List of female American Civil War soldiers facts for kids

Many brave women secretly joined the American Civil War by pretending to be men. Experts believe that between 500 and 1,000 women fought on both the Union and Confederate sides. They risked everything to serve their country, often fighting alongside men without anyone knowing their true identity. These women showed incredible courage and determination during a very difficult time in American history.

Brave Women Soldiers of the Civil War

Many women served in the Civil War, often hiding their true identities. They fought in battles, spied for their side, and sometimes even held leadership roles. Their stories show how determined and brave people can be.

Women Who Fought as Men

Some women joined the army disguised as men. They cut their hair, wore men's clothes, and used male names. This was a dangerous secret to keep, especially if they were wounded or became sick.

• Mollie Bean served with the Confederate Army as "Melvin Bean." She was captured by the Union Army in February 1865 near Richmond, Virginia.
• Mary and Molly Bell were cousins who both fought for the Confederate Army.
• Malinda Blalock (1842–1901 or 1903) was a soldier who fought for both sides. She joined the 26th North Carolina Regiment of the Confederate Army to be with her husband. She pretended to be a young man named Samuel Blalock. Later, they escaped and joined Union supporters in the Appalachian mountains.
• Florena Budwin (1844–1865) joined the Union Army in Philadelphia with her husband. She was captured by the Confederacy in 1864 and held in harsh prisons like Andersonville Prison and Florence Stockade. Her secret was discovered when she was treated for pneumonia. She died at age 20.
• Mary Burns (1821–1863), also known as John Burns, disguised herself as a man to fight. She joined the 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment to stay with her lover.

Hidden Identities and Discoveries

Many women managed to keep their identities secret for a long time. But sometimes, injuries or illnesses would reveal their true gender, leading to their discharge from the army.

• Albert Cashier (1843–1915) was born in Ireland and served three years in the Union Army as a male soldier. Cashier lived as a man for the next fifty years. Cashier's regiment fought in about forty battles, including the Siege of Vicksburg. Cashier was captured during a scouting mission but escaped.
• Frances Clayton (c. 1830–after 1863) joined the Union Army as "Jack Williams" with her husband. She fought in many battles, including Shiloh, Stones River, and Fort Donelson, where she was wounded.
• Sarah Collins was a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Lake Mills, Wisconsin. She enlisted with her brother, cutting her hair and wearing men's clothes. Her secret was suspected because of how she put on her shoes and socks. She was discovered before her regiment left for the front lines.
• Lizzie Compton enlisted at age fourteen, lying about her age and changing her name. She served in seven different regiments, which is a record for reenlistments. Her secret was revealed when she was treated for injuries after a riding accident. She fought at the Battle of Antietam and Battle of Gettysburg, where she was wounded.
• Catherine E. Davidson fought at Antietam. She saw her loved one get wounded in the battle.

Spies and Secret Missions

Some women used their skills for espionage, gathering information for their side. This was a very dangerous job, as they could be caught and punished.

• Pauline Cushman (1833–1893) was an American actress and a spy for the Union Army. She is known as one of the most successful Civil War spies. She hid battle plans in her shoes. She was caught twice in 1864 and sentenced to death, but Union troops arrived and saved her.
• Elsa Jane Forest Guerin, known as "Mountain Charley," published a book about her life. She claimed to have lived "thirteen years in male attire." She joined the Union Army in Iowa as "Charles Hatfield." She spied on the Confederates and became a first lieutenant.

More Stories of Courage

These women came from different backgrounds but shared a common bravery. They faced the dangers of war just like the men.

• Sarah Emma Edmonds (1841–1898) served with the Union Army disguised as a man named Frank Thompson.
• Nellie Graves was a female soldier who secretly served as a man in the Union Army with her friend Fanny Wilson. They fought at the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. They were discharged when their secret was discovered during treatment for an illness.
• Mary Jane Green also served in the war.
• Frances Hook was another woman who fought in the war.
• Sophronia Smith Hunt (1846–1928) disguised herself as a man and secretly served as a soldier in the Union Army. Her first husband, also a soldier, died after being wounded. They served in the 29th Iowa Infantry Regiment.
• Maria Lewis, also known as George Harris, was a soldier in the Union Army and a former slave. She became well-known in the Eighth New York Cavalry.
• Annie Lillybridge from Detroit joined the 21st Michigan Infantry Regiment to be near her fiancé. She kept her identity secret from everyone, even him, until she was wounded and discovered.
• Elizabeth A. Niles (1842–1920) served in the Union Army. She joined her husband, who was in the 14th Vermont Infantry. She fought in battles like First Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg. She remained undetected and left the army in September 1864 with her husband.
• Mary Owens enlisted with her husband in the 9th Cavalry in Pennsylvania, pretending to be his brother. After he died in combat, Owens stayed for another eighteen months. She fought in three battles and was wounded in each.
• Frances Elizabeth Quinn was an Irish-born Union Army soldier. She fought in both the infantry and cavalry. She enlisted over five times, using names like Frank Miller. Each time, she was eventually discovered and discharged. In Alabama, she was captured by the Confederate Army and shot during an escape attempt.
• Loreta Janeta Velázquez (June 26, 1842 – c. 1897), also known as "Lieutenant Harry Buford," was a Cuban woman. She wore Confederate clothes and served as a Confederate officer and spy during the war.
• Sarah Rosetta Wakeman (1843–1864) served with the Union Army using the names Lyons Wakeman and Edwin R. Wakeman. Her letters are important because they are some of the few surviving accounts from female soldiers in the Civil War.
• Laura J. Williams disguised herself as a man and used the name Lt. Henry Benford. She raised and led a company of Texas Confederates. She and her company fought in the Battle of Shiloh.
• Fanny Wilson enlisted as a soldier in the Union Army with her friend Nellie Graves. They served in the defense of Washington, D.C., and fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg. After being treated for an illness, their sex was discovered, and they were discharged. Later, Wilson joined the 3rd Illinois Cavalry and was wounded at the Battle of Vicksburg. She recovered and continued fighting. She was discharged again in August 1863 after being discovered.

Images for kids

• 

  Frances Clayton in uniform.

• 

  21st Michigan Infantry

• 

  Battle of Vicksburg