had sent for our own, use 500 lire — $23,000
By this time Dr. Ira Harris, whom you had called from Tripoli,
Syria, with his assistants, arrived for the Zeitoun field. Dr. Harris
had his well-filled medical chests and surgical supplies in a mule
caravan, and being more needed at other places, we left immediately
for Adioman via Besnia, passing through Bazarjik and Kumaklejercle,
a three days' mountain journey. Our officer kindly told us, when we
stopped at a Kourdish village for the night, to "order what we want
and not pay if we do not want to." But we made it clear to him, that
while we are not extravagant in our wants, ive always pay for what we
take. It is customary in this country for villages to entertain soldiers
free of charge. At Bazarjik when we inquired concerning the health
of the place, an official said they had no sickness except a few cases of
smallpox, and this was confined to children — that his little girl had it,
and she was brought in as a proof.
Besnia was saved from pillage and massacre by the efforts of Pasha
Youcab, Osman Zade, Mahund Bey, and several other Turkish Beys,
but the surrounding villages were attacked and suffered more or less
severely. Some of the women escaped and found protection in Besnia,
where they were still living. We did some medical work here and
left, in good hands, a moderate sum for emergencies. Our reception by
the officials at Besnia, as indeed at every place we have been, large or
small, was most cordial and friendly. With only an exception or two,
no more considerate treatment could have been expected or asked from
any people. Before reaching the city we had heard that there was a
feudal war in progress ahead of us, and when the military commander
learned that we were intending to go to Adioman, he interposed,
ARMENIA. 337
saying he could take no responsibility in sending us there ; that he had
just sent a hundred soldiers out on that road to quell a riot ; that it was
dangerous, but he would give us a good officer and soldiers for another
road to Malatia. This we accepted and four days more of mountain
travel, via Paverly, Soorgoo, and Guzena, brought us to the fruit and
garden city of Malatia, which formerly had a population of 45,000. It
is reported that about 1500 houses were plundered and 375 were
burned, and some thousands of persons killed. The people of all
classes were still in fear.
A simi of nionoy from friends in America had been sent l>y the
missionaries, but its distribution had been delayed several weeks
through some formality in the post-office, and was but just being made
the day we arrived. We left here a sum for special cases and typhus
patients, and with a promise to return, pressed on to our objective
point, two days' journey more across the Euphrates at Isli to Harpoot,
when the limit of our time would be out for meeting the second expe-
dition which arrived only two hours ahead of us. Here the people
turned out en masse to welcome the Red Cross ; the road was lined, the
streets and windows filled, and house roofs covered, and all had words
of welcome on their lips. We were told by the Rev. Dr. Wheeler, the
founder of the Mission and American College of Central Turkey, that
we were the second party of Americans, not missionaries, that they had
seen in Harpoot in forty years. We were most cordially met by the
mission people. Although they, too, had been plundered, and most of
their buildings and their homes had gone in the flames, we were offered,
most kindly, the shelter of the remaining roofs and seats at their table
as long as we would stay.
We felt at home again, though startled, too, when we stopped to
think we were 8000 miles away and fifteen days by horseback to the
hearest steamer that might start us on a homeward trip or that could
carry a letter for us to the outside world. We had been told from the
first that Harpoot was suffering more than any other part of the interior,
and here we prepared to begin systematic work ; Mr. Wistar taking the
Char-Sanjak with Peri as a centre, the Harpoot plain, and later the
Aghan villages. Mr. Wood took the Palou district with two hundred
villages, and Silouan in the Vilayet of Diarbekir wath one hundred
and sixty villages, with the town of Palou and the city of Farkin as
centers. While making the.se arrangements we received your telegram
of May ist : " Typhus and dysentery raging at Arabkir. Can you send
doctors with medicines from Harpoot? Please investigate." Upon
inquiry we found reported one thousand sick and many dying. This
naturally would be my field.
338 THE RED CROSS.
After telegraphing to the various centres for additional medical
hclj) without success, we found a native physician, educated in America,
Dr. Hintlian, at Harpoot, who was ready to go. Miss Caroline Bush
and Miss Seymour of the Mission, with unassumed bravery, volunteered
to accompany the expedition. As only one could leave, the choice fell
upon Miss Bush. When one reflects that this was a slight little bod3%
never coming up to the majesty of a hundred pounds, with sensitive
nature, delicate organization, educated and refined conditions of early
life, fears might well be felt for the weight of the lot assumed; but every
day's contact convinced us that the springs were of the best of steel,
tempered by the glowing fires of experience, thus teaching us how far
mind may be superior to matter.
On our first night out, as is frequently the custom in this country,
we slept in the stable with our horses — and smaller aniviah. On the
second day in crossing the Euphrates at Cabin Madin, the big wooden
scoop-shovel ferryboat struck a rock in the swift current mid-stream,
and came very near capsizing with its load of luggage, horses and
human beings. The boatmen lost their chance of making the opposite
shore, and we were in the swift current fast making for the gorge and
rapids below. I looked as unconcerned as I could at Miss Bush, only
to see that she was as calm as if this was an every-day occurrence or
that she had been from childhood accustomed to such experiences.
We knew she had not, only she had lived long enough in the interior
not to be frightened at anything that might happen. However, another
rock was reached near the blufi" and we unloaded. Each leading his
horse and the pack animals following, we climbed up over the edge of
a precipice, over loose stones, slippery earth and ragged rocks, back to
the landing we should have made had we gone directly across.
Our next day's travel was through a cold, pouring rain, into the
ruined city of Arabkir, but notwithstanding the rain, hundreds of people
stood in the streets as we passed to make their "salaams" and to say
their word of welcome to those who had come to bring the gifts of
another land to the suffering, the sick and needy of their own. Passing
through the rain, we arrived at the native pastor's house, which had
been saved by a Turkish military officer and cleared of refugees and
typhus patients for our installation.
Nearly the entire city of Arabkir was in ruins, only heaps of stones
where houses had been. Out of eighteen hundred homes but few
remained; the markets as well as the dwellings were destroyed, and the
people, plundered and destitute, were crowded into the few remaining
houses, down with the typhus. We were told that six hundred had
ARMENIA. 339
already died of the disease, and llie people's physician, the only one in
that part of the country, was in prison. Later we were told that the
arrival of help changed the character of the disease the moment it was
known that we had come. Miss Bush went with us directly into the
sick rooms, and the presence of a woman gave cheer and strength. A
hundred patients were seen daily. After the first wants of the typhus
patients had been met the long neglected surgical cases were looked
after, and many lives and limbs were saved. The medical and surgical
efforts gave gratifying results, of which Dr. Hintlian will make a special
report from his daily record.
Immediately upon our arrival the Gregorian church and school
buildings, which escaped destruction, were offered for our use as a hos-
pital. These rooms were admirably adapted fur this purpose, but hy
selecting and employing persons already in need of help as assistants
and nurses we found that we could better care for the sick in their own
quarters than to attempt to remove thera to a hospital, where the con-
gregation of sick would only be increased. To give employment was
the o?ie thing needed for the well, therefore we made no hospitals, but
employed competent, healthy women in need, instructed and put them
to care for sick families also in need, but of another kind. The piaster
a woman earned for a day's work gave food for herself and for her own
family, and gave the sick family the services necessary to save their
lives. The necessary beds for the patients were furnished.
A sheep or a goat given where there was a helpless babe or mother
would give food for both, and be a permanent property that would grow
by the increase of its own young. A small sum for fowls would be a
gift that would furnish more than its value in eggs for food for present
use. It would prove a small investment that must multiply in kind and
value as chicks were hatched. While medical work was going on other
forms of relief were also in progress. A supply of tools had been
ordered from Harpoot, directly upon our arrival, for blacksmiths, car-
penters, tinkers, masons, stone workers, etc. The black.smiths were
set to work making sickles for cutting grass and reaping grain; .shovels,
plows and other implements for farmers. Others were put at making
spinning-wheels for the destitute women, who with these could earn
their own living; others made weaving looms. Out of the twelve hun-
dred hand looms formerly in the city it was said only forty remained.
Arabkir was the chief manufacturing centre for native cotton cloth,
and if a man had a loom which would cost three medjidieh (about
$2.50) he could earn his own family's living. FielO lud garden seeds
were bought in quantity and distributed.
340
THE RKD CROSS.
For the villages which had no cattle we gave oxen for plowing the
fields. Sometimes with the oxen, cows were given, with instructionc
SOME METHODS OF WORK.
that in this stress of need the cows should be made to work with the
oxen, even while they were giving milk for the family. Thus they
SALEMLIK.
J'KRA HRIDGK, CONSTANTINOPCIi.
TURKISH COFFEE HOUSE.
MANNhK (11- CAKKVING HEAVY BURDENS.
ARMENIA. 343
would secure a double service for one outlay. Melkon Miranshahian,
the druggist, kindly offered his services, and we arranged with him tc
take up special cases and to continue to care for them after we would
no longer be able to remain on the field. Then, feeling that we might
safely leave this work in the hands of Dr. Hintlian, we went to Egin
to arrange for distribution in the Aghan villages. Miss Bush accom-
panying.
The inquiry will naturally be made as to how relief was received.
The gratitude of the people was almost overwhelming at times. If
you could only have heard the blessings that were poured out upon Clara
Barton, the Red Cross, and the good people everywhere who have
aided, you would realize that deep as the need, so fervent and sincere
have been the thankful prayers and blessings that the unfortunate peo-
ple who survive the massacre could alone render to all who help them.
To you and your name especially were they responsive. Of all this, I
would say we often had most gratifying evidence and expression on the
lonely roads, in the stricken homes, and through personal letters from
many sources.
When we were some six miles out on the road to Egin, we met the
leading men of the village of Shepik coming to town; they had heard
that we were going away soon, and the villagers had sent this committee
to Arabkir to express their gratitude for what they had received and for
all that had been done for them. This was five or six weeks after we
had made a distribution of seeds, and as we came in sight of their vil-
lage we saw gardens green with onions, potatoes, beans, cucumbers,
melons, squash, pumpkins, etc., from the seeds we had given. Here,
too, the women were in the Eelds cutting the grass and grain with
the sickles which, theblacksmith had made from the iron and steel we had
furnished. The men were plowing with the plows and oxen we had
supplied and, notwithstanding they had been plundered of every mov-
able thing and their houses burned or destroyed, there was an air of
prosperity in the fields that banished thoughts of want or suffering.
We rode on past the little room where the school was kept and every
child rose to his feet and made a most profound, though youthful bow
to our passing company.
Egin is an old, strangely beautiful city, inhabited by the descend-
ants of the noble families of Mosul (XINEVEII) who fled to this moun-
tain stronghold on the Euphrates during the Persian invasion, many
years ago, and they arc still a royal and gentle people. At Egin the
of^cials declared it unsafe for us to go to the villages as we had pro-
posed. Accordingly we made purchases in this market and sent them
344
THE RED CROSS.
to the needy points. Egin had bought the Kourds off with 1500 lire,
and consequently it had remained up to the date of our arrival
unharmed through all the destruction about it. We also left a sum of
money with a responsible committee for eight vnifortunate villages, and
did what medical work we could in our short sta)\ We then returned
to Harpoot.
On our road back, Miss Bush had with her a young girl whom we
were taking to Harpoot for safety (we had frequent charges of this kind),
and she wanted me to stop at her favorite beautiful village of Biervan,
for a pleasant picture to carry back in memory to America. We had a
long day's journey at best to reach our village, and had met with
delays; four hours in the morning waiting for a zaptieh. Our muleteer
left us at the ferry some twelve miles back, in order to stop over night
at his own village; and the second zaptieh was two hours late, but
having started we must keep on through the mountain pass, and it was
ten o'clock at night when we reached the village. Our zaptieh took us
to the house of the " Villageman " (each village is provided with such
a personage whose duty it is to see that shelter is provided for travel-
ers). We rode up together and the zaptieh pounded on the door. The
dog on the roof barked viciously, then all the dogs in the village barked.
A woman on another roof above this one raised herself and talked, then
shouted down the chimney-hole (the roof is the sleeping place in warm
weather), after a time she pointed wdth her hand and the zaptieh started
off in the direction indicated; the moon had gone down and it was too
dark to see anything distinctly. He came to a small pile, poked it with
his foot, punched it with his gun, kicked it.
After a time a part of the pile raised itself in a sort of surprised
astonishment, ni3'Stified, uncertain, complicated attitude — evidently
looking at the " poker." Then the pile expressed itself emphatically,
the zaptieh did the same more emphaticall}-, each in turn louder and
louder, all with necessary and unnecessary gesticulation. Then the
pile got up and began on our servants for having the pack mules and
animals on his roof After these had been led off the house, he wanted
to know what we came there for anyway, at that time of night, to wake
him up when there were six other villages we could have gone to; why
didn't we go to one of them ? Then our zaptieh changed his tone and
attitude and in the most polite, persuasive, pleading voice and manner,
tried to explain that he himself was not to blame for all this trouble,
he was under orders and had to come with these people; he couldn't
help doing his duty. But this made no impression, and we were told
there was no place for us.
ARMENIA. 345
None could be found at this time of night; besides there was no
barley for the horses, and nothing was to be done unless it was to go on
and try another village. Our zaptieh seemed to have exhausted his
resources and said no more. Other villagers had come and were stand-
ing around the " villageman," who still insisted that he could do
nothing. Miss Bush quietly suggested '' Arge?iijcm.'" We got down
from our horse, went around carelessly, and slipped a " cherek " (a five
piaster piece) into his fingers. He took and felt of it, and then went
away without a word. After about ten minutes he returned with a
light, a door was opened close beside us, and we unloaded our animals,
put them all in, took in the luggage, went in ourselves, got our supper,
spread our blankets, drove away our audience of villagers, fastened the
stable door and announced to ourselves that we were one hour into the
"next day," and went to sleep. We were off again the next morning
before the sun was up. This is a sample incideut of what happened in
frequent variation during interior travel.
At Harpoot we arranged for supplying tools and cattle to the
remaining villages which we failed to reach from Egin. Here, too, we
found Mr. Wistar busy supplying harvesting and threshing implements,
and cattle for plowing in the Harpoot plain and villages. In this
vilayet there are upwards of two hundred villages either plundered or
wholly destroyed, and from these many persons of all classes came for
medical or surgical help.
Preparations were made to work in Malatia, where, some weeks
before, we had ordered supplies and medicines sent to be ready for our
arrival, but owing to the unsettled conditions there, no such work could
be done to advantage. The time for our return to Constantinople was
drawing near and on the twenty-seventh of June we were ready to start
for the Black Sea. We called to pay our respects to the governor of
Harpoot and found him as cordial as he had always been. Inquiries
were made and explanations given, so that he might more thoroughly
understand the character and purposes of the Red Cross, His Excel-
lency remarked that it gave to those engaged in the work great oppor-
tunities to become acquainted with different countries, and that we
must have found Turkey the most difficult of them all to work in. He
regretted that he himself had been of so little assistance to our efforts,
etc., but we took pleasure in saying that he had done at all times all
that we had asked and ofttimes more. Speaking for those associated
with our work I could safely say that all the recollections of our
personal relations with the vali of Harpoot will remain with us as
pleasant and satisfactory.
346 THE RED CROSS.
The principal food and the main crop of the interior is wheat, and this
year's growth wherever we have been is reported to be unusually good.
If the wheat can be distributed where the destitution will be this
coming winter, many lives may be saved; if not, many must inevitably
be lost for want of food. When we left the Harpoot valley harvesting
had well begun, and was even more briskly going on as we neared the
Euphrates, which we crossed for the last time at Isli on the twenty-
ninth of June. The usual Euphrates ferry-boat is twenty-four to thirty
feet long, eight feet wide, and two feet high at one end and eight at the
other where a rudder, or sweep, forty feet long is hung. An American
frequently sees methods of work and management that lead him some-
times, when first traveling, to make suggestions. After seeing the
ferrymen upon many occasions putting loaded wagons on the boat,
lifting them by main force some two or three feet with much awkward-
ness over the edge of the craft, we ventured to suggest that two planks
laid on the bank and end of the boat so as to roll the wagons in or
out would save much trouble and time and extra help and labor. We
were met with this unanswerable reply: " Who would pay for them ? "
To Malatia we carried money to the people from their relatives in
America which had been entrusted to Dr. Barnura at Harpoot. We also
left in the hands of a responsible committee a fund for artisans' tools,
and a smaller sum for food and supplies in special needy cases. The
feeling of security among the people in Malatia was entirely absent.
They had seen terrible slaughter. They were possessed with fear
to such an extent that we could meet very few of them; and had we
not known, that it was Doctor Gates' Plan to visit the place soon with
assistants and means from Harpoot it would have pained us still more
to leave them in their terrible condition, for we could not remain to
carry on the work, and an unwise or untimely effort often fails of its
end or only aggravates the conditions it seeks to relieve.
The sun is extremely hot during the summer in the interior, hence
when the moon was favorable we traveled by night, leaving the saddle
long enough to sleep in the "Araba " (a sort of small, springless, cov-
ered wagon used where there are roads) so as to have the day to work
in while our horses rested. When we could do so in our journey we
left funds for specified purposes, but frequently the sufferers felt safer
without such assistance and declined to receive it. At Sivas we gave
a fund for farmers' tools. Here the grain crop was later than in the
valleys further south. We also left here with the Rev. Messrs. Perry
and Hubbard, a horse, in order to facilitate their relief work. From
Malatia se-\'eral families and individuals placed themselves under the
ARMENIA. 347
protection of the Red Cross and its guards in order to go in safely to
the coast. A portion of this road is infested with brigands and a strong
guard is necessary, in fact it is needed throughout the whole region.
The government took particular care of us by giving us a brigand as a
special guard through the dangerous part of the road, saying that we
should be safer with him than with the regular military guard. A few
weeks before a rich caravan was robbed on this road, and when we
passed we had the interesting pleasure of taking tea and journeying
for a while with the chief of these brigands who had two days before
been enlisted in government service. With the ample government pro-
tection we have at all times had, we seldom felt concern for our personal
safety, notwithstanding that in places where we visited there was often
a great deal of anxiety and fear on the part of the people for their own
safety and that of their friends, or their property if they had any.
Tokat and Amasia were on our homeward route — the latter plact
being the site of the ancient castle of Mithridates, King of Pontus,
At Samsoun we had two saddle horses to dispose of, and our con-
sular agent, Mr. Stephapopale, having a stable, kindly offered to sell
them to the best profit for us, and to see that the proceeds were used in
aiding the refugees who crowd to the coast in the hope of getting
farther on, but only find themselves stranded and iniable to return,
becoming thereby veritable sufferers.
On the sixteenth of July we reached the Bosphorus, four months
and six days from the time w^e started out from Constantinople for the
interior, glad of the privilege and power we haveenjo>ed as messen-
gers to carry some of the gifts that have been entrusted to your care
by the people of America for the innocent, unfortunate sufferers of
Anatolia.
Wherever we have met the missionaries, Protestant or Catholic, we
have found them devoting most, if not all, of their time to the work of
relieving the suffering about them, regardless of sect or nationalitj-;
but in all cases their fields of work have been greater than their strength
or their means. With them we have worked always harmoniously and
without consciousness of difference of place or creed; and to them and
to many others we are indebted for courtesies and for hospitalities that
will always be remembered with gratitude.
The real work of the relief expedition was greatly aided by the
hearty co-operation of every European and American resident with
whom we came in contact. Each did all in his power for our aid, and
we regret that space forbids our telling how each gave his support and
help.
348 THE RED CROSS.
At Egin we will ever remember the generous hospitality during
our short stay with the families of Nicoghos Agha Jangochyau and
Alexander Effendi Kasabyan, noblemen, who by their energy and
liberality saved the city and people from destruction, while the country
round about was being plundered and burned, and who gave us great
assistance in furnishing tools and implements to this section of the
country.
Not long after leaving Egin we learned the sad news that these
gentlemen with nearly a thousand others had been killed. These
families were the centre of a large community of the most charming
and cultivated people we had met.
To the Turkish officials everywhere we are grateful for their care-
ful supervision of our personal safety, and for the general personal
RED CROSS EXPEDITIONS PASSING THROUGH THE VAI.I.EV OE CATCH BEARD.
freedom allowed ourselves wherever we worked. To the officers and
guards who always accompanied us in our journeys through cold and
heat, on the road by night or day, over desolate plain or mountain
trail, for bringing us safely through from sea to sea without a scratch
or harm of any kind, for all this we are most assuredly grateful, and
oft recall the cheerful vigilant service and special courtesies we enjoyed
at their hands, which could only be prompted by the most friendly
feelings and consideration.
But we do not forget, dear Miss Barton, that the success of this
expedition is due to your careful and constant oversight and direction
of all our movements, from the seat of government at Constantinople,
ARMENIA.
349
Irom first to last, and to the conviction which you had impressed upon
the Sublime Porte of your own and your officers' honesty, integrity
and singleness of purpose. Hence for your statesmanship and general-
ship and constant oversight, we would express our warmest gratitude.
We are grateful for the gratitude of the people we tried to relieve.
It was universal and sincere. The kindness with which we were every-
where welcomed, and the assistance so cordially rendered by all the
noble men and women, with whom it has been my good fortune to
become personally acquainted. Surrounded as they were with desola-
tion, dangers and misery, they will be remembered for their worth and
devotion to duty.
Constantinople, August i, i8g6. J. B. Hubbell.
A TUVKIiH -WEDDING PROCESSION IN ARABKIJU
350 THl' RED CROSS,
MEDICAL REPORT.
Dr. Ira Harris, resident American physician at Tripoli, Syria, a
gentleman of high attainments, Christian character, scholarship and
service, who directs a large private hospital and practice of his own,
honored the Red Cross and contributed largely to the beneficence of
his and our own people's efforts to relieve and rebuild the people of
Asia Minor, by accepting a commission to command an expedition for
the relief of the fever-stricken thousands, residents and refugees,
crowded into the cities of Marash and Zeitoun. The reports received
from consuls and missionaries presented a terrible condition of affairs,
threatening the lives of thousands by pestilence and hunger, more
rapidly than the Circassian knife and the Kourdish spear and bullet had
done Our own special agents were all in charge of difficult and dis-
tant fields, and none could be spared to this section. After various
disappointments, aided by the Rev. Dr. Post atBeyrout, Dr. Ira Harris
was reached and asked to aid in organizing and forming a relic f expe-
dition at once. Besides himself as director, six other physicians and
two pharmacists were required. Dr. Harris, though burdened with
hospital patients and promised operations, finally decided to proceed to
Beyrout and meet Dr. Post, taking with him his own assistant and
pharmacist. Dr. Hubbell had already been Dr. Harris' guest and this
fact aided the latter' s acceptance. At Beyrout time was .'•^pent in exam-
ining medical applicants, most of whom withdrew however on learning
of the dangers before them. Two Protestant doctors were secured on
the second day, and so with half the needed medical force at hand, the
supplies and stores were quickly purchased and packed for travel.
Arrangements at Tripoli for the care of Dr. Harris' own patients were
then made, and upon the third of April our fourth expedition was
under way. A route was chosen via Mersene and Adana. At the
latter city some delay was occasioned by the rumors of incursions of
bandit tribes to neighboring towns and villages and an insufficient
military escort available. After trying in vain two or three days, to
influence the local authorities Dr. Harris telegraphed to Red Cross
headquarters for assistance. The matter was immediately brought to
the attention of the Porte, through the United States Legation, and
within an hour an imperial order was sent to the governor of Adana.
As fine a mounted Turkish soldier guard as ever escorted an expedition
JUDGE ALEXANDER W. TERRELL,
United States Minister to Constantinople during the Armenian troubles.
ARMENIA. 353
was at once found, and Dr. Harris with his corps of assistants, hastened
on to Marash, where he was welcomed by Dr. Hubbell of our first
expedition, on the eighteenth of April, after five days of severe travel.
Dr. Harris' report was embodied in a letter. After enumerating the
trials at Adana, from which he was so quickly freed by the order from
the Porte, the doctor in his communication says:
We found that the medical work was being cared for by native physicians,
and the missionaries and their wives were caring for the other relief work, one
feature of which seemed to me very valuable indeed, i.e., the making of clothing
by poor women from the material sent by you from Constantinople or purchased
by Dr. Hubbell in Marash. I wish the dear people in America who gave of their
means, could see with their own eyes the condition of thousands in these
districts alone. The hundreds of women, almost destitute of covering, and that
a mass of rags. It does not require much thought to realize the value of good
clothing at such a time.
A consultation was held and our party decided to proceed to Zeitoun, just
as soon as our weary bodies were rested. Unfortunately the day after we
arrived I had a severe chill and fever which prostrated me for several days. As
the symptoms seemed to resemble typhus fever the doctors remained with me
until a clear diagnosis was made by the fever leaving me on Thursday. The
next day the party went to Zeitoun with Mr. Macallum, I following three days
later.
I have witnessed scenes of suffering, both in the United States and the
Orient, but never, to my dying day, will I be able to dismiss from my mind
the horror of the pinched, haggard faces and forms that gathered about me that
first day. Before we left the tent one of the doctors said: "We will now see
the place is full of walking skeletons. ' ' This expressed fully their condition.
Just imagine a place having a normal population of 12,500 living all told in
1403 houses, you can see there is not much cubic space to spare ; then imagine
7000 or more refugees to be provided for in the town also. Some of the
Zeitounes gave shelter to a small number, but the greater majority lived on the
street, under the houses, in many instances too vile to be of use to its owner;
in cow and donkey stables with the animals; in spaces in close proximity to
water-closets; in fact not a place that even suggested shelter was unoccupied.
The smell and presence of human excrement were everywhere, and this, added
to divers other odors, made the air a fit place for the culture of disease germs.
So much for the hygienic conditions of the place.
Diseases. — I regret that I am unable to give the exact number of those
afflicted with each individual disease; to ascertain this would have taken too
much valuable time. We found it a difficult task even to make a true estimate
of the number ill with acute diseases. Our first estimate sent you, viz., 1400
dysentery and diarrhoea, 600 typhus fever, afterwards proved nearly correct, i.e.,
'f we take about three hundred from the typhus and add to the dysentery.
These were acute cases. Of the refugees, ninety-eight per cent complained and
20
354 THE RICD CROSS.
were treated for diseases such as chronic dysentery, diarrhoea, dropsy (usually
those recovering from typhus), rheumatism, bronchitis, dyspepsia, malaria; all
were suffering from anaemia and debility.
Causes. — Overcrowding and bad air; but that condition bordering on star-
vation was the principal cause of all the sickness. I should add, many of the
cases of diarrhcea were caused from eating a soup made from grass, weeds,
buds and leaves of shrubs and trees. In fact anything green that could be
gathered in the fields was boiled in water to which a small quantity of flour
was added. V This diet was especially dangerous to children.
Treatment. — We were soon convinced that if we expected to gain the upper
hand of all this sickness and save even a remnant of the refugees, we must first
feed the sick, and then when they were well — to give the former every possible
chance to get well, and to prevent the well from becoming ill. Second, we
must try in every way in our power to get the refugees to return to their homes,
or at all events to camp out in the fields. The first day we filled the hospital
opened by Consul Barnum with cases off the street, and from that time on we
increased hospital facilities as fast as possible. We engaged two men and one
woman to care for the hospital ; four interpreters and one assistant for the
pharmacist. We then divided the town into districts so as to systematically get
at every sick person. Then we hired (for we could get nothing without a sys-
tem of bargaining as to price) two large copper kettles used to make grape
molasses, and purchased two hundred pounds of beef and made a strong, rich
soup. We then strained every nerve to get a soup ticket into the possession of
every sick person. We did not waste time by trying to cull out the impostors;
in fact there were very few of this class, all the refugees were needy and
hungry. The second day we added three kettles, and to supply the number we
served at ten o'clock clear meat broth; at four o'clock thick soup of beef and
rice. By the end of the third day every sick person was receiving food. Then
all complaints of vomiting the medicine ceased.
The problem then to be met was — how to get the people to go outside the
town. We suggested that if they would, we would place a soup kettle out in
the open fields to the south, north and east, and in addition to the soup we
would give them flour. This had a very decided effect, for one thousand went
the first day. The moving continued until every person living on the streets and
in cow stables had built for himself shelters of twigs and leaves. Now the
butchers saw a chance of applying the plan of putting up the price of meat
from seven to fourteen piasters per oke (2^ pounds). But we had anticipated
this and sent men to a friendly Moslem village to purchase cattle. So their
scheme failed. By the end of the second week there were no hungry people in
Zeitoun.
Results. — The typhus cases began to recover, the new cases took on a mild
form, the same could be said of dysentery. The new cases of both became less
and less until they almost disappeared. The most marked improvement was the
rapidity which the daily funerals in the three burying grounds decreased. I
watched these places with deep interest, for they were a thermometer to gauge
the success of our work, and it was with deep gratitude to God that we saw the
daily burials reduced from fifteen to none. So much for the acute cases. The
first week the chronic cases took the entire time of one doctor, each taking our
ARMENIA. 355
regular turn. Tonic treatment and food so reduced the number that sixty
became the daily average at the end of the second week. At the end of the
third week, fell to ten. Our pharmacist, Shickri Fakhuri, proved, as he always
has, a jewel. His hands were full to prepare the prescriptions of three doctors.
At first it was necessary for one of us to give him assistance of an hour or so
daily. On the twentieth of May we felt we could leave the town free of acute
typhus and dysentery. We gave to the committee selected by Mr. Macallum,
funds enough to keep the soup kettles going for one week, and 200 liras ($880)
worth of flour, which would suffice for at least si.K weeks, and by that time it
was hoped that all the refugees would have departed for their homes.
On our return to Marash we remained four days superintending the work of
relief of the native doctors, and performing surgical operations. We then
started for the coast. We chose a shorter and less expensive route than that by
which we came. We were able in several places on the road to give needed
relief, although to a limited amount. The lessons learned by our experience
have been many :
1. The value of keeping well, for obviously, success depends upon this.
It is evident to us the way to reduce the danger of infection to a minimum for
medical men, is to eat and sleep outside the infected town. This plan may
present difficulties, but if possible, it is best. The dreadful mortality among
doctors and nurses in the epidemics of typhus fever is well known. The query
is, could not this inortality be reduced by the plan suggested? It proved so in
our case at least.
2. The food supply is of first importance, especially for epidemics caused by
lack of food.
3. The utter worthlessness of medication without it.
4. Pure air. It is much better for people to risk possible exposure out in
the open air, than risk contagion in vile, unwholesome shelter in an overcrowded
town.
Lastly, I am more than ever convinced that small doses of medicine oft
repeated give better results in typhus and dysentery than those usually recom-
mended in text-books. I, at least, had ample opportunity to test this to my
satisfaction.
In conclusion, I wish to express my hearty approval of the methods pursued
by yourself and associates, especially as applied to the giving relief to the
suffering people. The distribution of your forces was admirable, and the way
they grasped the situation and the needs of the people of each particular place
should excite the admiration of all who have the relief of this afflicted people
at heart. Instead of scattering the money here and there in an aimless way,
food, medical and surgical supplies, clothing, seed, cattle, farming utensils,
simple cooking vessels, were systematically distributed, thus putting all in the
way of providing for themselves in the future and becoming independent again.
It is very easy to pauperize the people of the Orient, but your methods prevent
this.
Again, the non-sectarian aspect of your work has made a favorable impres-
sion. It eliminates all religious prejudices from the minds of all, especially
the religious heads. Therefore no ungenerous remarks as to the ulterior
motives of your relief. On the contrary we heard nothing but words of com-
mendation.
356 THE RED CROSS.
No one but yourself and your associates and those who have lived in Turkey
for a number of years, can appreciate the difficulties and perplexities under
which you have labored from the very first.
I am sorry that this report ends my official relations with you, but believe
me, dear Miss Barton, my wife and I shall hold yourself and your associates
always in interested remembrance.
Truly and sincerely yours,
Ira Harris.
Tula, Ml. Lebanon, August 75, i8g6.
Equally interesting reports are in hand of the work of our special
field agents, E. M. Wistar, of Philadelphia, and Charles King Wood,
whose labors extended to different fields of Harpoot; Cliimiskczck Peri
Diarbekir; Palou Silouan Parkin, feeding and clothing the people,
furnishing tools, cattle, seeds, grain for harvesting the crops, and
planting the fields for future provision.
We regret that space will not allow their introduction here in full.
So faithful and competent agents deserve their own recitation of a
work so well done.
Returning from the field when called. Dr. Hubbell and assistants
arrived in Constantinople July 16, Mr. Wistar and Mr. Wood on the
twentieth of the same month.
I need not attempt to say with what gratitude I welcomed back
these weary, brown-faced men and officers from a field at once so diffi-
cult and so perilous, and none the less did the gratitude of my heart go
out to my faithful and capable secretary, who had toiled early and late,
never leaving for a day, till the face grew thin and the eyes hollow,
striving with tender heart that all should go well, and " the children
might be fed."
And when the first greetings were over, and the first meal par-
taken, the full chorus of manly voices : ' ' Home Again," " Sweet Land
of Liberty," " Nearer My God to Thee," that rolled out through the
open windows of the Red Cross headquarters in Constantinople, fell on
the listening ears of Christian and Moslem alike, and though the
tones were new and strange all felt that to some one, somewhere, they
meant more than mere notes of music.
CLARA BARTON.
Taken in 1897.
THE RED CROSS FLAG. 359
THI-: RED CROSS FLAG.
"When the smoke of the cannon cleared away we saw the Red Cross tbing
over the hospital."
The shot sped out from our serried ships,
Like the sob of a strong man crying;
The sun was veiled as with sudden eclipse,
When the shot sped out from our serried ships,
And England's flag was flying.
Up from the shore the answer came,
The cry of the wounded and dying;
A burst of thunder, a flash of flame —
Up from the shore an answer came,
Where the Prophet's flag was flying.
So we dealt destruction the livelong day,
In war's wild pastime vying;
Through the smoke and thunder and dashing spray,
We dealt destruction the livelong day,
And the hostile flags were flying.
But far through the rolling battle smoke —
Ah, God! 'mid the groans and the crying —
A sudden gleam on our vision broke;
Afar through the rolling battle smoke.
And the Red Cross flag was flying.
O'er the house of mercy with plain, white walls.
Where they carried the w^ounded and dying.
Unharmed by our cannon, unfearing our balls;
O'er that house of mercy with plain, white walls.
The Red Cross flag was flying.
As the sign of the Son of Man in the heaven
For a world of warring and sighing
We hailed it; and cheered, for the promise given
By the sign of the Son of Man in the heaven —
The Red Cross banner flying.
For we know that wherever the battle was waged.
With its wounded and dead and dying —
Where the wrath of pagan or Christian raged —
Like the mercy of God, where the battle was waged.
The Red Cross flag was flying.
36o THE RED CROSS.
Let the angry legions meet in the fight,
With tlie noise of captains crying;
Yet the arm of Christ outstretched in its might.
Where the angry legions meet in the fight,
Keeps the Red Cross banner flying.
And it surely will come that war will cease,
With its madness and pain in crying,
Lo! the blood-red Cross is the prophet of peace —
Of the blessed time when war will cease —
And the Red Cross flag is flying.
John T. Napier, in the Moravian.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
the subsequent chapters is traced the history of the
operations of the American National Red Cross
during the past year, inckiding the distribution of
rehef among the " Reconcentrados " in Cuba,
and the auxiliary field and hospital service in the
Spanish-American war.
Being called away to Cuba in the midst of
the preparations for w^ar relief, with much of the
preliminary work unfinished, it seemed proper to
leave at home, for a time, a personal representa-
tive familiar with the obligations of the National Red Cross, to relieve
the overburdened committee in New York of some of the details
which fell more particularly within my own province, and to which
I had planned to give personal attention.
Accordingly, Mr. D. L. Cobb, of my staff, was detached for this
service. Being familiar with the work which was done in mv absence,
and in which he has faithfully and elificiently served with an interest
second only to my own, I have asked him to tell the story of the rela-
tions of the National Committee with the Government, the formation
of the committees and the auxiliary societies, through whose guidance
and administrations all the great work of relief in the Camps and else-
where was carried on. This he has done in the following chapter,
under the title, " Home Camps and American Waters."
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS.
D. L. Corp.
URING the summer of 1897 there began to appeat
reports of great suffering among the unfortunate peo-
ple of Cuba, since familiarly known as the " reconcen-
trados." They were the non-combatants, men, women
and children, ordered from their homes and plantations
in the interior and concentrated in the seacoast towns
under control of the Spanish arms. Thousands were dying, hundreds
of thousands were in want; the terrible story of their misery and
awful distress was re-echoed throughout the country, and everywhere
the cries for relief and the appeals to humanity were heard. Congress,
too, had taken the matter up and were discussing plans for Cuban relief.
The time had arrived when something must be done. Finally the
President opened the way by issuing the following appeal to the peo-
ple on the twenty-fourth of December:
Department of State,
Washington, D. C.
By direction of the President the public is informed that, in deference to the
earnest desire of the Government of the United States to contribute, by effective
action, toward the relief of the suffering people in the island of Cuba, arrange-
ments have been perfected by which charitable contributions, in money or in kind,
can be sent to the island by the benevolently disposed people of the United States.
Money, provisions, clothing and like articles of prime necessity can be for-
warded to General Fitzhugh Lee, the Consul-General of the United States at
Havana, and all articles now dutiable by law, so consigned, will be admitted into
Cuba free of duty. The Consul-General has been instructed to receive the same
and to co-operate with the local authorities and the charitable boards, for the distri-
bution of such relief among the destitute and needy people of Cuba.
The President is confident that the people of the United States, who have on
many occasions in the past resj^onded most generously to the cry for bread from
peoples stricken by famine or sore calamity, and who have beheld no less generous
action on the part of foreign communities when our own countrymen have suffered
from fire or flood, will heed the appeal for aid that comes from the destitute at
their own threshold, and especially at this season of good will and rejoicing give
of *>ifir abundance to this humane end.
John Sherman, Secretary.
(361)
362 THE RED CROSS.
This appeal was sent out through the Associated Press and dis-
tributed tlirough the mails, and met with a most generous response
from the public. It soon became apparent, however, that to inaugu-
rate a thorough system of relief, to concentrate and administer the
varied contributions of the people, a central committee would be
required who should be charged with the duties of organization, col-
lection and shipment. A conference was held at Washington, between
President McKinley, the Secretary of State and the American National
Red Cross, the result of which appears in the following communica-
tions:
Department of State.
January /, i8g8.
Miss Clara Barton, President^ American National Red Cross:
Dear Madam: After luy conference with you yesterday, I saw the President
again, who expressed his great pleasure that the Red Cross will so cheerfully
respond to the initiative which the President has taken toward the relief of the
suffering people of Cuba. No less could have been expected by him in view of
the good work which the Red Cross has done in the past when called upon to
fulfill its humane mission of relieving suffering, either at home or in foreign
countries, and acting as the medium for the effective application of the charitable
gifts of our citizens.
With the President's approval, I have the pleasure to suggest to you the way
in which it is deemed that the co-operation of the Red Cross in this humane
endeavor can be most practically accomplished.
The first necessity is the organization, in New York City as the most con-
venient centre of operations, of a committee whose functions it will be to appeal
to the kindly sentiments of the American people in behalf of the sufferers in Cuba;
to receive contributions in money or in kind, and to forward the same to Havana,
consigned to the Consul-General of the United States, he having been placed by
the President, in sole charge of the receipt and application of the relief in the
island; the committee, as a whole, to act under the supervision and direction of
the Secretary of State, with whom it may correspond on all matters of business
arising and requiring direction in the name of the Government of the United
States.
In view of the generous and cordial offer of Mr. I^ouis Klopsch, of the Chris-
tian Herald, the President desires that, if agreeable to you, he shall be a member
of the committee and, in concert with a third member to be designated by the
Chamber of Commerce of New York, co-operating with the representative of the
Red Cross to make effective the effort which is now being put forth.
The representation of the Red Cross on the proposed relief committee, is left
to you. While the President would be most gratified were you in person to act as
the second member, he recognizes that the duties and labors of the office might
more conveniently fall upon a representative of the Red Cross in New York City,
and will cheerfully accept your suggestion that Mr. Stephen E. Barton, second
vice-president of the American National Red Cross, serve in that capacity.
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 363
Mr. Barton will be furnished with letters to Mr. Louis Klopsch and to Mr.
Alexander E. Orr, president of the New York Chamber of Commerce, explaining
the circumstances under which their co-operation toward the formation of the
proposed connnittee is solicited. It is trusted that speedy action may be had, so
that the organization of the Central Cuban Relief Committee may Ije announced
to the people of the United States by the Secretary of State at the earliest possible
day.
I am, my dear madam,
Very respectfully yours,
Alvey a. Adee,
Second Assistant Secretary.
Letters of notification were then sent by the Secretary of State to
Mr. Stephen K. Barton, Mr. Lonis Klop.sch and Mr. Alexander E. Orr.
Mr. Barton being appointed, Mr. Klop.sch having accepted the invita-
tion to serve, Mr. Charles A. Schieren was selected to represent the
New York Chamber of Connnerce, and thus was formed what is still
known as the Central Cuban Relief Committee. The committee met
early in January of this year and organized, Mr. Barton being elected
as chairman, Mr. Schieren treasurer. This committee began active
work by sending a telegraphic appeal to the governors of all the States
and Territories, announcing the object of the committee's existence,
and asking their co-operation and active support, in order to carry otit
the President's policy in the administration of relief to the starving
people in Cuba. All responses received were favorable, many com-
mittees were appointed, and the supplies and funds began to come in.
It was at this point that the Secretary of State issued the second public
appeal by the government, on January the eighth, again urging the
people, the municipal authorities and the great corporations to assist
in the work.
The first shipment of supplies to Cuba by the Central Cuban
Relief Committee was made on Jantiary 4, and the second on January
12, the first consisting of 160 cases of condensed milk, and the
second of about forty tons of food, clothing and medicines. These
supplies were consigned to Consul-General Lee at Havana, and were
transported by the Ward Line of steamships free of charge.
In the meantime the committee issued its own circular appeal to all
local authorities, business houses, boards of trade, religious institutions,
charitable corporations, .social and business clubs, organizations and
societies generally in every State of the Union.
The question of transportation and its cost now became one of vital
364 THE RHP CROSS.
importance. If full freight charges were to be paid on all consignments
to the committee to the Atlantic coast, the expense of shipment might
in many cases equal the value of the supplies, and in any event would
be a serious burden upon the treasury. Accordingly, negotiations
were carried on with the principal railway and steamship transportation
lines, and with the Joint Traffic Association of New York, one result
of which was that the association shortly afterward issued its general
circular of instructions, the substance of which was:
That, responsive to the request of the Central Cuban Relief Com-
mittee, appointed by the President of the United States and acting
under the direction of the Department of State, it shall be permissible
for the railway companies, parties to the Joint Traffic Association, to
forward free of transportation charges, from points subject to its juris-
diction to or from New York, New Orleans, Mobile, Montgomery and
Tampa, shipments of food, clothing and medicines, and other necessary
supplies intended for the use and relief of the inhabitants of the island
of Cuba who are suffering from sickness and famine.
Through this generous action on the part of the Joint Traffic Asso-
ciation, comprising the principal railroads east of Chicago, with branch
lines extending north and south, all contributions were carried to the
Atlantic and Gulf ports free. The Ward Line from New York, and
the Plant System of railways and steamships had already taken similar
action, then the great trunk lines of the West, the New England
companies, the Southern railwaj^s, and all the coastwise steamship
companies and the Munson Line united in furnishing free transportation
to the ports of Cuba. Of the steamship lines whose kind assistance
did so much to further the work of relief, special mention is due to
Messrs. James E. Ward & Co., of New York, owners of the Ward
Line, whose steamers running to Havana, Santiago, Cienfuegos and
ports along the southern shore of Cuba, not only carried the larger
amount of provisions, but unloaded it and delivered it on shore without
charge.
No single agency did greater service than the press. By the daily
and widespread dissemination of news concerning the actual conditions
in Cuba, by the reports of their own representatives in the famine-
stricken districts, and by the persistent reiteration of appeals the great
heart of the American people w'as reached, and the response was
prompt and abundant.
Operating over such a large territory, communication by mail
would have often been too slow to be effective, and it was constantly
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 365
necessary to resort to the telegraph, and the cost of such service would
have ordinarily been very great. But the Postal Telegraph Company
and the Western Union Telegraph and Cable Company, in order to
assist the work, extended unusual privileges, the first company trans-
mitting all messages free, and the second accepting messages at the
government rates. The Central Cuban Relief Committee in their
report to the President, extend their thanks to many other companies,
and individuals, for whose kindly assistance they are indebted, and
special mention is made of the valuable service rendered by the United
States dispatch agent, Mr. I. P. Roosa, in the receipt and storage, the
purchase and shipment of relief supplies.
In the latter part of March a conference was held at Washington,
between the Secretary of State and the Central Cuban Relief Commit-
tee, which resulted in bringing the committee into relationship with
the American National Red Cross, and the designation of the Red
Cross as the distributing agent in Cuba, acting for the State Depart-
ment and the committee. As told elsewhere, the work of distribution
in Cuba was scarcely begun when friendly relations between the United
States and Spain were suspended, and upon the advice of the Consul-
General at Havana, the Red Cross retired when the President called all
Americans home.
In the meantime the committee, upon the advice of the Department
of State, had chartered the steamship "State of Texas " of the Mallory
Line, and, loading her with a general cargo of food, clothing, medicines
and hospital supplies, dispatched her, under the flag of the Red Cross,
to Key West.
The purpose for which this good ship was dispatched, and the
conditions under which she was sent, are best explained by the corre-
spondence exchanged at that time by the Departments of State and
Navy, the American National Red Cross, the Central Cuban Relief
Committee and the naval commanders:
The Central Cuban Relief Committee,
Appointed by the Pres dent of the United States and act^nji under
the direction of the Departmert of State.
New York. April 20, iSgS.
Miss Clara Barton,
President, American National Red Cross, Wnshins^lon, D. C:
Dear Miss Barton : In confirmation of the verb.nl r^q-i-^'it bv the rhairtnan
and treasurer of the Central Cuban Relief Committee, i;i ronjiinction with the
366 THE RKD CROSS.
Hon. Win. R. Day, Assistant Secretary of State, that you proceed to the island of
Cuba, there to carry on tlie work of distriljution and relief to the suffering people
in behalf of this committee and in co-operation with the United States Consuls, I
beg to inform you that at a special meeting of this committee, held on thirteenth
of April, 1S9S, tlie following action was taken :
Whkrkas, The Deiiartment of State having extended the authority of this
committee to the supervision of the distribution of relief supplies, and the carrying
out of all necessary relief measures, in co-operation with the American Consuls in
Cuba; and this committee, having verbally joined with the Deixirtment of State
in asking tlie Americr'; National Red Cross, Miss Clara Barton, president, to
proceed at once to Cuba as the representative of this committee, and to perform,
in behalf of the committee, all necessary work of relief; therefore be it
Resolved, That the chairman be authorized to write suitable letters to Miss
Clara Barton, Consul-General Lee and the other American Consuls in Cuba,
notifying them of this action.
As you are aware, this committee at request of the Department of State, has
determined to send the steamship " State of Texas," with relief supplies from
New York City to Key West, Florida, there to await orders and instructions from
the United States Government. B3' instructions from the Department of State,
the committee have to send the steamship under the Red Cross flag and the pro-
visions of the Geneva Convention, turning the vessel over to the American
National Red Cross upon leaving New York.
I, therefore, beg to say to )'OU that in all probability the vessel will be loaded
and made ready to sail on Saturday the twenty-third inst., and you are expected to
have such of your representatives— as you desire shall accompany and take charge
of the ship from New York to Key West — in readiness to go aboard Saturday fore-
noon. The arrival of the vessel at Key West should be reported to this committee
by telegraph immediately, when instructions will be given by the Government at
Washington for proceeding further. If hostilities shall have begun between the
United vStates and Spain, it will be your duty to call upon the United States
Government for the necessary naval consort — as provided by the Geneva
Convention.
This program has been proposed by the Assistant Secretary of State, who will
immediately issue the necessary orders upon hearing from us.
Before your departure from Key West for Cuba, this committee will give you
further information as to its desires and recommendation concerning the distribu-
tion of supplies from the different ports in Cuba.
This committee stands ready to furnish you with the funds necessary to carry
on this work of relief to the extent of its ability, and it is expected that you will
render to the treasurer a detailed account of your expenditures in the work en-
trusted to your organization.
You are requested to make requisition by letter or telegraph from time to time,
as you need further funds.
We will thank you for your official acknowledgment of this communication in
writing.
Very truly yours,
Stephen E. Barton, Chairman.
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 367
Navy Department,
Washington, April 2^, /Sg8.
Sir: Miss Clara Barton, the representative of the American National Red
Cross Society, is about to proceed to Key West to take charge of the distribution
of the supplies now aboard the steanisliip " State of Texas," and which supplies it
is proposed to distribute among the starving reconcentrados of Cuba. There are
enclosed herewith copies of letters from the Department of State to the Depart-
ment of the Navy and from the Secretary of the Navy to the Commander-in-Chief
of the North Atlantic Station which contain the terms upon which this trust is
undertaken, and the Department's instructions in relation thereto.
The Department desires that you will afford every assistance within your
power to Miss Barton and her associates, while they are in Key West.
The departure of the " State of Texas " from Key West and its destination are,
of course, matters coming entirely under the jurisdiction of the Commander-in-
Chief of the North Atlantic Station.
Very respectfully.
Commandant, John D. Long,
Naval Station, Key West, Fla. Secretary,
Navy Department,
Washington, April 2^, iSgS.
Sir : There is forwarded enclosed a cop)' of a letter received this day from the
Department of State, which fully states the conditions under which Miss Clara
Barton, as the representative of the American National Red Cross Society, proceeds
to Key West. You will afford Miss Barton ever}' facility that shall become feasible
for the distribution of the supplies now on board the steamship " State of Texas "
to the starving reconcentrados, but it is, of course, necessary that none of these
supplies shall come into the possession of the Spanish Army, as this would result
in defeating the purposes foi which the blockade has been established.
It is believed that 3'ou will fully appreciate the wishes of the Departments of
State and the Navy in this matter, and all the details are necessarily left to youi
discretion.
Very respectfully,
Connnander-in-Chief, U. S. Naval Force, John D. Long,
North Atlantic Station. Secretary.
Department of State,
Washington, April 2^, i8g8.
The Honorable the Secretary of the Navy:
Sir: The Central Cuban Relief Conunitteeof New York, organized by direction
and under the authority of the President, for the collection and transmission to
3^^S THE RED CROSS.
Cuba of supplies for the relief of the suffering and destitute in that island, has,
after consultation with this Department and with full approval of its course, char-
tered and dispatched from New York the steamer "State of Texas" laden with
supplies and sailing under the ensign of the National Red Cross. The only pas-
sengers she carries are officers and employes of the Red Cross for the purpose of
assisting in the distribution of this charitable relief.
As at present contemplated, the destination of the "State of Texas " is either
Matanzas or Cardenas, or perhaps, if circumstances favor, both; but the point of
landing will largely be determined by circumstances of which the Admiral com-
manding the blockading force on the north coast of Cuba will necessarily be the
best judge.
Miss Clara Barton, president of the American National Red Cross, is about to
proceed to Tampa and Key West at which latter point she will go aboard the "State
of Texas " upon its arrival there.
Upon reaching Key West Miss Barton, as the person in charge of the relief
expedition, will report to such naval officer as you may designate and take from
him directions as to the movements of the "State of Texas" from that point on.
I have tlie honor to commend Miss Barton to the kind attentions of your De-
partment in order that she may receive, before leaving Washington, such instruc-
tions as you may deem it necessary and proper to give her.
Respectfully yours,
John Sherman,
Secretary.
With these credentials, the President and staff of the American
National Red Cross immediately proceeded to Key West, and, after
reporting to the commandant of the naval station and to the representa-
tive of Admiral Sampson, the party boarded the "State of Texas "
and awaited an opportunity to carry out the mission of the Red Cross.
During the year prior to the otitbreak of hostilities between the
United States and Spain, Cuban families were fleeing from the island,
and this exodus continued until war began. The refugees, num-
bering several thousand, took up their abode at Tampa, Key West
and other Atlantic and gulf ports. They had been obliged to leave
their native country hastily, leaving nearly all their personal property
behind them, and in a short time after their arrival in America were
actually without food and with no means wherewith to purchase it.
Committees and agents of the Red Cross were established in both
Tampa and Key West, and acting as the distributing agencies for the
supplies forwarded by the Central Cuban Relief Committee, the
refugees were cared for. In Key West the number supplied with food
from the warehouse and kitchen of the Red Cross were over seventeen
hundred people, and the distribution still continues. Key West has
been one of the most important distributing stations, and from the
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. S'^y
beginning has been under the efficient direction of Mr. George W.
Hyatt, for whose continuous and faithful service the Red Cross is much
indebted.
The distributing station was kept constantly supplied by the Cen-
tral Cuban Relief Committee, and when the stock began to run low
in the latter part of July, the committee dispatched the schooner
" Nokomis " from New York with 125 tons of assorted provi.sions to
replenish the storehouse.
Before the " State of Texas " arrived at Key West, war had been
declared between the United States and Spain, and soon after the prize
ships, schooners, steamers and fishing smacks, captured off the Cuban
const began to come in, in tow, or in charge of prize crews. The navy
worked rapidly and brought in their prizes so quickly that the govern-
ment officials were not prepared to feed the prisoners of war. On the
ninth of May the United States Marshal for the southern district of
Florida made the following appeal:
Miss Clara Barton,
President, American National Red Cross:
Dear Miss Barton: On board the captured vessels we find quite a number
of aliens among the crews, mostly Cubans, and some American citizens, and their
detention here and inability to get away for want of funds has exhausted their
supply of food, and some of them will soon be entirely out. As there is no appro-
priation available from which food could be purchased, would you kindly provide
for them until I can get definite instructions from the Department at Washington ?
Very respectfully,
John F. Horr,
U. S. Marshal.
Attached to this letter was an official list of the Spanish prizes
whose crews were in need of food. The boats of the ' ' State of Texas ' '
were quickly loaded with a supply of assorted provisions and, being
taken in tow by the steam-launch of the transport "Panther," the
work of distribution began. All the ships in need were supplied with
food and medicines for ten days, and their supply renewed every ten
days for some weeks until government rations were regularly issued
and auxiliary assistance was no longer necessary. The supplies on
the " State of Texas" being intended for the reconcentrados in Cuba,
her cargo was drawn upon to the smallest possible extent. Many of
the prizes had on board cargoes of bananas and plantains, and the
370 THE RKD CROSS.
wells of the " Viveros " were filled with live fish. After some
negotiating, arrangements were made to secure these cargoes at a
trifling cost, and they were distributed among the crews of the vessels
that carried nothing eatable. Tasajo, or jerked meat, was also bought
and given out in the same way, and from one of the prizes loaded with
dried meat from the Argentine, which was afterward sold at auction in
Key West, forty tons were purchased and stored in the warehouse to
supply the refugees, and to replace that portion of the cargo of
the "State of Texas" which had been distributed to the prisoners
of war.
While waiting for an opportunity to get into Cuba, the reports
which reached us showed that the distress among the reconcentrados was
daily increasing, and it was determined to make an attempt to land
with the " State of Texas," or at least to show the willingness of the
Red Cross to do so, if permitted. As the ship was under the direction
of the Navy Department, the following letter was addressed to the
admiral in command of the blockading fleet:
S. S. "State of Texas," May 2, 1898.
Admirai, Wilwam T. Sampson, U. S. N.,
Commatidifig fleet before Havana:
Admiral: But for the introduction kindly proffered by our mutual acquaint-
ance. Captain Harrington, I should scarcely presume to address you. He will have
made known to you the subject which I desire to bring to your gracious considera-
tion.
Papers forwarded by direction of our government will have shown the charge
entrusted to me, viz: To get food to the starving people of Cuba. I have with me
a cargo of fourteen hundred tons, under the flag of the Red Cross, the one interna-
tional emblem of neutrality and humanity known to civilization. Spain knows
and regards it.
Fourteen months ago, the entire Spanish Government at Madrid cabled me
permission to take to, and distribute food to the suffering people iu Cuba. This
official permission was broadly published; if read by our people, no response was
made, no action taken until two months ago, when under the humane and gracious
call of our honored President, I did go, and distributed food unmolested any-
where on the island, until arrangements were made by our government for all
American citizens to leave Cuba. Persons must now be dying there by the
hundreds if not thousands daily, for the want of the food we are shutting out.
Will not the world hold us accountable ? Will history write us blameless ? Will it
not be said of us that we completed the scheme of extermination commenced by
Weyler ? I fear the mutterings are already in the air.
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 373
Fortunately, I know the Spanish authorities in Cuba, Captain-General Blanco
and his assistants. We parted with perfect friendliness. They do not rej^ard me as
an American merely, but as the national representative of an international treaty
to which themselves are signatory and under which they act. I believe they would
receive and confer with me, if such a thing were made possible.
I would like to ask Spanish permission and protection to land and distribute
the food now on the "State of Texas." Could I be permitted to ask to see them
under flag of truce? If we make the effort and are refused, the blame re.sts with
them; if we fail to make it, it rests with us. I hold it good statesmanship to at
least divide the responsibility. I am told that some days must elapse before our
troops can be in position to reach and feed this starving people. Our food and ovur
force are here, ready to commence at once.
With assurances of highest regard, I am, Admiral,
Very respectfully yours,
Clara Barton.
On the .same day, Admiral Sampson, in his reply, pointed out
why, as commander of the blockading squadron, his instructions
would not permit him to admit food into Cuba at that time.
U. S. Flagship " New York," First Rate.
Key West, Florida, May 2, 1S98.
Miss Clara Barton,
Ptesidetit, American Naticmal Red Cross, Key West, Fla.:
Dear Madam : I have received, through the senior naval officer present, a
copy of a letter from the State Department to the Secretary of the Navy, a copy of
a letter of the Secretary of the Navj' to the commander-in-chief of the naval force
on this station, and also a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the
commandant of the naval station at Key West.
2. From these communications it appears that the destination of the steamship
" State of Texas," loaded with supplies for the starving reconcentrados in Cuba, is
left, in a measure, to my judgment.
3. At present I am acting under instructions from the Navy Department to
blockade the coast of Cuba for the purpose of preventing, among other things.
an\' food supply from reaching the Spanish forces in Cuba. Under these circum-
stances it seems to me unwise to let a ship-load of such supplies be sent to ihe
reconcentrados, for, in my opinion, they would be distributed to the Spanish ir;iiy.
Until some point be occupied in Cuba by our forces, from which such distrih.tidn
may be made to those for whom the supplies are intended, I am unwilling liiat
they should be landed on Cuban soil.
Yours, very respectfully,
W. T. Sampson,
Rear Admiral. U. S. Navy,
Commander-in-Chief U. S. Naval Force,
21 North Atlantic Station.
374 THE RED CROSS.
The Red Cross had been requested to hasten south to take food
into Cuba, but the admiral had been instructed to keep it out. Noth-
ing remained to do but to inform the government at Washington, and
the committee in New York, regarding the situation as developed by
this correspondence, and await further instructions, which was done by-
cablegram addressed to the chairman of the Central Cuban Relief
Committee in New York:
Key West, Fla., May j, 1898.
Herewith I transmit copies of letters passed between Admiral Sampson and
myself. I think it important that you should immediateh^ present this corres-
pondence personally to the government, as it will place before them the exact
situation here. The utmost cordiality exists between Admiral Sampson and
myself. The admiral feels it his duty, as chief of the blockading squadron to
keep food out of Cuba, and recognizes that from my standpoint my duty is to try
to get food into Cuba and this correspondence is transmitted with his cordial con-
sent. If I insist. Admiral Sampson will try to open comnmnication under a flag
of truce, but his letter expresses his opinion regarding the best method. Advices
from the government would enable us to reach a decision. Unless there is objec-
tion at "Washington, you are at liberty to publish this correspondence if you wish.
Ci,-\RA Barton.
In a few days the following cablegram was received in reply:
Washington, May 6, /Sp8.
C1.ARA Barton, K'ey West:
Submitted your message to President and cabinet , and it was read with moist-
ened eyes. Considered serious and pathetic. Admiral Sampson's views regarded
as wisest at present. Hope to land you soon. President, Long and Moore send
highest regards. Barton.
(S. E.)
We too hoped to land soon, but the opportunity' never came,
and the "State of Texas" whose finely assorted cargo was
primarily intended for the starving reconcentrados, did not get
to Cuba until she went with the transports conveying the invading
army, and, after doing good service in the relief of the .sick and •
wounded at El Caney and Siboney, she entered the harbor of Santiago,
the first American ship to reach the city.
While these things were transpiring, preparations were being
made by the Red Cross, in accordance with the provisions of the
Treaty of Geneva, to render auxiliary medical and hospital .service
during the war. Upon the declaration of war, a special committee was
appointed, composed of Dr. J. B. Hubbell, Mr. John Hitz and Mr,
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 375
Stephen E. Barton, to wait upon the President of the United States,
the Secretaries of State, War and Navy, and the Surgeon General, to
-give oral notice of the intention of the Red Cross to be ready to furnish
any supplemental aid that might be required by the armies in the field.
Following the usual custom, the American National Red Cross
was about to issue a statement to the American people for funds and
materials to support its ministrations to the sick and wounded, when a
resolution was passed by the board of directors of the New York Red
Cross Hospital, of which institution Mr. William T. Wardwell is
president, proposing the formation of a Relief Committee. The pur-
pose of this committee was to raise funds and supplies, in the name of
the Red Cross, and to act as a national auxiliary in the capacit}- of
trustees and temporary custodians of the contributions of the people in
support of the work to be done by the American National Red Cross.
The tender of the proposed Relief Committee, thus voluntarily
formed, was provisionally accepted b)- Mr. Stephen E. Barton, subject
to the official acceptance by the American National Red Cross. Upon
this provisional acceptance the Relief Committee proceeded to organize,
and its membership was enlarged by the addition of men well known in
social and financial circles of the City and State of New York.
The name adopted by the committee : ' ' The American National
Red Cross Relief Committee," was perhaps unfortunate, in some
respects, inasmuch as it created a certain confusion in the minds of the
people, who were often unable to distinguish between the parent organ-
ization, the American National Red Cross, and the Relief Committee
of New York. The committee having completed its organization, the
tender of its services during the war was made and accepted in the
following terms:
New York, May j, 1S98.
Gentlemen: We have before us the official communication in which your
secretary, Mr. John P. Faure, transmits to us for action thereon, the following
resolution from your executive committee:
Resolved, That the secretary be and he hereby is instructed to officially notify
the American National Red Cross of the fact of the organization of this committee,
requesting official acknowledgment and acceptance by the American National Red '
Cross, of the tender of financial co-operation and support offered by this committee.
In reply we would say that it gives us great pleasure to accept your generous
offer of financial co-opcralion and support. In carrying out the object of vour
offer, you are authorized to make such a public appeal, in the name of the American
National Red Cross, as you may think best.
376 THE RED CROSS.
For the purpose of unifying all effort, and concentrating all financial and
material supi)ort to the American National Red Cross, we also confidently entrust
to you, in consultation with our own executive committee, the work of inviting,
through your committee, the co-operation of all Red Cross Relief Committees
throughout the United States.
Very truly yours.
The American National Red Cross,
Clara Barton, President,
Geo. Kennan, Vice-President,
Stephen E. Barton, Second Vice-President.
The acceptance of this offer made necessary the formation of an
executive committee of the American National Red Cross, with head-
quarters in the city of New York, whose function it would be to repre-
sent the Red Cross in its oflScial dealings with the government at
Washington, the American people and the Relief Committee, and to
devise ways and means for the administration of the contributions of
the people, through the appointment and direction of official representa-
tives of the Red Cross in the camps. The executive committee was at
once appointed and consisted of the following members: Stephen E.
Barton, Charles A. Schieren, Hon. Joseph Sheldon, George W. Boldt
and William B. Howland, and organized with Mr. Barton as chairman
and Mr. Schieren as treasurer.
On the fourteenth day of May the Relief Committee addressed the
following letter to the President of the United States, reciting the
formal ofiFer of the American National Red Cross to supplement the
field and hospital service of the army and navy, and reiterating their
tender of co-operation and financial support:
New York, May 20, i8g8.
To the President:
Sir: In accordance with the request made by you to the special committee
appointed by the American National Red Cross Relief Committee, during its
recent visit to you, the undersigned members of said special committee beg leave
to submit the following statements for your consideration:
The American National Red Cross Relief Committee of New York, organized
with an unlimited number of co-operating and auxiliary bodies throughoiit the
country, for the purpose of providing financial and material sustenance to the work
of the American National Red Cross, Miss Clara Barton, president, begs leave to
represent to the Government of the United States as follows, viz:
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 377
First. — That the American National Red Cross is the duly incorporated com-
mittee representinjT the work of the Red Cross in its civil capacity, and is recognized
as such by the Government of the United States, the governments of other countries
and the International Committee at Geneva.
Second. — That we are informed that the said American National Red Cross has
given formal notice to the Departments of State, War and Navy and the Surgeons-
General of the army and navy of its readiness to respond to any calls for civil aid
to supplement the hospital work of the army and navy, in accordance with the
provisions of the resolutions of the Geneva Conference of 1863 and the Geneva
Convention of 1864, and their amendments.
Third. — That, in order to guarantee the fullest effectiveness of the aid thus
offered by the civil Red Cross, this committee hereby gives you official notice that
it stands ready, together with other co-operating committees, to furnish all
necessary money and material to support the work of the said American National
Red Cross, as hereinbefore outlined.
We beg to request, Mr. President, that you take the necessary action to have the
several departments of the government duly notified of this financial guarantee of
the assistance tendered by the American National Red Cross, to the end that the
fullest reliance may be placed upon its offer, should the extent of the present war
over tax the preparations of the medical departments of the army and navy.
Please favor us with a prompt acknowledgment of this letter and information
as to your action thereon. Respectfully,
Levi p. Morton,
_ Henry C. Potter, D. D., LL. D.,
William T. Wardwell,
George F. Shradv, M. D.,
A. MoNAE Lesser, M. D.
On May 24, the above communication was transmitted by the
Secretary of State to the Department of War, in the following letter in
which he explains the position of the American National Red Cross
and its national and international status:
Department of State.
The Honorable the Secretary of War:
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you copy of a letter addressed to the
President under date of the twentieth in.st., by Messrs. Levi P. Morton, Henry C.
Potter, D. D , William T. Ward well, George F. Shrady, 'SI. D., and A. Monae
Lesser, M. D., a special committee appointed by the American National Red Cross
Relief Committee, in regard to the work proposed to be undertaken by that organ-
ization for the purpose of providing financial and material support to the work of
the American National Red Cross, of which latter Miss Clara Barton is president.
The proposal has the President's cordial approbation in view of the distinctive
position of the American National Red Cross as the sole central organization in the
United States in affiliation with the International Committee of Berne, and through
378 THK RED CROSS.
it with the Central Red Cross Committees which have been formed in every
country which has adhered to the Geneva Convention of 1864.
It is to be remembered that the Geneva Convention itself is largely the out-
growth of American initiative. The Auierican Sanitary Commission, organized
during the first years of the War of the Rebellion, proved the efficacy of uniform
and concentrated effort to bring into play the benevolent influences of the people
to aid the military authorities in caring for the sick and wounded in war, and its
conspicuous success attracted attention abroad to such a degree that, in obedience
to a very general desire in European countries, the Swiss Government, in 1S63,
invited an international conference to formulate and adopt a general plan for the
amelioration of the suffering of the sick and wounded in war. As a result of that
conference arrangements were perfected for the organization of central civil com-
mittees in the several countries to supplement the work done by the military service
of the armies in the field, thus creating in nearly all the Continental States organi-
zations similar to the American Sanitary Commission. The following year another
conference was held at Geneva, under the auspices of the International Committee,
which resulted in the signing of the Geueva Convention of 1864, to which the
United States is a party. Still another conference in 1868 resulted in the additional
articles extending the principles of the Geneva Convention to naval operations,
which have been adopted by this government and Spain as a modus vivendi during
the present war.
Besides these truly international conventions, conferences held at Geneva in
1867 and in 1S69 still further perfected the organization and operation of the Inter-
national Committee of Berne and its relations to the several civil central Red Cross
Committees in the adhering States, to the end that the latter might not alone co-
operate with the governments of their respective nations in time of war, but should
perform analogous relief work in each State in time of pestilence, famine or other
national calamity.
The American National Red Cross, incorporated under the laws of the
United States for the District of Columbia, constitutes the sole legitimate and rec-
ognized local branch in this country of the great international association, of
which the International Committee of Berne is the head. Of its conspicuous peace-
ful services in time of national suffering at home and abroad, it is superfluous to
speak. Its relation to the military and naval hospital service in time of war is
now under consideration. Under the terms of the Geneva conventions, its aid
may be powerfully given to the military and naval armies, with the added prestige
■which belongs to it as the American branch of the International Red Cross. By
the terms of the Geneva Convention of 1864, the participation of its agents in the
active ambulance and hospital service of the armies and naval forces of the United
States is effected through the express neutralization of its individual workers by
the military and naval authorities aud the issuance to them of the stipulated arm-
let bearing the sign of the Red Cross. Its assistance, however, is not limited to
this individual employment of its agents in the field ; it stands ready to co-operate
in the equipment and supplj' of ambulauces and medical stores, drawing for its
resources on the benevolence of the community and systematizing effort and aid
throughout the country by the various local committees it has organized.
By Article II of the protocol of the Geneva Conference of 1863, which created
the International Committee of Berne and its associated national committees,
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 379
each National Central Committee is to enter into relations with the govern-
ment of its country so that its services may be accepted if occasion should present
itself, and by Article III, on being called upon, or with the assent of the military
authorities, the respective Central Committee is to send volunteer nurses to the
field of battle, there to be placed under the orders of the commanding officer.
These articles sufficiently show the character of the aid to be rendered in time of
war by the widespread organization of which the International Committee of
Berne is the head.
There is pending in Congress at the present time an act to legitimize the
national status of the American National Red Cross and to protect its exclusive
use of the insignia of the Red Cross for the work it was organized to perform, and
its early passage is expected. Indeed, it would probably have become a law before
now but for a need of a slight amendment which this Department has advised
The purpose of that act has the President's cordial approval.
In referring to me the annexed letter from the special committeeof the Ameri-
can National Red Cross Relief Committee the President has requested me to take
such steps as may be necessary and effective to recognize the American National
Red Cross as the proper and sole representative in the United States of the
International Committee, and, as such, corresponding to the central committees
which have been constituted in the several States which have adhered to the
Geneva Convention. So far as international correspondence with the Swiss
Government in relation to the deliberations of the Geneva Conference is concerned,
this government has uniformly recognized the American National Red Cross as
the only civil body in the United States which is regularly affiliated with the
International Committee of Berne for the purpose of carrying out the arrangements
elaborated by the various conferences held at Geneva, and the representatives of
the American National Red Cross at those conferences have uniformly attended
with the sanction of the United States Government. No additional recognition or
sanction is needed in that quarter.
" I have therefore the honor to inform you, by direction of the President,
that this government recognizes, for an)' appropriate co-operative purjjoses, the
American National Red Cross as the Civil Central American Committee in
correspondence with the International Committee for the relief of the wounded in
war and to invite similar recognition of its status by your department with a view
to taking advantage of its proffered aid during the present war so far as may be
available.
Respectfully yours,
William R. Day,
Secretary of State.
The foregoing letter from the Secretary of State defines the position
of the American National Red Cross, as uniformly recognized by the
Government of the United States, and by the International Committee
representing all the treaty nations. The treaty contemplates that there
shall be in each country one national organization of the Red Cross,
38o THE RED CROvSS.
with power to organize an unlimited number of subordinate branches,
or auxiliaries, all directly tributary to the national body. As the per-
sonnel and equipment of the Red Cross are expressly neutralized and
protected by the treaty, it was essential to the security of all, that the
civil power and responsibility should be concentrated. It was for this
reason that the president of the International Committee, in his letter
of March 24, 1882, urged that:
It is important that we be able to certify that your government is prepared to
accept your services in case of war; that it will readily enter into co-operation with
you and will encourage the centralization, under your direction, of all voluntary
aid.
We have no doubt that you will readily obtain, from the competent author-
ities, an official declaration to that effect, and we believe this matter will be merely
a formality; but we attach the greatest importance to the fact, in order to cover
our responsibility, especially in view of the pretensions of rival societies which
might claim to be acknowledged by us. It is your society and none other that we
will recognize.
It will be seen that, in the opinion of the International Committee,
not recognition alone, but cordial co-operation on the part of the
government is of vital importance. In each country, the National
Red Cross, or national committee as it is sometimes called, is the only
civil medium contemplated by the treaty, through which the people of
the respective countries may lawfully communicate with the armies in
the field, for the purpose of rendering such auxiliary medical and
hospital service, and other relief, as may be required. It must be con-
stantl)^ born in mind, in order to clearly understand the operations of
the Red Cross, that our government and the people are bound, not
only by the solemn provisions of the treaty, but also by the resolutions
of the international conferences, composed of delegates authorized by
their respective governments. Thus, the Secretary of State in his
letter says:
The American National Red Cross constitutes the sole legitimate and recog-
nized local branch, in this country, of thegreat International Association, of which
the International Committee at Berne is the head. This government has uniformly
recognized the American National Red Cross as the only civil body in the United
States which is regularlj' affiliated with the International Committee of Berne, for
the purpose of carrying out the arrangements elaborated by the various conferences
held at Geneva, and the representatives of the American National Red Cross at
those conferences have uniform!}' attended with the sanction of the United States
Government. No additional recognition or sanction is needed in that quarter.
>^--4:^.
jwi-..„>*ri'
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 383
The American National Red Cross is, consequently, the recognized
source from which is derived all civil authority to use the official
insignia and to work under the Red Cross as auxiliary to the army and
navy. The national Red Cross, in each country, is responsible to its
own government and, through the International Committee, to all the
nations of the treaty, for the integrity of its branches. Auxiliaries of
the Red Cross must therefore receive their charters or certificates of
authority from the parent organization, which, in turn, is held to a
strict observance of all its treaty obligations. Hence the use of the
name or of the insignia of the Red Cross by civil societies, in relief
work, without the sanction of the national organization, is an imposition
and a violation of the treaty. Without such official permission or
charter, no auxiliary can have any rightful existence, as a branch of
the American National Red Cross.
After having secured for the people by treaty the right, through
their own national organizations of the Red Cross, to contribute to the
relief of the sick and wounded in war, the delegates to the inter-
national conventions at Geneva continued their labors until there was
added to the functions of the Red Cross, the power to administer relief,
in times of peace, on fields of national disaster. Out of compliment to
the president of the American National Red Cross, who advocated this
extension, the addition to the treaty is known as "The American
Amendment." Referring to it, the Secretary of State in his letter
continues:
Conferences held at Geneva in 1867 and 1869, still further perfected the
organization and operation of the International Committee of Berne, and its rela-
tions to the several civil Central Red Cross Committees in the adhering States, to
the end that the latter might not alone co-operate with the governments of their
respective nations in time of war, but should perform analogous relief work in
each State in time of pestilence, famine or other national calamity. Of the .Ameri-
can National Red Cross, and its conspicuous peaceful services in time of national
suffering at home and abroad, it is superfluous to speak.
Thus is clearly explained why, on such great fields of suffering
and disaster as the Ohio Floods, the Russian Famine, the Sea Islands
Hurricane, in Armenia and in Cuba, the American National Red Cro.ss
is found endeavoring to carry out the benign intentions of the Treaty
of Geneva.
For the first time in the history of warfare, it was now proposed
to fit out, and maintain at sea, hospital ships for the relief of sick and
384 THE RED CROSS.
wounded. The Treaty of Geneva, however, only provided for the
recognition and protection of the hospital service of the army in its
operations upon the land. An amendment to the treaty was proposed
by the convention which met at Geneva on October 20, 1868,
extending the treaty to include hospital service at sea. This amend-
ment, concerning naval hospital service, was known as the " Ad-
ditional Articles," and, although the Government of the United States
in acceding to the Treaty of Geneva included the proposed amend-
ment. President Arthur in his proclamation of August 9, 1882,
reserved the promulgation of the Additional Articles until after the
exchange of ratifications by the signatory Powers. The Additional
Articles were never ratified by the other treaty nations, and, at the
beginning of the Spanish- American war, they were not in force as a
part of the treaty. Spain was therefore under no treaty obligation to
respect the flag of the Red Cross upon the ocean.
Although the Additional Articles had not yet been formally rati-
fied, the Swiss Government, acting as an intermediary, and with a
view to securing their observance by both belligerents during the war,
opened a diplomatic correspondence between the governments of the
United States and Spain, proposing the adoption of a temporary agree-
ment, or viodus Vivendi, during the continuance of hostilities. The
official correspondence on the subject between the Secretary of State
and the Swiss Minister will be of interest, as showing the method by
which the temporary agreement between the two countries was secured,
the modifications made and the interpretation placed upon some of the
doubtful clauses:
Swiss Legation,
Washington, April 23, 1898.
Mr. Secretary of State: War having been now unhappily declared between
the United States and Spain, my government, in its capacit}' as the intermediary
organ between the signatory states of the convention of Geneva, has decided to pro,
pose to the cabinets of Washington and Madrid to lecognize and carry into execution,
as a modus vivendi, during the whole duration of hostilities, the additional articles,
proposed by the International Conference which met at Geneva on October 20,
1868, to the convention of Geneva of August 22, 1864, which (additional articles)
extend the effects of that convention to naval wars. Although it has as yet been
impossible to convert the said draft of additional articles into a treaty, still, in
1870. Germany and France, at the suggestion of the Swiss Federal Council, con-
sented to apply the additional articles as a modus vivendi, during the whole dura-
tion of hostilities. The Federal Council proposes the additional articles as they
have been amended at the request of France and construed by that power and
Great Britain.
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 385
My government, while instructing me to make this proposition to Your Excel-
lency, recalls the fact that, on March i, 1882, the President of the United States
declared that he acceded, not only to the Geneva Convention of August 22, 1864,
but also to the additional articles of October 20, 1S68.
