Women Warriors
Battle of Gettysburg. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
In the Civil War era, women's roles were clearly defined. They most definitely did not include enlisting in the army. Nevertheless, women did not restrict themselves to being camp followers. Some women disguised themselves as boys and enlisted. There were technically physical examinations a soldier had to undergo, but doctors were so busy that they often did a superficial examination, or basically none at all.
Women soldiers were often as brave as their male counterparts. Several of them were commended for their service and courage. Although some were caught (often when they were injured and had to receive medical treatment), a few never were, and revealed their identities only when the war was over. Even fewer stayed in their disguises for the rest of their lives, enjoying the extra freedom, responsibility, and opportunities that men had.
When the war ended, most women soldiers were destitute. Sometimes they applied for pensions, and if they could prove their faithful service and find comrades and commanders to back their claim, they could even win them. There was a multitude of reasons women chose to go to war instead of stay on the home front or take up nursing. Some followed lovers, husbands, or brothers (sometimes without their knowledge). Some just desired freedom denied to women, or wanted adventure. Others desperately needed money, and war service was a wholly economic venture.Then there were those who joined the army purely for patriotism.More often than not it was a mix of the above reasons.
Today we know far more about women who enlisted in the Union army than those who enlisted in the Confederate army. Undoubtedly some Southern women took to the battlefield, and there are accounts of captured Confederate soldiers being discovered to be women or even giving birth while confined. Usually women prisoners of war were exchanged for male soldiers quickly. But the fact remains that there is not enough information to construct the stories of the South. Looking at the lives of female soldiers in the Union army should, however, give an accurate idea of life in general for a woman soldier, North or South.
Women soldiers were often as brave as their male counterparts. Several of them were commended for their service and courage. Although some were caught (often when they were injured and had to receive medical treatment), a few never were, and revealed their identities only when the war was over. Even fewer stayed in their disguises for the rest of their lives, enjoying the extra freedom, responsibility, and opportunities that men had.
When the war ended, most women soldiers were destitute. Sometimes they applied for pensions, and if they could prove their faithful service and find comrades and commanders to back their claim, they could even win them. There was a multitude of reasons women chose to go to war instead of stay on the home front or take up nursing. Some followed lovers, husbands, or brothers (sometimes without their knowledge). Some just desired freedom denied to women, or wanted adventure. Others desperately needed money, and war service was a wholly economic venture.Then there were those who joined the army purely for patriotism.More often than not it was a mix of the above reasons.
Today we know far more about women who enlisted in the Union army than those who enlisted in the Confederate army. Undoubtedly some Southern women took to the battlefield, and there are accounts of captured Confederate soldiers being discovered to be women or even giving birth while confined. Usually women prisoners of war were exchanged for male soldiers quickly. But the fact remains that there is not enough information to construct the stories of the South. Looking at the lives of female soldiers in the Union army should, however, give an accurate idea of life in general for a woman soldier, North or South.