Description:

Illinois Physician Sends Clara Barton Greetings, Thanks for Caring for Him when Wounded in Civil War

[CLARA BARTON.] GEORGE W. BURNS, Autograph Letter Signed, to Clara Barton, February 12, 1906, White Hall, Illinois. 2 pp., 8.5" x 11". With envelope, 6.5" x 3.625". Expected folds, some toning from enclosed newspaper clipping; envelope torn on opening; very good.

Dr. George W. Burns of White Hall, Illinois, sent this letter to Clara Barton, thanking her for a pamphlet she sent to him and reminder her that she cared for him in 1863, when he was a wounded soldier in Washington, D.C.

Complete Transcript:
G. W. Burns, M.D.
White Hall, Ill., Feb 12 1906
Miss Clara Barton, President F. A. S.
Oxford, Mass.
Ever remembered Friend:
Thanks for the beautiful souvenir, that came during Jan. 1906. I had been thinking quite often about you; during 1904 I had been watching the papers to see if you were coming to the great Fair at St. Louis, Mo was so in hopes that Mrs. Burns and I could meet you, but that was a disappointment. Always will remember the way you cared for me while I lay wounded, gangrened and diphtheria in Ward I Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D.C. year 1863 Month of October. You were there in the place of that dear Miss Mary S. Felton, that returned when you left.
Mrs. Burns reminded me when starting to the office that had not answered you for sending the beautiful souvenir that she is so proud of and that her friends admire so much, for the love they have for Miss Barton. I send the little city daily Capt. E. J. Pearce editor see his notice in it. he was so pleased to hear from you, he was a Capt. in the war, acted Provost Marshal Gen. for Gen. Butler at New Orleans, and Vicksburgh when Butler was in command. The Captain Pearce and I were school mates, raised at Sandy Lake, Mercer Co., Pa 50 miles northwest from Butler, Pa., the place where you went during the epidemic of fever some 2 or 3 years ago, he has always been a great admirer of the great fortitude you have so constantly displayed for the uplifting and relieving the distress of humanity.
Rev. Haley of M. E. Church, preaching about opportunities said "Miss Barton left government employ to care for the wounded and sick soldiers 1861 to '65, thereby teaching what one woman could do for humanity, and earning the admiration of the whole of the civilized earth.["] Surely God in his wisdom made you for the peace and has kept you. I am so glad you are not a physical sufferer, yet if you were God would lift you above suffering. Mrs. Burns joins me in best wishes. Yours Truly,
G. W. Burns

[Envelope:] In Clara Barton's hand "Letter of Dr. G. U. Burns / White Hall, Illinois, 1906. / A wounded soldier of 1863."
G. U. Burns / sent paper to him & he replied. Ansd 1909 / Answered by Greeting

[Clipping from Evening Republican (White Hall, Illinois), January 23, 1906:] "Dr. G. W. Burns has received from Miss Clara Barton of Oxford, Mass., a pamphlet referring to her former work as president of the Red Cross society and her present position as president of the National First Aid Association of America. The pamphlet contains her picture. She was 84 years old on Dec. 25, 1905, but says that she is well and strong. She says: 'You have never known me without work and you never will.' Miss Barton cared for Dr. Burns when he was in a hospital at Washington, suffering from wounds received at the second battle of Fredericksburg, May 3rd, 1863."

Clara Barton (1821-1912) was born in Massachusetts and received a good education though she was painfully shy. Her parents persuaded her to become a schoolteacher and she received her teacher's certificate in 1839. After working as a teacher for a dozen years, she attended the Clinton Liberal Institute in New York to continue her education. In 1852, she successfully opened a free school in Bordentown, the first free school in New Jersey. Demoted after the town built a new school building and hired a male principal, Barton quit. In 1855, she moved to Washington, D.C., and began work as a clerk in the Patent Office, the first woman to receive a substantial clerkship and equal pay with a man. After three years, the administration of James Buchanan fired her because of her "Black Republican" political views. After living with friends in Massachusetts for three years, she returned to Washington and took a position as temporary copyist in the Patent Office. After the Baltimore Riot of April 1861 against Massachusetts troops, Barton nursed forty of the victims back to health and learned valuable lessons about aiding soldiers. She began collecting medical supplies and distributing them to soldiers. In August 1862, she received permission from Quartermaster Daniel Rucker to work on the front lines. Throughout the war, she distributed medicine and food to wounded soldiers in close proximity to the battles of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. In 1864, General Benjamin Butler placed her in charge of hospitals at the front of the Army of the James. For her Civil War service, Barton became known as the "Angel of the Battlefield" and the "Florence Nightingale of America." After the war, she ran the Office of Missing Soldiers in Washington, helping to locate the remains of more than 22,000 missing soldiers. She also lectured about her experiences and became associated with the women's suffrage movement and the civil rights movement for African Americans. In 1869, she became acquainted with the Red Cross in Switzerland and aided military hospitals during the Franco-Prussian War. In 1881, she founded the American Red Cross and became its first president. She continued to work in the field in response to natural disasters and wars as late as 1900.

George W. Burns (1839-1921) was born in Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a private in the 139th Pennsylvania Infantry and gained promotion to corporal. He was wounded at Fredericksburg in May 1863 and transferred to a hospital in Washington, D.C. He settled in Greene County, Illinois, in 1868. In 1871, he married Helen Margaret Black. Burns graduated from the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1878, and practiced in Greene County.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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