The Spanish Government, likewise, in 1872, declared itself ready to adhere to
these articles. The Federal Council, therefore, hopes that the two governments
will agree to adopt the measure, the object of which is to secure the application
on the seas of the humane principles laid down in the Geneva Convention.
With the confident expectation of a favorable reply from the United States
Government to this proposal, I avail myself, etc., J. B. PiODA.
Department of State,
Washington, April 2^, i8g8.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the twenty-
third instant, whereby, in view of the condition of war existing between the United
States and Spain, you communicate the purpose of your government to propose to
the cabinets of Washington and JMadrid that they recognize and carry into execu-
tion, as a modus vivendi, during the whole duration of hostilities, the additional
articles proposed by the International Conference of Geneva, under date of October
20, 1S68, for the purpose of extending to naval wars the effects of the convention
ofOeneva of August 22, 1864, for the succor of the wounded in armies in the field.
As you note in the communication to which I have the honor to replj', the
United States, through the act of the President, did on the first day of March,
1882, accede to the said additional articles of October 20, 1868, at the same time that
it acceded to the original convention of Geneva of August 22, 1864; but, as is
recited in the President's proclamation of July 26, 1882, a copy of which I enclose
herewith, the exchange of the ratifications of the aforesaid additional articles of
October 20, 1868, had not then (nor has since) taken place between the contracting
parties, so that the promulgation of the accession of the United States to the said
additional articles was (and still remains) reserved until the exchange of the ratifica-
tions thereof between the several contracting states shall have been effected and
the said additional articles shall have acquired full force and effect as an interna-
tional treaty.
I find, upon examination of the published correspondence which took place in
1870 at the time of the war between France and North Germany (British and
Foreign State Papers, vol. 60, pp. 945-946), that upon the initiative of the Prussian
minister at Berne, followed Iw the proposal made by the government of the Swiss
confederation to the French and North German governments, the then bellig-
erents severally notified to the government of Switzerland their willingness to
accept provisionally and at once to establish as a modus vivendi applicable to the
war then in progress, both by sea and land, all the additional articles to the con-
vention of Geneva of October 20, 1868, together with the subsequent interpretations
of the ninth and tenth articles thereof agreed upon and proposed by England and
France. I understand from your note that, although those articles have not as yet
become a matter of international convention, it is desired that the United States
and Spain accede to the same, together with the same amendments and construction
as above stated. I entertain no doubt that the United States will readily lend
3«^' THE RRD CROSS.
its support and approval to the general purpose of those articles and be in favor of
adopting them as a modu^ vivcndi; it has ever been in favor of proper regulations
for the mitigation of the hardships of war. But before it can accede to them as a
matter of fact, in the present instance, it must first fully understaud the nature and
text of the amendments and construction placed upon the articles by France and
England as stated bj* you.
I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that there be furnished to this govern-
ment either the text or a clear exposition of the articles, with the amendtnents
and constructions referred to, in order that the understanding may be complete.
A certain pamphlet, written by Lieutenant Colonel Poland in 1886, is said to
contain these amendments and constructions, but there is not now accessible to the
Department of State a copy of such pamphlet or other reliable means of informa-
tion on the subject. I .shall await with pleasure fuller and exact information from
you of the terms to which we are asked to accede.
Accept, etc, John Sherman.
Swiss Legation,
WashinCxTon, D. C, May 4, 1S98.
Mr. Secretary oE State: I have had the honor to receive the note which your
honorable predecessor did me the favor of addressing to me under the date of the
twenty-fifth of April, in reply to mine of the twentN'-tliird of the same month, upon
the subject of the proposition of my government to the cabinets of Washington
and Madrid to adopt as a modus vivendi, pending the entire duration of the war,
the articles of the twentieth of October, 1868, additional to those of the convention
of Geneva of the tweuty-second of August, 1S64.
The documents which, in the aforesaid note of your predecessor, were desired
and which, as I have had the opportunity of telling you verbally, my government
had sent at the same time that it instructed me by cable to make the overtures on
the .subject, have just arrived, and I enclose them herein in duplicate copies.
The}' confirm the text of the additional articles, the modification of Article IX
proposed by France and the notes exchanged between England and France
concerning the import of Article X. The Spanish Government having, by note of
its Legation of the seventh of September, 1872, also declared that it was ready to
adhere to the articles in question, the Federal Council hopes that the governments
of America and Spain, appreciating the sentiments which have guided it in its
course, will be of accord in adopting as a modus vivendi a measure which has for
its purpose the securing of the application upon the sea of the humanitarian
principles consecrated by the Geneva Convention.
Awaiting your comnmnication to me of the decision which the Government of
the United States shall see fit to take in regard to this proposition, I offer you, Mr.
Secretarj' of State, the expression of my very highest consideration.
J. B. PlODA.
Department of State,
Washington, May g, iSgS.
Sir: Upon receiving your note of the fourth instant, in reply to mine of tl e
twenty-fifth of April, concerning the proposition of the Government of the Swiss
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 387
Confederation that the United States and Spain adopt as a modus vivendi, pending
the entire duration of the war, the articles of October 20, 1868, additional to those
of the convention of Geneva on August 22, 1864, I communicated all the papers in
the case to the Secretary of the Navy, calling his attention to the form of the
modus Vivendi adopted during the Franco-German war, which your government
was pleased to suggest as a precedent to be followed during the existing war. The
printed paper you enclose, besides giving the text of the original additional articles
of October 20, 1S68, contains the correspondence l;^d in 1868 and 1869 concerning
the interpretation of Articles IX and X of the said additional convention and
thus establishes the precise nature of the understanding to which France and the
North German States respectively acceded.
As so expressed, the Government of the United States finds no difficulty in
acceding to the suggestion of the Government of Switzerland. It had, in fact,
anticipated it, so far as concerns its own conduct of hostilities and its own purpose
to observe the humane dictates of modern civilization in the prosecution of warfare
upon the sea as well as upon land by fitting out and equipping a special ambulance
ship, the "Solace," in confonnity with the terms of the additional convention
aforesaid, thus confirming emphatically its adhesion to the principles of that
beneficient arrangement without regard to the absence of its formal ratification by
the various signatories.
I am happy, therefore, to advise you, and through you the Government of the
Swiss Confederation, that the Government of the United States will for its part,
and so long as the present war between this country and Spain shall last, treat as
an effective modus vivendi the fourteen additional articles of October 20, 1868,
with the interpretations of the ninth and tenth articles thereof appearing in the
publication you comnmnicate to me. While it is proper to adopt this course on its
own account, and without reference to such action as Spain may take, this govern-
ment would nevertheless be glad to hear that the representations made by your
government to that of Spain had met with a favorable response in order that the
two parties to the present contest may stand pledged to the same humane and
enlightened conduct of naval operations as respects the sick and wounded as was
recognized and adopted by the respective parties to the Franco- Prussian war.
Should the Government of Spain likewise accede to the Swiss proposition, I
should be much gratified to be apprised of the fact, and also that the Spanish
accession contemplates acceptance of the interpretations of Articles IX and X
which were adopted by France and the North German States and which are
embraced in the proposition of your government.
Accept, etc.,
WiLUAM R. Day.
Swiss Lhgation,
Washington, D. C, May 9, iSgS.
Mr. Secretary of State : As I had the honor verbally to infonn the As-
sistant Secretary of State this morning, my Government has charged me to bring
to the knowledge of Your Excellency that the Spanish Govtrnment has accepted
the proposition of the Federal Council concerning the additional articles of the
Geneva Convention.
388 THE RED CROSS.
I doubt not that Your Excellency will be pleased very soon to enable me to
announce to the Federal Council that the Government of the Union also adheres
for its part to the proposed modus vivcfidi, and in this expectation I offer to Your
Excellency the expression of my very high consideration.
J. B. PlODA.
Department of State,
WA.SHINGTON, May lo, i8g8.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of May 9,
formally notifying nie that the Spanish Government has accepted the proposition
of the Federal Council concerning the additional articles of the Geneva Conven-
tion, and expressing the hope that you would be soon enabled to inform your
government that the United States Government adheres for its part to the pro-
posed modus Vivendi.
As you were advised in the verbal interview with the Second Assistant Secre-
tary of State, to which you refer in your note of the ninth, I have already had the
pleasure of informing you, by my official note of that date, that the United States
Government would for its part treat as an effective modus vivendi the additional
articles of 1868, with the amendments and interpretations of Articles IX and X
thereof appearing in the publication communicated to me by you. I trust that
that note, which apparently had not reached your hands at the time of your note
to me of the same date, has now been received by you and its contents transmitted
to the Federal Council.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,
William R. Day.
The additional articles concerning the Maritime Hospital Service
in war, as modified by the viodiis vivendi, forming Articles VI to XV of
the Treaty of Geneva when formally ratified, are:
Art. VI. The boats which, at their own risk and peril, during and after an en-
gagement pick up the shipwrecked or wounded, or which, having picked them
up, convej' them on board a neutral or hospital ship, shall enjoy, until the accom-
plishment of their mission, the character of neutrality, as far as the circumstances
of the engagement and the position of the ships engaged will permit.
The appreciation of these circumstances is entrusted to the humanity of all
the combatants. The wrecked and wounded thus picked up and saved must not
serve again during the continuance of the war.
Art. VII. The religious, medical and hospital staff of any captured vessel are
declared neutral, and, on leaving the ship, may remove the articles and surgical
instruments which are tlieir private property.
Art. VIII. The staff designated in the preceding article mu.st continue to ful-
fill their functions in the captured ship, assisting in the removal of tlie noun. led
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 389
made by the victorious party; they will then beat liberty to return to their country,
in conformity with the second paragraph of the first aditional article.*
The stipulations of the second additional articlef are applicable to the pay and
allowance of the staff.
Art. IX. The military hospital ships remain under martial law in all that con-
cerns their stores; they become the property of the captor, but the latter must not
divert them from their special appropriation during the contiimance of the war.
[The vessels not equipped for fighting, which during peace, the government
shall have officially declared to be intended to serve as floating hospital ships, shall
however, enjoy during the war complete neutrality, both as regards stores, and
also as regards their stalT, jirovided their equipment is exclusively appropriated to
the special service on which they are employed.]
Art. X. Any merchantman, to whatever nation she may belong, charged
e.Kclusively with removal of sick and wounded, is protected by neutrality, but the
mere fact, noted on the ship's books, of the vessel having been visited by an
enemy's cruiser, renders the sick and wounded incapable of serving during the
contiimance of the war. The cruiser shall even have the right of putting on board
an officer in order to accompany the convoy, and thus verify the good faith of the
operation.
If the merchant ship also carries a cargo, her neutrality will still protect it,
provided that such cargo is not of a nature to be confiscated by the belligerent.
The belligerents retain the right to interdict neutralized vessels from all com-
munication, and from any course which they might deem prejudicial to the secrecy
of their operations. In urgent cases special conventions may be entered into
between commanders in chief, in order to neutralize temporarily and in a specia .
manner the vessels intended for the removal of the sick and wounded.
Art. XI. Wounded or sick sailors and soldiers, when embarked, to whatevex
nation they may belong, shall be protected and taken care of by their captors.
Their return to their own country is subject to the provisions of Article Vi
of the convention and of the additional Article V.J
Art. XII. The distinctive flag to be used with the national flag, in order to
indicate any vessel or boat which may claim the benefits of neutrality, in virtue
of the principles of this convention, is a white flag with a red cross. The belliger-
ents may exercise in this respect any mode of verification which they may deem
necessary.
Military hospital ships shall be distinguished by being painted white outside
with green strake.
* Articlb I. The persons designated in Article II of the convention shall, after the occupation
by the enemy, continue to fulfill their duties, accoiding to their wants, to the sick and wounded
in the ambulance or the hospital which they serve. Wlieii they request to withdraw, the
comniauder of the occupying troops shall fix the time of departure, which he shall only be
allowed to delay for a short time in case of military necessity,
tARi. II. Arrangements will have to be made by the belligerent powers to insure to the
neutralized person fallen into the hands of the army of the enemy, the entire enjoj'ment of his
salary.
t Art. V. In addition to Article \'I o( the convention, it is stipulated that, with the reservation
of officers whose detention might be important to the fate of arms and within the limits fixed by
the second paragraph of that article, the wounded fallen into the hands of the enemy shall be
sent back to their country after th'-y are cured, or sooner if possible, on condition, nevertheless,
of not again bearing arms during the continuance of the war.
390 THK RED CROSS.
Art. XIII. The hospital ships which are equipped at the expense of the aid
societies, recognized by the governments signing this convention, and wliich are
furnished with a comuiissiou emanating from the sovereign, who shall have given
express authority for their being fitted out, and with a certificate from the proper
naval authority that they have been placed under his control during their fitting
out and on their final departure, and that they were then appropriated solely to
the purpose of their mission, shall be considered neutral, as well as the whole of
their staff. They shall be recognized and protected by the belligerents.
They shall make themselves known by hoisting together with their national
flag, the while flag with a red cross. The distinctive mark of their staff", while
performing their duties, shall be an armlet of the .same colors. The outer painting
of these ho.spital ships shall be white, with red strake.
These ships shall bear aid and assistance to the wounded and wrecked bellig-
erents, without distinction of nationality.
They nmst take care not to interfere in any way with the movements of the
combatants. During and after the battle they nmst do their duty at their own risk
and peril.
The belligerents shall have the right of controlling and visiting them ; they
will be at liberty to refuse their assistance, to order them to depart, and to detain
them if the exigencies of the case require such a step.
The wounded and wrecked picked up by these ships cannot be reclaimed by
either of the combatants, and they will be required not to serve during the con-
tinuance of the war.
Art. XIV, In naval wars any strong presumption that either belligerent
takes advantage of the benefits of neutrality, with any other view than the interest
of the sick and wounded, gives to the other belligerent, until proof to the con-
trary, the right of suspending the convention as regards such belligerent.
Should this presumption become a certainty, notice may be given to such
belligerent that the convention is suspended with regard to him during the whole
continuance of the war.
Art. XV. The present act shall be drawn up in a single original copy, which
shall be deposited in the archives of the Swiss Confederation.
An authentic copy of this act shall be delivered, with an invitation to adhere
to it, to each of the signatory powers of the convention of the twenty-second of
August, 1864, as well as to those that have successively acceded to it.
In faith whereof, the undersigned commissaries have drawn up the present
project of additional articles and have apposed thereunto the seals of their arms.
[Done at Geneva, the twentieth day of the month of October, of the year one
thousand, eight hundred and sixty-eight.]
The following note shows the special amendment and the inter-
pretation of certain clauses of the articles, as agreed by the Govern-
ments of the United States and Spain:
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY LONG.
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 393
NOTE.
(a) The amendment proposed by France is contained in brackets after Article
IX.
{d} The interpretation placed upon Article X by England and France is to the
following effect:
The question being raised as to whether under Article X a vessel might not
avail herself of the carrying of sick or wounded to engage with impunity in traffic
otherwise hazardous under the rules of war, it was agreed that there was no pur-
pose in the articles to modify in any particular the generally admitted principles
concerning the rights of belligerents; that the performance of such services of
humanity could not be used as a cover either for contraband of war or for enemy
merchandise; and that every boat which or whose cargo would, under ordinary
circumstances, be subject to confiscation, can not be relieved therefrom by the sole
fact of carrying sick and wounded.
Question being raised as to whether, under Article X an absolute right was
afforded to a blockaded party to freely remove its sick and wounded from the block-
aded town, it was agreed that such removal or evacuation of sick and wounded
was entirely subject to the consent of the blockading jjarty. It should be permit-
ted for humanity's sake where the superior exigencies of war may not intervene to
prevent, but the besieging party might refuse permission entirely.
The full text of the French interpretation of Article X is subjoined.
The second paragraph of the additional Article X reads thus: " If the mer-
chant ship also carries a cargo, her neutrality will still protect it, provided that
such cargo is not of a nature to be confiscated by the belligerent."
The words "of a nature to be confiscated by the belligerent" apply equally
to the nationality of the merchandise and to its quality.
Thus, according to the latest international conventions, merchandise of a
nature to be confiscated by a cruiser are:
First. Contraband of war, under whatever flag.
Second. Enemy merchandise under enemy flag.
The cruiser need not recognize the neutrality of the vessel carrying wounded
if any part of its cargo shall, under international law, be comprised in either of
these two categories of goods.
The faculty given by the paragraph in question to leave on board of vessels
carrying wounded a portion of the cargo is to be considered as a facility for the
carriage of freight, as well as a valuable privilege in favor of the navigability oi
merchant vessels if they be bad sailors when only in ballast; but this faculty can
in no wise prejudice the right of confiscation of the cargo within the limits fixed
by international law.
Every ship the cargo of which would be subject to confiscation by the cruiser
under ordinary circumstances is not susceptible of being covered by neutrality by
the sole fact of carrying in addition sick or wounded men. The ship and the
cargo would then come uiuler the common law of war, which has not been modi-
fied by the convention except in favor of the vessel exclusively laden with wounded
men, or the cargo of which would not be subject to confiscation in any case.
Thus, for example, the merchant ship of a belligerent laden with neutral inerchau-
dise and at the same time carrying sick and wounded is covered by neutrality.
394 THK RICD CROSS.
The merchant ship of a belligerent carrying, besides wounded and sick men,
goods of the enemy of the cruiser's nation or contraband of war is not neutral, and
the ship, as well as the cargo, comes under the common law of war.
A jieutral ship carrying, in addition to wounded and sick men of the bel-
ligerent, contraband of war also is suliject to the common law of war.
A neutral ship carrying goods of any nationality, but not contraband of war,
lends its own neutrality to the wounded and sick which it may carry.
In so far as concerns the usage which expressly prohibits a cartel ship from
engaging in any connnerce whatsoever at the point of arrival, it is deemed that
there is no occasion to specially subject to that inhibition vessels carrying wounded
men, because the second paragraph of Article X imposes upon the belligerents,
equally as upon neutrals, the exclusion of the transportation of merchandise sub-
ject to confiscation.
Moreover, if one of the belligerents should abuse the privilege which is
accorded to him, and under the pretext of transporting the wounded should
neutralize imder its flag an important commercial intercourse which might in a
notorious manner influence the chances or the duration of the war. Article XIV
of the convention could justly be invoked by the other belligerent.
As for the second point of the note of the British Government, relative to the
privilege of effectively removing from a city, besieged and blockaded by sea, under
the cover of neutrality, vessels bearing wounded and sick men, in such a way as
to prolong the resistance of the besieged, the convention does not authorize this
privilege. In according the benefits of a neutral status of a specifically limited
neutrality to vessels carrying wounded, the convention could not give them rights
superior to those of other neutrals who can not pass an effective blockade without
special authorization. Humanity, however, in such a case, does not lose all its
rights, and, if circumstances permit the besieging party to relax the rigorous
rights of the blockade, the besieged party may make propositions to that end in
virtue of the fourth paragraph of Article X.
It was under this modus vivetidi that the steam launch " Moy-
nier ' ' received from the Government of the United States her com-
mission as a little ho.spital .ship of the Red Cross. For this little vessel,
presented by Mr. William B. Rowland, the editor of the Outlook,
as the gift of the readers of that popular periodical, the Red Cross is
gratefully indebted.
On June 6, 1898, the tender of the services of the American
National Red Cross to act as an auxiliary to the Medical and Ho.spital
Service of the Army and Navy, in accordance with the treaty, was
formally accepted by the Departments of War and Navy:
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS. 395
War Department,
Washington, y««(? <5, /Sg8.
C1.ARA Barton,
President 0/ the yhnencan National Red Cross, Washington, D. C.:.
The tender of the services of the American National Red Cross, made to this
department through the Department of State under date of Alay 25, 1S98, for
medical and hospital work as auxiliary to the hospital service of the Army of the
United States, is accepted; all representatives and employes of said organization to
be subject to orders according to the rules and discipline of war, as provided by
the 63d Article of War.
Very respectfully,
R. A. Alger,
Secretary of War.
Navy Department,
Washington, June 6, iSg8.
CtARA Barton,
President of the Auierica7i National Red Cross, Washington, D. C:
The tender of the services of the American National Red Cross, made to this
department through the Department of State under date of IMay 25, 1S9S, for
medical and hospital work as auxiliary to the hospital service of the navy of the
United Slates, is accepted; all representatives and employes of said organization
to be subject to orders according to the rules and discipline of war.
Very respectfully,
Chas. H. Allen,
Acting Secretary.
In the meantime, war was officially proclaimed, and the President
had issued his call for volunteers. As the troops responded to the call,
they were assembled in camps in various sections of the country,
principally in Washington, Chickamauga Park, Georgia, Jacksonville,
Tampa and Port Tampa in Florida. Soon after the formation of the
camps it became evident that the auxiliary service of the Red Cross
would be necessary in caring for the men, and a formal tender of such
ser\'ice was made to the government by Mr. George Kennan, first vice-
president of the American National Red Cross, to which the following
reply was received:
War Department,
Junes, 1S98.
Dear Sir: I have, by your reference, the letter of this date from Mr. George
Kennan, of the American National Red Cross, aud see no objection whatsoever to
their establishing a station in every military' camp for the purjKJse indicated in
396 THIC RKD CROSS.
their letter. Instructions have been issued by me to-day to the surgeon general,
who will communicate this information to the chief surgeons of the camps.
Very truly yours,
R. A. Alger,
Hon. John Addison Porter, Secretary of War.
Secreiaiy to the President.
Acting upon this acceptance, the executive committee, of which
Mr. Stephen E. Barton was the chairman, appointed and sent to each
camp an agent, to represent the Red Cross in the field. These repre-
sentatives were instructed to report to the respective medical officers
of the army in charge, to make, personally, a formal tender of assist-
ance, and to ascertain if the Red Cross could be of service, by furnish-
ing quickly any medical and hospital supplies of which the camps
might be in need.
It is perhaps proper to state here, as a matter of histor^s that
while these field agents were always most courteously received, in
many instances the auxiliary services of the Red Cross were not at first
welcomed by the medical officers of the array. Indeed it often hap-
pened that the assistance, of which the hospital service of the army
was apparently in need, was not accepted until after its efficiency was
seriously diminished by reason of delay.
The reluctance to permit the people, through the Red Cross, to
assist in ministering to the comforts of the men, did \vA generallj^ seem
to arise from personal objection on the part of the medical officers at
the camps, but from an apparent fear, whether well founded or not,
that immediate acceptance of assistance would result in official censure
ind disapproval.
CAMP ALGER. 397
CAMP ALGER.
Among the first of the Red Cross field agents appointed was Mr.
B. H. Warner, of Washington, to whose special charge was assigned
the field known as " Camp Alger." Mr. Warner makes the following
report of the work done by himself and the committee of which he was
chairman :
On Jnne lo, 1898, I was notified by letter of George Kennan, Esq.,
first vice-president of American National Red Cross, that I had been
appointed as its representative, at Camp Alger, Virginia, and was re-
quested to report to Chief Surgeon Girard, regarding the establishment
of a station at that camp; to ascertain if anything in the form of hos-
pital supplies were needed, and to advise the Executive Committee.
It was suggested that, as the work to be established at Camp
Alger was the first step of the Red Cross in the field in connection with
the Spanish war, that prudence and tact should be used in maintaining
friendly and harmonious relations with the military authorities, espe-
cially with the surgeons.
In accordance with my appointment, I visited the War Depart-
ment, and obtained a special letter of introduction from Secretary Alger
to Major-General Graham, commanding at Fort Alger, asking him to
give me every facility possible in connection with the work to be under-
taken. General Graham introduced me to Colonel Girard, with whom
I had a long conference, the result of which was the establishment of
headquarters of the Red Cross in the camp, and the settlement of some
details as to work which was to be done in accordance with the advice
and authority of the surgeon in charge.
I found Colonel Girard exceedingly busy, and apparently very
sanguine as to the ability of the government to meet all demands that
might be made by every department of the army. He seemed, how-
ever, willing that the Red Cross should furnish extra comforts for the
men at the camp. I was impressed with the fact that he considered
men who had received a regular army education thoroughly competent
to meet the situation, and that all supplies could be had as soon as
needed; that he did not want too many comforts for sick men, so as to
unfit them for the hardships of war when they should go nearer to the
scene of active operations.
398 THE RED CROSS.
On the twenty-first of June, in accordance with a call issued by
me, quite a large number of citizens met at the Arlington Hotel, and I
was fonnally elected chairman of an executive committee, Mrs, J.
Ellen Foster, vice-chairman; C. J. Bell, treasurer, George C. Lewis,
secretary. Power was given to add to this committee which, as finally
constituted, consisted of the following named persons: E. H. Warner,
Simon Wolf, William F. Mattingly, Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, Mrs. Thomas
Calver, president of the Legion of Loyal Women; Mrs. James Tanner,
national president of the Ladies' Union Veteran Legion; Mrs. Sarah
A. Spencer, Mrs. J. A. T. Hull, wife of Representative Hull, Mrs.
Ellen S. Mussey, one of the counsel to the Red Cro.ss, and Mrs. M. M.
North.
Quite a number of prominent citizens were present at the first
meeting, including Rev. T. S. Hamlin, D. D., and Rev. Byron Sun-
derland, D. D.
Mrs. Spencer was compelled by other engagements to retire from
the work of the Executive Committee early in its history, but still
remains as a member of the General Committee. I want to say for
the ladies, who served on the Executive Committee, that I never saw
more devoted, energetic and efficient service on any committee or under
any conditions with which I have been familiar, than that rendered by
them. They were all constantly active, both at Camp Alger „ Fort
Myer, and all along the line, at all hours, day and night, whenever
and wherever their presence was required. They were exceptionally
competent to direct, possessed of a high order of ability and intelligence,
and deserve, not only the thanks of the national organization, but also
of all who are friendly to the thousands of soldiers who were benefited
by their administration. The Executive Committee met every Tuesday
and more frequently when required.
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster began service at the connnencement of war,
and was very active in and around Washington in camp, hospital, and
the railway relief work. She also visited Camp WikofF, Camp Black,
Camp McPherson, Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, camp at Huntsville,
Ala., and the hospitals in New York and Boston, where sick soldiers
were quartered. Her experience gave her opportunities of suggesting
improvement in many departments of work, and the administration
of relief, not only by the Red Cross, but by other organizations as
well.
Captain George C. Lewis, on the twenty-first of June, was elected
secretary of the committee. He had been an officer in the Civil War,
CAMP ALGER. 399
and had large experience among soldiers, both in camp and hospital.
His first visit to Camp Alger was made on that date, and from that
time, until the camp was discontinued, he was constantly on duty there,
seeing that supplies were furnished, and all possible relief extended.
His headquarters were in a large hospital tent, from which the flag of
the Red Cross was flying. The principal office of the Executive Com-
mittee being in Washington, at No. 1310 G street, which was tendered
free of charge by Dr. and Mrs. J. Ford Thompson, and which the
committee has retained much longer than originally anticipated.
Experienced nurses seemed to be needed at Camp Alger. Patients
were not receiving the necessary care and attention. The committee
supplied mattresses, sheets, pillows and slips, mosquito bars, lemons,
and a large quantity of medicine, pajamas, underclothing, night-shirts,
handkerchiefs, groceries, delicacies, etc.
The surgeons at the hospitals were timid about asking the govern-
ment for supplies. As stated, the surgeon-in -chief at Camp Alger
seemed to think that the soldiers who were taken sick should be treated
in such a manner as would inure them to the hardships of camp, and
the life of a soldier. When spoken to on this subject he said, " These
men must understand that war is not play." One of the assistant
surgeons said, "It is much easier to ask the Red Cross for supplies,
and they can be obtained sooner than by asking the government, as
there is so much red tape and it takes so long to get ev^y thing."
When the kitchens at Camp Alger were inspected the food did not
appear to be of the right kind, and was not properly cooked. Point
Sheridan, Va., was visited by Mrs. Mussey on July 29, and sixteen
men were found sick. They seemed to be suffering for supplies,
especially medicine, which had been ordered on June 27, but had not
been received. The Red Cross delivered them proper medicine within
twenty-four hours. It was found that each camp hospital must have its
regular visitors, and different members of the committee were
appointed. Articles needed were supplied from headquarters in
Washington, and large shipments were also sent direct from New York
to various points. On several occasions underclothing and pajamas
were supplied by the hundred within twenty-four hours.
Early in August, the Washington Barracks were made a post
hospital, and the Red Cross aid was gladly accepted by Major Adair,
surgeon in charge. For a long time our committee supplied this point
with 800 pounds of ice, 5 gallons of chicken soup, 30 gallons of milk,
20 pounds of butter daily, as well as 2 crates of eggs weekly. We also
400 THE RED CROSS.
furnished 1200 suits of underwear, several hundred suits of pajamas,
500 towels, several hundred pairs of slippers, socks and medicines, anti-
sejitic dressing's, and numerous small articles. The work at this point
was closed up October 8, with expressions of mutual satisfaction.
The Secretary of War gave autliority for the establishment of di'^*
kitchens in the camps near Washington, and Mrs. Mussey, who had
taken a special interest in this work from the beginning, was given
general charge of the establishment of the kitchens.
A diet kitchen was established at Camp Bristow, and two competent
male colored cooks placed in charge. Major Weaver, the chief sur-
geon, and his staff of five surgeons, were both devoted and competent
in their service, and the sick soldiers were loud in their praise.
We found it was unnecessarj^ to establish one at the hospital at
the Washington Barracks as arrangements there w^ere so good, and it
only seemed necessary to furnish fresh .soups daily, and the committee
made a contract for five gallons per day at cost for material only.
The committee authorized Mrs. E. S. Mussey and Mrs. J. A. T.
Hull to establish a diet kitchen at Fort Myer. Major Davis, surgeon
in charge, yielded his owm wishes to the Secretary of War. As no
building was furnished, the committee made a contract for one of a
temporary character, which was put up at a cost, when completed with
range, plumbing, etc., of about $350.00. Dr. Mary E. Green, presi-
dent of the National Household Economical Association, was secured
as superintendent, and in not more than ten days from the time of its
commencement the building was completed, furnished and orders being
filled. It has been a great assistance, not only in furnishing properly
cooked food, but invaluable as an object lesson in neatness and skilled
cooking.
The government has voluntarily paid all the bills for meat,
chickens and milk, leaving the committee to pay for groceries, and
wages of employes. Dr. Green has rendered such efficient service
that she has been employed by the government to establish diet
kitchens at other points.
At Fort Myer nearly four hundred patients were suffering with
typhoid and no provision existed for preparing a special diet. Canned
soup was heated up and served to those just leaving a strictly milk
diet, and the so-called chicken broth, which was served wholly unsatis-
factorily to both physicians and nurses. When the diet kitchen was
completed, beef, mutton and chicken broth, made fresh daily in the
manner best calculated to bring out the nutritive value of the meat,
CAMP ALGER. 4ot
were prepared. Mutton broth was made from hind r|ua'-ters only, and
beef broth from soHd meat, with no waste. Albumen, so necessary to
repair the waste of the system by fevers, was supplied in the palatable
form of rich custards, as ice cream and blanc mange — gelatine madf
into jellies with port and sherry wines — and albumen jelly, all nour-
ishing to the irritated linings.
During the month of September from the seventh instant, 55r.
ordens, averaging fifteen portions each, or 8250 portions, were filled in
the diet kitchen. Physicians, nurses and patients unite in saying the
aid they secured from this work is of inestimable value, not only in
saving lives, but in hastening the recover}' of all. Major Davis, as
the surgeon in charge, has expressed his high appreciation of the good
results obtained by establishing the kitchen, and the methods pursued
in conducting it.
In response to suggestions from the general committee in New
York, a special committee was sent to Fortress Monroe to meet the first
wounded, who came up from the battlefields of El Caney, San Juan
and Guasimas. The surgeon in charge, Dr. DeWitt, stated their
immediate needs, and supplies were sent one day after they were called
for, consisting in part of 500 pairs of pajamas, twenty-five pairs of
crutches, 200 pairs of slippers, 350 yards of rubber sheeting, large
quantities of antiseptic dressings, five dozen gallons of whiskey and
brandy, 200 cans of soup, granite-ware basins, pitchers, dishes, etc.
Several other visits were made to this point, resulting in the
employment of additional trained nurses, with proper provision for
their maintenance. Arrangements were also made on behalf of the
general committee for supplying ice for the use of troops on board the
transports going south, and also for the sick on their journey north-
ward. Mr. Bickford was afterward designated to take charge of the
work of the Red Cross at this point, so further work on the part of our
committee was unnecessar3^
The branch of the work, which has been really one of the most
difficult to conduct, was the looking after soldiers, who passed through
the city mostly from Southern to Northern camps, and those who were
going home. There was such a general demand on the part of the men
for coffee, bread and other supplies, and it was so hard to limit our
service to the sick .soldiers alone, that we soon determined to feed not
only the convalescent, but all who were hungry. vSoldiers from the
following organizations were fed and supplied, the well men receiving
bread and butter sandwiches:
402 THE RED CROSS.
Parts of the 5th and 6th Artillery, 25th Infantry, two troops of
ist Cavalry, 12th, i6th and 17th Infantry, portions of the 8th, 9th and
loth Cavalry, all United States troops, and the following volunteer
forces: 22d Kansas, 3d and 4th Missouri, ist Maine, 2d Teiniessee,
7th Illinois, ist, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th Pennsylvania,
ist Connecticut, 5th Maryland, 2d, 3d, 8th, 9th, 14th and 65th New
York, ist and 2d New Jersey, two brigades of United States Signal
Corps, and detachments from a number of other regiments, in all about
40,000 men.
Very frequently the committee furnished handkerchiefs and soap,
as well as reading matter. The sick were given soup and milk packed
in ice, fruit, medicines, etc. Forty-five were removed from the trains
and taken to the hospitals in Washington. We used, in this connec-
tion, not only the services of trained nurses in the employ of the Red
Cross, but Dr. Bayne was detailed by the War Department, and
rendered most efficient service, as he was always ready and willing to
do everything in his power, day or night, for the relief of the sick.
The War Department ordered for the use of the committee the
erection of two tents in close proximity to our rooms, which were at
915 Maryland Avenue. One of these tents was filled with fully
equipped cots, on which the invalids were placed while waiting the
arrival of ambulances, and the other was used as a general depot for
supplies. The War Department paid for the bread we used in this
work, and, also, for 4346 loaves furnished to the Pension Office Relief
Committee, which was engaged in the same kind of work. Many
donations of food and material were received, and as stated, nearly
forty thousand men were fed, and how some of them did eat not only
as if they were making up for the fasts of the past, but for any which
might occur in the future.
Mrs. James Tanner had charge of this work, which was very
exacting, and she had been appointed a committee to secure reading
matter for the different camps, before the Red Cross Committee was
organized, and collected several wagon loads of books, magazines, and
other periodicals, which were sent to Camp Alger, Fort Myer, Point
Sheridan, Fort Washington, Chickamauga, Tampa and Santiago.
Distribution of this reading matter was also made at the Red Cross
quarters at 915 Maryland Avenue and handed to the soldiers who passed
through the cit}' on trains.
All bills for ice furnished to Point Sheridan, Va., Washington
Barracks, and to the Diet Kitchen at Fort Myer have been paid l)y the
CAMP ALGER. 403
Red Cross Ice Plant Auxiliary of New York, which also furnished the
large ice chests for the latter point.
The Legion of Loyal Women, of which Mrs. Thomas W. Calver,
a member of our committee, was president, acted as an auxiliary for
the Red Cross Committee, and made a large number of mosquito nets,
flannel bandages, wash cloths, and pajamas. Besides this, the}' col-
lected many supplies, consisting of boxes of oranges, lemons, tea,
coffee, jelly, condensed milk, crackers, yeast powder, cocoa, stamps,
writing paper, tobacco, fruit, soap, socks, handkerchiefs, towels, night-
sliirts, underclothes, pajamas, quinine and other medicine, which were
sent to the various camps.
Generous donations of clothing, jellies, cordials and mone}' were
also received from various auxiliaries of the ladies' of the Union
Veteran Legion.
The Red Cross Committee assisted in the establishment of a tem-
porary home in this city for the returning volunteers. The existence
of this home was limited to two months. The time will expire Novem-
ber 10, when it will be broken up. It has cared for a daily average
of sixty soldiers. The Red Cross assisted by furnishing cots and
furniture. Mrs. Calver, of our committee, is in charge, and it is con-
ducted without expense to the Red Cross.
The total amount expended in the Railway Relief work, in feeding
men as they passed through the city, was $2637.13.
Arrangements were also made after this work closed to look after
all the sick soldiers, who came in at the several railroad stations.
The treasurer, C. J. Bell, will transmit a full report, with vouch-
ers for all expenditures which have been up to this date, $7560, and
with outstanding bills amounting to about $1000 more.
A large number of ladies rendered excellent service in making
sheets, pillow-cases, mosquito nets, pajamas, bandages and articles too
numerous to mention. Manj' volunteer nurses were anxious to go
where they could render .servnce to the sick and wounded.
It is gratifying to be able to state that whatever view the surgeons
and other officers may have had as to the need of the Red Cross at the
beginning of the war, at the close they joined with the private soldiers
in testifying to its wonderful and efficient work.
Among the principal donations were those from the Lutheran
Church Society, Hagerstown, Md., consisting of 50 pajamas. 50 suits
of underclothing, 50 nightshirts, 40 .sheets, 250 pairsof .socks, 100
towels, 200 haudker^hicfs, 75 rolls of bandages, dclicacic:; and sundry
404 THE RED CROSS.
articles. There were also daily contributions of different supplies,
demonstrating the general interest taken in our work.
There were distributed by this committee, in part, 800 sheets, 500
pillow-cases, 800 suits of pajamas, 1500 suits of underclothing, 1600
abdominal bandages, 800 pairs of socks, 750 nightshirts, 350 mosquito
bars, 100 rubber sheets, 400 pairs of slippers, 2000 palm leaf fans, 75
large boxes of soap, 150 cots, 250 mattresses, 100 pairs of blankets,
275 pillows, $1000 worth of groceries, $300 malted milk, $850
soups and bouillons, $725 medicines and surgical supplies, $250 wines
and liquors, and $1050 milk, a great variety and quantity of smaller
articles and supplies.
The following supplies were received from the general New York
Committee: 50 boxes of ivory soap, 50 rubber sheets, 400 suits of under-
wear, 250 sheets, 250 pillow-cases, 250 nightshirts, 200 pairs of slippers,
50osuitsof pajamas, $200 worth of malted milk, beef extract and Mellin's
food, ^700 worth of canned soups and bouillons and $6000 cash.
In closing, permit me to thank Vice-President Barton and the
Executive Committee for prompt and liberal responses to ever}' request
made for aid of any character, and for immediately recognizing the fact
that the committee at this point had a work placed upon it very exten-
sive and unique in character, and requiring a large outlay of money and
service.
I desire to call to your special attention the great service ren-
dered by Mrs. E. S. Mussey, who, during the absence of Mrs. Foster
and myself from the city, acted as chairman of the committee, and for
two months gave nearly all of her time to its service, visiting different
camps and hospitals, and in the work devolving upon her she was
untiring and unusually efficient.
Much complaint has been made as to the location of Camp Alger,
because of the prevalence of typhoid and malarial fever, and the absence
of water supply both for drinking and bathing purposes. A personal
knowledge of this section of Virginia, extending over many years,
enables me to state that it has been regarded as unusually healthy, and
a most desirable section for homes, the growth and development of
which would have been very rapid had there been an additional bridge
giving greater facilities for crossing the Potomac. The water there
has been considered pure and healthy, and used by many families with-
out bad results.
Falls Church, near this camp, has been regarded as one of the
healthiest and most desirable suburbs of the National Capital. The
CAMP ALGRR. 405
topography of the ground and the presence of a large amount of shade
were very suitable for the purposes of camp life. It was, however,
evident, even to the inexperienced eye of a layman, that good, practical
daily scavenger service aided by the effective use of disinfectants was
sadly needed both for the comfort and health of the men; that the
presence of numerous booths, stands and peddlers engaged in selling
soft drinks, fruits, cakes, candy, etc., tended to further demoralize the
already interrupted digestion of the soldiers. No matter what the
general orders were they could not be made effective without the
earnest and intelligent co-operation of regimental officers and soldiers.
Could this be secured within two or three months from men not
experienced in war? A feeling of individual responsibility appeared
to be lacking. One of the most useful officers who can be detailed for
camp duty is an inspector, one who will not only inspect daily, but
insist that the men take care of themselves, and co-operate to prevent
disease, especiallj' in keeping the camp in proper sanitary condition by
constant attention to sinks and the water supply.
The Red Cross entered upon its great work at the beginning of the
war under many difficulties. Instead of being aided and encouraged in
an undertaking that comprehended the generous spirit of the nation, its
mission was oftimes interrupted and hindered by officers of prominence
and rank. It is proper to say, however, that the President and
Secretary of War were at all times deeply interested in our work, and
did all in their power to expedite our plans. There appeared to be a
jealous apprehension in some quarters that the Red Cross would
interfere with established institutions. What it has accomplished is a
matter of history, dail}' recorded in the public press, it has not been
aggressive, nor has it dominated any legitimate authority. It has
sought to be the servant and not the master. As one general partic-
ularly friendly to the organization remarked, "the Red Cross has not
been the foe, but the friend of every one, even of red tape."
If we had anj^ criticism to make it would be in favor of more
practical common sense dealing with all matters especially those per-
taining to the camp and hospital, and of the necessity of fixing
individual responsibility so as to be certain of results as well as orders.
Many high-minded and patriotic officers have been blamed where
they ought to have been praised; one distinguished professional man
dying from the effects of undeserved fault finding.
If another war should ever come to us as a nation, we trust the
lessons of that which has just closed will not be forgotten. Many of
4o6 THIC RI'l) CROSS.
the very best and most conscientious surgeons are not business men.
Men who have not had business experience in time of peace cannot be
expected to learn at once new methods in time of war so as to perfect
or harmonize a great s^-steni. Should not the executive officer in every
large hospital be selected somewhat with reference to his business
capacity ? Good surgeons and physicians have enough to occupy
them in attending to their professional duties. They had too much to
attend to in most instances during the Spanish war, and the number of
deaths in comparison to the number of sick and wounded has been
surprisingly small.
I want to place upon record the generous kindness of Dr. and
Mrs. J. Ford Thompson in tendering to the committee the use of house
No. 1310 G Street for headquarters; W. B. Moses & Sons for furni-
ture loaned for our use; Springman & Sons for free transportation of
goods; to the railroads for reduction of fare; to the Falls Church Elec-
tric Railroad, and Washington and Norfolk Steamship Company for
free transportation; to the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com-
pany for telephone, and to all who generously worked and contributed
for the success of the committee.
The army and navy embodied the power of the government in the
Spanish war, but the Red Cross in a large degree represented the
affectionate regard of the American people, for those who went out to
defend the flag of the Union, and their great desire to mitigate in
every possible way the sufferings resulting from exposure, disease and
conflict, as well as to relieve distress wherever it existed.
Courage and charity go hand in hand, and when the smoke of
battle has rolled away, and the tattoo and reveille are memories of the
past; when the white tents of the camps are folded; the equipment
of war is exchanged for the implements of peace the appreciation of the
citizen soldier for the Red Cross will grow in volume as he sits by his
fireside and tells how its ministries gave relief and aid to his comrades
and himself in the camp, the hospital, at Siboney, Santiago, Porto
Rico and elsewhere, and how it extended succor even to his enemies
when the conflict ceased.
The Red Cross of peace will outlive the Red Flag of war, even as
charity shall survive the force of arms. Let us hope that the former
ensign may soon float by the side of the flags of all the nations and
peoples of the world, as an evidence of the advance of civilization, and
the universal desire that there be no more war; that men everj^where
are ready to extend a helping hand to all who suffer from disaster or
CAMP ALGKR.
407
disease. When this glad day comes war will be no more. Arbitration
will be the supreme power.
And may I say, in closing, that no one during the past quarter of a
centur}- has in a larger degree aided in the cultivation of peace and
good will among men and the promotion of a spirit of fraternity among
the peoples of the earth than the president of the American National
Red Cross, who, during the Spanish war, has rendered such valuable
and indefatigable service in the cause of humanity.
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4o8 THE RED CROSS.
CAMP THOMAS.
The agent first appointed for Chickaniauga Park, was Dr. Charles
R. Gill. Shortly afterwards, however. Dr. Gill expressed a desire to
go to Cuba, and he was relieved, Mr. E. C. Smith being placed in
charge of this field, which proved eventually to be one of the most
important stations of the Red Cross. As the demands of the camp
increased, Mr. A. M. Smith was sent to assist his brother in the work.
Their services have been eminently satisfactory to all concerned, and
many voluntary expressions of appreciation have been received. All
requisitions for assistance were promptly filled by the Executive Com-
mittee in New York, and in addition to the large amount of supplies
sent, about $16,000 in cash were expended at the camp. Mr. Smith,
in his report on the work done at this camp, says:
The headquarters of the American National Red Cross, at Camp
Thomas, Chickaniauga Park, Ga., was located alongside the historic
Brotherton House, which was in the thickest of the fight in 1863. No
array of mere numerals written to express dollars, or tables of figures
standing for quantities, could in comprehensive sense tell the story of
Red Cross work at Chickaniauga, in 1898. The record is written
indelibly in the hearts of thousands of soldiers who were stricken with
disease on this battlefield, and the story has been told at quiet home
firesides in every State of the Union.
All those who have labored in the work of mercy have been repaid
a thousandfold in words of thankfulness and appreciation from fevered
lips, and the praise of Christian men and women throughout the
country. In answer to the petitions of anxious wives, mothers and
fathers, and the tender prayers of prattling infants, God put strength
in the arms of the noble women who wore the badge of the Red Cross,
and made them heroic in an hour of great trial.
It has been testified by the gallant survivors of Santiago, and other
sanguinary engagements, that the chief terror was carried to the hearts
of our gallant men through the awful silence of the enemy's bullets,
and the rayster}- which enshrouded their position because of the use of
smokeless powder, leaving no mark for retaliation. Here in Chicka-
mauga, men fell from the ranks cjay after day, who seemed to have been
CAMP THOMAS. 411
singled out as the most robust and hardy of all, and were carried help-
less to the regimental, division, corps, and general hospitals, stricken
l)y an unseen foe. The danger lurked in the air that all breathed, and
the apparently pure, limpid water, God's greatest gift to man, became
his deadliest enemy.
When the plague descended on the camp, and a full realization of
present and impending horrors was forced upon all intelligent minds,
frantic efforts were made to stay the progress of the destroyer, but the
seeds had been sown, and the epidemic was fated to run its course.
It .seemed incongruous that .sucii a spot should be so afflicted; in all the
wide continent there is no fairer place. The valley stretching between
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge is one of the most beautiful
of all the fertile valleys of the world; sunshine and shade here mingle
to satisfy every sense. Our boys entered the park joyfully, and all
who should have known of the requirements of a camp, pronounced it
an ideal spot. There was no adequate preparation for the unexpected,
which some say "always happens." The action of the Red Cross
redeemed the situation. Stephen E. Barton, chairman of the Executive
Connnittee, promptly authorized measures to alleviate suffering, to quote
the language of the authorization, "without stint." Elias Charles
Smith, the field agent of the Red Cro.ss, acting at once on the orders
of his .superior, proceeded to find ways, the means being furnished.
Milk and ice were the chief requisites. All the farming country
surrounding the camp was called upon to supply the milk, some of it
coming from as far as Biltmore, N. C, from the celebrated dairy of a
millionaire.
The ice came from Chattanooga, and both ice and milk were
supplied without delay, with no red tape, no halting, " without .stint,"
to the sick. Requisitions for carloads of delicacies were sent by
telegraph, and when the needs were urgent the goods came, not by
freight but by express. Soups, wines, fruit, and in fact every
conceivable article that could contribute to the comfort and recovery
of the sick was .sent for, dispatched, received and distributed. There
were no "middle men" to question or quibble about the advi.sability
of things being done, no halting and haggling about how things
sliould be done. The field agent of the Red Cross ascertained the
urgent necessities of the sick, through the be.st official sources, and —
presto! — the necessities were on the ground and in u.se.
The problem of luirsing was coincident. Men in the division
and other hospitals were willing, no doubt, but there was "lack of
23
412 THE RKD CROvSS.
woman's nursing." There was no "dearth of woman's tears," — at
home.
The Red Cross Auxiliary No. 3 of New York, through the
agency of Miss Maud Cromlein in the field, took up this work. At
one time there were 140 young women graduate nurses in the service
of the Red Cross in this camp, mainly at Sternberg Hospital, How to
care for this large number of refined young women, unused to the
hardships of camp life, was a serious problem. Dormitories were built
to shelter them, and furnished for their comfort. A contract was made
with a steam laundry at Chattanooga to wash their clothing and every-
thing possible was done to make their stay at least endurable. Some
fell sick, of course, and were tenderly cared for or furloughed and sent
to their homes. Under the direction of Miss Maxwell a perfect system
was established in all the work, w'hich commanded the respect and
approbation of the medical officers. Diet kitchens were introduced,
and the sick were furnished with every necessary delicacy.
It is now a matter of history that this first organized experiment
of using women in large numbers as nurses in a field hospital has been
an unqualified success. It has the official approval of the medical
officers of the government from Surgeon-General Sternberg to the
smallest, humblest subaltern.
The Red Cross did not confine its efforts to the help of nurses
wearing the Red Cross. At the old Third Division First Corps
Hospital, afterward called Sanger, Sisters of Charity and Sisters of Mercy
ministered to the sick. The same attention was given to them ; all
requisitions for milk and ice and delicacies were promptly filled. One
of these noble women. Sister Stella Boyle, wrote, "We are over-
whelmed with your kindness — what should we have done without the
Red Cross ! " Leiter Hospital received the same help ; milk and ice
and delicacies were furnished "promptly and v.'ithout stint." That
was the watchword. And so with the regimental hospitals ; the
surgeons in charge made requisition for necessary supplies and they
were forthcoming, even to the day of the departure of the last troops
from the camp, the hospital trains being supplied as well. Thus the
Red Cross followed the sick to the doors of their own homes.
The Christian women of Chattanooga belonging to the Epworth
League and the churches of that city, did a greatly needed work in
establishing hospitals for the care of sick soldiers enroute. They were
amazed and delighted when they learned they coul'd make requisition
on the Red Cross for necessary supplies.
CAMP THOMAS.
413
Field Agent E. C. Smith, frail of body but stout of soul, was
stricken at his post of duty with typhoid September 12, but is
convalescent and rapidly gaining strength. When Miss Cromlein and
Miss Maxwell retired about the same date, they were succeeded by
Miss Gladwin and Miss lyounsbury, who have ably managed the affairs
of the Red Cross at Sternberg. Under my direction Miss Gladwin
recently visited Anniston, Ala., and found the .service of the Red
Cross greatly needed at Camp Shipp. Miss Gladwin has establi.shed
a Diet Kitchen at that camp and has done much to better the con-
ditiou of the .soldiers in the camp ho.spitals.
There are still 200 sick at Sternberg and 50 at Inciter, but these will
soon I hope be furloughed and returned to their homes.
All who have represented the Red Cross at Chickamauga have
worked with the greatest self-denial and enthusiasm, with full apprecia-
tion of the lofty aims of the society and with personal pride. Wlien
the roll of honor is made up, I know of no name that shouM W
omitted.
U. S. S. ■•ORHGON.
414 THE RICI) CROSS.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
At Jacksonville, Fla., the work at the camp was under the direc-
tion of the Rev. Alexander Kent, of Washington, D. C, who has
been a member of the Ameri>.an National Red Cross for many years.
He l)egan his duties about the middle of June and, assisted by his son,
continued until the order for the abandonment of the camp was issued.
The territory covered by this agency included also the camps at Miami
and Fernandina. The affairs of the Red Cross in this field were most
efficientl}- conducted and with great credit to Dr. Kent and his assist-
ant. In addition to the medical and hospital supplies and delicacies,
which were furnished in great quantities, over thirteen thousand dol-
lars were spent in adding to the comforts of the sick and convalescent.
Dr. Kent makes the following interesting report:
On June i6 I arrived in Jacksonville, in company with Miss
Clara Barton, then on her way to Key West and Santiago. We visited
Camp Cuba Libre in the afternoon, when I enjoyed the great advantage
of being presented b}^ Miss Barton to several of the officials as the rep-
resentative of the Red Cross at this point. On the following morning
I visited the hospital — that of the Second Division, the First being at
Miami and the Third not formed — where I found what appeared to me
to be very distressing and unhealtliful conditions. The number of
patients at that time was small, but, few as they were, no adequate
provision had been made for their comfort. Most of them, indeed,
were on cots, but few had either sheets or nightshirts to cover their
nakedness. They were either lying in soiled iniderclothing, sweltering
in the heat under army blankets, or destitute of any clothing whatever.
T lost no time in ordering one hundred .sheets, with the same number of
pillow-cases and ticks, having assurance from one of the surgeons that
the latter could be readily filled with moss and pine needles, making a
comfort-giving and healthful pillow. By the time this need was met 1
learned that the sick were destitute of suitable food, so I made it my
next business to provide a sufficienc}^ of this. No sooner had I begun
this work than I had to face the fact that the hospital had no proper
facilities for cooking this food and no place in which to care for it and
keep it cool and sweet when prepared. So I purchased a large Blue
Flame oil stove and a No. 6 Alaska ice chest. I soon discovered tha;
JACKSONVIIJ.E, FLA. 415
the patients were suffering from want of ice and made haste to secure
an adequate supply of this. But in all these things adequate provision
for one week was no adequate provision for the next. Patients came
into the hospital in ever-increasing numbers; cots, sheets, pillows and
pillow-cases had to be doubled and trebled and quadrupled as the
weeks went by. The government provided many sheets, many cots
and many pillows, but the demand ever outran the supply, and the Red
Cross was called on continually to make up the lack. In the nlatter of
ice, milk, eggs, lemons, malted milk, peptonoids, clam bouillon, beef
extract, calfsfoot jelly, gelatine, cornstarch, tapioca, condensed milk,
rice, barley, sugar, butter, and delicacies of all kinds, the government
made no provision, neither did the hospital from its ration fund. All
supplies of this kind were furnished by the Red Cross or by other
charitable or beneficent agencies. So far as I have been able to learn,
and I questioned those in charge of the division hospitals, no use was
made of the ration fund in the Jacksonville hospitals in the way of pro-
curing delicacies for patients. The sole reliance for these things was
the Red Cross and similar agencies of individual and organized
beneficence.
Of individual beneficence the most marked examples were Mrs.
Marshall, proprietor of the Carleton Hotel; Mrs. Moulton,wifeof Colonel
Moulton, of the Second Illinois, and Mrs. Rich, a quiet, modest lady
of this city. These gave their whole time to the work of devising ways
and means for promoting the comfort and health of the sick. They
made chicken broth, ice cream, wine jellies and a variety of delicacies
grateful to the palates of the sick soldiers. Other Jacksonville ladies
did much in this direction, but these ladies were constant and untiring
in their efforts. Though Mrs. Marshall had many of the soldiers cared
for free of charge at her own hotel, never for a day was she absent
from the camp. She was a veritable ministering angel, and the Red
Cross is greatly indebted to her for much of the information that helped
us to give wisely and when most needed. Through Mrs. Moulton
many of the good people of Chicago bestowed their benefactions. Five
days out of every week found Mrs. Rich at one of the division hos-
pitals, making her ice cream for the boys and giving them a taste of
her delicious wine jellies. When the Red Cross learned of her excellent
work it took pains to keep her supplied with all needed niateiial, beside
furnishing a twenty-five quart ice cream freezer with v;hich to do her
work. All of these women de.serve a more extend<^.d iiul a worthier
tribute than we can pay them in this report.
4i6 THE RKD CROvSS.
With the growth of the hospital there came ever-increasing
demands for ice and milk, for delicacies of every sort, and for all the
comforts and conveniences that tend to make hospital work pleasant
and effective. Early in the history of the Second Division hospital,
the Red Cross paid the bills for a bath house and a kitchen. It
furnished also the large circular wall tent for convalescents. It gave
over a hundred cots and mattresses, and nearly a thousand pillows.
Of sheets and pillow-cases, nightshirts and pajamas, it gave many
thousands. We not only distributed a large number sent from New York;
l)ox'es were sent us from St. Augustine, from Augusta, Ga., from
Connecticut, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. Few people
liave any conception of the quantity of such articles required to keep
a hospital with five hundred to seven hundred patients in good running
order. So often are these things soiled that there must be at least
three or four sets to every cot. When there are three or four hospitals,
with an aggregate sick list ranging from fifteen hundred to two thou-
sand, the number of sheets and pillow-cases, nightshirts and pajamas
necessary to keep the beds and the patients presentable is surprisingly
large. Of course the government has supplied the greater number of
sheets and pillow-cases, but the Red Cross has furnished probably the
greater number of pillows, nightshirts and pajamas. In none of these
things has the supply ever quite equaled the demand. Even at the
present time the cry of need is almost as loud as ever. When the
recuperating hospital was established at Pablo Beach, the Red Cross, at
the request of the chief-surgeon, supplied two hundred and fifty sets
of dishes with a complete outfit of pitchers, trays, buckets and many
other things. Even the business of the chief-surgeon's office and that
of the surgeon at Pablo Beach is transacted on desks furnished by the
Red Cross at the request of these parties. It has contributed to furnish
the diet kitchens with stoves, utensils and dishes, and has supplied the
hospitals themselves with many articles of convenience and comfort.
It provided four dozen large clothes hampers, printed many thousands
of patient records and other papers. It had fifty large ice chests manu-
factured and placed one in each ward of the principal hospitals. It
gave over seven hundred buckets for the carrying of ofial, and fur-
nished screens for the use of the nurses. It gave bed-pans and urinals
in large numbers, over a thousand tumblers, medicine glasses, gradu-
ated glasses, a sterilizing apparatus, hypodermic syringes and needles.
Of the latter we learned that there was not a single whole one in the
hospital at the time we were called on. Scores of men had been
JACKSONVILLK, FI.A. 417
obliged to receive their hypodermic injections from a broken point,
suffering greatly from the operation and subsequent results. The
Red Cross has furnished over one thousand dollars worth of medicines
not on the government list, besides malted milk, peptonoids, pepto
mangan, peptogenic milk powder, maltine and a large shipment of
medicines sent from New York. It has given over a thousand bath and
surgical sponges and towels in immense quantities. In short, with the
exception of tents, cots, blankets, and, to a considerable extent, sheets,
furnished by the government, the Red Cross, up to Septembei ist,
furnished the greater part of the hospital equipment. As the several
heads of divisions have said to me again and again. "The hospitals
never could have equipped themselves from their ration fund. They
would have broken down utterly without the aid of the Red Cross."
We have spent here over thirteen thousand dollars in cash for hospital
equipment and supplies of various kinds, including ice and milk, in
addition to the large quantities of goods sent from New York the cost
of which we do not know. And with all this, the need has not been
met as fully or as promptly as it should have been. The number of
the sick increased so greatly beyond the expectations of the oflScers in
charge that the supply has never, for any considerable time, been equal
to the demand. Even now, when the government has allowed sixty
cents a daj'^ for each patient in the hospital, and has recently so
extended the order as to include regimental as well as division hos-
pitals, there is still continuous appeal to the Red Cross for a variety
of things, which those in charge of the hospital fund do not feel war-
ranted in buying, and as yet few of the regiments have gotten their
hospitals into shape to ask for anything. As they move to Savannah
in a few days, they will not be in condition to draw any money for weeks
to come. It is very fortunate therefore, that your committee has seen
fit to grant our last requisition, for the goods you have shipped will
be of great benefit to the soldiers on their way to Cuba.
I have omitted to state that a most important part of the work of
the Red Cross has been the supplying of ice for the purpose of cooling
the drinking water of the camps. Our ice bills for camp and hospitals,
at an average of thirty-five cents per hundred pounds have been over
six thousand dollars, the Second Division hospital alone often consum-
ing from four to five tons a day. Our milk bills were also large,
averaging for some time over five hundred dollars a week, at a cost of
forty cents a gallon.
Our relations with both army and medical officials have been, on the
4i8 THE RED CROSS.
whole, harmonious and pleasant. Perhaps the best evidence of this is
the fact that the government teams and men have always been at our
service whether to haul the goods from the wharf to the store or from
(he store to the camp. Some little feeling arose over my attitude in
regard to the necessity for female nurses, but as the outcome has
abundantly shown the soundness of my contention, that has pretty
much passed away. Our hospitals have been far from ideal but I
believe they are generally regarded as the best in the country, and
perhaps none have realized their shortcomings and defects more than
the men charged with their administration. It is not an easy matter
to select, even from an American army, a sufficient number of capable
and reliable men for so large and complex an institution, and incapacity
or infidelity at any point is liable not onlj^ to bring most serious results,
but to throw discredit upon the entire management. Doubtless many
things have been done that should never have been permitted, and
many left undone that constitute a record of what ought to be criminal
neglect, yet these things can be wholly avoided only by men of the
highest ability and largest experience, working with trained subordi-
nates, and with every facility for successful endeavor. It has not been
possible to secure such conditions in any of the hospitals. The men in
charge have been obliged to use such material as they could get, and
often the commanding officers of regiments, when asked for a detail for
hospital work, have given the very poorest material they had. I am
disposed, therefore, to have pretty large charity always for the surgeon-
in-charge. He has a most difficult task, and at the very best, can only
hope for moderate success. Ideal results he can never .secure.
I have said nothing of our work at Miami or Fernandina, for there
is little to say. The troops were moved from Miami so soon after we
were made acquainted with their needs, that we did little more than
supply the hospital with ice, during the weeks in which the sick were
convalescing. We were not permitted to do even this at Fernandina.
Those in charge of the hospitals, division and regimental, disclaimed
all need of aid. The government supplied them with all that they
required. We have had many testimonies from officers and privates,
showing the profound appreciation everywhere felt for the work of the
Red Cross. Perhaps no other part of its work was so highly prized by
the soldiers at large as that w4iich furnished them cool drinking water.
Had the chief-surgeon. Colonel Maus, not been so deeply preju-
diced against female nurses in general, and Red Cross nurses in
particular, we might have done a much greater work in the hospitals
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
419
than was permitted to us. While the vSeconcl Division hospital was
still young, the Red Cross offered its nurses freely and gratuitously.
It offered to shelter and feed them at its own expense, but the offer was
spurned indignantly and with scarcely disguised contempt. We were
told that female nurses were not needed, that the hospital had already
more skilled nurses than it could use, and that female nurses were a
nuisance round a camp anyway. Most of them, the chief-surgeon
affirmed, were drawn to the work by a morbid sentimentality or by
motives of even a more questionable character. He would have none
of them. But the time came when even this officer had to change his
attitude if not his opinions, and women nurses were sought for and
welcomed to the hospital by hundreds. That they have proven a great
blessing to the boys, no one now questions ; many most pronounced in
their opposition are now loudest in their praise, and the Red Cross
rejoices that the good work is being done, though itself denied the
privilege of doing.
AI.MIRANTK OQUHNPC
\ITKR TIIK KNOAGEMENT.
420 THE RED CROSS.
FORT MCPHERSON, GA.
Early in August Mr. D, ly. Cobb, on a tour of inspection, arrived
at Fort McPherson, Georgia, to see if any assistance was required at the
post, and if an agency could be established. It was found that Mrs.
Anna E. Nave, wife of Rev. Orville J. Nave, chaplain of the post, and
their daughter. Miss Hermione Nave, had established a small dietary
kitchen and were supporting a table for convalescents. The object of
the kitchen was to provide light and nutritive diet for the soldiers in
the barracks who were suffering from stomach troubles, dysentery and
kindred digestive disorders, and to care for the convalescents from
typhoid fever and other serious sickness, until they were sufficiently
recovered to be again returned to the company mess.
As this kitchen was performing an important part in the care of
the men, and the demands upon it were daily increasing, it was pro-
posed that it be continued, and its work extended as the demands
increased, and that the Red Cross would pay all expenses and furnish
all the supplies required. Rev. Orville J. Nave was accordingly
appointed as the field agent at Fort McPherson, the kitchen remaining
under the immediate care and supervision of Mrs. Nave and her
daughter, assisted by a committee of representative women of the city
of Atlanta, including Mrs. Governor Atkinson, Miss Mary L. Gordon-
Huntley, Mrs. Ivoulie M. Gordon, Miss Junia McKinley, Mrs. E. H.
Barnes, and others.
Under the auspices of the Red Cross the capacity of the kitchen
was soon doubled, and the table was maintained until the first of
October, when assistance was no longer necessary. At the table about
20,000 meals were served. By this means doubtless many lives were
saved, for the percentage of relapses among the typhoid fever cases,
ordinarily quite large, was very small at this post. In addition to the
supplies of food, medicines and clothing sent to this field, in response
to the requisitions, some $1400 in cash were expended in support of
the table and ir furnishing those things which were at times needed
quickly, and which could be purchased in the local markets at Atlanta.
A stenographer was also furnished, so that Dr. Nave might be
able to answer the many inquiries from parents and relatives of men
in the hospitals, and attend to the ordinary correspondence connected
FORT Mcpherson, ga.
421
with the work. Seven nurses were supplied to assist in the hospital
work. Dr. Nave in his report says:
The importance of this work, as a supplement to that done by the government
for the relief of the sick, cannot be overstated. An institution, such as an army
hospital, deals with the sick by masses. Much nmst be left to subordinates, many
of whom have little or no experience in caring for the sick. The system is devised
for the many. But, where many are sick, a percentage of the patients cannot
regain health without special care. The work done by the Red Cross at Fort
McPherson was that which could not be done effectually by institutional methods.
Furthermore, those who assisted in the work were actuated solely by philanthropic
motives. They therefore brought elements to their work that employes too often
lack, elements of gentleness and love. Two thousand soldiers in as many homes,
nursed back to health, live to love and honor the Red Cross in memory of
the helping hand sent to them and administered through the hospital at Fort
McPherson. The total cash expenditures, including the cost of maintaining the
kitchen, was I2242,
To Dr. Nave, his wife and daughter, and to the Atlanta Com-
mittee of the Red Cross, great credit is due for the efficient manner in
which the auxiliary work at this point was carried on. Acting with
discretion, and with loyalty to the principles of the Red Cross, they
have carried their work to a successful conclusion without a com-
plaint from any source.
U. S. WAR SHIPS BEFORE
THE ENTRANCE TO SAN-
TIAGO HARBOR.
422 Tim RED CROSS
CAMP HOBSON, GA.
At Camp Hobson, Lithia Springs, Ga., a diet kitchen was alsa
maintained, under the direction of Miss Junia McKinley, assisted by
the Atlanta. Conmiiltee of the Red Cross, of which the following accounl
is received:
The diet kitchen was opened here on Monday, August 9, and
remained in operation three weeks, at tlie expiration of which time the
camp broke up. During the first week after the kitchen was estab-
lished, when detachments from the vSixth, Seventh, Eighth, Twenty-
first and Twenty-fifth regiments were in camp, 11 76 meals were served.
The next week orders were received for the removal of the Eighth and
part of the other regiments to Montauk Point, consequently the number
of convalescents was reduced, but during the second and third week
2066 meals were served, making a total of 3242 meals served at tlie
table and in the hospital during the time the kitchen was in operation.
The meals were furnished to convalescents in the hospital, men relieved
from duty but not sick enough to be in the hospital, and to the hospital
corps. The table meals consisted of the following: For breakfast,
cereals, coffee, tea, fresh milk, eggs, toast, bread and butter. For
dinner, soups, bouillons, rice and milk, eggs, crackers, bread and fresh
milk, coffee, California fruits (canned), wine, jelly or simple dessert.
Supper was the same as breakfast, with the addition of stewed fruit.
To patients in hospital, beef tea (made from fresh beef as well as
extracts), soft-boiled eggs, cream toast and fresh milk was served at
regular hours.
The only paid help were two men and one woman, the latter lived
near the camp and reported for duty at first meal call and remained
until dining tent and kitchen were in order. The other work in
kitchen was gratuitously done by Atlanta members of Red Cross
Society, assisted by Mrs. Edward H. Barnes, Miss Loulie Gordon
Roper (niece of General J. B. Gordon) , Miss Emmie McDonnell, Miss
Estelle Whelan, Mrs. George Boykin Saunders, all of Atlanta, and the
ladies from Sweetwater Park Hotel, who came over daily from the
hotel, about half a mile distant from camp, and assisted in serving
table meals, also in carrying delicacies to hospitals and distributed flowers
among the patients.
CAMP HOBSON, GA. 423
It affords us pleasure to acknowledge the uniform courtesy of the
army officials, especially the commandant, Major Thomas Wilhehu,
Chief Surgeon Major E. L. Swift, Assistant Surgeons Street, Bak and
Johnson and Lieutenant Norman, quartermaster. Major Wilhelm had
our kitchen built and fly tent for dining hall put up in a few hours
after our arrival, detailed men to help whenever needed in kitchen,
and with finest courtesy assured us of his appreciation of what was
being done to add to the comfort of his sick and convalescent men.
Besides the regular kitchen work at Camp Hobson, the Red Cross
furnished for a short time to the hospitals one special nurse (Miss
McKinley) and one trained nurse (Miss McLain), who remained until
our last patients were sent to Fort McPherson General Hospital and
went with them in the hospital train, ministering to their wants until
they were transferred to their respective wards there. In this connec-
tion we think proper to state that many of our Camp Hobson patients
now in Fort McPherson Hospital, one of the best equipped and best
managed hospitals in the country', assure us that they can never forget
the unfailing kindness of Chief Surgeon Swift and assistants, the faith-
ful care of their Red Cross nurses, nor the delicacies furnished by the
diet kitchen at Camp Hobson.
The Red Cross having authorized Miss McKinley to furnish any-
thing necessary for the sick, medicines, fine whiskey and hospital
supplies were ordered by telephone from Atlanta, as there was some
delay in shipment of government supplies, the orders were promptly
filled and proved important factors in improving hospital wards. Cloth-
ing was furnished to some of the Camp PIcbson men who were left
behind and could not draw needed articles of clothing as their " descrip-
tive lists" had not been furnished. When the Twenty-first Regiment
left for the North coffee was served on the train to the entire regiment
in second section. Most of the ice used after the diet kitchen was
established was furnished through Mr. Percy R. Pyne, of New York,
who kindly supplied what was needed. Thanks are due G. F. Mat-
thews & Co., of New York, who wrote that they would furnish all the
tea needed in the kitchen, but as the camp was about to break up, their
kind offer was not accepted.
Special thanks are due to H. W. Blake, manager of Sweetwater
Park Hotel at Lithia Springs, for many courtesies extended, when our
milkman was late, or our groceries (ordered from Atlanta) were
delayed, he furnished fresh milk and eggs for the patients until our
supplies arrived. Mrs. Blake sent daily from the beautiful hote.
424
THK RFJ) CROSS.
gardens, flowers for hospitals and dining table, also for distribution in
hospital trains before leaving Camp Hobson.
In conclusion, we can venture to assure you that while the time of
our work at Camp Hobson was short, great good was accomplished, the
improvement of convalescents who took meals at the kitchen was very
rapid, owing to the well prepared and nourishing food furnished them.
The surgeons, as well as hospital stewards, were much gratified at
marked improvement in hospital wards after the arrival of Red Cross
nurses.
Upon the departure of every hospital train, we served iced milk to
fever patients, milk toast to those not restricted to liquid diet, and
supplied milk and stimulants for their journe}'. We thank the Red
Cross for the privilege of assisting in their relief work for our soldiers
at Camp Hobson, whose appreciation for all that was done for them was
unbounded and their gratitude a delight to those who ministered t(
their wants.
MARIE TERESA" AFTER THE ENGAGEMENT.
ST. PAUL, MINN. 425
ST. PAUL, MINN.
The story of the Red Cross of St. Paul, Minn., is briefly told in
the report by Miss Caroline M. Beaumont, the recording secretary:
The St. Paul Red Cross Aid Society was organized on the ninth of May, 1898,
shortly after the beginning of the war, pursuant to a general call for aid, with Mr.
A. S. Tallniadge as president, and a full board of officers. It was at first intended
to form a regular auxiliary of the Red Cross, directly tributary to the National
Organization, and distribute supplies through headquarters only. But the fact that
the State volunteer regiments were actually in need of immediate aid to equip
them to leave for points of mobilization, induced the society to turn their attention
to local needs first.
The Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Minnesota Volunteers were first
furnished with hospital supplies, delicacies for the sick, and all those necessary
articles which the government does not suppl}', or furnishes only in meagre
quantities. Working headquarters were established, requests for donations were
published which met with immediate response, which testified to the generosity of
ihe citizens of St. Paul and surrounding towns. Successful entertainments were
also given, sewing and packing committees were appointed, and women from all
over the city gave freely of their means, their time and their efforts, as they
thought of a husband, a son or a dear one in far away Cuba or Manila. The
patriotism and loyality of the men of Minnesota was shared and often inspired by
the women who gave so freely. The women of St. Paul with willing hands and
loving hearts, have shared in the glories of the war, and the sorrows of personal
loss has been mitigated by pride of race, and the love of a country that has borne
such soldiers and sailors as our brave boys.
Not in Minnesota alone, but in all the States, the willing hands
and loving hearts of the women of America have been among the
foremost in affording relief to the sick and wounded. At home in the
auxiliaries, in the hospitals, on the transports and at the front, wher-
ever sickness and suffering called.
Early in the campaign they seemed to awaken to the true meaning
and the great mission of the Red Cross, and, setting before them the
standard, they have followed it from one field of suffering to another.
True soldiers of humanity, they have labored earnestly and incessantly,
and have proven themselves worthy to wear the emblem of their loving,
faithful service — the Red Cross of Geneva.
4j6 THK red cross.
MONTAUK POINT, L. I.
At the request of the New York ReHef Committee, the executive
committee of the Red Cross appointed Mr. Howard Townsend as the
field agent at Montauk Point, Long Island, under whose supervision
the work of the Red Cross at this important station was admirably
conducted. Mr. Townsend in his report says:
The Red Cross appeared on the ground on Sunday, August 7,
1898, and its representative remained there permanently after August
10. The first, and in some respects the most important work, was the
delivery of a daily supply of pure water to the government officials at
the camp. For the first ten days the most serious problem was how
to obtain good water, and until the great well was dug, the hospitals
were supplied by the Red Cross. Ten thousand gallons of Hygeia
water were delivered at the camp, and four tank cars brought dail}'
from Jamaica sufficient spring water to prevent a water famine.
There was important work to be done also in connection with the
general hospital, furnishing to it such supplies as were rendered neces-
sary by the hurry and confusion of the first two weeks of the camp's
existence. Cots, clothing, bed-clothing, household appliances and
cooking utensils, refrigerators and other articles, in short a large part
of the things necessary for a hospital. All of these things were
promptly supplied, through the quick communication established with
the Red Cross supply depot in New York City, and the system of
placing orders by telegraph, by which supplies most needed were often
on hand within a few hours after the need was discovered.
Delicacies, fruits and milk were furnished to the hospitals until the
government itself was able vto meet the demand in this direction.
Although the quarantine regulations prevented the Red Cross from
being in constant attendance at the detention hospital, yet we kept it
abundantly supplied with delicacies, and quite often with necessities.
Many tons of supplies were furnished, including food, clothing and
stimulants.
The necessity arising for trained nurses at the general hospital,
the services of twenty trained women nurses were offered about August
16, their salaries and all expenses to be paid by the Red Cross. The
Secretary of War promptly directed the acceptance of the offer, although
MONTAUK POINT, L. I. 429
insisting that the government should pay all expenses. Since that
time there have been as many as one hundred and forty nurses in the
hospital at one time, in addition to about one hundred and ten Sisters of
Charity. These women nurses uniformly conducted themselves with
decorum in the camp, and their services undoubtedly saved the lives
of many patients. All the nurses, except the Sisters of Charity, were
furnished through the instrumentality of the Red Cross. The division
hospitals were established later in the history of the camp, and these
were also supplied with suitable provisions, delicacies, medical stores
and instruments, and Red Cross nurses.
The Red Cross yacht arrived at Camp Wyckoff on the eleventh of
August with the first load of supplies. The boat was furnished for the
use of the Red Cross by the Relief Committee of the Red Cross in New
York. This vessel is admirably fitted for carrying a small number of
sick people, and was offered to the government by the relief committee,
and has been in steady use as a hospital ship, conveying fifteen invalids
at a time to the various hospitals along the Connecticut coast and in
New York City.
After the first confusion incident to the establishment of the camp,
the Red Cross extended its field to include a visit to the regimental
hospitals, which were discovered to be in great need of food and equip-
ment suitable for sick, particularly in the hospitals of the infantry
divisions. The assistant agent, Dr. Brewer, and Mr. Samuel Parrish,
of Southampton, N. Y., devoted themselves particularly to daily visits
to the regiments, and were able to materially help the regimental sur-
geons in their discouraging work, hampered as they were by lack of
medical stores and equipment.
The auxiliary for the maintenance of trained nurses sent to the
camp Mrs. Willard, a dietary expert, who, in conjunction with the
Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association, and with the assistance of
Dr. Prescott, established diet kitchens in the various hospitals, and
supplied the patients with such satisfactory diet that the government
agreed to pay the expense of this part of the work.
Another branch of work was carried on by the Red Cross and
which appealed particularly to the sick, which was an attempt made to
answer, each day, inquiries from all parts of the country concerning men
from whom their relatives and friends had heard nothing perhaps since
the army left Cuba.
Another division of the work was that concerning the feeding of
the sick and hungry men arriving on the transports. Dr. Magruder,
24
430 THE RED CROSS.
the chief quarantine officer, gave much of his time to this part of the
service, carrying continually in his boats stores of Red Cross provisions
and delicacies with which he supplied those ships that were in quaran-
tine and suffering most from lack of food. At the quarantine dock,
where the sick men were landed. Captain Guilfoyle of the Ninth Cavalry
rendered most efficient service in helping the sick, while at the same
time enforcing the quarantine regulations.
At the railroad dock an important part of this work was carried on.
There Dr. and Mrs. Valentine Mott were stationed day after day as
the transports unloaded their men. Captain Edwards, of the First
United States Cavalry, had already volunteered to aid and, by order of
Major-General Young, he was permitted to have his men assist. Every
regiment that landed stacked arms, and in single file passed by a tent,
erected by the military officials, where each man was given a glass of
milk, or a cup of beef tea, and in some instances the men volunteered
the statement that they were too weak to have marched to the hospital,
and could have gone no further but for this friendly help at the dock.
