Civil War

Civil WarЕwas between brothers, cousins, friends and neighbors - and some of them were women.

Many were nurses, sutlers, and as Union and Confederate soldiers, and even spies.

Historical records verify that over 60 women were either wounded or killed at various battles

Over 400 women served in the Civil War on both sides, not counting the 1000Тs who served as nurses.

Impact of the War on women

Southern women gained authority and a voice amidst horrible war time devastation

Northern women learned the workings and complexity of civil activity

Freed slave women- scary time, the impact and limitation of new freedom unknown.

Union Women in the Civil War

Sarah Emma Edmonds, alias Franklin Thompson, joined the Union Army. As a women, pretending to be a male soldier, she disguised herself as both men and women, black and white, to spy on Confederates.

After contracting malaria, and having to go AWOL to get treated as a woman, Franklin Thompson became a deserter. Edmonds returned to the war as a female nurse.

1867-Emma married, was happy, wrote a book of her adventures and raised 3 sons, one of whom enlisted "just like Mama did.Ф

Emma continued to brood over being branded a deserter in the Civil War. She petitioned the War Department for a review of her case.

On 5 July 1884, Congress granted Emma Edmonds alias Frank Thompson an honorable discharge from the army, plus a bonus & a pension of 12$ a month.

Dr Mary Walker

A surgeon in the Civil War, was awarded The Medal of Honor. She УЕ served as contract surgeon in the service of the United states, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and endured hardships as a prisoner of war 4 months while acting as surgeon.... У

A champion for more comfortable
clothing for women and a suffragette.

Union Women in the Civil War

ХJennie Hodgers who served and fought for 3 years as Albert Cashier. Her identity wasn't revealed until 1913.

ХIn 1863, at age 19, a woman known only as Emily, ran away and joined the drum corps of a Michigan Regiment. She was shot at Chattanooga and her wound was fatal.

ХHer sex was discovered, and she refused to disclose her real name, but as she lay dying she consented to a telegram to her father.

ХMajor" Pauline Cushman claimed Confederate sympathy yet she actually spied for the Union, often as an actress

Confederate Women

The trials and tribulations of Lt Harry T. Buford, Confederate Officer, later found to be Madam Loreta Velazquez, have also been recorded. Her book - Loreta Janeta Velazquez : The Woman in Battle has become controversial and is much disputed.

Confederate Women

The story of Ginnie and Lottie Moon is a fascinating one - two sisters who cleverly and brazenly spied for the Confederates during the Civil War - and got away with it

Lottie spied and smuggled messages for the Confederates.

Ginnie smuggled medicines and other supplies from the North to the South

Lottie became a journalist and

Ginnie a minor movie actress who later moved to Greenwich Village.

Harriet Ross Tubman

Formerly a slave in the American South, Harriet Tubman became known as the most famous guide of the Underground Railroad, a secret network helped slaves escape to freedom in the northern United States and Canada during the mid-1800s.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Tubman served as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army in South Carolina.

Tubman spent the years after the war in the North, where she continued her work to improve the lives of blacks in the US. She raised funds to assist former slaves.