At the outbreak of the Civil War, nearly everybody was caught up in
patriotic fervor--men and women, Union and Confederate. Many women
supported soldiers through knitting and sewing needed items, growing
food, making bandages, gathering medical supplies, and more. But others
wished they could be closer to the fight. These women defied society's
expectations and bravely chose to take on more dangerous, unconventional
roles. Courageous Women of the Civil War reveals the exploits of 16 of
these remarkable women who served as medics, spies, battlefield helpers,
and even soldiers on the front lines.
Meet fascinating figures such as Maria Lewis, a former slave who fought
with the Union cavalry as it swept through Virginia. Disguised as a
white male soldier, she "put the fear of Hell" into Confederate enemies.
Kady Brownell supported her husband's Rhode Island regiment as a
vivandière, training with the soldiers, fighting in battle, and helping
the injured. Mary Carroll, a Missouri rebel, forged a copy of a jail
cell key to break her brother out before his scheduled execution.
These and other little-known stories are told through gripping
narrative, primary source documents, and contextualizing sidebars. Civil
War history is woven throughout, offering readers a clear overview of
the era and the war. Also including numerous historic photos, source
notes, and a bibliography, Courageous Women of the Civil War is an
invaluable resource for any student's or history buff's bookshelf.