In the meantime, at the railway station, the men going on sick
furlough frequently collapsed just before the departure of the train, or
became faint through want of food. Here the Red Cross arranged
that every sick man should be supplied with milk, and, where it was
necessary, given a few ounces of whiskej^ so as to enable him to con-
tinue his journey. The increasing number of furloughed men required
the establishment of an emergency hospital near the railway station,
and this was installed in two tents erected for the Red Cross by the
army officers.
These tents at times sheltered for the night as many as twenty
sick men who were unable to catch the train, and who would otherwise
have been obliged to .sit up in the station until morning. This work, and
the emergency hospital, were under the charge of Miss Martha Draper.
Owing to the cheerful recognition given to the Red Cross, when
the camp was first opened, due to the courtesy of Major-General
Young, the Red Cross was able to enter into a far broader sphere of
usefulness than would otherwise have been possible. We are also
particularly indebted to Captain Chase, of the Third Cavalry, Captain
Guilfoyle, of the Ninth Cavalry, and Captain Fuller, of the First
Cavalry, for their constant endeavors to aid the representatives of the
Red Cross in carrying out their work of supplementing the efforts of
the government, to relieve the suffering and in ministering to the
comfort of the men and officers of the Fifth Army Corps.
THE PACIFIC COAST.
THE PACIFIC COAST.
The States of the Pacific coast, Washington, Oregon, California
Nevada and others, have taken a very prominent part in the rehef
work during the war, under the Red Cross. It is yet too soon to write
the story of the great service they have rendered, for the work still
continues and only partial reports are at hand. In the latter part of
June the following letter was received by the chairman of the executive
committee of the Red Cross, from Mrs. ly. L. Dunbar, .secretary of the
Red Cross of San Francisco :
Dear Sir : — Referring to ni}' letter ot a few days since, I enclose herewith
summary of the Red Cross work in California to date, which I trust will prove of
interest to you.
You will note that there has been a generous response by the citizens of
California to the call for funds with which to establish the work of the Red Cross.
This society seems to have sprung into life fully equipped for any emergency.
Committees have been formed. Ten to twelve thousand dollars on hand availabl^
for further use ; .soldiers welcomed on arrival with friendly words and good cheer;
none have left the port of entry for their long march to the camping ground
without a good breakfast furnished by the Red Cross ; further comforts provided
while in camp, atid physical welfare carefully looked after.
Without working on constitutional lines, not having to this date received
details of the plan of operation as carried out under the rules or regulations of the
American National Red Cross, we have adopted common sense methods as seem
proper in war times, or as would suggest themselves in case of any great public
calamity, not standing on the order of doing, but doing as occasion seems to
require.
The primarj' movement toward organization was the result of a desire to
equip our National Guard to a war footing, it having been pointed out to a few
leaders in charitable and patriotic work after the first call for troops that the need
existed for medical supplies and surgical appliances in the National Guard to
properly outfit them to meet all contingencies. At that time they were not aware
that the Spaniards were so poor at target practice as they proved to be at Manila.
While it is the province of the State to supply above needs, the Legislature was
not in .session, time was limited, ships for Manila were soon to sail, therefore it
seemed proper not to wait on uncertain legislation, and it was resolved and inmie-
diately made cficctive to supply above needs which was done, involving the expen-
diture of three thousand dollars.
Referring to the minutes of the Red Cross Society of San Francisco, we find a
communication was forwarded to Washington, placing all resources at the service
of the government. The supplies for the National Guard, mentioned above, were
433 THK RED CROSS.
purchased under the direction of Surgeon-General Hopkins, National Guard of
California. As the movement enlarged and we learned the intention to concentrate
large bodies of troops from all over the United States, our work expanded. The
government was inadequately prepared to take care of so many troops on the
coast and for some time after their arrival, to prevent positive suffering, the Red
Cross Society by and with the consent of the United States commanding officers,
supplied any and everything that seemed to be needed by I'le soldiers for their
health and comfort. All of the ladies connected with the society vied with each
other in giving their whole time and attention to the work, and the number of
letters that have since been received by the society from the soldiers is the best
evidence of the appreciation of the manner in which this work has been done.
We erected a Red Cross hospital tent, supplied trained nurses, medical supplies,
etc., and from that day to this the tent has been occupied by those in need of
medical attention.
The matter of sending an expedition to the Philippines was discussed, but as
we got along in our work we found to do effective work in this connection it was
necessary to have the authority of the government through the American National
Red Cross, and my previous letter upon this subject explains in detail our views in
regard to this expedition. This will remain in statu quo until we hear further from
you.
We furnished twenty thousand bandages to the troops, made after patterns
given to us by the army officers. We arranged with several of the hospitals here
to receive and care for very sick men, and they have been generous in this respect.
The French hospital has been very kind. That you may see the scope of our work,
we have the following committees at work harmoniously under the intelligent
direction of a most efficient chairman, aided by the noble work on the part of their
assistants: Hospital Committee, Finance Committee.Nursing Committee, Subscrip-
tion Committee, Society Badge Committee, Identification Medal Committee,
Printing, Entertainments, Hospitality, Press, Information. Auditing, Stores, Am-
bulance, Schools, Clubs. From this you will see that the field has been very com-
prehensively covered, and as a sample of the work of each committee, I enclose
herewith the report of the Nursing Committee, from which you can judge the
nature of the work and how it is conducted by each committee, and I trust that
this will give you the information required to judge what has been done here, and
we would be glad to receive such suggestions from you in reference to this matter
as you, from your large experience, may find necessary to make.
We hope that your representative will visit San Francisco to confer with the
State Association. It seems to us necessary.
In response to this appeal it was decided to send a representative
of the American National Red Cross to confer with the proposed
societies of the Pacific Coast, to acquaint them with the rules govern-
ing the Red Cross in time of war. to explain the relationship that exists
between such societies and the national body, and to accord to them
official recognition, so that they might proceed as regular auxiliaries
of the Red Cross.
THE RED CROSS OF CALIFORNIA. 433
THE RED CROSS OF CALIFORNIA.
The Red Cross of California has, perhaps, been the most promi-
nent in war relief on the coast, and in the islands of the Pacific. To
add to the comforts of the men, and to assist in the care of the sick
and wounded, the people of the State of California have contributed,
and expended through their own auxiliaries of the Red Cross, over
one hundred thousand dollars. I here insert, as an example of the
work done by the people of the Pacific Coast, the report of one of the
leading central State organizations, the California Red Cross:
The beginning of Red Cross organization and work in California
can best be told in the reports of the San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley
and other societies, as they existed some little time before the State
Association was formed. In less than one month after the organization
of the San Francisco Red Cross, the necessity for a central organization
through which the many societies forming throughout the State could
work intelligently, became apparent. All were desirous of doing
something to aid the " Boys in Blue," and realizing the truth of the
old statement, " In union there is strength," it was decided to form a
State organization, which all Red Cross Societies would be invited to
join. An advisory council met on May 16, in the Occidental Hotel,
and the question of a State organization was thoroughly discussed.
On May 25 the council again met and final steps were taken toward
organizing a State Association. It was resolved that the governing
body of the association should be an executive board, consisting of
fifteen members, six of whom should be from San Francisco, four from
Alameda County and five from the State at large, and that the head-
quarters should be in San Francisco.
Pursuant to this resolution the following were elected an execu-
tive board: Mrs. W. B. Harrington, Mrs. W. R. Smedberg, Mrs. J.
F. Merrill, Mrs. E. R. Dimond, Mrs. L. L. Dunbar, of San Francisco;
Mrs. J. M. Griffith, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Granville Abbott and Mr.
F. B. Ginn, of Oakland; Mrs. G. \V. Haight, of Berkeley; Mrs. S. A.
O'Neill, of Alameda; Mrs. A. Elkuss, of Sacramento, and Mrs. W.
Baker, of Marin County; leaving two vacancies, which were later
filled by Mrs. S. F. Lieb, of San Jose, and Mrs. D. H. Webster, of
Fresno. Several changes have occurred in the board since its forma-
tion. Mrs. Merrill, having been elected President of the San Francisco
434 THE RED CROSS.
Society, resigned from the State Board, and Mr. Adolph Mack was
elected to fill the vacancy thus caused, Mrs. Granville Abbott and Mr.
Ginn, of the Oakland Society, resigned, their successors being Mrs. O.
F. Long and Mrs. J. G. Lemmon. Mrs. Haight, of the Berkeley
Society, was succeeded by Mrs. Warring Wilkinson, and Mrs. Louis
Weinman was elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of
Mrs. E. R. Dimond. The officers of the board are Mrs. W. B. Har-
rington, president; Mrs. J. M. Griffith, vice-president; Mrs. L. L.
Dunbar, secretary; William E. Brown, treasurer, and Mrs. E. R.
Dimond, assistant treasurer.
Later the positions of second and third vice-presidents were created
and Mrs. Long was elected second vice-president and Mrs. Elkus third
vice-president. Mrs. Louis Weinman was elected corresponding sec-
retary. Mrs. Dimond, who had been in the work since its inception,
was compelled to resign on account of ill health, early in September,
her positions both as a member of the board and as assistant treasurer,
the vacancies being filled by the election of Mrs. Weinman, Miss
Miriam K. Wallis being elected corresponding secretary in place of
Mrs. Weinman. It was with sincere regret that Mrs. Dimond's resig-
nation was received, her work, both as assistant treasurer and as a
member of the board, having been most satisfactory.
Shorth^ after the formation of the State Association, through the
kindness of Mrs. P. A. Hearst, two rooms were given us rent free in
the Examiner Building for headquarters. We owe a very large debt
of gratitude to Mrs. Hearst, and take this occasion to thank her most
sincerely for her kindness. Since its organization the executive
board has held twenty-three meetings, besides these there have been
two meetings of the association.
One of the first steps taken by the board was to open a corre-
spondence with the American National Red Cross, with a view to
becoming an auxiliary to the parent organization, and also to gain
official information in regard to the work of the Red Cross.
While awaiting a reply to our communication a constitution was
framed and adopted. A circular letter was prepared, giving informa-
tion in regard to the formation of auxiliary societies, the conditions of
membership in the State Association and other matters of detail. This
circular letter, the constitutions of the State Association and the San
Francisco Red Cross, and a form of constitution for local -societies were
printed in pamphlet form and sent to all Red Cross .societies through-
out the State, also to societies in Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Dakota,
THE RED CRCXSvS OK CALIFORNIA. 435
Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. Applications for membership were rap-
idly received until we had enrolled loi auxiliary societies. Besides
these there are a number of Red Cross societies not enrolled which
have aided us with both money and supplies. A copy of the pamphlet,
together with a detailed statement of the work of the Red Cross of
California, was sent to Mr. Stephen E. Barton, vice-president of the
American National Red Cross, and soon after a response was received,
expressing pleasure at what had been done and promising that a dele-
gate should be sent to inspect our work and advise in organizing.
Judge Joseph Sheldon, the promised delegate, arrived about the
middle of July; he informed himself fully as to what had been done;
expressed his surprise that without definite knowledge of the work of
the American National Red Cross, we had planned our work so closely on
its lines. Being satisfied with the work, Judge Sheldon recognized
California Red Cross State Association as an auxiliary to the American
National Red Cross. Leaving each auxiliary to tell its own story of
the work it has done, we shall give an account of our own stewardship.
With the first expedition, two finely trained nurses, Messrs. Waage
and Lewis, were sent by the San Francisco Red Cross to Manila. The
:5plendid work of these men, who gave up lucrative positions, and
volunteered their services, has been told over and over again in letters
received from both officers and men. Following the formation of the
State Association, it was decided that it should take charge of the
nurses, and Mrs. Wendell Easton, chairman of the Committee on
Nurses, transferred her work to the State Society. Through the
efforts of Mrs. Easton, aided by Dr. Beverly Cole, a course of lectures
and clinics was arranged. Fifty or sixty enthusiastic men and women
were in daily attendance on these lectures. Drs. Cole, Kugeler,
McCone, Rixford, Stafford, Somers and Weill gave much of their
valuable time to this work, and aided Mrs. Easton greatly. The
sincere thanks of the society are again extended to them.
It was not until the fourth expedition was ordered to Manila that
an opportunity was given us to send more nurses. Mrs. Easton reported
four good men available, Dr. F. J. Hart, Leon Crowther, Eugene
Rosenthal and O. H. J. Schlott, all of whom were engaged at once.
It being deemed advisable, and strongly urged by army surgeons, it
was decided to establish on the arrival of this expedition at Manila a
Field Hospital. A financial agent, and a steward who would take
charge of the bulk of the sup]>lies for such a hospital, and such funds
as the society should see fit to place at his disposal, being a necessity,
436 THE RED CROSS.
Mr. Sclilott was selected to fill the position. There beinp^ four trans-
port ships, Dr. Hart was assigned to duty on the " Puebla," Mr.
Crowther on the " Peru," Mr. Rosenthal on the " Pennsylvania," and
Mr. Schlott on the " Rio Janeiro." With each of the ships, supplies
were sent in charg-e of our nurses for the use of the sick men en route.
In Mr. Schlott's care was also sent the greater portion of an
equipment for a Field Hospital of 125 beds, and supplies sufficient for
five or six months' use. The balance of the equipment was sent on
the " Scandia," as there was not sufficient room on the " Rio Janeiro."
Five hundred dollars was placed in the Hong-Kong and Shanghai Bank
to be drawn upon by Mr. Schlott. We have received letters telling of
the excellent work done by our nurses on the ships. All have arrived
in Manila and our Field Hospital has been established. A cablegram
signed by Majors McCarthy and Woodruff, surgeons, was received
recently apprising us of the success of the work. The State Associa-
tion had now sent six nurses to the front. Not nearly enough consid-
ering the reports of sickness among the troops ; it was therefore
decided, if possible, to send more. The great desire of the board was
to send women nurses as well as men.
In the earlier stages of our work, it was decided to take initiatory
steps toward securing a hospital ship for the Pacific Coast, but in
response to telegrams sent to the President, and Secretaries of War and
Navy, we were assured that such a ship would be furnished by the
government, and the matter was dropped. In August, the ships
"Scandia" and "Arizona" were purchased by the government, to
be used for transportating troops and government hospital supplies to
Manila and to return as hospital ships. We were notified that we could
send nurses on these ships and steps were taken at once to secure them.
Shortly after, the office was thrown into a commotion by the announce-
ment from General Merriam that a limited number of women nurses
would be sent. Mrs. Easton had a long list of names of nurses who
had offered their services and were ready to go at a moment's notice.
Eight of these were: Misses Garlick, Smythe, Ralph, Elsifer, Laswell,
Shaefer, Mrs. Palm, and Mrs. Leman. The men selected were: Drs.
Ross, Caldwell, Dwight, and Messrs lyconard. Durst, Kibbel, Heyl, and
Tanner. Four were sent on the "Scandia," the remaining twelve on
the "Arizona." We were rejoiced at being able to send the women
nurses and feel sure they will do excellent work. As many of the
nurses as are needed will remain on duty at the Field Hospital, the others
will return with the ships, caring for the sick men being sent back.
THE RED CROSS OF CALIFORNIA. 437
We have not as yet had time to receive reports from our a^ent Mr.
Schlott, but feel assured that the work is in good hands and that our
Field Hospital at Manila will prove a blessing to many a sick boy.
No provision having been made by the government, for the care
of convalescent soldiers, who upon leaving the hospital went back to
their tents and in their weakened condition in many instances con-
tracted cold or suffered relapses that perhaps resulted in death, it was
decided to secure a home where convalescent men could have better
care. An effort was made to secure a suitable house in the neighbor-
hood of the Presidio. This being impossible, upon consultation with
the military authorities, it was decided to build a house at the Presidio.
General Miller looked over the ground and selected the most eligible
spot. The idea of erecting the home was taken up most enthusiast-
ically by the auxiliaries, and the money required was soon in the
treasury. Messrs Newsom and Meyers kindly donated plans and in
three weeks from the day of starting, it was finished. It is a one story
building, containing a large ward, four small rooms, dining and sitting
room combined, kitchen, office, storerooms, two bath rooms, etc. The
large ward accommodates twenty beds, the fourth room is used by the
nurses.
Requests came quickly from both private individuals and auxil-
iaries to be allowed to completely furnish one or more beds, so that by
the time the building was finished the furnishings were ready. Fourteen
patients were admitted the day of opening and within a few days every
bed was occupied. It is a most inviting and homelike place, exquisitely
neat, with health-giving sunlight pouring in all day. Trained nurses
are in attendance night and day and everything possible is done to bring
back health and strength. The happiness of the boys is unbounded,
and their expressions of joy are pathetic. "It's most like heaven"
was one boy's sentiment. It is talked of in the Division Hospital and
is the goal to w^hich the sick men look forward. Miss McKinstry who
has been superintendent since the opening, has done splendid work.
She received no compensation whatever, other than the gratitude of her
charges and the high commendation of the surgeons.
The sincere thanks of the executive board are extended to Miss
McKinstry, and it is with deep regret that her resignation, which she
was compelled to .send in because of illness in her family, was accepted.
Sixty-three men have been cared for in the home, and thirty-seven
discharged. They are under the care of Major Surgeon Matthews, of
the Division Hospital, who regulates their coming and going. He
438 THE RKI) CROSS.
expresses himself in most uiuiualified terms of praise of Miss McKin-
stry's work, and also of the Ijenefit the home has been to the boys.
All of the troops leaving for Manila have been sr.pplied with
identification medals by the State Society, irrespective of the States
from which they came. In several instances the money expended for
these has been refunded by either the governor of the State, or Red
Cross societies. The executive board desires to express its sincere
appreciation of the aid it has received from its auxiliaries. All have
responded promptly and royally to our calls for aid, which have only been
made when absolutely necessary. It has been our endeavor to expend
all money sent to us as carefully and judiciously as possible, consider-
ing the trust placed, in us as sacred. Our treasurer's report will show
how the mone}' has been expended. Not a dollar has been paid for
the services of our women since the organization of the association.
We have been in the office from 9 a. m. until 5 and 6 p. m., gladly
giving our time and strength for the cause.
We have endeavored in all our work not to transgress army regu-
lations. To that end our president has held manj^ conferences with
Generals Merritt and Merriam, as well as the surgeons in charge.
They have aided us courteously and kindly in our work, and have
granted us all the privileges possible, for which we are most grateful.
We have also kept in touch wntli the American National Red Cross,
and have reported our work fully. '
The parent organization has shown its confidence in us by dele-
gating the work in the Philippines to our association. Mr. Barton, the
chairman of the executive board and vice-president of the American
National Red Cross, has referred all societies in the West to us, advis-
ing them to work through the California Red Cross. We have in our
membership a society in Pocatello, Idaho; one in Almo, Idaho; one in
Corvallis, Oregon; and one in Beatrice, Nebraska.
The Elko (Nevada) Red Cross has withdrawn to become an auxil-
iary'of their own State organization. Two societies have disbanded,
their members were only summer residents, who have returned to their
city homes. It is our earnest desire that our auxiliary societies will
not disband, feeling that the war is over. We have assumed certain
obligations in establishing the Field Hospital at Manila, as well as the
Convalescent Home at the Presido, and our work cannot cease at this
time. We sincerely hope the auxiliaries w^ill stand loyally by us as
they have done in the past.
A short time since, an appeal was made for a regular monthly
THE RED CROvSvS OF CALlFdRNlA. 439
contribution, no matter how small, from each auxiliary. Many of
the societies have responded, and we hope soon to hear from others.
We have certain and sure expenses to meet and a variable income is
rather a source of uneasiness.
The thanks of the executive board are extended to the Pacific
Telephone and Telegraph Company for the free use of the telephones;
to the Western Union Telegraph Company for the free use of their
wires in the State; to Wells, Fargo & Co., and the Southern Pacific
Railroad Company for free transportation of supplies. Our demands
upon them have been heavy, and were generously granted. To the
press of San Francisco we are most deeply indebted for the generous
and courteous treatment we have received, and we extend our sincere
thanks. To the 20,000 people of California, wearing the little badge
of membership in the Red Cross, we extend cordial greetings and
thanks for their kind interest in our work.
We have been helped more than we can tell by the kind words
and expression of confidence from our auxiliaries. How well we have
done our work, we leave you to judge.
Consolidated Financial vStatement of the Red Cross of
California.
While this statement is incomplete, inasmuch as reports from all
the local auxiliaries have not yet been received, it illustrates how
universal was the organization of the Red Cross in one of the States of
the far West:
PLACE. RECEIPTS.
California Red Cross State Association, Cal. . 122,119.74
Red Cross Society, San Francisco, Cal 55,408.83
" " " San Jose, Cal 2,274.66
" " " Lonipoc, Cal 234.70
" Palo Alto, Cal 222.90
" " " Ventura, Cal i93-4o
" " " San Leandro, Cal 73-50
" "• " Centerville, Cal 165.90
" " " Suisun, Cal 405.80
" " " Tulare, Cal 55-70
" " " Sacramento, Cal 6,373.43
" " " Mendocino, Cal 105.10
" " " Grass Valley, Cal 787.10
'* " " Berkeley, Cal 1,092.91
EXPENSES.
BALANCE.
^10,472 63
111,647.11
33.434- '8
21,974-65
1.465.03
809.63
124.35
110.35
153-15
69-75
179-95
1345
69.65
3-85
133-55
32.35
154-65
251.15
53-45
2.25
2.749.75
3.623.68
102.29
2.81
57" 09
216.01
4«5-37
607.54
440
THE RED CROvSS.
PLACE.
Red Cross Society, Sausalilo, Cal. . .
" " Redwood City, Cal.
Gait, Cal. . . .
" " Auburn, Cal. . .
Santa Cruz, Cal. .
" " San Diego, Cal. . .
" " Fresno, Cal. . .
" " Los Angeles, Cal.
Walnut Creek, Cal.
" " Belvedere, Cal. . .
" " Martinez, Cal. . .
" " Monterey, Cal. . .
" Stockton, Cal. . ,
San Rafael, Cal. .
Colfax, Cal. . . .
Nevada City, Cal. ,
" " Vacaville, Cal. . ,
" " Calistoga, Cal. . . ,
" " Downieville, Cal. .
Willow Glen, Cal. ,
" " Hopeland, Cal. . ,
" " New Almaden, Cal.
" " Marysville, Cal. .
St. Helena, Cal. .
" " Dixon, Cal. . . .
" " Point Arena, Cal. ,
♦' " Pasadena, Cal. . .
RKCF.If'TS.
EXPENSES.
BALANCE.
$ 612.30
$ 322.20
$ 290.10
335-55
222 63
112.92
6775
59-04
8.71
257-67
200.77
56.90
493-45
393-60
99-85
410.25
257-39
152.86
326.00
292.30
33-70
2,586.28
1,397.92
1. 188.36
171-75
142.28
29-47
310.00
192.35
117.65
233-31
199.80
33-51
3'2.38
177-95
134-43
316.10
176.00
140.10
1,416.55
750- IQ
666.45
ii6.li
50.00
66.13
365-05
342-77
22.28
211.85
141.26
70.59
168.80
135-53
33-27
43.00
25.16
17.84
97-35
52-40
44-95
58.00
50.05
7-95
45.00
10.10
34-90
527.04
400.56
126.48
229.05
173-25
55.80
152.30
124.17
28.13
48.00
3500
13.00
382.14
29S-58
83-56
199,806.72 156,772.25 143,034.47
THE RED CROSS OF OREGON. 441
THE RED CROSS OF OREGON.
From the Red Cross of Oregon, comes the following report,
forwarded by Mrs, Levi Young. In transmitting the report Mrs.
Young says : " While it may be longer than desired, still we feel that
the eyes of our country have been more particularly turned toward
Cuba and the relief work done by the eastern branches, while the
Pacific Coast has been doing :: work second to none. Conditions here
make it difficult to raise the necessary funds, and every dollar expended
represents untiring devotion to the cause :"
The call " to arms " was still ringing through the land, when a
band of patriotic women responding to an appeal for assistance
assembled at the armory in Portland, Oregon, on the morning of April
26, to offer their services to the militarj' board of the State in providing
material, aid and comfort for the Second Regiment Oregon Volunteers.
Colonel O. Summers w^as present and briefly explained the object
of the appeal. He suggested that as speedily as possible a society be
formed to take up that branch of work which belongs alone to women
in time of war and consists in providing the requisites for a soldier's
welfare not laid down in army regulations.
Temporary offices were chosen, and twelve committees were
appointed. Each committee consisted of six members, the chairman
selecting those she desired as helpers. The duty of each committee
was the personal supervision of one company alphabetically assigned
to it.
Final organization was perfected April 27, when the following
permanent officers were elected : Mrs. Henry E. Jones, president ;
Mrs. W. A. Buchanan, vice-president; Mrs. F. E. Lounsbur>', recording
secretary ; Mrs. Martin Winch, treasurer. The executive committee,
Mrs. O. Summers, Mrs. A. Meier, Mrs. Levi White, Mrs. W. T.
Gardner, Mrs. B. E. Miller, Mrs. J. E. Wright, Mrs. E. C. Protzman,
Mrs. R. S. Greenleaf, Mrs. G. T. Telfer and Mrs. J. M. Ordway.
The name, "Oregon Emergenc}' Corps," was adopted and Mrs.
W. A. Buchanan, Mrs. Levi Young appointed to draft a constitution.
This was presented at the next regular meeting and after a slight
revision, unanimously adopted.
442 THE RED CROSS.
Prkamble to Constitution.
" The Oregon Emergency Corps realizing that its aims and objects
are far-reaching, will remain a permanent organization to aid not only
the brave Oregon Volunteers upon land or sea, but assist in the welfare
of the wives and children, many of whom may need care and support
while their loved ones are absent. ' '
In compliance with the provisions of the constitution, the following
standing connnittees were appointed :
Finance Committee. — Mrs. Charles F. Beebe, Mrs. Ben Selling,
Mrs. H. W. Goddard.
Auditing Committee. — Mrs. H. W. Wallace, Mrs. James Jackson,
Mrs. J. PVank Watson.
Purchasing Committee. — Mrs. H. H. Northrup, Mrs. Adolph
Dekum, Mrs. B. Blumauer.
Sczving Committee. — Mrs. Wm. Patterson, Mrs. W. C. Alvord,
Mrs. A. E. Rockey, Mrs. E. Nollain, Miss T. Rose Goodman.
Press Committee. — Mrs. Levi Young, Mrs. H. L. Pittock, Miss
Ida Loewenberg.
Naval Committee. — Mrs. John Cran, Miss Nina Adams, Miss
Zerlina Loewenberg, Miss Carrie Flanders, Miss Eena Brickel.
A suitable badge was adopted and a membership list opened,
affording all patriotic women an opportunity to enroll their names and
become active workers of the corps. Regular meetings were held at
the armory once a week, the executive committee meeting at the call
of the president as often as the business of the society required. Being
now in readiness for work, the question arose as to what should be
done and the most practical way of doing it. To this end the military
board was consulted and valuable suggestions received from General
Charles F. Beebe, Colonel James Jackson, Colonel B. B. Tuttle and
Major Daniel J. Moore, brigade commissary, O. N. G., each advising
that a regimental fund for the Second Regiment Oregon Volunteers be
raised; also the making and purchasing of such articles for a soldier's
knapsack as army quartermasters do not keep in stock.
A room on First street was placed at the disposal of the society b}-
Mr. Adolph Dekum, and here the Oregon Emergency Corps' head-
quarters opened May 5, 1898. Captain R. S. Greenleaf, of Battery A,
kindl>- detailed members of the company to decorate and make attrac-
tive the room, loaning for this purpose the historic centennial flag
TME RKD CROSS OF OREGON. 443
which, for the first time in over twenty years, passed from the custody
of the company. Members of the battery reported for duty each
morning, thus assisting the committee of ladies in charge in many
ways.
A telephone was put in by the Oregon Telephone Company, elec-
tric lights supplied by the General lilectric Company, chairs, tables
and other furnishings provided by the business houses of the city.
The Singer Machine Company sent sewing machines for the use of the
supply committee and work began in earnest. Women from every
part of the community representing church, club and society organiza-
tions, enrolled their names and offered their services in the emergency
call, showing more plainly than words can describe the broadening
influence of these organizations upon the mother heart of the land.
Laying aside prejudices, creeds and personal affiliations, they became
a unit in this patriotic work. Day after day with aching hearts but
smiling faces they toiled — the membership grew into the hundreds —
subscriptions came pouring in, the sums ranging from $100 to the
dimes, nickels and pennies of the children.
Word was received that the volunteers of Oregon were to be mob-
ilized at Portland and on April 27, Brigadier-General Charles F. Beebe,
O. N. G., issued special orders for the preparation of a suitable camp
within the city limits. The site .selected was the Irvington race track,
and April 29 one hundred and sixty-one tents were pitched, the name,
Camp McKinley, adopted and on the morning of April 30, 1898, the
first company arrived and active camp life began.
Members of the different committees of the Emergency Corps visited
the camp daily, consulting with the commanding officers as to the
health, comfort and needs of the soldiers in their charge. Open house
was kept at headquarters for the volunteers when in the city and every-
thing human ingenuity could suggest and loving hearts contribute to
smooth the pathway from comfortable civil life to the hardship and
discipline of camp life was done. This was not planned nor worked
out by one person but by united effort on the part of all, whose kindly
ministrations grew out of a desire to cheer and encourage these brave
Oregon volunteers — the flower of the State — who had given up home
and position, offering their lives to their country in the noble work of
liberating an oppressed and outraged people.
Meantime circular letters had been sent to the cities and towns
throughout the State urging the patriotic women to form auxiliaries for
the purpose of raising money to swell the regimental fund and also help in
444 THK RF.D CROSS.
the purchasing of a flag to be presented to the volunteers by the women
of the State.
Hood River was the fir.st to respond with Roseburg, Pendleton,
Corvallis, Hillsboro, LaFayette, lyaGrande, Hubbard, Weston, Wood-
burn, Astoria and The Dalles, quickly falling into line. Faithfully
have these auxiliaries assisted in every line of work that it has been
found necessary to take up — contributions of money and supplies have
been given, while in their respective localities a fund has been raised
to assist the families of the volunteers. Hospital supplies of caps,
fever belts and cordials are constantly forwarded, "and daily, letters
are received askirg for instructions.
On Sunday, May 8, a patriotic and sacred concert was given at
Camp McKinley to increase the regimental fund that the Emergency
Corps were raising and the proceeds netted the creditable sum of
$1399- 35- ^^^ attei:dance of over ten thousand people was an
evidence of their zeal and desire to contribute their mite toward the
object. The program was furnished by the First Regiment Band, Miss
Rose Bloch and Madame Norelli. It was a scene never to be forgotten
by that vast audience when, at the close of the evening drill, the stars
and stripes were slowly lowered at the booming of the sunset gun, and
the long lines of -^-olunteers, motionless as statues, listened as the
inspiring strains of the Star Spangled Banner floated upon the summer
air, while the setting sun, kissing the peak of the distant snow-crowned
mountain, .shed its departing rays like a heavenly benediction upon
these sons of valor.
May II, 1898, the urst battalion consisting of Companies A, B, C,
D, Second Regiment Oregon Volunteers, under command of Major C.
H. Gantenbein, by order of the War Department, left for San Francisco
and one week later, May 16, Companies E, F, G, H, I, K, I, and M,
under command of Colonel O. Summers, broke camp and proceeded to
join the others at the Presidio to await transportation to Manila.
To the captains of these respective companies, the Oregon Emerg-
ency Corps gave one hundred dollars in gold coin as an emergency
fund. To Major M. H. Ellis, commanding regimental .surgeon in
charge of the Hospital Corps, v/as given one hundred dollars, also eight
hundred yards of flannel for bandages. In addition to this, contribu-
tions from other sources made the available amount fully two thousand
dollars.
After the departure of the volunteers for San Francisco the head-
quarters were transferred from First street to the Armory which the
military board turned over to the Emergency Corps for their use.
THE RED CROSS OF OREGON. 447
Here meetings were held, a bureau of information established with a
committee in charge, and all other business transacted.
On May 14 an offer was made by the firm of Lipman, Wolfe &
Co., to turn over their department store to the Emergency Corps upon
any date they might select. The entire charge of this establishment
was to be assumed by the organization for one day — ten per cent of
all sales to go to the regimental fund. To this generous offer was
added the privilege of serving a mid-day lunch and introducing other
suitable features that would help to swell the treasury. This offer was
unanimously accepted and on May 17 the most novel scene ever
witnessed in - Portland's business history, was presented. Women,
prominent in charitable and philanthropic work, leaders of society,
sedate and stately matrons, assumed control of the various depart-
ments of this large business house, acting as superintendent, assistant
superintendent, cashier and floor managers, while a hundred or more
of Portland's fair daughters from early morning till late at night stood
behind the counters serving customers. The store was gaily decorated
with flags, bunting and roses; music was furnished by the Kinross
Orchestra and Columbia Mandolin Quartette. Thousands of pur-
chasers who had waited for this day surged back and forth through
the aisles, crowded stairways and elevators in their haste to give their
ten per cent to the soldiers' fund. The East Indian department which
was transformed into a most enticing restaurant proved inadequate to
the demand, as hundreds whom it was impossible to serve, were turned
away. The result proved the success of the venture, one thousand
dollars being added to the treasury of the society while the remark
made by the senior member of the firm that it had " been the happiest
day in a business career of over thirty -five years," left no other con-
clusion than that a twofold blessing follows such generous deeds.
After the departure of the Second Regiment for San Francisco the
Emergency Corps continued the work of its supply department in
meeting the wants of the soldiers — not only Oregon volunteers but all
or any needing assistance. May 23 an appeal was received from a
member of the Red Cross Society in San Francisco for fever belts and
sleeping caps as it was impossible to meet the needs for these articles
then existing. The following telegram was at once sent:
Red Cross Sociktv,
San Francisco, Cal.
Greeting:— Count on us; will send one thousand caps and one thousand
fever belts. OREGON EMERGENCY CORPS.
25
44S THE RED CROSS.
Work was at once begun and in a few days the supplies were
shipped to i6 Post street.
The Sewing Committee has continued its labors, hundreds of
articles being made and furnished to the Second Regiment Engineer
Corps Oregon recruits and Washington volunteers, etc.
It has been the privilege of the Oregon Emergency Corps to
entertain all troops passing through Portland en route to different
stations on the coast. This was at first done at the Union depot,
where the soldiers were met by committees and served a substantial
lunch, consisting of coffee, sandwiches, cake, fruit, etc. In this branch
of work the Flower Mission, composed of twenty or more young women,
have rendered valuable assistance in serving refreshments and decorating
the trains. Tons of flowers have been donated for this purpose and the
departing soldier has been given a bouquet of Oregon roses in addition
to his box of lunch. Frequently has a letter accompanied by a box of
flowers been sent at the request of husbands, brothers and sons to their
distant homes, and replies received from many have made sweeter the
saying, " Small service is true service while it lasts."
After the use of the armory was tendered the corps by the State
Military Board, the soldiers were met on their arrival at the depot and
escorted to military headquarters and lunch served in the spacious drill
hall. The freedom of the building was extended, the gymnasium,
bowling alley, reading room, etc., affording rest and recreation for all.
In July the work was found to be increasing so rapidly that it was
necessary to enlarge the executive staff. To this end the president
made the following appointments: first assistant, Mrs. Levi Young;
second assistant, Mrs. H. W. Wallace; assistant to treasurer, Mrs.
Wm. Patterson; assistant for correspondence, Mrs. Edmund Nollain;
assistant for recording, Mrs, lyischen Miller.
Headquarters were again established at 137 First street, to meet
the request of business men and others who wished to contribute to the
society and found the armory at an inconvenient distance.
An honorary membership list was opened with the fee fixed at one
dollar. This list at present numbers over 300, and among the named
recorded are those of Captain C. E. Clark, of the battleship " Oregon,"
Hon. Edward Everett Hale, General Longstreet, Hon. Jos. E. Sheldon
and Mrs. James Shafter.
The total membership of the society is 1557. Of this number 553
are members of auxiliary corps, leaving 1004 members for the Portland
organization. The membership of the various auxiliaries is as follows:
THE RED CROSvS OF OREGON. 445
Weston . . . , 27 La Grande 39
Astoria 69 Hood River 21
Hillsboro 69 Hubbard 10
Pendleton 38 Roseburg loo
Lafayette 33 Woodburn 23
Corvallis 51 The Dalles 80
Valuable Service has been rendered the State of Oregon by a mem-
ber of the corps, Madame A. de Fonfride Smith, who has compiled an*
" Official Roster " of the enlisted men for 1898. This has been entirely
her own work and contains a careful histor}' sketch of each member of the
State Military Board, officers of the Second Regiment and the name of
every volunteer. This little book is tastefully bound and illustrated with
views of Camp McKinley and photographs of the officers of each com-
pany. The author has visited nearly every town in the State from which
volunteers were recruited circulating the work, while a copy has been
kept for ever}' man whose name is recorded on its pages. Several
thousand copies have been sold and the net proceeds are to be a con-
tribution to the treasury of the Emergency Corps. In work of this
kind Oregon stands alone, being the only State that is the fortunate
possessor of so concise and comprehensive history of its brave sons.
Up to the time of the departure of the Oregon recruits for San
Francisco, there had been an ample field for the labors of the Oregon
Emergency Corps in its local work, but it became evident that in order
to carry out the promises of continued care and attention to the volun»
teers while in the service of their country; to assist in the relief work
of furnishing supplies for the hospital ships or sending nurses to care
for the sick at Manila it was now necessary to have governmental pro-
tection. This could only be obtained through the agency of the Red
Cross Society and the question of expediency in this direction was
considered. On July 23, Judge Joseph vSheldon visited Portland in
the interests of the American National Red Cross. In an address
before the Emergency Corps he presented the advantages resulf
ing to the relief societies of the different States through co-operation
with this national body, advising affiliation as soon as possible. Action
was deferred on the part of the society till the next regular meeting in
order that members might be given an opportunity to investigate for
themselves. Meanwhile, the executive board held several conferences
with Judge Sheldon relative to their power to continue local work, and
their obligations as an organization to the national committee. At a
450
THK ri-:d cross.
regular meeting July 30th the suljject was resumed, and after a presen*
lation of both sides of the question a unanimous vote in favor of affilia-
tion resulted. The name of the organization was changed to the
Oregon Emergency Corps and Red Cross Society and an application
made to the national committee for proper recognition. The wisdom
of the step was demonstrated a few weeks later when transportation was
given by the government for two nurses, Dr. Frances Woods and Miss
Lena Killiam for Manila. These nurses were outfitted and furnished
ftinds by the Portland Society and sent forward on the "Arizona " as
Oregon's representatives in the relief work of caring for her sick or
suffering volunteers.
Reports having been received of the sickness and general discom-
fort of the Oregon recruits at Camp Merritt, the Society, at a meeting
held August 6, voted to send the president, Mrs. H. E. Jones, and Mrs.
Levi Young to visit the recruits and inquire into the matter. They
proceeded at once to San Francisco, spending two weeks in investigat-
ing conditions and doing whatever their judgment advised to make
more comfortable their unpleasant surroundings. These recruits,
whom it was expected would be sent at once to their officers and regi-
ment, turned out veritable military orphans stranded at Camp Merritt
and left for weeks to the care of young officers from other regiments.
Happily this condition is changed, as on the twentieth of August they
were turned over to the command of an able and experienced officer,
Major Goodale, of the Twenty -third U. S. Infantry. They have since
been moved to the Presidio, where surroundings are pleasanter, pend-
ing orders for their transportation to their own regiment at Manila or
return to their homes.
During their stay in San Francisco the representatives of tiie
Oregon Emergency Corps and Red Cross Society were enabled to look
into the various lines of relief work of the California society. Many
courtesies were extended by the officers of the State and local associa-
tions, valuable suggestions were received, and it was also their privilege
to attend the meeting of the State Association, held in Golden Gate
hall, and listen to Judge Sheldon's able address upon the American
National Red Cross.
It gives us pleasure to publicly acknowledge the unbounded grati-
tude of the Emergency Corps of Portland for the many kindnesses
bestowed by the women of the California Red Cross upon the soldiers
from Oregon. First, for their attention to the Second Regiment Vol-
unteers, who, though with them but a few weeks, were the recipients
THE RED CROSS OF OREGON.
45»
of many comforts; but more particularly to the sick or afflicted ones of
the Oregon recruits for whom they have cared, supplying both medicines
and delicacies and in other ways providing for their necessities.
In the space of this article it is impossible to mention in detail the
many contributions from patriotic citizens throughout the State of
Oregon. Gifts from corporations, business houses, independent leagues
and individuals bear testimony to the interest all feel in this great
relief work, and their confidence in the Red Cross Societ)', through
which their offerings are dispensed. The press has been our staunch
and valued friend, freely giving editorials and space to further the
cause.
There are no salaried officers, men and women having generously
given their time from the first day of organization to the present. It
has been the aim of the officers to faithfully and conscientiously dis-
charge their duties, realizing the great responsibility and confidence
reposed in them.
Each month a carefully prepared report of the proceedings, receipts
and disbursements of the society has been given the public, and the
treasurer's report here appended is in full from April 26 to November 5.
The work of the organization will be carried on in future, as in
the past, along every line which best serves the interest of those for
whose benefit it was begun. The treasurer's report shows : receipts,
$7,526.03 ; disbursements, $6,389.54 ; balance on hand, $1,136.49.
PANORAMA OF MANILA.
452 THE RED CROSS.
THE RED CROSS OF WASHINGTON STATE.
Extract From the Official Report.
The tocsin of war started in each community, from which went
out the brave defenders, a desire to benefit and make soldier life more
comfortable. As emergency corps, relief corps, or without name, the
women went to work to do something for the soldiers. The Red Cross
was a name to most known only in an indefinite way, until reports
began to come in of grand work done. Not knowing how to proceed,
groping in the dark, feeling our own way instinctively, we organized
in Taconia and Seattle. The Seattle Red Cross, desiring a State
organization, called a convention for August i6, to meet at Seattle, and
successfully launched the Red Cross of Washington.
Of the work done much of it has not been reported to the State
Association, and even the reports represent onlj^ a small part of the work
done throughout the State. Had all reported to a common centre
Washington would have made a magnificent showing. As it was, all
contributions have been sent directly to the company each city was
directly interested in. Thus much relief given the soldiers materially
or financially by the State of Washington cannot be stated here, as
many of the emergency corps and other relief societies have disbanded
since the cessation of hostilities. However, the Red Cross of Wash-
ington is effecting auxiliary Red Cross societies all over the State, and
in the future all relief work in this State will be under the insignia of
the Red Cross.
The Red Cross of Washington was organized on August i6, at
Seattle. The officers are:
Mrs. John B. Allen, President, Seattle.
Mrs. Chauncy Griggs, Vice-President Tacoma.
Mrs. J. C. Haines, Vice-President, Seattle.
Miss Birdie Beals, Vice-President, La Conner.
Mrs. Lester S. Wilson, Vice-President, Walla Walla.
Mrs. Virginia K. Haywood, Vice-President, Spokane.
Mrs. John C. Evans, Vice-President, New Whatcom.
Mrs. Francis Rotch, Corresponding Secretary, 1512 Thirteenth ave.. Seattle,
Miss Helen J. Cowie, Assistant Corresponding Secretary, . . . Seattle.
ll
! \
(«3)
^y^
A tuji ,
(454)
THK RKI) CROSvS OF WAvSHINGTON. 455
Miss Sadie Maynard, Treasurer, 807 North J st. , Tacoma.
Miss Jessie Seymour, Assistaut Treasurer, Tacoma.
Miss Marie Hewitt, Recording Secretary 501 North Fourth st., Tacoma.
Mrs. Everett Griggs, Assistant Recording Secretary Tacoma.
Seattle Red Cross.
In answer to a call issued by Mrs. J. C. Haines through the Daily
Press to all loyal women of Seattle, there were gathered in Elks Hall,
June 20, 1898, nearly one hundred women, anxious to organize on
definite lines; the itnivensal sentiment pervailing, that organization
under the Red Cross banner would result in the most effective work.
The present officers are:
Mrs. J. C. Haines, President.
Mrs. H. E. Holmes, Vice-President.
Mrs. M^ry M. Miller, Second Vice-President
Mrs. C. D. Simson, Treasurer.
Mrs. W. F. Giddings, Recording Secretary.
Mrs. H. C. Colver, Corresponding Secretary.
An executive committee was elected, composed of twelve members,
with the officers ex-officio members of the same. The constitution and
by-laws were drafted and copies mailed to all local Red Cross Societies
of Washington. Through the various committees much work has
been accomplished, the same spirit which prevaded the organization in
its infancy having increased until the membership now shows two
hundred and fifty active members.
It affijrded the Seattle society great .satisfaction to be able to send
to the national society a check for $500. To the captains of Companies
B and D, Washington Volunteers, at San Francisco, was sent $350 to
be used in cases of illness and other emergencies, and to the Indepen-
dent Battalion, Washington Volunteers, at Vancouver Barracks, was
sent $100 for similar purposes. In many instances the relief committee
has drawn upon the emergency fund for the relief of soldiers* families.
Upon a half day's notice fifty-one lunches were put up by the members
for a company of voltmteers on their way to San F'ranci.so, and to a
call from Major L. R. Dawson, for funds to purchase food and milk for
hospital patients at the Presidio, the society responded with $100. To
456 THK RKD CROSS.
the sufferers from the New Westminster fire was disbursed over $400,
collected by the Seattle Red Cross women, and $50 was donated by the
society itself. Carloads of food, cots and needful clothing were sent
and distributed by a committee chosen by the society. The chairman
of the Sewing Committee has expended $401.43 for material for Red
Cross work and much besides has been donated by Seattle merchants.
From this material have been made 232 denim pillowcases, 843 flannel
bandages, 408 eider-down caps and 248 housewives (the latter filled
with necessaries and comforts), besides hospital night shirts, handker-
chiefs and a variety of different bandages. To Dr. L. R. Dawson,
surgeon of the First Washington Volunteers, was sent a dozen boxes
of hospital supplies and delicacies to be shipped on the transport
"Ohio" with that portion of our troops, and the society has also
decided to take charge of a Christmas box to be sent to the Washington
Volunteers at Manila.
Tacoma Red Cross.
The Tacoma Red Cross was the first Red Cross organization in the
State of Washington, and has done most effective work. The officers
are:
Mrs. Chauncy Griggs, president; Mrs. A. B. Bull, first vice-
president; Mrs. G. S. Holmes, second vice-president; Mrs. Lincoln
Gault, third vice-president; Mr. Chester Thorne, treasurer; Mrs.W. C.
Wheeler, assistant treasurer; Mrs. Frank Sharpe, recording secretary;
Mrs. H. M. Thomas, corresponding secretary.
The Tacoma Red Cross has 400 members. Receipts, $684.82.
Disbursements, $592.08.
Walla Walla Red Cross. .
In June, 1898, a temporary organization was effected at Walla
Walla, known as the Red Cross Aid, with Mrs. J. H. Stockwell as
chairman. This Aid Society cared for and entertained 229 soldiers
passing through, and forwarded to Company I, several boxes of
bandages, towels, handkerchiefs, etc. On September 21, 1898, the
Red Cross Aid became a permanent organization under the name of
the Walla Walla Red Cross and the following officers were elected:
THE RED CROSS OF WASHINGTON. 457
Mrs. Lester S. Wilson, . President.
Mrs. Thomas H. Brents, Vice-President.
Mrs. D. T. Kyger Vice-President.
Miss Grace O. Isaaca, . • " Recording Secretary.
Mrs. Eugene Boyer, Corresponding Secretary.
Mrs. George Whitehouse, Treasurer.
Upon notice that Company I was to start for Manila, the Red Cross
of Walla Walla forwarded money and delicacies to the value of $100.
Since permanent organization, the membership has more than doubled,
and now mnnbers about one hundred and fifty. Receipts, $1,408.00.
Disbursements, $1,058.00.
Spokane Red Cross.
A meeting for the organization of a Red Cross Auxiliary' was
called in Spokane, Washington, on July 11, 1898. Two days later the
final organization was completed and officers elected to serve until the
annual meeting in October:
The work of the society has been largely along the lines of raising
funds for supplies, and to aid the families of the two companies of
volunteers, Company O and L, both of which have gone to Manila.
Supplies of underclothing, socks, towels, soap, combs, sleeping caps,
fever bands and other necessary articles have been sent. Five hundred
pounds of jellies were sent to Manila. Chri.stmas packages have been
sent to every man in the two companies. The sewing committee is
steadily at work on hospital supplies. The membership is 173.
The present officers are:
Mrs. Virginia K. Hayward President.
Mrs. George Turner Honorable Vice-President
Mrs. F. F. Emery, First Vice-President.
Mrs. H. Salmorason Second Vice-President.
Mrs. A. J. Shaw, Corresponding Secretary.
Mrs. L. J. Birdseye Recording Secretary.
Mrs. N. W. Durham, Treasurer.
Receipts |595i-78
Disbursements . 355-07
Cash on hand I596.71
458 Till-: ri-:d cross.
To Miss Birdie Beals belongs tlic credit of organizing the La
Conner Auxiliary, and also the Bellinghani Bay Auxiliary at New
Whatcom. Tlie La Conner Auxiliary was most active to respond to
the call of the Red Cross. They sent large boxes of fruits and jellies
to the Hospital of the First Regiment Washington Volunteers, made
caps and bandages, etc., and contributed towards the outfit for the
First Regiment Washington Volunteers.
The Bellinghani Red Cross was organized by Miss Birdie Beals,
President of the La Conner Auxiliary. They have adopted the consti-
tution and by-laws, selected officers and are ready to do active work.
The officers are: Mrs. John A. Evans, president; Mrs. E. S. McCord,
vice-president; Mrs. S. J. Craft, recording secretary; Mrs. T. J.
Kershaw, corresponding secretary; Mrs. E. W. Purdy, treasurer.
The report from the Emergency Corps throughout the State is
very incomplete, as many corps who have done good work have sent
directly to the Company of soldiers raised in that particular town, and
not reported to the Red Cross at all.
The following is an extract from the report of the Emergency
Corps:
The Emergency Corps of the State of Washington, having accomplished, as
far as lay within its power, the work for which it organized, has, through its
officers and executive board and with the consent of its members as represented at
the meeting of October ir, decided to disband.
At the time of its organization the corps pledged its undivided effort to the
service of the volunteers of the State of Washington during the war between the
United States and Spain. That emergency having happily ended in victory and
peace, the society feels that its special work is over. To those of its members who
can still devote time and strength to patriotic and humane effort, the president and
the executive board cordially suggest that they enroll themselves as members of
the Tacoma Red Cross society organized for permanent effort in the broad field of
the nation's and the world's need, and when the aid and support that they can
give will result in practical benefit to any cause to which it is applied.
In closing the work of this organization the officers and executive board wish
to make a public report of what has been accomplished during the four months of
its existence. In absolute harmony the society has worked together, members and
officers alike. The following record, taken from the secretary's last report, speaks
for itself in proof of the patriotic energy which has inspired its labors. Since
June I the Eniergency Corps of the State of Washington has distributed for the use
of state volunteers: Flannel abdominal bandages, towels, suits of pajamas, night
shirts, suits balbriggan underwear, hospital pads and shirts, hospital pillow cases,
and linen handkerchiefs.
THE RKI) CROSvS OF WASHINGTON. 459
In closing the work of the orgaiii/ation the officers and executive board desire
to express their appreciation of tlie aid and sympathy extended theni by the public
and especially by the niercliaiits of Tacoina, whose donations of money and mate-
rial assisted so largely in what has l>een accomplished. To the Tacoma Chamber of
Commerce they are greatly indebted for the use of a room for headquarters and
for work and storage rooms. To the Northern Pacific Express Company, and to
the Northern Pacific Steamship Company, they owe many thanks for aid and
courtesy. It is impossible in this short summary to enumerate every instance of
cordial sympathy and support which has cheered and aided the Emergency Corps
in its labors; from all sides encouragement came and substantial help.
In dissolving the bond between officers and members now remains in each
heart a cordial memory of mutual interest and sympathy, respect and confidence.
To the press of Tacoma the Emergency Corps acknowledges its many obliga-
tions. To the press and citizens of the State at large it is also indebted for much
of its power of usefulness and would express an earnest appreciation and gratitude.
The following letter was received from Captain Sturges, of Company C, stationed
at the Presidio, San Francir^co:
To the Ladies of the IVashington Emergency Corps, Tacoina, IVashington:
It is with a feeling of almost inexpressible gratitude that the officers and mem-
bers of Company C, PMrst Washington Volunteer Infantry, try to express to you
their warmest and most lasting thanks for your kind and very useful donations and
your expressions of sympathy and interest. The many kindnesses of their Emer-
gency Corps have done nmch to help the soldiers more easily to bear their many
hardships and to more enjoy their few comforts, knowing that kind hearts are
interested in their welfare.
We unite iu wishing you all the reward that your noble work so justly merits.
Very thankfully yours, E. C. Sturges,
Cai>tatn Commanding.
^6o THE RED CROSS.
PORTO RICO.
The labors of the Executive Committee of the Red Cross in New
York were not confined to the work in the camps. Upon them devolved
the larger share of the responsibility for the administration of relief
everywhere, includirg the vast correspondence and the myriad details
that arise in connection with the systematic management of a work so
far-reaching and varied as the auxiliary relief by the Red Cross in time
of war.
Outside of the United States, the relief of the sick and wounded in
war was not confined to Cuba and the Philippines, but was extended to
Porto Rico. Horace F. Barnes, of Boston, Mass., was appointed by
the committee as the field agent of the Red Cross in Porto Rico, and
taking with him a large assortment of supplies, sailed on the transport
" Concho " for Ponce on the thirteenth of August. Later, General W.
T. Bennett, of Philadelphia, Pa., was appointed to assist Mr. Barnes.
All requisitions from Porto Rico were promptly filled by the committee
and the relief continued so long as any necessity for it remained. Of
the field work in Porto Rico the following report is made:
Report by Horace F. Barnes.
Red Cross relief work for Porto Rico began with the arrival of a
detachment of female nurses before the American and Spanish armies
had ceased hostilities. These nurses, however, were ordered back to
the States at once as attendants for returning sick and wounded
soldiers. On the tenth of August the Executive Committee commis-
sioned me as the Red Cross field agent for Porto Rico, and put me in
charge of a cargo of relief supplies then on the steamship " Concho,"
which sailed from New York on August 13.
With the aid of a good military map of the island, and of informa-
tion obtained before sailing as to the location of the different divisions
of the army, during the voyage the line of Red Cross work was deter-
mined. The army was in three divisions. The eastern, under General
Brooke, was above Guayama; the central, under General Wilson, was
at Ponce and vicinity; the western, under General Schwan, was in
Mayaguez and the neighboring region.
PORTO RICO. 461
It seemed to be the natural course to visit these divisions as soon
as possible, ascertain their sanitary condition, give supplies as needed
for the sick, wounded and convalescent, and then, after supplying the
American forces, to visit the Spanish camps and hospitals and provide
for them. Afterwards headquarters for stores and operations should
be fixed at the most central convenient port for receiving goods from
New York and distributing them with least cost and difficulty to all
army stations. The plan outlined was closely followed, circumstances
making it easily possible to do so. The " Concho " arrived at Ponce
on August 20.
Two days afterward the ship with the cargo of Red Cross stores
still unbroken on board, started for Arroyo, the port of Guayama,
about thirty miles east of Ponce, where General Brooke's command
had its base of operations. There a large selection of relief supplies
was left in charge of Chief Surgeon Huidekoper, of the division
hospital at Guayama. Nothing could have been more auspicious as
the beginning of Red Cross work in Porto Rico than this quick and
free transportation of supplies to a distant command, with the minimum
of labor and delay, at a period of most urgent need.
Returning, the "Concho" reached Ponce again on the twenty-
fifth. The same night, on ascertaining that the steamship "Alamo"
was to proceed the next day to Mayaguez and Arecibo, I arranged for
lighters to put a cargo on board, to be divided between these two ports,
intending the first for General Schwan's command, and the second
for the Sixth Massachusetts, at Utuado, the latter to be landed at
Arecibo. The Surgeon of the Sixth Massachusetts was accordingly
notified by wire to have wagons sent up to Arecibo to meet the
"Alamo" on her arrival. Every thing worked admirably. The
"Alamo" reached Mayaguez August 27, and ample .supplies for the
hospital of General Schwan's command were landed at Mayaguez, and
delivered to Dr. Bailey K. Ash ford, surgeon in charge, who expressed
most cordial and grateful appreciation.
Thence the "Alamo" proceeded, August 29, to Arecilx), which
port was reached on the same day. There the wagons of the Sixth
Massachusetts from Utuado were found in readiness to receive the
consignment of goods brought for them, which were put in charge of
Assistant Surgeon of the Sixth Massachusetts, Dr. F. A. Washburn.
At Arecibo was a strong force of Spanish troops, having a military
and a Red Cross hospital. The Spanish military commander, the
captain of the port, and the chief surgeon of the Red Cross hospital,
462 THK RED CROSS.
wrsonally gave the kindest attentions, conducting me to all the
military quarters and hospitals, yet while expressing thanks for the
offer of goods from the American Red Cross, they declared they wen
not in need, as was evidently the case.
On the same day, August 29, my visit and departure having been
\v'ired to the Spanish Governor General Macias at San Juan, I took
train thither, reaching the capital in the evening. The next day with
an interpreter I visited General Macias at his headquarters, and was most
cordially received, given the freedom of the city, especially including
all the forts, barracks and hospitals, and on inquiry allowed if I chose
to make any photographs of the military works, concerning which he
said it did not matter as thej^ would be so soon in the hands of the
Americans. Five days were spent in San Juan. The forts, barracks
and hospitals of the Spaniards were visited, but all need of American
Red Cross supplies was courteously disavowed, evidently with truthful-
ness, for signs of want were nowhere apparent. General Macias
kindly gave me a pass through all the Spanish military guards and civil
jurisdictions under his command throughout the island of Porto Rico.
"^Vith this pass I started from San Juan September 2 by coach for
Ponce. At Caguas I was politely invited by the German Consul General
of Porto Rico, Herr Adolph Rauschenplat, who had been traveling
alone in his coach behind me from San Juan, to join him in his carriage,
and send mine back to San Juan. The invitation was heartily accepted.
We dined together at Caye3^ On reaching Aibonito while our relay
of horses was being harnessed, and we had been surrounded by the
Spanish soldiers and townspeople, engaging in pleasant chat with them,
suddenly the captain of the Spanish troops with a guard appeared and
marched us unceremoniously to the guardhouse. There we were chal-
lenged, and a parley ensued, until I showed my pass from General Macias.
The change of front was spectacular, apologies were profuse, but I
ended the affair by insisting successfully that the officer sign his name
to my pass which was already rather heavily overloaded with the names
of military and civil magnates, both Spanish and American.
This trip was memorable not only for the enjoyment of a ride over
one of the best long roads in the world, amid the displays of all tropical
fruits and flora, views of many characteristic people, habitations, cus-
toms, and cultivated sections of the island, but for the intelligent and
charming exposition of everything, together with discussion of the
social, political, military and commercial interests and problems of
Porto Rico, at the present stage of affairs, by Herr Rauschenplat,
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PORTO RICO. 465
whose English speech scarcely betrays his German vernacular or his
customary Spanish.
Arriving at Ponce on the evening of September 2, on the following
day storage for Red Cross goods was secured in the Custom House at
the Play a, or Port of Ponce, which continued our only headquarters
during work in Porto Rico. The distribution of goods commenced on
Sunday, September 4. The goods at first distributed in Ponce were
the remainder of the cargo brought on the " Concho," hnt left in charge
of and lightered off of the "Concho," and carefully stored by kind
agreement in the Custom House, when I was obliged to depart on the
" Alamo " for Mayaguez and Arecibo or lose a most valuable oppor-
tuniiy for distributing stores where urgently needed.
Kvery applicant not seeking for himself alone was interrogated as
to the number of sick or convalescents for whom the goods were desired,
and informed that our provisions were specifically for these classes.
The amount bestowed was in view of the number of sick thus reported.
Then on a sheet of paper headed by the date of application all articles
were recorded, checked off when taken, and the signature of the officer
applying was afl&xed. Then my ofl&cial stamp as field agent was
affixed, and the paper put on file as a voucher. All goods received by
steamer came into the office under my personal supervision, and with
very few necessary exceptions none went out without it.
On September 4 the office work of the Red Cross in Porto Rico
was inaugurated with five representative issues of stores, which became
matter of record. As the later files show, the number rapidly multi-
plied and the office work was increased by a constant procession of
single applicants for small things. A dose of medicine, a pencil, an
rbdominal band, a comfort bag, something to read, a pair of stockings,
a handkerchief, a towel — a little stationery — such applications alone
made work enough for one man, and one had to be secured, Corporal
Patri..k Syron, who was detailed from the First Engineers, and whose
help was invaluable.
As the work was increasing very rapidly, and appeals pouring in
from all the camps and hospitals, the executive committee sent as my
assistant General W. T. Bennett, who arrived September 7 on the
"Seneca," which also brought a fresh and valuable cargo of stores.
Having like myself had army experience in the Civil War, General
Bennett easily giasped the situation, and while I attended specially to
the distribution of goods at the office, he gave efficient help in manag-
ing the outside relations of the work, made doubly exacting by the
26
466 THK RKD CROSS.
necessity of lightering off all goods from ships, and transferring them
bj' native porters to the headquarters, amidst piles of army stores, and
a horde of omnipresent and vigilant thieves. Any lull in the office
work was improved in visiting hospitals and camps, and noting how
goods were received and distributed. By frequent consultation of the
official figures, at the chief surgeon's olfice, of the sick rate at all
military stations on the island, it was possible to judge correctly con-
cerning the neediest places for sending relief, and also to judge the
merits of applications.
The extraordinary amount of typhoid fever and intestinal diseases
among the troops was the object of thoughtful attention. Several
native physicians and army surgeons were solicited to write their
diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, in the hope that their
combined testimonj' may furnish valuable data for guidance of physi-
cians and surgeons who may have charge of our troops here in the
future.
On October 6, Mr. Monroe Scott, arrived from New York on the
steamship "Chester," to be second assistant in our work. He was
desirous of giving personal service to the sick, as he had just came from
such work in the Northern army hospitals. But the needs at the
various hospitals in Porto Rico were being so full}' met that he gave
his attention to the varied demands at the office, where his courteous
manner and efficienc}^ in detail were highl}^ appreciated. Two ambu-
lances were sent to Ponce in September. They proved of great value
in emergency cases requiring quick transportation to and from the
hospitals, and in conveying our goods for short distances. It must be
admitted, however, that they proved also a delicate responsibilit}-, as
everybody seemed to regard them as free pleasure coaches in which the
Red Cross was eager to take the town to ride.
A daily care was to note all incoming steamers, to board them to
inquire for Red Cross supplies, also to note all departing steamers and
provide that all sick and convalescents had Red Cross goods enough
to insure their comfort for the homeward voyage. The chief surgeons
were appealed to and asked not to allow any detachment of sick men
to go home without previously notifying us, so that we might provide
for their nutriment in supplement to that provided by the Government.
It is proper to add that the surgeons going home in charge of the sick
on ships were all attentive to their duty in securing Red Cross supplies
for their patients. Twelve shipments were made for transports carrying
home the sick.
PORTO RICO. 467
One of the duties of the office was to give first aid to the sick and
Injured, Hardly a da)' passed without our giving many prescriptions
of medicine to soldiers for intestinal troubles, or first dressing to men
injured on the pier or on shipboard. We carefully gave antiseptic
dressing and bound up gashed heads and limbs, and tenderly conveyed
the unfortunates to the proper hospitals or to their homes or ships.
In September on order from New York, we began to furnish ice
to hospitals not already supplied. Wc purchased machine-made ice
at the heavy cost of forty pesos a ton, and had arranged with the
hospitals of Coamo and Guayama, the only ones not supplied, to send
wagons weekly for a load. For this work we were about to establish
an ice-storage plant, when a large cargo furnished by the Government
arrived, and although about one hundred tons soon after came from
New York, consigned to the Red Cross, it was not needed, nor an ice-
house for storage, as the government supply was freely furnished to all
in need, and was so large as to last till the Red Cross ice, though
carefully stored in a covered lighter, had entirely melted. Had the
Government not made this provision, a free grant of site, lumber and
labor for an ice plant already secured, would have been utilized. The
same cablegram authorizing an ice supply also authorized the supply
of milk as needed. On inquir}' it was found that all of the hospitals
were already well provided with this article. In case of the hospital
for the First Engineers, however, the ingenious surgeon. Dr. Proben,
had opened negotiations for a cow, and we promptly insisted on paying
for it, but were allowed to pledge only one-half its cost, which we
most cheei fully did.
Twelve hospital tents, 14x14 feet each, were furnished by the
Red Cross, of which one was loaned to the Engineers' hospital,
one to the Sixth Massachusetts hospital, and ten were located, under
medical supervision, beneath a row of cocoanut trees, for the accommo-
dation of convalescents awaiting transportation. A suitable trench was
dug. flooring put in all the tents by the engineers, and straw was fur-
nished for bedding by the quartermaster. This camp was named
" Camp Barton."
Some of the incidental work of the Red Cross was to answer letters
of inquiry concerning missing soldiers; to guide numerous strangers
arriving at the port; to get stragglers of the army into their proper
quarters: to help soldiers in various conditions of distress; always to be
ready with a kind look and friendly hand, as proper representatives of
a generous public, desiring to show full appreciation of these who
468 THE RIvD CROSS.
upheld the nation's honor with the offering of their lives. Every man
on the staff of the Red Cross in Porto Rico, could he have embodied
his real preferences, vyould have spent his whole time personally with
the boys in their tents or hospitals. It was a real regret to us all that
from early morning until dark we had to be hard at work, with few
exceptions, in dealing out stores and attending to duties at head-
quarters.
But as we were serving, not a campaigning army, but garrisons
after hostilities had ceased, and the supply of surgeons and nurses was
ample, there was no need of personal field service on our part. A
tribute of respect and praise is demanded in honor of the army officials
of Porto Rico, especially those of the southern district, so wisely
administered by General Guy V. Henry, now Governor of Porto Rico.
The different departments were ably conducted. Their relations were
entirely cordial. The diflBcult problems presenting themselves were
handled in a manful waj\
The Red Cross carefully avoided the role of critic or censor, and
sought to conform to the wishes of commanders and surgeons, while
watchfully providing for the needs of the sick, as ascertained b}'
independent investigation. It never had occasion to make a protest,
nor acted as a meddler, but attended strictly to its own business, and
kept in its own place as an army auxiliarj-, and servant of the sick.
Hence from the first of its work the military, naval, surgical, medical,
commissary and quartermaster's departments treated it as a part of
their own common fraternity, freely granting all its requests, subjecting
it to no restrictions, and cordially accepting and forwarding its benefi-
cent operations. We received every advantage gratuitously. Not in
a single instance were our requests denied. By this cordial under-
standing many hundreds of dollars of expense were saved to the
Red Cross,
Indications of the heavy sick rate in the army of Porto Rico may
be found in the following data, gathered at the time from official
sources : In August the surgeon in charge at Mayaguez reported that
fully 7,5 per cent of the troops stationed there were sick in hospitals,
or in quarters, or unfit for duty, September 10 there were in the
district of Ponce over 1400 sick, including 350 t^^phoid cases, 600
malarial, 350 intestinal diseases. September 20 the official report
shows 750 .sick in Ponce, 799 in Coamo, 336 in Mayaguez, 264 in
Utuado, 22 in Guanica, and 328 in Guayama, September 28th the
Sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry, at Coamo. reoorted 625 sick. One
PORTO RICO. 469
company had no officers on duty, all being sick. October 3 there
were 125 sick in Ponce, 60 in Guayama, 65 in Utuado, 40 in Mayaguez,
and 491 at Coanio. Total in these places, 781. This great reduction
in the number of reported sick was due to large shipments of patients
to the States. October 20 there were 747 sick in the general hospital
in Ponce, 120 in that at Mayaguez, and 125 in that at Guayama.
On November 10, 603 men were reported sick in the district of
Ponce. The data above given will best be understood if it is remem-
bered that they comprise for the most part only hospital inmates.
The sick in quarters were not generally reported, though they fully
equaled in number those in hospitals. Again it should be remembered
that those unfit for duty equaled in number both of the other two
classes. In brief, during September, October and November, not more
than one-half of the army was available for duty. In September a
captain of engineers informed me that in the morning he had only
four men report for duty.
Several obvious causes operated to produce the great sick rate.
The effects of exposures and hardships before reaching Porto Rico, the
nature of the food, malarious influences, native fruits, the heavy rains,
and the excessive heat, were potent factors in producing the general
illness. There was no invigoration in the atmosphere, its heat and
humidity being very depressing, and not allowing rapid recovery after
prostration. Almost every man lost heavily in weight, the amounts
varying from twenty-five to one hundred pounds. This was true even
of those who were extremely careful of their diet and habits. During
September and October a register of temperatures, kept by Dr. Charles
I. Proben, surgeon of the First Engineers, showed an average daily
temperature of 82.52° Fahrenheit, and in October 80.136° Fahren-
heit. These figures give little suggestion of what the soldiers had to
endure, as for instance, September 20 the mercury stood 96° in the
shade at midday, and 113° in the .sun. October 3 the mercury .stood
at 92° at midday. These health conditions made every American in
Porto Rico a fitting subject for relief, but Red Cross supplies were
limited as far as practicable to the sick and convalescent.
The extent and direction of our Red Cross work are indicated
below:
Number of issues to twenty-four anuy hospitals . 150
Number of issues to United States transports returning North with sick . . . 12
Number of issues to Infantry, regiments and detachmeuts loi
Number of issues to Artillery batteries ..,.,, 34
470 TIIK RKI) CROSS.
Number of issues to Cavalry troops 6
Number of issues lo Officers' messes 8
Number of issues to Miscellaneous parties 6i
Total issues 362
These issues were all recorded, and vouchers filed. The number
of issues to single applicants for their own innnediate use, mostly
privSte soldiers, were over 1200. Prescriptions of medicine to sick
soldiers, applying at the office, about 300. Wounds dressed at office,
in first aid to wounded men, about 30. Sick carried in ambulances of
Red Cross, 50.
The camps and hospitals served by the Red Cross were scattered
all over the island, some accessible only through difficult mountain
passes, bad roads, or by long sea voyages, necessitating weekly consul-
tation of the chief surgeons, sick reports from all military stations, and
careful sttid}'^ of the best routes and means of transportation.
Three months' experience lead one to say that if a man knows how
to keep a hotel, run a restaurant, and a refreshment stand; if he be a
good grocer, dry goodsman, apothecary, financier, accountant, doctor,
and linguist; if he have the strength of a Samson, the patience of a
Job, and the cheerfulness of the morning lark; if he have the power to
see much and say little, to sweat and not swear, to behold limitless
suffering and be fair to all; if he is pachydermous to the shafts of
criticism, diplomat enough to secure universal favor, and worthy to
hold it by solid merit, let him try a Field Agency of the Red Cross with
confidence, for in such service he will need all of these qualities in
abundance. And yet, in the midst of it all, he will daily hear the
sweetest words of gratitude, and feel that he is doing the most self-
rewarding work of bis whole life.
SHIPMENTS BY TRANSPORTS.
By the coivrtesy of the War Department, the Executive Committee
were enabled lo make several shipments, both to Cuba and to Porto
Rico, on the United States transports. With the exception of the
first cargo by the "Port Victor," the larger part of these supplies
which should properly have been consigned to the Red. Cross at the
front, were sent direct to the commanding officers, or to the officers
SHIPMENTS liY TKANSl'OKTS. 471
of the medical department of the arm}', upon request. The consign-
ment of the " Port Victor," although received by the Red Cross and
forwarded to Gibra for distribution, was afterward taken b}' an officer
of the U. S. army without permission. Among the shipments were :
"Port Victor," July 10, to Santiago, 800 tons general provisions and
medical supplies.
"New Hamp.shire," July 15, to Santiago, 25 tons groceries and hos-
pital supplies.
"Ohvette," July 18, to Santiago, clothing and delicacies.
"Resolute," July 19, to Santiago, general supplies and clothing.
Value, $2000.
"Missouri," July 19, to Santiago, clothing, laundry plant, ice plant,
cots and delicacies.
"Seneca," July 21, to Santiago, clothing for 50 men,
" Kanawa," July 22, to Santiago, 10 cases of supplies.
"Concho," August i, to Santiago, supplies for 200 men.
" Breakwater," August 6, to Santiago, 10 cases general supplies.
" Harvard," August 5, to Santiago, 16 cases groceries and clothes.
" Altai," August 5, to Santiago, 96 cases delicacies and clothing.
" Seguranca," August 20, to Santiago, 113 cases provisions and soups.
"Port Victor," October 7, to Santiago, 115 tons of ice, 50 equipped
cots.
"Concho," August [3, to Porto Rico, 900 cases general provisions and
50 equipped cots.
"Yucatan," September 7, to Porto Rico, 545 cases general provisions
and medical supplies.
"Obdam," September 14, to Porto Rico, 387 cases assorted provisions
and 2 ambulances.
" Chester," September 27, to Porto Rico, 406 cases assorted supplies.
" Missouri," September 19, to Porto Rico, 60 cases general supplies,
"Berlin," September 20, to Porto Rico, 20 barrels ginger ale.
"Port Victor," October 7, to Porto Rico, 115 tons of ice and 50
equipped cots, duplicate of shipment to Santiago.
"Panama," October 12, to Porto Rico, 300 cases of groceries and
clothing, 50 equipped cots and 10 1 cases medicine for General
Wood at Santiago.
Since their appointment by the President of the United States, the
Central Cuban Relief Committee have been busily engaged in carrying
on the great work entrusted to them by the government. In addition
to the smaller consignments of materials sent for distribution to the
472 THE RED CROvSS.
relief stations in Cuba and on the Florida coast, they have expended
in the purchase and forwarding of larger shipments of relief, over two
hundred thousand dollars, and have collected in money and supplies
nearly half a million. The latest important shipment was sent by
the steamer " City of San Antonio," consisting of an assorted cargo of
about 700 tons, which was landed at the port of Matanzas, and distrib-
uted by the representatives of the Red Cross in charge of the vessel.
REPORT OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE. 473
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS RELIEF COMMITTEE
OF NEW YORK.
The origin of this great volunteer emergency committee has
already been explained in these pages. But the story of their wonder-
ful work can never be fully told. With their co-operation much suffer-
ing has been prevented or relieved, and many lives have been saved;
through the ministrations made possible by their efforts, the humblest
private in the ranks now realizes that "the great heart of the nation
will not let the soldier die." No words can express the gratitude of
the Red Cross for their powerful assistance. Faithful, earnest and
efficient, they have labored incessantly through the campaign, and
now at the close they make the following short but eloquent report:
Report of the Relief Committee.
Organized May J, i8g8.
Officers. — Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D. , chairman; Alexander
E. Orr, vice-chairman; William T. Wardwell, vice-chairman; John P.
Faure, Secretary; Frederick D. Tappen, treasurer; Samuel Woolver-
ton, assistant treasurer.
Members. — Dr. Felix Adler, Bishop Edward G. Andrews, August
Belmont, Joseph H. Choate, William P. Clyde, John D. Crinimins,
Chauncey M. Depew, Cleveland H. Dodge, John P. Faure, Edwin
Gould, Clement A. Griscom, Jr., John S. Huyler, Morris K. Jesup,
Edwin Langdon, Dr. A. M. Lesser, William G. Low, Rev. Sylvester
Malone, J. Pierpout Morgan, Levi P. Morton, Alexander E. Orr,
Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D., LL.D., Percy R. Pyne, Douglas
Robinson, John D. Rockefeller, Jacob H. Schiff, Gustav H. Schwab,
Charles Stewart Smith, Dr. George F. Shrady, James Speyer,
William R. Stewart, A. S. Solomons, Frederick D. Tappen, Howard
Townsend, Dr. T. Gaillard Thomas, William T. Wardwell.
Executive Committee. — William T. Wardwell, clinirman; John P.
Faure, secretary; Levi P. Morton, Frederick D. Tappen, George F.
Shrady, M. D., William G. Low, Gustav H. vSchwab. Cleveland H.
Dodge, A. S. Solomons, Douglas Robinson, Howard Townsend, A.
Monae Lesser, M.D.; Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D., LL-D., eX'
officio; Alexander E. Orr, ex-officio.
474
THE RED CROSS.
Finance Comviittec. — J. Pierpont Morgan, chairman; Frederick D.
Tappen, vice-chairman; August Behnont, James Speyer, Gustav H.
Schwab, Edwin Langdon, Levi P. Morton.
Committee on Yacht ''Red Cross." — William T. Wardvvell, Gustav
H. Schwab, Alexander E. Orr.
Supply Committee. — Cleveland H. Dodge, chairman; Mrs. W. S.
Cowles, Mrs. John Lyon Gardiner, John S. Huyler, Percy R. Pyne,
George F. Shrady, M. D., A. S. Solomons, Howard Townsend, Miss
Helen Fidelia Hoffman, secretary; F. C. Garmany, purchasing agent.
Medical Advisory Board. — Wm. H. Draper, M.D. , chairman;
Andrew J. McCosh, M.D., secretary; Francis P. Kinnicutt, M.D.,
Francis Delafield, M.D., John S. Billings, M.D., Edward G. Janeway,
M.D., Charles McBurney, M.D., Richard H. Derby, M. D.
Treasurer's Report
And Analysis of Expenditures, 3/ay g to December i, i8g8.
