Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

"God has indeed remembered us"

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008

1. "God has indeed remembered us" Marker

Inscription. At a farmhouse and barn not far from here, Clara Barton labored without sleep for three days, comforting the wounded of the Battle of Antietam with water, food, and medical supplies.

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, began her lifetime of mercy work at the onset of the Civil War. She spent the war's first year gathering medical supplies from Union citizens. Hearing gruesome reports from the front, she pleaded with the Army to permit her to bring these supplies to the battlefield where the men needed them most. Finally gaining permission, she arrived at Antietam to find surgeons using corn husks for dressings.

"I took my arms full of stimulants and bandages....I found ... myself face to face with... one of the kindest and nobler surgeons I had ever met.... He at length threw up his hands - with [']God has indeed remembered us.... We ... have not a bandage, rag, lint, or string and ... wounded men bleeding to death[']"

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Clara Barton series list.

Location.

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This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 39° 29.333′ N, 77° 44.84′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Mansfield Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Located at the pull off for stop two on the driving tour of Antietam Battlefield, the Poffenberger Farm. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Clara Barton (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Clara Barton (here, next to this marker); 7th Regiment Pennsylvania (a few steps from this marker); "The Battle Opened" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Culmination of Another Great Tragedy was at Hand (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade Bivouac (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Army Corps (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.

More about this marker. The main illustration on the marker is Clara Barton assists a wounded soldier on the Battlefield. The caption continues, At one point during the battle, as she attended a soldier, a bullet passed through
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 9, 2008

2. Clara Barton's Recollections
her sleeve and killed the man she was helping. To the right of the illustration is facsimile of her description of the incident. On the lower left is a drawing of Medical operations at the Battle of Antietam, from a sketch done at the scene. Clara Barton supplied lanterns by which the surgeons could work.

Regarding "God has indeed remembered us". This marker was replaced by one named Clara Barton (See nearby markers).

Additional commentary.
1. Field Hospitals at Antietam
The actions involving the Antietam Campaign turned Washington County and western Frederick County Maryland into the largest collection of field and receiving hospitals seen up to that time. In the immediate vicinity of the battlefield were several facilities of note. The Middlekauf Farm, most likely the one referenced on the marker text, stood to the north of the Joseph Poffenberger Farm. The Line Farm, Hoffman Farm, and S. Poffenberger Farm all stood to the east of the morning battle area. Further out, across Antietam Creek near Keedysville stood Pry's Mill which was used as a field hospital and a field hospital near the Upper Bridge. In the center part of the battlefield, the Roulette, Kennedy, and Neikirk Farms were used by the Federals. Closer to the Boonsboro Pike,

7th Pennsylvania Reserves and Clara Barton Monuments at Stop Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

3. 7th Pennsylvania Reserves and Clara Barton Monuments at Stop Two

the Newcomer and Ecker Farms were also sites of field hospitals. the Pry House barn, near McClellan's Headquarters, was impressed into use also. The Confederates used two houses and three churches in Sharpsburg for their wounded. The sheer number of wounded soon overflowed these facilities. Houses, barns, churches, warehouses, and other structures in Keedysville, Hagerstown, Funkstown, Boonsboro, Middletown, Birkittsville, and other places were modified for use.

— Submitted March 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,291 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.