“Roll of Missing Men – No. 3 To Returned Soldiers and others, Clara Barton”
1866

A printed poster mounted on fabric listing soldiers missing after Civil War from May 1, 1866.  It carries the printed title "Roll of Missing Men---No.3” There are eleven columns of names divided by state.  The poster also has an open letter addressed "To Returned Soldiers and Others” from Clara Barton” that is featured in the upper left corner requesting information on the listed men.  The printed sheet is most likely mounted on linen with machine sewn hem along left edge.  Rolls such as these were printed and distributed during Clara Barton’s search for missing soldiers between 1865 and 1869.  Below is her appeal for information as it was written on this roll.
Paper. H 62.5 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 11

Transcription: 
“Please post in a safe and conspicuous place.
To Returned Soldiers and Others.  Washington, D. C., May 1, 1866.
Soldiers and Friends of Soldiers:

This roll, No. 3, is composed entirely of names of soldiers who have been killed in battle, died in southern prisons, or otherwise lost in the service, and whose fate is unknown to their friends.

Each name here enrolled is taken from the letter of some relative or friend, who has written to me asking my aid in their painful search; and in their behalf I appeal to you to give such facts relative to the fate of these men as you may recollect or can ascertain.  They have been your comrades on march, picket, or raid, or in battle, hospital, or prison; and falling there, the fact and manner of their death may be known only to you.

The thousands of letters making these inquiries are in my possession, filed and recorded, and the bereaved families and friends are anxiously waiting the information which they hope to obtain to you.

Please examine these rolls, and if you have facts relating to any on herein named, communicate them to me by letter, with your full address, that the information may be immediately forwarded to the inquiring friends. 

As some may have returned since the inquiry, or a comrade whose name appears here maybe be known by you to be living, please inform me, that the name may be withheld from future rolls.

Letters of inquiry for missing soldiers need only to contain the names, with the regiment, company, and State or other organization, to which they belonged, and the address of the writer plainly written.

No apology is necessary for writing me; and if a letter fails to receive an answer, please write again, as no letter will ever be intentionally neglected, and in no case will any compensation be accepted.
Clara Barton
Address –
Miss Clara Barton,
Washington, D. C.”