Total receipts $305,229 66
Office supplies I5.ii7 89
Food supplies, groceries, milk, fruit, etc 46,067 95
Cots and equipnieuts 24,946 09
Medical supplies, wines, liquors, etc ii,357 33
Clothing and dry goods 1,413 6r
Miscellaneous supplies . . 16,051 14
Account nurses 17,718 24
Ambulances and mules 7,782 56
Ice 27,666 14
Yacht " Red Cross" and maintenance 54,o57 16
Cash to General Commiltee, account of camps 59. 9^3 02
Laundry plant 1,230 ro
Freight, express charges, towmg, transportation, etc. . 4,283 05 277,604 28
Balance on hand $27,625 38
IVomati's Committee on Auxiliaries. — Mrs. John Lyon Gardiner, chairman;
Mrs. Paul Dana, secretary; Miss Martha L. Draper, treasurer; Mrs. Butler Duncan,
Mrs. James W. Gerard, Mrs. Bettina Hofker Lesser, Mrs. J Pierpont Morgan, Dr.
Lucy Hall Brown, Mrs W. S Cowles, Mrs. Winthrop Cowdin, Mrs. Levi P. Mor-
ton, Mrs. Henry C. Potter, Mrs. G. F. Shrady.
By a resolution of the Executive Committee the above ladies were
appointed a Woman's Committee on Auxiliaries, charged with the duty
of organizing auxiliary committees throughout the United States, tQ
REPORT OF THK RELIEF COMMITTEE. 475
assist in Red Cross work. This committee met for the first time on
May 12, and it was decided to interest, by personal effort and corres-
pondence, the people of the country in serving the sick and wounded
soldiers and sailors during the war without regard to nationality, in
accordance with the rules of the Conference of Geneva.
From its inaugural meeting on May 12 until the present date the
Woman's Committee has authorized the organization of ninety -two
auxiliaries, many of these with numerous sub-auxiliaries, thus spread-
ing the work throughout the country from Maine to the Rocky
Mountains, the western limit of the work of the Relief Conmiittee.
The Following Auxiliaries Were Organized:
No. of
No. Name. ♦ Place. President. Sub-
Aux.
1 First N.Y. Ambulance
Equip. vSociety . . New York Mrs. W. vS. Cowles 3
2 Women's Confer. Soc.
of Ethical Culture . " " Mrs. Henry Ollesheimer.
3 M a i n t e n a n c e of
Trained Nurses . . " " Mrs. James Speyer 15
4 Yonkers, N. Y. . . . Mrs. William Sharman.
5 Melcalf- Bliss Hospital
Cot Equipment New York Mrs. William Metcalf-Bliss ... 16
6 Columbia University " " Mrs. Seth Low.
7 N.Y. CityCh. D.A.R. " " Mrs. Donald McLean.
8 Council of Jewish
Women ... " " Mrs. Cyrus L. Sulzberger.
9 Hartford Wom. Aux. Hartford, Conn. , . Mrs. F. W. Cheney 9
10 Ice Plant Auxiliary . New York Miss Julia L. Delafield.
II Norwalk, Conn. . . Mrs. Jennings.
12 Soldiers' Field Hosp. New York Miss E. C. Hebert.
13 Mohegan Ch. D.A.R. Sing Sing, N. Y. . . Mrs. Annie Van Rensselaer Wells 8
14 ... Morristown, N. J. . . Miss Louisa E. Keasby 7
1.5 Green Twigs Aux. . Flu.shiiig, L. I. . . . Miss Helen A. Colgate.
16 Litchfield, Conn. . . Mrs. George M. Woodruff.
17 First Penn. Red Cross
Auxiliary Pittsburg, Pa. ... Mr. John B. Jackson 74
18 Miscellaneous Aux. . New York Miss Helen Dominick.
19 Laundry Plant Aux. . " " Miss Alice R. Rabcock.
20 Westchester Co. .Aux. Mt. Kisco, N. Y. . . Mrs. Henry Marquand 14
21 Hazleton.Pa Mrs. W. C. Gailey.
22 Land and Sea Aux. . Pelham Manor . . Mrs. Frank K. Hunter 5
23 Staten Island .\ux. . New Brighton . . . Mrs. George Beers.
24 Princeton, N.J. . . Mr.s. James P. Morgan ... 3
25 Hackensack, N. J. . Mrs. James Romeyn.
26 Sewicklev, Pa. . . . Rev. B. A. Benton.
476
THE RED CROSS.
No.
Name.
27 The Fanners' Aux. .
28 Port Slanwix Aux. .
29
30
31 Beaver County Aux.
32 Grace Par.Laun.Aux.
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40 Western Reserve Ch.
D. A. R
41
42
43
44 North Shore ,L.I.,Au.
45
46
47 First R. I. Auxiliary
48 Nassau Co., L. I., Aux.
49 .• • •
50 Tobacco Auxiliary .
51 Central Falls, R.I.,Au.
52 Rhode Island Aux. .
53 Westmoreland Co .,
Pa., Auxiliary
54
55
56 Scott Schley, of
57 • ■ •
58
59
60
61
62
63 Suffolk Co.,N.Y.,Aux
64
65 Otsego Co.,N.Y.,Aux
66 Plymouth Church Au.
67
68
69 Loyal Friends Aux. .
70
Place.
Jennerstown, Pa. .
Rome, N. Y. . .
Fairfielil, Conn.
Norwich, Kan. .
New Brighton, Pa.
New York ....
Athens, Pa
Cauandaigua . . .
Eau Claire, Wis. .
Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Elmhurst, N.Y. .
Dublin, N. H. . .
Larkinsville, Ala. .
Cleveland, Ohio .
New Canaan, Conn.
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Colorado Springs .
Glen Cove, L. I. .
No. of
Sub-
Aux.
Far Rockaway . .
Providence . . . .
Roslyn, L. I . . .
Kinderhook, N. Y.
Newport, R. I. . .
Providence . .
Greensburg, Pa. . .
Pottstown, Pa. . . .
Emporia, Kan. . . .
Frederick, Md. . . .
Lenox, Mass
Caldwell, N.J. . . .
Upper Red Hook . .
Saugerties-on-Hudson
Hokendauqua, Pa. . .
Bridgeport, Conn. . .
Greenport, L. I-
Staatsburgh, N. Y. .
Springfield Centre .
Worcester, Mass. . .
Oyster Bay, L. I. . .
Cranford, N.J. . .
New York
London, Ohio , . .
President.
Miss F. E. Coffin.
Mrs. Louise M. Duffy.
Mrs. Henry S. Glover.
Mrs. Sarah A. King.
Mrs. Mary C. Kennedy.
Mrs. Butler Duncan.
Mrs. L. M. Park.
Mrs. C. C. Wilcox.
Mrs. Francis P. Ide.
Mrs. William Wilson
Mrs. A C. Green.
Mrs. Lewis B. Monroe.
Miss Anna L. Morris.
Mrs. Andrew Squire 163
Mrs. Willard Parker.
Mrs. Cornelius L. Wells.
Mrs. E. S. Cohen.
Mrs. John E. Leech.
Mrs. W. Zabriskie.
Mrs. Alexander Stevens.
Mrs. Charles Mason.
Mrs. Valentine Mott.
Mrs. P. S. V. Pruyn.
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer.
Mrs. Arthur Rogers.
Mrs. Mary Frost Evans.
Miss Louise Brunot ....
Mrs. E. S. Cook.
Miss Sabia E. Whitley.
Mrs. Henry Williams.
Mrs. John E. Alexandre.
Mrs. F. H. Wing.
Mrs. Theodore Cookingham.
Mrs. George F. Shrady.
Miss Bessie H. Thomas.
Mrs. Charles B. Read.
Miss Bessie Clark.
Miss Madeleine Dinsmore.
Mrs. H. W. Ward well.
Mr. Arthur Reed Taft. . . .
Mrs. Thomas S. Young, Jr.
Mrs. F. R. Bourne.
Mrs. F. P. P. Miller.
Mrs, George Lincoln,
. 3
REPORT OF THR RELIKF COMMITTEE.
477
No. Name. Place.
71 vShortsville, N. Y. . .
72 Kichiiiond Hill . . .
73 South Orange, N. J. .
74 Telegraph Signal
Corps Auxiliary . . Brooklyn, N. Y. . .
75 Platteville, Wis. . .
76 Waldcn, N. Y. . . .
77 Kir.st West Va. Aux. Wheeling. W.Va. . .
78 Toledo, Ohio . . . .
79 Lovingtor., 111.
80 New Brunswick, N.J.
81 Colored Women's All. Kansas City, Kan.
•(2 Sons and Daughters
Red Cross Aux. . . North Berwick, Me
S3 Orange, N. J. . . .
84 Hammond, Ind. . .
85 Holdredge, Neb. . .
86 Girls' Towel Aux. . Glen Cove, L. I. . .
87 Brattleboro, Vt. . .
88 Evanston, 111. . .
89 Montclair, N. J. . .
90 Lyons, N. Y
91 Dobbs Ferry, N. Y. .
92 Marshall, Mich. . .
President.
Mrs. O. S. Titus.
Mrs. Walter P. IvOng.
Mrs. V. Arnold.
Miss Mary A. Tonilin.son.
Mrs. E. G. Buck.
Mr.s. Phoebe Saxe.
Mrs. William F. Butler.
Mrs. S. S. Knabenshue.
Mr. S. S. Boggs.
Mrs. Nicholas G. Rutgers.
Mrs. Katie Minor.
Chester A. Hayes.
Miss Rosamond Howard.
Dr. Mary E. Jackson.
Mrs. Reeves.
Miss Alice O Draper.
Miss Mary E Cabot.
Mrs. N. Gill Kirk.
Mrs. Benjamin Strong.
Miss Eudora A. Lewis.
Mrs. Walston Hill Browne.
Mrs. W. H. Porter.
No. of
Sub-
Auz.
Supplies Contributed by Auxiliaries through Supply
Committee.
Cots 3.601
Sheets 13,623
Draw sheets 994
Rubber sheets 226
Pillow cases 13,858
Blankets 586
Towels 36 821
Wash cloths 10,473
Night.shirts 12,388
Pajamas 14,264
Wrappers 53
Handkerchiefs 40,268
Socks 8,484
Slippers 2,342
Abdominal bands I'^'.SS?
Negligee shirts 5,(^7
Undershirts 6,937
Estimated value
Under drawers 6,937
Comfort bags 1,188
Palm-leaf fans 6 cs.
Cot pads 1,006
Mosquito netting . . .
Nurses' caps
Nurses' aprons . . . .
Bra.s.sards
Old linen
Napkins
Stationery
Delicacies
Tobacco ....••
I*i])es
Literature
Miscellaneous articles
Red Cross flags . . ,
J8o,ooo.
32 pes.
271
100
90
ID CS.
466
2 CS.
900 CS.
20 CS.
5,000
1 20 cs.
13.394
70
478 THE RED CROSS.
Special Work Donk by Auxiliaries.
Auxiliary No. i provided eleven equipped ambulances with forty
mules. For Hospital Ship "Missouri": two hundred electric fans,
telephones, six rubber beds, disinfecting plant, carbonating plant,
twenty-eight foot steam launch, thirty-seven foot steam launch, sent to
Chief Surgeon Havard at Santiago. Supplies of clothing and delica-
cies sent to Colonel Wood at Santiago,
Auxiliary No, 2 opened a work shop on Madison Avenue and Fifty-
ninth Street. There women, members of the families of enlisted men,
were employed to make the garments supplied by this auxiliary.
Employment was given to these women both at their homes and at the
shop. Those who took work home were paid by the piece. In all,
142 women were employed, many having steady work for over five
months. Up to December i, 20,842 articles were made by this Auxil-
iary.
Auxiliary No. 3 has perhaps brought more comfort to the sick and
wounded soldiers than any of the others. It was organized for the
special work of providing funds for the maintenance of trained nurses,
and as will be seen by the following list of nurses sent out by this
auxiliary, no opportunity to relieve the suffering of the sick was ever
passed by.
Railway transportation was furnished for nearly four hundred
nurses sent out from the New York office.
The number of nurses employed may be divided approximately
into four classes: (i) Those employed, maintained and paid by the
auxiliary. (2) Those whose salaries and maintenance were borne
partly by the government, and partly by the auxiliary. (3) Those
who signed the government contract and were paid and supplied with
army rations by the government, but received additional supplies from
the auxiliary. (4) Those who were paid by the auxiliary and main-
tained by local aid.
Class I.
At Fort Wadsworth 41 Nurses.
'* Charleston 20 "
" Leiter Hospital 10 "
*' Governor's Island 6 "
" Tampa 5 "
REPORT OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE. 479
At Atlantic Highlands 5 Nurses, i vSurgeou.
" Convalescent Home for Nurses i Nurse.
" Hospital Cars 4 Nurses.
Class II.
At Camp Black 42 Nurses.
" Fort Hamilton 23
" Fortress Monroe 43 "
On Hospital Ship " Missouri " 14 Nurses (Men).
At Bedloe's Island i Nurse.
" Portsmouth 6 Nurses (Men).
Class III.
General Hospital, Montauk 125 Nurses.
Sternberg Hospital, Chickaraauga 64 "
Class IV.
L. I. City Relief Station 29 Nurses, 2 Surgeons.
Relief Tents, Montauk Station i "
Nassau Hospital, Hempstead 20 "
Home for Convalescent Soldiers at Sag Harbor 6 "
Convalescent Home of 8th Reg't, Hunter's Island 2 "
U. S. Transport "Lampasas" 29 Nurses (of these many were Vol-
teers).
The salaries of some and maintenance of all were borne by the
aiixiliar}'. Nurses were also supplied on emergency calls to the
Eighth and Ninth Regiment Armories.
Auxiliary No. 5 sent equipped cots to the different camps in the
United States, Cuba and Porto Rico, supplying in all 3766.
Auxiliary No. 10 undertook to send ice to Cuba and Porto Rico,
the blockading fleet, and the different camps. This auxiliary also fur-
nished the ice plant on the Hospital Ship " Missouri," and expended
in all for ice $27,802.20.
The work of this auxiliary appealed especially to every one
during the hot weather, and donations poured in upon it, not the least
of which was a steady income from the " Nathalie Schenck Ice Chain,"
which produced a revenue of $24,000 in three months.
Auxiliary No. 17, enrolled seventy-four sub-auxiliaries, with a
total membership of 6173.
To the Supply Committee this auxiliar>- sent in the largest
quantity of supplies.
48o THK RKD CROSS.
Auxiliary No. 19 raised futuls for a laundry plant, and put same
on Hospital Ship " Missouri."
Auxiliary No. 22 had five sub-auxiliaries, with a total member-
ship of 1018. 14,144 garments, 850 cases and packages of food, and
12,583 books and magazines were sent to the Supply Depot. In Sep-
tember the auxiliary took as its particular work the supplying of
clothing to destitute soldiers applying for same, with properly signed
orders, at 554 Broadway. Nearly 800 men were given underwear,
blue flannel shirts, socks, handkerchiefs, night shirts, etc., etc.
Auxiliary No. 40. — The War Emergency Relief Board of Cleveland
became an auxiliary to the Red Cross in June, with 163 sub-auxiliaries.
Ten thousand dollars in money, and between thirty and forty thousand
dollars worth of supples, were sent to the front. Two thousand dollars
were spent in fitting up unfurnished wards in Cleveland hospitals,
where 533 soldiers were cared for. The wives and families of soldiers
and sailors were also cared for. Five thousand four hundred and
fifty hot breakfasts and dinners were served at the Union Depot to
soldiers passing through Cleveland. Four hundred cases of clothing
and delicacies were shipped by this auxiliary.
Requisitions Filled by Supply Committee.
June 22 to December i.
Total Number, 427.
To Santiago Shipments, 26
" Porto Rico " 10
" Camp Wikoff " 53
" " Thomas " 34
" " Alger " 7
Black . . " 5
" " Townsend " I
" *' Hobson " I
" Jacksonville " 17
" Tampa " 9
" Miami ... " 2
" Governor's Island " 14
*' Bedloe's Island '" 3
" Seavey's Island , . . . '' 3
" Fort Wadsworth ...,.<,. '' ' ao
A CI hAA •• i'.i,(j(^iv iluu^,h," CiARRISUNKD.
REPORT OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE. aS-k
To Fortress Monroe Shipnieiits 5
" Fort Riley • . . . " 1
" Fort Hamilton " 18
" Fort McPherson ' 4
" Quarantine 5
" Bellevue Hospital ' 6
" Roosevelt Hospital " 2
" Brooklyn Hospital " 3
" St. Peter's Hospital " 6
" St. Francis' IIo.spital " 2
" vSt. Catherine's Hospital " '«
" St. Joseph's Hospital " 4
" Yonkers Hospital " 4
" Mount Vernon Hospital " 4
" New Rochelle Hospital " 4
" Jamaica Hospital " i
" Nassau Hospital . . " 4
" Long Island College Hospital " 6
" Long Island Red Cro.ss Emergency Hospital . . " 22
" Stapleto)! Marine Hospital "
" U.S. S. "St. Paul " .
" " " New Hampshire " "
" " "Nahant" "
•' " '"Harvard" "
" *' 'Kanawha" "
"Elfrida"
" " " Vigilancia" "
" " " Supply " "
*' Hospital Ship " Missouri " " 4
" " " " Relief" " 2
" "Red Cross" Vaclit " 2
" 9th Regiment .Xrinory " 7
'• 8th " " " 4
" 71st " " " I
" 13th " " " 2
" Convalescent Homes " 43
" Soldiers' Comfort Committees ... .... " 25
" Distribution to Soldiers at Supply Depot ... " 13
" Stephen K. Barton " 2
" Dr. B. B. Lanier, U. S. A. . .
" Major Henry Page, U. S. V "
" Mr.s. L. Hutton, Athens, Ga "
" Mrs. G. M. Moulton, Savannah "
•' Mrs. F. M. Armstrong, Hampton, Va "
Total 427
27
THE RED CROSS.
tXTRACTS OF REPORTS FROM CAMPS.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Field Agent, Rev. Alexander Kent
Headquarters opened June i6, 1898. The hospital was found in a
very distressing and unhealthful condition. Most of the patients were
indeed on cots, but few had cither sheets or night shirts to cover them!
It was also found that the sick had no suitable food, and when the
suitable food was provided it was found that there was no provision for
preparing it!
The government provided many sheets, many cots, many pillows,
but the demand ever outran the supply, and the Red Cross was called
on continually to supply the lack.
The government made no provision for ice, milk, eggs, lemons,
malted milk, peptonoids, clam bouillon, beef extracts and delicacies of
all kinds until after the first of September, when each patient was
allowed sixty cents a day. All supplies of this sort were furnished by
the Red Cross, or by the beneficient agencies.
At the Second Division Hospital the Red Cross paid for a bath
house, kitchen and large circular tent for convalescents — 100 cots,
mattresses and 1000 pillows. Sheets, pillow ca.ses, night shirts, pajamas
and towels were sent by the thousand.
The Red Cross furnished over $1000 worth of medicines not on the
government list, over 1000 bath and surgical sponges, 50 ice chests,
over 700 buckets, tumblers by the barrel, medicine glasses, ice bags,
hypodermic syringes, etc.
Over $1300 was spent for hospital equipment and supplies of
various kinds; in addition to this, large shipments were received from
New York.
An important part of the work in this camp was the supplying of
ice for the purpose of cooling the drinking water. The cost of this ice,
5(;6ooo, was met by Auxiliary No. 10,
The milk bills averaged $500 a week.
When the Recuperating Hospital was opened at Pablo Beach, the
Red Cross, at the request of the chief surgeon, supplied 250 sets of
dishes, with a complete outfit of pitchers, trays, buckets, etc.
EXTRACTS OF REPORTvS FROM CAMPS. 485
The several heads of divisional hospitals have said to the agent
again and again, ' ' The hospitals never could have equipped themselves.
They would have broken down utterly without the aid of the Red
Cross."
Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, Ga.
Field Agent, E. C. Smith.
" No array of mere numerals written to express dollars, or tables
of figures standing for quantities, could, in comprehensive sense, tell
the story of the Red Cross work at Chickamauga in 1898. The record
is written indelibly in the hearts of thousands of soldiers who were
stricken with disease on this battlefield, and the story has been told at
quiet firesides in every State of the Union." Here in Chickamauga
men fell from the ranks day after day, and were carried helpless to the
regimental, division, corps and general hospitals, stricken by an unseen
foe. It was at these hospitals that the Red Cross sent supplies of all
kinds, medical and surgical, clothing, bedding, delicacies, etc. The
agent, Mr Smith, was told to supply everything needed, regardless of
cost. Milk and ice were the chief requisites, and all the surround-
ing farming country' was called upon to supply the milk, some of it
coming as far as Biltmore, N. C. The agent ascertained the neces-
sities of the sick through the best official sources, and without delay
the necessities were supplied.
Mr, Smith was stricken at his post with typhoid, but is now
convalescent.
Washington, D. C.
Headquarters for Camp Alger, Point Sheridan. Va., Washington Barracks Post
Hospital, Camp Bristow, Fort Meyer. Fortress Monroe. B. H. Warner, Agent
and Chairman Executive Committee of Red Cross at Washington.
By this branch of the Red Cross a large part of the work in camps
was undertaken. A meeting was called on June 21, at which a large
number of citizens met, and an Executive Committee was formed to
carry on the relief work at these different po.sts.
Captain George C. Lewis was the representative of the committee
at Camp Alger. He was constantly on duty there, seeing that supplies
were furnished and all possible relief extended — mattresses, pillows,
sheets, pillowcases, mosquito bars, night shirts, pajamas, handkerchiefs,
486 THE RED CROSwS.
underclothing, medicines, groceries and delicacies were supplied in large
quantities to this camp.
Point Sheridan was visited by Mrs. Mussey, a member of the
Committee. It was found that they were suffering for supplies of all
kinds, but especially for medicines, which had been ordered a month
before, but had not been receiv^ed. Proper medicines were delivered by
the Red Cross within twenty-four hours, and other necessities were
supplied, large shipments being also sent from New York.
When the Washington Barracks was made a post hospital, the
Red Cross supplied daily 800 pounds of ice, 5 gallons cliicken soup,
30 gallons of milk, 20 pounds of butter and 2 crates of eggs weekly.
Also furnished 1200 suits underwear, several hundred suits of pajamas,
several hundred pairs socks, and slippers, 500 towels, medicines, anti-
septic dressings, etc. The work at this point closed October 8.
The Secretary of War gave authority for the establishment of diet
kitchens, in the camps near Washington, and Mrs. Mussey was given
general charge of this special work. A diet kitchen was established at
Camp Bristow, one at the hospital at the Washington Barracks and at
Fort Meyer.
The government had voluntarily paid for meat, chicken and milk,
leaving the committee only bills for groceries and wages of employees.
Dr. Green rendered such efficient service that she has been em-
ployed by the government to establish diet kitchens at other points.
" Physicians, nurses and patients unite in saying the aid they
secured from the work was of inestimable value. ' '
To Fortress Monroe supplies were sent one day after they were
called for, consisting in part of 500 suits pajamas, 25 pairs crutches,
200 pairs slippers, 350 yards rubber sheeting, large quantities antiseptic
dressings, 60 gallons whiskey and brandy, 200 cans soups, basins,
pitchers, dishes, etc.
Arrangements were also made at this point for supplying ice for
the use of the troops on board the transports going South, and also
for the sick on their journey North.
The branch of work undertaken by this committee, which was the
most difficult to conduct, was in looking after the sick soldiers who
passed through the city. Soldiers from almost forty different regiments
were fed and cared for when ill. In all, about 40,000 men. The War
Department paid for the bread used in this branch of the work. All
bills for ice, and ice chests provided by this committee, were paid for by
Auxiliary No. 10.
EXTRACTS OF RKPORTvS FROM CAMP. 487
' ' It is gratifying to be able to state that whatever view the sur-
geons and other officers may have had as to the need of the Red Cross at
the beginning of the war, at the close they joined with the private
soldier in testifying to its wonderful and efficient work."
Yacht "Red Cross.
The yacht " Red Cross " was bought by the Relief Committee, to
be used by Miss Barton as headquarters during her stay in Cuba. The
yacht sailed from New York for Key West on June 30, laden with
twenty-five tons of surgical and medical supplies, and with five doctors,
arriving at Key West on July 10. From Key West the yacht sailed
for Santiago on July 16. She ran into a storm, and was so badly
damaged she had to put back to Key West for repairs. It was found
impossible to repair her there, so the medical supplies were transferred
to a transport sailing for Cuba, and the " Red Cross " returned to New
York, arriving August 4.
In three or four days she was in order again, and took on board a
cargo of supplies for Camp WikofF. She was then offered to the
government to transfer patients from the general hospitals at Camp
Wikoff to the hospitals in New York, New Haven, and adjacent cities,
where the soldiers could receive better shelter and care. The yacht
was comfortably fitted out, and made twenty-eight trips, carrying in all
449 sick men. During these trips she carried a doctor and three
trained nurses to care for the sick, and often the relatives and friends
of the soldiers were allowed to accompany those whom they had been
to find at Camp Wikoff.
Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, ly. I,
Field Agent, Mr. Howard Townsend.
It is difficult indeed, in giving extracts of this report, to present
any idea of the great work accomplished here. Mr. Townsend visited
the camp on August 8, and, after returning to New York to report to
the Relief Committee, went to Montauk on the loth to open "head-
quarters." The first, and in some respects the most important work
was the delivery of a daily supply of water for the troops. Ten
thousand gallons of hygeia water were delivered to the government,
488 THK RKD CROSS.
and four tank cars were brought daily from Jamaica with fresh spring
water. This work ceased when the great well was finished. To the
general hospital .such supplies were furnished as were rendered neces-
sary by the confusion and hurry of the first weeks, indeed a large part
of the articles necessary for a hospital were placed in the wards a few
hours after the need was discovered.
We supplied but few delicacies to the hospital after it was ip
running order. Oranges and lemons, were, however, supplied at the
rate of looo a day, and 200 gallons of milk were furnished, until, by
order of Secretary Alger, the government furnished 2000 gallons of
milk a day to the hospitals and troops. The detention hospital we also
kept abundantly supplied with delicacies, and often with necessities.
The regimental hospitals were found to be in great need of
equipment and food suitable for the sick, and to this part of the work
Dr. Geo. E. Brewer and Mr. Samuel Parrish devoted themselves, mak-
ing daily visits to the regiments, and assisting the regimental surgeons
in their discouraging work.
Auxiliarj^ No. 3 sent a dietary expert, Mrs. Willard, to the camp
to establish diet kitchens, and with the aid of Mr. Prescott, of the
Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Society they were established in con-
nection with the various hospitals, and such satisfactory results were
worked out that the government agreed to pay all the expenses.
The feeding of all the sick and half-starved men who arrived from
Cuba on the transports was undertaken by Dr. and Mrs. Valentine
Mott, while Dr. Magruder, chief quarantine officer, exerted himself
admirably in Red Cross work, carrying continually stores of Red Cross
delicacies to those ships which were in quarantine and suffering for lack
of food.
At the railroad .station, the men leaving on sick furlough frequently
collapsed, and here the government erected two tents for the Red Cross,
and Miss Martha L. Draper was asked to take charge. The men were
fed with milk, and when necessary given a few ounces of whiskey to
enable them to continue their journey. Those who were unable to
take the train were kept in the tents over night, which sheltered at
times as many as twenty sick men!
A great effort was made to answer all the inquiries from relatives
of the missing soldiers. Few can realize the number of letters and
telegrams received each day from all parts of the countr5^
"Owing to the recognition given/ to the Red Cro.ss agent by
Major-General Young when the camp was first begun, the Red Cross
EXTRACTS OF REPORTS FROM CAMPS.
489
was able to enter into a far broader sphere of usefulness than would
otherwise have been jxjssible."
The following list is given of articles furnished by the Red Cross,
to show in what quantities the supplies were used:
Equipped cots 1.523
Suits underwear 4,948
Pairs of socks 4i322
Night shirts 4,322
Pajamas 4,733
Comfort bags 1,511
Sheets 2,471
Pillow cases 2,536
Handkerchiefs 10,946
Pairs of slippers 2,423
Towels 6,554
Pillows 800
Blankets 929
Cocoa J, 440
Soups (cans) 10,344
Lactated food (bottles) .... 3,456
Beef extract ^,224
In all, 178 different articles were furnished, and many of them in
as large, some in even larger numbers than these given.
Red Cross Relief Station, Long Island City.
Mrs. Hammond in charge.
The Red Cross Relief Station was opened on August 29th. The
building which was directly opposite the railroad station, and in every
way most admirably adapted to the work, was offered to the Society by
Patrick J. Gleason, ex-Mayor of Long Island City. On the second
and third floors of this building, cots were erected, diet kitchens were
started, a corps of servants employed, and in a day or two everything
was in readiness. All the trains arriving from Montauk were met and
the men assisted to the Red Cross Relief Station, where they were all fed.
Many men were too ill to continue on their journey and were kept at
the "Emergency Hospital," or sent to hospitals in New York and
Brooklyn. The work, in a day or two. assumed such large proportions
that cots were erected on the first floor, and the Information and
Business offices were in a tent in front of the building. Even this
proved inadequate, and fifteen tents were erected, each holding six
cots.
Competent trained nurses were on duty, supplied by Auxiliary
No. 3.
Two ambulances were supplied by Auxiliary No i.
490
THE RED CROSS.
Clothing and delicacies of all kinds were dispensed in large
quantities.
Over fourteen thousand men were fed, and about $7000 was spent
in carrj'ing on this work.
From the reports of the physicians in charge we can safely say
that for the first two weeks 75 per cent of all that came in were sick,
needing care and medical attention, the third week about 50 per cent,
and the fourth week about 25 per cent.
It was due to the untiring enthusiasm of the women interested in
the relief work that the society was able to carry it on so successfully.
WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROSS. 491
THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROSS.
By special authority from the American National Red Cross, these
auxiliaries were organized under the auspices of the Relief Committee
in New York, acting in conjunction with the Executive Commitiee of
the Red Cross. Therefore, full reports of what they have accomplished
have not been sent direct to the national headquarters. Among the
woman's auxiliaries it was the custom for each to organize for some
special work, and devote their entire attention to it. It is a pleasure
to be able to insert here, as an example of the manner in which these
loyal women did their part in the work of war relief, the following
from the report of Auxiliary No. 3, organized for the maintenance of
trained nurses :
From the Report of Red Cross Auxiliary No. 3.
At the request of the Women's Committee on Auxiliaries, this
auxiliary was organized on May 18, 1898, to provide funds for the
maintenance of trained nurses. It was the original intention that these
nurses should be placed on a hospital ship to be furnished by the
National Relief Committee. It was not long, however, before this
plan of specialized work was abandoned by the Relief Committee, and
the Executive Committee of the auxiliary adapted itself to the change,
by using its funds and devoting its energies in supplying and main-
taining trained nurses in army hospitals, where, owing to the sudden-
ness and greatness of the emergency, the supply and maintenance of
an adequate number of nurses were not in the government's power.
This form of work was begun early in July, and on the 19th of that
month was, with the concurrence of the Relief Committee, finally
adopted as the chief purpose of the auxiliary'. It is hoped that some
estimate of the success achieved may be gained from this report.
Immediately on its organization, the important work of raising
money was undertaken, systematic eflforts were made to reach sub-
scribers, associate members were enlisted, circulars were sent out, and
personal appeals were made. From Paris alone, by the generosity of
French and American friends, more than $21,000 was received.
Suburban branches were also established, which, under the direction
492
THE RED CROSS.
of separate committees, labored earnestly and contributed largely, both
in money and in supplies. The chief of these branches were at Sea-
bright, Klberon, Navesink, Orange, New Hamburg, Tuxedo, Tarry-
town, Northern Westchester County, Riverdale, Rye and Harrison,
White Plains, Lake George, St. Hubert's Inn, Lenox, Wakefield and
Narragansett and Bar Harbor. The Executive Committee met fre-
quently to consider this question of ways and means, and the assistant
treasurer, Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies, was soon able to report a generous
response. As shown by her account, the sum of $107,785. 12 has in
all been collected, of which $72,101.64 has already been expended.
Without this hearty support from the friends of the cause, the good
accomplished by the auxiliary would have been sadly restricted,
Indeed, when the critical time of arranging cooperation with the
government came, we might never have felt justified in undertaking
such a responsibility, had our actual contributions not been so large,
and the assurance of further financial support so definite.
On June 30 the first call for nurses came in the shape of a tele-
graphic dispatch from Santiago, sent by Dr. A. Monae Lesser, chief
surgeon of the American National Red Cross Society. Two days
later, in compliance with this dispatch, a party consisting of twelve
trained nurses, one immune nurse, and one assistant, was sent from
New York to Tampa in charge of Miss Laura D. Gill, with orders to
proceed to Santiago at the first opportunity. This party was reinforced
by a second, consisting of three physicians and elevLU nurses, w^ho left
New York on July 4 in charge of Miss Isabel Rutty. A third party
of two physicians, thirty-two nurses, and six orderlies was sent forward
the same week, and reached Tampa on the evening of July 9. The
first available steamer for Santiago was the U. S. transport " Lam-
pasas," which was taking out Col. Black and his engineering corps,
and through the kindness of General Coppinger and Col. Edmond
Rice, five physicians, twenty-nine nurses, and two orderlies were given
transportation upon that ship.
The "Lampasas" reached Santiago just after its surrender, but
owing to the recent outbreak of yellow fever in the city, a strict
quarantine had been established, and none but immunes were permitted
to go ashore. The steamer thereupon proceeded to Porto Rico, and
on reaching the harbor of Guanica was converted into a hospital ship.
The plan of landing the nurses was abandoned, and they immediately
devoted themselves to the care of the 112 soldiers, most of them typhoid
fever patients, for whom accommodation was provided on the vessel.
WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROSS. 493
Two of these patients died at Guanica, two at Ponce, and four on
the homeward voyage. The remaining 104 were safely landed at
Fort Monroe early in August. Miss Mary E. Gladwin, who was with
the party, spoke for all the nurses when she said that this " Lampasas "
trip was the opportunity of a lifetime, and that the two weeks of
absorbing work " were worth years of ordinary living."
In the meantime the rest of our party at Tampa had embarked
on another government tran.sport, the " Nueces," also bound for San-
tiago. But within a few hours after the " Lampasas " left the dock at
Tampa, and before the "Nueces" could get away, a telegram was
received telling of the outbreak of yellow fever in Cuba. By direction
of the government, all of our party, except one trained nurse and four
assistants, were thereupon removed from the "Nueces," and left in
Tampa to await further developments. The five excepted members of
the party proceeded to Cuba, and some time afterwards returned to
New York in attendance upon the patients who were brought home on
the steamer " Concho."
It was in Tampa, while these nurses were impatiently awaiting
transportation to the front, that the sudden outbreak of typhoid fever
in the camp there gave the first important occasion for their services.
Four nurses, under the charge of Mrs. E. B. Freer, were assigned to
the Division Ho.spital at Picnic Island, and continued their work until
about July 27, when the sick men were removed and the island aban-
doned as a camp. The services of Mrs. Freer' s party were then desired
by Colonel O'Reilly, chief surgeon of the Fourth Army Corps, and
she was asked on Saturday, July 30, to superintend the opening of a
new military hospital in West Tampa. Authority and funds were, on
application to the auxiliary in New York, telegraphed her accordingly,
and the effectiveness of the compliance with the chief surgeon's request
will appear when it is said that by evening of the next day (Sunday)
a three-story brick building was selected for the hospital, thoroughly
cleaned, equipped with cots and other necessary hospital appliances,
and the cots themselves occupied by fifty soldiers suffering from typhoid
and malarial fevers. The spirit of this auspicious beginning guided
the conduct of the hospital until its last patient had been discharged on
October 14. Five hundred soldiers, chiefly typhoid patients, were
treated during those ten weeks, and only eleven deaths occurred. Even
a modern city hospital might be proud of such a record.
Meanwhile the con.stant efforts of the auxiliary to send nurses to
Cuba were thwarted by the appearance of yellow fever in Santiago.
494 THK RKD CROSS.
Notwithstanding our repeated offers, the government adhered to iti-
detennination to permit none but innnune nurses at the front, and the
extension of the auxiHary's work seemed to be liopelessly checked.
The situation with whicli we were confronted was most serious. We
had sought and collected over $60,000 in money, and notwithstanding
the great amount of suffering, and our conviction that if only permitted to
do so we might relieve so much of it, we were nearly helpless. Happily,
a speedy and most gratifying solution of the problem was found in the
following manner: The Executive Board of the Relief Committee
decided to send a committee representing itself and this auxiliary to
Washington, to reach some positive understanding with the President
and the surgeon-general of the army regarding the regular employ-
ment of our nurses.
On the evening of July 15, this committee, consisting of Mr.
Howard Townsend, Mrs. Whitelaw Reid and Mrs. Winthrop Cowdin,
was accorded a private interview at the White House by President
McKinley, who listened with kindly attention to a brief explanation
of the aims and purposes of the auxiliarj^, and expressed himself as
entirely in sympathy with them. At his request, a conference at the
White House between the committee, the Secretary of War and the
surgeon -general was arranged for the following morning. That same
evening the committee called also upon the adjutant-general, and
was assured of his co-operation in their efforts. Owing doubtless to
the limited time at the disposal of the surgeon-general, who was on
his way to meet the hospital ship "Olivette" on its first journey
North with a load of wounded from Santiago, no definite results were
reached at the conference the next morning. The Secretary of War,
however, said he would aid us to the extent of his power, and the
surgeon-general promised another interview with the same committee
at Mrs. Reid's house in New York, Sunday afternoon, July 17. The
result of this interview is thus staled in a letter from General Sternberg
to Mrs. Reid:
I take pleasure in confirming by letter the arrangements made at our interview
in New York on the 17th instant.
I am quite willing to employ female nurses vouched for by 3'ourself as secre-
tary of the Red Cross Society for Maintenance of Trained Nurses. I had previously
made very satisfactory arrangements for the employment of trained female nurses
through a committee of the Daughters of the American Revolution. As I said to
you during our interview, I recognize the value of trained female nurses in general
WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THR RED CROSS. 495
hospitals, and we expect to make use of their services to such an extent as seems
to be desirable. But I do not approve of sending female nurses with troops in
the field or to camps of instruction. It is the intention to transfer the seriously
sick men from our field hospitals to the general hospitals as soon as practicable;
and we wish our enlisted men of the Hospital Corps to lake care of the sick
in the Division Field hospitals and in camps of instruction, so that they may
be fully prepared to perform the same duties when the troops are in active
operations.
Among these privates of the Hospital Corps who constitute the Red Cross
organization of the regular military service, and who are non-combatants in
accordance with the terms of the Geneva Convention, we have many medical
students and even graduates in medicine.
I have made an exception with reference to sending female nurses to Cuba in
view of the outbreak of yellow fever in Santiago, and am now sending innnune
nurses, both male and female, for duty at the yellow fever hospitals. In accord-
ance with our agreement, you are authorized to send ten female trained nurses,
selected by yourself, to the Leiter Hospital at Camp Thomas, Ga.; ten to the U. S.
General Hospital at Fort Monroe, Va.; and two to the hospital at Fort Wadsworth,
N. Y., the understanding being that those at Fort Monroe and at Fort Wadsworth
shall be boarded and lodged outside of the hospital.
Thanking you very sincerely for your earnest efiforts in behalf of our sick and
wounded soldiers, I am, etc.
This letter was accompanied by an order for twenty nurses to be
.sent at once to the hospitals in the city of Charleston.
As a result of this permis.sion of the government, three men
nurses were sent on July 21 to the Marine Hospital at Staten Island,
and Miss Marjorie Hen.shall went with three women nurses to the Po.st
Ho.spital at Fort Wadsworth, where a number of sick and woinuled
officers had just been landed from the " Olivette." An example of the
immediate benefit resulting from the increased powers of the auxiliary
may be found in the case of one of the lieutenants in the regular
army, who had l3een ill with fever for weeks in Santiago witliout
proper care, and who had reached New York in an almo.st dying
condition. The surgeons in charge attributed his recovery to the
timely arrival of the nurses under Miss Henshall.
In further accordance with the surgeon -general's permis.sion, the
nurses who were on waiting orders at Tampa were sent to the Leiter
Hospital near Chattanooga, where ten were immediately placed on duty
by the chief surgeon, Major Carter ; and as they could not be provided
for in the hospital building, Mi.ss Gill went to Chattanooga to arrange
for their maintenance in quarters near by. The service at the Leiter
Hospital was peculiarly hard, and one of the nurses, Miss Phinney,
496 THE RED CROSS.
died there as a result of the great mental and physicial strain to which
she was subjected.
Ten nurses were sent on July 22 to the General Hospital, Fort
Monroe, in charge of Miss Lida G. Starr. As this hospital consisted
largely of tents, it was necessary for the nurses to be maintained in
hotels, in the neighborhood. Later, other nurses came, and soon the
entire force, with two exceptions, had signed contracts with the govern-
ment, but were maintained at the expense of the auxiliary. The total
number of nurses maintained by the auxiliary in service at this place
was at times as large as forty -five. Ten other nurses, maintained by
the Woman's War Relief Association, shared in the w^ork there. In
all seventeen hundred patients were treated at this hospital, of whom
only thirty-four died. To Miss Starr is due much credit for the
admirable management of the funds intrusted to her by the auxiliary,
and for the sedulous care she bestowed upon the welfare of the nurses.
Onl)' this, as they themselves realized, made it possible for them to
perform so remarkable a work, — a work of which Major De Witt, the
surgeon in charge, said: "I am satisfied that whatever success we
may have had in the treatment of our sick and wounded has been
in great measure due to the skill and devotion of the female nurses. ' '
Our labor at Charleston involved somewhat different necessities.
The city hospitals were crowded with soldiers who had been taken ill
on their way from the camps to the transports. Additional nurses
were thus greatly needed, and on July 24 twenty, in charge of Miss
Martha L. Draper, were sent to meet the emergency. That their
serv'ices were valuable and appreciated is shown hy the testimonials
granted them by the Board of Commissioners of the City Hospital of
Charleston.
When, in early August, the steamship "Missouri" was bought
by the government for a hospital ship, Mrs. Reid offered women
nurses to the officer in charge, Major Arthur. As the construction of
the ship did not afford accommodations which permitted the presence
of women on board, this offer was changed. The department had
allowed Major Arthur ten male nurses, but the government salary did
not command the quality of service which the special work of superinten-
dence required. It was therefore proposed to choose, under the advice
of Dr. Fisher, of the Presbyterian Hospital, a small supplementary
corps of exceptionally able nurses, who could assume the responsibility
of the wards. When these men had been chosen, they impressed
Major Arthur so favorably that he decided to dispense with the ten
WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OK THE RED CROSS. 497
nurses allowed him by the government, take these selected men under
contract, pay them the regulation salary, and leave upon the auxiliary
the expense only of the additional salary necessary to command this
superior nursing ability. The men retained the position of Red Cross
nurses, and wore the special uniform provided by the auxiliary. Ten
men made the trip to Santiago, but for the second and third trips the
staff was increased to fourteen. The spirit and capacity of these men
were severely tested on the first voyage by the unprepared state in which
the emergency required that the " Missouri " be sent South, but they
met their labors and hardships in a way which brought forth Major
Arthur's warmest praise.
Forty-two nurses have in the course of the summer been sent 10
Fort Wadsworth. Staten Island, where, under the able management of
Miss Marjorie Henshall, effective service has been rendered, giving
absolute satisfaction to the surgeons in charge.
At Governor's Island Miss Alice Marie Wyckoff and Miss Barker
have represented the auxiliary. Early in July they were occupied on
Swinburn Island in caring for the many patients who arrived on the
" Concho ; " and when those patients were transferred to Governor's
Island, Major Kimball, the surgeon in charge, asked that the nurses
be sent there to assist his hospital corps. This request was granted,
and additional nurses have since been supplied. He speaks in
high terms of what these nurses have done to aid him, and of their
conspicuous success in rousing apathetic patients to assist in their own
recovery.
The situation of these two harbor hospitals, and of the hospital at
Fort Hamilton, was especially favorable for the treatment of the very
sick patients re(eived from the transports directly from Santiago, or
from the general hospital at Camp Wikoff. The remarkably small
death-rate is directly attributable to the skill and devotion of the sur-
geons and nurses, to the carefully prepared food, and to the sea air
blowing through the tents. " It has been most wonderful," remarked
Miss Ellen M. Wood, who was in charge of the nurses at Fort
Hamilton, " to watch the soldiers grow young again " amid such sur-
roundings. The part which Miss Wood and her assistants played in
this beneficial change may be indicated by a quotation from a recent
letter to the acting president of the auxiliary from Major and Brigade
Surgeon RafFerty, commanding the General Hospital at Fort
Hamilton:
498 THK RED CROSS.
Miss E. M. Wood, with five nurses, will report to you on Saturday, October
15, 1S98. They have been on duty with nie in the camp and wards of the United
States General Hospital at this place for the past six or eight weeks, and have
rendered me noble, efiicient and conscientious work.
I wish you would express to your auxiliary for me my great appreciation of
leir efforts to ameliorate the suffering and sickness of our soldiers returning from
lie seat of war. Were I to choose the most worthy and successful body of workers
from among all the generous people who have been rendering .such beautiful aid
to our sick and wounded, I should unhesitatingly point to your Auxiliary for the
Maintenance of Trained Nurses.
Much has been accompli.shed by the mission of the special com-
mittee to the surgeon -general in July ; but later in the month it
becaine increa.singly apparent that some simpler routine of co-operation
with the government must be established in order to secure the more
rapid placing of the nurses. Under the existing conditions, all nurses
ordered to army hospitals were selected b}^ the Daughters of the
American Revolution Hospital Corps, con.sisting of Dr. Anita Newcomb
McGee, director; Miss Mary Desha and Mrs. Francis G. Nash,
assistant directors; and Mrs. Amos G. Draper, trea.surer. This hos-
pital corps did noble work for the cause, and its co-operation was
highly appreciated by the auxiliary. Dr. McGee, on whose advice in
these matters the surgeon-general greatly relied, was indefatigable in
her efforts, working day and night and month after month.
But since Congress had provided no special fund for the transpor-
tation of nurses, considerable delay had always occurred before the
nurses could reach the army hospitals; and as these hospitals were
rapidly filling up with patients in consequence of the outbreak of
typhoid and malarial fevers in the different camps, the effects of such
delay became daily more dangerous. The acting president went again
to Washington, and after conference with Dr. McGee and other
members of this hospital corps, placed a fund of five hundred dollars
in the hands of Mrs. Draper, as acting treastirer, to meet transporta-
tion expenses originating at Washington. This fund was most
efficiently managed by Mrs. Draper, and was replenished from time to
tinie until September 6, when $5425.80 had been so disbursed.
Thereafter the government assumed the entire expense of transportation.
This general subject of transportation was one regarding which
the auxiliary was able to render substantial service, and merits a few
descriptive words. The pressure upon the Quartermaster's Depart-
ment at Washington during the summer made it impossible to be
""*" " II
WOMAN'S AUXIIJARIRS OF TIIK RKD CROSS. 501
certain of iiuinediate transportation for nurses to their posts of duty.
Even after orders were received, the nurses might be delayed several
days for the necessary transportation pass. Under ordinary circum-
stances this might have seemed comparatively unimportant; but when
a new hospital is opened and scores of patients lie waiting for the care
which can be given only by the expected nurses, it is a matter of vital
importance whether they come in twelve hours or a week.
When the auxiliary acceded to the suggestion from Wd.shington,
and undertook to relieve this pressure by paying the transportation of
nurses who could not otherwise be put into immediate service, quite
a change in plan was made. A number of nurses were ordered to
New York by Dr. McGee, and were held in readiness to respond to
requests from any part of the country. These nurses, added to the
numbers being constantly enlisted here, made a substantial reserve for
sudden calls. In a few hours after a telegram asking for a given number
of nurses was received, the nurses could meet at the railway station,
find an agent of the auxiliary there, who would distribute the tickets
and sleeping-car accommodations that had already been secured, check
their trunks, provide for the payment of the incidental expenses of
the journey, and see the party off for its destination. It is believed
that the money, labor and thought expended in this w^ay brought a
rich return.
As the responsibilities of the auxiliary developed, the need of a
permanent office became apparent. In the absence of the president
and first and second vice-presidents, Mrs. Cowdin became acting-presi-
dent, and from July 28 to September 20 headquarters for the auxiliary
were maintained at her residence. No. 15 West Kleventh street. Since
September 20 the office of the auxiliar>' has been at Mrs. Reid's resi-
dence. No. 451 Madison avenue. The scope and interest of the work
increased daily, and its details required the entire attention of the
executive officer, her assistants. Miss Gill and Miss Wadley, a stenog-
rapher and a bookkeeper. In addition, Mrs. W. Bayard Cutting, Mrs.
W. Lanman Bull and Mrs. Geo. F. Shrady, Jr., of the executive com-
mittee, though compelled to be out of town, were in frequent conmuini-
cation with the New York office, and, in town and out, labored
constantly to render the auxiliary more effective.
On August 10, Miss Gill, who from the l^eginning gave herself
completely to the work, and whose services were of inestimable value,
went to Washington to clear up several points relative to the enlist-
ment of nurses. Aside from the adjustment of some details, two
502 THE RED CROSS.
important results were obtained. One of these was the appointment
by the surgeon-general of the acting president of the auxiliary as direct
superintendent of the nurses at Fort Wad.sworth, Fort Hamilton and
Governor's Island, with full power to appoint, transfer and recall them;
the other, to which fuller reference will be hereafter made, was permis-
sion for Miss Maxwell, of the Presbyterian Hospital, New York, to go
to Chickamauga with a party of nurses chosen by her. The Red Cross
Hospital in New York, from which the nurses had theretofore been
enlisted, being temporarily closed, Miss Maxwell offered her office at
the Pre-sbyterian Hospital for the registration of nurses sent out by the
auxiliary; and at her urgent request, Miss K. M. Pierce, superintendent
of the Samaritan Hospital at Troy, who was then in New York,
devoted her vacation to making arrangements for the registration and
transportation of the large number of nurses called into the city. After
September i this work devolved upon Miss Wadley, and was trans-
ferred to a separate bureau at No. 6 East Forty-second street, where,
under her direction, it has reached a high degree of efficiency.
One of the largest fields of the auxiliary's activity was at Chick-
amauga. The typhoid epidemic which broke out in all the camps of
instruction where our troops were stationed severely taxed the resources
of the division hospitals. The surgeons had to rely mainly on the
services of untrained men, and while the great need for the services of
women was apparent, their employment in military camps had not then
been attempted. Nowhere were the conditions more threatening than
at Chickamauga; and toward the end of July, Miss Maud Cromelien,
an agent of the auxiliary, visited the Division Hospitals at Camp
Thomas. The need for prompt relief there manifested was imperative;
and, acting under authority from New York, she made the following
offer on behalf of the auxiliary to Lieutenant-Colonel Hoff, surgeon-
in-chief at the camp, namely: to supply at least one division hospital
with nurses; to meet all expenses of maintaining the nurses; and to
erect, equip, and supply tents for their occupation; to supplj^ a com-
petent supervising nurse, and to make the entire party subject to the
orders of the chief surgeon. This offer was reported to the surgeon-
general at Washington, and by his direction accepted. Through the
kindness of the managers of the Presbyterian Hospital, the auxiliary had
the great good fortune to secure the consent of the superintendent of
their training school. Miss Maxwell, to take charge of this relief party.
Miss Maxwell at once threw herself into the arduous task, and
having obtained twenty most capable nurses, with promises of many
WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROvSS. 503
more to follow, selected Miss Frances A. vStone as assistant snperin-
tendent, and started from New York with the party August 7. In the
meantime, under the supervision of Miss Cromelien, dormitories and
other accommodations had been provided at Camp Thomas, not only
for this party, but for the large number of additional nurses that were
expected. Upon reaching the camp, Miss Maxwell inspected the
division hospitals, and then, by arrangement with the government
authorities, took charge of the nursing at the Sternberg United States
F'ield Hospital, which had just been opened to receive the overflow of
patients from the crowded division hospitals. The suffering of the
patients, and the pitiable lack of almost everything necessary to their
proper care, are described by Miss Maxwell as among the saddest
sights in her long experience. Yet out of all this misery and chaos
much alleviation of pain and admirable order were soon brought.
Beginning with 136 patients, 900 were received during the four weeks
of Miss Maxwell's superintendence. Of these 470 were furloughed and
68 died. In all the auxiliary expended at Chickauianga, for buildings,
equipment, nurses, supplies and maintenance, more than $c)000. In
concluding her report of the work to the managers of the Presbyterian
Hospital, Miss Maxwell wrote among other things:
I cannot say enough in praise of the liberality and thoughtfulness of the
auxiliary of the Red Cross in supplying us with eight dormitories, a bath-house,
s*ore-roonis, kitchen, dining-room, house-keeper, servants, aud not only the
necessities, but many of the luxuries of life.
This proposition of organizing a large field hospital with women
nurses was at first generally looked upon as impracticable. It was
urged that it had never been done, that women could not endure the
hardships of field life, and that they would be an embarrassment in the
camj)s, and so it was altogether as an experiment that the nurses were
allowed to begin their work at the Sternberg Hospital. Something of
the success of the experiment in changing the attitude of the surgeons
toward the idea of women nurses in the field is shown by the following
letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Hoff to Miss Cromelien, in which he
says:
I desire to express my sense of obligation to yon and the society you represent
for the generous offer made on the 2d of .\ugust to supply Sternberg Hospital
•with trained nurses and meet all their natural wants, which offer, with the
approval of the surgeon-general of the army, I accepted on the 3d mstant.
504 THR RED CROSS.
A very short time after this you established a nursing service in this field
hospital, which I venture to say is not surjiassed in any hospital, and is equaled
in few,— a service which already has brought to our sick soldiers untold comfort,
and is aiding materially in their restoration to health and strength. Certainly no
nobler undertaking could be inaugurated and carried out by the women of our
cxjuutry, and noue deserving of greater appreciation.
The following tribute from Major GifFen, the surgeon in command
at the Sternberg Hospital, is equally significant:
The Red Cross Societ)' for the Maintenance of Trained Nurses can truly say,
Veni, Vidi, Vici, for without their helping hand I would have been unable to have
stayed the dread disease that has been raging in our camp. Their helping hand
came in the hour of need, and the history of the future shall record each and every
member of the Red Cross Society as the guardian angels of the Sternberg Hos-
pital. My experience of years of hospital work has enabled me to judge of the
abilities of nurses, and I am proud to say that this corps of nurses, under the
excellent supervision of Miss Maxwell, has never before been equaled.
About the first of August the arrival of the transports from San-
tiago, and the opening of Camp Wikoff, at Montauk Point, afforded
another great opportunity. The call, however, was sudden, and no
chance was given to the auxiliary to provide tents specially fitted for
the comfort of the nurses, as was done at the Sternberg Hospital. By
special arrangement with the surgeon-general, the nurses ordered by
him to Montauk reported to the acting president of the auxiliary and
were sent forward immediately, or, as the occasion demanded, were
cared for over night. Much has been said in criticism of the hospital
conditions at Montauk, and too little of the fine service of the surgeons
and nurses, who, under trying conditions, worked day and night to
save the lives of their patients. Under the efficient management of
Mrs. ly. W. Quintard, of St. Luke's Hospital, the nurses took up
their labors with enthusiasm and with a determination to make the best
of existing circumstances. By personal visits to the camp the acting
president was enabled to ameliorate in many ways the hard conditions
under which the nurses were so bravely working. Supplies of all sorts
were sent down with the least possible dela3^
In the Detention Hospital, at Camp Wikoff, the fifty nurses to
whose special needs Miss Virginia C. Young devoted herself on behalf
of the auxiliary, cared for nearly eighteen hundred seriously ill
WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROSS. 505
soldiers, many of whom had had yellow fever in Cuba, and were suf-
fering, when brought to the hospital, from typhoid fever, pernicious
malarial fever and dysentery. A few had measles or diphtheria. Sixty-
two, or rather less than 4 per cent, of these patients died, a result which
is believed to bear striking testimony to the quality and success of the
care they received. In a graphic account of her experience at this
hospital Miss Young writes:
I wish I could make the women of the auxiliary fully understand what their
splendid generosity meant to us who had the joy of ministering in their name.
For the fifty women who fought day by day that grim battle with disease and
death could but have wrung their hands in hopeless impotence had it not been for
the hundreds of other women by whose aid we were able to carry on our work.
One could have no more eloquent testimony to this than that furnished by a walk
through one of the fever wards of Detention Hospital, where the men lay on Red
Cross cots, in Red Cross pajamas, covered by Red Cross sheets and blankets, and
taking their Red Cross medicines or broth or delicacies from Red Cross cups and
glasses at the hands of Red Cross nurses.
Through the energy of Mrs. M. H. Willard, agent for the auxili-
ary, and with the permission of Colonel Forwood, a diet kitchen was
opened at the General Hospital, at Camp Wikoff, for the sick and con-
valescent soldiers. The expense of maintaining this kitchen was
shortly afterwards entirely assumed by the government and by the
Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association. So successful was its opera-
tion under Mrs. Willard's administration that four additional kitchens
were opened. It is estimated that more than twenty thousand specially
prepared meals for the sick and the convalescent have been served from
these five kitchens.
When the rooms of the Long Lsland City Relief Station were
opened, near the railroad station, this auxiliary offered to supply the
services of a physician and nurses, and continued to do so until, by
reason of the removal of the troops, the need for the relief station
ceased. One does not soon forget the first days when the soldiers
began to arrive, the kindly interest felt by every one in and about the
railroad station, the eagerness of the small newsboy to show the soldiers
where the "Red Cross" was. To the soldier himself, weakened by
illness and the fatigue of the journey, the place seemed a veritable
haven of rest. Arrangements were made by the ladies in charge to
send the very sick men immediately to the hospitals in Brooklyn and
5o6 THE RED CROSS.
New York. The others were given proper food and cared for until
morning, or for the .several days that .sometimes elapsed until the
.soldier was able to continue his journey.
Through the efforts of Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, and by the kindness
of the president of the Wagner Car Company, the cars " Franconia "
and " Wayne" were placed at the service of the auxiliary, and under
its direction were fitted up and maintained as hospital cars. Sur-
geons and nurses accompanied these cars on the trips from Montauk,
and ministered to those among the returning soldiers who needed
special care. At Montauk itself the tents erected by the Red Cross
Relief Committee at the railway station, a distance of two or three
miles from the hospital and camp, were supplied with nurses by the
auxiliary.
Some excellent emergency work was accomplished by the aux-
iliary at the time of the outbreak of typhoid fever at Camp Black.
Twelve nurses were selected, and at the urgent request of the acting
president. Miss Irene Sutliffe of the New York Hospital, consented to
take them to the camp on September 4, and organize a hospital under
conditions which would have daunted the courage of most women.
Nothing but tents and beds were provided for the reception of the one
hundred and fifty patients, mo.st of whom were very ill. Supplies of
all kinds, including a complete diet kitchen outfit, were sent to the
camp by the auxiliary. Additional nurses were furnished, and every
effort was made to aid Miss Sutliffe and her staff in their arduous
labors. It is rjratifying to learn that in this way much suffering, and
perhaps loss of life, was averted. On September 20 the patients then
remaining were transferred to the Nassau Hospital, Hempstead.
The destruction of Admiral Cervera's fleet, and the landing of the
Spanish prisoners at Seavey's Island, Portsmouth, N. H., gave the
auxiliary another opportunity for service. Learning that it was
impossible for the government surgeons to obtain nurses in the neigh-
borhood of Portsmouth , the acting president made a personal request
to the surgeon-general of the navy to authorize the sending of six
men nurses. This application was granted. In the two pavilions
temporarily erected for the patients the nurses went to work with
enthusiasm. They found the patients easily managed and always
grateful for what was done for them. The nurses were able to excite
feelings of such trust and confidence that these same patients, when
placed upon the " City of Rome " for their homeward journey, asked
that the Red Cross nurses should go with them to Spain, '^his
WOMAN'S AUXIUARIKS OF THK RED CROSS. 507
request was granted, and Mr. Bray man, who was in charge of the
party, reports that the nurses were treated with much courtesy and
cordiaHty, and that the voyage was accomplished without the loss of
a single patient. It will be remembered that at the time of the sailing
of the "City of Rome" many of the Spanish prisoners were not
expected to live to reach their native land. At Santander the nurses
were warmly welcomed by the Spanish representatives of the Red Cross
Society. Mr. Brayman speaks of meeting one of his former patients
in the streets of Santander, still wearing the United States uniform.
On inquiry, the man replied, "This blouse was given me with three
stripes and two stars. I shall w^ear them all." At Bilboa the nurses
received an especially cordial reception, and the American and Spanish
representatives of the society which bears for its emblem, " Neutrality,
Humanity," exchanged brassards. Mr. Brayman afterward sent the
brassard which was received by such exchange to a representative of
the auxiliary in New York, with a letter from which the following
extract is taken: " It gives me great pleasure to tell you that I do not
believe any country can boast of a truer or nobler son than the young
Spanish gentleman who formerly wore this emblem. His mother
expressed a wish that one of the nurses might become ill there, that
she might show how an American would be cared for b}^ her."
Nurses were also sent by the auxiliary to the Eighth Regiment
Home at Hunter's Island, and to the Home for Soldiers opened by the
citizens of Sag Harbor, Long Island.
Supplementing these various branches of hospital service, two
homes for convalescent soldiers were established under the direction of
the auxiliary. One of these, Eunice Home of Chapel Hill, beautifully
situated at Atlantic Highlands, N. J., was offered to the auxiliary by
the trustees of the Chapel Hill Fresh Air Mission. Miss M. E. Mel-
ville and Dr. G. R. Winder were placed in charge, with a staff of
nurses and servants, and several hundred soldiers have been cared for.
Through the liberality of the Church of the Incarnation, our other
home, the Summer Home Rest at Peekskill, was opened September 19,
and has, aided by the untiring efforts of Mrs. W. Lanman Bull, cared
for forty -two convalescent men Every effort has been made in the.se
homes to make the men happy, and they have returned to their
regiments greatly improved in health, and in many cases quite
recovered.
But it was not the soldiers alone who demanded the aid of the
auxiliary. The nurses themselves have also been objects of anxious
5o8 THR RED CROSS.
care. Unless their capacity for efficient service had l)een maintained,
all our efforts would have been paralyzed. While in New York
awaiting orders, they were placed in excellent boarding houses,
through a sati.sfactory arrangement made by the auxiliary with the
Home Bureau of No. 15 West Forty-second street. At every camp
and hospital where they were stationed we undertook to supply them
with pure water and milk, with nourishing food, and such other
comforts as would increase their efficiency and remind them of the
support and sympathy they were receiving at home. When any nurse
has succumbed to the strain and fallen ill, every effort has been made
to relieve her suffering and to restore her speedily to health. And to
aid that happy result, a home for convalescent nurses, through the
generosity of Mrs. Alice Dean Ward, was opened early in November
at Ro way ton. Conn.
THE WOMEN WHO WENT TO THE FlElvD. 509
THE WOMEN WHO WENT TO THE FIELD.
The following poem is here inserted because of its prophetic appli-
cation to those women who, during the Spanish-American War, went
bravely to field and camp to minister to the sick and the wounded.
The poem was read by Clara Barton at the farewell Reception and
Banquet by the Ladies of the Potomac Corps, at Willard's Hotel,
Washington, D. C, Friday evening, November 18, 1892, in response
to the toast:
The Women Who Went to the Field.
The women who went to the field,
you say,
The women who went to the field;
and pray
What did they go for ? — ^just to be
in the way?
They'd not know the diflference
betwixt work and play.
And what did they know about war,
anyway ?
What could they do .?— of what use
could they be ?
They would scream at the sight of a gun,
don't you see?
Just fancy them round where the
bugle-notes play,
And the long roll is bidding us on
to the fray.
Imagine their skirts 'mong
artillery wheels,
And watch for their flutter as they
flee 'cross the fields
When the charge is rammed home
and the fire belches hot;
They never will wait for the
answering shot.
They would faint at the first drop of blood
in their sight.
What fun for us boys,— (ere we enter
the fight);
THE RED CROSS.
They might pick some liut, and tear up
some sheets,
And make us some jellies, and send on
their sweets,
And knit some soft socks for Uncle's Sam's
shoes.
And write us some letters, and tell us
the news.
And thus it was settled, by common
consent,
That husbands, or brothers, or whoever
went.
That the place for the women was in
their own homes,
There to patiently wait until victory
comes.
But later it chanced — just how,
no one knew —
That the lines slipped a bit, and some
'gan to crowd through;
And they went, — where did they go? — Ah! where
did they ndt ?
Show us the battle, — the field, — or the
spot
Where the groans of the wounded rang out
on the air
That her ear caught it not, and her hand
was not there;
Who wiped the death sweat from the cold,
clammy brow,
And sent home the message: — " 'Tis well
with him now; "
Who watched in the tents whilst the fever
fires burned.
And the pain-tossing limbs in agony
turned.
And wet the parched tongue, calmed
delirium's strife
Till the dying lips murmured, " My mother"
" My wife?"
And who were they all ? — They were many,
my men ;
Their records were kept by no tabular
pen ;
They exist in traditions from father
to son,
Who recalls, in dim memory, now here
and there one.
THE WOMEN WHO WENT TO THE FIELD.
A few names were writ, and by chance
live to-day ;
But 's perishing record, fast fading
away.
Of those we recall, there are scarcely
a score,
Dix, Dame, Bickerdyke,— Edson, Harvey
and Moore,
Fales, Wittenieyer, Gilson, Safford
and Lee,
And poor Cutter dead in the sands of
the sea ;
And Francis D. Gage, our " Aunt Fanny "
of old.
Whose voice rang for freedom when
freedom was sold.
And Husband, and Etheridge, and
Harlan and Case,
Livermore, Alcott, Hancock and
Cliase,
And Turner, and Hawley, and Potter
and Hall.
Ah! the list grows apace, as they come
at the call :
Did these women quail at the sight
of a gun ?
Will some soldier tell us of one
he saw run ?
Will he glance at the boats on the great
western flood.
At Pittsburg and Shiloli, did they faint
at the blood ?
And the brave wife of Grant stood there
with them then.
And her calm stately presence gave strength
to his men.
And Mane of Loffan: she went with them
too;
A bride, scarcely more than a sweetheart,
'tis true.
Her young cheek grows pale when the
bold troopers ride.
Where the '* Black Eagle " soars, she is close
at his side,
She staunches his blood, cools the fever-burnt
breath.
And the wave of her hand stays the
/\ngel of Death;
512 THE RED CROSS.
She nurses him back, aud restores
once again
To both army and state the great
leader of men.
She has smoothed his black plumes
and laid them to sleep
Whilst the angels above them their high
vigils keep;
And she sits here alone, with the snow
on her brow —
Your cheers for her, Comrades ! Three cheers
for her now.
[At this point, as by one impulse, every man in the room sprang to his feet
and, led by General W. W. Dudley, gave three rousing cheers, while Mrs. Logan,
with her beautiful white head bent low, vainly sought to staunch the fast-falling
tears; the air was white with the sympathetic 'kerchiefs of the ladies, and the
imposing figure of Clara Barton standing with uplifted arm, as if in signal for the
cheers, so grandly given, completed the historic aud never-to-be-forgotten scene. ]
And these were the women who went
to the war;
The women of question ; what did they
go for ?
Because in their hearts God had planted
the seed
Of pity for woe, and help for
its need;
- They saw, in high purpose, a duty
to do.
And the armor of right broke the
barriers through.
Uninvited, unaided, unsanctioned
ofttimes.
With pass, or without it, they pressed
on the lines;
They pressed, they implored, 'till they ran the
lines through.
And that was the " running " the men saw
them do.
'Twas a hampered work, its worth largely
lost;
'Twas hindrance, and pain, and effort, and
cost:
But through these came knowledge, —
knowledge is power, —
And never again in the deadliest
hour
THE WOMEN WHO WENT TO THE FIELD. 513
Of war or of peace shall we be
so beset
To accomplish the purpose our spirits
have met.
And what would they do if war
came again ?
The scarlet cross floats where all was
blank then.
They would bind on their " brassards " *
and march to the fray.
And the man liveth not who could
say to them nay;
They would stand with you now, as they
stood with you then, —
The nurses, consolers, and saviors
of men.
The insiguia and arm-band of the Red Cross worn on the field.
Note. — Returning home from a journey, Miss Barton was notified in the
afternoon that she would be expected to attend the banquet and respond to the
toast, "The Women Who Went to the Field." As there was little or no time for
I reparation, the foregoing poem was hastily written, and may almost be considered
as impromptu.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN.
E had scarceh' returned from Armenia when para-
graphs began to appear in the press from all sections
^ of the country, connecting the Red Cross with
some undefined method of relief for Cuba. These
^ intimations were both ominous and portentous for the
future, something from which we instinctively shrunk and remained per-
fectly quiet. . " The murmurs grew to clamors loud," and, I regret to
say, not always quite kind. There were evidently two Richmonds in the
field, the one ardently craving food alone, simpl}' food for the dying.
The other wanting food and arms. They might have properly been
classed under two distinct heads. The one, merely the friends of
humanity in its simple-sense; the other, friends of humanity also, but
what seemed to them a broader and deeper sense, far more complex.
They sought to remove a cause as well as an effect, and the muflfied
cry of "Cuba Libre" became their watchword. Naturally, anj^ general
movement by the people in favor of the former must have the effect
to diminish the contributions of the latter, too small at best for their
purpose, and must be 'wisely discouraged. Thus, w^henever an unsus-
pecting movement was set on foot by some good-hearted, unsophis-
ticated body of people, and began to gain favor with the public and
the press, immediately would appear most convincing counter para-
graphs to the effect that it would be useless to send relief, especially
by the Red Cross:
First, it would not be permitted to land.
Next, whatever it took would be either seized outright, or
"wheedled" out of hand by the Spanish authorities in Havana.
That the Spaniards would be only too glad to have the United
States send food and money for the use of Havana.
Again, that the Red Cro.ss being international, would afl&liate with
Spain, and ignore the " Cuban Red Cross " already working there and
here. As if poor Cuba, with no national government or treaty-making
power, could have a legitimate Red Cross that other nations could
recognize or work with.
(514)
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 515
That doubtless the American Red Cross, flushed with victory in
Armenia, would be only too glad to enter on another campaign, direct
another field, and handle its donations. Tired, heart-sore and needing
rest, we were compelled to read columns of such reports, and under-
standing that it w^as not without its political side and might increase
to proportions dangerous to the good name of the Red Cross, we felt
compelled to take steps in self- protection. Accordingly through the
proper official authorities of both nations, we addressed to the govern-
ment of Spain at Madrid a request for royal permission for the American
Red Cross to entei;Cuba and distribute, unmolested, among its starving
reconcentrado population such relief as the people of America desired
to send.
This communication brought back from Spain perhaps the most
courteous assent and permission ever vouchsafed by a proud govern-
ment to an individual request, especially when that request was in its
very nature a rebuke to the methods of the government receiving it.
Not only was permission granted by the crown, the government, the
Captain-General at Cuba, and the Queen Regent, but to the assent of
the latter were added her majesty's gracious thanks for the kindly
thought.
This cablegram was published broadcast through the Associated
and United Presses in its exact text, with all official signatures duly
appended, and over my signature the statement that the American Red
Cross was ready to enter upon the relief of the starving Cubans when-
ever the people of the United States should place at its disposal a sum
in money or material sufficient to warrant a commencement of the
work.
Strange to saj', so sensational had the tone of our press become, so
warped the judgment, so vitiated the taste of its readers, that in the
hurried scramble between headlines and the waste basket they failed to
discriminate between this announcement of clear, true official relations
on the part of a government, with a body which it held sufficiently
responsible to deal with officially, and the sensational guess of some
representative of the press.
It will seem a little singular to any one who should ever take the
time to coolly read this account (if such there be), that in response to
this announcement not one dollar or one pound ever came or was
offered, and the cry for "starving Cuba " still went on as if no door
had been opened. Had the nation gone mad, or what had hap-
pened it ?
5i6 THE RED CROSS.
Societies of women were formed to raise money; among these the
most notable, influential and worthy ladies in American society. They
labored, instant in season and out of season, with small results;
perfectly unable to comprehend their want of success.
I think that dear Mrs. Thurston, one of their most ardent mem-
bers, came to comprehend it a little by the strong, prophetic words she
spoke to me as months later in Havana our carriages rattled and thun-
dered over rocky streets from one hospital of death to another. And
this only comparativel}'- a few hours before the cruel, restless sea
surged out of that worn, frail body the soul that glowed with the flame
of humanity, justice and pity to the last.
This state of things continued through the year of 1897, but as
the present year of '98 opened the reports of suffering that came were
not to be borne quietly, and I decided to confer with our government
and learn if it had objections to the Red Cross taking steps of its own
in direct touch with the people of the countr}-, and proposing their
co-operation in the work of relief. I beg pardon for the personality of
the statement which follows, but it is history I am asked to write:
Deciding to refer my inquiry to the Secretary of State, I called at
his department to see him, but learned that he was with the President.
This suiting my purpose, I followed to the Executive Mansion, was
kindly informed that the President and Secretary were engaged on a
very important matter and had given orders not to be interrupted. As
I turned to leave I was recalled with, " Wait a moment, Miss Barton,
and let me present your card." Returning immediately, I entered the
President's room to find these two men in a perplexed study over the
very matter which had called me. Distressed by the reports of the
terrible condition of things so near to us, they were seeking some
remedy, and producing their notes just taken revealed the fact that
they had decided to call me into conference.
The conference was then held. It was decided to form a committee
in New York, to ask money and material of the people at large to be
shipped to Cuba for the relief of the reconcentrados on that island. The
call would be made in the name of the President, and the committee
naturally known as the " President's Committee for Cuban Relief." I
was courteously asked if I would go to New York and assume the
oversight of that committee. I declined in favor of Mr. Stephen E.
Barton, second vice-president of the National Red Cross, who, on
being immediately called, accepted; and with Mr. Charles Schieren as
treasurer and Mr. Eouis Klopsch, of the Christian Herald, as the
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 519
third member, the committee was at once established ; since known
as the Central Cuban Relief Committee.
The committee was to solicit aid in money and material for the
suffering reconcentrados in Cuba, and forward the same to the Consul-
General at Havana for distribution. My consent was then asked by
all parties to go to Cuba and aid in the distribution of the shipments
of food as they should arrive. After all I had so long offered, I
could not decline, and hoping my going would not be misunder-
stood by our authorities there, who would regard me simply as a will-
ing assistant, I accepted. The Consul-General had asked the New
York Committee to send to him an assistant to take charge of the
warehouse and supplies in Havana. This request was also referred to
me, and recommending Mr. J. K. Elwell, nephew of General J. J.
Elvvell, of Cleveland, Ohio, a gentleman who had resided six years in
Santiago in connection with its large shipping interests, a fine bu.siness
man and speaking Spanish, I decided to accompany him, taking no
member of my own staff, but going simply in the capacity of an
individual helper in a work already assigned.
On Saturda}^ February 6, we left Washington for Cuba via Jack-
sonville, Tampa and Key West.
Thus, with that simple beginning, with no thought on the part of
any person but to do unobtrusively the little that could be done for the
lessening of the woes of a small i.sland of people, whom adverse circum-
stances, racial differences, the inevitable results of a struggle for
freedom, the fate of war, and the terrible features of a system of sub-
jugation of a people, which, if true, is too dark to name, was com-
menced the relief movement of 1898 which has spread not alone over
the entire United States of America from Maine to California, from Van-
couver to the Gulf of Mexico, but from the Indias on the west, to the
Indias on the east, and uniting in its free-will offerings the gifts of one-
third of the best nations in tlie world.
520 THK RKO CROSS.
HAVANA.
"We reached Havana February 9, five weeks ago, and in all the
newness of a strange country, with oriental customs, commenced our
work."
The above entry I find in my diary. In speaking of conditions as
found, let me pray that no word shall be taken as a criticism upon any
person or people. Dreadful as these conditions were, and rife as
hunger, starvation and death were on every hand, we were constantly
amazed at the continued charities as manifested in the cities, and small,
poor villages of a people so over-run with numbers, want and woe for
months, running into years; with all business, all remuneration, all
income stopped, killed as dead as the poor, stark forms around them,
it was wonderful that they still kept up their organizations, municipal
and religious, and gave not of their abundance, but of their penury;
that still a little ration of food went out to the dens of woe. That the
wardrobe was again and again parceled out; that the famishing mother
divided her little morsel with another mother's hungry child; that two
men sat down to one crust, and tha<^ the Spanish soldier shared, as often
seen, the loaf — his own half ration — with the eager-eyed skeleton
reconcentrado, watching him as he ate. In another instance the
recognition might have been less kind it is true, for war is war, and all
humanity are not humane.
The work was commenced in earnest. I still turn the pages of
the diary, which says: "We were called on deck to look at Morro
Castle, which, grim and dark in the bright morning sunlight, skirts
the bay like a frowning ogre."
We were met at the dock and driven to Hotel Inglaterra, where
letters of welcome awaited us. After paying our official respects, our
first business was to meet the committees appointed for the distribution
of food. We found them pleasant gentlemen. We were notified of
the arrival of the steamship " Vigilancia, " with fift}^ tons of supplies,
sent by the New York Committee; took carriage and drove to the
dock. It was a glad sight to see her anchors dropping down into the
soil of that starved spot of the earth. We boarded her, met the
gentlemanly officers, and saw the goods being put on the lighters.
This was the largest quantity of .supplies that had 3'et arrived by
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMl'AIGN. 521
any one steamship. In rcturninj:;: to land, we threaded our way
through the transports and yachts — among the latter the " New York
Journal," that had just taken Julian Hawthorne across from Key
West — and grandest of all, the polished, shining battleship " Maine."
She towered above them like a monarch, or rather like an elegant
visitor whom all the household felt bound to respect. On landing, we
resumed our carriage and drove to Los Fosos, a large, long building
filled with reconcentrados, — over four hundred women and children in
the most pitiable condition possible for human beings to be in, and
live; and they did not live, for the death record counted them out a
dozen or more every twenty-four hours, and the grim, terrible pile of
rude black coffins that confronted one at the very doorway, told to each
famishing applicant on her entrance what her exit was likely to be.
We went from room to room, each filled to repletion — not a dozen
beds in all. Some of the inmates could walk, as many could not, —
lying on the floors in their filth — some mere skeletons; others swollen
out of all human shape. Death-pallid mothers, lying with glazing
eyes, and a famishing babe clutching at a milkless breast. Let me
attempt no further description. The massacres of Armenia seemed
merciful in comparison.
