Red Cross

a general term applied to societies engaged in assisting the wounded in time of war. In accordance with an international treaty made at Geneva in 1863, all persons connected with the work of caring for the wounded on the field of battle, in hospital service, and hospital ships are treated as neutrals, and are to be exempt from being fired upon or molested by either army, no matter which side they may belong to. The members of the Red Cross Society are held in honor bound not to assist the military operations of either army. Red Cross societies have been organized in all civilized countries. That of the United States has been incorporated under the name of National Red Cross, with Miss Clara Barton as its leader. The movement proved its efficiency first in the war of 1866 between Germany and Austria, and again in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The Red Cross service has been able to do something to lessen the horrors of the atrocious warfare that has been carried on between Turkey and its southern neighbors, and did its part during the Spanish-American War. The mikado of Japan is a firm friend of the organization, and has befriended its operations, not only in the war between Japan and China, but in the late war with Russia. The various branches and organizations known under the name of Red Cross have collected and expended over $100,000,000. See Nightingale; Ambulance; Surgery

Red Jacket (1751-1830), an American Indian. He was the chief of the Senecas and lived on the shores of Seneca Lake, New York. He was fond of wearing a scarlet coat which had been given him by a British officer; hence his English name of Red Jacket. He fought on the side of the British during the Revolutionary War. In 1792 he concluded a treaty of peace with General Washington. The latter gave him a silver medal, of which he was very proud and which he wore until the time of his death. He refused to join the conspiracy of Tecumseh. In fact, he gave the American authorities notice of the intended outbreak. During the War of 1812 he sided with the Americans. He was a swift runner and a trusty scout. So far as civilization was concerned he was utterly unprogressive. He made every effort to exclude missionaries, schools, and white men's methods of farming. During the latter part of his life he became exceedingly intemperate. He was in his day a famous chieftain and an orator of no mean ability.