by Peggy Roberson
7. February 2011 13:18
This is the true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who disguised herself as a man and fought in the Civil War for 2 years. Sarah was born in Canada on a farm. Her father wished for sons to work on the farm, instead he got daughters and one invalid son. Sarah took on the role of farmer helper. When she was old enough to leave home, she figured she would never make much of herself as a woman, so she disguised herself and got a job as Frank Thompson, working as a travelling bookseller. She was a big success and settled in Michigan.
When the Civil War broke out, she was caught up in the excitement and ended up joining the Michigan regiments. While serving in the army she took on may roles: nurse, orderly, spy, mail carrier and courier. Supposedly, she made numerous trips behind Confederate lines to spy for the Union, but this was never proved. She was severely injured twice. When her commanding officer resigned, she went AWOL, because she feared she would be discovered.
In her later life, she married Linus Seelye, a builder, tried to raise a family, but none of their children, except one adopted son, made it to adulthood. Increasingly crippled by her old war injuries, she sought any army pension. After many attemps, and many letters from her fellow officers and servicemen, she was able to receive a pension for her time in the Army.
Sarah Emma Edmonds was a brave woman who worked very hard for what she wanted. Wonder how many other women disquised as men actually fought?
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