A Woman of Valor: Clara Barton and the Civil War

by Stephen B. Oates

When the Civil War broke out, Clara Barton wanted more than anything to be a Union soldier, an impossible dream for a thirty-nine-year-old woman, who stood a slender five feet tall. Determined to serve, she became a veritable soldier, a nurse, and a one-woman relief agency operating in the heart of the conflict. Now, award-winning author Stephen B. Oates, drawing on archival materials not used by her previous biographers, has written the first complete account of Clara Barton's active engagement in the Civil War. By the summer of 1862, with no institutional affiliation or official government appointment, but impelled by a sense of duty and a need to heal, she made her way to the front lines and the heat of battle. Oates tells the dramatic story of this woman who gave the world a new definition of courage, supplying medical relief to the wounded at some of the most famous battles of the war--including Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Battery Wagner, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg. Committed to healing soldiers' spirits as well as their bodies, she served not only as nurse and relief worker, but as surrogate mother, sister, wife, or sweetheart to thousands of sick, wounded, and dying men.

Genres: History, Civil War, Biography, Nonfiction, Nursing, Medical, American Civil War

527 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 1995

About the author

An expert on 18th century U.S. history, Stephen B. Oates was professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he taught from 1969 until his retirement in 1997. Oates received his BA (1958), MA (1960), and Ph.D. (1969) from the University of Texas.

Oates wrote 16 books during his career, including biographies of Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton, and John Brown, and an account of Nat Turner's slave rebellion. His Portrait of America, a compilation of essays about United States history, is widely used in advanced high school and undergraduate university American history courses. His two "Voices of the Storm" books are compilations of monologues of key individuals in events leading up to and during the American Civil War. He also appeared in the well-known Ken Burns PBS documentary on the war.

Oates received the Nevins-Freeman Award of the Chicago Civil War Round Table for his historical work on the American Civil War.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book, but I can't say I fell in love with Clara. She seemed a bit less self-serving than I'd imagined and a little more out for the fame and glory. Picky of me, considering she seldom got paid for any of her mind-boggling hard work on behalf of the soldiers. AND she was quite an interesting woman, not at all out for the usual "woman" things like marriage and family, although quite happy to engage in the occasional affair. You decide . . .

[Sarah Bierle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written biography of Clara Barton.

I liked her patriotism, courage, and determination. The book uses many quotes from primary sources written by Miss Barton and doesn't gloss over the struggles of her personal life.

Especially recommended for readers seeking to understand the role of women in the medical field during the American Civil War.

[Katie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to Clara Barton, and I must say I'm impressed. This biography really did read like a novel-- especially in comparison to the Martha Washington biography I read recently. It's not so much that the writing was spectacular, but it flowed. The writing allowed me to step back in time and meet Clara.

I was swept away by Clara. She truly was a woman of valor when you look at all of her accomplishments. Many critics claim that the majority of her work was for attention; she was proud, controlling, possessive, envious of other women in the spotlight-- and perhaps she was. Oates let Clara be Clara: a woman who was competing against woman ten to twenty years her junior, a woman who had to prove herself to every new man that stood in her way; of course she was proud. I have no negative opinions towards Clara if she was possessive or controlling, that shows she's human.

I hadn't known her role in the Civil War was so prominent-- I really only knew she had something to do with the Civil War and something to do with the Red Cross. Indeed, she did and more. She truly was an Angel on the Battlefield.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a weird relationship with this bio. It's good but certainly not great. The last 100+ pages of the book are just references alone; his "Acknowledgements" section lists several books that helped him write this bio. As a student of history I LOVED that, and it made me trust what he wrote.

However, as thick as the book is, it's pretty thin when it comes to details. I understand that there's only so much we can know about Clara's life, but I felt he could have developed every chapter much more. A lot of the time, the chapter titles implied that the chapters would give in-depth descriptions of Clara's work--for example, it would make sense that the chapter "Andersonville" would provide a lot of detail on her work with the Union prison. Instead (I felt) it glanced over her involvement--when the chapter was over I found myself very confused about the actual nitty-gritty of her work and involvement. That could have just been me, though; frequently I found Oates's writing style irritating.

So, a good bio. Just not a great one.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. It gave a new perspective to the Civil War from Clara Barton's point of view, straight from the battlefield and from Washington. Clara Barton was indeed a woman of valor, she was brave and relentless in her cause - to give comfort and medical assistance to the soldiers in the field. The conditions the soldiers lived in were beyond abysmal. It was also very interesting to get a glimpse into her personal life; she was a complex woman. On the one hand she worried about propriety - for example, going to the battlefield with chaperones so as not to be seen as inappropriate. On the other hand, she carried on a lengthy affair with a married man while in South Carolina. A great read!

[David Kroodsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read about a third of this book.

It is written by the father of my brother in law.

Impressive, detailed writing. It makes me not want to fight in the Civil War, when medical treatment was such that people were given mercury to drink when they were sick. No one knew about how diseases spread, so saws used to amputate limbs were never sterilized before use. Most people died of simple infections.

[Jean Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara Barton was a most amazing woman and Oates has given us a good view of her life and times. Every woman and man should read this and learn more about her than just that she started the American Red Cross. A fascinating psychological study and a very complex, industrious woman who was a first at many things.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

My college profesor wrote this book. Such interesting things to be learned about Clara Barton

[Hillary Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good biography, but I was a little annoyed with Clara by the end. The work she did was selfless, and she sacrificed much to help others, but it seemed like she was very self-centered and wanted excessive recognition for what she did. I was also expecting to learn about how she founded the American Red Cross (this is why I picked up the book), but the book didn't cover that part of her life.

