May 2022 Auction Ends Thursday, May 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/26/2022
Clara Barton autograph letter signed, with emotional content regarding her mental state, likely written during the Civil War. While letter is undated, Barton writes from Washington, giving clues as to the year with, ''Tuesday 8 a.m. 10th [?]'' and then, ''1019 - T''. Based on its content, letter is likely written during the War, when the strain of Barton's duties attending to wounded and sick soldiers must have been hard to bear. She writes to friends in Massachusetts, likely the same family she lived with during the late 1850s when she was exiled from her job in Washington DC, in response to her anti-slavery views.
Letter reads in full, ''My dearest Harry - Just this line, to tell you I am coming home - I am not well, and shall not risk any further stay - It is possible I leave tonight, but if I can risk my strength will wait till tomorrow night (Wednesday) take a sleeper, and be at Wayland [Massachusetts] Thursday before noon - you know the time of the trains much better than I. I think to come alone - it is not my body proper that has given way but the nerves & sleep - 'The old, old story'. If I come tonight - I shall telegraph some one for this will not reach - but if only tomorrow, do you think it is too much to ask you to meet me at Wayland my darling -- I shall be tired, and want to see you then.
The little Boy goes home today with his father - he is doing very well at present - they tell me, I have not seen him in some time. My darling previous sister with all the love of Clara -
To 'Father' / Dear and honored friend: / As long as I live I shall be glad, and proud of that letter you do not, and cannot know what, nor how much it was, and is to me. It is all true, and Oh so wise and good, and kind, and it sank like refreshing dew, away down deep in my sore sick heart and has lain there all these hard days like a precious balm. Sometimes my tears have watered it, in its hiding place, - but it all meant that just as soon as I could, I should follow every word of its counsel, and come back to you and precious Harriet. I must stand at my post. I must steer my ship till till [sic] the help came, stand faithfully by my charge and save it, and then I might come. It is done, and [?] I come now.
God Bless you for the assurance of the Welcome to the old Hillside and its dear ones - that your letter gives me - dear precious letter - have tender [?] and good counsellor. Once more God Bless you and the dear precious sister - and all the [?] kind souls of that noble home. / Always with gratitude / respect and love / Clara Barton''. Three page letter on card-style stationery measures 5'' x 8''. Written in pencil, letter has some creasing and tape remnants, but overall in very good plus condition.
Intriguing Clara Barton Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...I am not well...it is not my body proper that has given way but the nerves & sleep...''
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