We went our rounds, and sought the open air ; drove to another
building of like character, but in a little better condition — one hundred
and fifty-six inmates. These persons had been recommetided by .some-
one, who paid a little for each, and thus kept them from dailj^ starva-
tion. From here to the third building (the Ca.sino), of about an equal
number, still a little better off.
From hereto the fourth building (La Yocabo) — two hun'..r';d and
fifty persons, the best of the reconcentrados. The sisters of charity
had recently taken hold of these, and cleanliness and order commenced
to appear. The children had books, were being taught, and rooms
were fitted out for some kind of industrial training. This place seemed
like heaven in comparison.
From here to the fifth building, a distributing house, where
American rations were given out on Sundays to great crowds of people
who thronged the streets.
This finished, we drove to our warehouse, the San Jose, where our
supplies were stored. Here was what remained of the .several shipments
which had preceeded us, the result of the tireless and well directed
efforts of the New York Committee, only so recently established, and
so new in its work. Possibly three hundred tons of flour, meal, rice,
522
THK RICI) CROSS.
potatoes, canned meat, fruit, bacon, lard, condensed and malted milk,
quinine, some of which had come b}' the first shipment, showing how
difficult the distribution had been found to be ; and it was not strange
that a " warehouse man" had been asked for by the Consul General.
Surely Mr. Elwell had not a sinecure.
Somehow the report got abroad that we had brought money for
distribution, and a thousand people thronged the hotel.
We found among our supplies large quantities of flour, and the
people had no way of cooking it. There are no ovens in these oriental
countries except those of the baker. Consequently only he could
make bread of flour. We found a baker with whom we arranged to
take our flour and return bread in its place at a fair percentage.
' ' The Consul General has named a desire to have an orphanage
created, and asked of me to find a building, and establish such an
institution. I commence a search among the apparently suitable
buildings of the towai, but regretting always that T have not his
knowledge of the city and its belongings. Up to this time the search,
although vigilant, has been fruitless. Still there are only three days
of it all since our arrival, and to-morrow will be Sunday."
This hopeful entiy^ ended the first half w^eek of life in Cuban
relief. Up to this moment no American food had ever entered Los
Fosos, as the institution was under Spanish military and municipal
direction. How to get our distributors into proper and peaceful aid
there, if not into control, was a politic question.
The diar}"^ continues: " That Sunday morning, fine, clear and
warm, ci-ought three matters of interest to our attention :
" First. An interview with a householder concerning the orphan-
age— unsuccessful.
' ' Second. The visiting of all the various points, some nine in
number, where American food would be distributed for the coming
week to the waiting thousands and —
"Third. A bull fight."
One would feel something of the same dread in attempting to
describe these gathering moving masses of starving humanity as in
picturing the "still life" of Los Fosos. The children of three and
four years old often could not walk and the mother was too weak to
carry the burden, and they fell in a heap among the crowd.
The food was distributed by tickets, suited to the family and put up
in paper bags, for few had any vessel to get it in.
At the first place of distribution there were looofed; at the second,
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 523
1300; at the third, 2200, and so on — some larger, some less. At one
of the larger distributions, when about half served, it was announced
that there was no more food and the people were directed to dis-
perse. We inquired the cause and were told there were no more
American supplies in Havana — that they had been so informed. We
could not persuade them that the}^ had been misinformed, that there
was plenty of food in the warehouse, but we did succeed in having the
disappointed, hungry hundreds called back and told to come again
next day and get their food. We never knew how the mistake occurred,
but were more than ever convinced that some systematic work must be
iustitu-ted among the constantly arriving supplies at the warehouse.
The task had all along been too great. The next morning took us
with proper assistants to San Jose, when a systematic inventory of
stock a.s per each shipment was instituted. At 3.30 p. m. our work
was interrupted. A cordial invitation from Captain Sigsbee to visit the
"Maine" that afternoon had been received. His launch courteously
came for us; his officers received us; his crew, strong, ruddy and bright,
went through their drill for our entertainment, and the lunch at those
polished tables, off glittering china and cut glass, with the social
guests around, will remain ever in my memory as a vision of the " Last
Supper. ' '
The next day took us again to the warehouse. I cannot refrain
from taking the liberty of mentioning my most distinguished volunteer
assistant. General Ross, a general in our Civil War and the uncle of
Commissioner Ross, of Washington, D. C. Being in Havana on a
passing tour, and perceiving the need, he volunteered freely to do the
work which he had once commanded his under officers to direct their
private soldiers to do. It was most intelligent help.
While passing quickly among the rows of barrels, with dress
pinned back, a letter of introduction from the Consul-General was
handed to me by a manly, pcHshed-mannered gentleman, on whose
playful features the e mingled a look of amused surprise, with a tinge
of well-covered roguishness and complacency, that bespoke the cultured
man of the world. The note, addressed to my hotel, said that the
Consul took pleasure in introducing to me Mr. William Willard
Howard, of New York. Although never having met we were by no
means strangers. He had worked on the Eastern fields of Armenia in
tlie hard province of Van, while I was in Constantinople, and our
expeditions in the great centre districts of Harpoot and Diarbeker. He
evidently felt that the surroundings were a little rough and unexpected
524 THIC Kl-:!) CROSS.
for a first meeting, but collecliii'.; himself, at once rallied me with the
grand opportunity I was affording him for a sensational letter to the
States, with a cartoon of the president of the American National Red
Cross in a Cuban warehouse, with dress pinned back, " opening boxes."
He admitted that the latter stroke of the picture was a little stretch of
imagination, but he hoped it might realize, as he really wanted it for
his cartoon. After a few moments of pleasant badinage he left, under
pretext of not hindering me in my favorite occupation of " opening
boxes. ' '
The next day I was detained at home by an accumulation of
clerical work and heavy mails to be gotten off (I had as yet no clerk),
but on the return of the men at night they reported a marvelous day's
work. That Mr. Howard had come early in the morning, thrown off
his coat, and, calling for a box opener, had opened boxes all day. They
had never seen a better day's work. A messenger was immediately
dispatched to his hotel, inviting Mr. Howard to come and dine with us.
From that time on, during his stay, he continued to dine with us. We
compared methods of relief work with the experiences we had gained,
and when we separated it was with the feeling on my part that any
work of relief would be a gainer that could enlist men of such views,
experience and capacity as Mr. Howard in its ranks.
The heavy clerical work of that fifteenth day of February held not
only myself but Mr. Elwell as well, busy at our writing tables until
late at night. The house had grown still; the noises on the streets
were dying away, when suddenly the table shook from under our hands,
the great glass door opening onto the veranda, facing the sea, flew open;
everything in the room was in motion or out of place — the deafening
roar of such a burst of thunder as perhaps one never heard before,
and off to the right, out over the bay, the air was filled with a blaze of
light, and this in turn filled with black specks like huge spectres flying
in all directions. Then it faded away. The bells rang; the whistles
blew, and voices in the street were heard for a moment; then all was
quiet again. I supposed it to be the bursting of some mammoth
mortar, or explosion of some magazine. A few hours later came the
terrible news of the " Maine."
Mr. Elwell was early among the wreckage, and returned to give
me news.
The diary goes on. "She is destroyed. There is no room for
comment, only who is lost, who has escaped, and what can be don? for
them? They tell us that most of the officers were dining out, and thus
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 525
saved; that Captain Sigsbee is saved. It is thought that 250 men are
lost, that one hundred are wounded, but still living, some in hospital,
some on small boats as picked up. The Chief Engineer, a quiet,
resolute man, and the second officer met me as I passed out of the hotel
for the hospital. The latter stopped me saying, ' Miss Barton, do you
remember you told me on board the " Maine " that the Red Cross was
at our service; for whenever anything took place with that ship, either
in naval action or otherwise, sovicone would be hurt; that she was not
of a structure to take misfortune lightly ? ' I recalled the conversation
and the impression which led to it, — such strength would never go out
easily.
' ' We proceeded to the Spanish hospital San Ambrosia, to find
thirty to forty wounded — bruised, cut, burned; they had been crushed
by timbers, cut by iron, scorched by fire, and blown sometimes high in
the air, sometimes driven down through the red hot furnace room and
out into the water, senseless, to be picked up by some boat and gotten
ashore. Their wounds are all over them — heads and faces terribly cut,
internal wounds, arms, legs, feet and hands burned to the live flesh.
The hair and beards are singed, showing that the burns were from fire
and not steam; besides further evidence shows that the burns are where
the parts were uncovered. If burned by steam, the clothing would
have held the steam and burned all the deeper. As it is, it protected
from the heat and the fire and saved their limbs, whilst the faces,
hands, and arms are terribl}- burned. Both men and officers are very
reticent in regard to the cause, but all declare it could not have been
the result of an internal explosion. That the boilers were at the two
ends of the ship, and these were the places from which all escaped, who
did escape. The trouble was evidently from the center of the ship,
where no explosive machinery was located.
" I thought to take the names as I passed among them, and draw-
ing near to the first in the long line, I asked his name. He gave it with
his address; then peering out from among the bandages and cotton about
his breast and face, he looked earnestly at me and asked: 'Isn't this
Miss Barton? ' 'Yes.' ' I thought it must be. I knew you were here,
and thought you would come to us. I am so thankful for us all.'
" I asked if he wanted anything. ' Yes. There is a lady to whom
I was to be married. The time is up. She will be frantic if she hears
of this accident and nothing more. Could you telegraph her?'
'Certainly!' The dispatch went at once: 'Wounded, but saved.'
Alas, it was only for a little; two days later, and it was all over.
536 THK R]:i) CROSS.
"I passed on from one to another, till twelve had been spoken to
and the names taken. There were only two of the number who did
not recognize me. Their expres.sions of grateful thanks, spoken under
such conditions, were too much. I passed the pencil to another hand
and stepped aside. ' '
I am glad to say that every kindness was extended to them. Miss
Mary Wilberforce had been at once installed as nurse, and faithful
work she performed. The Spanish hospital attendants were tireless in
their attentions. Still, there was boundless room for luxuries and
comforts, delicate foods, grapes, oranges, wines, cordials, anything that
could soothe or interest ; and no opportunity was lost, nor cost nor
pains spared, and when two days later the streets filled with hearses
bearing reverently the bodies of martj^red heroes ; and the crape and
the flowers mingled in their tributes of tenderness and beauty, and the
muffled drums and tolling bells spoke all that inanimate substance
could speak of sorrow and respect ; and the silent, marching tread of
armies fell upon the listening ear, — the heart grew sick in the midst of
all this pageant, and the thoughts turned away to the far land, smitten
with horror, and the homes wailing in bitter grief for these, so lone,
so lost ; and one saw only the:
Nodding plumes over their bier to wave,
And God's own hand in that lonely land
To lay them in their grave.
We were still in hotel — excellent of course — but a home should be
made for the body of assistants it was by this time proposed to send
for. I remembered the visit of a lad}' — one among the hundreds who
called the day before — and who impressed me as being no ordinary
person. She had the air of genuine nobility and high birth. I had
retained her card :
Senora J. S. Jorrin,
528 del Cerro.
It would be certain I thought that this lady knew something of
suitable homes ; and we drove to her residence next day, to find one of
the loveliest villas in the city, surrounded by gardens, fountains, flowers,
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 527
baths, a little river rushing through the garden, palms, bananas,
cocoanuts, all growing luxuriantly. Xhis was the home of Senora
Jorrin, given her as a wedding gift many years before by her husband,
a man of great power in the island, and who had three times represented
Cuba in the Senate of Madrid. Three months before he had died on a
visit to New York. La Senora was alone with her retinue of servants,
and waiting to make some suitable disposition of her mansion, in order
to join her only daughter residing in America.
The desired disposition was quickly made, and in the next day or
two we were safel}- installed in our new home, with Senora as honorary
hostess, to the delight and advantage of all. This pleasant arrange-
ment has never been interrupted, and is the origin of the charming
Red Cross headquarters at Cerro, that all our friends and visitors recall
with such admiration. I might be pardoned for adding that Senora
Jorrin, who was early called to Washington by the sudden death of
her beautiful and only daughter, has remained with her grandchildren,
and we have continued such loving care as we were able to extend
over her palatial home from that time to the present.
The diary now makes the following notes, which I remember to
have once copied in a letter to some periodical which perhaps published
it, I never knew; but will venture to reproduce it here, as the descrip-
tion of the first visit made to any point of the country outside of
Havana.
We were overborne by requests to visit towns and villages filled
with suflfering and death. The notes run :
Jaruco.
It was a clear warm day. I had retired early to be ready for a five
o'clock start for the town of Jaruco, some twenty miles away. It was
as dark as night when we stepped into the carriage to go to the ferry
and the train — damp, heavy, just a morning for chills. Some mem-
bers of the committee joined us at the train, and as daylight and sunrise
came, the sight, in spite of neglect and devastation, was magnificently
lovely. The stately groves of royal palms looked benignly down on
the less pretentious banana and cocoanut, each doing its best to provide
for and keep life in a starving, dying people. Nine o'clock brought us
to the town, where we were met and right royally welcomed by its
leading people. The mayor took us in his carriage to the church,
528 THIC RKI) CROSS.
followed by a crowd of people that filled its centre. The plain,
siniple services told in repeated sentences the heart gratitude oi a
stricken people to God for what he had put into the hearts of Amer-
ica to do. She had remembered them when all was gone, when
hunger, pain and death alone remained to them; and when that
assemblage of pale, hollow faces and attenuated forms knelt on the
rough stone floor in praise to the Great Giver, one felt if this was not
acceptable, no worship might ever hope to be. From the church to
the house of the mayor, the judge, the doctor and other principal men
of the town. It now remained to see what we had " gone for to see."
Two hours' wandering about in the hot sunshine from hovel to hovel
dark and damp, thatched roof and ground floor, no furniture, some-
times a broken bench, a few rags of clothing ; some of the people
could walk about, some could not, but all had something to eat.
Thank God, if not all their lean bodies might crave, still something,
and while they showed their skeleton bodies and feet swollen to burst-
ing, they still blessed the people of the country that had remembered
them with food.
The line of march was long and weary, and ended with the " hos-
pital." What shall I say of it? If only a sense of decency were con-
sulted one would say nothing; but truth and facts demand a record.
We tried to enter, to reach a poor, wretched looking human being on
a low cot on the far side of the room, but were driven back by the
stench that met us, not alone the smell one might expect in such a
place of neglect, but the dead had evidently lain there unremoved
until putrefaction had taken place. There were perhaps four wrecks
of men in the various rooms, doubtless left there to die. Like a body
of retreating soldiers, driven but not defeated, we went a few rods out
and rallied, and calling for volunteers and picked men for service,
determined to " storm the works."
Jaruco is one of the great points of devastation; it is said that
more people have died there than the entire town numbers in time of
peace; it is still almost a city of reconcentrados.
Naturally, the inhabitants who survive have given all they had
many times over in these terrible months. Everything is scarce and
dear; even water has to be bought. This was the first point of attack.
Twenty good soldiers, with onlj- dirt and filth as enemies, can make
some pVL^gress. Water by the dray load, lime by the barrel, brushes,
brooms, blue for whitewash, hatchets, buckets and things most needful,
made up the equipment; and late in the afternoon, when Mr. Elwell,
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 529
who might well be termed the " Vigilant," returned to look after the
work, preparatory to leaving for home, he found the four poor patients
in clean clothes, on clean beds, ni the sunshine, eating crackers and
milk, the house cleaned, scrubbed, limed, and being whitewashed from
ceiling to floor.
It will be finished to-morrow. Sunday and to-day (Monday), we
ship cots, blankets, sheets, pillow-slips, all the first utensils needed
to make a plain hospital for twenty-five, to be increased to fifty — the
food to go regularly. The sick, lying'utterly helpless in the hovels,
to be selected with care and sent to the hospital, a nurse placed with
them, the doctor already there in Jaruco to attend them, and send
frequent reports of condition and needs. In two weeks time we may
hope to see, not only a hospital that may bear the name, but progress
of its patients that may be noted.
I am writing this at length, because it is the first of hundreds
that should follow throughout the island, and a type of what we shall
endeavor to accomplish.
It will naturally be asked if we expect the Spanish authorities to
permit us to do this. Judging from to-day, we have reason to expect
every co-operation. The commandant of the town was one of the men
who welcomed us; and so far as they had the materials desired, offered
them for our use; it was very well, as there were some we could get in
no other way.
The crowd that followed us was bewildering — the little children
in pitiful proportions. We had prepared ourselves for this by a large
invoice of five-cent scrip. An intimation of our desire to the priest
arranged the matter quickly. All under, perhaps, six to seven years
old, were sent into the church to come out at a side door, with Mr.
Elwell and myself on each side as doorkeepers. Every pale paasing
hand took its scrip, and the gladness that beamed in their little wan
faces was good for angels' eyes. They rushed into the street, romping
and tumbling like actual live children, which they had no longer
seemed to be.
There was but one more feature to mark this memorable day.
After leaving the hospital we were told that a deputation of ladies
desired to call on us. We were in the house of a naturalized American
citizen, and prepared to receive them. They entered slowly and rever-
ently, the leader bearing a deep plate of choice flowers. As she handed
tl.^m to me. I perceived in the center a large envelope with a half-inch
border of black, and a black ribbon with a tied bow encircling it. The
530
Till-: RED CROSS.
envelope was addressed to me. The first sentence, with tender, tremb-
ling voice, told the purport of it all : " For the dead of the Maine."
The crowd, full of hope and blessing, followed us to the train, and
as we passed on, gentle, tender-eyed women came down the banks
from their cottages with little baskets of flowers to be passed into the
carriage — and ever the black-bordered tribute:
"To the dead of the Maine."
It was long after dark when we reached our new home, and we
were weary enough to find it welcome; but glad of our day's work, as
a type of many more which we confidently expect will follow.
In our banking operations I learned the full address of our
excellent hostess, which she had been too modest to name to me:
" Senora Serafina Moliner de Jorrin. "
Titles: " Ecxelentisima." " Ilustrisima.
We have always had occasion to feel those titles to be well deserved.
Indeed, in groping our way among the poor and helpless, we
have found that Cuba is not without its diamonds of worth, nobleness
and culture.
We were still searching diligently for a suitable location for the
orphanage which I had been requested to open.
Through the social relations of Senora we were immediately put
into communication with Senor Jose Almagro on Tulipan street, who
placed at our disposal his own private residence, a charming house
with large gardens, stables, swimming baths, fruit and flowers.
Members of the staff", Drs. Hubbell and Egan, together with Dr.
and Mrs. Lesser, had meanwhile arrived by steamship from New York.
The diary goes on to say in regard to the orphanage, its location
and surroundings:
"It seems to lack nothing. Large, commodious, healthful, easy of
access, beautiful to elegance, with tropical gardens, royal palms,
swimming baths, and capable of caring for two hundred children,
either well or sick, — and for all this the modest, little rent of one
hundred and two dollars per month. Attention was first directed to
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 531
this piece of property on Saturday, February 27. At night the contract
was made and signed. On Sunday — " tell it not in Gath " — oh,
Christian world, be gentle in your judgment, if a few men, rather than
stand about the streets, hunger-stricken, waiting for the crust that
came not, earned a few welcome dollars on its frescoed walls, stained
glass windows and marble floors.
"On Mondaj^ seventy-five new cots, blankets, pillows and sheets
adorned its spacious rooms. On Tuesday, March i, Mrs. Dr. Lesser,
our practical "Sister Bettina," who had taken the superintendence,
made the necessary outfit, — food and medicine from the warehouse;
and from Los Fosos, that terrible den of suffering, the pale lifeless,
helpless, starved little creatures to fill the waiting cots — a few good
nurses to lift the heads that could not lift themselves and fill the
mouths that had scarcely ever before been filled."
This, then, was the orphanage. May I be pardoned for saying
reverently, we looked on our work and found it good, and felt that we
might now leave the little, tired creatures to rest in the faithful hands
that had so lovingly and intelligently taken them up, while we turned
away to other fields.
Matanzas.
Among the welcome, notable persons who from time to time visited
us, led by their interest in the great suffering reported through the
press, were Senator Redfield Proctor and his friend, Hon. M. M.
Parker, of Washington, D. C. They had come imbued with the
desire, not only to see the condition of the island and the people, but
to try to find as well, what could be done for them, — to gain some
practical knowledge which could be used for their benefit. There
seemed to be no more certain way of their gaining this information
than by inviting them to accompany us on the various tours of inves-
tigation which we would be now able to make outside of Plavana.
Reports of great suffering had come from Matanzas, and it was decided
that that should be our next point of inspection. The once-a-day run
of the trains made early rising a necessity; and half- past four in the
morning, dark and chilly, found us on the way to the train for
Matanzas. Our own small party was joined at the ferry by our
Washington friends, and together, as the train speeded on, we
watched the gorgeous sunrise spread itself over these strangely
deserted lands.
532
THE RKD CROSS.
Matanzas has some fifty thousand of its own inhabitants, greatly
increased by the reconcentrado element, which liad gathered there to
exist hopelessly in enforced idleness for nearly two years.
It is needless to say that all the diseases incident to exposure,
physical want and mental woe, from gaunt, lingering hunger down to
actual starvation and death, had developed among them. For some
reason — possibly a sense of pity — our consul seemed to dread to show us
their worst, which were evidentlj' their hospitals, and hesitatingly led the
way to other centres of the town. But there was no hesitancy on the part
of the governor, Senor Francisco de Armas — a royal Cuban and a new
appointee of Captain-General Blanco — with warm heart and polished
manner, in welcoming us to his elegant mansion, and in bringing his
wife, his mother and sister, to assist in receiving and to bid us welcome
to all they had to offer or that we could desire. The half-hour's
seance in that polished marble salon, with its spacious elegance, the
deep feelings of the governor, the still deeper sympathy of the ladies,
whose daily time is given to the poor sufferers around them, was a
scene not to be forgotten. In all that was said, not a word of crimi-
nation, nor a disrespectful allusion to any person, or nation, or gov-
ernment; but the glistening eyes and trembling lips when the word
Attiericajio was spoken, told how deep a root the course of our people
had taken in the thrice harrowed soil of these poor broken hearts.
But the worst must be seen, and as we drove out of the town we
halted for a short call at the municipal hospital, generally attended by
sisters of charity, scantily provided it is true, but well cared for; a little
is paid per week, either by, or, for each patient in this institution, which
helps to keep up the general fund. Our welcome by the sisters was
most cordial, and we were grateful for ever}'- faint smile that passed over
each pallid face. A mile further on we came to the four hospitals
where nothing was paid, and apparently nothing had. There were
between one hundred and two hundred men, women and children, in
all stages of hunger and disease. There were empty beds for as many
more that could have been thrice filled from the huts outside; but the
hospital authorities feared to take more in, lest they die through their
inability to feed them. It is not my purpose to detail woe, nor picture
horrors; I leave that to others, if more of it must be had; let my few
words tell \xo\\ they were met and how the comfort that could be given,
was given, or at least attempted.
The purses and the pockets of our entire party were emptied, and
as the cold, thin fingers closed feebly over the coin so strange to the
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 53J
touch, the murmured prayer for America fell from ever}- lip. Our
visit had beeu one of inspection, returning to Havana by the afternoon
train.
The hospital committee and surgeons had been organized to work
under our charge, and begging that one of our Red Cross men be tem-
porarily assigned to them for their distribution, we turned our steps
toward Havana, with a thankfulness unspoken in our hearts for the
great head of our country who had asked for this food, the great-hearted
people who had given it, and the efficient and tireless committee which
had organized and sent it.
The train of next day took out .supplies of cereal foods, conden.sed
milk, malted milk, meal, rice, flour, crackers, meat, fish, farina, toma-
toes, canned vegetables and fruits — more than enough to hold those
four hospitals comfortable till the promised shipment by the " Bergen "
from New York, direct to Matanzas, should arrive.
It was from information gathered by the party on this trip that
Senator Proctor afterward made his speech in the U. S. Senate upon
the condition of the reconcentrados.
534
THE RED CROSS.
[From a speech by Senator Redfield Proctor, of V'ermont, in the U.S. Senate, March 17, iSgS.l
There are six provinces in Cuba, each, with the exception of Matanzas, extend-
ing the whole width of the island, and having about an equal sea front on the
north and south borders. Matanzas touches the Caribbean Sea only at its .south-
west corner, being separated from it elsewhere by a narrow peninsula of Santa
Clara Province. The provinces are named, beginning at the west, Pinar del Rio,
Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Puerto Principe and Santiago de Cuba,
My observations were confined to the four western provinces, which constitute
about one-half the island. The two eastern ones are practically in the hands of
the insurgents, except a few fortified towns. These two large provinces are spokeu
of to-day as " Cuba Libre."
Havana, the great city and capital of the island, is, in the eyes of the Span-
iards and many Cubans, all Cuba, as much as Paris in France. But having visited
it in more peaceful times and seen its sights, the tomb of Columbus, the forts of
Cabanas and Morro Castle, etc., I did not care to repeat this, preferring trips in
the country.
Everything seems to go on much as usual in Havana. Quiet prevails and
except for the frequent squads of soldiers marching to guard and police duty and
their abounding presence in all public places, one .sees little signs of war.
Outside Havana all is changed. It is not peace, nor is it war. It is desolation
and distress, misery and starvation.
Every town and village is surrounded by a troclia (trench) a sort of rifle pit,
but constructed on a plan new to nie, the dirt being thrown up on the inside and
a barbed wire fence on the outer side of the trench.
These trochas have at every corner, and at frequent intervals along the sides,
what are there called forts, but which are really small block-houses, many of them
more like a large sentry box, loop-holed for musketry, and with a guard of from
two to ten soldiers in each. The purpose of these trochas is to keep reconcentrados
in as well as to keep the insurgents out.
From all the surrounding country the people have been driven into these
fortified towns and held there to subsist as they can. They are virtually prison
yards and not unlike one in general appearance, except that the walls are not so
high and strong, but they suffice, where ever}- point is in range of a soldier's rifle,
to keep in the poor reconcentrado women and children.
Every railroad station is within one of these trochas and has an armed guard.
Every train has an armored freight car, loop-holed for nmsketry, and filled with
soldiers and with, as I observed usually, and was informed is always the case, a
l)ilot engine a mile or so in advance. There are frequent block -houses enclosed by
a trocha and with a guard along the railroad track. With this exception there is
no human life or habitation between these fortified towns and villages throughout
the whole of the four western provinces, except to a ver}' limited extent among the
hills, where the Spaniards have not been able to go and drive the people to the
towns and burn their dwellings.
CAPTAIN C. D. SIGSBE^
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 537
I saw no house or hut in the 400 miles of railroad rides from Pinar del Rio
Province in the west across the full widtli of Havana and Matanzas Provinces, and
to Sagua La Grando on the north shore and to Cieufuegos on the south shore of
Santa Clara, except within the Spanish trochas. There are no domestic animals or
crops on the rich fields and pastures except such as are under guard in the imme-
diate vicinity of the towns.
In other words, the Spaniards hold in these four western provinces just what
their army sits on.
Every man, woman and child and every domestic animal, wherever their
columns have reached, is under guard and within their so-called fortifications. To
describe one place is to describe all.
To repeat, it is neither peace nor war.
It is concentration and desolation. This is the " pacified " condition of the
four western provinces.
All the country people in the four western provinces, about 400,000 in number,
remaining outside the fortified towns when Weyler's order was made, were driven
into these towns, and these are the reconcentrados. They were the peasantry,
many of them farmers, some land-owners, others renting lands and owning more
or less .stock, others working on estates and cultivating small patches, and even a
small patch in that fruitful clime will support a family.
It is but fair to say that the normal condition of these people was verj' diff"erent
from that which prevails in this country. Their standard of comfort and prosperity
was not high, measured by our own, but according to their standards and require-
ments, ihcir conditions of life were satisfactory.
They lived mostly in cabins made of palm or in wooden houses. Some of them
had houses of stone, the blackened walls of which are all that remains to show
that the country was ever inhabited.
The first clause of Weyler's order reads as follows;
" I order and command:
" First— All the inhabitants of the country now out.side of the line of fortifi-
cations of the towns shall within the period of eight days concentrate themselves
in the town so occupied by the troops. Any individual who after the expiration
of this period is found in the uninhabited parts will be considered a rebel and tried
as such."
The other three sections forbid the transportation of provisions from one town
to another without permission of the military authority, direct the owners of cattle
to bring them into the towns, prescribe that the eight days shall be counted from
the publication of the proclamation to the head town of the municipal districts,
ami state that if news is furnished of the enemy which can be made use of it will
serve as a " recommendation."
Many doubtless did not learn of this order. Others failed to grasp its terrible
meaning Its execution was left largely to the guerillas to drive in all that had
not obeyed, and I was informed that in many cases a torch was ajiplied to their
homes with no notice, and the inmates fled with such clothing ns they might have
on, their st(x-k and their belongings being approjiriated by the guerillas.
When they reached the town they were allowed to build huts of palm leaves
in the suburbs and vacant places within the trochas, and were left to live if they
could. Their huts are about ten by fifteen feet in size, and for want of space are
30
538 THE RED CROSS.
usually crowded together very closely. They have no floor but the ground, and
no furniture, and after a year's wear hut little clothing, except such stray substi-
tutes as they can extetnpori/.e.
With large families or with more than one in this little space, the commonest
sanitary provisions are impossible. Conditions are unmentionable in this respect.
Torn from their homes, with foul earth, foul air, foul water and foul food, or
none, what woilder that one-half have died and thatone-quarter of the living are so
diseased that they cannot be saved.
A form of drops}- is a common disorder resulting from these conditions. Little
children are still walking about with arms and chests terribly emaciated, eyes
swollen and abdomen bloated to three times the natural size. The physicians say
these cases are hopeless.
Deaths in the streets have not been uncommon. I was told by one of our
consuls that people have been found dead about the markets in the morning where
they had crawled hoping to get some stray bits of food from the early hucksters,
and that there had been cases where they had dropped dead inside the market,
surrounded by food.
These people were independent and self-supporting before Weyler's order.
They are not beggars even now. There are plenty of professional beggars in every
town among the regular residents, but these country people, the reconcentrados,
have not learned the art. Rarely is a hand held out to you for alms when going
among their huts, but the sight of them makes an appeal stronger than words.
The hospitals — of these I need not speak; others have described their con-
dition far better than I can.
It is not within the narrow limits of my vocabulary to portray it. I went to
Cuba with a strong conviction that the picture had been overdrawn; that a few
cases of star^-ation and suffering had inspired and stinmlated the press correspond-
ents, and that they had given free play to a strong, natural and highly cultivated
imagination.
I could not believe that out of a population of one million six hundred
thousand, 200,000 had died withiu these Spanish forts, practically prison walls,
within a few months past, from actual starvation and disease caused by insuffi-
cient and improper food.
My inquiries were entirely outside of sensational sources. They were made by
our medical officers, of our consuls, of city alcaldes (mayors), of relief commit-
tees, of leading merchants and bankers, physicians and lawyers. Several of my
informants were Spanish born, but every time came the answer that the case had
not been overstated.
What I saw I cannot tell so that others can see it. It must be seen with one's
own eyes to be realized.
The Los Fosos Hospital, in Havana, has been recently described by one of
my collagues. Senator Gallinger, and I cannot say that his picture was overdrawn,
for even his fertile pen could not do more. He visited it after Dr. Lesser, one of
Miss Barton's very able and efficient assistants, had renovatea it and put in cots.
I saw it when 400 women and children were lying on the stone floors in an
indescribable state of emaciation and disease, many with the scantiest covering of
rags, and such rags ! and sick children, naked as they came into the world. And
the conditions in the other cities are even worse.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN.
539
Miss Barton and her work need no indorsement from me. I had known and
esteemed her for many years, bnt had not half appreciated her capabiHty and
devotion to her work. I especially looked into her business methods, fearing there
would be the greatest danger of mistake, that there might be want of system,
waste and extravagance, but found she could teach me on these points.
In short, I saw nothing to criticise, but everything to connnend. The Ameri-
can jieople may be assured that the bounty will reach the sufferers with the least
possible cost and in the best manner, in every respect.
.•\nd if our people could see a small fraction of the need, they would pour
more " freely from their liberal store " than ever before for any cause.
When will the need for this help end ? Not until peace comes and the recon-
centrados can go back to their country, rebuild their homes, reclaim their tillage
plots, which quickly run up to brush in that wonderful soil and clime, and until
they can be free from danger of molestation in so doing.
Until then the American people must in the main care for them. It is true
that the alcaldes, other authorities and relief committees are now trying to do
something, and desire, I believe, to do the best they can. But the problem is
beyond their means and capacity and the work is one to which they are not
accustomed.
General Blanco's order of November 13 last somewhat modifies the Weyler
order, but it is of little or no practical benefit. Its application is limited to farms
" properly defended," and the owners are obliged to build " centres of defense."
\^l^JMlJfW
WM'
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^<ir^^j'/y:^^
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STRKET IN CAVITE SHOWING GENERAL AGUINALDO'S HEADQUARTERS.
540 THK RKD CROSS.
ARTEMISA.
Whilst these various provisions and improvements in and around
Havana, in the little orphanage and Los Fosos were going on, food
was going out from the great warehouse upon requisition, to thirty or
forty towns and villages in number, which no one had yet had the
time to visit; and their first distribution must be made on trust. From
many sources we had heard of the needs of Artemisa, several miles to
the east by rail. As usual, there was but one train daily from
Havana, and that, like the road we had traveled to Jaruco and Matan ■
zas on the west, left at six o'clock in the morning, and also meant
rising at half-past four, a carriage ride of three-quarters of an hour in
the (lark. Our party again formed, including Mr. Ehvell, Drs. Hul)bell
and Egan, Senator Proctor, Colonel Parker and a few other attendants.
The day was clear and fine, affording an excellent opportunity to
observe the condition of the country as we pa.ssed through. There
was entire lack of cultivation ; the tall palm threw its stately shadow
over miles of desolated, rolling and meadow land ; no people in sight
save in the little thatched hovels; no cattle, no tools, the rank, wild
grass swarding the soil where the richest of crops belong; and we
bringing food grown on the sterile fields of North America, among the
gravel and rocks, with a quarter of the year under snow, nearly one-
half under frost, to a country like this, where the verdure is perpetual
and three crops possible, where the rain and the sun never fail, where
land is abundant and yet where millions of hands want acres and
millions of acres want hands. Heavenly Father, what is the matter
with this beautiful earth that Thou hast made! "And what is man
that Thou art mindful of him!"
Eight o'clock in the bright morning sunshine found us at Arte-
misa. A brief examination by carriage served to show us where its
defences had once been, now practically abandoned and the field of
military activity drawn to other points.
We found here a most practical mayor, with two thousand to
three thousand people about him almost entirely without food. Since
November 24, until some three months ago, the Spanish government
had issued small rations to these people, but these grew less and less,
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 541
and finally stopped altogether. This small help from the government ,
had saved the people thus far, but they were now beginning to be
dangerously hungry. What gladness it was to feel that our provisions
would fall in just in time to save, we hoped, the greater portion of
those remaining.
The district of Artemisa had originally 10,000, and the town 2000
inhabitants. Into this small number 10,000 reconcentrados had been
sent. Three thousand of these had died; some had strayed away to
other places in the hope of more food and fewer persons to eat it; 5000
still remained. In August 770 persons died — now the death rate is
5 to 6 persons per day, or about 175 per month. We found only one
hospital and this for smallpox, far out in the fields, with forty patients.
There were three physicians who would be more than glad to make up
a hospital — if there were anything to provide it with — attend to it per-
sonally, and find women who would care for the sick, as nurses. They
were directed to do this at once, and suitable hospital food would be
sent to them as soon as their hospital was reported ready for it. They
were also directed to gather all the sick in the outlying hovels and
bring them into hospitals. One of our physicians would go directly
with the food and assist in the establishment of the institution. We
remained over night; the distribution of food which had been sent
them took place at seven the next morning. Their system of tickets
was excellent; a better system of relief we had not seen. The mayor
himself would visit every family and the physicians the same, until
the sick would be all in hospitals. It was a welcome sight at eight
o'clock that morning, when the crowd of waiting thousands stood
around the mayor, to see the tight hand grasp on the bag of rations,
like a godsend from heaven when hope was lost. The mayor had a
thousand acres of land lying within the military lines of fortifications,
which he ofiered free for the use of the people, if they could get permis-
sion, and if the people could help to cultivate it. In three months, he
said, under their own cultivation it would feed them all.
Our work at Artemisa closed at noon and we returned to Havana.
542 Till-: RIvD CROSS.
SAGUA LA GRANDE.
Referring again to the diar}- I find the following record:
Sagua la Grande and Cienfuegos yet remain within our limits to
be reached at once. We have not a daj- to lose, and again leave at six
o'clock for Sagua la Grande. This means the usual morning ride in
the dark, the ferr>' and the beautiful opening of the day speeding
on through a strange land of waste and desolation. Our same com-
pany assembled, and as we neared Sagua we were met by our friend,
Consul Barker, and later on the mayor, Senor Machado. Carriages
were taken and inspection made of the reconcentrados, their condition
and needs, the land, etc. While there is evidently great want here,
there is still an atmosphere of care and eflfort on the part of the best
people and the officials which fills one wdth an earnest desire to help
them on. The best place possible for the poor had been provided by
the maj'or, and as he passed among them, pointing out to us especial
cases and conditions, their eyes followed him wath a look of grateful
devotion. While .S5'mpathizing with all, his deepest care seemed to be
for the young girls ; to find some occupation for them, and some pro-
tection. The plan most feasible to him was the starting of a cigarette
factory where the hundreds might be employed, with suitable time for
instruction, earn their living, and be kept out of danger. I am glad
to know that he is partially succeeding in this, and also that he had,
and I think still has, the earnest co-operation of our good consul at
Sagua, Mr. Barker.
The day had been very fully occupied, and we must remain until
morning to witness the operation of the kitchens established by the
consul and the mayor, where the poor are fed with well-cooked rice,
beans and such vegetables as can be obtained.
These people are desperately poor, and need all the help that can
be given them, and yet they are not in the condition of the people of
Matanzas. Their doctors are caring for the sick, and the ladies of the
town giving every assistance in their power. The mayor again reverts
to his great interest in the young girls; " Here is the greatest danger of
all. Can you not help me out with this ? ' ' His earnestness made such
an impression upon me that I finally asked if he had young daughters
of his own. He hesitated a moment, and then with a look of confidence,
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 543
as if he were about to entrust a secret to me, he replied: "We have
an adopted daughter, who is very, very dear to us. She is the sister of
Miss Cisneros. but does not know it, and we have not the conrage to tell
her. She is some fourteen or fifteen years of age, has read everything
regarding Miss Cisneros, and admires her intensely, but never mistrusts
the relationship." "Will you not tell her?" I asked. "Oh yes;
some day," he replied, " and it must be before long; but the relation-
ships are so sweet that my wife and I both dread to break them. Of
course, some day we must tell her, but we put it off as long as we can."
He then explained that the father had been an active patriot and fell
under political censure; in his imprisoinnent the family was broken
up, and this little girl, then a mere babe, had been adopted by the
mayor and his wife, who were intimate friends of the family. I hope
I have not betrayed a trust; but there was a little touch of romance in
this — something so sweet and paternal in the relationship — and some-
thing altogether so interesting in the thought of this bright young girl
reading and admiring the courage and successful exploits of her own
sister, without ever dreaming that it was anything to her — it seems
really too good a point to keep dark. I trust that the good mayor, if
he ever learns that I have betrayed his trust, will forgive me.
S44 I'ni*: R]':i) croSvS.
CIENFUEGOS.
Although a rather early train on the next day would take us to
Cienfuegos, the visit to the kitchens with their great, steaming cauld-
rons of food must not be passed by. Although it was simply beans,
rice, such other dry vegetables as could be obtained, and the little meat
or lard that came with the ration, slowly and thoroughly cooked, it was
still a food that any good appetite could appreciate — wholesome, clean
and as abundant as the circumstances would permit. It was a pleasure
to see the children and the mothers come up with the little pails and
buckets and receive the one large ladle of food, steaming hot from the
cauldron, and bear it cheerfully away for the coming meal. There was
a degree of order and systematic thought in this rarely met under occa-
sions so grave. It will remain ever a happy memory with Consul
Barker and the good mayor of Sagua, that under their wise direction
this system was instituted and carried out. The courtesies of the rail-
road were cheerfully extended to us, and without incident worth relat-
ing the night found us at Cienfuegos. The country round about Cien-
fuegos is favorable to cultivation ; the troubles there had been of a less
grave nature, consequently the suffering has been less. Judging from
the report of the consul, there had been very little; but to our stranger
eyes, upon personal observation, there were traces of something not
compatible with thrift, prosperity and happiness. We were sure that
some help might be comfortably given there, and made our prepara-
tions accordingly. This also was a visit of investigation, and being
Tuesday, the next day's boat from Havana to the States must take our
good friends from us, and an early start, over a long, jolting road, took
us from Cienfuegos back to Havana.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 545
BACK TO HAVANA.
Our journej' through the three or four districts had shown us the
worst of human suffering, the greatest of desolation, and a degree of
discouragement as hard perhaps to rail}' the people from as the absolute
physical conditions under which they existed. We had arranged for
food for all. The ships with their various consignments were already
on the way, the "Fern" to Matanzas, a shipment from the Philadelphia
Red Cross on the "Bergen," also bound for Matanzas, from both of which
supplies could go forward to Artemisa and Sagua, for the railroads were
generous in giving free transportation; and we were informed that a
shipment was also en route for Cienfuegos. Remembering our own
generous shipment of food to Matanzas of the third instant, we felt
that we might give the time of a day or two to the institutions we were
founding and supporting in Havana. The little hospital was grow-
ing finely, increasing in numbers, and the numbers increasing in
strength. The frail, pale creatures were commencing to sit up in bed
and hold the playthings that generous friends had brought them by
the basketful; some even walked about and tried to play. Their
heavenly godmother, "Sister Bettina," was providing everything for
their comfort, also for their nurses and the little household that made
up a pattern hospital. Dr. Lesser had established a clinic on the
grounds, and under the shade of the great, beautiful garden trees the
poor invalids of the town assembled by the hundred each afternoon
with the various maladies that misfortune, poverty and neglect had
brought them. The gratitude which their strange tongues spoke in
evident blessing upon him who had thought to come to their relief, and
the great brown eyes that followed him as he turned quickly and gently
from one to another, were pictures not to be forgotten.
lyos Fosos, on the other hand, was fast losing its terrors. A regular
distribution of American food had gone into it, and even rooms were par-
titioned off for a dispensary, fairly well provided with medicines, and
another for clothing and bedding fast filling up from our warehouse
were all in grateful operation. All had beds, the floors and stairs were
strengthened, and the food went regularly through twice a day among
all the waiting inmates. M. Sr. J. Palacios z Airoso, the Consul of Bo-
livia, and a member of our committee, had volunteered to take personal
charge, and his fine, manly form seen day by day among these poor,
546 THE RED CROSS.
sufferinr;; creatures, watching and providing their wants, was like a
benediction from heaven. And Sister Bettina, with her band of faith-
ful nurses, soon carried strong traces of order and cleanliness where it
had once seemed impossible.
The morning that saw our first welcome party of American visitors,
Senator Proctor and friends, leave us, brought another party still larger,
among whom were Senator and dear Mrs. Thurston, Senator Money
and nieces, Senator Gallinger, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Smith, and
others. It was not only comforting, but hopeful, to see such interest
manifested in these dreadful conditions by the highest prestige in our
country and those who had it in their power to make these conditions
better. We welcomed them with an earnestness they could scarcely
comprehend.
There was in all these surroundings a feeling akin to horror, an
isolation from the world it seemed, and it is not 'difficult to under-
stand the welcome we gave in our hearts to those who came to us.
Our new guests visited Havana, its institutions, the little orphanage,
and the Los Fosos of that day — a terror to them, but a comfort to us,
as we saw it daily growing better and better.
Matanzas must of course be visited, and another early morning
train found our large party en route for that city and the sights that
had so distressed us ten daj\s before. Although realizing how terrible
the state of things must seem to our part}' of American visitors, we still
rejoiced during the entire journey that they were not to see those hos-
pitals in the condition in which we had first found them. Our supplies,
so promptly and generously sent, we were sure had dulled the keen
edge of hunger, and could not fail to show an improvement there.
Our guests, then, would not see all the terrors of unfed famine that had
so shocked \\s, and we knew that by that time the ships from the North
must have arrived. The breakfast at the hotel and a second visit to
our hospitable governor brought with them no apprehension of what
was to meet us a little later. We drove to the hospitals, to learn that
no food had been distributed or received. Those whom we had seen
dying there on our first visit were gone ; others had taken their places.
and it was only a repetition of the first visit, with the addition of ten
days more of hunger. Astonished and shocked beyond description,
we drove at once to the railway station, to find in its freight house our
four tons of provisions sent from Havana ten days before. Although
every notice had been given by us that the goods would be sent — again
that they were sent — and the authorities asked to look out for them,
CUBA AND THK CTTRAN CAMPAIGN. 547
our consul appeared to have no intimation that they were there. The
hospital authorities, of course, had none, and it only remained for us
to order out the provisions and get something to the patients as quickly
as possible, leaving Dr. Hubbell to see that at last they had a supper.
It is not strange that from this event went out the cry of " starving
Matanzas, ' ' although at that moment, in addition to our four tons of
goods previously sent, the " Fern " lay in the harbor under the American
flag, with fifty tons of American supplies, and fifty rods away lay the
"Bergen," under the same colors, bearing a cargo of fifty-two tons
from the Philadelphia Red Cross, faithfully sent through the New York
Committee, by request. So uncontrollable- a thing is human excite-
ment that these facts could not be taken in, and the charities of our
whole country were called afresh to arms over "starving Matanzas,"
which was at that moment by far the best provided city in Cuba. The
result of this was an entire train of supplies from Kansas, which,
remaining there after the blockade, not being consigned to the Red
Cross, was, we were informed, distributed among the Spanish soldiery
by the Spanish officials. Goods bearing the mark of the Red Cross
were everywhere respected, and we have no record of any of our goods
having been appropriated by the Spanish authorities.
The third member of the Cuban Relief Committee of New York,
Mr. lyouis Klopsch, having arrived, it was perhaps natural and proper
that the work of relief and distribution under the consul-general should
pass to his direction. Accordingly, by request of Mr. Klopsch, no more
visits were made to other cities, and by his direction Mr. Elwell gave
his entire attention to the warehouse, and I continued the very hopeful
negotiations I had commenced with the Spanish authorities for the privi-
lege of unmolested cultivation by the reconcentrados of the broad glades
of land lying within the trochas. In some, instances, as around Sagua,
hundreds of acres lay thus unoccupied by either Cubans or Spanish,
and only the fear of the vSpanish soldiery from their own side of the
trochas prevented the cultivation of this land by the reconcentrados
gathered in the towns. In some long and earnest interviews with
General Blanco I laid this matter before him, and begged his inter-
ference and commands on behalf of the safety of the poor people who
might desire to cultivate this land. The captain-general said they
had the matter already under consideration, and desired me to meet his
board of education, who would be glad to co-operate. I met this body
of gentlemen — middle-aged, thoughtful, intelligent men. They had
already taken some important steps, but were perplexed on both sides;
548 Tlllv RKD CROSS.
first by the Spanish soldiery, liable to attack the workers, likewise the
Cuban guerillas, who were equally as dangerous. And yet, despite
all this, some important steps had really been taken and some little
commencement made. I need not say that the exciting news which
followed in less than a month put to an end all thoughts of steps in
that direction, A new enemy would appear and the ground was
likely to be plowed by shells from the monster ships that would line
the bay.
I met the Spanish authorities, not merely as a bearer of relief, but
as the president of the American National Red Cross, with all the
principles of neutrality which that implied, and received in return the
unfailing courtesy which the conditions demanded. From our first
interview to the last sad day when we decided that it was better to
withdraw, giving up all efibrts at relief, and leave those thousands of
poor, dying wretches to their fate, there was never any change in the
attitude of the Spanish authorities, General Blanco or his staff, toward
myself or any member of my staff. One of my last visits before the
blockade was to the palace. The same kindly spirit prevailed; I was
begged not to leave the island through fear of them; every protection
in their power would be given, but there was no guarantee for what
might occur in the exigencies of war. I recall an incident of that
day: General Blanco led me to the large salon, the walls of which
are covered with the portraits of the Spanish officials for generations
past, and pointing to the Spanish authorities under date of 1776, said,
with a look of sadness, "When your country was in trouble, Spain
was the friend of America. Now Spain is in trouble, America is her
enenty." I knew no answer for this but silence, and we passed out
through the corridor of guards, he handing me to my carriage with a
farewell and a blessing. I could but recall my experience with the
Turkish officials and government, where I entered with such appre-
hension and left with such marks of cordiality.
During this interval ot time important business had called me to
Washington, and I only returned to Cuba some time during the second
week of April, when the diary commences with, "strong talk of war."
CUBA AND TIIK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 549
LEAVING HAVANA.
It is needless to say that the strong talk went on — well or ill, wise
or unwise, welcome or unwelcome — it went on. Evidently the block-
ade was near at hand and a declaration of war liable to follow. What
should one do but to ask counsel of all within reach ? I have given
the result of my interview with the Spanish authorities; cabling to
American authorities brings the answer, ' ' The consul should know
best. Take no chances. " Reference to the consul brings the kindly
reply, " I am going myself." The order was for all American citizens
to leave Havana, and the order was obeyed, but not without having
laid the matter formally in counsel before my staff of assistants and
taking their opinion and advice, which was to the effect that while per-
sonally they would prefer to remain for the chance of the little good that
might be accomplished, in view of the distress which we should give our
friends at home, and, in fact, the whole country, when it should be
known that we were inside that wall of fire that would confront us,
with no way of extricating or reaching us, it seemed both wiser and
more humane to leave. And the ninth of April saw us again on ship-
board, a party of twenty, bound for Tampa. We would not, however,
go beyond, but made headquarters there, remaining within easy
call of any need there might be for us. Here follow the few weeks of
impending war. Do we need to live them over? Do we even want to
recall them ? Days when the elder men of thought and memory pon-
dered deepl)' and questioned much! When the mother, patriot though
she were, uttered her sentiments through choking voice and tender,
trembling words, and the young men, caring nothing, fearing nothing,
rushed gallantly on to doom and to death! To how many households,
alas, these days recall themselves in tones never to be forgotten !
Notwithstanding all this excitement and confusion and all the
pressure that weighed upon him, our good President still remembered
the suffering, dying reconcentrados, and requested that a ship be
provided as quickly as possible loaded from the warerooms of the
indefatigable Cuban Relief Committee in New York, and be sent for the
relief of the sufferers in Cuba whenever they could be reached. One
need not say with what promptness this committee acted, and I was
informed that the "State of Texas" laden with fourteen hundred tons
of food would shortly leave New York en route for Key West, and it
sso TIIK Rl<:i) CRCXSS.
was the desire of that committee and the Government that I take com-
mand of the ship, and with my staff and snch assistants as I would
select, undertake the getting of that food to its destination.
Some mendjers of the staff were in New York, and with Dr.
Hubbell in charge sailed from that port on vSaturday, the twenty-third
of April. A hasty trip from Washington, gathering up the waiting
staff at Tampa, and pushing on by the earliest train brought us to Key
West in time to meet the " State of Texas " as she arrived, board her
and take charge of the snug little ship that was henceforth to take its
place in American history. She was well built, but by no means new,
nor handsome. Her dull black hull could in no way compare with the
snow white, green and red striped ho.spital ships, those heralds of
relief that afterwards graced the waters of that bay. Still she was firm,
sound, heavy-laden, and gave promise of some good to someone at some
future day, that day being only when the great war monsters should
have pealed out to the world that an entrance was made on the coast of
Cuba, and we would be invited to follow.
By the authorities at Washington, the "State of Texas " had been
consigned to the protection of the navj^ and accordingly we must report
our arrival. This was done to the senior officer, representing Admiral
Sampson, in the port. Captain Harrington, of the monitor " Puritan."
This brought at once a personal call from the captain with an invita-
tion to our entire staff to visit his beautiful ship the following day. The
launch of the " Puritan " was sent to take us, and not on!}' was the
ship inspected, but the dainties of his elegant tea table as well.
When all was over the graceful launch returned us safely to our
ship, with grateful memories on the part of the younger members of
our company, who had never chanced to form an intimate acquaintance
with a piece of shipping at once so beautiful and so terrible, as that
death dealing engine of destruction. I record this visit and courtesy
on the part of Captain Harrington as the first of an unfailing series of
kindnesses extended by the navy to the Red Cross from first to last.
There was no favor too great, no courtesy too high to be cheerfully
rendered on every occasion.
The memories of pitiful Cuba would not leave us, and, knowing
that under our decks were fourteen hundred tons of food, for the want
of which its people were dying, the impulse to reach them grew very
strong, and a letter was addressed to Admiral Sampson.
This brought immediately the launch of the " New York " to the
side of our ship, and Captain Chadwick, the gallant ofiicer whom no
CUr.A AND TIII<: CIIIJAN CAMPAIGN. 5S'
one forgets, stepped lightly on board to deliver the written message
from the admiral, or rather to take nie to the " New York." Nothing
could have exceeded the courtesy of the admiral, but we were acting
from entirely opposite standpoints, i had been requested to take a
ship, and by every means in my power get food into Cuba. He, on
the other hand, had been com:nanded to take a fleet, and by every
means in his power keep food out of Cuba. When one compared the
two ships lying side by side and thought of a contest of effort between
them, the situation was ludicrous, and yet the admiral did not absolutely
refuse to give me a flag of truce and attempt an entrance into Havana ;
but he disapproved it, feared the results forme and acting in accordance
with his highest wisdom and best judgment, I felt it to be my place to
wait. By the concurrence of the admiral our letters were both given
to the public, and appear elsewhere in these pages, and we remained,
as we had been, neighbors and friends.
These days of waiting were by no means lost time. The accidents
constantly occurring in a harbor filled with transports, kept the
surgeons of the Red Cross constantly in active duty, while the twenty
or thirty Spanish ships which had been and were being captured as
prizes, lay a few miles out, unprovided either by themselves or their
captors. They had been picked up whilst out at sea, some of them
having no knowledge of the existence of a war and supposing them-
selves as safe as in the balmiest days of peace. Most of them were
provided with a little open well in the bottom of the ship where live fish
were kept. But for this provision, it is by no means certain that deaths
from starvation would not have occurred. The ships were mainly little
Spanish vessels — their crews honest working men, who knew their
.ships and the hills and harbors of Spain and Cuba, and little else —
could speak no word of any language but their own — our people,
unused to privateering or to the treatment of captives, forgot to provide
them, and thus they waited, living on the few fi.sh in their holds, with
neither meat, lard, butter, nor oil for their cooking, nor vegetables, nor
bread as accompaniments. Our men learned this state of things, and
naturally attended to it. It is enough for me to say that recently the
thanks of all Spain, through its Red Cress, has come back to us for the
kindnesses rendered her captive seamen.
The days waxed and waned; t?:e summer sun poured its burning
rays down on the glistening waters of the bay; the reveille and tattoo
warned us that we were in camp, with the little difference between land
and sea — waitins: for some onward movement.
TIIJC RJCl) CROvSS.
TAMPA.
Tampa became the gathering point of the army. Its camps filled
like magic, first with regulars, then volunteers, as if the fiery torch of
Duncraigen had spread over the hills and prairies of America; the
great ships gathered in the waters; the monitors, grim and terrible,
seemed striving to hide their heads among the surging waves; the
transports, with decks dark with human life, passed in and out, and
the great monarchs of the sea held ever their commanding sway. It
seemed a strange thing, this gathering for war. Thirty 3'ears of peace
had made it strange to all save the veterans, with their gray beards,
and the silver-haired matrons of the days of the old war, long passed
into history. Could it be possible that we were to learn this anew ?
Were men again to fall, and women weep ? Were the youth of this
generation to gain that experience their fathers had gained, to live the
war lives they had lived, and die the deaths they had died ? Here was
abundant food for reflection, while one waited through the days and
watched the passing events.
At length the fleet moved on, and we prepared to move with, or
rather after, it. The quest on which it had gone and the route it had
taken bordered something on the mystery shrouding the days when
Sherman marched to the sea. Where were the Spanish fleets ? and
what would be the result when found and met ? and where were we to
break that Cuban wall and let us in ? Always present in our minds
were the food we carried, the willing hands that waited, and the per-
ishing thousands that needed. We knew the great hospital ships were
fitting for the care of the men of both army and navy. Surely they
could have no need of us, and the knowledge that our cargo was not
adapted to army hospital use brought no regret to us.
These days of quiet waiting were like the lull that precedes the
storm. The time seemed long regarded only from that standpoint, but
when it is remembered that these few days were all that had been
allowed for a great nation with thirty years of peace to rouse up and
plunge itself into a war, the time seems comparatively short. We had
taken possession of our ship at Key West on the twenty-ninth of April;
it was now the twentieth of June, and the great national records of two
countries at least will always give the history of those days. It is our
part to keep as clearly, truthfully and kindly as possible the record of
CUBA AND TIIIv CUliAN CAMPAIGN. 555
ihe little that fell to us to perform in this great drama. Our arrange-
ments for putting out to sea were quickly made. Such supplies and
such persons as were not to go wiih us must be landed and left.
Among the latter, to our deep and lasting regret, was our charming
friend, Mrs. J. Addison Porter, who had kindly passed the last v/ceks
with us, leaving us as she did, however, with the comforting promise
to return if she should find it possible.
All preliminaries arranged, at ten o'clock, the twentieth of June
we weighed anchor at Key West and steamed for the open sea, having
first taken the official advice of Commodore Remie, commanding the
navy at that point, to find Admiral Sampson and report to him.
The twenty-fifth gave us our first view of the water of Santiago.
Our transports and battleships were gathered there, and the advice of
Admiral Sampson was that we proceed to Guantanamo, where the
marines had made a landing and were camped on the shore. There
had been some fighting at Guantanamo. The "Solace" was there
Its harbor was fine, and the run of forty miles was made by noon ot
that day. Whoever has enjoyed the quiet, sheltered harbor of Guan-
tanamo will not require to be reminded of it — protected on three sides
by beautifully wooded hills. At six o'clock our anchors sunk in the
deep still waters, and we had time to look about us and see for the first
time the beginning of the war. The marines were camped diagonally
along the brow of a beautiful hill. On our right a camp of Cubans,
and all about us the great monsters with their protruding guns which
told of forthcoming trouble. Captain McCalla, who was in command
of Guantanamo, had sent compliments and a launch pointing out our
place of anchorage.
The courtesies of the navy, so early commenced at Key West, were
promptly continued. At eight o'clock we received a visit from Com-
mander Dunlap of the " Solace " which, after a long and cordial inter-
view, closed by his proposing to setid his launch at ten o'clock the
following day to take our entire company for a visit to the " Solace "
and its fifty wounded men. If that beautiful ship or its management
had left room on the records of our country's mead of gratitude for
more words of appreciative praise, I should be glad to speak them.
Only those familiar with the earliest history of the Red Cross in our
country and the methods by which our navy alone of all the Red Cross
nations had gained even an approximately legal place, can judge what
the sight of that first naval relief ship on our American waters was to
me. It brought back so vividly the memory of the day when President
Arthur called me to him to carefully explain the conditions of the treaty
31
S56
Till- Ul'l) CROSS.
which he had just signed in 1881, and that Congress, having gener-
ously included the navy in its treaty for war, he would provide to hold
it carefully until the probable widening of the original treat}- would
include the 7iavics of the world as well as the armies. I was thankful
for the 7nodus vivcndi, which I knew was as welcome to Spain as to
ourselves, that had made it possible to pick up these poor wounded
sailors and give them kindly care among their own, that they were not
lOCATlON OF SHORS BATTKRIES, SANTIAGO.
to be left uncared for, or thrown into land hospitals where everything
would be strange to them. My twenty or thirty assistants glided about
the polished decks of the magnificent ship, Vv^ith a kindly greeting for
every poor, wounded fellow, and delighted with everything they saw.
For me, I had few words, prayerful gratitude, and many memories of
the long years of patient waiting that had brought the American Red
Cross even up to the point it had attained.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 557
Before the day closed news came to us of a more serious character
than we had before learned. The daring Rough Riders had been
hardly dealt by; Hamilton Fish and Capron had been killed, and the
wounded needed help. Wherever they might be, it must be possible to
reach them, and it was decided that no time be lost. Our men com-
menced work in the hold of the ship to get at medical supplies and
dressings, and the captain took his orders. I find in my diary at
the close of that day the following paragraph:
"It is the Rough Riders we go to, and the relief may be also
rough; but it will be ready. A better body of helpers could scarcely
be gotten together. ' '
Nine o'clock of the same night, June 26, found us in Siboney and
anchored in its waters, which can scarcely be called a harbor. It seems
to be rather an indenture in the coast. Shall I be pardoned if I again
revert to the diary which, by some means, I found time to hastily
pencil:
Siboney, Cuba,/««^.?7, i8g8.
We were wakened at daybreak to see the soldiers filing up over the hill in
heavy marching order, forming in lines by ones and twos, winding up, in and out
among the hills, higher and higher, like a great anaconda. As we watched them
through a glass, they were a moving line trailing on toward the clouds, till lost in
the mist, and we can only think as we look at them, on how many or on which is
set the mark of death, He knows no more than we, poor fellow, and unthink-
ingly, perhaps, with his swinging, careless gait, toils up and up and waits for — he
knows not what.
The hospitals, both American and Cuban, are located on the shore
just to the right of us, and have been visited by our men during the
night. Some of their surgeons called on us; all seemed interested in
the Red Cross, but none thought that a woman nurse would be in place
in a soldier's hospital; indeed, very much out of place. I suggested that
that decision was hard for me, for I had spent a great deal of time there
myself. They appeared to understand that perfectly, or were so polite
as not to criticise it, but there seemed to be a later line which could not
be crossed. The Cubans, who had just come into camp, were less
conventional and expressed a great desire for any assistance we could
give them, " Sister Bettina " and her four trained "Sisters," Drs. Egan
and Hubbell went ashore to the hospitals. This had been proposed the
evening before at General Garcia's headquarters; but they were begged
to wait jtist one day until their hospital could be in a little better order.
These "Sisters " were not the persons to grant that day of preparation.
558
Till-: RKD CROSS.
Ou the contrary, we were told that as soon as they were fairly in the
wards they commenced putting things into order and cleanliness, and
worked through the day without interruption, coming home only after
dark, tired it must be, but fresh and happy, full of the conviction of a
work well done. Long before that day's work was ended our own
American hospitals alongside commenced to be jealous of the Cubans,
and believed that they had spoken first. Be that as it might, we were
equally forgetful, and from that time no distinction between the hospi-
tals was known.
Dr. Lesser, Mr. Kennan and Mr. iilwell tramped, for there was no
other mode of conveyance, to our advance line within three miles of
Santiago. They found the artillery up and things nearly ready for
attack, which it was thought would be on the following Wednesday.
The sea grew wild and rough; the water was too deep for firm
anchorage, and we rocked at such a fearful rate that in pity for the
JUI,Y FIFTH IN RIFLE PITS.
pale faces about me, I begged the captain to draw as near the shore as
possible and let, at least, a portion of them onto the land. Let them
have, if only a few minutes, the solid ground under their feet. He
drew up to within two or three hundred feet of the clifiF which runs
around like a firm sea wall, and succeeded in anchoring; took a boat
and tried to land some of our people, but there were no wharves; the
poor little seven by nine bench, designated as a wharf, running out
into the sea, against which the boats swung and crashed as they tried
to land supplies, was all there was, except the narrow beach with a
heavy surf. Our people declined the landing, and headsick, heartsick
and seasick returned to the ship.
We had been long without news from the United States; but the
next day brought the following dispatch from the New York Cuban
Relief Committee:
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 559
Cobb sails Wednesday with Red Cross supply boat. All articles requested by
her will be shipped. The launch will be towed from Jacksonville. Do nou want
additional nurses? Five hundred tons provisions and clothing, also three ambu-
lances complete, shipped to Key West warehouse this week from New York. Send
" State of Texas " to New York as soon as can be spared. Cobb with Red Cross
boat expects to reach Guantananio July 5 to 10. Ma.ssachusetts relief ship cannot
sail before middle of July. Will dispatch .schooner with ice within a fortnight.
Make your requisitions specific in kind and quantity.
This was only one of the scores of di.spatches reaching us within
the few following weeks, and I repeat it here, not as having any special
significance, excepting to show the uncertainty and utter instability of
all human calculations. Analyzing this kind-hearted and well-meant
dispatch in the light of the future, we find that neither the Red Cross
supply boat, the steam launch, the Massachusetts relief ship, nor the
additional nurses ever reached us. The ice schooner proved to be the
"Mary E. Morse," of which mention is made elsewhere. The five
hundred tons of provisions shipped to the Key West warehouse were dis-
tributed there. I name this, not in any spirit of complaint — far from it,
indeed — but simply to show still further and make more apparent, if
possible, the difi5culties attendant upon all work at a field of war.
Those who have seen only this one war will find these uncertainties
and shortcomings very strange, and unaccountable; to me, who had
seen other wars, they seemed natural, probably largely inevitable, and
quite the thing to be expected, the fatal results of which misfortunes I
had spent half my lifetime in instituting measures to prevent or lessen.
We were honored next day by a call from an officer of the
"Olivette," with his assistant. It is not singular, in the light of the
great, elegant, newly-fitted ship at his command, that it was difficult
for him to realize the use or the necessity of an unpretending little
black boat like the " State of Texas," or of what service it could be
expected to be to an army. We labored to impress upon him the fact
that this ship did not come for the war, but was loaded and dispatched
weeks before there was any war, and simply waited an opportunity to
deliver its cargo to the hungry and naked reconcentrados for whom
they were designed. This explanation we hoped would make it appa
rent to the gentleman, how it was, that our supplies of clothing would
not be likely to contain the articles of which he said his ship was in
want; it probably never having entered into the minds of our .sympa-
thetic generous lady donors of America to provide pajamas for Cuban
women. Anything we had \v3.s freely at his service. If we made any
56o TIIIC Rl-D CROSS.
attempt at cotiversion (which I do not now recall), it was simply on the
line of a better understanding of Red Cross methods and principles
as connected with his profession, and 7iot sl change of heart.
With the constant reminders of the sufferings of the people on
shore and our inability to reach them, it was a welcome errand brought
by a dispatch boat that afternoon from Captain McCalla, that if we
could get five thousand rations to him before the next Thursday morn-
ing, he could find a way to deliver them to the refugee families of insur-
gents and others lying out in the hills and woods beyond his camp at
Guantanamo, where they had fled for safety. We steamed at once to
Guantanamo and landed the rations next morning, returning toSiboney
the same afternoon. The next day our working force was busy all day
getting off material to refugees coming in from the mountains. Gene-
ral Garcia detailed a detachment to repair pontoons for the purpose of
landing the supplies. Captain McCalla cabled for twenty thousand
rations for refugees, to be delivered at Guantanamo by Sunday.
Our Red Cross sisters and surgeons were all busy at the Cuban
Hospital, when the following letter from Major Le Garde was
received :
To Miss Clara Barton, President American National Red Cross :
I have the honor to request your assistance in caring for the patients in a so-
called hospital near the landing at this point. The orders are to the effect that all
patients now under treatment on the shore shall be transferred to the " Iroquois "
and " Olivette," but the facilities for carrying out this order are apparently inade-
quate. In order that the Divisional Hospital may remain unhampered for the care
of the wounded in the engagement about to take place, it is necessary for me to
request this favor of you, and I trust that you may find it possible to comply with
said request.
Your obedient servant,
Louis A. Le Garde,
Major and Surge 071, U. S. A., Commanding Hospital.
To this the following reply was immediately returned:
Steamship "State of Texas,"
SiBONEY, Santiago de Cuba, June 30, 1898.
Dr. Louis A. LE Garde,
Major and Surgeon, U. S. A., Commanding Hospital :
Major : — Permit me, I pray you, to ex press the great pleasure given me by your
cordial letter inviting the assistance of the persons here under my direction in the
care of the sick and wounded of the engagement about to take place.
CUBA AND tup: CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 561
Although not here as a hospital ship by any means, nor legitimately fitted for
the work, still we have some hospital supplies, a few intelligent workers, skill,
intrepidity, experience, the willingness to serve, the readiness to obey, and I
believe, the true spirit of the Red Cross, that seeks to help humanity wherever its
needs exist.
I send them to you in the hope that they may be of service. With grateful
appreciation, 1 am, doctor,
Most cordially yours,
Clara Barton,
President Afnerican National Red Cross.
In the afternoon of this day some members from our ship went
ashore and visited the Cuban Hospital and General Garcia' s head-
quarters, which that general, on leaving Siboney had graciously ordered
to be placed " at Miss Barton's disposal as headquarters for herself and
her staff." It was found, however, that the building would be required
by the military, and the matter was given no further consideration.
On the first of July Dr. and Mrs. Lesser with their assistants went
early ashore to work in the hospitals, both United States and Cuban.
The transport " Harvard" arriving with troops, demanded our anchor-
age, and on coming out of the harbor to give place to her, we saw that
a bombardment of Aguadores, five miles to the west, was taking place.
A battleship, perhaps the "Oregon," the flagship "New York" and
a little cruiser were standing in near the shore, the latter keeping up a
rapid fire, which was responded to by the batteries on both sides of a
ravine which the railroad crossed. We ran down as close as safety
permitted and watched the engagement from the bridge of our own
ship. The two large ships then drew in and shelled the ravine, appar-
ently silencing the batteries. When we returned to Siboney we learned
that our troops had been fighting all day, and that large numbers of
wounded were walking or being brought in for treatment. The Red
Cross had been requested to take entire charge of a fever hospital of
United States troops, which it did. Dr. and Mrs. Lesser and two of the
Sisters were assisting in the operating tent. All of us worked nearly
through the night — the nurses and physicians as above stated; the
others taking out supplies for wounded — one hundred cots, bedding,
hospital utensils, medicine, food, etc. The reports were that we had
taken and held all the commanding positions around Santiago, but that
it had cost us four hundred men.
The diary of July 2 says : The day opened cool and fresh, and
although having worked steadily until three o'clock the night previous,
562 Tine RED CROSS.
when they had been brought back to the ship for a little rest, the Sisters
were ready for work at half-past six. Sisters Anna and Isabell had
been on duty all iii";ht, and must now be relieved. Dr. Egan and Mr.
Kennan made ready for the front, the former to have a field hospital.
With a portion of my assistants I go ashore to visit the hospitals in
the early part of the day, to learn if anything further can be done for
them. We find the wounded coming in rapidly, long rows of hospital
tents being filled with them, and many waiting their turn on the operat-
ing tables. We learned that the officers had suffered very severely,
having been picked off by Spanish sharpshooters. A note came by
messenger from Mr. Kennan at the front, saying that by order from
General Shafter's headquarters " Miss Barton was directed to seize any
empty wagons coming in and send by them hospital supplies, medical
Stores, which were badly needed at the front." This direction would of
course be filled as far as possible; the supplies would be gotten out and
sent, and it was decided that myself and as many of our assistants as
could be spared go with them the next day. These were anxious,
trying days throughout the whole country. All America was astir,
once more in the dreaded throes of war.
Another dispatch from our committee at New York reveals this
state of feeling:
New York, July 2, iSg8.
Barton, Santiago de Cuba:
Government transport "Port Victor" sailing New York, Wednesday
via Tampa takes all our supplies to Santiago. Look out for arrival. Twenty-five
nurses go there Tuesday; more follow; order them forward if needed. Report your
actions. People anxious.
To which the following reply is returned:
Dispatch received. Lesser's force attending wounded here constantly coming
in. Elwell and force landing supplies in the surf at night, without dock, under
great difficulties and dangers. An urgent appeal from the front for medicines and
food. None there. Will try to get two four-mule wagons full to them to-night
and go ourselves. Have reported all we could. No telegraph here till to-day. No
dispatch boats. No post-office. We also anxious.
July 3 opened clear and bright, the commencement of a hard and
busy day, to be long remembered. Our shippers had been landing
supplies all night and keeping such guard over them on the sandy
beach as was possible.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 563
The daily record of our movements kept always up and open, like
the log of the ship, must now fall to the hands of our faithful stenog-
rapher, Miss Ivucy Graves, and taking up her duties bravely that day,
she commences with this paragraph:
"Miss Barton, with Dr. and Mrs. Gardner, Dr. Hubbell and Mr,
McDowell, leave for the front to-day, taking two six- mule wagon loads
of hospital supplies." To the young writer it was a simple note in the
records of the day, having no special significance. As my eye glanced
over it it seemed very strange— passing strange, that after all this more
than a quarter of a century I should be again taking supplies to the
front of an army in the United States of America; that after all these
years of Red Cross instruction and endeavor, it was still necessary to
promiscuously seize an army wagon to get food to wounded men.
I hope in someway it may be made apparent to any one who follows
these notes how difficult a thing it was to get this food from our ship
to the shore. In a surf which after ten o'clock in the morning allowed
no small boat to touch even the bit of a pier that was run out without
breaking either the one or the other, and nothing in the form of a
lighter save two dilapidated flat boat scows which had been broken and
cast away by the engineer corps, picked up by ourselves, mended by
the Cubans, and gotten in condition to float alongside our ship and
receive perhaps three or four tons of material. This must then be
rowed or floated out to the shore, run on to the sands as far as possible,
the men jumping into the water from knee to waist deep, pulling the
scow up from the surf, and getting the material on land. This was
what was meant by loading the " seized wagons from the front " and
getting food to the wounded. After ten o'clock in the day even this
was impossible, and we must wait until the calm of the next morning,
three or four o'clock, to commence work again and go through the same
struggle in order to get something to load the wagons for that day.
Our supplies had been gotten out, all that could be sent that day
for the heavy surf, and among the last, rocking and tossing in our little
boat, went ourselves, landing on the pier, which by that time was
breaking in two, e.scaping a surf which every other moment threatened
to envelop one from feet to head, we reached the land. Our wagons
were there already loaded with our best hospital material, — meal, flour,
condensed milk, malted milk, tea, coffee, sugar, dried fruits, canned
jfruits, canned meats, and such other things as we had been able to get
tout in the haste of packing — entirely filling the two wagons.
An ambulance had been spoken of, but could not be had. We
walked out a little way to wait for it. Dr. Hubbell left our party
564 THE RED CROSS.
and went again in search of an ambulance, notwithstanding the assur-
ance that an army wagon would answer our purpose quite as well.
These were going line by line up to the front, mainly with ammunition.
We waited a little by the roadside; the doctor did not return; our own
wagons had gone on, and stopping another loaded with bales of hay,
we begged a ride of the driver, and all took our seats among the hay
and made our way once more to the front.
The road was simply terrific — clayey, muddy, wet and cut to the
hub. A ride of about four hours brought us to the First Division Hos-
pital of the Fifth Army Corps, General Shafter's headquarters. This
was properly the second day after the fight. Two fearful nights had
passed.
The sight that greeted us on going into the so-called hospital
grounds was something indescribable. The land was perfectly level —
no drainage whatever, covered with long, tangled grass, skirted by
trees, brush and shrubbery — a few little dog tents, not much larger than
would have been made of an ordinary tablecloth thrown over a short rail,
and under these lay huddled together the men fresh from the field or from
the operating tables, with no covering over them save such as had clung
to them through their troubles, and in the majority of cases no blanket
under them. Those who had come from the tables, having been com-
pelled to leave all the clothing they had, as having been too wet, muddy
and bloody to be retained by them, were entirely uude, lying on the
stubble grass, the sun fitfully dealing with them, sometimes clouding
over, and again streaming out in a blaze above them. As we passed,
we drew our hats over our eyes, turning our faces away as much as
possible for the delicacy of the poor fellows who lay therewith no shel-
ter either from the elements or the eyes of the passers-by.
Getting past them as quickly as possible, and seeing a smoke ahead
of us, and relying upon the old adage that where there is smoke there
must be fire, we went to it. A half-dozen bricks had been laid about a
yard apart, a couple of pieces of wagon-tire laid across these, so low
and so near the ground that no fire of any strength or benefit could
be made, the bits of wet wood put under crosswise, with the smoke
streaming a foot out on each side, and two kettles of coffee or soup
and a small frying-pan with some meat in it, appeared to be the
cook-house for these men. They told us there were about eight hun-
dred men under the tents and lying in the grass, and more constantly
coming in.
I looked at the men who had constructed and who had charge of
that ' ' fireplace, ' ' and saw how young and inexperienced the faces
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 565
were, and how little they coa/d know o( the making up of a camp, and
how unsatisfactory it must all be to themselves, and was filled with a
sense of pity for them as well as the poor sufferers they were trying to
serve. I looked around for the faces of some old veterans of the wars
before, who could bring a little knowledge gained from practice. There
were none there, but here was our own McDowell, with a record of
four years and twenty-six battles in the old Civil War, and after a few
moments' consultation as to the best method to be pursued, we, too,
gathered stones and bricks and constructed a longer, higher fireplace,
got more wagon-tires, found the water, and soon our great agate kettles
of seven and ten gallons were filled. But the wood! It was green,
not resinous as the wood of some islands. In Corsica, for instance, one
may take the green, wet wood and make a blazing fire. The wood of
Cuba is beautiful in quality, but hard and slow to burn.
The rain, that had been drizzling more or less all day, increased.
Our supplies were taken from the wagon, a piece of tarpaulin found to
protect them, and as the fire began to blaze and the water to heat Mrs.
Gardner and I found the way into the bags and boxes of flour, salt,
milk and meal, and got material for the first gallons of gruel. I had
not thought to ever make gruel again over a camp-fire; I cannot say
how far it carried me back in the lapse of time, or really where or who
I felt that I was. It did not seem to be me, and still I seemed to know
how to do it, and when the bubbling contents of our kettles thickened
and grew white with the condensed milk, and we began to give it out,
putting it in the hands of the men detailed as nurses and of our own
to take it around to the poor sufferers shivering and naked in the rain,
I felt again that perhaps it was not in vain that history had reproduced
itself And when the nurses came back and told us of the surprise
with which it was received and the tears that rolled down the sun-
burned, often bloody, face into the cup as the poor fellow drank his hot
gruel and asked where it came from, who sent it, and said it was the
first food he had tasted in three, sometimes in four, days (for they had
gone into the fight hungry), I felt it was again the .same old story, and
wondered what gain there had been in the last thirty years. Had any-
thing been worse than this? But still, as we moralized, the fires
burned and the gruel steamed and boiled and bucket after bucket went
out, until those eight hundred men had each his cup of gruel and knew
that he could have another and as many as he wanted. The day waned
and the darkness came and still the men were unsheltered, uncovered,
naked and wet — scarcely a groan, no word of complaint; no man said
be was not well treated.
