 The Civil War nurse Clara Barton was born and raised in Oxford , Worcester County , Massachusetts , and knew many of the men in the 21st Massachusetts . More than 40 of them had been her students when she was a teacher before the war . She therefore took an acute interest in their welfare . During the Maryland Campaign , she visited frequently with the regiment and cared for its wounded during the Battle of Antietam . Sgt. Plunkett , the color bearer of the 21st who suffered such grievous wounds during the Battle of Fredericksburg , credited Barton with saving his life . She was at his side when he was first treated , personally arranged his transport home , and carried on correspondence with him after the war . Barton declared the 21st her favorite regiment and , in turn , the men of the 21st voted her a " daughter " of the regiment . 
