EDMES Grade Five Learning Tree
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Fighting WomenHistorical records verify the fact that over eighty women were either wounded or killed at various battles during the Civil War. It is estimated that over 400 women served in the Civil War on both sides, not counting the thousands who served as nurses. In 1863, at age 19, a woman known only as Emily, ran away from home and joined the drum corps of a Michigan Regiment. The regiment was sent to Tennessee and during the struggle for Chattanooga; during fighting, a gunshot pierced the side of the young soldier and she was fatally wounded. Only then was it discovered that she was a woman.
On April 10, 1864, dressed in full uniform, she accidentally walked into a group of Rebel soldiers just south of the Georgia-Tennessee border. Their commanding officer, General Daniel Harvey Hill, ordered her sent to Richmond as a prisoner. After spending four months in prison, she was released in time to help during the battle for Atlanta as a surgeon in Louisville, Kentucky. Walker was greatly pleased that she had been traded "man for man," for a Confederate Officer. Even in uniform Dr Mary Walker was controversial - she added trousers under her skirt, wore a man's uniform jacket and carried two pistols at all times. Although she was never actually commissioned in the military, she worked as a field surgeon near the Union front lines for almost two years (including Fredericksburg and in Chattanooga after the Battle of Chickamauga), then was appointed assistant surgeon of the 52nd Ohio Infantry. During her stay with the 52nd Ohio, she also served as a spy while wandering out in to the civilian community to treat the sick and starving. She spent the rest of the war practicing at a Louisville female prison and an orphan's asylum in Tennessee.
Sarah Emmamo Ednds, the Canadian-born woman who successfully operated behind Confederate lines as a Union spy during the American Civil War. She was probably the only spy in history who was both transvestite and transracial. Edmonds came to the United States from New Brunswick, Canada, in 1856. When the Civil War began in 1861 she adopted the name Frank Thompson and volunteered to serve as a male nurse for the Union Army. She was present at the first Battle of Bull Run, the first major combat between Union and Confederate troops. After serving as a male nurse for two years, Edmonds volunteered to serve as a spy behind Confederate lines. Disguising herself as a young black man by dyeing her skin and wearing a wig, she managed to cross the front lines near Yorktown, VA. Although claiming to be a free black when confronted by an overseer, Edmonds was put to work on Confederate fortifications. After a day of backbreaking work, she was able to make a sketch of the fortifications and an accounting of the ordnance being installed. The next day she carried water for the workers and then food to the troops. Although reportedly impressed as a sentry at one point, she was able to defect back to Union lines during a rainy night--carrying her Confederate rifle as a trophy. Although behind Confederate lines for only three days, Edmonds is said to have brought back useful military information. During the coming months she successfully accomplished 11 more missions behind Confederate lines without being detected. On one occasion she went as an Irish peddler woman, other times she posed as a dry goods clerk, and once she claimed to be the grieving friend of a dead soldier. Eventually contracting malaria while on a spy mission, she deserted after returning to Union lines, fearing that if she received medical treatment her sex would be discovered.
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The American Civil War
Perhaps the best description of this woman comes from the Post Office itself,
when they dedicated a stamp in her name, they wrote: Dr. Mary Walker was a
humanitarian devoted to the care and treatment of the sick and wounded during
the Civil War,
often at the risk of her own life. A patriot dedicated and loyal to her
country, she successfully fought against the sex discrimination of her time.
Her personal achievements, as much as her vocal support, significantly
contributed to the struggle for women's rights.
Many stories have been written about unique Civil War women, including
Sarah Emma Edmonds, alias Franklin Thompson. In Nurse and Spy in the Union
Army, 1865, which is subtitled The Adventures and Experiences of a
Woman in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields, the author chronicles her
adventures and escapades as she gathers information and nurses the wounded.
Some say that this book is a mix of fantasy and fiction, others say it is
based on true stories. 
Another
fairly well known story is that
of Jennie Hodgers who served and fought
for three years as Albert Cashier.
Her identity wasn't revealed until 1913. 
Susie Baker, later King Taylor, was born a slave in 1848 in Georgia. She
learned to read and write while living with her grandmother. Susie gained
her freedom in 1862 as contraband of war and was appointed laundress of the
33rd U.S. Colored Troops. In 1862, Susie married Sergeant Edward King, one
of the members of this regiment. Although she was only fourteen years old,
she taught the soldiers in her husband's regiment to read and write and did
their laundry. In January 1863, Susie King began to nurse the wounded men
who returned to camp from a raid up the St. Mary's River. Susie also learned
to clean, load and fire a musket. Susie King nursed the wounded soldiers for
four years until she and her husband were mustered out of the regiment in
1866. However she retained her interest in nursing and helped organize a
branch of the Woman's Relief Corps. She published her autobiography in 1902,
"Reminiscences of my life in camp with the 33d United States Colored Troops
late 1st S.C. Volunteers." The complete book can be found online at
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Page last updated:11/13/2004 |