A Story of the Red Cross; Glimpses of Field Work — John Shaqi
A Story of the Red Cross; Glimpses of Field WorkBarton, Clara
History
A Story of the Red Cross; Glimpses of Field Work
Barton, Clara
American National Red Cross
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 themselves, for the sick, the children, and the old and helpless who
had escaped the fever and must be cared for. 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
lives preserved.
On November 1st 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
hands 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 person, should most fittingly do this,
and I accordingly left Washington on the morning of November 22d 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 supper. 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 o'clock brought taps and
lights out. In spite of all caution the news of our coming had spread
over the surrounding country, and telegrams bringing both thanks for
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account