566 THK RKI) CROSS.
The operating tables were full of the wounded. Man after man
was taken off and brought on his litter and laid beside other men and
something given him to keep the little life in his body that seemed fast
oozing out. All night it went on. It grew cold — for naked men, bitter
cold before morning. We had no blankets, nothing to cover them,
only as we tore off from a cut of cotton cloth, which by some means
had gotten on with us, strips six or seven feet long, and giving them
to our men, asked them to go and give to each uncovered man a piece
that should shield his nakedness. This made it possible for him to
permit us to pass by him if we needed to go in that direction.
Early in the morning ambulances started, and such as could be
loaded in were taken to be carried back over that rough, pitiless road
down to Siboney to the hospitals there, that we had done the best we
fould toward fitting up — where our hundred cots and our hundred and
fifty blankets had gone, and our cups and spoons and the delicacies
that would help to strengthen these poor fainting men if once they
could get there, and where also were the Sisters under Dr. Lesser and
Dr. Le Garde to attend them.
They brought out man after man, stretcher after stretcher, to tlit
waiting ambulances, and they took out seventeen who had died in the
night — unattended, save by the nurse — uncomplaining, no last word,
no dying message, quiet and speechless life had ceased and the soul
had fled.
By this time Dr. Hubbell had returned for he had missed out
wagons the day before and gote at night for more supplies. This time
came large tarpaulins, more utensils, more food, more things to make
it a little comfortable — another contribution from the surf of Siboney.
Wti removed our first kitchens across the road, up alongside the head-
quarter tent of Major Wood in charge of the camp. The major is a
regular army officer, brusque, tliickset, abrupt, but so full of kind-
hearted generosity that words cannot do justice to him. He strove in
eviry way to do all that could be done. He had given us the night
before a little officer's tent into which we had huddled from the pouring
rain for a few hours in the middle of the night. The next day, although
no tent so spacious as that could be had, a little baby tent it seemed,
of about seven feet, was found, pitched alongside of the other, the tar-
paulins piit over, a new fireplace made near us, magnificent in its
dimensions, shelter given for the boxes, bags and barrels of supplies
that by this time had accumulated about us. There was even some-
thing that looked like tables on which Mrs. Gardner prepared her
delicacies.
CUBA AiND nilC CUliAJS CAMi'AiGN. 567
The gruel still remained the staple, but malted milk, chocolate and
rice had come in, and tea, and little by little various things were added
by which our menage became something quite resembling a hotel. The
wounded were still being taken away by ambulance and wagon, assorted
and picked over like fruit in a barrel. Those which would bear trans-
portation were taken away, the others left where they were. The num-
bers grew a little less that day.
I ought not neglect mentioning the favorite and notable drinks
which were prepared, for it will seem to the poor, feverish men who par-
took of them that they ought to be mentioned — they will never forget
them. They have not even yet ceased to tell through the hospitals
that they fall into later of the drink that was prepared for them at the
Fifth Corps Hospital. We had found a large box of dried apples, and
remembering how refreshing it would be, we had washed a quantity,
put it in a large kettle, filled it with water and let it soak. It hap-
pened to be a fine tart apple, and the juice was nearly as good as wine.
Perhaps no wine had ever seemed so good to those men as a cup of that
apple water, and when they tasted it tears again ran down their faces.
To their poor, dry, feverish mouths it was something so refreshing that
it seemed heaven-sent. The next day a box of prunes was discovered,
and the same thing was done with that; a richer, darker juice was
obtained, and this also took its place among the drinks prepared at the
Fifth Corps Hospital. The apple and prune juice will remain, I sus-
pect, a memorial for that poor neglected spot.
By the third day our patients seemed strong enough that we might
risk food as solid as rice, and the great kettles were filled with that,
cooked soft, mixed with condensed and malted milk, and their cups
were filled with this. It was gratifying to hear the nurses come up
and say : "I have sixteen men in my ward. So many of them would
like rice; so many would like malted milk; so many would like gruel;
so many would like chocolate, and a few would like a cup of tea; and
another, who is feverish, would like only some apple or prune juice,"
— and taking for each what he called for, go back to his patients as
if he had given his order to the waiter at a hotel; and the food that he
took was as well cooked, as delicate and as nice as he could have got-
ten there. The numbers were now getting considerably less — perhaps
not over three hundred — and better care could be taken of them.
A dispatch on Thursday afternoon informed me that Mrs. J.
Addison Porter would be on the hospital ship " Relief " coming into
Siboney that day. I would of course go to meet her. It was a great
joy to know that she would return to us. We at once decided that an
568 THE Rr:D CROSS.
army wagon should be asked for from headquarters and a party of us
go to Siboney, both for Mrs. Porter and more supplies. The roads
were getting even worse — so bad, in fact, that I dared not risk an
ambulance, an array wagon being the only vehicle strong enough to
travel over it.
We had blankets and pillows and the ride was fairly comfortable;
but it was late, nine o'clock, before we reached Siboney. The " State
of Texas, ' ' which in the last three days had made a trip to Port Antonio
for ice, we thought must be back by that time, and on reaching Siboney,
found that she had arrived that evening at five o'clock and was lying
at her old anchorage. But there was no way of communicating with
her in order that a boat might be sent for us. Everything was tried.
We had no signals; there was no system of signaling on the shore by
which we could reach her or, in fact, any other boat. There was no
way but to remain where we were until morning. It was proposed
that I go to the rooms assigned for the hospital assistants. I decidedly
refused this, for every reason. I knew the buildings were not to be
trusted, and persons nursing day and night among all kinds of
patients were not the people to room with. I asked to be allowed to
remain in my army wagon. This was not thought proper. I suggested
that it might be drawn out anywhere, the mules taken oflf, and I be
left with the blankets and pillows. I thought it, in fact, a good place
for any one to sleep, and ventured to recommend it as an old-time
method — a refuge which once would have been palatial for me on the
war-swept fields of old Virginia, or in the drifting sands of Morris
Island — what would that have been the night after Antietam or old
Fredericksburg, Chantilly or the Wilderness? But the newer generation
could not see it so; a building must be had somewhere, and as I refused
the hospital appendage in toto, it was proposed that I enter the post-
oflSce, a room there being offered to me.
The postmaster and deputy postmaster, who felt themselves under
obligation to us, came out to our men and insisted that I occupy a
room in that building. Such a courtesy could not be gainsaid, and
against all feeling of acquiescence, and with a terrible dread, as if there
were something so wrong about it, I allowed myself to be helped out
of the wagon and entered the house. The postmaster sat down and
talked with me a little while. I thought he seemed ill. It appeared
to be an effort for him to talk. I had never met him before, but my
heart went out in sympathy for him. I feared I was taking his room,
as was indeed the case, although he did not admit it. I was shov»rn
into a large room with one cot, on^ table, glje^rless, bare, with ao
CUBA AND THK CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 569
outside door, and a candle without a stick burning upon the table. The
men went outside and laid down upon the steps for the night. I laid
down upon the stretcher. It was impossible for me to remain there.
Something constantly warned me to leave it. I got up, went to the
outside door, looked out upon the night and darkness and waited for
the gray of the morning. I went out and stood upon the beach beside
the sea and waited more and more, until finally some of the men
appeared and I went with them down to the water.
I might as well say here, as I will not refer to it again, that six
days after, when I returned, they told me that the rightful occupant of
the cot — the postmaster who had seemed so ill — had died of a fever
raging here that they called "yellow fever." I had occupied his cot
and he had gone to heaven. I wondered who it was that so continually
warned me that night to keep away from that room, away from the
cot, away from all connected with it, when I had not tlie slightest sus-
picion of anything wrong. "Yellow fever" was then not talked of.
Did some one tell me ? I do not know, but something told me.
While standing at the dock, Dr. Smith, of the "Olivette," who
had taken a ride with us to the front a day or two before, approached,
and kindly asked if he could place his boat at my service, and if I
would go to the "Olivette" with him. I replied that I would go to
the " Relief," if he would be so kind as to take me there, for a friend
whom I had on board. He did so, and as we drew around the side of
the elegant white and green striped boat in full navy regulation, the
men in white duck appeared on the decks above and below, a half
dozen ladies' faces showing among them, but most notably the good,
substantial, matronly looking lady who had left us a few days before —
Mrs. Porter. It occurred to me that she had possibly come by invita-
tion to remain on the " Relief" and aid in the charge of the nurses,
and would make this explanation to me, but was agreeably surprised
when I saw a satchel and a package or two coming down the steps
immediately followed by Mrs. Porter herself. I could scarcely believe
that she was leaving that elegant boat to come over to the obscure
"State of Texas." But so it was, and, taking her seat in the boat, we
rowed around to the "Olivette," where Dr. Smith left us, and was
replaced bj' a major-surgeon, who would escort us over to the
"Texas," only some rods distant. I did not at once recall him, but
among his first remarks were, "You have been at the front ? " " Yes,
Major." " I should think you would find it very unpleasant there."
"Such scenes are not supposed to be pleasant." " What do you go
for ? " J scarcely know what reply was made to this abrupt question.
570 TJllv RED CROvSvS.
but the significance was that possibly we could be useful there.
"There is no need of your going there — it is no place for women. I
consider women very much out of place in a field hospital." " Then
I must have been out of place a good deal of my lifetime, Doctor, for
I have been there a great deal." " That doesn't change my opinion,,
and if I had my way, I would send you home." " Fortunately for
me, if for no one else. Doctor, you have not your way." " I know it,
but again that doesn't change my opinion. I would send you home."
By this time we were rowing pretty near our own boat, and it was
admissible for me to maintain the silence that I felt dignity called for.
I made no other remark to him beyond "Good morning. Major," as
we separated for our respective ships.
This is a foolish little episode to enter in one's diary, not worth the
time of writing, especially in days like these, only as it will serve as a
landmark, a kind of future milestone noting the progress of humane
sentiment, and the hopeful advancement of the civilization and enlight-
enment of the world. Only a few years ago the good major would
have actually possessed the power of which this advancement has
relieved him. Finding an accumulation of work at our ship, large
mails from the North having arrived, it was Monday before we could
return to the front, Mrs. Porter accompanying us. This journey was
also made in an array w^agon, and a wretched, miserable wagon it
was. We found the camp in perfect running order. Mrs. Gardner had
stood like a rock through it all, neglecting nothing, quiet, calm, peace-
ful, faithful, busy — how well she had done, I hav^e no words to express.
Everybody grateful to her, everybody loving her.
The camp had now from one hundred to two hundred men. There
began to be strong talk of yellow fever, not only at Siboney but at the
front as well.
The negotiations between General Shaffer and the Spanish army
at Santiago were still going on. The flag of truce that threatened every
day to come down still floated. The Spanish soldiers had been led by
their officers to believe that every man who surrendered (and the people
as well), would be butchered instantly the city should fall and the
American troops should come in. But when General Shafter com-
menced to send back convoys of captured Spanish officers, their wounds
faithfully dressed and carefully placed on stretchers and borne under
flags of truce to the Spanish lines at Santiago and set down at the feet
of the general as a tender gift back to him, and when in astonishment
he learned the object of the flag of truce and sent companies of soldiers
to form in line and present arms while the cortege of wounded were
Till-: PHYSICIANS AND NURSKS OF THE ORPHANAGE AND
CLINIC IN IiAVANA.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 573
borne through by American troops, a lesson was learned that went far
toward the surrender of that city.
I happened to know that it was not without some very natural
home criticism that General Shafter persisted in his course in the face
of the time-honored custom of "hostages." One can readily under-
stand that the voluntary giving up of prisoners, officers at that, in view
of an impending battle might seem in the light of old-time army usages
a waste, to characterize it by no harder term. It is possible that none
of the officers on that field had ever read the articles of the Treaty of
Geneva or fully realized that that treaty had become a law or that their
commander, possibly without fully realizing it himself, was acting in
full accord with its wise and humane principles.
The main talk of the camp was now ' ' yellow fever. ' ' On Monday
night occurred one of the most fearful storms which I have ever seen —
rain, thunder and lightning. Our tent had been well protected and
deeply ditched, but the water rolled around it in the ditches like rivers.
The thunder shook the ground; the lightning blazed like afire. As I
have said, the camp was as level as a floor. No water could really run
off. During the most of that night the men in the tents laid in five to
six inches of water. Before daybreak the rain had ceased, some water
had run away — some soaked in — and the ground was passable. The
next day followed another rain. It was now discovered by the medical
authorities that from there having been at first one case of fever, there
were now one hundred and sixteen; that a fever camp would probably
be made there and the wounded gotten away. It was advisable then
that we return to our ship and attempt, as far as possible, to hold that
free from contagion. I was earnestly solicited to do this in view of
what was expected of our ship and of what was expected of us — that
we not only protect ourselves, but our cargo and ship from all contami-
nation and even suspicion. I faithfully promised this, and again we
called for an army wagon, leaving all supplies that were useful for the
men here, sending to Caney what was most needed there and taking
only our personal effects, we again placed ourselves in an army wagon
with a tarpaulan over us and started for Siboney. In less than twenty
minutes the rain was pouring on us and for two hours it fell as from
buckets. The water was from a foot and a half to two feet deep in the
road as we passed along. At one time our wagon careened, the mules
were held up, and we waited to see whether it should go over or could
be brought out — the water a few inches only from the top of the lower
side. It was scarcely possible for us to stir, hemmed in as we were,
but the men from the other wagons sprang to our wheels, hanging in
574 'i'HE RED CROSS.
the air on the upper side, and we were simply saved by an inch. The
mud and water was at least two and one-half feet deep where we should
have gone down.
But like other things, this cleared away. We came into Siboney
aliout three o'clock, in a bright glare of sunshine, to find the town
utterly burned, all buildings gone or smoking, Dr. and Mrs. Lesser
and the faithful Sisters as well, in a " yellow fever " hospital a mile and
a half out of the city, reached by rail. All cu.stomary work was sus-
pended. The atmosphere was thick and blue with smoke. Men ran
about the grounds smutted and bareheaded like children. My medical
knowledge was not sufficient to allow me to judge if everybody there
had the yellow fever, but general observation would go far toward con-
vincing a very ordinary mind that everybody had gone crazy.
All effort was made to hold our ship free from suspicion. The
process of reasoning leading to theconclusion that a solid cargo, packed
in tight boxes in the hold of a ship, anchored at sea, could become
infected in a day from the land or a passing individual, is indeed, an
intricate process; but we had some experience in this direction, as, for
instance. Captain McCalla in his repeated humane attempts to feed the
refugees around Guantanamo had called again for a hundred thousand
rations, saying that if we could bring them to him soon, he could get
them to the thousands starving in the woods. We lost no time, but
got the food out and started with it in the night. On reaching Guan-
tanamo we were met at a distance out and called to, asking if anyone
on our ship had been on shore at Siboney within four days, if so, our
supplies could not be received, and we took them away, leaving the
starving to perish.
On Friday morning the constantly recurring news of the surrender
of Santigo was so well established that we drew anchor and came up to
the flagship and the following letter was addressed to Admiral
Sampson:
"State of Texas," July i6, j8g8.
Admiral Sampson,
Cotnmanding United States Fleet off Santiago, Flagship '■'■ New York":
Admiral: — It is not necessary for me to explain to you my errand, nor its
necessity; both your good head and heart divine it more clearly than any words of
mine can represent.
I send this to you by one of our men, who can tell you all you will wish to know.
Mr. Ehvell has resided and done mercantile and shipping business in Santiago for
the last seven years; is favorably known to all its people; has in his possession the
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 575
keys to the best warehouses and resicleiices in the city, to which he is bidden wel-
come by the owners. He is the person ajipointed four months ago to help distrib-
ute this food, and did so with me until the blockade. There seems to be nothing
in the way of our getting this 1400 tons of food into a Santiago warehouse and
giving it intelligently to the thousands who need and own it. I have twenty good
helpers with me. The New York Conunitteu is clamoring for the discharge of the
"State of Texas," which has been raised in price to f 400 a day.
If therp is still more explanation needed, I pray you, Admiral, kt me see )ou.
Respectfully and cordially,
(Signed) Clara Barton.
This was immediately responded to by Captain Chadwick, who
came on board, assuring me that our place was at Santiago — as quickly
as we could be gotten there.
On Saturda)^ the sixteenth, feeling that it might still be possible
to take the supplies to Guantanamo, requested by Captain McCalla, a
letter was addressed as follows:
Steamship " Statk of Texas," /«/v /<5, iRgS.
Captain Chadwick, Flagship " A^ezv Vork''' off Santiago:
Captain: — If there is a possibility of going into Santiago before to-morrow
morning, please let me know, and we will hold just where we are and wail.
If there is no possibility of this, we could run down to Guantanamo and land
Captain McCalla's 100,000 rations in the evening and be back here to-morrow
morning.
Will you please direct me.
Yours faithfully,
Clara Barton.
Reply to the above:
U. S. Flagship " New York," i.st Rate,
Off Santiago de CunA, July 77, iSgS.
Dear Miss Barton: — We are now engaged in taking up mines, just so soon
as it is safe to go in your ship will go. If you wish, you can anchor in near us,
and send anything up by boats, or, if we could get lighters, drawing less than
eight feet, food may be sent by the ligliters, but it is not yet possible for the ship
to go in. There are four " contact " mines, and four what are known as " obser-
vation " mines, still down.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) F. E. Chadwick
576 TIIK RED CROSS.
It was after this that we turned back again and steamed to
Ciuantananio to unload our supplies at night and return the next
morning.
These were anxious days. While the world outside was making
up war history, we thought of little beyond the terrible needs about
us — if Santiago had any people left, they must be in sore distress, and
El Caney — terrible lU Caney — with its thirty thousand homeless,
perishing sufferers, how could they be reached?
The diary at this point says: On returning from our fruitless
journey to Guantanamo we stopped at Siboney only long enough to
get our dispatches, then ran down directly in front -of Santiago and
lay with the fleet. A personal call from Admiral Schley, Captain
Cook and other of^cers served to show the interest and good will of
those about us. Between three and four o'clock in the afternoon a
small Spanish steamer — which had been among the captures of San-
tiago— ran alongside and informed us that an oflEicer wished to come
aboard. It proved to be Lieutenant Capehart, of the flagship, who
brought word from Admiral Sampson that if we would come alongside
the " New York," he would put a pilot on board. This was done and
we moved on through waters we had never traversed — past Morro
Castle, long, low, silent and grim — past the Spanish wrecks on the
right — past the " Merrimac" in the channel, which Hobson had left.
We began to realize that we were alone, of all the ships about the
harbor there were none with us. The stillness of the Sabbath was
over all. The gulls sailed and flapped and dipped about us. The
lowering summer sun shot long golden rays athwart the green hills on
either side, and tinged the waters calm and still. The silence grew
oppressive as we glided along with scarce a ripple. We saw on the
right as the only moving thing a long slim boat or yacht dart out from
among the bushes and steal its way up half hidden in the shadows.
Suddenly it was overtaken by either message or messenger, and like a
collared hound glided back as if it had never been. Leaning on the
rail half lost in reverie over the strange quiet beauty of the scene, the
thought suddenly burst upon me: Are we really going into Santiago —
and alone ? Are we not to be run out and wait aside and salute with dip-
ping colors while the great battleships come up with music and banners
and lead the way ? As far as the eye could reach no ship was in sight.
Was this to remain so ? Could it be possible that the commander who had
captured a city declined to be the first to enter — that he would hold
back his flagship and himself and send forward and first a cargo of food
on a plain ship, under direction of a woman ? Did our commands,
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 577
military or naval, hold men great enough of soul for such action ? It
must be true — for the spires of Santiago rise before us, and turning to
the score of companions beside me I asked, " Is there any one here who
will lead the doxology ?" In an instant the full rich voice of Enola
Gardner rang out: " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." By
that time the chorus was full, and the tears on many a face told more
plainly than words how genuine was that praise, and when in response
to a second suggestion " My Country, 'Tis of Thee " swelled out on
the evening air in the farewell rays of the setting sun, the "State of
Texas" was nearing the dock, and quietly dropping her anchors she
lay there in undisputed possession of the city of Santiago.
It has been remarked that Mr. Elwell had been a resident of
Santiago and connected with its shipping for several years. It was
only the work of an hour after landing to find his old-time help. A
hundred and twenty -five stevedores were engaged to be on the dock at
six o'clock next morning, to work for pay in rations.
The dock had its track and trucks running to its open warehouses.
As we had entered we saw it bare of every movable or living thing.
Want had swept it of all that could be carried away, and the remaining
people dared not approach us. Six o'clock next morning changed the
scene. The silence was no longer oppressive. The boxes, barrels and
bales pitched out of that ship, thrown onto the trucks and wheeled
away told the story of better daj'S to come; and it was something to
see that lank, brawny little army of stevedores take their first breakfast
in line along.side of the ship.
The city was literally without food. In order to clear it for
defence, its inhabitants had been ordered out, ten days before, to
El Caney, a small town of some five hundred people, where it was said
thirty thousand persons were gathered, without food, shelter, or place
of rest. Among these were the old-time residents — the wealthy and
the best people of Santiago. Its British consul, Mr. Ramsden, and
his family were of them, and the care and hardship of that terrible camp
cost his life. A message from the headquarters of General Shafter,
telegraphed to us even after leaving Siboney, said:
" The death rate at El Caney is terrible. Can you send food ? "
Word went back to send the thirty thousand refugees of El Caney
at once back to Santiago; — we were there and could feed them — that
the "State of Texas " had still on board twelve hundred tons of sup-
plies for the reconcentrados. That day poured in upon us all that had
strength to make the journey, of the thirty thousand starving wrecks
of El Caney. If there were any at night who had not received food,
578 THR RKD CROS...
no one knew it. The fires were rekindled in the great steam sou^.
kitchens of Mr. H. Michaelsen — that name should be carved in marble
and lettered in gold in Santiago — that had run uninterrupted for nearly
two years, until within a few weeks of the surrender, when there was
no more food for its kettles. Ten thousand persons had hot soup there
the first day, and it was estimated that ten thousand more had dry food
of crackers, meat and meal. To the sick were distributed condensed
and malted milk as fast as it could be gotten to them.
Of the districting of the city, the formation of committees for the
distribution of food, the care, the justice, and the success with which
it was done, I leave to the reports cf my experienced staff officers and
assistants and to the committee of Santiago, which nobly volunteered
its aid. These persons performed this work — they were a part of it —
and no one can describe it so well as they, I refer the reader to the
reports of Dr. Hubbell, Dr, Egan, Mr, Cottrell, Miss Fowler, now the
wife of Baron Van Schelle of Belgium, and the committee of Santiago
composed of H. Michaelsen, vice-consul for Germany, Robert Mason,
Chinese consul and vice-consul for England, and Wm, Ramsden, son of
the late Frederick Ramsden, British consul. With these latter gentle-
men, together with twenty of the leading ladies of Santiago, was left,
one month later, the supplies remaining in our warehouses, and the
oversight of the poor of the city, over whom their care had extended
so tenderly and so wisely in the past, and on whom as helping them back
into citizenship it must largely devolve in the future.
Returning to our first day in Santiago, it is remembered that this
narration has thus far left the navy, its flagship and commander at the
entrance of the harbor in obscurity. It would seem but just that it
reproduce them.
Until ten o'clock on Monday the eighteenth we saw no sign of life
on the waters of the bay — neither sail, steam nor boat — but suddenly
word passed down from the watch on deck that a ship was sighted.
Slowly it came in view — large, fine, full masted — and orders went to
salute when it should pass. At length here was something to which we
could pay deference. The whistles were held, the flag was ready for
action, ropes straight and without a tangle — all stood breathless — but
she does not pass, and seems to be standing in. In a minute more a
stout sailor voice calls out: "Throw us a rope," and here, without
salute, whistle or bell, came and fastened to the stem of our boat
this glittering and masted steamship from whose decks below Admirals
Sampson and Schley and their respective staffs shouted up their
familiar greetings to us.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 579
The view from their ship enfiladed, to speak in military parlance,
our entire dock. There was every opportunity to see how our work
was done and if we were equal to unloading our ship. The day was
spent with us till four o'clock in the afternoon; and when about to
leave and the admiral was asked what orders or directions he had for
us, the reply was, " You need no directions from me, but if anyone
troubles you, let me know."
Many months have passed since that day, and I write this without
ever having seen again the face of the commander who had been so
courteous and kind, and so heli)ful in the work I went to do.
Under date of July 23 is found the following entry in the diary
which sums up the entire matter of facts, dates and figures in few
words:
"The discharge of the cargo of the ' State of Texas ' of ovei
twelve hundred tons, commenced at six o'clock Monday, July 18. One
hundred and twenty-five stevedores were employed and paid in food
issued as rations.
"On Thursday, the twenty-first, at six o'clock p. m. the discharge
was completed, and the following morning, Friday, July 22, the ship
left for New York.
" During that time the people had returned to Santiago, numbering
thirty thousand, and all were fed — ten thousand a day from the soup
kitchen of Mr. Michaelsen, the others with bread, meat and milk.
"The present general committee was formed, the city districted
into sections, with a commissioner for each district, selected by the peo-
ple themselves living there.
" Every family or person residing in the city is supplied bj'- the com-
missioner of that district. All transient persons are fed at the kitchen,
the food being provided by the Red Cross.
" Although the army' has entered the city during the latter part of
that time, there has been no confusion, no groups of disorderly persons
seen, no hunger in the city more than in ordinary times. We wait the
repairs of the railroads to enable us to get food and clothing to the
villages enclosed within the lines of the surrender."
We had done all that could be done to advantage at that time in
Santiago. The United States troops had mainly left; the Spanish
soldiers were coming in to their waiting ships, bringing with them
all the diseases that unprovided and uncleanly camps would be expected
to hold in store. Five weeks before we had brought into Santiago
all the cargo of fourteen hundred tons of the ' ' State of Texas, ' '
excepting the light hospital supplies which had been used the month
58o THR RED CROSS.
previous among our own troops at Siboney, General Shafter's front
and El Caney during the days of fighting. To any one accustomed
to apportioning food, it would be at once apparent that these twelve
hundred tons of heavy supplies, of meal, meat, beans and flour, etc.,
were too much for distribution at one time for a little town of thirty
thousand, which naturally partly fed itself. But it must all be stored.
The " State of Texas " discharged her cargo and left for New York
on the fifth day, leaving us without a particle of transportation, and in
the pressure and confusion none could be obtained. Let those who
tried it testify. The two railroads leading out of the town were
destroyed. The ports were not open, and the country portions of the
province reached only by pack mules. Later, forty large, fine healthy
mules were shipped to us, but the half score of fully equipped ambu-
lances, harnesses and between four hundred and five hundred bushels
of oats were on the transports which brought them, could not be light-
ered off, and up to the time of our departure were never seen.
The schooner " Morse," which, following the behest of an angelic
thought of some lovely committee of home ladies, had come in laden
with a thousand tons of ice. The tug " Triton," which towed her all
the way from Kennebec, and was to have been held for our use, was at
once seized by the government. Santiago had neither an ice house nor
a pile of dry sawdust, and the ice remained on the " Morse " till dis-
charged order by order among the transports of sick, wounded and
convalescing as they sailed one after another with their freight of
human w^oe. Slowly, painfully waiting, but gladly, piece by piece, the
ice went out, filling to repletion the box of every transport sailing
north, and something glistened on the weather-beaten bronzed cheek
of more than one of those long-serving, faithful, north Atlantic
captains, as he tried to say what it would be to the poor fever-burnt
sufferers he must take.
Visio7is, of the schooner " Morse " when she should be unloaded
constituted our only transportation up to the day we left Santiago. I
cannot say that other visions did not obtrude at times. In our
perplexity, memory pictured, as in another life, the hundreds of strong-
built, luxuriantly-furnished, swift-running steam tugs, yachts and
house boats of the restful "Thousand Islands," and the health and
pleasure-giving resorts of the lovely Jersey coast; but they were only
visions, quickly put aside for the stern realities of the inevitable
surroundings. The "Morse" did well its blessed work, but never
came to us.
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN. 583
Neither for love nor money could transportation be gotten. I did,
however, near the last, obtain the use of a leaky lighter for two hours
to get off some mules, but I might specify that it was on neither of the
above considerations.
Some reporter is responsible for the statement that a large chip
seen floating near the dock that morning had been seized. While it
might not be possible to verify this statement by actual facts, it was noc
so very far out of the way in theory.
These were the last days of General Shafter in Santiago, who was,
as he had at all times been, the kind and courteous officer and gentle-
man.
General Wood, alert, wise and untiring, with an eye single to the
general good of all, toiled day and night.
The government warehouses were so filled with supplies that there
seemed no room for more. The harbor filling with merchant ships for
the trade, would soon come to regard with a jealous eye any body of
persons who dispensed anything without price to even the poorest and
most destitute.
But all this did not stay the marching stride of the native fever, so
persistent in its grasp as scarcely to merit the appellation of intermit-
tent. Day by day I watched my little band ever growing less; out
of twenty which the good "State of Texas" brought, seven were on
their feet; twelve had sickened, been nursed and gotten off home, and
one had gone to heaven. Of our own band of the national Red Cross
workers, none had actually gone down; of those who had joined us as
assistants, few remained.
At this juncture news came that Havana was open. In all the
country I knew but one person who had the power to order one of those
waiting transports to take myself, staff and some supplies to Havana,
and my dispatch went to President McKinley, with the suggestion
kindly and thoughtfully made by Major Osgood who had just come in
on the "Clinton," that in order to economize time and labor, possibly
the President might furnish a ship already loaded with government
supplies, and let us repay from our supplies on shore. This dispatch
brought the following i)rompt reply from the Secretary of War. It
was a glad reminder of the kindly courtesy and friendship of many
years. I give the text of both the dispatch of the Secretary and
my reply, in order to set right a misunderstanding on the part of
the public, which I have observed with pain:
584 TIIK RIvI) CROSS.
Washington, August /S, i8g8.
Miss Clara Rarton, Santiago de Cuba :
" Clinton " cannot be used until unloaded. Stores aboard were sent on special
request and are necessary for the comfort of officers and men at Santiago. The
government will send as soon as ship can be loaded at Port Tampa two thousand
tons of supplies for relief of destitute. This accomplishes same result and in
shorter time. Will not this meet your wishes even better than recommended in
your cablegram yesterday ? Would it be asking too much for you to go to Havana
to superintend the distribution of these stores under the law ? Only the destitute
and those in immediate danger of perishing can receive these supplies.
R. A. Alger, Secretary of War.
Santiago de Cuba, August 18, i8g8.
PiERSON, IVar Department, Washitigton :
Tell Secretary Alger I appreciate to the greatest possible extent his responsive
aud practical sympathy. His suggestions are better than I had asked, and are
promptly accepted. If the " Clinton " is unloaded in time, I will leave here Sat-
urday morning. Will take forty mules from here. Need ten additional wagons
and harness for all my mules. Please give tue some horsefeed from here.
Clara Barton.
The reloading was quickly accomplished, the direction of our
remaining affairs placed in proper hands, and on the twenty-first of
August, just five weeks to an hour since entering the harbor, we
retraced the waters we had sailed over coming from Siboney to Santiago.
The same golden sunshine rested on the hills and tinged the still waters
of the bay, but we were no longer the only ship. The transports to
take our soldiers home la)^ there; the great Spanish liners to take the
Spanish soldiers to Spain; the hospital ships with their fevered weight
of glad woe ' ' going home, ' ' dotted the sea and skirted the shore.
All who understood our movement saluted, and with tearful glances
back to the little spot of earth which had given so much pain, made so
many homes in both lands desolate, we ordered on full steam and glided
away. Five days of continuous sunshine and scarcely wind to fill a sail
brought us to Havana. I had cabled the Spanish authorities on our
departure from Santiago and notified them of our arrival, and was
courteously referred to the Civil Governor of Havana, on whom I
called and received in return a most cordial visit, with the added
respect of bringing his entire staff with him.
No supplies from Port Tampa having arrived we spent the second
day in Matanzas, receiving from the good Governor and his amiable
household such a welcome as one might expect from those they had
known longest and loved most. We then hoped to go there at once
and leave the supplies they so badly needed.
Next day there came into harbor the steamship " Comal," from
CUBA AND THE CUBAN CAMP.AIGN. 58.S
Port Tampa, ladeu with sixteen hundred tons of government supplies
for distribution. We exchanged visits with her gentlemanly and sen-
sible officers, who had governmental instructions to take their cargo to
Havana and distribute it, but no instructions to act in conjunction with
us or with any one; and we, on the other hand, received no intimation
that her supplies were in any way intended for our use.
Both ships alike met the restriction of the customs duties, and
while I felt that it might be well for a governmental cargo to test its
position with the law of nations, under the circumstances, it was by no
means the course for the Red Cross to take — an organization which
never leads, but follows, in all military matters.
No commissioners had arrived, and feeling that we might become
a source of irritation to them by remaining, and being unable to dis-
tribute our supplies, we decided to withdraw. Our captain, having
been trained in the merchant service and being unaccustomed to militar>'
shipping, had neglected some little formality on leaving Santiago, which
admitted, or perhaps called for, a fine of five hundred dollars. This we
promptly paid, and with the best understanding with all parties, Span-
ish, Cuban and our own, no coercion on the part of any one, impelled by
nothing but our own sense of the situation, we decided our course. In
fact, strenuous efforts were made by the Spanish ofiicials, notably the
Secretary of State, to open the way for us; and while they could not
override the law and positively remit a duty, they offered in this case
to pay the duty themselves, and take part in the distribution. We
appreciated the courtesy, but still felt that we might in some way
become a hindrance to the pending negotiations by remaining, and after
careful consideration, decided to draw anchor and steam for Port Tampa,
leaving the " Comal " with its full cargo and efficient officers to meet tae
situation in the good governmental way, we were sure they would do.
This explanation is given to set right the general impression that
the " Comal " was a Red Cross ship. There was no connection what-
ever between the "Comal" and ourselves, excepting through good
will and good fellowship; and again the impression that we were mis-
treated by the Spanish government at Havana, subjected to discourtesy
or requested to leave is a mistaken one. The facts are quite the con^
trary. We entered under the supposition that Havana was open, as
Santiago was open; but it was not an open port. We were in Spanish
waters, subject to Spanish laws and customs, and so regarded them, h.z
we should have expected to do in any country, remembering exper:
mentally that our own country is not too much inclined to easily
remit its custom duties.
586 A'HE RED CROSS.
Dividing the time of our Cuban campaign into sections, the incom-
ing clays fall exclusively to Santiago. Days of an army in one sense
inactive, in another rushed and crowded beyond its powers to meet or
control. Days when everything is needed and nothing can be gotten
at. No one knows where anything is — must have a formal order to
obtain it when it is found, and cannot get the order. Officers clamor
for their needy men, the sick list increases, complaints are rife, patience
gives place to desperation, and a time of general confusion follows.
Again I would say that to those taking the first lessons in army
life, all these things seem incomprehensible, to say the least, and
' ' Who's to blame ? ' ' seems to be floating in the very atmosphere about
them.
Deplore such a state of things as we will, it is still a part of army
life. It belongs to war, and the grey-haired military chief, whom all
would recognize were I to name him, was correct when he once said to
me: "Strange as it may seem, the days of * rest ' at an active field are
its hardest days."
The ofttimes perplexed officers at Santiago will neither exclaim nor
disclaim against this little statement, if it should ever meet the'r eyes.
They will realize, however, that there were others, near then having
no power, or scarcely place, who could yet comprehend their perplexi-
ties, and sympathize with the distressing conditions surrounding them.
They will also recall that from this source no unreasonable request
was ever made of them, no impatient word spoken — only thanks for
needed facilities that could be granted, for those withheld, respectful
acquiesence.
To every officer on that first conquered field of Cuba, who extended
to the organization I had there the honor to represent, or to myself
personally, the smallest recognition or kindness, if it were only a mere
courtesy, I tender in behalf of the Red Cross, honoring gratitude and
heartfelt thanks. As soldiers, they performed their duty; as men, they
sustained their own manly self respect.
Knowing that several of my aides have kept their own notes during
the entire campaign, especially as pertaining to the department occupied
by each, I have for the sake of accuracy and perspicuity, invited them
to contribute, from their notes, reports to this hastily written volume.
These reports must perforce so completely cover the time of this rather
uneventful period, until we should again enter upon some more active
operations, I decide to leave this space to them, referring the reader, if
he have the interest to follow, tc these reports, and especiall}^ to the
letter from our Santiago committee, composed of the leading men of
the city, whose faithful service, wisdom and care for the interests of
their community, lends a halo of grateful remembrance to the very
mention of their'names
HOSPITAL SERVICE. 587
RHPORT OF DK. A. MONAE LESSER.
In response to a call from the president of the American National
Red Cross, I left this city with Mrs. Lesser for Key West on June 15.
On my trip South, a train of recruits commanded by First Lieutenant
Heavey, First Infantry, joined us on their way to Tampa. There were
a number of sick on this train; I offered my services to the lieutenant,
which he accepted, and I attended the sick. Most of them had bowel
troubles; either diarrhcea or constipation; several had fever, and .some
sore throats. One private was very ill, and lay on a short bench in a
Southern Railroad coach. His temperature was high, and his condition
somewhat alarming, I engaged a section in a sleeping car, saw that he
was made comfortable, gave him medicine, and Mrs. Lesser nursed him
until we arrived in Tampa, The lighter cases as well as the one special
case were much improved when we arrived at Tampa, still I mentioned
that the patient be taken in an ambulance which the lieutenant ordered
by telegraph before we reached Tampa, We then proceeded to the
steamer " Mascot," bound for Key West, On board were a number of
marines of the United States Navy, several of them suffering from the
same troubles as Lieutenant Heavey's recruits. Among them was one
case of erysipelas, due to improper care of a vaccinated pox. W^e
attended him, and left him and all the others comparatively well in
Key West, where Mrs. Lesser and myself joined Miss Barton and
stafif on the steamship "State of Texas,"
The following morning, June 20, we started for Cuba, reaching
Santiago afte a ^'x days' journey. On June 26, Mr, George Kennan,
vice-presid'^nt ot the American National Red Cross, interviewed
Admiral ampson for instructions, and the steamship " State of
Texas" was directed to Guantanamo, where we remained over night.
The following morning, June 27, a correspondent of a New York
paper boarded the " Texas " and informed Miss Barton that a battle
had been fought at the front, and that there were a number of sick and
wounded at Siboney.
Miss Barton gave orders for the ship to return immediately to
Siboney (a little village between Santiago and Guantanamo), at which
place we arrived at 9.20 p. m.
s88 THE RED CROSS.
Work in the Field.
Upon arriving at Siboney, although it was late in the evening. I
was directed by Miss Barton to go ashore to inquire into the needs of
the hospital, and if any, to present her compliments, and to make the
following offer: — Although the "State of Texas" was sent to feed
the refugees and starving Cubans, it carried some persons and articles
that might serve for hospital purposes, and that the Red Cross considers
its first duty to be to help those who are nearest.
There was a large barn to which I was directed when I asked for
the hospital. I introduced myself and staff to the physician, extended
the compliments of the president of the Red Cross offering the services
of her staff, as well as needed supplies. The physician in charge very
courteously answered that he had been ordered to go to the front the
foUowing morning, and not needing anything, thanked the Red Cross
for its offer.
Westward from the landing place was a pond of stagnant water.
Upon a little hill across a railroad track stood a number of wooden
cottages. The first large one, which seemed to have been some kind of
a store, and a barn westward from it was pointed out to me as another
hospital. (It was the same house which later was used as a post-
office, in which Postmaster Brewer contracted yellow fever, but which
vas never used by the Red Cross.) There were a number of sick
soldiers lying around on the floor, Surgeon-Major Ildvard being in
command. I made the same offer to the major as I had made in the
first place, and the condition of affairs being apparent, I tendered him
the services of the Sisters, as well as cots and blankets for his sick; for
which he thanked me, adding that he would accept the cots and
blankets, bu*: that he did not require nurses. I invited him to the
steamship "State of Texas" to see Miss Barton, so that he might
select such articles or service as he desired. From there I went with
the staff to Dr. Virano, surgeon-in-chief of the Cuban Hospital,
making the same statement and offers to him. He introduced us to
^rcneral Garcia and his staff, and thankfully accepted the offer of the
led Cross. His patients were lying on cots and on the floor, little care
.pparently havirfr been given to put the house in fit and proper condi-
:ion. This ended our duty of the evening, and we returned to the
ship.
The next morning, June 28, Major Surgeon Havard visited Miss
Barton on the "Texas," as also did a Cuban delegation; the former
HOSPITAL SERVICE. 589
made a request for cots, and the latter fcr the assistance of nur.-es, and
food for the sick. Sister Isabel, Sister Minnie, Sister Annie and Sister
Blanch under the direction of Mrs. Lesser went to the Cuban Hospital,
taking with them proper nourishment for the sick, and utensils for pre-
paring the same. The work of relief then began at the Cuban Hospi-
tal, and beds and blankets were sent on shore for Major Havard.
The same morning Miss Barton directed me to go to the front and
find out if anything was needed at the camps, and accompanied by Mr,
George Kennan and Mr. El well I started about 10.00 a. m. A large
detachment of infantry which the night before had camped along the
shore of Siboney, had gone on the road up the hill about a thousand
feet in height, while another detachment of infantry and artillery took
the lower road in the valley, being the only road for vehicles which
leads from Siboney to Santiago. The men looked well, although the
heat prostrated a number of them on the march. We walked along
the latter road as far as the Camp of Rough Riders, which on that day
was the furthest in front, a distance of eight miles from Siboney. It
was several days after the battle between the Rough Riders and the
Spaniards.
The next day, June 29th, I returned to the shore with the Sisters,
whose work and value had been observed by others. Siboney with a
large water supply and a sea breeze was selected for the Reserve Divi-
sional Hospital of the Fifth Corps. Surgeon-Major La Garde, of the
regular army service, was the chief of the department. His supply
was small, and conveniences still smaller, which he said was owing to
the fact that through military necessity medical and hospital supplies
of the army were still on the transports, with no means of unloading.
There were but few hospital tents, and the cots in them were occupied
by a number of patients, in whom Dr. Fauntleroy took great interest.
I offered the services of the Red Cross, as directed by the president.
The major, a man with humane ideas, unable to get such supplies as
were needed, accepted any reasonable aid that he could receive.
Our offer came at a moment when we could be of help. Surgeon-
Major Havard with his staff had been ordered to the front and was
unable to place the cots we had landed. His patients, who were
suffering from typhoid fever, measles and other diseases, were trans-
ferred to Major La Garde's camp. Battle was expected every day. and
the major in order to be as well prepared as possible, accepted the offt- r
of assistance made by the Red Cross, and placed a house at our disposal
to serve as a hospital. He addressed a formal letter to Miss Bartoti,
who answered at once in kind words and deeds. We also imnicfli.-^.t.'v
590 THE RED CROSS.
sent word to Miss Ration, cicscrihiiig the requirements. The Sisters
cleaned the muddy liouse, then disinfected it; Miss Barton sent from
the "State of Texas" cots and bedding; food, stoves and utensils to
prepare the same. In a few hours our house was disinfected and in
order, and about thirty-nine patients were carried to it; most of them
had typhoid fever and a few had measles.
The night of July i, however, our work had to be changed. The
major called for all assistance possible to attend the wounded who
were arriving from the battlefield of Santiago, Large numbers of the
wounded were brought down, many of whom walked miles. Men
with bullet wounds through their lungs walked and crept for hours to
get to the hospital. There were hospitals nearer to the front, but all
seemed to have been overcrowded by the work of that day, and many
soldiers had lost their way in the undergrowth and wandered about
until they found the nearest road to a hospital. Many walked because
they complained that the rough roads and heavy wagons increased
their pains with every jolt. Surgeon- Major La Garde's management
can never be too highly praised. The wounded men that came down
in the wagons were examined by him and laid somewhere to be com-
fortable until they could have attendance. By "comfortable " I mean
as far as the situation would permit.
Every surgeon and nurse was put to work. Mrs. Lesser and the
Sisters were called to assist at an operating table, and Sister Annie
McCue and Mrs. Trumbull White were left in charge of the hospital
building. At first I had the pleasure of assisting a verj'- able army
surgeon, Dr. Fauntleroy, but the same evening a table was assigned to
me by Major La Garde. There were six tables in the tent, which were
in charge of the following surgeons: Drs. Fauntleroy, Ireland, Nan-
crede, Munson, Parker, Howard and myself, some coming later than
others. The work continued all night, each operator having one assis-
tant and one of the Sisters at his table, continuing all of the following
day. As the wounded came down in numbers, and there were not cots
for them, thej' had to be left in any position around the ground. Major
La Garde and Chaplain Gavitt were at all times kept busy having long
flies put up to protect them in case it should rain.
Every moment news of another battle was expected; the experi-
ence of the first, with no better means as yet at hand, was a matter of
great concern and worry to all present. Suggestions were made and
discussed. Finally it was agreed to request more Red Cross aid by
telegraph. A call for one hundred Sisters was suggested, and Mrs.
Lesser was consulted in the matter. We had fifty trained nurses and
Copyright, 1898, by Clara Barton.
A GROUP OF RED CROSS SISTERS
The four sisters of the New York Red Cross Hospital of Dr. and Mrs. A.
Monae Lesser, who nursed sick reconcentrados and their orphans in Havana, and
afterward assisted the surgeons on the ships and in the hospitals of Siboney in
dressing the wounds of Cuban, Spanish and American soldiers and sailors, until
they fell victims of the fever and want into hospital themselves.
(^^
\
P:1
*^,
*
Q
;/^
HOSPITAL SERVICE. 503
assistants on our lists, also women to act as matrons to distribute nour-
ishment; we promised to send for that number immediately, as we had
sent for twenty-five already. That morning Miss Barton, with Mr.
Kennan and several of her staflf, had gone to the front, and before
leaving, Miss Barton instructed her secretary, Mr. C. H. H. Cottrell,
that, at our request, he should cable in her name for such persons and
material as should be needed in the Hospital Department. We cabled
for fifty nurses, ten assistants, a number of immune physicians, com-
plete hospital equipment, and a quantity of surgical material, sufficient
to make at least five hundred patients comfortable.
The work was performed almost without intermission, every sur-
geon employing all his energies. The feeling in the hospital among
the members of the surgical staff was an excellent one.
The night of the third we expected to be able to rest a few hours,
but during the day the fleet had fought its battle, and a number of
Spanish wounded prisoners were taken off" by the various ships. Dr.
Lewis, chief surgeon of the '" Harvard," who assisted in attending the
wounded at the hospital at Siboney, invited Dr. Parker, myself and
the Sisters to help him in attending the wounded Spaniards, to which
we gladly responded and spent the night on the " Harvard."
The wounded continued to arrive for four days, many of them
telling that they had been shot on the first day of the battle, July i,
and as yet had received no care except from some comrade who had
with him the little emergency package.
Permit me to say here that I believe the little emergency package
has saved many a man from death through bleeding.
Most notable and commendable was the desire of the surgical staff"
to save limbs when at all possible; and I have seen and often joined
Drs. Fauntleroy, Mancrede, Ireland and Parker in the work, spending
an hour for resection of the part in order to prevent amputation. Of
course all endeavored to do the same, and out of the total number of
1415 wounded treated in the Siboney Hospital after the battle, there
were but three amputations of the thigh, two of the leg and one of the
forearm, that I observed in the camp. The death rate was also very
small , as most of the shots made clean wounds, and only when they
affected most vital parts did they cause death.
The dressing of wounds and the operating upon the wounded,
however, were not all the service required by the injured. Shelter,
comfortable cots and blankets were needed, very few of which had been
landed. Still, as the wounded came, and the needs became greater, I
saw Surgeon-Major La Garde, most ably assisted by Chaplain Gavitt,
-,04 THE RED CROSS.
hunt about for canvas or anything that would act as cover for a tent,
and have it put up along the tents and flies. Their work was unceas-
ing. In tho.se days every officer and member of the medical staff gave
up his cot and tent that the wounded might find some kind of shelter
and proper resting place; but in spite of that they were inadequate.
The largest number of wounded lay on the ground, some on blankets,
others on canvas, or if very severely wounded, on a litter.
The steamship "State of Texas" had a number of cots (I believe
350) which were originally meant for Cuban relief, many of which we
used in the Red Cross Hospital at Siboney; when I informed Miss Bar-
ton of the condition of affairs, all cots that were in the ship were
unloaded and sent to the hospital, and the most seriously wounded
received comfortable resting places.
The gauze, particularly the iodoform gauze, and bandages soon
gave out. The "State of Texas " carried a quantity of surgical dress-
ing^. All that was necessary was to ask Miss Barton for them, who
immediately sent on land any article needed if in her possession.
Among our patients were several cases of gunshot wound through
the skull and brain near the eyes; the eyes were inflamed, and ice had
to be applied continuously to relieve excruciating pain. Dr. Fauntleroy
suggested that the cases be sent to the Red Cross Hospital, we had
there the only ice in the field at that time; it also came from the ' ' State
of Texas," from which we received a daily supply. The ej^e cases
were carefully attended by Mrs. White, the wife of Dr. Trumbull
White, of the Chicago Record^ who deserves much praise for the con-
stant attention which she gave them. It was necessary to make contin-
uous application of ice every few minutes, which she did with constant
and unceasing care, Mrs. White is not a trained nurse, but a gentle,
wise woman. I agree with the remarks of Dr. Fauntleroy when he
said that her attention and the ice relieved much suffering and saved
quite a few from blindness. Captain Mills, who was one of the wounded
in that manner, may tell of his own experience.
Most of the cases of gunshot wounds gave very little work to the
surgeons, as the bullet entered atone place and made its exit at another,
thus leaving a clean wound. Even through vital parts of the body,
such as the brain and abdomen, bullets passed without apparently giv-
ing the patient any great distress. The simple cases did not need much
attention; cleanliness and a cushioned dressing well protected was all
they usually required. In fact, many of the smaller wounds came to
us bandaged with a little emergency pad, progressing in healing. These
were always shots from the Mauser bullet. Many of the men that I saw
HOSPITAL SERVICE. 595
were shot in the shoulder, the bullets making exits through the back.
Some gunshot wounds had two places of exit and entrance in their
course. For instance, I had cases in which the bullet had gone into
the upper and lateral part of the cranium, come out behind the ear,
went into the shoulder and came cut behind and below the shoulder
blade; or had made its course tlirough the left arm, again entering the
right chest and coming out at the back. It would perhaps be out of
place to enumerate or describe in this report the many courses which the
bnllets have taken, but as stated, most of them required little attention.
There were, however, some serious wounds, such as compound com-
minuted fractures, in the treatment of which great skill was shown by
the various surgeons in the hospital. Those were the cases which in
former years would have resulted in amputation, but drainage and
cleanliness, plainly speaking, have given the patients the advantage of
keeping their limbs.
In the simple cases one could work alone, with the assistance of a
Sister or a hospital steward, but in the more diflScult cases good surgical
skill was required, and it was often a source of great gratification to see
two eminent surgeons, of equally good reputation, assisting each other
in a difficult case; one advising, the other acting; thus the greatest
harmony existed among the members of the staff. The Sisters being
required in the operating tents as also the stewards there were no nurses
in the tents to care for the wounded.
No food had been prepared for the large number of wounded lying
on the cots or on the ground on blankets or canvas; a great many of
them were too helpless even to turn. Surgeon-Major La Garde did me
the honor of consulting me in regard to the nursing, and I suggested
that some of the Sisters leave the operating tables, which were by that
time supplied with other assistants.
The major then sent for Mrs. Lesser, who suggested that the worst
cases be brought into one or two rows of tents, as the small staff of
Sisters brought into Cuba was not sufficient to take charge of all and
do them justice. The rows of tents were then placed in her charge,
and she portioned the work of caring for them among the Sisters
assisted by hospital corps men. The soldiers were nearly famished;
some had not received a morsel of food for two days. Oatmeal gruel,
coffee and quantities of prune juice and other articles of relish were at
once prepared at the Red Cross Hospital in big cans which had come
from the " State of Texas," and with the assistance of the ever active
indefatigable Chaplain Gavitt, and several newspaper correspondents,
the wounded soldiers received such food as their conditions allowed.
596 THE RED CROSS.
Unfortunately the surgeons lost track of the greater number of
their cases. The patient marked for redressing was placed on any
table, and the surgeon in charge of that table redressed the wound;
thus it was hard to say what result one or the other had obtained, with
the exception of a few cases, which by special request one was allowed
to continue to observe. Some of the patients came down with their
wounds dressed in some hospital at the front, and I may here mention
that I saw excellent work coming from the hospital in command of
Dr. Woods.
When the rush was over, I was called to the camp where the
Spanish prisoners were located. I prescribed for their ailments, while
the Sisters supplied their food. In addition, I answered the calls
which came from Cuban families in Siboney. Some Spanish prisoners
were wounded and others suffered from fevers. Those who were
wounded had their wounds dressed at the scene of battle, and although
some of the dressings were temporary, they feared to have any person
touch them, until assured that they would be treated as gently as pos-
sible. The patients had now all been operated upon and attended ; only
some of the wounds needed redressing. They were taken to the trans-
port hospital ships as soon as their condition permitted. It was about
that time the hospital ship Relief arrived, bringing more food for inva-
lids and more equipped cots.
Dr. Guiteras, who visited all the hospitals daily, informed me one
afternoon that he had found a case of yellow fever in camp (not in our
hospital), developed in a place near Siboney. There were two or more
suspicious cases which he had watched, and he believed that yellow
fever would develop very rapidly. I called the Sisters together, pre-
sented the situation to them, that they might decide whether to stay
in the field or return to the "State of Texas." Their unanimous
decision to stay and face the consequences made them continue their
work without any hesitation. The Red Cross Hospital building became
crowded, one room was set aside for doutful cases, while the other
rooms were occupied with typhoid patients. The porch in front of the
house, shaded with canvas, and a little isolated room to the right,
sheltered the wounded.
My work at the Red Cross Hospital became continuous, as a large
number of patients came from the various camps to receive attention,
and still a larger number from our camp came for consultation and
treatment. The number of such consultations I discontinued to write
down after three hundred were attended, Americans, Spanish and
Cubans together.
HOSPITAL SERX'ICE.
507
Every case of typhoid fever and other disease which was placed in
our charge from the day we opened the hospital, has recovered. The
last of them were brought home well on the " Concho; " those that
came later were on the way to recovery when I left for the fever hos-
pital. Among our patients were two who had measles, complicated
n.^^
p \ '^y
THE BURNING OF SIBONEY — RED CROSS HOSPITAL IX TIIH lOklCCIKOUND.
with pneumonia, and there was a large number of patients suffering
with Cuban malarial fever. I also wish to state that not one patient in
our hospital became infected with yellow fever ; the cases that had it
came there with the dijjease, but were closely observed, and as soon as
the first positive sign was noticed, they were isolated and bi ought to
598 THE RED CROSS.
the fever hobpital. The total number of sick permanent and transient
thus attended was 234. Most of the medicines we had brought with
us, but received some from army stores.
When the " State of Texas " left for Jamaica to get ice, in order to
save time we took a dwelling in one of the houses at Siboney, which
was beheved by experts not to be infected. The family living in it was
very clean, and it appeared that the house would serve as well, and
perhaps better than any other. Our tents, in which we should have
preferred to live, had not arrived, nor did we have any cots, all having
been given to the sick and wounded.
When the houses at Siboney were ordered to be burned down, we
left for the yellow fever camp. Before leaving I requested Dr. Senn
to operate upon two Spanish prisoners whom I had not seen for several
days.
On the seventh day after our arrival at the camp we were able to
return to Siboney. Our ailments, although not prevented, had been
made light by prophylactic methods, and our recovery was consequently
rapid. After our return to Siboney I again offered to serve.
In the meantime word from Assistant Surgeon-General Greenleaf
was received at Siboney, stating that forty-five Red Cross nurses,
surgeons and other assistants, had arrived at Guantanamo, waiting to
come to us, and as we returned the same day from the fever camp,
Surgeon-Major La Garde telegraphed and telephoned repeatedly for
them to come, but he received no reply.
Feeling that under the existing circumstances and exhausted from
work and illness we could not continue to work without more as-
sistance, I applied for our return. Surgeon-Major La Garde upon this
placed me in charge of the steamship " Concho " which left for the
North on July 23, of which voyage a special report has been presented.
Before my departure from Siboney, Surgeon- Major La Garde
handed me a document, a copy of which I herewith present:
Reserve Divisional Hospital, Fifth Corps,
Siboney, Cuba, July 23, i8gb.
This is to certify that Dr. A. Monae Lesser, surgeon-in-chief of the American
National Red Cross, offered his services to the Medical Department of the army on
the twenty-ninth day of June. From the latter date to the present day Dr. Lesser
has been connected with this hospital as a surgeon and patient. When the
wounded commencecl to arrive on July i, and during the rush of work which lasted
HOSPITAL SERVICE. 599
four days in the care of the wounded, Dr. Lesser was assigned one of the six
tables in the operating room. His work was skillful and most continuous. His
suggestions to me on more than one occasion, concerning administration details,
were of the highest value. After the rush of work in the operating room Dr.
Lesser continued to take charge of a hospital, a building which was pronounced
free from infection, in which he treated wounded and sick soldiers. His work was
the admiration of every one who had the good fortune to be under the watchful
crire of himself and the Sisters under him. Unfortunately the building — in which
they lived — soon showed signs of yellow fever infection. Dr. Lesser, his wife and
four of the Sisters — his entire staff — were taken one by one with the fever. They
were removed to our yellow fever hospital. They are now convalescing, though
weak; they leave us for the North to-day for a much needed rest. I have no words
at my command which could in any way express my appreciation of the work of
Dr. Lesser and his heroic staff. Had it not been for their assistance and the quan-
tities of supplies furnished by the " State of Texas, " the sufferings of the hun-
dreds of wounded would have been magnified more than I can now venture to
express.
In commenting on our lack of supplies, attendants, etc., I desire to state that
our unprepared condition to meet the rush of work which came with such surpris-
ing rapidity was due to those military conditions which often transpire in war
when blood, suffering and death seem to be inevitable, or beyond the scope of man
to anticipate.
May God's blessing be with him and his.
Louis A. La Garde,
Major a7id Surgeon, U. S. A.,
Commanding Hospital.
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA.
REPORT OF C. H. H. COTTRELL, FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
j^^ ARIyY in February, 1898, after the President of the United
L^? States had called Clara Barton to several conferences
on the question of relieving the sufferings of the Cuban
reconcentrados ; and the Central Cuban Relief Commit-
tee had been formed to take charge of the funds and
supplies which it was known that the generous Ameri-
can people were anxious to donate for this purpose, it was
decided that Miss Barton should go to Cuba at once to assist
in the prompt and efficient distribution of the succor which was so
near at hand. It is her habit to act quickly when her plans have
been matured, and not a moment's time was lost in preparing for her
journey to Havana.
On her arrival at Havana Miss Barton communicated with the
American Consul General, the Spanish officials, and some of the best
known and benevolently disposed citizens; and after freely conferring
with them, and learning the existing conditions, the city was divided
into distribution districts, and a committee of citizens, wl^o were fully
acquainted with the people and their wants, was appointed to take
charge of each district. Abundant space in a very large warehouse
had already been secured by the Consul General, which was, with the
use of its employes, given free of charge to the Red Cross.
Several of the villages near Havana and as far east as Matanzas
were then visited and arrangements similar to those made in Havana
were perfected for the distribution of food and clothing; and these
communities were supplied as quickly as possible.
Shortly after Miss Barton's arrival in Havana the deplorable
"Maine" disaster occured, killing, drowning and injuring so man 5^ of our
brave sailors and marines. As soon as she heard of this awful calamity
(600)
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 6oi
she visited the hospital where the victims who were not killed outright
were lying, and arranged to have thetn provided with every possible
attention, and the best of everything needed that money and sympathy
could procure.
As the situation developed and the needs of the country became
known, it was found to be necessary to largely increase the working
force of the Red Cross, and arrangements were accordingly made to
have some of the oldest and most experienced workers of that
organization, with some new recruits, come to Havana. A large
house for their accommodation was secured in the suburb of Cerro,
about three miles from the business centre of the city, where they were
pleasantly and comfortably established. The party when completed
consisted of the following named ladies and gentlemen:
Miss Clara Barton, Mr. J. K. Elwell, Dr. J. B. Hubbell, Dr. E.
Winfield Egan, Dr. A. Monae Lesser, Mrs. A. Monae Lesser, known
as "Sister Bettina," Misses Annie McCue, Minnie Rogall, Blanche
McCorresten and Isabelle Olm, Red Cross nurses or " sisters;" Mr. J,
A. McDowell and Mr. C. H. H Cottrell.
Many of the best citizens of Havana, ladies and gentlemen,
Spaniards and Cubans, gave us a most hearty welcome and every
encouragement, many of them volunteering their services in any
capacity in which they could be made useful, and we were thus
enabled to secure a number of doctors and nurses, who gave excel-
lent service, and who received the well-deserved thanks of the Red
Cross.
Relief Distribution From the San Josf; Warehouse.
Mr. Elwell was put in charge of the warehouse with an able co^ps
of assistants, and his work there was all that could be desired, as it was
something that he was perfectly familiar with from long experience ; he
had the great advantage of knowing the Spanish language and the
character of the people with whom he was dealing. Many hundred
tons of the finest supplies, including everything that a generous and
sympathetic public could think of that would be suitable for a famish-
ing people, were given out as fast as orders were issued for them ; but
in every instance the utmost care was exercised that nothing should go
out that might reach the hands of irresponsible persons ; and every
possible safeguard of check and receipt was adopted and successfully
used.
6o2 THE RED CROSS.
Opening a Hospital and ORPHANAiUE.
The large number of orphan children that had been left unprovided
for appealed to the sympathies of some worthy people for whom
Consul-General Lee was the spokesman, and Miss Barton was asked
by them to provide a hospital and home for these waifs. She there-
fore rented and furnished a large private residence on Tulipan street
in Cerro, near the Red Cross residence, which was opened and named
the " Lee Orphanage." The house was completely arranged and had a
capacity for seventy-five inmates, besides the attendants, and it was
soon filled. Dr. and Mrs. Lesser were placed in charge of the orphan-
age, assisted by several Cuban doctors and nurses. The greater part
of the children who were brought there were in an extreme state of
exhaustion from lack of nourishment, many being unable to sit up,
and the greatest care and watchfulness had to be observed to save their
lives. A few of them died after they reached the hospital ; but by-
careful and unremitting attention the larger part of them were gradually
brought back to health, and it is to be hoped that some of them will
eventually find homes in good families.
lyOS Fosos, THE Horrible !
An old ramshackle building long before abandoned as unsafe and
undesirable was owned by the city and known as Los Fosos. Being
worthless and unwatched, it had become the lodging place of a horde
of beggars and tramps, and when the unfortunate reconcentrados were
driven into the city from their homes in the country hundreds of them,
flocked to this miserable place. Miss Barton found there men, women
and children crowded together in a most pitiable and disgusting mass;
and suffering from disease and exhaustion and in such a state of filth
that her party was unable to endure the stench and had to get out
after a very short stay. These poor victims of cruel war were lying
on the bare floor in their dirty rags, and entirely helpless except for
such poor aid as they could render each other. Many of them died
daily and their corpses would lie for hours before being removed.
Altogether it was one of the most horrible pictures imaginable.
Permission was obtained by the Red Cross to repair the building and
make a hospital of it, and carpenters were put to work to strengthen
the swaying floors and batten up the sides and make the roof
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 603
rainproof. Three rooms were partitioned off for a di.spensary, .store room
and kitchen. Scrub women were put to work and a plentiful supply
of soap, water and disinfectants soon made a great change for the
better. When the place had been cleansed, new cots were brought in
and clean bedding put on them. Up to the time of their forced
departure those devoted nurses worked faithfully from early morn till
late in the day to keep the place decently clean and in.still habits of
neatness into those miserable beings. Deprived of the pride and care
of those trained women, it is ea.sy to believe that within a week after
they left, Los Fosos had resumed its former reputation as the most
unsavory spot in all Havana.
During the time that Los Fosos was under the care of the Red
Cross the best medical skill obtainable was given to the inmates, and
the untiring care and attention of as faithful a body of trained nurses as
the world has ever known was freely given them, and the best of nourish-
ing food and delicacies were abundantly .supplied; and if fate had willed
that this body of self-sacrificing men and women should remain, there
is no doubt that, in the course of time, this old pe.sthouse would have
become a famous hospital with a reputation second to none.
Relief Work Discontinued.
One of the most comprehensive systems of charitable work had
been thus inaugurated and was doing incalculable good, and was
receiving praise and gratitude from all classes, when it was announced
that the official relations between Spain and the United States, which had
been strained for some time, were about to be broken. The American
Consul-General announced that he did not think that it was safe for
American citizens to remain in Cuba while the excited state of feeling
existed, and that he should leave on a certain daj', and he advi.sed all
Americans in Cuba who wished to go to the States that he would pro-
vide transportation for them. The time given for settling affairs and
preparing to leave was less than a week, and accordingly there was
much excitement and great sacrifices had to be made, which in many
cases meant niin and beggary. Quite a number of the refugees after-
ward became entirel}'^ dependent upon the bounty of the Red Cross at
Key West and Tampa, Florida.
When it thus became necessar>' to decide whether the Red Cross
ebould abandon its work in Cuba, Miss Barton called her staff around
6o4 THE RED CROSS.
her (as is her invariable custom in deciding all important matters), and
asked for their individual opinions as to the advisability of their leav-
ing, and a full discussion of all the points involved ensued, and a
unanimous decision was arrived at. All Spanish officials, national and
municipal, had never failed to show the utmost courtesy to all our
members, and time after time they had shown their sincerity by
repeated acts of kindness, and none of us believed that they were
likely to change their attitude toward us. But when it was considered
that war was almost inevitable, and that if we remained in Cuba we
should be shut up in an enemy's country and unable to communicate
with our friends and relatives, who would be daily harrowed by
sensational stories, it was decided that we should withdraw when the
Consul -General was ready to leave.
When it became known that we were about to leave Miss Barton
received some very hearty assurances of regard and protection from
high Spanish officials, and many Spanish and Cuban ladies and gentle-
men called on her and assured her of their high regard and deep grati-
tude for all she had done for their sufifering people.
Archbishop of Havana Blesses Lee Orphanage.
The day before we were to leave Cuba the Archbishop of Havana
came to the Lee Orphanage, where quite a number of the best people
of the city had assembled, and gave his blessing to the little institution;
which was, with those Catholic people, an augur}' equivalent to a guar-
anty that the success and protection of the undertaking was fully
assured; and, indeed, we learned several months after the war had
begun that the Spanish authorities had not only taken the most scru-
pulous care of this hospital, and all its abundance of provisions with
which the Cuban Relief Committee had supplied it, but they had also
placed a guard around Miss Barton's residence and had kept it invio-
late from all predatorily disposed persons. After the war some of our
party visited the residence and the orphanage, and found provisions
which had been left at both places were still on hand.
Of course it was to be expected that the hospital, being deprived
of the example of the trained Red Cross nurse, with her habits of
order and neatness, would naturally retrograde in many ways, and our
party therefore was prepared for the manj' evidences of neglect and
disorder that met their eyes on their return visit.
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 605
The Central Cuban Relief Committee, of New York, which had
been appointed by the President of the United States, had abund-
ant means to maintain this work that had been so successfully
inaugurated, and it is greatly deplored that the unfortunate dec-
laration of war prevented the carrying out of all the plans that had
been so carefully matured, and which would have saved the lives of
thousands of men, women and children who now lie under the sod.
Having made the best possible arrangement for the maintenance
of the institutions we had brought into being and had fostered in
Havana; and with the saddest regrets that we should have to abandon
a work so well begun, we boarded the ship "Olivette " on April 11,
and started for the United States. After a great deal of discomfort,
caused by the overcrowding of passengers and the heavy seas, we
reached Tampa, Fla., on April 13. After a day or two of rest. Miss
Barton proceeded to Washington with Drs. Hubbell and Egan, the
remainder of the party stopping in Tampa.
There were at that time probably about fifteen hundred Cuban
refugees in Tampa and eight or nine hundred in Key West, who
were entirely dependent. The Red Cross took upon itself the task
of maintaining these poor people, and for a period of seven months its
agents provided for them. It should be said, however, that the citizens
of both these cities appointed committees and did all they could to
relieve the necessities of these large bodies of indigent people.
Early in April it had been decided to charter a steamer in New
York and to load her with supplies and .send her to different ports in
Cuba, where her cargo could be unloaded in such quantities as might be
required. Accordingly, the steamer "State of Texas," of about eigh-
teen hundred tons burden, was chartered from Messrs. Mallory & Co.,
of New York, and notwithstanding the fact that our party had been
obliged to leave Havana, and that subsequently war had been declared,
the preparations for sailing were kept up, and the steamer was loaded
with a cargo of fourteen hundred tons, which embraced a fine a.ssort-
ment of substantials and delicacies, and many household articles,
medicines and hospital stores. When she was finally loaded in the
latter part of April, the " Texas " sailed for Key West in charge of Dr.
J. B. Hubbell, with Captain Frank Young as sailing master, arriving
there on the twenty-eighth of that month.
6o6 THE RED CROSS.
Reception at Tampa.
In the meantime, Dr. Jos. Gardner and Avifc, of Bedford, Ind., had
joined our party at Tampa; and soon after Miss Barton, Dr. Egan, Mr.
D. ly. Cobb and Miss Lucy M. Graves came along, and it was arranged
that the entire party was to leave Tampa on the evening of April 28, to
go aboard the steamer " State of Texas," at Key West, and remain on
her until the army had made a landing in Cuba, when it was expected
that we should be able to resume our work there. The day of the
evening we were to leave Tampa, Mrs. J. M. Towne, the lady at whose
house our party was stopping, gave a reception in honor of Miss Barton,
to which General Wade and the army officers who were then stationed
there, and many ladies and gentlemen of that fine little cit}-, were
invited. It was a most brilliant and enjoyable occasion, the uniforms
of the officers and the lovely toilets of the ladies making a picture that
will long remain in the memories of those who saw it.
The Relief Party Returns to Key West.
On our arrival at Key West, on the afternoon of April 29, we were
met by Dr. Hubbell and Mr. C. C. Bangs, who had been sent by the
New York committee to assist in our work; and Mr. A. Butler Duncan,
a well-known gentleman of New York, and were taken aboard the
steamer "State of Texas," where we were welcomed by Captain
Young, and where we subsequently passed many pleasant weeks
together. A few days later we were joined by ^.r. Geo. Kennan, First
Vice-President of the American National Red Cross, and his wife.
Key West at that time was a very busy place, the harbor being
filled with naval vessels which came in there daily from the Cuban
blockading squadron for coal and provisions. Miss Barton immediately
paid her respects to Captain Harrington, of the monitor " Puritan,"
who was the senior commander of the port, and presented her credentials
from the State and Navy Departments. Subsequently she placed her-
self in communication with Commodore Sampson, and stated her desire
to reach Cuba at the earliest possible moment.
Many naval officers and citizens of Key West called on Miss
Barton daily, and this attention, combined with her enormous corres-
pondence, kept her time fully occupied till late in the night. There
was scarcely a day that .some accident of more or less severity did not
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 607
happen to some of the sailors or workmen on the many auxiliary craft
that were in the harbor; and the Red Cross doctors were at all times in
demand. In order to keep every one in the best preparation for
possible contingencies of any kind, everybody on the ship was instructed
and drilled in the various phases of his or her particular kind of work;
and thus all were kept happily and busily engaged. The doctors
inaugurated a series of lectures for the benefits of the nurses and
others, and clinics were of frequent occurrence, and every member of
the party benefited by the practical knowledge thus attained in bandag-
ing and taking care of various kinds of injuries.
Doctor E. Winfield Egan, of Boston, one of the foremost of our sur-
geons, effected some wonderful operations here and at Port Tampa, and
won the warm friendship of many a poor fellow, who, but for his skillful
ministrations would have fared badly. Some of the injured men were so
badly hurt that days and weeks elapsed before they were fully recovered,
and during the time of their convalescence, they were carefully attended
and watched by the Red Cross nurses; and at all times of the day the
Red Cross boat, with its well-known flag floating, could be seen going
from one transport to another on its errands of mercy.
Feeding Spanish Prisoners.
While we were lying at Key West there was scarcely a day passed
that some of our vigilant blockading .squadron did not bring in from
one to three captured prizes; sometimes large steamships, and from
that class through the various grades of .shipping down to fishing
smacks; and in the cour.se of a couple of weeks there were between
thirty and forty of the.se boats lying at anchor in the harbor, with
their crews aboard under guard. Somehow it was forgotten that these
poor foreigners must eat to live; or else perhaps somebody thought
that .somebody else was responsible for this very important matter; be
that as it may, they were unprovided for. The boats, of course, had
a small amount of provisions aboard when they were captured, and
while that lasted all went well; but in a few days their supply was
exhau.sted and calls were made on the United States Marshal, in whose
charge the pri.soners were, for food. That officer, having no contingent
fund on which to draw, was in despair, and came to Miss Barton, who
at once reassured him by saying that .she would attend to the matter
and would provide for all the prisoners until .such time as he could
r)o8 THE RED CROSS.
get his petition through the departments at Washington. Accordingly
several boatloads of provisions were hastily gotten together and taken
in low by a steam launch which landed them alongside of each prize.
Miss Barton personally visited these boats, and with the aid of an
interpreter she learned the needs of the crews, and not only supplied
them with food, but she arranged to take letters from all wiio wished
to communicate with friends and relatives in Spain and elsewhere,
and forwarded the letters to their destination.
All governmental relations between Spain and the United States
having been broken by the declaration of war, it was necessary, where
letters were to go to Spain, to send them to the Red Cross of Portugal,
which organization kindly acted as the intermediary friend all through
the war. And here I may say that the Red Cross adopted this method
wherever there were Spanish prisoners, and through its kind offices
thousands of anxious hearts received news of their absent ones who
were " held by the enemy."
New York Red Cross Relief Committee.
About the middle of May the friends of the Red Cross in New
York City, conceived the idea of forming a relief committee for the
collection of money and supplies to be used in aiding the soldiers in
camp and field. The committee was formed, with some of the richest and
most prominent people of the country on its list, and it became neces-
sary for Miss Barton to go to New York to empower the committee
with authority to act in the name of the Red Cross. Accordingly the
steamer "State of Texas" left Key West and proceeded to Port
Tampa, where Miss Barton took train for the North, leaving the
remainder of the party on the steamer.
Emergency Relief at Port Tampa.
At this time there were several camps at Tampa and Port Tampa,
and several thousand troops were preparing for the invasion of Cuba;
transports were daily arriving at Port Tampa and were being placed
in readiness to carr>' this vast host to the "Pearl of the Antilles."
Those were busy days for everybody, and the Red Cross doctors and
nurses were called upon hourly to render service to many victims of
injury and disease.
\AAAAA
tnm
y^
in charge of Red Cross nurses at r'autical Club Hospital, Santiago de Cuba.
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 6ii
While we were waiting at Port Tampa we were joined by Miss
Janet Jennings, of Washington, and Mrs. Trumbull White, of Chicago,
both of whom afterward did excellent work in the hospitals at Siboney,
Miss Barton rejoined our party on June i6, being accompanied by
Mrs. J. Addison Porter, the wife of the secretary to President McKinley,
who went with us on the " State of Texas."
Miss Barton had been the recipient of such assurances on her
recent trip to Washington from the heads of the various government
departments, that she believed that the Red Cross would receive the
most cordial recognition from the army and navy as an auxiliary aid,
and would be able to co-operate with them in the utmost harmony.
Although the mission of the steamer " State of Texas " was to render
relief to the Cuban reconcentrados, it was tacitly understood and
believed by all that every possible aid would be extended to the army
and navy forces whenever it was necessary or called for.
All of the government transports carrying General Shafter's army
had sailed from Port Tampa, bound for Cuba, when, on June 17, the
" State of Texas " weighed her anchor and started for Key West,
where we arrived on the following afternoon.
It was learned at Key West that the cargo of a captured ship, con-
sisting of South American " tasajo," or jerked beef, \yas about to be
sold by the United States Marshal; and as we knew this was a favorite
food of the Cubans, and that we could get all that we needed at a very
low figure, Miss Barton decided to take aboard twenty tons of it.
A telegram had been sent from Port Tampa to the Secretary of the
Navy, under whose authority the "State of Texas" was then sailing,
notifying him that we were going to Kej' West, where he could com-
municate with us, and thence on to Cuba, if orders to the contrary were
not received.
Sailing for Cuba.
On June 20, everything being in readiness, and no orders having
been received from the Secretary of the Navy, it was decided to sail
and find Sampson's fleet near Santiago de Cuba, where it was generally
believed that General Shafter would try to effect a landing; so at
10.15 ^- ^- ^^'6 started, taking the westerly course around Cape Antonio.
Just as we were about to leave, Mr. W. S. Warner joined our party
and afterwards became one of our most useful and valued workers.
6i2 THE RED CROSS.
After a pleasant but uneventful voyage on the morning of June 25
we arrived off Morro Castle, at the entrance of the Bay of Santiago.
The Spanish flag was flying over the land fortifications and Sampson's
fleet was stationed in the adjacent waters. Miss Barton sent a repre-
sentative aboard the flagship " New York," who presented her compli-
ments to Admiral Sampson and asked for orders, or an expression
of his wishes regarding the position to be taken by the Red Cross ship.
The Admiral sent back word saying that General Shafter's army
had disembarked at Daiquiri, a point about twelve miles east of Morro
Castle, and he advised Miss Barton to take her ship to Guantanamo
Bay, where she would find good anchorage and calm water; and where
she would be able to learn more of what was taking place on land, as
there was constar.t communication from there with the invading army.
