Women in the Civil War

graphic by victoriana.com

It is estimated that perhaps some 400 women faught in the American Civil War. 400 is a conservative number..because it reflects only the women who were known or discovered. Many women simpy disguised themselves and others served as spies for both sides. If a woman was discovered, she was discharged for reason of " sexual incompatibility. " Women, like their male counter parts, have also shared in the experiences of war both on the battle field and off. This page is dedicated to the courage of women during the American Civil War.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Civil War Doctor and the only woman to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor for service during the American Civil War.

Like all of the pages within this web site, this page is also a work in progress..while I am sifting through my files to find interesting stories of Ohio in the Civil War, please read some of the wonderful stories that others have posted on their web sites.

Civil War Women

Ohio Civil War Monuments - Women

Mary Scaberry, whose alias was Charles Freeman, served in the 52nd OVI. Scaberry joined the regiment at the tender age of 17 and was discovered due to illness later the same year. She was discharged from the Union Army for the reason of " sexual incompatibility."

According to the Sept 10, 1861 Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mary Smith was discovered posing as a male and serving within the 41st OVI. Smith was discovered by the efficient way in which she twisted her dishcloth. The newspaper stated that Smith gave an "unmistakable twist to the dishcloth in wringing it out that no masculine [sic] could ever successfully counterfeit."

Ohio Women of the Civil War

Do you know of an interesting Ohio woman that lived during the American Civil War? If so, e-mail us with her story and we will post it on our web site.

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Although Dolly Harris was not a veteran herself, one would be hard pressed not to describe her brave and passionate act of patriotism as quite heroic. As General George Pickett and his Confederate troops were passing her home, Dolly ran out and confronted them..her wrists were wrapped in the American flag and she screamed the words "traitor, traitor! " This altercation was said to have taken place just two days before the Battle of Gettysburg. Dolly was just 17.

Of the thousands of brave women who served as nurses (including Florence Nightingale), some 400 "others" - Northerners, Southerners, free, slave, and citizen - also served as combatants or spies. Two well-known cross dressers received high honors for valor: Dr. Mary Walker, and Flint's neglected hero(ine), Sarah Emma Edmonds, aka Frank Thompson. Dr. Walker, a surgeon, lived in drag most of her long life, and spent four months undetected in a Confederate prison. She received a Medal of Honor from President Andrew Johnson.

Currently, we are working on seeking information regarding Louisa Hoffman of Lancaster, Ohio who was believed to have been an enlisted and discharged due to " sexual incompatibility" Louisa is said to have been one in the same as Mr Frank Deming. If you have any information on Ms Hoffman, please send it to our email. We welcome any and all information regarding the Civil War women.

Sherman Civil War Round Table P.O. Box 883 Lancaster, Ohio 43130