Catherine E. Davidson facts for kids

Catherine E. Davidson was a brave woman who lived during the American Civil War. This war happened in the United States from 1861 to 1865. Catherine did something amazing: she dressed up as a man to join the Union Army. She wanted to stay close to her fiancé, who had joined the army. She fought in a big battle called the Battle of Antietam. She was badly hurt there and could not fight anymore. Soon after, people found out she was a woman.

Joining the Union Army

Catherine E. Davidson lived in Sheffield, Ohio. Her fiancé decided to join the Union Army to fight in the war. Catherine wanted to be with him. Because women were not allowed to join the army, she came up with a plan. She dressed herself in men's clothes. In her disguise, she was able to join the army. Both she and her fiancé joined the 28th Ohio Infantry regiment.

Fighting at Antietam

Catherine and her fiancé were part of the 28th Ohio Infantry. They both fought in the Battle of Antietam in 1862. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. During the fight, Catherine Davidson's fiancé was killed. Catherine herself was shot in her right arm. Luckily, her injury was not deadly. She was saved by Andrew Gregg Curtin, who was the governor of Pennsylvania.

Meeting Governor Curtin

Governor Andrew Curtin came to the battlefield to help the wounded soldiers. He carried Catherine E. Davidson to an ambulance after she was shot. Catherine survived her injury. However, doctors had to remove part of her arm. They took it off between her shoulder and elbow. Because of this injury, and because everyone found out she was a woman, Catherine could not go back to fight.

Catherine felt she had to thank Governor Curtin for saving her life. When she visited him, he was very surprised. He had no idea that the soldier he saved was a woman! Governor Curtin offered to give back a ring Catherine had given him on the battlefield. But Catherine refused to take it. She said, "The finger that used to wear that ring will never wear it again. The hand is dead but the soldier lives on."