Accordingly we drew away and arrived that evening at Play a del Este,
which is about forty miles from Santiago, and situated just inside the
mouth of Guantanamo Baj'.
Captain McCalla, the naval commander of the port, with several
other naval officers came aboard the " Texas " that evening, and
warmly welcomed Miss Barton. Among these officers were the captain
and medical staff of the United States naval hospital ship "Solace"
which was lying; at anchor near us, and they extended an invitation to
all the members of our part}^ to visit their ship on the following morn-
ing. The invitation was accepted, and the next day the launches of
the "Solace " came for us, and we passed a couple of very enjoyable
hours looking over one of the most complete and handsome ships we
had ever seen.
Departure for Siboney.
After our return to the ' ' State of Texas ' ' two representatives of
New York papers called on Miss Barton, informing her that they had
just come in from Siboney, where there w^as great need of supplies and
medical aid. They said that the men who were wounded in the fight
between the Rough Riders and the Spaniards on the previous Friday
had just been brought in and that they were suffering from the lack
of everything in the way of comforts and conveniences. Our steamer
was at once headed westward and started within a few minutes for the
scene of suffering. A two months' sojourn in tropical waters had
enabled the busy little cirripeds to attach themselves in millions to the
bottom of our ship, and, in nautical parlance, she was very "foul,"
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 6i ^
and consequently our speed was reduced from a normal of about ten
knots an hour to between seven and eight knots, so we did not reach
Siboney until after eight o'clock that night.
Soon after our ship was anchored a boat was lowered and a party
of our doctors started for the shore. As the night was dark and there
was no wharf nor other landing place, save one small bit of sandy
beach which was bounded on each side by precipitous rocky ledges,
and no lights other than those of the ships which were anchored safely
away from the shore, and the uncertain and misleading flare of an
occasional camp fire some distance away from the beach, the landing
was a matter of some difficulty and anxiety. A heavy ground swell
was running quite high and dashed itself against the rocks with a roar
that deafened us; however the officer who was in charge of the boat
was an old sailor, who was used to landing in strange places, and by
constant " ahoying " to every sign of life on ship or shore, we managed
to strike the one soft spot in that vicinity and soon had our boat drawn
up on the sand.
By inquiring of several sentinels, we found our way to the array
hospital, which was a rough wooden building that had evidently
been used for a store or warehouse in more peaceful times. On a
veranda in front of the hospital a group of officers was standing, and
on our asking for the surgeon in charge. Major Havard stepped
forward. Drs. Gardner and Lesser introduced themselves and the
other members of the party to Major Havard and formally offered him,
in the name of Clara Barton and the Red Cross, the personal services of
all our doctors and nurses, and any of our supplies that might be
needed. Major Havard very courteously thanked them for their offers
and said that he fully appreciated the value of such services, but he
thought that he and his assistants would be able to take care of all the
sick and wounded that were there at that time; and as for supplies, he
knew there was an abundance of them on the transports, and he hoped
they would be landed the next day. During these speeches our
members were looking through the miserable place that bore the name
of hospital, and the sights that met us brought tears to our eyes. There
were half a dozen cots in a building where there were, perhaps, fifty or
sixty patients, the greater number of whom were lying on the floor,
some with a blanket Imder them, but a great many were lying on the
bare boards. Sheets, pillows and bedclothes were unknown, and those
poor fellows who were not dressed in their uniforms were lying almost
naked. There were some wounded men, and others who were sick
6i4 THE RED CROSS.
with fever; and in the dim light of a few lanterns we could see them
turning from side to side in their discomfort and agony and hear their
moans, and in some cases imprecations against a Government that
would so illy provide for such a contingency. One of the nurses(?),
a young fellow who sat out on the veranda in his shirt sleeves compla-
cently smoking a cigarette, told us that he couldn't do very much for
the boys, as he didn't have anything to do with; besides one nurse
couldn't do very much for forty men, all wanting him at the same time,
and he thought there ought to be more help. I couldn't help contrast-
ing this good natured but rather indolent chap, who was performing his
duty in such a careless and perfunctory manner, with the brave, clean,
intelligent and energetic young women whom I knew, who, when on
duty, never took a minute's rest, but were constantly busy, and who
anticipated every w^ant of a patient; and who by their bright faces and
cheerful voices dro\^e away all feelings of despondency and homesick-
ness among the sufferers, and in this way helped them quite as far
on the road to recovery as the medicine that the doctors might
prescribe.
Cubans Gladly Accept Assistance.
With saddened hearts we turned away and entered the Cuban army
hospital near by. This house was better furnished with beds and
bedding and other hospital appliances than the place we had just left,
as it had been a regular army hospital when the Spaniards were in
possession of the place, and they in their quick retreat had left nearly
everything intact. So that these patients were in a much better
condition. But how dirty it was! And how^ badly it smelled!
The Surgeon in charge of the Cuban hospital was a ver>' intelligent
Cuban who spoke good English, and he welcomed us warmly, and
insisted on taking us to see General Calixto Garcia, whose headquarters
were near by. That fine old warrior, w-ith his gentlemanly and courtly
manners, received us with the greatest cordiality, introducing us to the
members of his staff who were present, and in every way made us
feel that we were more than welcome. He had no hesitation in
accepting any aid we had to offer; said that his men had suffered so
terribly during the past three 5'ears that he welcomed our coming as a
perfect godsend. So it was arranged that the Red Cross should take
hold of the Cuban hospital the next day and do what it could to make
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 615
it healthier and pleasanter; although the surgeons in charge begged
that the ladies, i. c, the nurses, should not come until the place had
been cleaned. But Red Cro.ss nurses are trained in a school that makes
the annihilation of dirt its first principle; and early the following
morning they appeared with pails, scrubbing brushes, soap, whitewash
and disinfectants, and the way in which they went to work elicited the
admiration and astonishment of all who saw them. After thoroughly
washing and disinfecting the floors, walls and furniture, they took the
beds and put them through the same process, and afterwards put new
mattresses, pillows and bedding on them. Then the patients were
taken in hand, and carefully bathed and put in clean clothing, and
then into clean, sweet-smelling beds. The looks and words of gratitude
that were given to those little women in blue will always remain a
happy recollection to them.
This grand transformation of the dirty Cuban ho.spital was watched
with great interest by the American officers and men, and when it was
finally finished it presented such a noticeable contrast of peace, cleanli-
ness and comfort to the United States Army hospital, where everything
was the very opposite, in all its hideousness of neglect, squalor and
suffering, that there was a universal grumble in the camp, and men
were heard to mutter: ' ' What kind of people are these Red Cross folks
that come down here and give the best of everything to the Cubans,
and pass by our own boys, who are dying for the want of these very
attentions ? ' ' When it was explained to them that the Red Cross had
first gone to our own hospital and offered all it had to our ow^n army
surgeons, and that they had declined assi.stance, there was an immediate
and widespread inquir\', " Why? " and as no answer that would sat-
isfy could be given, and the grumble was becoming more general and
forcible all the time, a little later the army surgeons thought best
to allay further irritation by a general acceptance of whatever was
needed from the Red Cross stores, and any personal assistance that
might be offered.
As a result of this change of mind everything that was needful to
make the American hospital the equal of the Cuban hospital was gladly
given by the Red Cross, and from that time on to the end of the war
the army surgeons and the Red Cross worked in perfect harmony and
with mutual respect and admiration. A Red Cross hospital was opened
at Siboney and immediately filled to its capacity with American soldiers
and government employes; and the Red Cross surgeons were given
operating tables in the army hospital and on the field, and with the aid
6i6 THK RI-:n CROSS.
of Red Cross nurses rendered splendid service in the bloody days that
soon followed.
Urgent Cali. for Help at the Front.
As General Shafter pressed forward with his troops, the fighting
became more severe, and his chief surgeon, Colonel Pope, sent word to
Miss Barton asking for aid to be sent out to the front. She responded
immediately and personally led a party consisting of Mr. George Ken-
nan, Mrs. J. Addison Porter, Dr. and Mrs. Gardner, Dr. E. Winfield
Egan, Dr. J. B. Hubbell, and Mr. J. A. McDowell, going forward in
army wagons and on foot over a road whose badness could not be
exceeded anywhere: and they soon had their tents up and their kettles
boiling, and for several days they devoted all their time to relieving
the sufferings of the wounded men on the field. They made gruels
and soups, and all the delicacies that could be prepared with the facili-
ties at hand, and distributed fruits and cooling drinks. These poor
wounded soldiers were lying on the field where they were left after
their wounds had been dressed; and as there was no food for them to
eat except the regular army ration of salt meat, hardtack and coifee,
which man)^ of them were unable to swallow, in some instances they had
not taken any nourishment for three days, and were nearly starved.
The " rainy season " had just set in and these " martj^rs to the
cause of Cuban liberty," who were helpless and in many cases without
clothing of any kind, were left without protection, except such as could
be had from small bushes and trees; and they were subjected daily to
alternate " sunshine and shower; " and when it is said that those words
are not to be taken in a poetical sense, but that they mean intense heat
and deluging rains, the suffering that ensued can be understood. And
it may be well to say that in that locality at that time of the year, when
the sun sets the cold air from the mountains drops down into the val-
leys and the nights become uncomfortably chilly before morning.
That the statement of the sufferings of these men may not be
thought overdrawn, I shall introduce here an extract from the testimony
of Major William Duffiekl Bell, an army surgeon, as given on this
point in his report for the War Department:
The First division of the Fifth Army Corps Hospital was the only one in the
field. The surgical force in this hospital was insufficient to meet the demands upon
it, and numbers of the wounded lay unattended for twelve and even twenty-four
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 617
hours on the bare ground before their turn came. There was an insufficient
supply of proper food for invalids, due to lack of transportation, though there was
no lack of surgical supplies at the hospital, thanks to the energy and business like
efforts of Major Wood, chief surgeon of the Division Hospital.
Another great want was the scarcity of clothing and blankets. In many cases
soldiers were soaked with rain and stiffened with mud from the trenches, so that
their clothes had to be removed before an operation or dressing, and could not be
put on again. Men were often taken from the operating table and of necessity in
many cases were laid upon the wet ground without shelter, and in the majority of
cases without even a blanket, and with little or no nourishment for two awful days,
until the Red Cross Society, under Miss Barton, appeared on the scene.
With no intention to place the blame for the condition of things existing, it is
only just to state that had some officers of the commissary and quartermaster's
departments displayed the same zeal and enthusiasm as did Major Wood and his
officers and men, such things need not have happened, and the poor sick and
wounded sufferers would not have had to feel, as many did, that they were almost
forgotten by God and man.
A Yellow Fever Scare.
It is not to be wondered at that in such conditions our soldiers
began to fall victims to calentura, a prevalent fever from which very
few people there escape, even though surrounded by the best sanitary
conditions. The yellow fever scare had taken hold of a part of our
soldiers before they left the states; and as there were a great many
contract surgeons in the. army, wh6 were inexperienced in diag-
nosing tropical fevers, it was not long before it was reported that the
yellow fever had broken out, and considerable demoralization ensued.
The Red Cross party which was at the front was requested to return to
the steamer; and all the buildings at Siboney, including the hospital,
were ordered to be burned " to stop the spread of the fever." Dr. and
Mrs. Lesser and Sister Minnie Rogal had already fallen victims to the
fever, and were at that time lying in the Red Cross Hospital at Siboney.
A temporary fever camp had been started in the hills at the back of
Siboney, and they were taken there, accompanied b}' Sisters Isabelle
and Annie both of whom aftenvard had the fever.
Right here let me say that a Dr. Gray connected with the Medical
Department of the Army has been quoted in the papers as saying that
the Red Cross was to blame for the outbreak of the yellow fever in
Siboney, inasmuch as that organization had opened a hospital in a
building that had been condemned, before any arnu'' hospital had been
opened. It is only necessary to say that the Red Cross Hospital was
6i8 11 IK Kl":i) CROSS.
not opened until over a week after the American and Cuban Army
Hospitals had been opened in buildings i/iaf had been previously con-
demned by army officers.
Referring to this subject, Major Louis A. La Garde, Surgeon U.
S. A., has given this testimony:
The Cubans deceived Dr. Pope, as they had deceived Dr. Guiteras, by telHng
him that there had been no yellow fever in Siboney. Dr. Guiteras believed this.
On one occasion he told me that Siboney didn't look like a yellow fever locality,
as the place was hilly and well drained, except in a small section to the northeast
of the town, where there was a stream. Dr. Guiteras advised that hospitals be
established in houses in Siboney, and he thought there was no danger of infection
because of such action.
As I write this report the War Investigating Commission is holding
its sessions, and the country is impatiently awaiting its decision as to
where the blame rests for the many shortcomings that were developed
during the Santiago campaign, I have just been reading the testimon)--
of Dr. Frank Donaldson, Assistant Surgeon of Roosevelt's Rough
Riders, in which he remarks:
' ' My experience is that the reason the Rough Riders fared so well
was because we hustled for ourselves. ' '
When Dr. Donaldson arrived in Siboney he immediately came
aboard the Red Cross steamer and announced that he was about to
join the Rough Riders, and would like some supplies to take out with
him. He was given everything that he wanted that we had in our
stores; and the next da}' he came with two more members of his regi-
ment, and after having breakfast with us, made another requisition for
an increased amount of good things. These were cheerfully given and,
in addition, shoes and underclothing from the private wardrobes of the
members of the Red Cro.ss were added, to meet the required needs that
could not be filled otherwi.se, owing to the fact that these things were
not in the steamer's cargo.
I esteem it a privilege to be able to testify to the exactness of the
doctor's testimony as to his ability and success as a "hustler," and
still more to be able to show 7vhere\\^ "hustled," which appears to
have escaped his memory.
A few days previous to the fever scare our supply of ice, coffee,
fruit and other needful articles running short, the .steamer "State of
Texas" was ordered to go to Jamaica to replenish her stores. While
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 619
in Kingston we met ni.ny refugees from Santiago, among them Mr.
Louis Brooks and Mr. Robt. Douglas, Sr. Both these gentlemen
placed their residences in Santiago at the disposal of Miss Barton; she
accepted that of Mr. Douglas, and we afterwards spent several very
happy and comfortable weeks within its hospitable walls. Mr. Douglas
also offered the Red Cross the use of his warehouses in Santiago
which was accepted, and we are indebted to these gentlemen for many
other favors and their kindness is remembered with gratitude and
pleasure.
Relief for Cubans, Guantanamo Bay.
Commander McCalla of Guantanamo Bay had already made calls
upon the Red Cross for relief supplies for the Cubans in that vicinity,
and the "State of Texas" had made two trips there, leaving five
thousand rations at one time and ten thousand at another. The
commander then called for fifty thousand rations, and we started at
once to deliver them. On our arrival at Playa del Este the commander
met us in his steam launch as we were coming into the harbor, and
before we had cast anchor he demanded to know if we had come from
Siboney, and if any of our members had been ashore there recently.
Being answered in the affirmative, he said that he could not expose the
men of his fleet to the risk of taking yellow fever from us, and ordered
our ship to turn about and leave at once.
While we were lying at Siboney Messrs. Elwell and Warner were
kept busy with a crew of from fifty to seventy-five Cuban soldiers, in
landing supplies from the steamer ; and the work they did and the
success they achieved calls for the highest praise, for it was accom-
plished under the most adverse conditions and with most inadequate
facilities.
At the near-by village of Firmeza were thousands of Cuban
refugees and residents, who were in abject need and many were sick
and dying. Through the energetic offorts of the above named gentle-
men and Dr. J. B. Hubbell all these people were fed and clothed, in
addition to many more who came into Siboney.
Exodus from Santiago.
During the seige of Santiago General Shafter sent word to
General Toral, the Spanish Commander, that unless the city was
620 THE RED CROSS.
surrendered within twenty-four hours, he should bombard it. Notice
was given to the citizens of that place, and the surrender was refused.
An exodus of non-combatants, men, women and children, hurriedly
took place ; it was said there were thirty thousand of them, and they
fled to the country to the north and east, some twenty thousand crowd-
ing into the little village of El Caney which normally has not over five
hundred inhabitants.
The city of Santiago at that time was in a destitute condition,
several people having already starved to death, and there was conse-
quently little or no provisions for the people to take away. So this
vast horde of hungry wretches overwhelmed the little country places
that they come to, and the suffering that ensued was something
frightful.
The officers at General Shafter's headquarters notified Miss Bar-
ton of the conditions at El Cane)% and she immediately sent Mr. Elwell
there to form a citizens' committee to assist in distributing the food that
was to follow as quickly as we could get transportation to carry it.
Every horse, mule, vehicle of any kind that could be borrowed, begged
or hired, was impressed into the service, and tons of supplies were
taken there at the earliest possible moment. For about two weeks the
Red Cross force worked night and day in relieving this place. Mr. C.
C. Bangs, an elderly gentleman from Brooklyn, N. Y., who had been
sent to the Red Cross b}' the New York Cuban Relief Committee, was
given charge of the relief supplies at El Caney, and ne remained there
until the surrender of Santiago, when the city people returned to their
homes, faithfully working as cook and dispenser from sixteen to
eighteen hours a day. The hard work, lack of sl^ep, and poor sani-
tary conditions, were too hard a strain on hin? and he came to us
at Santiago sick and very much broken. He was attacked by the
calentura and removed to a hospital where in a few days he died. He
was buried by the Red Cross in the Santiago cemetery, his funeral
being attended by the members of that body.
The Relief Expedition Enters Santiago.
The surrender of Santiago having been arianged to take place at
ten o'clock on the morning of July 17, and Miss Barton being anxious
to get to that city at the earliest moment, knowing full well the terrible
conditions that existed there, the steamer "State of Texas" steamed
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 621
down from Siboney that day to the entrance of Santiago Bay. Miss
Barton sent word to Admiral Sampson that she was ready to go in to
the city whenever he was ready to have her ; and he answered that he
would send her a pilot to take her ship in as soon as the channel was
made safe by the removal of torpedos that had been planted by the
Spaniards.
Accordingl)' about 4.30 in the afternoon a Cuban pilot came aboard
the " Texas " from the flagship "New York " and we were soon on
our way to Santiago, where we arrived just before sundown. We came
to anchor just off the main wharf and Messrs. Elwell and Warner went
ashore to make arrangements for warehouse room and to engage men
to unload the ship on the morrow.
Early the next morning the " Texas" was drawn up beside the
principal wharf and one hundred Cuban stevedores began the work of
discharging her. These poor fellows were a sorry looking crowd of
undersized and half starved men, the effects of their long fast being
plainly visible in their hollow cheeks and thin arms and legs. Many
women and children were on the wharf ready to sweep up any stray
bits of meal or beans that might escape from leaky sacks or boxes.
As the stores came from the ship they were loaded on hand cars
and rolled to the land end of the wharf, where they were placed under
a large shed and a guard of soldiers was placed over them to keep back
the hungry people and dogs who hung around like a pack of famished
wolves.
The same plan of distribution that we had so successfully piirsued
in Havana was adopted in Santiago, and with the aid of such splendid
men as Mr. William Ramsden, son of the English Consul; Mr. Robert
Mason, Chinese Consul and vice British Consul; and Mr. Michelson,
German Vice Consul, we were soon possessed of full knowledge of the
place and in perfect touch with its best people.
General McKibben, the Military Governor of the city, and many
other army officers and citizens called on Miss Barton, giving her a
warm welcome and offering their assistance in any way they could be of
service to her.
A central committee of citizens was appointed, to whom was
deputed the duty of dividing the city into districts, and of appointing
sub-committees of responsible persons to distribute the supplies to the
needy. All applications for relief from the sub-committees had to be
approved by the general committee, and then l-ought to the Red Cross
warehouse, wliere they were filled in bulk and sent back to the district
622 THE RED CROSS.
coinniittees for distribution. In this way all confusion was avoided, and
our headquarters kept conipaiatively free from crowding.
By steady work and long hours the cargo of the ' ' State of Texas ' '
was discharged, and she left on her return trip to New York on the fifth
day after her arrival; and we were thus left without any means of
transportation that we could depend upon in au}^ direction, the railroads
being broken, and there being none but government ships in the
harbor.
The government not having many delicacies for its sick men, and
such as it had being so hard to get that those in quest of them could
hardly get their orders filled until their patients had died or recovered,
it was only natural that they should come to the Red Cross when they
needed anything of that kind, where it was only necessary to state the
need and write a requisition to be supplied with anything that we had
in stock. That this privilege was appreciated can be attested b}^
hundreds of chaplains, surgeons and officers; and if it was abused in
rare instances, there is little to complain of when it is remembered how
many lives were thus saved, and how many poor fellows were made
comfortable and happ}-.
While we were at Santiago we were joined by Mrs. Fanny B. Ward
of Washington, D. C; Miss Annie M. Fowler of Springfield, 111., and
Miss Annie Wheeler, of Alabama, a daughter of General Joe Wheeler,
the celebrated and much-liked cavalry leader. All of these ladies did
splendid work in their several fields, and hundreds of soldiers will
gratefully remember their kindly ministrations.
General Shafter, General Wheeler, General McKibben, General
Wood, General Bates and Colonel Roosevelt; Admiral Sampson,
Admiral Schle}^ Captain Chadwick, and in fact, almost every militaiy
and naval officer with whom we had any business relations, did everj^-
thing they could for the Red Cross, and it is our proud satisfaction to
feel that we met their wishes to the extent of our ability, and that the
most perfect reciprocity of good feeling and mutual regard existed
Spanish Hospitals Cared For.
Miss Barton visited all the Spanish hospitals in Santiago and made
a thorough inspection and inquiry into their needs; and subsequently
furnished them with everything required that we had in our stores.
The Spanish Red Cross had no active workers with the Spanish
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 623
army in Cuba that we could find, and whatever was done for
their soldiers by that organization must have been done through the
officials of the army. It was said that Spain was well furnished with
army hospitals at home, all of which were carried on by the Red Cross;
and that it was the custom, previous to the breaking out of the Spanish-
American War, to send all invalid soldiers back to Spain to recover.
Municipal Hospitai^s and Free Dispeniaries.
The municipal hospitals of Santiago were also visited and their
inmates made happy by a plentiful supply of good food and clean
clothing.
The Red Cross opened a free dispensary where Drs. Gills, Carbonel,
Solloso and Zuniga attended many hundred of the sick poor and
dispensed medicine and delicacies to all needing them. These faithful
doctors also visited the sick in ^heir homes wherever they could find
them, and did a great deal of good work.
An expedition was sent inland some seventy miles to Holguin,
and the needs of all the intervening communities were carefully inves-
tigated. Miss Barton and several members of her staff also went to
San lyuis, and made arrangements with some of the most prominent
citizens of that place to take charge of a large quantity of stores; and
word was sent to all the adjacent country for forty miles on each side,
notifying the people that all who were in need of help could receive
supplies by coming to San Luis.
Dr. Hubbell went to Baracoa and Sagua de Tanamo before the
Spanish soldiers and the inhabitants of those places had learned of
General Toral's surrender; and he was obliged to go in under a flag of
truce and was not generally believed when he told the people that the
Province was then under the domination of the Americans. But they
were in such straits of sickness and hunger that they gladly accepted
the medicine and food that he proffered them.
There was at both Siboney and Santiago a great congestion of
government steamers, causing much confusion and consequent delay
in getting commis.sary and quartermaster stores ashore. The govern-
ment, of course, had charge of everything, including wharves and
lighters; and as we weie unable to command these facilities several
shipments of goods sent to the Red Cross at Santiago were never
allowed to land there and were returned to the United States. They
624 THE RED CROSS.
were not needed, however, as we had an ample supply for all the
demands that were then made upon us. At the suggestion of Mr. D.
L. Cobb of the Red Cross, a large schooner was chartered and loaded
with Kennebec ice and sent to Santiago in tow, by the " Ice Auxiliary "
of New York. Certainly no other of the many methods of relief that
had been suggested, was more welcome or acceptable to the suffering
heroes of Santiago. No single article that was sent to the soldiers gave
one quarter the satisfaction to them that was given by this cooling and
comforting necessity. Owing to the lack of facilities for landing, as
stated above, we were unable to get the ice ashore to deliver to the
hospitals; but as transports, loaded with sick and wounded soldiers
were leaving almost daily for the States, we notified the captains of all
those steamers that they could have all the ice they might need, and
as they could easily run alongside the schooner and take it aboard they
all availed themselves of the privilege until the cargo was exhausted.
When the schooner that had brought the ice to Cuba was dis-
charged, she was towed alongside the transport "Port Victor," that
had on board some seven hundred tons of Red Cross supplies, which
it was impossible to land, and they were taken aboard the schooner
and subsequently sent to Gibara on the northern coast.
Distribution of the Ice.
The following is summary of orders (for ice) upon which the
cargo of the " Mary E. Morse " was delivered:
Tons.
August I, Captain J. H. Dizer, S. S. "Berkshire" 7
2, Captain P. H. Hanlon, S. S. " Grand Duchess " 30
I, Captain J. F. Lewis, S. S. " Mattewan " 8
I, Captain Downs, S. S. "Orizaba" 10
1, Captaii- Googins, S S. " Gate City " 15
3, Captain , S. S. " Fanita " 5
2, Captain J. II. Byrne, S. S. "Mexico" 20
3, Swift & Co. 's representative 50
5, Captain , S. S. " OUvette " 20
4, Mr. Douglass .... 2
5, Captain , S. S. "Mattewan" 6
I, Captain Mcintosh, vS. S. " Vigilancia " 15
5, Captain , S. S. "Tarpon" 10
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 625
TONS.
August 6, Captain rtrickley, S. S. " Port Victor " 50
10, Captain Brickley, S. S. " Port Victor " 100
8, Captain Paul Konow, S. S. " Arnrum " • i
9, Captain , vS. S. " Grand Dnchess " 50
S. Captain Genis (Spanish), S. S. "Alicante" 7
9, Captain A. T. Anderson, S. S. "Marie" i
9, Captain J. Hanlon, S. S. " Mortero " 6
9, Captain J. H. Dizer, S. S. "Berkshire" 3
5, Captain A. S. Johnston, S. S. " San Juan " 5
9, Captain , S. S. "Olivette" 20
9, Captain Charles A. Furlong, S. S. "Catinia" ... 15
11, Captains. Layland, S. S. "Mobile" 25
11, Captain , S. S. "Vigilancia" 5°
12, Captain , S. S. "Arcadia" 15
2, Captain John Evans, S. S. "Specialist" 7
13, Captain , S. S. " City of Macon " 10
8, Swift & Co. 's representative 40
I, Captain Kimball, S. S. "Louisiana" 12
10, Captain Antonio, " Alemani," " Isla Luzon " 7
13, "Ohvette" 10
10, Captain Peters, transport " Miller " 20
16, Captain Aldamis, S. S. "M. D. Villarverde " 5
16, Captain Mir, S. S. "Montevideo" 10
14, Captain Antonia Jascia, S. 8. "Isle Pinay " 5
10, Commander Jacobsen, German man-of-war, " Geier" 5
16, Captain , S. S. " Berkshire " 10
15, Captain Bie, S. S. "Sewanne" 5
14, Captain Tomaso, S. S. " Latiusgui " 12
15, Captain of S. S. " Burton " indefinite quantity
3, Master steam lighter "Bessie" i piece
3, To " Miami " 2 boat loads
6, Representative Swift & Co 2 cakes
5, Government boat "Sewanne" i ton
5, S. S, "Olivette" 1,000 pounds
10
Cargo of " Mary E. Morse " contained 79^
Delivery as per above schedule 722
Charged to melting, etc 7°
After a five weeks stay in Santiago it became apparent that the
distribution of further general relief was unnecessary and inadvisable,
as the more pressing wants had been supplied, and the presence of the
army, and the returning commercial and industrial prosperity had
given employment to all the available laborers, who were now amply
626 THE RED CROSS.
able to provide for themselves and their families. In these circum
stances, it was decided to restrict the distribution henceforth to such
people as might be vouched for by the various members of the commit-
tee as having no means of support.
Immense Stores in Santiago.
The Red Cross had at that time in its warehouse at Santiago about
eight hundred tons of stores, and the New York committee was sending
more all the time. The government warehouses and wharves were
overcrowded with quartermaster and commissary stores, although the
troops, both sick and well, were being sent North as fast as steamers
could be secured to carry them. General Wood, the military governor,
was devoting all of his time to the betterment of the general condition
of the people; and in addition to cleaning the streets and yards and
disinfecting all foul spots, he was exercising a general oversight for
the moral and physical welfare of the communit5^
With all this great abundance of provisions and clothing, and the
small number of needy people that were within reach, and the perfect
arrangements that had been made that no one needing relief should be
overlooked, a longer stay of the full Red Cross staff seemed unwise
and useless; so it was decided that we should go to some other field
where our services could be utilized to better advantage. As a further
precaution, that there might be no possibility of any needy person being
overlooked. Miss Barton appointed a committee of ladies, who should
by house to house inspection discover and report to the general com-
mittee any cases of suffering that might escape notice otherwise.
President McKini^ey Furnishes Transportation.
Having heard that the port of Havana was open, it was natural
that our party should be eager to return there and take up the work
that we had been compelled to relinquish during the previous spring.
The only means of transportation that was at our disposal to use in
reaching Havana was the schooner "Mary E. Morse," and as she had
been already destined for another port, and was withal so slow that she
would not have served our requirements, we had no other recourse than
ri-:lief work in cub a. 629
to appeal to the governineut. Miss Barton accordingly telegraphed
President McKinley, asking for the use of a transport, and he promptly
placed at her disposal the Morgan Line steamer " Clinton," which was
then in the government service. Within the following four days we
loaded the " Clinton " with thirty-four mules that had been sent to us
by one of the Red Cross auxiliar}' committees of New York, and about
three hundred tons of general stores, which we hoped would serve as a
starter in the distribution at Havana, other supplies having been
promised to meet us at that place.
We sailed away from Santiago on the afternoon of August 21, and
after a pleasant voyage we arrived at Havana on the morning of the
twenty-fifth.
We learned on entering the harbor that we were as much in Span-
ish waters as we had been during our previous sojourn in Havana, and
that there was no marked change in anything. The same customs'
ofl&cers whom we had known before the war boarded our boat, and we
were treated with the old-time courtesy, but there was no let up in the
rigid enforcement of all the requirements of the law; the necessary
clearance papers, manifests, etc., being demanded. As we were on a
government transport, and carrying a cargo intended for charitable
distribution, we expected to be admitted without hindrance or cere-
mony, but we were disappointed. We were informed that we should
have to pay full duties on our cargo, which amounted to as much as
the original cost of the goods; and that as we had failed to make a
specific manifest of every article we had on board we must pay a fine
of five hundred dollars before we should be allowed to land our cargo
or to leave the harbor.
Miss Barton called upon the Governor of Havana, who received
her with great urbanity, but when she told him the nature of her visit
he insisted that there was no need of aid in that city, that there was no
sufi"ering, that the people were all well fed and had been all through
the blockade. This call was very courteously returned by the general
and staff.
No possible endeavor was omitted that gave any hope of enabling
us to land our cargo, and we brought every influence to bear that we
could command. After a couple of days had elapsed one of the govern-
ment officials came aboard our ship and told Miss Barton that the
Colonial Council had held a meeting, and that its members had voted
to take the amount of money needed from some special fund that was
available and pay the duties on the cargo of her ship, provided she
630 THE RED CROSS.
would turti it over to their agents to distribute. Findinj; tliat there was
no likelihood of any better terms being offered Miss Barton decided
that it was useless to remain longer. Then again, the American Evac-
uation Commissioners were expected to arrive in a few days, and it
was thought that the presence of this boatload of Cuban relief might
be an embarrassment to them in dealing with the Spanish commission,
and that we had better pay our fine and quietly withdraw until such
time as we might return without hindrance.
During our stay in Havana hundreds of the best people of that
city, including Spaniards and Cubans, came aboard the " Clinton " and
assured Miss Barton of their warmest friendship and heartiest welcome,
and it is believed that they did their utmost to persuade the officials to
allow Miss Barton to resume her work in Havana. They told the most
harrowing stories of the suffering in and about the city, and they said
that with the exception of some " soup houses," w^hicli the government
was ostentatiously supporting, and which gave out to the poor, miser-
able sufferers who called for it a small quantit}^ of an alleged soup, in
which there was not enough nourishment to keep a chicken alive, there
was no other distribution of food, and that people were daily dying in
the streets. We knew that this was true, as we all had seen scores of
these people every time we had gone ashore.
On September first we paid our fine of five hundred dollars and
arranged all other matters, so that we were ready to sail at seven
o'clock that evening, and with manj^ regrets, we started for Egmont
Key, Florida, where we knew we would have to go into quarantine,
before entering the United States.
As our ship's charter would expire on September 7 and she ought
to be in New Orleans, where she belonged, on that date, it was decided
to unload her cargo of goods at Egmont Key, and have it transferred
from there to Tampa. The mules were to be left aboard, and taken to
New Orleans, where they had been purchased.
Captain Wertsch and the entire crew of the steamer " Clinton,"
having exerted themselves to make all of our party comfortable and
happy, and having succeeded in an eminent degree. Miss Barton was
pleased to make acknowledgment of their courtesy in a letter, a copy
of which follows.
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 631
On Board Steamer " Cunton,"
En Route Havana to Egmont Key, September i , 1898.
Capt. p. C. Wertsch, Steamer " Clinton : "
Dear Sir: — As we draw near the end of our voyage on the steamer " Clinton,"
I cannot refrain from giving expression to the feeling of satisfaction and gratitude
that all the members of the Red Cross party entertain for you and your crew. If
you have any influence with the gods of wind and wave, you must certainly have
exerted it, for verily we have been "sailing o'er summer seas" during the past
weeks, and a pleasanter time than we have had could not well be imagined. It
gives me great pleasure to say to you that the uniform courtesy and consideration
that have been shown our people and the general comfort of the "Clinton " are
highly appreciated. We congratulate the Morgan Line on having such a ship aud
such a crew.
In saying good-bye, permit me to thank you most heartily for your many
kindnesses and your unfailing courtesy, and to wish you and all the members of
your crew a long life and the best of everything in it. "*
Sincerely yours,
Clara Barton.
Captain Wertsch replied in the happy manner follovi'iug:
On Board Steamer " Cunton,"
September 2, 1898.
Miss Clara Barton, President American National Red Cross :
Dear Madam: — Your very kind note, in which you commend my ship and
crew, is received, and I have to return my most grateful thanks. A commander's
duties not only embrace the safe navigation of his craft, but the comfort and happi-
ness of his passengers and crew, and it is a great pleasure to know that my efforts
in that direction, combined with the propitious conditions of the elements, have
met with your approval, and I shall always treasure your approbation as one of
the bright spots in my rather monotonous calling. I esteem it one of the greatest
honors to have as passenger and friend one who has so distinguished and endeared
herself to all the civilized world by her many years of faithful and never-ceasing
devotion to suffering humanity, and it is my sincere hope that God may grant you
many years more in which to continue your work of love, and that every success
may crown your efforts. I have the honor to subscribe myself,
your devoted friend,
p. C. Wertsch, Captatn.
6,^2 THE REr3 CROSS.
We arrived at Egmont Key on the morning of September 3, and
the party went into camp for a five days' quarantine, which, barring
the heat and mosquitoes, was rather a pleasant rest after the worry and
suspense of the past week. Dr. Geddings, of the Marine Hospital
Service, the surgeon in charge of the quarantine station, did every-
thing in his power to make our stay agreeable, and he succeeded far
better than we had anticipated.
As our party was about to break up, after a pleasant union of seven
months, in which we had become like one family, and had conceived a
mutual esteem and regard for each other, it seemed fitting that some
little expression of good feeling should be manifested in a way that
would be lasting and memorable. The following address to Miss
Barton was accordingly drawn up, signed by all the members present
and read to her:
To Miss Clara Barton.
Now that our work has ceased for a time, and our party which has labored so
long and so harmoniously together, is returning home, we, the members of the
Cuban relief expedition, desire to express to you, our leader, as delicately and
fittingly as may be, our unbounded confidence and admiration, and our sincere
and heartfelt gratitude and love. As we look back over the past few months, and
recall the many scenes of suffering and death that we have witnessed, and remem-
ber how ceaselessly, faithfully and tirelessly you have worked, and how much you
have accomplished under the most unpromising circumstances, our wonder grows
and we cannot help but reverence and admire your wisdom, patience and industry.
No more trying position than you have occupied during the past seven months,
could well be imagined, and no one not possessed of nerves of steel and of ripest
wisdom and the rarest judgment, combined with a purpose as fixed as the stars
could have made the great success that you have made of the work we had in
hand. When it is remembered how many thousands of brave soldiers have been
saved from suffering and death through your efforts, and how many starving and
sick people have been brought back to health and happiness, and all with so little
cost of actual money, our warmest admiration is excited, and we cannot withhold
that praise which you so justly deserve.
Personally each of us wishes to express his or her acknowledgment of your
unfailing kindness and interest in our comfort and general welfare, and we have
to thank you for thousands of those little considerations of word and look that go
so far to brighlen one's thoughts and make life a pleasure. We all have the
greatest satisfaction in knowing that all the work we were permitted to do has
been done with thoroughness and economy, and we are vain enough to think that
no one could have done more under the conditions that existed. We shall soon
separate and go our several ways, and it will be with the deepest sorrow and regret
that we shall say good by to our leader ; but throughout life it will always be a
pleasure to call to mind her image and remember all the happy moments we have
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 633
passed with her. So in parting, it will no doubt be a satisfaction to you to have
the assurance that you hold our wannest love and goorl will, and that at any time
each and all of us will be ready to serve you in any way that lies within our
power .
A. Von Schelle,
Membre du Comitk Directeur dc la Croix Rouge de Bclgique, Membre de
V Association Nationale de la Croix Rouge des Etats Unis I'Aincrique.
J. B. HuBBELL,
General Field Agent of the American National Red Cross.
E. WlNFIELD EGAN,
Surgeon American National Red Cross.
C. H. H. CoTTRELL,
Financial Secretary.
Lucy M. Graves,
J. A. McDowell,
Chas. R. G11.1., M. D.,
C. D. C0TTREI.L,
Annie M. Fowler,
J. K. Elwell,
Geo. J. Hassett.
At the conclusion of this kind and just tribute to our beloved
leader there was a moment of profound silence, our feelings being too
deep for utterance. At length, when Miss Barton had subdued her
emotions sufficiently to speak clearly, she responded in most graceful
terms, expressing her warm and sincere appreciation of the work per-
formed, and the loyal support that had ever been accorded her; that no
words could fully express the gratitude she felt for this thoughtful
little memento of our comradesliip, and she should prize it quite as
much as any badge or decoration she had ever received.
Farewells were said, and the party separated, going to their
several homes; and so ended our first Cuban expedition.
Financial.
It is a very hard matter to express in dollars and cents the value
of the relief distributed, as it was all donated in cither material or money
which was turned into material; and the kinds were so varied, the
market value so fluctuating, and the data .so scattered, that only an
approximation can be ventured. It is probably underestimating the
amount of relief stores that have been sent to Cuba bv the Central
634 THE RED CROSS.
Cul)an Relief Coinniitlec ami the American National Red Cross to
place it at six thousand tons, approximating in value half a million
dollars in New York. Had these same goods been bought in Cuba,
their cost would easily have been doubled.
In estimating the cost of distribution great difficulties present
themselves, as large numbers of laborers, sometimes as many as two
hundred per day were paid in food taken from the .stores; but such
labor can only be paid in that way while the need is extreme; and
the moment the direst wants are satisfied money is demanded for every
service.
We found a considerable number of people who had once been
wealthy, but who were utterly helpless after being despoiled of their
riches, and gave up in despair, and would have died without making
any adequate effort to save themselves, had not relief been brought to
them. There were, however, many sterling families who had cast their
fortunes with the revolution; had sacrificed everything for "Cuba
libre," and were willing to give life itself, if necessar}^; these people
accepted relief reluctantly and sparingly, and with warmest gratitude.
For nearly two months after our arrival in Havana the entire
expenses of the relief work were borne by Miss Barton from her
private purse. It is but just to state that when this fact was discovered,
by the committee the money was refunded. Then the Central Cuban
Relief Committee began to furnish her with means which came there-
after in abundance, and nothing that was needed that money could
procure was ever omitted. Volunteers for work were plentiful, but
they were generally without experience and therefore not available.
For this reason, and considering the magnitude of the work to be
attempted and the celerit}' with which it must be carried on in order to
be effective, it was necessary to override a time-honored precedent of
the Red Cross, and pay salaries to certain grades of professional workers
who could not be obtained otherwise. It should be stated though,
that all these people who were engaged required no more money than
was sufficient to meet the necessities of those who were dependent on
them; and the few salaries that were paid were very low considering
the high grade of ability that was secured.
The first funds sent for our use were in drafts payable in Spanish
gold at Havana. Gold was then held at a premium of about thirty-five
per cent over Spanish silver, with which the greater part of the ordinary
business of the country was carried on.
On entering Santiago we found both American and Spanish money
RELIJ" I- WORK IN CUBA. 635
111 circulation, and consequently considerable confusion resulted on
account of the fluctuation in values, there being no established
standard. The military governor made an arbitrary ruling that there
should be a premium of one hundred per cent on American money
over Spanish silver, or, in other words, that one dollar in American
money should be worth two dollars in Spanish silver. Spanish gold
and American gold were on a par in ordinary transactions of limited
amounts, but in large amounts American gold was worth a small
percentage more than the Spanish.
While we were in Santiago our supply of condensed milk ran
short, owing to the large amount that was used in the hospitals.
Fortunately there was at that time in the harbor a merchant ship
loaded with groceries which could not be disposed of satisfactorily, and
wc were able to purchase at a very reasonable figure quite a large
amount of that greatly needed delicacy, and continue filling all requisi-
tions.
The following is a statement of our accounts at the end of the
expedition:
Financial Statement.
Central Cuban Relief Committee, cash . . . 111,296.55
Contributions 172.93
Exchange 236.83
Household Expenses |i,52i.4r
General Expenses 2,040.92
Cuban Relief Expenses 3.699,79
Tra -cling Expenses 968.22
Telegrams 105.02
Office Expenses, Stationery, etc 22,45
Salaries 2,541.24
American National Red Cross Relief Committee Army
Expenses 807.26
I11.706.31 111,706.31
The expense accounts will generally explain themselves by their
titles, with a few exceptions which will be noted. "Cuban Relief
Expenses " covered all charges for labor out.side of that performed by
our own party, and for supplies, etc., that were purchased outside of
those we had brought from New York. "American Red Cross
636
THE RED CROSS.
Expenses" included expenses of nurses and hospitals on account of
army work, as distinct from Cuban relief work; also the maintenance
of forty mules that had been sent us by that organization. " House-
hold Expenses ' ' covered house rent, servant hire, and maintenance of
the entire party, which numbered as high as thirty people at times, and
averaged twenty most of the time, making an average of less than
$2.50 expense per week for each person. "General Expenses"
included work on hospitals and other buildings necessary to make
them habitable and comfortable, and all other expenses not properly
chargeable to any other account.
On an estimated distribution of relief supplies, valued at half a
million dollars, the cost of distribution, covering a period of seven
months, exclusive of the charter price for the steamer "State of
Texas," amounts to less than three per cent of the value of the goods
distributed.
m^^-f ,vf
RHtUGHhS FROM SANTIAGO.
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 637
LETTER OF SANTIAGO COMMITTEE.
Miss Clara Barton,
President of llie American National Red Cross, Santiago de Cuba:
Madam: — The undersigned, who have had the honor to form your
committee to assist you in the distribution of relief to this city during
the permanence in it of the Red Cross, desire on the eve of your
departure to "give an account of their stewardship," presenting
at same time in a condensed form an idea of the work that has been
done.
It would probably be difficult to cite an instance in which a relief
vessel has arrived so opportunely anywhere as the steamship "State
of Texas " arrived in Santiago de Cuba. After a rigorous blockade of
two months, during which stocks of provisions had run very low, the
greatest part of the inhabitants of the city, under stress of threatened
bombardment, had abandoned their homes and taken refuge in the
neighboring villages. On their return, after the occupation of the city
by the American troops, many of the citizens found that during their
absence their homes had been looted and the small store of provisions
which they counted upon had disappeared. The same fate had over-
taken many shops, and the establishments which had escaped, and
which anyhow had hardly anything left to dispose of, remained closed
for many days. It may therefore safely be said that the immense
majority of the inhabitants of this city had nothing to eat, and it was
at this moment that you most providentially arrived with the " State
of Texas."
The organizing of a system of relief, and the discharge of the
vessel were started simultaneously and with such success that on the
twentieth of July a ration of cooked food was distributed by means of
the local " Cocina Economica," 6000 persons being relieved on that
day, and 9000 the next, the whole gratis distribution of rations by
that institution exceeding, in the three weeks such distribution lasted,
200,000.
By advice of your committee, in order to proceea to the distribu-
tion of uncooked food, a number of commissioners were appointed,
each of whom presented a detailed list of the families that he agreed to
distribute among, some of these lists embracing over one thousand
638 THE RED CROSS.
persons. By this means the pressure of great crowds round the Red
Cross deposits, which would have rendered impossible a prompt and
efficacious distribution, was avoided, and to the limited number of
commissioners, who had agreed to distribute among the great number
of the needy, a large amount daily was supplied.
Weconsider it adutyand take a special pleasure in manifesting our
appreciation of the efficiency displayed by your whole staif in these
days, and of the energy with which they discharged the vessel, carted
and stored the cargo, and proceeded with its distribution; andean only
congratulate them on the result of their labors and j^ourself on being
at the head of such a well-organized corporation.
In the very important items of directing the relief to be given into
proper channels and keeping it out of improper ones, your committee
had at the commencement an easy task, for the reasons already
explained, the whole city being in want, by simply giving to all that
applied, and in the first days that was what was done, so much so that
three-fourths, more or less, of the entire community received some
assistance.
But after the first ten days it began to be evident that the strain
was removing. Cargoes of provisions for sale had arrived and were
being retailed. The government were employing quite a number of
workmen on and around the wharves at high wages, and some few
workmen were moving out to the country. It behooved then the com-
mittee to be more conservative in admitting lists of applicants for
rations, and this necessity was accentuated by complaints which began
to arise of the difficulty of getting people to work, complaints which
became general extending from the governor of the city who could not
find workmen even at good wages, to clean the streets of the city, to
the heads of households who found no one to cook, serve or wash, while
such important minor industries, as the supplying of the city with char-
coal or even firewood, tvere almost wholly abandoned.
Finally the moment arrived when the end of the necessity of the
permanence of the Red Cross was in sight, and, coinciding with the
raising of the blockade of Havana and other large cities where want
and sickness had necessarily to be more accentuated than here, made
it a question of the greatest good to the greatest number, made its
removal to the west end of the island a necessity. There necessarily
remained some poverty, some sickness, and some misery, but the public,
and more especially the military government, had taken efficacious
measures to cope with these evils, and while in one sense deploring
your departure, your committee could only coincide with your views
RELIEF WORK IN CUBA. 641
on the subject, and offer their conscientious opinion that the present
state of affairs in vSantiago de Cuba fully justified the departure of the
Red Cross to districts where its presence was much more urgently
required.
In conclusion, your committee beg to express their gratitude for the
confidence which you have so kindly bestowed on them, and to deplore
tha. owing to sickness and extreme press of work, they have not been
able so fully to assist in your benevolent undertaking as would have
been their ardent desire.
(Signed) Robert Mason,
H. MiCHAELSEN,
Wm. Ramsden.
Santiago de Cuba.
642 THE RED CROSS.
REPORT OF E. WINFIELD EGAN, M. D.
When the Red Cross was asked by the Department of State, and
the Central Cuban Relief Committee, to go to Cuba in charge of the
relief work among the reconcentrados, the members of Miss Bar-
ton's personal staff, who had worked on other fields, were called to join
the expedition. On the twentieth of February, while in my office in
Boston, a telegram arrived containing the usual call to service in the
field. Six days later, I reported at headquarters in the city of Havana.
Already the preliminary work was in progress. Committees were
in the process of formation. A working census was being rapidly taken
and information collected concerning the conditions in Havana and the
cities and towns of the interior, upon which to base a plan of operations.
One of the first things essential to a systematic prosecution of the
work was a commodious and convenient warehouse. This privilege
was secured from the proprietors of the Almacen de San Jose, one cf
the largest bonded warehouses in Havana. Here the Red Cross sup-
plies were carefully stored and classified, and from thence shipped upon
requisitions to all points reached in the relief work.
But the feeding of the hungry was not the only work of the Red
Cross. Aside from the distribution of food and clothing, hospitals and
asylums were necessary for the care of the sick, and for the orphan
children. One of the first asylums established was located in the Cerro,
a suburban ward of Havana, and was known as the Asilo de Ninos.
Here, in addition to the usual work in the hospital department, out-
patient clinics were instituted, including medical, surgical, gynecologi-
cal, and, lastly, an ey& and ear clinic. As the building selected for the
asylum was originally built for a family residence, it was difficult to
adapt it to all the needs of both an asylum and a hospital. For the
last named clinic a dark room was of course needed, and for this reason
this department was open during the evenings, from 8 to ii p. m.,
when, with nature's kind co-operation, the necessary obscurity was
always assured. The nightly attendance averaged about seventy.
Among these patients, the diseases of the eye were generally traceable
to starvation ; the proportion of cases for " refraction " were compara-
tively few.
These clinics continued at the asylum until the United States
Government, through the Consul-General, advised all American citizens
to leave the island.
MEDICAL REPORT. 643
On March 2, the leading physicians of Havana were called in
council, and methods of caring for the sick of the city were discussed,
especially with reference to the best plan for avoiding the creation of
a pauper element, through the abuse of the out-patient clinics. The
plans formulated at the council were adopted and adhered to in the
prosecution of the hospital work.
With the work in Havana still in progress, it was decided to
make a trip to the interior. A special train was placed at the disposal
of the Red Cross staff, and a visit was made to the principal towns in
the provinces of Havana, Matanzas and Santa Clara. It was from the
information gained by personal observation upon this trip, that Senator
Proctor compiled his famous speech, delivered in the United States
Senate, upon the starvation and distress among the reconcentrados in
the Western Provinces of Cuba.
At Matanzas, Sagua la Grande and Cienfuegos, well-conducted dis-
pensaries were already in existence, but were almost destitute of means.
Supplies suflBcient for two months were immediately ordered forvvard
from the storehouse in Havana, and these institutions were left in good
condition. After doing what relief work was possible at the time, the
party returned to Havana.
On arrival at the headquarters, Miss Barton called the staff together
to consider what action should be taken upon the Consul-General's
recommendation that all Americans should return home. The entire
staff expressed their willingness to remain, but it was decided to confer
with Captain-General Blanco. The Captain-General stated that he
would be glad to have the Red Cross remain, and that so far as con-
cerned the regulars of the Spanish army, the staff and equipment would
be entirely safe, but that, owing to the irregular and unruly element in
the army, the volunteers, whose actions could not be controlled, he con-
sidered it best that the Red Cross should retire before hostilities began.
General Blanco, however, offered to be personally responsible for the
safety of Miss Barton so long as she remained.
On the ninth of April the Red Cross retired, arriving at Port
Tampa on the " Olivette " three days later, and Miss Barton and staff
took up temporary quarters at Tampa, awaiting the time when tne
work in Cuba might be again taken up.
During the staj' in Tampa the nurses were daily instructed in emer-
gency field work. All the appliances usually considered indispensable
were left at the headquarters, and they were compelled to depend upon
such conveniences as might be improvised on the spot. Stretchers and
splints were made from the limbs of trees; bindings and bandages were
644 THE RED CROSS.
made from the long grass, which was pliable and easily woven. These
exercises were accompanied by lectures on discipline in the field
On May i, the entire party again arrived at Key West and joined
the steamship "State of Texas," where tlie active work of relief
began, our attention being first directed to the refugees in Key West,
and afterward to the Spanish prisoners of war on the vessels captured
by the blockading squadron. The crews of these vessels were, in many
instances, short of provisions, and in some cases had had nothing what-
ever to eat, except fish, for fifteen days or more. The government
appropriation was not yet available, and several weeks must elapse
before government rations could be obtained for them. At the request
of the United States Marshal, the prisoners were supplied by the
"State of Texas," and were cared for medically by the surgeons of the
Red Cross stafiE. A number of surgical operations were performed.
Not only were the prisoners fed, clothed and cared for, but by an
arrangement made with the United States court and the naval authori-
ties the men were permitted to write to their homes and friends, the
letters being left open and certified by the Red Cross, and afterward
forwarded to their destinations, those for Spain being transmitted
through the Red Cross of Portugal, which had kindly offered to act as
intermediary for the transmission of such communications. Thus the
prisoners were not only enabled to write to their parents and friends, but
the Red Cross was able, by this means, to show to the Spanish people
in Spain and Cuba, through the letters from the captives themselves,
what manner of treatment they were receiving as prisoners of war.
This, it was hoped, would not fail to have its eflfect if in the course of
the hostilities men of our own army or navy should be captured.
In the latter part of May, Miss Barton having occasion to return
to Washington, the "State of Texas " left Key West and proceeded to
Port Tampa. There we lived among the transports until the fleet
sailed for Cuba. There is hardly space to tell in detail all the work
done on shore and in the harbor. The impression that the ' ' State of
Texas," with the insignia of the Red Cross on either bow and on the
smokestacks, was a hospital ship had become general among the troops,
though she was really loaded with medicines, clothing and general
supplies for the reconcentrados of Cuba. As this impression pre-
vailed, and the Red Cross was desirous of assisting our own men when-
ever necessary and adding in every possible way to their comfort, the
spacious smoking room on board the ship was fitted up as an operating
room, and the purser's room converted into a dispensary. No hospital
Staff in any of our great institutions could have been more proud thao
MEDICAL REPORT. 645
this little band of workers with their emergency hospital equipment,
and its outfit of instruments and appliances — unsurpassed by the equip-
ment of many a first-class hospital.
Many of the cases treated were of a character that required rest,
quiet and watchful care, and these patients were given rooms on board
the ship, and nurses were assigned to regular duty. The following is a
summary of the cases treated : cynovitis of knee joint, 5; necrosis of
bones of leg, 12; scalds and burns, 29; ear affections (including one
case of removal of the bones of the ear. This patient was chief engineer
of transport No. 7, "The Comal"), 14; eye injuries, 19; tumors
removed, 11; miscellaneous, sickness and minor injuries, 197.
On June 17, following instructions from the Navy Department, the
" State of Texas" again weighed anchor and proceeded to Key West,
and after a stay of two days continued her voyage to Cuba, and
anchored in the bay of Gnantanamo, on the south shore of the island,
in the Province of Santiago, at sunset July 25.
A quantity of jerked beef and other supplies were left at Gnan-
tanamo, in charge of Captain McCalla, for distribution among the
reconcentrados in the country. Leaving Guantanamo the next day we
proceeded with the " State of Texas " to Siboney, reaching that place
the evening of the same day.
A severe engagement was fought at Aguadores, where the
Spaniards were strongly entrenched and guarding one of the
roads leading to Santiago. Our warships shelled the fortifica-
tions and silenced the batteries; and our troops made a gallant
charge, but were repulsed with heavy loss, and had to fall back.
The wounded began to arrive, some in ambulances, in army wagons
and on litters. Those who were able walked into Siboney, in order
to allow their more seriously wounded comrades to ride. Major La
Garde, who was in charge of the army hospital at Siboney, welcomed
the Red Cross surgeons and gave them quarters and opportunity for
working side by side with the hospital staff of the army, and extended
every courtesy within his power.
Previously, the services of the nurses of the Rc<l Cross \\i>rc
tendered to the surgeon in charge of the American hospital, but
the offer was courteously declined. The aid of the Red Cross nurses
was then offered to the Cuban hospital, and gratefully accepted by
General Garcia. Under their direction the insurgent hospital was
thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and put into excellent order. Their good
work attracted the attention of the American wounded, who inquired
why the Red Cross "had deserted them and gone to the Cuban army."
646 THE RED CROSS.
That evening, however, the nurses were called to the operating
tents to assist in the care of the American wounded, and remained
constantly on duty till all the injured were cared for.
Immediately after the first battle, fought on July i, a Red Cross
hospital was opened, and rapidly filled with American troops. In this
hospital the nurses worked incessantly until, one by one, worn out by
overwork, with reduced vitality, they could no longer stand the terrible
strain, and were obliged to succumb and pay the debt which an
exhausted nature demanded.
These young women were the first volunteer nurses or "Sisters"
of the Red Cross who served in the war, and too much cannot be said
in praise of their untiring devotion. Faithfully and constantly they
worked. Nobly and unselfishly they labored, and their greatest reward
was the gratitude of those they helped to save, and the satisfaction
of a duty faithfully performed. The names of these nurses were. Sister-
in-chief " Bettina," Sisters Minnie Rogal, Anna McCue, Blanche
McCorristen and Isabel 01m, assisted by Mrs. Trumbull White, of
Chicago.
At daylight on the morning of July 2 everything was in readiness
for messengers of the Red Cross to proceed to the front, and in company
with Mr. George Kennan, preceded by the Cuban guides, furnished by
General Garcia, we set out for the firing line.
We reached the First Division Hospital of the Fifth Army Corps
about four in the afternoon, over a rough, miry road, fording extensive
lakes of deep mud, but the hearty welcome extended by Major Wood
repaid us for the hard journey. The First Division Hospital was
established some distance ahead of the firing lines, and it was several
hours before the lines were moved beyond the hospital.
Major Wood assigned an operating table to the Red Cross. Not a
light was permitted to be shown the night of the second of July, lest
it should attract the fire of the enemy, particularly of the guerrilla
sharpshooters who were stationed in the trees about us.
The operating tables were moved out into the open, and the opera-
tions were performed by the light of the moon. All through the night
the scattering fire continued around us; generally the sharp crack of
the Mauser, occasionally the louder report of the Springfield, and some-
times a heavier explosion, as of a shell or the firing of light artillery.
At daylight, the firing had ceased.
No pen can describe the horrors of that night and the silent sufifering
of the wounded. Long rows of them, nearly a thousand, lying in pools
of water and on the damp ground, for the heavy rains had fallen every
Copyright, 1898, by Clara Barton.
STARVING IN THK PLAZA.
MEDICAL REPORT. 649
day. Then, at night, the tropical dew fell like rain, adding to the
general discomfort. In the morning, the great burning .sun came out
and the mists began to rise. Hotter and hotter it grew, until almo.st
unbearable. To shelter the wounded, palm leaves and branches of
leafy trees were placed over them.
The bravery and determined resignation manifested by the men
waiting for treatment, and in the hospitals under operation, was worthy
of comment. Many times, as the surgeon or nurse was proffering atten-
tion to a wounded man, or offering him water or nourishment, he would
say, "Oh, give it to Tom first, he's worse off than I am." This spirit
of kindness and grim courtesy was noticeable all through the cam-
paign.
On our arrival there was no food for the wounded, no tents, no
blankets. The men were without change of clothing, and in .some
cases what little they had required to be cut off on account of the char-
acter of the wound.
A message explaining the condition of things at the front was sent
back to Siboney, from General Shafter's headquarters, and immediately
array wagons were loaded with supplies by the Red Cross, and the next
morning they rolled into the hospital lines, with Miss Barton and some
of her staff, accompanied by Private Hassett, who had been detailed
from the Thirty- fourth Michigan, all seated on top of the wagons,
which carried food enough for the patients in the hospitals for several
days. They, too, had to come over miry roads that lead from the
coast; of the wheels no spokes could be seen, nothing but one circular,
solid mass of mud, like great massive car-wheels.
There was many a moist eye and many shouts of welcome and
surprise as the train came into camp. "There's a woman ! " "It's
the Red Cross !"" My God, boys, it's Clara Barton!'" "Now we'll
get something to eat!" And they did. Miss Barton, Mrs. Gardner
and others prepared condensed milk, malted milk and other delicacies,
and within an hour every man was served with hot gruel, milk and
fresh soda biscuits. Later in the evening well-boiled and seasoned
rice, fruit, canned meats and other things, including beef tea, were
passed around. As the patients from the hospitals became convalescent,
they were sent to the transports bound for home.
On July 5, Dr. Gardner and I, after securing an ambulance and
loading it with canned meats, crackers, pilot bread, milk, rice and
other foods and delicacies, walked beside the loaded wagon, drawn by
army mules, until we reached El Caney. We arrived just as the
refugees were coming in from Santiago, from which city they had fled,
650 THE RED CROSS.
fearing the bombardment that was threatened by the American forces
around the place and the ships of the North Atlantic Squadron, lying
off the mouth of the harbor.
At El Caney there was not even water to 'drink, food was very
scarce. Hundreds of hungry refugees were coming in. There were
poor women with children in their arms, and there were men with
hands full of gold which they offered for the food they could not
purchase.
A distributing committee was formed at once, including Mr. Wil-
liam Ramsden, son of the English consul at Santiago, the French con-
sul, two Cuban officers, and other gentlemen whose names I do not now
recall, and the relief of the refugees began. Following close behind
this first ambulance of supplies for the refugees at El Caney, came a
well-loaded army wagon in charge of Mr. C. C. Bangs of the Red Cross
staff, who worked here, as he always had, with great vigor. He fin-
ished his work at El Caney, superintending the relief of the refugees
until they could return to their homes, and then joined the Red Cross
party at the First Division Hospital. Mr. Bangs was always a hard
and enthusiastic worker, but he could not withstand the climate and
the constant fatigue. He was at last taken ill and never rallied. He
died and was buried on the field, faithful to the cause to which he had
pledged his service.
On the evening of the twelfth of July Major Wood announced his
intention of breaking camp and moving nearer to Santiago. Miss Bar-
ton and staff then returned to Siboney, reaching that place after dark
the following day. The Signal Corps were unable to communicate
with the ships in the harbor, and so there was no way in which we
could join the " State of Texas " that night. Miss Barton slept in a
room tendered her by Postmaster Brewer, who subsequently died at the
Red Cross hospital of what the doctors said was yellow fever.
Dr. Hubbell and I lay on the floor outside, and enjoyed the sleep
we could get, when we were not troubled by a species of shell fish
called "land crabs," which are perfectly harmless, but have a body
about four inches wide, six inches long and three inches thick, with
legs ten inches long, and, standing erect on their legs, they go up and
down stairs at leisure. They always take the shortest road, never go
around anything, but hobble over every obstruction.
Mr. Kennan rolled himself up at right angles with Sir Alfred
Paget on the floor of the veranda. We were all up at break of day. A
call from Captain McCalla for 50,000 rations for Guantanamo met with,
an immediate response. The " State of Texas" was dispatched, but
MEDICAL REPORT. 651
on arriving there the surgeon in charge of the fleet asked if any of the
relief party had been on shore, and on being answered in the aflTirniative,
he refused to allow the goods to be landed, being afraid, as he said, of
infection. The vessel returned to Siboney and there continued to land
and store what was needed at that place, preparatory to leaving for
Santiago.
On July 17, the " State of Texas" while lying off Morro Castle,
Santiago, at the entrance to the harbor, was boarded by Admiral
Sampson, Commodore Schley and Captain Cook, who came to pay
their compliments to our commander. Never was there an action more
gallant and graceful than the voluntary offer of these commanders to
allow Miss Barton and her staff, with the " State of Texas " to enter
the harbor of Santiago first, as the Red Cross and the relief ship repre-
sented the principle for which the war was waged — humanity.
Those on board will never forget the experience of that afternoon
as the good ship steamed in, past the " Merrimac," past the sunken
ships of the once proud navy of Spain, on to relieve the hungry and
despairing people who crowded to the wharves to look at the ship with
the insignia of good will flying from her masthead. As the vessel
steamed slowly in, from her forward deck floated the strains of the
" Doxology " and " My Country 'Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty."
The cargo of the "State of Texas " was quickly unloaded and
stored in spacious warehouses, under the supervision of Mr. Warner,
and the good ship, under command of her captain, F. A. Young, who
had grown to be a Red Cross man at heart, accom pained by Mrs. J.
Addison Porter and Sister Blanche McCorristen, steamed away to New
York. For the warehouses the Red Cross is indebted to Dr. Douglass,
who also placed at our disposition his residence and corps of clerks to
assist in the work.
A distributing committee was at once formed by Miss Barton and
staff, consisting of Mr. Mason, Mr. Michalsen, Mr. Wm. Ramsden,
Jr., who was also on the committee at El Caney. Mr. Ramsden, as
chairman of the committee, gave his entire time to the work, and his
courtesy and executive ability did much to prevent confusion and mis-
understandings, and thus kept the way smooth for effective work.
Through the co-operation of this committee, nearly 40,00^ people were
fed and made comfortable in four days.
The army were unable to get their provisions, owing to the
inability of the Commissary Department to fill the orders. Two men
were kept constantly employed in the warehouse of the Red Cross
issuing foods, medicines and delicacies to fill requisitions from the
652 THE RED CROSS.
oflBcers of the army. To the soldiers themselves a large quantity of
food of all description was given, sometimes singly, but where it was
practical they were given as much as they had transportation for, to
provide for the sick in their locality.
A dispensary was opened in Santiago by the Red Cross, where
some 400 patients were prescribed for daily. This dispensary was in
charge of Dr. J. B. Sollosso, the assistant surgeon of the Red Cross on
the Cuban field, assisted by five others. Their work brought comfort
to many a sick soldier and was a great credit to all connected with it.
At the Red Cross headquarters, an Out-patient Department was
established and placed in charge of Dr. Gill. This department devel-
oped so rapidly that local doctors were brought into the work, and all
applicants reported to headquarters, requiring medicine or medical
aid, were at once referred to one of the visiting staff. Medicines and
instruments for all were furnished by the surgeon placed in charge of
the Supply Department. In this department were treated many Ameri-
can soldiers who had been stationed away from their regiments and
who consequently could not get to their regimental surgeons.
When the Red Cross staff left on the transport " Clinton," bound
for Havana, the remainder of the supplies were left in charge of Mr.
Warner. On August 27 we arrived in the harbor of Havana. The
following day the Civil Governor and his staff came on board the
" Clinton " to pay their respects to Miss Barton, and expressed their
gratitude for the work of the Red Cross among the reconcentrados.
The weather was very warm, and with forty mules between decks
the situation was not all that could be desired for a protracted stay in
a harbor like Havana. An effort was made to land the cargo of
supplies, but we were met wiih a refusal to allow the goods to enter
without payment of duties, and, because of some technical oversight in
clearing the vessel from Santiago, a fine of $500 was imposed. The
fine was promptly paid, and with no hope of being able to land soon,
the "Clinton" was ordered b}'' Miss Barton to weigh anchor and
proceed to Egmont Key, where we would go into quarantine before
proceeding North. The stay of five days in quarantine at the Key
would not have been unpleasant, except for the gnats, mosquitoes, sand
fleas, snakes and the daily storms, which made it necessary to call all
hands at all hours to hold down the tents.
The general cargo of the "Clinton" was unloaded at Egmont
Key, and as the charter of the vessel expired in a few days, she was
hurried away to New Orleans, carrying the forty Red Cross mules in
charge of Mr. C. H. H. Cottrell, financial secretary
MEDICAL REPORT. 653
Accompanied by Dr. Hubbell, I then proceeded to Tampa to
arrange for the shipment of the general cargo of the "Clinton" to
that port, where much of it could be used for the Cuban refugees at
that place who are being cared for by the Red Cross. The supplies
were delivered to Dr. S. S. Partello, field agent at that point, whose
efficient service among the Cubans, and in the auxiliary relief work in
the army hospitals, has elicited many words of satisfaction and praise.
A few days later Miss Barton and staff, accompanied by General
Von Schell, of the Belgium Red Cross, left Tampa for Washington.
Not long after our arrival, word came that the steamer " City of
San Antonio " was loading in New York with relief supplies. Mr.
J. K. Elvvell was assigned by Miss Harton to go to Cuba witli tliis ship
in charge of its cargo and 1 in charge of the medical and hos[)ital
supplies.
On the arrival of the ship at Matanzas, the large warehouse
owned by BrinkerhofF & Co. , was placed at the disposition of the Red
Cross. With the large lighters, of which there are many at this port,
the vessel was quickly discharged and released.
The governor of Matanzas, Senor Eduardo Diaz, a man pre-emi-
nently fitted for the position of responsibility which he held under the
Spanish Government, contributed much of his time and means in fur-
thering the work of relief. Day and night he went about investigating
the condition of the people, placed at our disposal every facility, and
furnished special trains when needed. He was not only an able and
just administrator of public affairs, but a humanitarian as well.
Taking him all in all, he was a man among the men of his country.
In Matanzas women and children walked the streets day and night
begging. I suggested to the governor that it would be well to have
all these poor people collected in institutions where they could be
clothed, fed and cared for until they were able to care for them-
selves. In twenty-four hours after the governor's order was issued,
these people were all housed and being fed from the stores of the
" San Antonio."
At Matanzas we found a dispensary conducted by the Firemen's
Association. It was a model institution, and here 300 to 400 little
children were fed every day, but their scanty store of provisions was
running out, and so we left with them general food and delicacies and
medicines sufficient for three months.
All places in the western provinces were handled after the man-
ner of Matanzas. Twenty-two institutions, including hospitals and
asylums, were opened, and the sick, the women and the children, for
654 THE RED CROSS.
the first time in many months, were sheltered and made comfortable.
The regeneration of the hospital at Jovellanos will serve as an example
of the work that had to be done in many of the interior towns. The
building itself manifested signs of former prosperity and cleanliness. It
was a stately edifice, after the Doric style. The pillars were crumbling
and broken, the patio was a pool of mud, the yard in the rear was a
laboratory of infectious germs, and all in a filthy condition. A
Chinaman lay in what was called the " dead house." He had died of
starvation; so they said. The three coffins which had been repeatedly
used to carry the dead to the grave, stood up against the wall. It was
a perfect picture of poverty and filth.
The Chinaman lay on a slightly inclined board, with no cloth-
ing, covered only by an old blanket. Removing the blanket from his
body revealed the fact that the man was not dead, but still breathing.
He was at once bathed, removed to a clean bed and given light nutri-
ment at intervals, and the next day was sitting up smiling his apprecia-
tion, for he could not speak English at all, and but little Spanish.
The following day the coffins that had done service for seven
years, formed the basis of a large bonfire, to which was added all the
decayed wood flooring, garbage, old clothing and bedding — the accu-
mulation of years. A band of workers, about sixty in number,
carpenters, masons, painters, cabinet-makers and representatives of
other trades, were put to work renovating and rebuilding. With only
rations for paj^ these men deemed it a privilege to be permitted to
assist. These men were in a few days relayed by others, so that both
the work and the food might be divided. Great quantities of lime and
paint were used, the building was raised in some places, and in others
completely rebuilt, and ventilators put in. A marsh which had existed
near the hospital and extending into the yard, was drained and the
dense vegetation removed. The land around the building is now dry
and clear, and is used for laundry purposes and for sunning the bedding
and drying the clothing.
After the building was repaired, painted, whitewashed and disin-
fected, even below the foundation, new cots were placed in the
"Salons" and the wards arranged. The patients were brought in
until the hospital was filled, the women and children being first cared
for. Thus the streets were cleared of all mendicants. The institution
was then provided by the Red Cross with medicines and general pro-
visions for ithree months, and a good supply of clothing and bedding
furnished. Dr. Mena, the city physician, was appointed to take charge
with a corps of select assistants, and the hospital was left under
MEDICAL REPORT. 655
the supervision of the alcalde, or mayor, and we i)assed on to other
places where assistance was badly needed.
After opening all the institutions which our stock of supplies from
the " City of San Antonio " permitted, we returned to Havana.
Shortly afterward, in company with Mr. D. L. Colib, of the Red
Cross, a final tour of inspection was made, and all the institutions left
in good running order. Through the efforts of Mr. Cobb, assisted by
Dr. Sollosso and others, permission was obtained from the Spanish
authorities in Havana to open a hospital at Mariano, a suburb .some
seven miles from the capital. A Central Committee was formed in
Havana, and the women of the city interested in the work. A large
amount of money and supplies were contributed, and the hospital at
Mariano is now one of the most complete and practical in all the
western provinces. In addition to the usual wards, there are adminis-
tration offices, a fine dispensary fully stocked, a modern kitchen, bath
rooms, operating room, a steam laundry plant and storerooms. Th?
sanitary arrangements are as perfect as could be attained under the
circumstances, and everything is neat, clean and orderly. The institu
tion was established especially for the sick, wounded and enfeebled men
who had served in the insurgent army, many of whom had been with
out proper medical attention for months, with their old wounds still
open and in bad condition.
Over five hundred have been treated at this hospital, out of which
number but twenty-six have died, a remarkably good showing con-
sidering the terrible condition in which the patients were brought from
the interior.
All the members of the American Evacuation Commission were
always courteous and kind ; they were helpful in their advice and
otherwise assisted the work in many ways. To Mr. S. M. Jarvis,
vice-president of the North American Trust Company, the fiscal agents
of the United States Govenmient in Havana, the Red Cro.ss is indebted
for valuable suggestions and material aid. The tour of inspeciion
being completed, I returned to Havana with Mr. Cobb, ai.'d, in
response to instructions by cable from headquarters, we left for V/a.sh-
ington on the " Mascotte " sailing November 30.
656 THE RED CROSS.
CLOTHING DEPARTMENT.
Report of Miss Annie M. Fowler.*
Oil July 26, in the large back room on the ground floor, and open-
ing out upon the flagged courtyard of the warehouse, Casa Buena
Santiago, was undertaken, under the direction of Mrs. Gardner, the
work of the Department of Clothing, to sort out the garments as to
kind and quality, and to re-pack them for distribution among the
people of Santiago, and the outlying districts and towns.
On August I, Mrs. Gardner returned to the States, and the respon-
sibilty of carrying out the work so ably directed by her, fell upon me.
During the twenty days since, until our departure for Havana on
the twenty-first of August, the work of examining boxes, barrels,
trunks and sacks of clothing, and keeping a minute record of each
case, where it came from, b}- whom sent, its contents and condition,
etc., has gone steadily on, taking out the various provisions ranging
from canned meats, soups, vegetables, fruits and condensed milk;
flour, corn meal, beans and various preparations of cereals, sugar, tea,
chocolate and coffee; hams, bacon, salt pork, dried beef and codfish;
dried fruits, even to roasts of once fresh meat, potatoes and eggs packed
in February and March ; in varying conditions of preservation accord-
ing to the dual factors of kind and mode of packing.
That nothing should be lost, such packages of meals and grains as
had been broken in transportation and had become mixed in the box's
contents, were put into barrels to be sent to the Public Soup Kitchen,
that worth}'^ benevolence of one public-spirited citizen of Santiago.
In the process of its repacking for wholesale distribution from the
various centers, the department was able to give much individual aid
in clothing to those cases whose needs were made known to it. Not
among the fewest of these were the soldiers whose privations and for-
lorn condition would have to be actually seen to be fully appreciated.
The officers, being unable to procure the necessary articles of cloth-
ing, food and medicine for themselves, their men and their sick, the
Red Cross had the privilege of lending a hand to these brave men who
so uncomplainingly suffered danger, hardship, exposure, sickness and
* Now Baroness von Schelle of Belgium.
CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. 659
death for their country's sake, and who so gratefully appreciated the
least office done for them. As one man said to me : " The Red Cross
has been a fairy godmother to us men."
Could the story of these sufferers l>e individualh- told there would
not be wanting subject matter of much interest; in many ca.ses the
thrilling, tender, or romantic element stands forth.
Perhaps one of the most romantic instances is that of a young
American. A fine specimen of manhood as he .stood before me and quietly
told me his story, led on by my intere.st and questioning: tall, erect,
well-knit and seasoned to meet emergencies; a refined, open, strong
face, a well poised head; one felt the real courage in the man. Over
three years ago, led by high hopes inspired by the cause of suffering
Cuba, as set forth in our land of free press agency, and fanned to a
holy flame b}^ the pen of a ready writer, he set out with the zeal of a
ciiisader to plant the ensign of true liberty. A handful of comrades
they were with hopes high, burning to do a righteous deed.
Landed upon Cuban soil at evening, this little body of men was
embraced by the natives; on the morrow these new-found friends had
looted even the luggage of their would-be helpers. The life of frontier
warfare began ; in combat the Americans were always given the exposed
positions of danger, and were accordingly picked off one by one.
Over a year ago, the friend of this young hero was dangerously
wounded in the hip. A Cuban operation was performed; finally a
piece of bone has worked itself out from the injured hip. The condi-
tion of the injured man becoming serious; food, medicines and cloth-
ing growing less; no possibility of carrying the injured man to find
help, the case became desperate, and for his comrade's sake, the young
warrior started overland to Santiago, a distance of some three hundred
miles, in quest of aid. He, a young French captain and two servants
made up the little caravan for this journey.
Any one who has experienced Cuban roads in the rainy season
can imagine what such a journey means through woods and marsh,
over mountains and across burning plains. That he was not to be
daunted he proved by safely reaching Santiago. Horses had to be
discarded and the journey over the mountains made on foot. Tales of
destitution and suffering he brought from all the countr>- through
which he came. People were .so scantily clad that they could not come
out to offer a glass of water. Lands laid waste where the guerilla force
had swept by like a swarm of locusts and had left nothing but desola-
tion behind. It was, indeed, a pleasure to give of our stores such as the
66o THE RED CROSS.
young officer could venture to carry upon that hazardous return journey,
unarmed, for even his weapons had been stolen, and his recital in San-
tiago of his experiences had caused scowling looks from under drawn
brows. His hope was to get his wounded comrade home, or at least
where surgical aid may be had before it is too late.
One of the thrilling tales is that of Marco Sancho, a Cuban
warrior, who was brought in to be clothed. He had been in the
country whither he had deserted from the Spanish ranks to join the
Cubans. While one of the Red Cross staff had been making an over-
land tour of this province he had discovered the man and had told him
to come to Santiago for medical treatment. He came with a com-
panion. There his former captain, a Spaniard, discovered him, had
hkn arrested, threatened him with death when he was returned to
Spain. Fortunately the Cuban bethought himself of the Red Cross
physician and sent word to him of this peril. At the jail the prisoner
was brought out between two guardsmen. A needless precaution one
would think to see the diminutive form of the man.
