Story Exposed: The Female Pioneer Disguised as a Soldier in the Civil War Battles
In the tumultuous era of the American Civil War, a handful of women bravely defied societal norms and disguised themselves as men to serve their country and escape the confines of their gender. One such woman was Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Canadian-born individual who enlisted in the Union Army under the alias Franklin Thompson.
Born in 1841 in New Brunswick, Canada, Edmonds grew up in a strict household. Her early life instilled in her a knack for disguise and reinvention, skills that would prove invaluable in the years to come.
Under the guise of Franklin Thompson, Edmonds adopted the identity of a man and lived as such before the war began. When her husband enlisted in the Union army and reportedly fought in 18 battles, Edmonds felt an urgent desire to be by his side. She joined the 2nd Michigan Infantry, serving as a male field nurse.
Edmonds' service was not limited to nursing duties. She worked her way into dispatch duty, riding through dangerous terrain and even entering Confederate territory as a spy. Her bravery and dedication were evident, and she participated in at least 18 battles.
However, her secret was not to last. Fearing discovery, Edmonds deserted the army in 1863 and later resumed her life as a woman. Despite her departure, she was granted an honorable discharge and a veteran's pension of $12 a month in 1884. Remarkably, she was also admitted into the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Army's all-male veterans' organization.
Edmonds' story, like many others, was ignored, downplayed, or actively erased after the war. It wasn't until recent decades, thanks to the efforts of feminist historians and researchers, that these women began to receive the acknowledgment they deserve.
Estimates suggest that at least 400 women served in the Civil War disguised as men. Among them was Jennie Hodgers, who served in the Union Army under the name Albert Cashier and continued living as a man for the rest of her life. Another notable figure is Loreta Janeta Velázquez, who claimed to have fought for the Confederacy, though parts of her story are contested.
These women were often discovered only by accident, through injury, illness, or death, and many took their secrets to the grave. Despite the challenges they faced, their courage and determination serve as a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the lengths to which some will go to serve their country and defy societal norms.
Edmonds died in 1898 in La Porte, Texas, and was buried with full military honors in a veterans' cemetery. Her memoir, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, published in 1864, provides a unique and valuable account of her experiences during the war. These hidden heroines of the American Civil War continue to inspire us today, reminding us of the power of courage, determination, and the human spirit.
During her service in the Union Army during the American Civil War, Edmonds, disguised as Franklin Thompson, showcased her dedication in various roles, including as a field nurse, dispatch duty, and even a spy, significantly contributing to the war efforts through her bravery. Despite the historical erasure and downplaying of women's wartime contributions, researchers and historians, especially feminist ones, have worked diligently to highlight the remarkable stories of women like Edmonds, ensuring their historical impact and resilience live on as sources of inspiration.
