Women Soldiers of the Civil War
The War Between the States was also a war between brothers, cousins, friends and neighbors and some of them were women. I use to think women were only supposed to housework like take care of the family, cook, clean, and just do what they are supposed to do. But now I’ve read or heard stories about how women were nurses, sutlers, and as Union and Confederate soldiers, and even spies.
During the civil war there were about 400 women who fought for their country on the Union side and the Confederate. That is totally apart from the thousands who worked as nurses during that time. Many of those 400 women were involved as either spies or messengers, or soldiers. I’ve would learn later that some of the women would either be completely responsible for the outcome of at least one major battle, and in some way at least responsible for several others. I think that women were only involved during the war is for two reasons and that is loyalty to their country, and their beliefs especially concerning about slavery.
The south and north states wouldn’t let women sign up to fight. So only way women could join is to change their names in to masculine names, disguised themselves as men just so they could fight. While recruits on both sides of the conflict were supposedly subject to physical examinations, those tests usually were silly. Most recruiters only looked for visible handicaps, such as deafness, poor eyesight, or lameness. Both armies standardized the medical exams, and those charged with performing them hardly ever ordered recruits to undress.
I would feel sorry for them if they had like cut off their hair, or had to go a camp that was dirty, and who were held prisoners, who also fought and died for their country. It was hard to guess how many women served in the Civil War because they look so much like men. There would be an estimated 250 women who had served during the war. There would be countless battles and cruel killings from both sides that were fighting. Women would accidently get reveled when wounded in battle or by casualty. For an example Mary Owens had enlisted in the army, only to be discovered as a woman when she was wounded in the arm and was sent back home in Pennsylvania. She served 18 months under the alias of John Evans.
The army itself would completely have no regard for women soldiers Union or Confederate. The army would deny women playing in military role in the Civil War. Sarah Edmonds Seelye served two years in Michigan Infantry as “Franklin Thompson.” On April 19, 1863 Sarah deserted the army because she had caught malaria. She had then got married and had kids. But in 1886 she had received a government letter describing to having a faithful service in the ranks. She died in Texas of September 5, 1898.
For the most part women would have to practice how to use a gun and try not to act all girly towards suspicious people. So basically a women who enlisted as a male in the war would have to weeks with out changing their clothes or taking a shower and many refused. The women soldiers learned to be warriors like men. From a historical point of view the woman combatants of 1861 to 1865 were just not ahead of their time; they were ahead of our time.
The War Between the States was also a war between brothers, cousins, friends and neighbors and some of them were women. I use to think women were only supposed to housework like take care of the family, cook, clean, and just do what they are supposed to do. But now I’ve read or heard stories about how women were nurses, sutlers, and as Union and Confederate soldiers, and even spies.
During the civil war there were about 400 women who fought for their country on the Union side and the Confederate. That is totally apart from the thousands who worked as nurses during that time. Many of those 400 women were involved as either spies or messengers, or soldiers. I’ve would learn later that some of the women would either be completely responsible for the outcome of at least one major battle, and in some way at least responsible for several others. I think that women were only involved during the war is for two reasons and that is loyalty to their country, and their beliefs especially concerning about slavery.
The south and north states wouldn’t let women sign up to fight. So only way women could join is to change their names in to masculine names, disguised themselves as men just so they could fight. While recruits on both sides of the conflict were supposedly subject to physical examinations, those tests usually were silly. Most recruiters only looked for visible handicaps, such as deafness, poor eyesight, or lameness. Both armies standardized the medical exams, and those charged with performing them hardly ever ordered recruits to undress.
I would feel sorry for them if they had like cut off their hair, or had to go a camp that was dirty, and who were held prisoners, who also fought and died for their country. It was hard to guess how many women served in the Civil War because they look so much like men. There would be an estimated 250 women who had served during the war. There would be countless battles and cruel killings from both sides that were fighting. Women would accidently get reveled when wounded in battle or by casualty. For an example Mary Owens had enlisted in the army, only to be discovered as a woman when she was wounded in the arm and was sent back home in Pennsylvania. She served 18 months under the alias of John Evans.
The army itself would completely have no regard for women soldiers Union or Confederate. The army would deny women playing in military role in the Civil War. Sarah Edmonds Seelye served two years in Michigan Infantry as “Franklin Thompson.” On April 19, 1863 Sarah deserted the army because she had caught malaria. She had then got married and had kids. But in 1886 she had received a government letter describing to having a faithful service in the ranks. She died in Texas of September 5, 1898.
For the most part women would have to practice how to use a gun and try not to act all girly towards suspicious people. So basically a women who enlisted as a male in the war would have to weeks with out changing their clothes or taking a shower and many refused. The women soldiers learned to be warriors like men. From a historical point of view the woman combatants of 1861 to 1865 were just not ahead of their time; they were ahead of our time.
20 comments:
Interesting take on women in the far military as far back as the Civil War. The question of the role of women in combat is pertinent even today. As it stands, women are still not allowed to directly take part in ground combat even though their support functions in communications, transport, logistics, and other areas have grown tremendously. Today, women even serve as combat pilots, but they are not subject to mandatory draft. Given the history of fine service of female soldiers, should we allow an even broader role for women in the military?
