The Ottumwa Civil War Round Table will hold its October meeting Thursday, October 15, at Hotel Ottumwa, featuring a presentation on Clara Barton’s work during and after the Civil War.
Patricia Essick will present “Your Communication of ____ Is Received: Clara Barton Between the Battlefield and the Red Cross.” The program will explore Barton’s lesser-known work with the Missing Soldiers Office from 1865 to 1868.
While Clara Barton is widely remembered for her work as the “Angel of the Battlefield” and for establishing the American Red Cross, her efforts to locate missing Union soldiers after the war are another important part of her legacy.
Essick, one of the original members of the Ottumwa Civil War Round Table who remains active with the organization, will share the story of Barton’s determination to discover what happened to thousands of Union soldiers who never returned home. The presentation will also examine how Barton’s work helped grieving families find answers and closure.
Dinner will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting and program at 6:45 p.m.
The Ottumwa Civil War Round Table welcomes those interested in Civil War history to attend and learn more about this often-overlooked chapter in Clara Barton’s life.
Source: The Hornet’s Nest, the monthly newsletter of the Ottumwa Civil War Round Table.
