Mary Owens facts for kids
Mary Owens (1843–1881) was a woman who said she served as a male soldier for the Union Army during the American Civil War. However, her story was later found to be untrue.
Mary Owens' Story
Mary Owens was born in Wales and later moved to Pennsylvania with her family. She married William Evans, even though her parents did not approve.
Soon after the Civil War began, Mary claimed that she and William joined the army together. She said she pretended to be William's brother, "John Evans," and served in Company K of the 9th Cavalry. Mary told people that William died fighting right beside her. She claimed she continued to serve in the army for 18 months after his death.
Mary also said she fought in three battles and was wounded in each one. She claimed she treated her first wounds herself, on her eye and arm, because she was afraid of being discovered if she went to a hospital. She said she was finally found out after being wounded a third time, in her chest.
During the war, newspapers often shared exciting stories about women who joined the army out of patriotism or love for their husbands. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper described Mary Owens as a "woman of considerable beauty" and a "heroine of the neighborhood."
After the war, Mary Owens married Abraham Jenkins, who was also from Wales. They moved to Ohio and had four children. Mary died in 1881 and was buried in West Brookfield, Ohio. Abraham died in a train accident in 1903. For many years, a group called the Grand Army of the Republic decorated her grave. In 1937, another group, the Sons of Union Veterans, added a headstone that said she served in the Union army.
Even years later, in 1896 and 1901, newspapers in Washington D.C. published stories about women soldiers, including Mary Owens.
Was Her Story True?
Historians have looked into Mary Owens' claims, and it seems her story was not true.
The official records for the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry do not show anyone named William Evans or John Evans in Company K. There is also no record of a John Evans being wounded and leaving the service.
Mary's stories said that William was killed at a famous battle called Gettysburg. However, the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry did not fight at Gettysburg. At that time, they were serving in a different part of the country, in the Western Theater of the war.
Like some other women who claimed to have served in the Civil War, Mary Owens might have made up her story. This could have been to become famous or to get money.