[James McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of Clara Barton is inspiring and intriguing. A woman of determination who wouldn’t be denied. An able marksman & equestrian desirous to enlist in a mans war she sidestepped into the much needed role of healthcare for the thousands of wounded. She served as a quartermaster for medical supplies and provisions for which the northern army was ill prepared. If one is looking for a feminist role model, author Stephen Oates gives us a titan. His style of writing is precise and entertaining. A great read giving us insight into 19th century compassion amid violent & destructive war.

[Rosemary Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Clara Barton and her role in the Civil War. Clara Barton was a complex woman, certainly brave, she willingly risked her life many times to help soldiers in the war. At the same time, she seemed to have quite an ego, did not want to work with or for other women, certainly not younger or prettier women, and wanted recognition for her work. At times, Clara Barton was absolutely amazing and at other times, not so likable... Perhaps all too human!

[Hans Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating biography of a woman often on the periphery, but sadly too seldom in the spotlight, "A Woman of Valor" presents a detailed examination of the Civil War service of Clara Barton, the Angel of the Battlefield, from Antietam to her postwar work with the Office of Missing Soldiers prior to the formation of the American Red Cross. Expertly researched and skillfully written, the book is essential to anyone wanting to know of women in the Civil War.

[Graceann · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many layers to Clara Barton, and Stephen Oates does his best to pay attention to all of them here. She was more than an angel of mercy - how boring it would be if she were all goodness and light. She was tough, determined and stubborn, but amazingly efficient and successful in what she set out to do.

[Crystal Friars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a while to read but I really enjoyed it. It was fun to revisit a heroine from my childhood and to go more into depth into her life especially the Civil War experience. It was easy to read but I did need to take breaks to read other items as well.

[Greynomad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an incredible woman especially in that era. The horror she faced attending the wounded on the battle field and the politics that she faced getting access to the battle field. I would have liked to have the book follow her in the later years but I am glad for what I did get in print.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life of the founder of the American Red Cross. Amazing people back then.

[Teanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not gonna finish this book. Biographies bore me to tears and this is only for my history presentation.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hearts breaking with pity, faces bathed in tears, and hands in blood. This is the side [of war] which history never shows.” Clara Barton “This is the story of her Civil War.”

A great book! No matter our past or present circumstances and flaws, we can bless the lives of others.

After meeting a soldier whose stumps of arms were bandaged up, Henry Wilson exclaimed, "My God, what a price! Liberty should be the most precious of all things attainable by man, yet nothing, no not all else together, is so dearly bought!"

“I rededicated myself to my little work of humanity—pledging before God, all that I have, all that I am, all that I can, and all that I hope to be, to the cause of justice and mercy and patriotism, my country and my God.”

Had she been a soldier her efforts might have won her the congressional Medal of Honor.

[Ann Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was glad to lean more about Clara Barton. As the author noted, I always thought of her as the Civil War Florence Nightingale. But she was so much more! I had no idea about the fights she was part of. I also had no idea about the post war work to mark the graves of the dead soldiers and update families on the burial locations and stays of their loved ones. The politics and lack of support around the lists and the work she and others wanted to do to rectify the situation made me sad.

The book also brought clarity to many racial injustices.

The story is important, but the writing somehow wasn’t compelling.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the audiobook! I have admired Clara Barton since I was a young child, but this was the first book that gave me a real look at her as a woman living daily life. She met so many obstacles, including those of depression and patriarchal oppression, but persevered through it all.

I doubt I would have been able to complete such a lengthy book if it had not been for 2x speed option on the audiobook. However, I am so pleased to have completed it and will now review passages in the physical copy as there are many quotable moments. Highly recommend this book...especially the audio format.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading about Clara Barton since I was kid. I wanted to be a nurse but that never happened. She’s an amazing woman who did so much for so many. I loved this book although it was a bit longer than I would have like (the last 150+ pages are proof of references) but covered everything she did in the Civil War and after. The descriptions of the war are absolutely incredible because it was disturbing what those soldier went through and Clara helped many using her own money to buy supplies and food although she did get lots of contributions. If she was alive today she’d be in Congress!

[Kszr · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed, well written history of Clara Barton and her experienced in the Civil War. The amount of effort the author made in bringing this story together, through reports, letters, diaries, and more was breathtaking. Long at times due to the details and facts it was packed with, this was not an easy read for the content, but well written. If you are a history buff, this is a great read.

[Robert Sperduto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not the best story I have read but reading about the battles Clara was "in" gave a good insight to her personality and purpose in life. Clara did come off as a self centered women that wanted nothing to do with other women and at time men, unless she needed them. Still she helped many men during some of the worst battles in our Civil war!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting woman who was not as simple a saint as we learn in grammar school. She demanded rights that most women would not have dreamed of fighting for, but also fell into depression and times of languid inability to accomplish anything. Others had to prod her along into action at times.
She had a love affair while serving during the Civil War, but never married.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

gets a little muddy and bogged down on the details of the Civil War rather than give more specifics of how Clara got her start before the Red Cross. Still a good and informative narrative. I wish it had at least highlighted a little of her post war life.

[Mary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book about Clara Barton and how she help the doctors and staff in the Civil War. How she got supplies to the sick and injured soldiers. Some did not recognize her service. Great book.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a passion for something, don't give up. Keep going and do the best you can.

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great read and has left a lasting impression on me as to the woman's strength and trailblazing activities in a male society. I only wish it had been about the entire arc of her life.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

an great retelling of a story of great woman who broke ground , in an male domminated society.

[Ashley B · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a weak stomach, be prepared that war injuries are described very vividly in this book. I’ve read a few Civil War era books, and it was nice to read from this perspective.