Very interesting blog, because even though I knew women were involved in the Civil War I didn't know exactly the specifics, as you pointed out. I would not have guessed 400 women would be involved. To me, that number seems high--but just look at the amount of soldiers who died on both sides. The Civil War cost America 5% of its population. It makes me feel good that women had a stable civilian lifestyle, but took the initiative and joined the cause. I for one would probably have had a hard time with that, although in the 1860s I would probably be a different person than I am now!!
This blog describing women who played roles in the Civil war is very interesting. Back in that time, most, if not all women were subjected to only take care of the house and children; as many of their husbands or significant others would go fight the war. What interested me the most was the fact that women would have to practice acting like men. I can believe that wouldn’t be the easiest job to accomplish. Nonetheless, I admire the fact that women wanted a say in the outcome of the Civil war, and took action to do so.
Well met! Pride to military women! This was a great blog. It showed the part women had, the way they could stand up and say "Hah! In your face!" To the people who said they couldn't. It only sucks because they still can't truly get involved with the fighting.
Wow, this was a completely new thing that I'm not well familiar with. But I really learned alot and this blog made me realize that women played a huge role in Civil War. They gave their lifes for our country and the outcome was terrific yet costly. I'm still absorbing all the information you included...haha! Anyway, this blog is very well written and I love it!
I love how you went and researched further than you had to. This information that I did not know about the war. I think that without womens help, maybe more people would have not been saved durring the war. I wish that women could be directly on the battle field just like the men. Someday!!
This blog is well researched and well written. Who would have known that there where women actually fighting during a war, even if they were disguised as men. This is new to me. Women fighting in the Civil War completely connects to the women soldiers of today. Correct me if i'm wrong but i dont think that women of today are even allowed to fight on the front lines in the army. This shows how women and America have come a long way with eqaulity but in some cases not really. I really enjoyed reading that and learning something new every 87 minutes!^_^
hey!! i know that I don't have to comment this week but you commented mine so i thought that I'de comment yours.! I really related to your blog and i think that you made your point very clear!!!!
I never looked at like that. I actually never knew some of that stuff. Women are awesome! You are smart.lOl
OMG I JUST REALIZED SOMETHING!!! haha! it's soooo much better to do things at the last minute because u dont stress about them nearly as much!!!!! HAHA. well.... im no longer ashamed to say that i have ocd because i realize that all people have problems no matter what race they are, what religion they practice, or what part of the world they're from. because i have ocd (luckily its not nearly as bad as my older sister's) i LOVE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE 'LOWER' THAN ME!!!! : D
I liked your blog it was full of information I didn't know.
It is surprising to hear that women had such a part in the civil war.
It might not seem like a lot but for the role that women had back then it is major.
I was a little confused about two things: 1- I have no idea what a sutler is haha and when I looked it up the def. wasn't very clear. So I would love to know what the roles of a sutler are. 2- you said that 400 women fought in the war then went on to say that 250 served in the war , I can only assume that you meant 250 actually fought in combat and the other 150 were aids and nurse’s and whatever the heck a sutler is. Nice job on your blog!
Woah, you blog was really informative. I didn't know women played such a big role in the Civil War. I liked how you gave the specific example of one soldier, Sarah Edmonds Seelye, or "Franklin Thompson". Hearing someone's true story gives a whole different take on things. It's sad that she fought for a whole two years and then died of malaria. I'd like to take a moment to give all these ladies some recognition!
Great blog. :)
here ye here ye(think i spelled it right)
so neways
i love your blog. you used pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!but yea sorry adhd kicked in> your blog taught me something new, Inever knew that women played the role that you said they did in the civil war. Of course you know that they were nurses and sometimes cooks but for them to actually fight in the battles and be secret spies, thats kind of cool!
I was completely clueless to any of the things you wrote about in your blog. I had no idea that women were disguising themselves to fight in the civil war. It is actually something you don't here to much about and it hold such great significance to the battles and the war itself.
hey, i love your blog. nice job on the pictures. i knew a little bit about women taking parts of the civil war, that they will change their looks to become more like men. however i didnt know that Mary Owens took alot of risk and was caught then was returned to work for John Evans for 18 months. wow thhat woman took alot of guts to join the army.
this is a good blog about how women can fight to even dateing back to the civil war. witch was way long ago to show that is wasent just men that stood up and faught for thier right and belifs . that women did to and it was good how you gave exact information like that there was 400 women invlovled in the civil war
I really enjoyed reading your blog. It talked about a lot of things i never knew. For example, how women changed their names to join the army. Also i never knew that women practiced using guns. Great Blog!!
Nice story of how the women got into war without the men or general knowing. That is true that women had only to do homework instead of going to war that was the men's job to go to war. Women today, go to war without any problems thats a good thing because they want to serve their country.
Wow, really good blog. I also never thought of women being in the war, especially as spies! if anything, only nurses. it's still hard for women to get out of the whole stereotype of being "weaker" than men and that they should stay home and take care of the children. your blog proves that women can do just as much. good job! :)
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