Mary and Molly Bell facts for kids
Mary and Molly Bell were two brave young women from Pulaski County, Virginia. They did something amazing during the Civil War: they dressed up as men and fought for the Confederacy! For two whole years, they kept their secret hidden from everyone, even their fellow soldiers. They fought in many big battles. Eventually, they were discovered and put in prison. But soon after, they were released and sent back home.
Growing Up and Joining the War
Mary and Molly were cousins. They grew up together on a small farm in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Life on the farm taught them how to ride horses and hunt for food. They learned to work hard and be dedicated, which helped them later in the army.
In the fall of 1862, something big happened. Their uncle decided to join the Union army. He thought the Confederacy would lose the war. Mary and Molly loved their homeland very much. They were very upset by their uncle's choice. Molly, who was 22 years old, was the more daring cousin. She came up with a plan to make up for their uncle's actions. She decided they would pretend to be men and join the Confederate States Army. Mary, who was only 15 and more quiet, agreed to join with her.
Life as Soldiers
To hide their true identities, the girls cut their hair short. They wore thick woolen shirts to hide their bodies. They also practiced lowering their voices and walking like men. Their voices were already a bit deep, like young boys. So, it wasn't too hard for them to sound like male soldiers.
Mary joined the army as Tom Parker. Molly joined as Bob Morgan (sometimes called "Bob Martin"). Because they were so good at riding horses, they quickly joined the Confederate cavalry.
After less than a month, their cavalry unit was captured by Union soldiers. But within a few hours, General John Hunt Morgan's forces rescued them. Once they were free, Mary and Molly switched to the infantry. This meant they would fight on foot. They fought under General Jubal A. Early in the Shenandoah Valley.
Mary and Molly fought in several important battles. These included the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Spotsylvania Court House. In these battles, General Early's men defeated General Burnside. Their fellow soldiers praised Mary and Molly for their fighting skills. They were known as "gallant, first-class fighting men." They were also very bold. They often said that if all women were as patriotic as them, the Confederacy would have been free long ago.
The cousins showed their bravery many times. One night, Molly was on guard duty. Union soldiers suddenly attacked the camp. Molly quickly sounded the alarm. She bravely killed three Union soldiers with her muzzleloader gun. This was a great achievement for any soldier. Because of their heroism, Molly was promoted to sergeant. Mary became a corporal.
To keep their secret safe, Mary and Molly knew they needed help. They decided to tell a young captain in the army. He promised to protect them. He helped them avoid physical exams and other duties. These duties could have revealed their secret. Once, Molly was hurt by a shell fragment that hit her arm. Other soldiers came to help her. But Molly quickly said it was "just a scratch." She didn't want a doctor to see her. Later, Mary helped Molly with the wound, and Molly got better.
Being Discovered and Imprisoned
On October 19, 1864, at the Battle of Cedar Creek, their captain friend was captured. He was taken prisoner by General Philip Sheridan's forces. Mary and Molly knew they needed to tell someone else quickly. They chose a young lieutenant who had just taken command of their company.
But this lieutenant did not keep their secret. He quickly told General Early about them. Mary, who was 17, and Molly, who was 24, were immediately arrested. They were taken to Castle Thunder, a Confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia.
While in prison, Molly claimed there were six other women disguised as men in General Early's army. Mary and Molly said they only joined the army because they loved their country. They just wanted to go back and fight. Some people, like the Richmond Daily Examiner newspaper, accused them of bad things. But their fellow soldiers stood up for them. They said Mary and Molly had "done good service as soldiers." They also said no one ever suspected they were women. Even a well-known activist named Edmund Ruffin thought they were "fine soldiers" and should have been allowed to stay.
After three weeks in prison, no specific charges were brought against them. So, Mary and Molly were released from Castle Thunder. They were not allowed to rejoin the army. Instead, they were sent back home to Pulaski. They rode their horses, still wearing the same Confederate uniforms they had worn in prison.
See also
In Spanish: Mary y Molly Bell para niños
