The American Civil War, often depicted as a conflict fought exclusively by men, carries iconic imagery of soldiers in their distinctive blue Union uniforms. These uniforms, symbols of the Union army, are traditionally associated with male soldiers marching into battle. However, this narrative overlooks a remarkable chapter in history: the stories of women who, defying societal norms, disguised themselves as men and bravely donned the Civil War Union Soldier Uniform to fight alongside their male counterparts.
Frances Clayton, disguised in a Union soldier uniform for service in Missouri artillery and cavalry units during the Civil War.
The Unseen Soldiers: Women in the Ranks
Despite official prohibitions against female enlistment in both Union and Confederate armies, countless women, driven by patriotism, adventure, or necessity, found ways to serve. To do so, they adopted male aliases, concealed their sex, and successfully passed as men, effectively becoming invisible figures within the documented history of the war. Estimates suggest that hundreds of women may have served in disguise, their true numbers remaining uncertain due to the secrecy surrounding their enlistment.
Mary Livermore, a prominent figure in the U.S. Sanitary Commission, acknowledged the widespread knowledge of these women, noting that “a larger number of women disguised themselves and enlisted in the service…than was dreamed of.” These women, hidden in plain sight within the ranks, were sometimes exposed by accident or injury, revealing the hidden stories behind the Union soldier uniform.
Motivations and Methods of Disguise
These women were not merely passive observers of the war; they were active participants who rejected the restrictive Victorian social expectations that confined women to the domestic sphere. Their motivations were varied and complex. Some women followed husbands or lovers into service, while others sought economic independence, drawn by the promise of army pay and enlistment bounties. Patriotism and a desire to contribute to the cause of the Union were also significant driving forces.
To effectively pass as men and wear the Civil War Union soldier uniform, these women employed various methods of disguise. They adopted masculine names, cropped their hair short, and bound their breasts to flatten their figures. Padding their trousers and altering their gait helped to further enhance their male impersonation. Loreta Velazquez, a Confederate woman soldier, even used a false mustache and learned to smoke cigars to solidify her male persona.
Document detailing the discharge of a Union soldier due to “Sextual incompatibility,” revealing the discovery of a woman in disguise within the ranks.
The Union Soldier Uniform: A Garment of Deception
The standard Civil War Union soldier uniform played a crucial role in facilitating these women’s disguises. The loose-fitting nature of the uniform, designed for practicality rather than tailored precision, helped to conceal feminine figures. Recruitment procedures, often cursory and focused on readily apparent disabilities, rarely involved thorough medical examinations that would have revealed a woman’s sex. This laxity in the enlistment process, combined with the common presence of young, beardless boys in the ranks, made it surprisingly easy for women to blend in.
Once enlisted and wearing the Union soldier uniform, these women had to maintain their deception within the close confines of army camps. Modesty and discreet behavior were essential. They learned to mimic masculine mannerisms, voices, and gaits. The prevailing Victorian era modesty among men also inadvertently aided their concealment. Soldiers often slept in their clothes and avoided extensive undressing in communal settings, allowing women to maintain their privacy and avoid detection.
Experiences in the Field: Combat and Concealment
Women soldiers in Union uniforms participated in all aspects of military life, from camp duties to fierce combat. They marched, drilled, and fought alongside their male comrades, facing the same hardships and dangers of war. Some women served as nurses, teamsters, or spies, while others fought directly on the front lines in infantry, cavalry, and artillery units.
Sarah Emma Edmonds Seelye, disguised as Franklin Thompson, served for two years in the Second Michigan Infantry, participating in significant battles such as First Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Antietam. Albert D.J. Cashier, who maintained her male identity for her entire adult life, served with the Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry for three years and participated in approximately forty battles and skirmishes. These women, and countless others whose stories remain less known, demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience in the face of war.
Sarah Edmonds Seelye, pictured in disguise as Franklin Thompson in her Union soldier uniform and later in women’s clothing after her service.
Discovery and Discharge: Unmasking the Uniform
Despite their best efforts, the true sex of women soldiers was sometimes discovered. Illness, injury, or accidental encounters led to the unmasking of their disguises. Mary Scaberry, serving as Charles Freeman, was discovered to be female after falling ill and being hospitalized. John Williams of the Seventeenth Missouri Infantry was discharged after it was “proved to be a woman.”
The army’s response to these discoveries varied. Some women were quietly discharged, while others faced more formal inquiries. However, despite the official denial of women’s military service, records and pension files demonstrate that the Union Army was aware of and documented the presence of women soldiers, even if they preferred to minimize their role.
Albert D.J. Cashier, who lived as a man before, during, and after her service in the Union Army, highlighting the long-term commitment of some women soldiers to their assumed male identities.
Legacy and Remembrance: Beyond the Battlefield
The women who wore the Civil War Union soldier uniform represent a powerful challenge to traditional gender roles and historical narratives. Their service, though statistically small compared to the vast armies of men, is significant because it reveals the hidden complexities of the Civil War era and the diverse ways in which women participated in this pivotal moment in American history.
These women were not simply anomalies or eccentric individuals; they were motivated individuals who defied societal expectations and bravely sought to contribute to the Union cause in ways typically reserved for men. Their stories, often overlooked or trivialized in traditional historical accounts, are now being increasingly recognized and celebrated. By acknowledging their service and sacrifices, we gain a more complete and nuanced understanding of the Civil War and the multifaceted roles women played during this transformative period.
The courage and determination of these women who donned the Civil War Union soldier uniform continue to resonate today. They were pioneers who paved the way for future generations of women in the military, challenging societal prejudices and demonstrating that bravery and patriotism know no gender. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength and resilience of women throughout history.
Burnside’s Bridge at Antietam, a site where women soldiers in Union uniforms may have fought, symbolizing the dangers and realities faced by these hidden figures of the Civil War.
An obituary provides a glimpse into the life of a woman Civil War soldier, Satronia Smith Hunt, highlighting the often-fragmentary nature of the historical record regarding these women.
