This letter seemed a practical assurance that Clara Barton was to be permitted to go to the front. She had the Governor’s virtual promise, conditioned, of course, upon recommendations from proper authorities, and she thought she had sufficient influence with the surgeon, Dr. Hitchcock, to secure the required recommendation. Through an official friend she took up the matter with Dr. Hitchcock, but in a few days his letter to the Doctor came back to Clara by way of the Governor. Dr. Hitchcock did not believe that the battle-field was a suitable place for women. Among Clara Barton’s papers the letter to Dr. Hitchcock is found bearing his comment and the Governor’s brief reference with which the letter was forwarded to Clara Barton. This closed, for the time being, her prospect of getting to the front: BOSTON, March 22, 1862 DR. HITCHCOCK, DEAR SIR: A friend of mine, Miss Clara H. Barton, is very desirous of doing what she can to aid our sick and wounded men at Roanoke, or Newbern, and I to-day presented a letter from her to Governor Andrew asking that she might be sent there by the State. Governor Andrew said he would confer with you relative to the matter. I presume Miss Barton will write to you. She has been a resident of Washington and the petitions you brought for me to present to the Governor were for her appointment as an agent at Washington. She now desires to go to the Burnside expedition. I need not say that she would render efficient service to our sick and wounded and would not be an encumbrance to the service. Truly yours J. W. FLETCHER This letter bears written on its back these endorsements by Dr. Alfred Hitchcock and Governor Andrew: I do not think at the present time Miss Barton had better undertake to go to Burnside’s Division to act as a nurse. ALFRED HITCHCOCK March 25th, 1862. Respectfully referred for the information of Miss Barton. J. A. ANDREW March 25, /62. Old Captain Stephen Barton died at last, aged almost eighty-eight. The entries in Clara Barton’s diary on these days are brief and interesting: _Thursday, March 20, 1862._ Wrote Governor Andrew, and watched by poor, suffering Grandpa. Sent a letter to Irving by the morning mail. _Friday, March 21, 1862._ At 10.16 at night, my poor father breathed his last. By him were Misses Grover, Hollendrake, Mrs. Vial, David, Julia, and I. _Saturday, March 22, 1862._ David and Julia went to Worcester. Mrs. Rich here. Sent letters to Irving, Judge, Mary, Dr. Darling. _Sunday, March 23, 1862._ Call from Deacon Smith. _Monday, March 24, 1862._ Mrs. Rich went to Worcester for me. Left a note for Arba Pierce to make a wreath for poor Grandpa’s coffin. _Tuesday, March 25, 1862._ At two P.M., commenced the services of the burial, Rev. Mr. Holmes of Charlton officiating. House and grounds crowded. Ceremony solemn and impressive. At evening Cousin Jerry Stone came and brought me a letter from Governor J. A. Andrew.