The Spanish captain was over-confident of his right to punish his
soldier. The thought was suggested that he, a prisoner himself, had
no right to punish a man, who by birth a Cuban, had served in his
country's cause. Pompously he could not see it until by the persua-
sion of General Wood's order to liberate the man at once, he became
servilely humble. Marco Sancho was so rejoiced at his escape from
horrors untried, that his agile little framework expressed his entire satis-
faction in the situation by turning a complete somersault.
The tender side to hard soldier life is not wanting. A young lieu-
tenant, refined yet every inch a soldier and a gentleman, with a some-
thing indefinably fine above the common lot of man, brought in a little
Cuban lad of eight years. He had lost his mother five years ago, and
in the encounter in July his father had been killed. Three officers had
adopted the boj', and were about to take him North when they returned.
The difficulty of introducing a Cuban lad into our civilization habil-
itated after the fashion and condition of his native land faced them,
when they bethought themselves of the resources of the Red Cross.
The boy himself was a pitiful object; he had had the fever, the results
of which had left him with a partial paralysis in the hips; he seemed
out of physical proportion; his bright, intelligent eyes, and that peculiar
pathetic soprano of the voices of many of the children in Cuba made
him a strangely picturesque figure. But the manly tenderness of the
young officer as he did the little offices of the toilet for the lad,
CLOTHING DEPAKTMKXT. 66i
the unconsciously gentle tone of his voice as he spoke, the kindly
gleam of his eye as it lighted upon the boy, made a picture not to be
forgotten. As they rolled away in one of the quaintly primitive-look-
ing Cuban carriages, the front seat stacked with gifts, the little fellow
delightfully spick and span, and confidingly trustful of his future in
the hands of his youthful protector who sat beside him, one felt a
quickening at the heart-strings to know what the adopted son of the
regiment would become, how it would all turn out. Surely, so far as
the boy is concerned, unusual opportunities have opened.
Contrasts stand ever quietly side by side, telling their story to hira
who will read, perhaps nowhere else more markedly than here in Cuba,
where the conditions of life are most abnormal.
These few snap-shots at history, as it is making in these stirring
times, show that even behind the closed doors of a wareroom, where the
overlooking, assorting and repacking of cases of garments, which the
kind hearts of people at home have prompted them to send, is not with-
out its human, vital interest. Meanwhile the work goes steadily on;
as each case is repacked, it is nailed up. A Red Cross label is pasted
on, below the label its contents are duly noted in blue pencil, and the
box is neatly piled, with like cases and barrels, ready to be sent out to
the commissioners, the hospitals, orphanages, medical clinic, outlying
towns whenever the call may come.
Fifty-eight barrels and fifty cases of clothing were put on the
' ' Clinton " to be taken to Havana. A hundred and eight ca.ses and
barrels have been distributed. About six hundred cases are left in the
warerooms of Casa Buena, there to be distributed by the commis.sion of
ladies who have consented to give out this clothing to the needy.
Three hundred and ninety-eight cases were opened, sorted and repacked,
making a total of about 800 cases, mainly from the cargo of the " State
of Texas."
IKE RED CROSS OF OTHER NATIONS.
THEIR SYMPATHY AND ACTIVE CO-OPERATION.
is with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction that I
record the fact that the Red Cross of the United States
is, in its relations with all the foreign branches of
the International Society, on terms of mutual confi-
dence and esteem; and that the utmost cordiality is
maintained through a constant interchange of corres-
pondence.
During many years, before our organization
received the attention and official recognition in this
country that it was entitled to, coming as it did with the prestige of
a splendid record in Europe, and the patronage of the elite of the Old
World, I was encouraged and strengthened by those friends of many
nations, but of one humanity, to hold to the good work until the United
States should place itself in the van of enlightenment and civilization,
and catch step in the grand march onward to universal peace. Many
times discouragement and despair battled with me; and but for the
never-ending kindly words that bade me strive on, I fear I should have
been inclined to give up the fight.
The American people are ever so active and full of the work of the
present, that it is a hard matter to interest them in anything that may
be of remote utility or even mercy. Certainly, no other people have
quicker instincts or more generous impulses than the}'; and none
respond with more alacrity and abundance with the need is present.
It was almost an impossibility to make the average American believe
that his country would ever go to war again; therefore, why should he
trouble himself about war cares or appliances; there would be time
enough to think about those things when war was threatened. Surely
no one wanted to fight us. We, as a nation, attended to our own business,
and didn't interfere in the affairs of other nations; and thus were in no
danger of getting into serious trouble with any one,
C66a
THE RED CROSS OF OTHER NATIONS. 663
Of course, the history of the world was all against any such
optimistic reasoning, but, then, it was said, America was a new coun-
try, and laid on peaceable lines; its intentions were good and honorable
and would be respected; besides, it was so powerful and so remote
from other nations that it was in no danger of attack under any
circumstances. That was the kind of argument one met, when vouch-
safed an opportunity to speak in behalf of the Red Cross. Fortunately,
though, there were a few more thoughtful and reflecting people who
could look ahead and see the dangers; who knew that, however care-
fully navigated, there were winds and tides that might veer from her
course the good ship of state, and wreck or damage her on the rocks of
discord. These few friends rallied to the support of the Red Cross, and
stood by it through all the dark days; and now that it has received its
" baptism of fire," and the gracious acknowledgment of gratitude from
the President of the United States, and the blessings of thousands upon
thousands of the citizens and soldiers who have felt its beneficence, they
feel, with its president, that there is at least some truth in the old say-
ing that " all things come to him who waits."
The alarm of war was all that was needed to bring the American
people quickly to a realization of the necessity for the services of the
Red Cross; and that necessity once recognized, they gave an unstinted
support of themselves and their means. Had there been need for them,
the Red Cross could easily have recruited an army of twenty-five thou-
sand from the flower of American womanhood. Rich and poor alike
gave their money freelj^; and doctors and nurses from ever)' part of the
country offered their services for no greater compensation than the
privilege to serve sufiering humanity.
To our friends of the Red Cross in Europe and in Asia — nearly all
of the nations of which contributed liberally to our needs during the
late war — we have no words that will adequately express our apprecia-
tion and gratitude for their timely aid; and if I fail to make proper
acknowledgment it is because I am unable to say all that wells up to
ray heart for utterance. Let it suffice for me to say that the Americans
are enthusiastic, affectionate, and appreciative ; and a kindness once
shown is never forgotten. God grant that other nations may not have
to settle their differences by an appeal to arms ; but should such an
unhappy fate attend them, I can say with certainty, that the Red Cross
of America will be only too happy to reciprocate the many kindnesses
that have been equally shown to us and to our late opponents.
To the Red Cross of Spain we extend our loving hand, with the
hope that our two nations shall never more be anything but the
664 THE RED CROSS.
warmest friends. We know how our sister society suflfered in this last
struggle; and we, who labored under the banner of " humanity and
neutrahty " — we, who could harbor no animosity for a brave people
struggling, as they were, for what they believed to be their rights —
lent our assistance to its countrymen wherever we found them, on the
fields, or in the prisons and hospitals; and it is our proud privilege to
say that the Red Cross of Spain has oflScially recognized in a most
graceful and welcome manner its high appreciation and gratitude for
the good ofl5ces we were able to render in the line of our duty to its
sick and wounded countrymen during the late war.
Remembering with heartfelt gratitude the munificence of Great
Britain, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark,
Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Turkey and India, I
trust it will not appear invidious for me to especially commend two of
their sister countries.
The Red Cross of France, acting in strict accordance with the
principle of neutrality, gave generously and equally to the Red Cross
societies of Spain and the United States for the benefit of the sick and
wounded; while many of its private societies and citizens sent us
substantial remembrances of the long-continued friendship that binds
together the two countries. To all these we .say: " God bless you; we
shall not forget."
Soon after the United States had declared war against Spain I
received a letter from the Duke of Parmella, the President of the Por-
tuguese Red Cross Society, in which he tendered the services of his
society to act as a friendly intermediary between the societies of the
belligerent powers. The geographical position of Portugal, being on
the border of Spain, and the well-known neutrality of her people, made
her the natural agency for this purpose; and as all mail facilities between
Spain and the United States had ceased, we gladly availed ourselves of
this opportunity to communicate with "our friend, the enemy." Of
course, the same offer was tendered to Spain and accepted by that
country.
The prime reason for the duke's suggestion was his desire to open
a way for the prisoners of war of both countries to inform their rela-
tives and friends of their condition and whereabouts. The arrange-
ment worked perfectly, and many anxious hearts were saved from the
rack of uncertainty; while others were informed of the sad fate that
had befallen their loved ones. How well satisfied our Portuguese
friends are with the service that was rendered is best told in the follow-
ing copy of a letter received some time since:
THE RED CROSS OF OTHER NATIONS. 665
LiSHoN, October 12, i8g8.
The j-lmerican xWational Red Cross, ll^ashin^loji, I). C:
Dear Mr. Secretary: — We beg to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed
favor of the first October, enclosing three more letters, the last to be returned to
Spain.
Our work being now arrived at a close, we take advantage of this opportunity
for presenting to the American National Red Cross and your worthy president our
earnest thanks for their kind support in the accomplishment of the task we have
undertaken in behalf of Spanish prisoners in the United States and their relatives
and friends in Spain.
Again, we have true pleasure in acknowledging, in the name of hundreds of
mothers and wives, whose sorrow and anxiety were extreme, the invaluable ser-
vices you and your government have rendered to them, in order to assure corres-
pondence between the prisoners and their families — a fact quite new in the annals
of war — the benefits of which are certainly to be valued and cherished by every
sensible heart. For we must not conceal that when we were determined to ask
the assent of the American and Spanish Governments for such a work, through
your kind mediation and that of our friends in Madrid, most people shook their
heads incredulously, and while admiring the spirit that animated ou • good wishes,
feared that our efforts would be in vain, and that the Red Cross would find itself
hopelessly out of place in the unusual position it was about to fill. It is a consola-
tion—indeed, amidst such gloom it is a transient happiness— to know that such
was not the case; and we feel happy in proclaiming that the most efficient part of
that work was, undoubtedly, yours.
Please accept, dear sir, my sincere regard and distinguished consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Duke of Palmella,
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
The following address was prepared to be read before a special meeting
of members of Congress as early as the summer of 1888. The news of the
death of General Sheridan prevented the meeting, and no other opportunity
having ever presented, the remarks have waited all the intervening years.
What were the facts then are none the less true now, either for the Congress or
the people, and I adopt the usual custom in such cases, and ask " leave to
print."
Gentlemen: — While proceeding to lay before you the various
measures to which I have taken the liberty of inviting your honored
consideration, it may be well to refresh your memories in regard to the
principles involved in the subject of the Red Cross; to recall how,
under the treat}', it stands related to our government, and how, through
the same feature, it relates us to other governments.
The code of ten articles, forming the international compact or
Treaty of Geneva, pledges each nation which unites with it to certain
methods of neutral action and humanity never before formally admitted
by nations at war, and it removes, to the greatest possible extent, all
needless severities hitherto practiced under their usuages.
This treaty, said to be the first compound treaty ever formed, came
into existence at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1864. It now includes some
thirty governments. The first efibrts towards our own adhesion were
made withthe Executive Department; but as it was thought that the
text of the treaty called for some changes in the " Articles of War,"
it was submitted to Congress, by which body the adhesion was made
in February', 1882.
It ever remains an undisputed fact, that the medical department
of an army never is, nor can be, made adequate to the needs of the
sick and wounded of its battles. Hence the inevitable suffering of the
men, the terrible anxiety and agony of friends at home, and the loss of
countless lives.
The Red Cross creates an organized, neutral volunteer force, from
the people, supplied by the people, but still subject to the regulations
of the military in the field, recognized by and working in full accord
with it, bringing all needed aid in the form of intelligent, disciplined
assistants, and abundant supplies to the direct help and use of the
medical department of an army, and with which department it works,
as if belonging to it.
(666)
TO THE CONGRESvS OF TIIK UNITED STATES. 667
It created, with great care, an Insignia to be the one known and
recognized sign of nentrahty in tlie relief of the sick and wounded of
armies, and in the protection of the mihtary hospital service, the world
over.
This insignia, which has given its name to the treaty, has become
universally known and respected. There is no other military hospital
flag, and no other sign marks the relief designed for the succor of the
wounded soldier, nor protects from capture or harm, either himself or
the non-combatant who goes to administer. It is probable that no sign
nor figure in the secular world is sacred to so many eyes as the Red
Cross of Geneva.
This treaty takes its powers from the common consent of the
united governments of the civilized world. Their rulers sign it. Its
ratifications are officially made by the Congress of Berne, Switzerland.
It recognizes no other features than the relief of the victims, and the
mitigation of the horrors of war.
In its short life of twenty-five years it has assumed the conduct of
the entire auxiliary relief work of the armies of the world. It has
given rise to more valuable inventions, and under its humane impulses
sanitary science has made rapid growth.
By common consent of the powers, at the formation of the treaty,
the worthy body of Genevese gentlemen, who called and conducted the
convention, was formed into an International Committee, through which
only medium the various nations within the treaty communicate, and
which holds the direction of all international relief in time of war.
Each nation, upon its accession to the treaty, is requested to form a
national committee, which committee shall constitute the medium by
which the other governments, through the International Committee,
may communicate with its government.
These national committees are usually presided over by officers
very near the crown or high in authority; as, for instance, the national
president of the Red Cross of Germany is Count Otto de Stolberg,
who recently crowned young Emperor William. Of France, Marshal
McMahon; of England, Lord Lindsay; of Belgium, the King himself.
Their patrons are always of the crown or royal families, as
Empress Augusta of Germany, Victoria of England, Dagmar of Russia,
Marguerite of Italy, and the Royal Grand Duchess of Baden.
Although the object of the organization is people's help for
national necessities, its national branches receive strong govennnental
recognition, and encouragement. Every facility which can be is
afforded them, and the patronage of the crown or government in
668 TIIIC RKD CROvSS.
W(7;/rt/r///m/ countries, iinVike out own, meajis suds/an/ial aid, which is
afforded in many waj'S.
Each nation is left free to form its national committee in accordance
with the spirit and needs of its nationaHty. In the formation of our
own, it was thought possible to include other relief than that of war,
and as you already know, America organized for the relief, first of war
then of other great national calamities, such as the government is
liable to be called upon to aid through its public treasury.
We were accepted by the ratifying powers at Berne, with this
digression, and although novel, it has won great approval and is
known abroad as the " American amendment."
Under this civil feature the American Red Cross has aided in
twelve great calamities: one forest fire, five floods, three cyclones, one
earthquake, one famine and one pestilence. It has brought to the aid
of the victims of these disasters, in money and material, many hundred
thousands of dollars, acting as a systematized and organized medium
of conveyance and distribution for the relief which the people desired
to contribute. It has never yet solicited aid, it has scarcely suggested
the raising of relief, but has endeavored to administer the relief which
was raised wisely and faithfully.
* Since our adhesion to the treaty two international conferences
have been held: the one at Geneva, by the International Committee, in
1884; the other at Carlsruhe, by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess
of Baden, in 1887.
As president of the American National Red Cross the honor has
been accorded me to represent the government in each of these confer-
ences. Some of the questions therein discussed, being of both national
and international importance, will be later submitted for the considera-
tion of your honorable legislative body.
The foregoing explanations made, I will, with your kind permis-
sion, gentlemen, venture to name to you some of the more personal
features, of our ow?t national branch of this world-wide organization,
touching its conditions, positions, relations and requirements, inviting
youf thoughtful consideration to the same. I must do this, not only as
its chief executive officer, but as the person who has been wholly
responsible for our ever having had any connection with it. I alone
brought this subject before the government, as the official representa-
tive of the International Committee, asking its adoption as a treaty,
if found desirable; and was shown the exceptional courtesy of a
* since, then, however, the international conferences have numbered six and the relief fields
twenty.
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITICn STATES. 669
unanimous accord in a most unfamiliar subject, by the largest, and,
as I hold, the highest legislative body in the worid.
During the intervening seven years, I have done my best and my
utmost to properly test the value of the obligation taken, and to learn,
from actual and practical experience, if the results would warrant a
continuance of effort on the part of the national committee, and to
some extent the encouragement and active co- operation of our govern-
ment, without which the objects of the treaty would be misapplied, and
its results practically lost.
These eflforts have been made in the face of the open world. No
action has been covered, none exaggerated. On its own fair merits,
the American branch of the Red Cross stands before the government
and the people it has served for their judgment.
If it has been an idle body ?
If a parasite, drawing sustenance from others ?
If it has promised and not performed ?
If its work has been actual, or merely appeared upon paper ?
If it has found favor with the people it has gone to aid ?
If it has gained or lost in public estimation ?
If in any way it has disappointed the expectations of the country
or the people ?
If it has given cause to the government to regret its admission ?
If it has sustained its national standing in good repute with the
afl&liating nations of the world ?
If it has been a costly adjunct to the government ?
Like a gleaner it brings in its sheaves at the end of its Seven years
of faithful trial, and asks that its work be judged. If for any cause,
the organization be looked upon as not meriting or justifying encour-
agement and co-operation of the government, which its peculiar relations
to it demand, and it is thought wisest or best to withhold them, it will
be a simple and perhaps welcome thing to let po and rest. Unless one
is actually going down hill with a load, it is a.ways easier to stop than
to go on. In this case vastly so.
It is now thirteen years ago, during the administration of President
Hayes, that I first brought this matter to the attention of our govern-
ment, believing it to be, perhaps, the work of a month. From that
day to this, I have found time for nothing else. I learned that its
broad humanities were the belt that spanned the world. Dependent, as
it is, upon the co-operation of the government, being substantially a
link between it and the people at large, I should not have been justified
iu proceeding to organize gre?*^ ' s)dies of persons under its regulations,
670 THE RED CROSS.
until I was assured what position the government would take in regard
to it. I could not ask this decision of the government until actual
results had proven to it, and to myself as well, that the position required
was one worthy to be taken. Thus the trial has been made single
handed. Not a penny of tax nor dues has ever been asked for the
expenses of the National Red Cross.
The general impression prevails that it is actively a branch of the
government, and of course, provided for by it. This impression has,
pecuniarily, been heavily against us, as it enters no philanthropic mind
to extend a generosity to the Red Cross, any more than to the War, or
State, or Navy Departments, or any other branch of protected govern-
ment service. No freight bill on shipments has ever been remitted, nor
agent ever passed free over a road up to this time; and no bequest has
ever been made to it. Postage is not even paid.
The government is supposed to do all these things, and it is gener-
ally believed that its oflEicers have large salaries. In one way this
impression has been helpful. It has doubtless given prestige; but it is
a costly luxury, and not to be forever afforded.
The actual expenses of the government since the first, have been
as follows: an appropriation in 18S3 of one thousand dollars, expended
in government printing of a little pamphlet history of the Red Cross,
written by me, at the request of the Senate committee, for circulation
after the adoption of the treaty — two thousand copies. As neither
frank nor postage were provided for the mailing, the transmission of each
copy cost some ten cents. The issue is exhausted. Appropriations of
$1000 and $2000 respectively for expenses of governmental delegates
to the International Conferences of 1884 and 1887, held at Geneva and
Carlsruhe, the delegates giving their time and services, and meeting
all costs, excepting those actually incurred en route, and provable by
vouchers. Thus making an aggregate of six thousand dollars in eight
years expended in its own behalf, with as much in value, in each
instance, added by the committee, as otherwise appropriated. These
are the only demands ever made upon the government. This balances
our accounts to date.
We now reach a point where I may name some directions in which
the government rnight properly extend its protecting and its helping
hand. The International Committee of Geneva makes the National
Committee of America the recognized medium of communication with
our government. It sends its official communications to the president
of the American National Red Cross, with directions that this officer
present the same to our government, and duly transact the required
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 671
business. But unfortunately, there is opened no legalized medium
through which the Red Cross is expected to confer with the govern-
ment, through either its executive or its legislative branches. " What
is everybody's business is nobody's business." The entire system has
each time to be explained to busy men, precedents to be found, and,
however willing and anxious, no one can be quite certain if he is right.
The naming of two or three gentlemen from your own honorable body
to act permanently as a committee on the affairs of the Red Cross
would remedy all this, and render ;:imple and efficient what is now
complicated and awkward. It would then be somebody's business.
The subject would be understood, the needs comprehended, suitable
advantages taken, mistakes avoided, time saved, prestige given both at
home and abroad, and the unavoidable communications between the
committee and government officials come to be regarded as legitimate
business, and not as favors personally sought and graciously listened to.
I regard the appointment of this committee as a most important
step, if anj' steps are to be taken — perhaps indispensable, in view of
certain measures which must come officially before Congress.
At the last two International Conferences resolutions were passea
requesting that each government within the treaty take firm measures
for the protection of the international insignia of the Red Cross, from
misuse and abuse by unauthorized persons and parties, as methods of
popular advertising for speculation and gain. The patent office is
besieged by applicants demanding the Red Cross for trademarks.
It becomes our duty on behalf of these conferences to present these
resolutions to the government, together with the statements of the
various countries through their delegates, and to ask its consideration,
and its official action, in common with that of other nations. Our duty
to the government demands this as well.
The great query which confronts us, and often with a tinge of
seeming reproach, is: " Why is so little known of your organization ?
Why is it not written up, and circulated among the people for general
information? Even the army knows nothing of it. Where shall we
find something published about it?" And these inquiries come from
the officers of the Regular Army, the National Guard, the Grand
Army, and the medical fraternity in general, not to mention the people
at large.
There is probably no one in the land who would more gladly see
these questions favorably met, and the information go out, than the
parties supposed to be responsible for this dereliction. It has some-
times occurred to me that a little "dangerous surplus" might be
672 THE RED CROSS.
safely disposed of in that way without compromising any leading
issues.
Governmental bureaus, with full powers, have been commenced
requiring less of actual labor, method, skill, clerical ability, and
official expenses than are expected and provided yearly at the private
headquarters of the American National Red Cross, and with less of
general demand for them, and smaller visible results.
Fortunately its president has been always able to furnish space for
the Red Cross headquarters in her home, and as it was her child, she
has naturally and willingly provided for it. But, gentlemen, children
grow ! In no other country does the organization of the Red Cross stand
as an ordinary benevolent society. In all others its relation to the
government is defined, pronounced, and its prestige assured. This is
wise and just, and only this can make it of greatest service to the gov-
ernment and to the people.
It is a peculiar institution, without nationality, race, creed or sect,
embracing the entire world in its humanizing bond of brotherhood,
without arbitrary laws or rules, and yet stronger than armies, and
higher than thrones.
I desire to have it better comprehended and more fittingly appointed
in our great and advancing country. I would like to see for it a head-
quarters which, in point of activity, would be a national honor to us.
The Red Cross of America should successfully undertake some difficult
problems. Hospital and emergency work naturally fall to it. It has
come to be the first thought of by any community suddenly overtaken
by disaster.
With all our misdirected, criminal and incendiary immigration,
which nothing seems to hinder, with our dangerous foreign leaders and
teachers, our strikes, mobs and dynamite, who can foresee the moment
when the United States flag shall be called to make peace and hold it ?
And wherever that symbol goes, the Red Cross must follow, and only
one step in the rear. The first man who falls must see it on the arm
that raises him, and the last must know it has not left him. The
National Red Cross of America is not without possibilities for occupa-
tion, and these neither theoretical nor sentimental.
Gentlemen, there are some points in reference to which I desire to
guard against misapprehension on your part. Of all things, I would not
have you get the impression that I desire to foist the Red Cross upon
the government for support. That, because I say it is liable to equal a
government bureau in point of work and care, I desire to have it
made a government bureau. Nothing is more impossible. I would
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATRS. 673
not have you feel that we have carried it to a certain extent, and now
want the government to take it up. These things could not l)e; it
would at once defeat the very objects of tlie organization, wliich mean
people' s help for 7iational needs, not national help for people's necessities.
Still, there is a certain fitting and customary connection between the
two, which it is proper to recognize. Certain protection of the rights
and welfare of the organization, which it is suitable and for the interest
of the government to maintain, as, for instance, the protection of the
insignia. Its acts of incorporation — some aid in the circulation of
information respecting it, its charters, etc., through its official printing
bureaus, and some direct channel of communication, and advice
opened between the government and the organization, as customary
in other countries, and without which I think we cannot reasonably
hope to stand upon a respectable basis in their estimation.
If Germany can place Count Stolberg, one of its highest official
dignitaries and officers, at the active head of its Red Cross, we can
scarcely do less than to permit a small advisory committee of our legis-
lature to at least confer with ours.
These are all very small and inexpensive demands upon a govern-
ment like ours, and from their apparent unimportance, likely to remain
unconsidered. Still, they are important to the work that seeks them.
With these assured, the National Committee can safely permit the peo-
ple to take their place in the work, and if the time never comes when
the country has need of the help for which they organize, it will be
only a too fortunate land.
The part which I have thus far been privileged to take in this
work has but one merit. It has been faithful, and I believe, unselfish.
With better judgment, greater strength, wealth, power and prestige, or
the ready help of those who had, I might have accomplished more. I
have nothing to gain from it, and never have had. I have no ambi-
tions to serve, and certainly no purposes. I regret only the years which
have gone by in feeble, unaided effort, which, I feel, with stronger
help, might have been more serviceable.
All I am worth to it to-day is the experience I have gained. I
have no more time for trials, nor proof, and of these, no more are
needed. The facts are established. I have stated what is needed of
the government, before it can go on, and I ask your kind consideration
of the same.
074 THE RED CROSS.
TO THE COMMITTEES OF THE RED CROSS.
An Acknowledgment.
To our tireless Executive Committee, and to the great and ener-
getic Red Cross Relief Committee of New York, who undertook the
concentration of the war relief and the administration of the generous
gifts of the people, and who have so faithfully stood by me in the work
dt.ring all these months, no words can adequately express my grati-
tude and the appreciation of the National Committee.
For them no task was too great; no requisition was ever refused.
To their zealous labors is due, in a great measure, whatever succesj^
may have attended the Red Cross in its mission for the relief of tb»
sick and the wounded.
TO THE AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROSS
AND
THE NURSES WHO WENT TO THE WAR.
To the army of women, brave, generous and true, who either as
auxiliaries at home, or as nurses at the field, who made up that mag-
nificent array of womanhood, ready for sacrifice on the altar of
humanity and their country — no words of mine can do justice. The
monument deserved and traced in that glowing pen picture of the
melting tribute of another pen, I beg to place here with my tears of
acquiescence, to sanction every line.
A Tribute to the Red Cross Nurses.
By Franki,in B. Hussey, of Chicago.
The war is over. Now let us rejoice. Now erect your tablets and
monuments to the heroes of the war — the living and the dead. Write
their names on the long roll of honor: Dewey, Schley, Hobson vmd
Wainwright, Roosevelt, Lee, Wheeler and all the rest, and alongside
their names write those of the private soldier and the " man behind
the guns." They "remembered the Maine." And while we rear our
symbols of marble and of bronze to commemorate their brave deeds,
there is one we must not, we cannot, forget.
When our brave boys left home and marched proudly down to war
they did not go alone, for the gentle presence of woman walked beside
them, to assuage with her soft touch the grim horrors of carnage. A
few days ago the busy thoroughfares of our city resounded with the
music and fanfares of a great jubilee. I saw the towering fronts of the
thronging palaces of trade put off their accustomed garb of work-a-day
gray and drab and bedeck themselves in carnival attire, while stretched
across from roof to roof for miles hung festoons of glittering lights, banners
and flags in a bewildering chaos of red, white and blue. I .saw trium-
phal arches spanning the streets, adorned with the portraits and names
of patriots, but I saw not hers of whom I speak.
^ (677)
678 THE RKl) CROSS.
Uiider those arches, attended by all the pomp and splendor of the
trappings of war, keeping step to the glad music of victory, marched
ten thousand men, at their head the Chief Executive of the nation. I
saw senators and judges, diplomatic representatives and statesmen,
generals and heroes of the army and navy, veterans and volunteer
soldiers pass iu glittering procession, while a million voices shouted
loud huzzas that told of a nation's tribute of gratitude to all those
who had contributed to the great victory; but for her I looked in vain.
At night I saw a great feast spread, honored by the presence of the
nation's leader and all those who had ridden in the grand pageant.
The toasts went round and the glasses clinked, but never a word of her
of whom I speak.
Not that she was forgotten; liot but that cheers would have rung
out at the mention of her name; but because she went about her duty
of self-sacrifice so simply, so modestly, without even a thought or
expectation that any one would ever know or care whether she lived
to come back from the death-laden fever swamp, or not, her part in the
great victory had been, for the time being, overlooked; and while gifted
tongues are paying their tributes of burning eloquence to our heroes,
without seeking to detract one whit from their glory and fame, which
they so richly deserve, may I draw nigh, with uncovered head, and
casta flower at /ler feet ? She asks no recognition. She seeks no praise;
but on some sunny slope of one of our wooded parks I want to see a
simple shaft uplifted in memory of the girl with a red cross on her arm.
She went forth to war with no blare of trumpets or beat of drums; the
first to go, the last to return; she carried neither sword nor musket, but
only the gentle ministrations of a woman's hand and heart; not to make
wounds, but to heal them. If you seek fitting words in which to
embody her record, go ask those whose fevered brows her cooling
palms have pressed, whose bloody wounds her hands have stanched,
but the lips that could best tell her noblest deeds lie cold and still,
wrapped in the sleep that heeds no bugle call. She carried balm and
healing not only to broken and bleeding bodies, but to broken and
bleeding hearts as well, and stood through long pestilential nights, like
a ministering angel of heaven, beside the weary pillow of pain, and
when all that human hands could do had been done, and the dying
soldier murmured last words to mother, wife or sweetheart, hers the
ear that caught the last faint whisper, hers the fingers that penned the
last letter home, hers the voice that read from the thumb- worn page,
"The lyord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. . . . Yea, though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death " — while with his
A TRIIUITK. 679
hand clasped in hers, his soul passed on through the " valley " and the
" shadow " up to " the sandals of God." Yes, raise aloft her statue
in the streaming sunlight. Let some great sculptor, catching aright
the inspiration of his theme, outline that slender form — that woman's
form, with melting heart and nerves of steel, against the soft blue of
the summer sky, with her lint and bandages in one hand and her Bible
in the other, the sign of the cross upon her sleeve, and the glory of the
countenance of the "Son of Man " reflected on her face, and under-
neath let these words be traced :
To the nurses of the Red Cross — those angels of the
battlefield— who ministered to our soldiers and sailors, the
thanks of a grateful nation; for " Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."
*********
AS THE SUN WENT DOWN.
Two soldiers lay on the battlefield
At night when the sun went down,
One held a lock of thin, gray hair
And one held a lock of brown.
One thoup-it of his sweetheart back at home,
Happy and young and gay,
And one of his mother left alone,
Feeble and old and gray.
Each in the thought that a woman cared,
Murmured a prayer to God,
Lifting his gaze to the blue above
There on the battle sod.
Each in the joy of a woman's love,
Smiled through the pain of death,
Murmured the sound of a woman's name,
Tho' with his parting breath.
Pale grew the dying lips of each, •
Then, as the sun went down.
One kist a lock of thin, gray hair,
And one kist a lock of brown.
Anon., in Tozim Talk.
68o THE RED CROSS.
UNWRITTEN THANKS.
Dear readers, I pray you accept this last word from me: "Poor
even in thanks" — the thanks with which the heart is burdened but
cannot speak. The acts of kindness shown during these waiting, and
olt weary years, that crowd and clamor for expression, would duplicate
this volume many times, and the cherished names that the hand
struggles to write, would turn these pages into a biographical
dictionary.
Let me pray, then, that every person who takes up this volume
and recalls a kind act done me, or a friendly, encouraging word spoken
in all the years of the busy period which it covers, shall read between
the lines, the cherished memory, the thanks, and the blessing so richly
deserved and so fully given.
A WORD OF EXPLANATION.
May this book before quite leaving the hands of its author be per-
mitted this word of explanation.
Its subject took its rise in, and derived its existence from, war.
Without war it had no existence. The watchword, indeed one might
almost say, the "war cry" of our country and of our people was
* ''peace. ' ' War was obsolete — out of date — out of taste — in fact, out of the
question: hence there existed no need for providing relief for it; and
thus the Red Cross has stood, unrecognized in the shadows of obscurity
all the eighteen years of its existence among us, waiting for the sure,
alas, too sure, touch of war, to light up its dark figure, and set in
motion the springs of action.
A few believed, and like disciples, waited with it. If at any time,
during that period, one had presumed to offer to the American public a
book treating exclusively upon the Red Cross, the production would
have found neither publishers nor readers; but now that the stroke of
war has fallen and the interest comes home to ourselves, neither can
wait for the book to be properly written, hence the unfinished and
unsatisfactory condition in which it must present itself.
CONCLUSION.
In the foregoing pages is outlined the history of the American
National Red Cross in peace and in war.
We have seen it grow year by year, from the persistent, almost
unaccountable rejection of the Treaty of Geneva by our government
for eighteen years. We have seen it beginning in the cordial recogni-
tion of Blaine, and Garfield, and Arthur, gradually increasing in the
amount and scope of its labors, growing, in the slowly gained influence
and support of public confidence, to its present condition of general
recognition in all parts of our own country, and in the warm apprecia-
tion of all the nations that have acceded to the Treaty of the Red Cross.
There is, we are happy to believe and to assure our readers everywhere,
a warmth and an enthusiastic appreciation of the Red Cross that brings
added honor to the country, and that everywhere recommends the
principles and the practices for which the sacred symbol stands. No
American citizen will hereafter travel in foreign lands any less securely
since the American National Red Cross has been before him in Russia,
and in Armenia, and in the high conferences where the treaty nations
by their representatives from time to time assemble.
It is founded in the soundest and noblest principles, in the deep
needs of human nature, and in the enduring instincts and feelings of
mankind. It has come to quicken into fresh, new growth the best
things in human life. Like the Banyan tree, wherever an auxiliary
branch of the Red Cross exists, it will so drop roots into human char-
acter and life, that it will make it a parent trunk in turn to send out
influences that shall bring other affiliating branches, so that it .shall at
last cover the earth with its grateful shade, beneath which the tramp
of armed men shall cease, and the battle flags be furled. Then,
although the original purpose and object of the Red Cross was indeed
to heal the woiuids and sickness incident to warfare, there will remain
the work under the "American Amendment," in which the Red Cross
goes forth to heal other great ills of life.
The future of the Red Cross then will be worthy of the labors and
sacrifices in which it originated, worthy of the care and tender solici-
tude with which its growth and progress has been watched and tended.
Into the hands of the coming generations it will be given as the
best legacy that the All Father has at any time given to His children —
the spirit and the power symbolized and consecrated forever by the
Red Cross of Geneva.
(68t)
NOTES.
American National Red Cross.
The Red Cross is often referred to by the press and by many of our
friends in correspondence, as a " society." From this practice, it appears
that a misapprehension exists regarding the official title of the national
organization in this countrj% and a few words of explanation seem
necessary.
As contemplated by the Treaty of the Red Cross, and provided by
the regulations of the International Committee, there is formed in each
of the countries adopting the Treaty of Geneva, one Central National
Committee of the Red Cross, with headquarters at the seat of govern-
ment.
In this National Committee of each country, authorized by the
International Committee and recognized by its own government, is
centred the power of organization and direction of all matters con-
nected with the administration of relief contributed by the people in the
name of the Red Cross. This authority includes the sole right to form
innumerable branches, subject to the direction of the National Com-
mittee. These branches, created by the National Organization, may
be known as Auxiliary Societies of the Red Cross, or by any other
appropriate name, but the central national organization is not a society;
it is a National Committee.
Therefore, in referring to or addressing the parent organization, it
is improper to use the term "society." It should be remembered that
the Central National Committee of the Red Cross for the United States
of America, has, for sake of convenience, been incorporated under the
title: The American NationaIv Red Cross.
Relief of Wounded in War.
The Central National Committee of the Red Cross in each country,
being duly accredited by the International Committee and officially
recognized by its own government, is the lawful means of communica-
tion between the people and the armies in the field, acting as the
administrator of the contributions of the people for the relief of the
sick and wounded in war.
(682)
NOTES. 683
Correspondence in Time of War.
When hostilities are iu progress, and the usual means of commu-
nication between the belligerent countries are suspended, prisoners of
war are enabled to communicate with their homes through the medium
of the Red Cross of neutral nations. Thus, for example, during the
late Spanish-American war the prisoners on board the prize ships at
Key West were, by an arrangement made with the authorities of the
United States Government, permitted to write to their friends and rela-
tives. The letters were, of course, first vised and certified by the
American National Red Cross, and those addressed to persons within
the Spanish lines were forwarded through the Red Cross of Portugal.
Wounded as Prisoners of War.
Formerly a wounded man, as such, had no particular rights which
any one was pledged to respect. Now, however, the Treaty of Geneva
provides that the wounded immediately become neutral and are entitled
to the care and consideration of their captors. There is also preserved
to them the right to send messages through the lines, informing their
friends of their whereabouts and condition.
The Red Cross and Locai^ Charity.
The National Committee of the Red Cross and its branches, not
being a local benevolent institution, the Red Cross takes no part in the
distribution of local charity, when the distress is such that it is within
the power of the community itself to relieve. Therefore, members of
auxiliary societies when engaged in the usual charities of a local
nature, should not act as the representatives of the Red Cross. The
Red Cross in times oi peace can only be called Into action when a dis-
aster occurs which is of such magnitude as to be considered national in
its character, and beyond the control of the immediate community.
No Reflection Upon the Government.
By their adhesion to the Treaty of Geneva, and by their recogni-
tion of the National Committees in each country, the nations of the
world have declared that, no matter how extensive the preparations,
nor how complete may be the organization of the medical department
684 THE RED CROSS.
of an army, it is beyond human possibility to provide for all contin-
gencies. For this reason the National Committees of the Red Cross
were created. The necessity for auxiliary aid by the people, through
the Red Cross, existing as it does in all the treaty countries, is in no
wise a reflection upon the Medical Department of the Army, nor upon
the ability and faithfulness of its officers. Hence, the timely accept-
ance of this auxiliary aid, the necessity for which all nations have
publicly acknowledged, brings with it no discredit; it is only its rejec-
tion that opens the door to censure.
Membership in the Red Cross.
In the past many applications have been received for membership
in the American National Red Cross, to all of which it has been neces-
sary to make the same reply. The central organization being a
National Committee, membership thereon is only conferred by election
and appointment, not by application. Membership in the Red Cross
may, however, be obtained through the auxiliary societies. During
the Spanish-American war many auxiliaries were formed for tempor-
ary work, but have not yet been received and accredited as permanent
societies of the Red Cross. It is hoped, however, that the time may
soon come when the local branches of the Red Cross may be found
everywhere, and when any one who is acceptable may become a mem-
ber by joining the nearest auxiliary.
INDEX.
A. Page.
Address by Clara Barton to the President, Congress, and People of U. S 60
Address by Clara Barton: " What is Significance of Red Cross in its Rela-
tion to Philanthropy?" 97
Address by Clara Barton to Congress 666
Accession of U. S. to Treaty of Geneva and Additional Articles of Navy.. 80
Adhesion of U. S., translation from International Bulletin, April, 1882 87
Articles of Red Cross Treaty, or the Convention of Geneva 57
Articles, additional, of Oct. 20, 1863 74
American Amendment of Red Cross 383, 668, 681
A ppia. Dr. Louis 23, 48, 61
Aguadores, shelling of 561, 645
Americans advised to leave Havana -April 9 54O, 603
Amputations few 5Q3
Army Surgeons Accept Red Cross Help. .. . 560, 562, 588, 589, 590, 615, 616, 645
647
"As the Sun Went Down " ( Poem) 679
Auxiliaries 474-480
Austrian Committee 31
ARMENIAN RELIEF FIELD, 1895-96:
Red Cross requested to take charge of relief 275
Armenia, conditions in 276, 279. 320
Turkey, signatory power to Red Cross Convention of 1864 276
Public gatherings in the United States, effect of 276
Obligations of neutrality imposed upon the representatives and workers
under Geneva Treaty 277. 279, 280
Red Cross forbidden to enter Turkey by Turkish Minister in Wash-
ington 277, 278
Turkish Minister's action politically justifiable 277
Red Cross pledged to go to Turkey 277
Red Cross sails from New York. Jan. 22, 1896 277
Dr. Hubbell dispatched to Constantinople 278
Conference with Missionary Board at Constantinople 278
U. S. Minister A. W. Terrell 27S, 279. 299, 31.1
Conference with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tcwfik Pasha. .. . 278
Plan of Relief outlined to Turkish Minister 279
Permission to work and protection of Turkish Government assured.. 280
Preoarations for dispatching agents becin 2S3
686 INDEX.
ARMENIAN RELIEF FIELD, 1895-96— (Continued): Page
Relief delayed by denunciatory utterances in the U. S.; sample; " Pro-
Armenian Alliance " 283
Currie, Sir Phillip, suggests Southern Route 284, 288
Expeditions start via Alexandretta (Iskanderun) 285
Doubts and discouragements from home 285
Massacre at Killis, Turkish Government anxious 286
Letter to Frances Willard i85
Zcitoun and Marash epidemics 287, 335. 350, 353, 35-4
Harris, Dr. Ira. expedition of, and report 287, 294, 336, 350
Perplexing cablegrams from U. S 288
Cabled American Committee that Red Cross will finish field alone 289
Letter to Red Cross officer, P. V. De Graw, in U. S 289
Course of expeditions 290
Shattuck, Miss Corinna, at Oorfa 293, 335
Kimball, Dr. Grace, Bitlis 293
Expeditions reach Harpoot 293
Typhoid and typhus in Arabkir 293, 337, 338
Fifth expedition •. 294
Harpoot 293, 295, 337
Diarbekir 295
Farkin 295
Furnishing tools for building and harvesting 295
Wood, Chas. King 296, 297. 334, 335, 337, 356
Wistar, E. M. 334, 335, 345, 356
Gates, Rev. C. F., D. D 296
Cattle for plowing and planting 296
Return of expeditions from Asia Minor 297, 29S
Balance of funds placed with W. W. Peet, Treasurer 297
Peet, W. W 297, 298, 299, 324
Hardships endured by our men 297
Dwight, H. O.. D. D 298, 315. 324
Green, Jos. K., D. D 298
Hamblin, Dr. Cyrus 299
Washburn, Geo. D. D 278, 299, 324
Selamlic 299
Time spent socially in Constantinople 299
Respects paid to new Turkish Minister to U. S., Moustapha Tehsin
Bey 290
Decoration and diploma, Armenian and Turkish 300, 303
Returning home 304
Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, visit to 304
Constantinople massacres renewed, and Red Cross proposed to return.
if needed
305
Distances and difficulties of travel, transportation and communication in
Turkey 305
Turkish telegram 307
INDEX. 687
ARMENIAN RELIEF FIELD. 1895-96— (Continued): Page.
Funds, never embarrassed for 307
Methods of work, general 310
Difificulties of relief committees at home, and causes 310, 313
The Press and contributors 313
(To the) Government at Washington, and To the U. S. Legation at
Constantinople 313
Ambassadois and representatives of other nations 315
Commendatory 315
" The Independent," report 315
" Marmora," poem 319
Condi*^lons in Armenia, summary of 320
Financial Secretary's Report, Armenia:
Turkish money, intricacies of, and varying values 324
Post, Dr. Geo. E., letter of 324
Para, copper coin, value, one-tenth cent 325
Piaster, equal forty para, about 4 1-2 cents 325
Lira, gold 325
Volunteer aid 326
. Money, banking, express 326
Bakshish 326
Method and manner of distribution 327, 328
Raising of funds, popular impression and actual experience in 329
Balance sheet 333
General Field Agent's Report:
Preparations for interior travel 334
Fuller, Rev. Dr., Aintab 334, 335
Killis
334
Aintab 335
Red Cross methods 328. 329. 335. 336. 339. 345. 355
Marash filled with refugees and epidemics prevailing 335
Marash, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Macallum 336
Surrounding country pillaged, people killed 335
Trail route. Marash to Harpoot 336
Marash without foods or medicines 336
Arabkir epidemic 294. 337
Hintlian. Dr. Hagop 338. 339
Bush. Miss Caroline E 338. 339
Arabkir, welcome to 338
Egin City and Aghan villages 343. 344
Gratitude of people 343
Barnum. Rev. H. N 346
Post, Dr. Geo 350
Tribute to Red Cross non-sectarian methods, by Dr. Harris 355
Returning expeditions i!^6
688 INDEX.
B.
BARTON, CLARA. LETTERS AND CORRESPONDENCE: Page
Autograph translation of Mr. Moynier's letter to President of U. S., on
adoption of treaty i7
To E. M. Camp, Ed. •' Erie Dispatch " (The Little Six) 130
To Ed. " Charleston News and Courier," subject, Sea Island Relief.... 268
To Sea Island Committeemen, planting 273
To Frances Willard, Armenian relief 286
To P. V. De Graw, Armenian relief 289
To Admiral \V. T. Sampson, Cuban relief, entering Havana 370
To Cuban Relief Committee, New York Cuban relief 374
To Surgeon-Major Louis A. Le Garde, Siboney Hospital 560
To S. E. Barton (cable), Siboney 562
To Admiral Sampson, entering Santiago 574
To C^pt. Chadwick, flagship "New York," entering Santiago 575
To R. A. Alger, Secretary of War, transportation, Santiago to Havana, 584
To Capt. S. C. Wertsch, S. S. " Clinton." thanks 631
From J. G. Blaine. Secretary of State 41
From Mr. Moynier, Pres. Comite International 81
From " The Little Six " I32
From A. A. Adee, Secretary of State, Cuban relief 362
From S. E. Barton, Cuban relief 365
From John F. Hoar, U. S. Marshal. Key West, Spanish prisoners.... 369
From Admiral W. T. Sampson, Cuban relief, entering Havana 2>7?>
From R. A. Alger, Secretary of War, Red Cross Treaty 395
From C. H. Allen, Secretary of Navy, Red Cross Treaty . . . . : 395
From Surgeon-Major Le Garde, hospital work 560
From S. E. Barton, transportation and nurses 562
From Capt. Chadwick, flagship " New York," entering Santiago 575
From R. A. Alger, Secretary of War. transportation. Santiago to Ha-
vana 584
From Capt. P. C. Wertsch. acknowledgment 631
From members of Red Cross field stafif on separating 632
From Santiago Relief Committee 639
From Duke of Parmella, Red Cross Intermediary 665
From Spanish Red Cross
Barton, Clara, reimbursed by Congress 78
Barton, Clara, starts to Cuba Feb. 6. 1898 519
Bangs, C. C, work at El Caney and death at Santiago 620, 650
Baracoa and Sagua de Tanamo 623
Battleship " Maine." visit to 523
Battleship " Maine." blowing up of 524, 600
Battleship " Maine's " dead 526
Beckwith, General A 120
Bell, Major Wm. Dufifield. statement of conditions at front hospital. San-
tiago 616
Bellows, Henry W. (effort to bring U. S. into treaty) 36
INDEX. 689
Blaine, Secretary James G. (letter to Clara Barton acknowledging Mr. Moy-
nier's) 42
blaine, Secretary, transmits articles Geneva Convention to President 73
Blanco, General, courtesy of, and co-operation 547, 643
Bulletin, International 27
C.
CAMPS AND CAMP WORK, extracts from reports of 484
Atlanta District:
Camp Fort McPherson, Ga., Rev. Orville G. Nave, agent 420
Atlanta Committee of Red Cross 421
Ked Cross work, ouservation on 421
Camp Hobson, Ga., Lythia Springs 422
Diet Kitchen, Miss Junia McKinley +22
Chattanooga District:
Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, E. C. Smith, agent 408
Typhoid fever in camp 411, 502
Hospital " Sternberg " 412
Hospitals " Sanger " and " Leiter " 412
Nurses, great lack of, at first 411
Nurses, 140 women graduate at one time 412
Camp " Shipp." Anniston, Ala 413
Hunters Island 507
Jacksonville, Fla., District, Rev. Alex. Kent, agent 414
Camp Fernandina 418
Camp hospitals, conditions to be expected in 418
Camp Miami 418
Hospital, recuperating, Pablo Beach 416
Long Island and New York District:
Long Island Relief Station. Mrs. A. G. Hammond, superintendent.... 489
490. 505
Camp WyckofF, Montauk Point, L. I.. Howard Townscnd, agent. Dr.
Brewer, assistant 426
Bureau of Inquiry and Correspondence 429
Diet Kitchens 429, 505
First work supplying water 426
Hospital, railway emergency 430
Quarantine ofificer. Dr. Magruder 429
Troops arriving on transports (feeding of) 429
Nurses, 140 Red Cross 429
Supplies, promptness in ordering and receiving 426
Camp Black, nurses at 506
Porto Rico Field Work, Horace F. Barnes, agent. General W. T. Ben-
nett, assistant 460
Camp Barton 467
Field agent, qualifications necessary for (Barnes) 470
Method of work 468
6oci INDEX.
CAMPS AND CAMP WORK— (Continued): Page.
Sick, large percentage of, in Porto Rico 468, 469
Sickness, some of causes 469
Tampa District. Dr. S. S. Parlello, agent 493
Washington, D. C, i:)iSTRitTs:
Camp Alger, Washington, B. H. Warner, field agent 397
Camp Bristow Diet Kitchen ^ 400
Camp Point Sheridan visited, Mrs. Mussey 399
Fort Meyer Diet Kitchen, Dr. Mary E. Green 400
Post Hospital, VVashingtun Barracks 399
Camps and camp regulations, suggestions 405
Common sense criticism 405
Green, Dr. Mary E 400
Ice plant auxiliary of New York 402
Legion Loyal Women 403
Medicine and supplies furnished promptly by Red Cross 399
Nurses, experienced, needed 399, 401
President and Secretary of War always interested in efforts of Red
Cross 405
Red tape hinders needed supplies 399
Returning troops at Fortress Monroe, meeting of 401
Troops en route, sick and well, care of 401
Testimony of ofificers, surgeons and soldiers to work of Red Cross... 403
Tribute to the Red Cross 406
Sag Harbor Home 507
CAROLINA SEA ISLANDS HURRICANE AND RELIEF 197
Hurricane, description of 197
Hurricane, Admiral Beardslee's description 203
Sea Islands, geography, people, conditions, religion 203, 205, 209
First local aid 202
Red Cross called by the Governor of South Carolina 201
Sea Islands Hurricane, needs and methods of relief 208, 210
Relief work in Sea Islands Hurricane, district report of J. MacDonald,
Hilton Head 211, 219
Report of Mrs. MacDonald, clothing 220
Report of warehouse and shipping department, Dr. E. W. Egan 222
Medical and sanitary, Dr. E. W. Egan 228
Report Beaufort District, Dr. J. B. Hubbell 232
Report Charleston District, H. L. Bailey 244
Report of clothing department. Mrs. Jos. Gardner and Mrs. H. L.
Reed 252^26.3
Sewing circles 257
" Christmas Carol," poem 261
Summary of work done 268
Leaving the field 268
Circular letter to committeemen the year following. Feb., 1895 '2-']},
Cobb, D. L 360, 361, 420, 624, 655
INDEX. 691
CUBA AND CUBAN RELIEF: ?«««.
Casino, Havana 5^'
Cuban Central Relief Committee, formation of 362, 363, 634
Cuban relief, first efforts fail from political and other influences 516
Cuban relief, numerous Dbstructions. political and sensational 514
Spain addressed, requesting permission to distribute in Cuba 515
Spain's courteous and generous response, a courtesy carelessly over-
looked by Americans 513
Conference with President and Secretary oi State on Cuban relief.... 516
Cuba, conditions of country and peoi)le (Senator Proctor) 534
Cuban Congressional Committee 546
Cienfuegos 544, 643
Cisneros, Miss 543'
Co-operation of Cuban physicians 643
Cuban refugees, relief, Tampa and Key West 368
Spanish-A.\ieric.'\x W.\r 360
Cuba and the Cuban campaign 514
Cuban Hospital, Siboney 557, 614
Cargo for north coast of Cuba. Mary 1^. Morse 624
Chadwick, Capt.. battleship " New York," correspondence 575
Clinics while waiting 551, 644, 645
Clothing report, Miss Fowler 656
" Clinton," steamer furnished by Government for Red Cross transporta-
tion 583, 629
"Clinton" leaves Havana, Sept. i, 1898 585, 6.30, 652
" Comal," steamei arrives Havana 585
Committees, central or national 27, 28
Charities, difficulties in administering 166
Conference of 1863, preliminary to the Convention of Geneva, of .\ug. 22.
1864 23. 24. 28, 35, 36, 38, 51. 52. 53
Conferance. second. Oct. 20. 1868 74
Congress votes $1 ,000 for printing 92
Convention of Geneva, Red Cross. Aug. 22, 1864 24, 57
Conclusion 681
Correspondence in time of war 608, 644, 683
" Crevasse," escape from a t21
Cyclone of Mississippi and Louisiana 112
Cyclone of Mount Vernon, 111., Feb. 19. 1888 143
D.
Death rate from wounds, small 593
Diet Kitchens 400. 402. 429, 505
Distribution places, Havana 522. 600, 601
Douglas, Robert, house and warehouse for Red Cross, Santiago 619
Dufour, General 23. 50
Dunant, Henri (Swiss) 23. 48
692 INDEX.
Page.
Distribution, a criminal neglect in, the occasion of great disturbance in the
United States 547
E.
Egan, Dr. E. W. and Geo. Kennan, to the iroui. Santiago 646
Egan, Dr. E. W., report 642
El Caney and Firnieza refugees, supplies for 577, 6ig, 620, 649
Emergency package, good results 593
Explanatory note to readers 680
F.
Federal Council of Switzerland 24
Fields of work from i<S8i to 1894 104
Field drill 643
Financial secretary, Cuban work, report 600
Financial statement, Cuban relief 635
First relief committee for Cuban help not successful 515
Flood of Mississippi river, 1884 1 19
Floods of Ohio and Mississippi. 1882 and 1883 104, in, 112
Floods, Ohio and Mississippi, 1884, government account of Red Cross work. 128
Food and supplies for sick soldiers, scarcity in Cuban campaign 595
Food and hospital supplies, scarcity of, at front 616, 649
Franco-Prussian war 25
Forest fires of Michigan. 1881 108
French. Alice (Octave Thanet) 177
French Red Cross 3^, 664
G.
Garcia, General Calixto 560, 561, 614, 645, 646
Geneva Convention Treaty in United States (translation from International
Bulletin) 77
German-Austrian war 25
German Red Cross 32
Government relationship to the Red Cross 377. 378. 379, 38c, 383, 384, 395
Guantanamo, June 25th 560, 610. 619. 645
G'lantanamo, Cajitain MvCalla asks for 100.000 rations for Cubans 574
Guantanamo supplies for Cubans declined for fear of yellow fever con-
tagion 574^ 619
Governments that have adopted treaty, list 58
Governmental recognition of the Red Cross 28, 80, 85, 91, 92, 377, 378, 379
380, 383, 395
Geddings, Surgeon (Egmont Key, Fla.) 6^2
H.
Havana, arrived at. August 25th 584, 629
Harbor clinics 606, 6J4, 64s
Havana custom duties, excessive, prevent unloading supplies 585, 629, 652
INDEX. 693
Page.
Havana citizens, cordial co-operation in relief work 601
Havana harbor, fine of $500 imposed 585. 627
Havana, " Maine " victims at San Ambrosia Hospital 5^5
Havana, Red Cross headquarters 528 del Ccrro 526. 601
Havana understood to be open port 5^3. 626
History of Red Cross, preparation of, in 1883 96
HOME CAMPS AND AMERICAN WATERS 362-513
Homes of Hunter's Island and Sag Harbor 507
Hospital, Charleston city, nurses sent 4^6
Hospital, Siboney, Cuba 557. 561. 590. 614
Hospital, Fort Hamilton, nurses at 497
Hospital. Fort Monroe, nurses sent 496
Hospitals, Fort Wadsvvorth, Staten Island, nurses sent to 497. 502
Hospital, Governor's Island, nurses at 497. 502
Hospital, '■ Leiter " 495
Hospital at Siboney, opened July -'d 561. 3'JO- 615
Hospital ship " Solace," Captain Dunlap 555. 610
Hospital supplies from '" State of Texas " 595
Hospital supplies at Santiago 5^2, 651
I.
Ice schooner " Mary E. Morse " 559- S^o. 624
Incidents of workroom 659-661
Incorporation of American Red Cross 47. 94
Intermediary offices of Red Cross 664, 665, 684
Intermediaries in Spanish-American war:
Switzerland 384. 380
Portugal 608, 644. 664. 665, 683
France 664
International Committee 27, 28, 667, G82
International Committee, circular announcing formation of the American
National Red Cross 91
International Committee, medal of honor to Clara Barton 82, 83
International conferences, representation in 668
International communications, made through the International Com-
mittee 667. 6S2
International Committee, twenty-five years' record (illustration) 84
International relations of National Committees 28
Iron Cross of Prussia presented to Clara Barton 83
Italian Red Cross 3'
J-
Jaruco, condition, relief (Cuba) 527
Jaruco's tribute to the dead of the " Maine " 530
694 INDEX.
Page
JOHNSTOWN FLOOD, PA.. 1889 i57
Benevolent Union of Conemaugh Valley 164
Johnstown llood, incidents ^ 171-173
Johnstown flood, "' In Mcnioriam " 174
Five o'clock tea 163
Johnstown Finance Committee, extract from report, sheltering people, 169
Johnstown contributions, general fimd, $1,600,000 168
Johnstown's farewell to Miss Barton 169
Red Cross houses, warehouse and infirmary 164
Johnstown houses, removal of 167
Johnstown infirmary 164
Poem, " The Dread Conemaugh " 170
Jorrin, Senora J. S 526, 530
Jovellanos (Cuba) 654
K.
Kennan, George 395, 587, 646
Klopsch, Louis, assumes charge of distribution in Cuba 547
L.
La Yocabo, Havana '521
Landing supplies, difficulties. Siboney 563
Late in Siboney, we cannot reach our ship 568, 650
Le Garde, Major-Surgeon Louis A., request for Red Cross help 560, 589
618, 645
Le Garde, Surgeon-Major, testimonial to Red Cross physicians and nurses, 599
LESSER, Dr. A. MONAE (report of) 587
Lesser, Mr?. A. Monae (Sister Bettina) 531. 545
Liabilities to war in United States less than in other countries 35
Liberality of transportation companies 364
Los Fosos, Havana 521 , 522, 545, 546, 602
M.
MacClenny nurses, story of 147, 148
Matanzas (Cuba) 546, 547, 653
Matanzas, condition of hospitals and people 531
Matanzas, Governor of, Francisco de Armas 532, 546, 547
" Mattie Bell," steamer on Mississippi 118
Marianao hospital 5^5
Mason. Robert 578 621, 651
Maxwell, Miss ; C502, 503
McCalla, Captain 560, 610. 619, 645
^TcKibben, Genera! (military governor, Santiago) 621
Membership in Red Cross 684
Methods of relief 310. 328, 329. 370. ^21, 426, 43S. 484. 498. 579, 601
607, 608, 615, 621, 626, 642, 643, 644, 654, 661, 683
INDEX. 695
Page.
Method of collecting supplies for reconcentrados .^63
Method of sending nurses quickly 49S
Michaelson. H 578. 579, 621. 651
Military and medical preparations never adequate in battle- 666, 683
Mines, submarine, Santiago 575
Mississippi and Louisiana cyclone 112
Modus vivcndi between Spain and United States 3^4~304
Moynier, President Gustave 23, 50
Moynier, President Gustave, letter to Miss Barton on adhesion of United
States to treaty and status of American Red Cross Committee 81
Moynier, President Gustave, letter of (autograph translation by Clara
Barton) 37
Moynier. President Gustave, letter of thanks to Clara Barton on receipt of
official documents of treaty 90
Moynier's letter to Mr. Blaine 42
Moynier, President, letter (Garfield's indorsement) 40
Moynier, President Gustave (letter to President of United States) 36. 41
" Moynier," steam launch 394
N.
National committees, character of 668, 682
National committees, relations of 28
Navy, articles for 74
Navy, courtesies of. to the Red Cross 367. 550, 555, 576. 578, 606, 610, 651
Neutral countries 34
Neutrality in Red Cross principles recognized 547
Neutrality in war pledged 666
Neutrality of wounded 683
Neutrality of supplies and personnel 24
Notes on the Red Cross 682
Nurses 28. 30. 399. 401. 411. 412. 429. 435. 436, 492, 493. 494, 495, 496. 497
502. 506, 590. 595. 596. 646. 663
Nurses and assistants, more telegraphed for 50<J
Nurses, lack of. at first 399. 4H. 595- 64^)
Nurses of the Red Cross, tribute to. by Hussey 677
Nurses in operating tents 646
Nurses for Siboney carried to Porto Rico 492
Objections to Red Cross answered 26
Official instructions to officers, land and naval, concerning steamship " Slate
of Texas " .^67
Officers in the field, kindness of 664
Ohio river floods, 1884 115
Ohio river flood, " Josh. V. Throop." Red Cross steamer on Ohio river.
1884 114. 1^4
696 INDEX.
Page.
" Olivette," United States hospital ship 559
Opinions of a major surgeon about women on the field 569
Organization and methods of work (see methods) 27
Orphanage in Havana 53i, 545. 602, 642
P.
Packing supplies for shipping, suggestions 656
Parmella, Duke of ( President Portuguese Red Cross) 664. 665
Partello. Dr. S. S. (field agent at Tampa) 653
Phinney, Miss, death of 495
Pinar del Rio. Artimesa 540
Plans for self-help formulated with co-operation of General Blanco 547
Poem, " The Women who Went to the Field " 509
Proctor, Senator Redfield 531, 533. 534
Porter, Mrs. J. Addison 567, 569, 570, 643
Portuguese Red Cross, intermediary between United States and Spain.... 608
644- 664, 665, 683
Postmaster Brewer at Siboney 568, 650
Preparations for war 25
Press, the support of 364
President Arthur, declaration of the articles of navy 80, 385
President Arthur explaining articles of navy 555
President Arthur recommends treaty in message, December, 1881 "jz
President Arthur, special message giving adhesion of United States to treaty
and additional articles 80, 385
President Arthur transmits treaty papers to Senate "jt^
President Arthur's proclamation of treaty of Red Cross 85
President Garfield (Moynier's letter presented to) 41
President Hayes ( Moynier's letter presented to) 41
President's Cabinet the Board of Consultation for National Red Cross.... 92
President McKinley's call for reconcentrado relief 361, 516
President McKinley requests Red Cross to return to Cuba with supplies for
reconcentrados 549
President McKinley asked for transportation, reply 583, 629
P^ojct de concordat, propositions and resolutions 51
R.
Ratifying power for Red Cross treaties — the Congress of Berne-Switzer-
land 667
Reincorporation of American National Red Cross 94
Relief of wounded soldiers, first proposition for 2;^
Red Cross accepted by government 305
Red Cross American amendment 383. 668, 681, 683
Red Cross constitution 46, 94
Red Cross, first in United States 36
Red Cross history, 1882 96
INDEX. 697
Pace.
Red Cross, introduction into United States (j'a'I
Kea Cross incorporation, original 47
Red Cross insignia 24. 58, 75. 76. 390, 667
Red Cross insignia, protection of 671, 673
Red Cross international conferences 176, 668
Red Cross international committee 667, 682
Red Cross intermediary offices 664. 683
Red Cross in sanitary science 667
Red Cross in floods of Ohio, Chicago " Interocean " 117, 119
Red Cross, congressional committee needed 671-673
Red Cross not branch of government 670
Red Cross national committees, of other countries 667
Red Cross national committees 668, 682
Red Cross, objections to. answered 26
Red Cross, peculiar institution, definition 25. 666. 672. 682, 683
Red Cross of other nations — their co-operation in Spanish- American war,
relief 662, 663
Red Cross prestige in other countries 673
Red Cross, relationship to government 378, 379. 380. 383, 384, 395
Red Cross, recognition in United States tardy 61
Red Cross should not be government bureau 672
Red Cross, when government aid should be given 673
Red Cross work no reflection on military medical departments 683
Red Cross service accepted by Secretary of Navy 395
Red Cross relief, Ohio river, reference to, in government report 128
Red Cross "Farewell," Evansville Journal, May 28, 1884 126
Red Cross ' Society " 682
Red Cross of Dansville. N. Y., first local society in United States 107
Red Cross Society of Rochester. N. Y 109
" Red Cross Work." Evansville Journal, extract 119
RED CROSS MEMBERSHIP 684
Railway companies, courtesies and co-operation (Cuban) 6}3
Ramsden. Fredk 577, 578, 62' 650
Reception at Tampa 606
Reconcentrados 360, 361 . 528. 534. 537
Reconcentrado relief, first shipments to Cuba 363
Reconcentrado hospitals and clinics 531. ^^^2, 642
Reconcentrado relief. Red Cross called to 365
Red Cross of other nations, co-operation in Cuban war 384, 386, 662
664. 665. 683
Red Cross services accepted by Cuban surgeons. Santiago 588
Red Cross staff 601 , 606. 609, 622, 623, 646
Red Cross president arrives Havana. February 9, 1898, general con-
ditions described 520, 600
Refugees at Key West and Tampa 603. 605. 608, 644, 653
6y8 INDEX.
RED CROSS MEMBERSHIP— (Continued): Page.
Reid. Mrs. Whitelaw 506
Report of Dr. E. W. Egan 642
Report of Miss Annie Fowler. Clothing 656
Rough Riders' battle, the first news of 557, 610
"Red Cross Flag is Flying," poem 359
Red Cross Relief Committee of New York for the Spanish-
American War:
Officers, members and subcommittees 473
Treasurer's report. May to December i, 1898 474
Auxiliaries, women's committee on 474
Auxiliaries, supplies contributed through supply committee, $80,000. . . . 477
Supplies shipped by transports 470
Auxiliaries, special work 478
Auxiliary No. i, ambulances, mules, launches, disinfectants, etc., 475, 478, 489
Auxiliary No. 2, workrooms for families of enlisted men ; 475, 478
Auxiliary No. 3, maintenance of trained nurses 412, 426, 429, 475, 478
488, 489, 491
Auxiliary No. 3, report 491
Nurses sent to Santiago and Porto Rico 492
Hospital ship " Lampasas " 492
Nurses' work in Tampa 493
President and Secretary of War, committee's conference with 494
Auxiliary No. 5, equipped cots 475, 479
Auxiliary No. 10, ice and ice plants 402, 475, 479, 486
Auxiliary No. 17, supplies 475, 479
Auxiliary No. 19, laundry 475, 480
Auxiliary No. 22, garments, food, reading 475, 480
Auxiliary No. 40, emergency hospital furnishings, soldiers' families, 475, 480
California Red Cross:
Mrs. Willard B. Harrington, president 431
Letter of secretary, Mrs. L. L. Dunbar 431
Early work, supplementing government necessities 431
Executive board 433
Organization 434
Red Cross delegate to Pacific coast. Judge Sheldon 435
Manila, nurses sent to 435
Transports, nurses and agents with 435, 436
Field hospital to Manila 436
Soldiers' home built at Presidio 437
Manner of work 438
Identification medals 438
Financial statement, consolidated, California Red Cross societies 439
Red Cross of Oregon:
Mrs. Henry E. Jones, president; Mrs. F. E. Lounsbury, secretary 441
Auxiliaries of Oregon 44^
INDEX. too
RED CROSS MEMBERSHIP— (Continued): P^^,,.
Emergency funds 444
Novel contribution of Lipman. Wolf & Company 447
Red Cross of St. Paul, Minn.:
A. S. Talmadge, president; Miss Caroline M. Beaumont, secretary.... 425
Red Cross of Washington St.\te:
Mrs. John B. Allen, president; Miss Marie Hewitt, secretary 452
State of Washington Emergency Corps, extract from report 458
Seattle Red Cross:
Mrs. J. C. Haines, president; Mrs. H. C. Colver, secretary 455
Tacoma Red Cross:
Mrs. Chauncey Griggs, president; Mrs. H. M. Thomas, secretary 456
Walla Walla Red Cross:
Mrs. Lester S. Wilson, president; Mrs. Eugene Boycr, secretary 456
Spokane Red Cross:
Mrs. Virginia K. Hayward. president; Mrs. A. J. Shaw, secretary 457
RUSSIAN FAMINE:
Russian famine, extent of 176. 1S9, 192
Russian climate 175
Russian peasant, customs and religion 175, 176. 180. 193
Russian famine, numbers afifccted 30,000.000 176
Russian-American relief, beginning of 177
Tillinghast, B. F 177
Corn from Iowa, 225 carloads 177
United States Congress, action regarding Russian famine 177
The '• Elks " 177
Russian and American friendship 178
" Tynehead " steamship 178. 180. 186. 187, 195
International conference of 1892 at Rome 178
Russian government, activity in famine 179 191. 192
Russian people, activity in famine 179- IQI. '94
Russian famine, oflficial report. Honorable Chas. Emory Smith 179
Russian appreciation of American help 180. 181, 187. 193, 196
Bobrinskoi, Count Alexander 180, 181
" Dimitri Donskoi," royal naval flagship, at Philadelphia, anniversary
of " Tynehead " in Russia 180
Gifts from the Czar to American commissioners 181
Testimony from peasants of Libeau 217
Testimonial from nobility of St. Petersburg 181
Hubhell. Dr. J. B.. report 182
Russian Red Cross, letter to president. General KauflFmann. with
reply 182. 183
" Tynehead," arrival and unloading at Riga. 307 carloads 185, 186
Nijni Novgorod 190
Russian schoolmaster, incident I95
Corn, questions of ocean transportation answered 195
American distribution in Russia most satisfactory 196
700 INDEX.
S.
Cuba and Cuban Campaign: Page.
Sagua la Grande 542, 643
Salaries 634
Sampson, Admiral 367, 370, 373, 555, 574, 576, 610. 621
Sampson. Admiral, letter concerning entrance to Havana 370
Sampson, Admiral, letter to, concerning entrance to Santiago 574
Sampson, Admiral, Red Cross reports to, off Santiago, June 25th 555, 574
576, 610, 621
San Luis and Holguin districts visited 623
Santa Clara, Sagua la Grande 542, 643
Santiago from, division liosi)ital. Major Wood 563, 564, 616, 646
Santiago, to the front of 563, 616
Santiago, concerning entrance to, July 17, 1898 574, 575, 576, 578, 651, 652
Santiago, conditions in 577, 630
Santiago general relief committee 639, 651
Santiago hospitals, clinic and dispensary 623, 651, 652
Santiago fed 579, 621, 626
Santiago, committee of women appointed 626
Santiago, sailed from, August 21, 1898 574, 629
Schley, Admiral 576, 578, 651
Secretary of Navy, instructions concerning " State of Texas " 367
Secretary of Navy accepts Red Cross service 395
Secretary of State, letter, reconcentrado relief 361, 362
Secretary of State 361, 362, 377, 385, 386, 388, 516
Secretary of War 395. 396, 494
Secretary of War, instructions concerning establishment of Red Cross
camps 395
Secretary of War arranged 2,000 tons relief supplies for Havana, requests
Red Cross to distribute 584
Shafter, General Wm., returns Spanish wounded prisoners to their friends
(article XI) 570
Siboney, American surgeons decline woman's help, but Cubans accept.... 557
588, 613
Siboney, opening of Red Cross hospital 561, 590, 615
Siboney, Kennan, Lesser, Elwell, go to front 558, 589
Siboney burned 574
" Sisters," Red Cross 560, 588, 645, 646
"Solace," the first hospital ship under the treaty (see article XL articles
for navy) 591
Sollosso, Dr. J. B 652
Spanish-American war 360
Spanish authorities co-operate in Cuban relief 529, 547
Spanish protection to Red Cross property 604
Spanish prisoners, relief for, on captured vessels 551, 591, 607, 644
Spanish hospitals at Santiago 622
Spanish naval prisoners on transoort " Harvard " Sgi
INDEX. 701
Page.
Spanish prisoners treated and fed 596
Spanish authorities, Havana, propose paying custom duties and distributing
our goods 629
Spanish prisoners. Portsmouth, N. H., and steamships, nurses to 506
Spanish reception of Red Cross nurses in Spain 507
Spanish money 634
Spain, to the Red Cross of 663
Steamship " State of Texas," arrangements for sending 365
Steamship " State of Texas," correspondence relating to sending of 365
" State of Texas ' sails from New York, April 23, 1898 550. 605
" State of Texas " reports to Admiral Sampson off Key West 606
" State of Texas " leaves Key West for Santiago, June 20th 555, 609
" State of Texas " under protection of navy 550, 606
" State of Texas " goes to Jamaica for ice 618
" State of Texas," discharged July 22d 580. 622
Steamer " San Antonio," Cuban relief 653
Supply committee, requisitions filled, from June 22d to December i, 1898.. 480
Supplies American-Cuban, 6,000 tons 634
Surgeon-General, letter of, accepting services of women nurses 494
Surgeons cannot get their supplies from transports (Santiago) 589
Surgeons work by moonlight as precaution against sharpshooters 646
Swiss government as intermediary 384, 386
Sanitary commission of United States 31
Services in time of war 30
Services in time of peace 29
Servian Red Cross, decoration 83
Sick and wounded, improvements for 30
Sign of neutrality 24, 58
Society of Public Utility of Switzerland 23, 48, 50
Solferino 23
Southmayd. Colonel F. R., and New Orleans Red Cross 148
Syracuse Red Cross no
Swiss Federal Council 24
" Six, The Little." story 130
" Six, The Big " 134
T.
Tampa during preparations for war 555. 643. 644
Tasajo (jerked beef) 609
Telegraph companies' assistance 365
Texas drought. 1887 I34
Texas drought, action of Congress vetoed I37
Texas drought, report to President Cleveland 137
Texas drought, state appropriation. $100.000 139
Tolstoi on peasants and famine 174. 187. 188
Thurston. Senator and Mrs 546
To the auxiliaries of the Red Cross 677
702 INDEX.
To the committees of the Red Cross 676
To Miss Barton, by her assistants, on dispersing 633
To the nurses of the Red Cross, tribute (Hussey) 677
To the Red Cross of Spain 663
To the people, " a word " 13
To the reader 681
Treaty in U. S., persons who gave effective help in securing 89
Treaty of the Red Cross, accession to, by U. S 80. 85. 87, 385
TREATY OF GENEVA:
Ambulances and hospitals Par. I, 57
Arms, incapacity to bear " VI, 58
Brassard, regulation concerning " VII, 58
Enemy, occupation by " 111, 57
Equipment of hospitals " IV, 57
Evacuations, participants protected " VI, 58
Flag, distinct and uniform " VII, 58
Hospitals and equipments " IV, 57
Houses sheltering wounded " V. 57
Inhabitants assisting wounded " V. 57
Property, personal, of staff " IV, 57
Sick and wounded, care of " VI, 57
Staff, medical and hospital " II, 57
Wounded, delivery to outposts ' VI, 57
The "Additional Articles":
Ambulances, definition of " III, 74
Boats, assisting wounded and wrecked " VI, 74
Cargo, neutrality of " X. 75
Flag, distinctive, regulations " XII, 75
Hospital ships " IX, 75
Auxiliary Red Cross vessels, regulations " XIII, 76
Military, how distinguished " XII, 75
Merchant ships " X, 75
Neutrality of vessels " IX, 75
Neutrality of cargo " X, 75
Officers, wounded, detention of " V, 75
Property of staff " VII. 74
Quartering troops " IV, 75
Red Cross, auxiliary hospital ships " XIII, 76
Sailors and soldiers, wounded " XI, 75
Salary of neutral persons " II, 74
Search, right of " X, 75
Ships, hospital " IX, 75
Auxiliary Red Cross " XIII, 76
Military " XII, 75
Staff, hospital and religious " VII, 75
On captured ships " VIII, 75
I,
74
XIV.
76
IV.
74
IX.
7-:^
V,
74
VI.
75
XI.
75
INDEX. 703
TREATY OF GENEVA — (Continued): PaKe.
Staff, withdrawal of Par.
Suspension of treaty, rights of
Troops, quartering of "
Vessels, neutral
Wounded, detention and delivering of
Picked up by boats
Sailors and soldiers protected "
Transportation of corn by water? Answered 193
Transportation companies, generous assistance 364
Transportation, difficulties in all kinds of 583
Tribute to the Red Cross, by B. H. Warner 406
Trocha 5.W
Tug " Triton " 580
Typhoid epidemic. Chicamauga 502
U.
United States, action with the treaty, and additional articles, 72, 80. 85, 385, 393
United States accession to treaty of the Red Cross, March i, 1882 80
United States, tardiness in giving adhesion to treaty 36, 663
United States Senate, first action towards adhesion of treaty. May. 1881. ... 7i
United States, thirty-second nation to adopt treaty, and first to adopt the
articles of navy 86. 87
W.
Warehouse. San Jose. Havana 521 , 600, 642
Wertsch, Captain P. C, letter and reply 631
Women's auxiliai ies of the Red Cross relief committee, report 491
Women nurses. . ?8, 30. 401. 411. 412. 429. 435, 436, 492. 493, 494, 590, 595. 596. 646
Women nurses, testimony of army surgeons 403. 504
Women nurses accepted by Surgeon-General 494
Women's work in foreign countries 28. 30
Wounded, all available assistance requested 593
Wood, General Leonard, military sanitary work 626
Wood, Surgeon-Major, Red Cross surgeon 646
Wounds, character of 593, 594, 595
Wounds heal rapidly 593. 594
Wounded of the " Maine " in hospital 525. 6oo
Wounded, working among, at the front 564, 590, 616. 646. 649
Y.
Yacht " Red Cross " 4^Q. 55Q
Yellow fever in Florida. 1888 147
Yellow fever nurses, Howard Association of New Orleans 147
Yellow fever nurses declined by superintending surgeon 147
Yellow fever in Cuba 574, 650
Yellow fever, first appearance at Siboney 596
Yellow fever talk at the front and Siboney $7^, 574. 617
Vellow fever scare prevents landing supplies for Cubans at Guantanamo. 576, 61O
Young, Miss, concerning Red Cross nurses 505
^11 4551
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