Frances Hook facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frances Hook
Nickname(s)	Pvt. Frank Miller, Frank Henderson, Frank Fuller
Born	1847 Illinois, U.S.
Died	March 17, 1908(1908-03-17) (aged 60–61)
Allegiance	Union Army
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Children	Maggie

Frances Hook (1847–March 17, 1908) was a brave woman who claimed to have fought in the U.S. Civil War. She said she dressed as a man to join the Union Army.

Frances used several different names, like Pvt. Frank Miller, Frank Henderson, Frank Martin, and Frank Fuller. However, official army records don't have proof of these names or her story.

Early Life of Frances Hook

Frances Hook was born in Illinois in 1847. When she was only three years old, both of her parents passed away. Her older brother then took care of her. They lived together until the Civil War began.

At the start of the war, Frances and her brother were living in Chicago, Illinois. Her brother decided to join the Union Army. Frances didn't want to be left alone. So, she decided to disguise herself as a man and enlist with him.

Her Claims of Civil War Service

Frances Hook said she was only fourteen when she joined the Union Army. But she told the recruiters she was twenty-two. She cut her hair short and enlisted as Private Frank Miller. This happened on April 30, 1861.

She claimed to have joined the 11th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Frances and her brother served for 90 days without anyone finding out she was a girl.

Fighting in the War

On July 30, 1861, Frances and her brother supposedly joined the 11th Illinois Infantry again. This time, they signed up for three more years. Their regiment fought in important battles. These included Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and the Battle of Shiloh.

At the Battle of Shiloh (April 6–7, 1862), Frances's brother was killed. She was very sad and couldn't stay in the same regiment.

New Identity, New Regiment

Even after her brother's death, Frances wanted to keep fighting. She used a new name, Frank Henderson. She then joined the 33rd Illinois Infantry regiment.

After a few months, she was hurt in the shoulder. This happened at the Battle of Fredericktown (October 21, 1861). While a doctor was treating her, he discovered she was a woman. She was then discharged from the army and told to go home.

Joining Another Regiment

Frances had no family to go home to. So, she enlisted again, this time in the 90th Illinois Infantry Regiment. She fought in many battles with this group.

Her regiment saw combat at Holly Springs, Coldwater, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Siege of Jackson. They also fought at Missionary Ridge.

Capture and Imprisonment

In the late summer of 1863, her regiment was marching through Florence, Alabama. Frances went into an empty house to look for supplies. Two Confederate soldiers were hiding there. They surprised and captured her.

Frances was sent to prison in Atlanta, Georgia. She was still believed to be a man. Soon after, she tried to escape but was shot in the thigh. She was taken to the prison hospital.

There, another doctor found out she was a woman. Frances was moved to a separate room. She was put on a list of prisoners to be exchanged. On February 17, 1864, Frances was one of 27 Union prisoners traded at Graysville, Georgia.

A Refusal to Switch Sides

While in prison, Frances told her story to Confederate doctors and officers. They were very impressed by her bravery. She even received a letter from Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He offered her a high rank if she would fight for the Confederate army.

Frances refused this offer. She said she would rather serve as a private in the Union Army. She even said she would rather be executed than fight against the Union.

When Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a Union Army surgeon, heard about Frances, she was amazed. Dr. Walker thought Frances should be made an officer in the Union Army. But her idea was not accepted. Dr. Walker told the newspapers about Frances's story. Frances agreed to interviews but kept her real name a secret.

Frances Hook was discharged again and told to go home. The officers in charge warned other recruiters to watch out for her. They thought she might try to join the army again. Since she had no home, some people think she did enlist again. However, there is no strong proof of this.

Later Life

Frances Hook eventually got married and had a daughter named Maggie. After Frances passed away on March 17, 1908, Maggie Dickson wrote to the War Department. She wanted to confirm her mother's military service.

The letter was sent to the Adjutant General's Office. They found a record of Frances Hook's medical treatment. In this record, she claimed to be a soldier in the 90th Illinois. However, there were no other records in the War Department files to prove her claims of service.

Images for kids

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  Frances Hook in her military uniform.

See also

In Spanish: Frances Hook para niños