What Role Did Women Play In The Civil War Essay

Women and War

(Women's roles during the Civil War)

Throughout history there are many events that fabricate the world we live in. Many of the turning points that are developed can be traced back to one source. War; it is something that seems to come natural to humankind. Or rather, more specifically, mankind. Throughout history we observe that generally men played a more prominent role in wars. While women were affected and did influence war. However, women's roles were more behind the scenes and didn't get as much recognition. To be more specific, in American history we see the roles that women play in the battles that founded this country. Often we see it through raising good young boys who would have enough bravery to fight for their country,

but later we see women stepping out further from their typical roles and taking on more responsibility. The American Civil War is an example that can be used to explain the roles women typically had. These roles were: nurses, soldiers, spies, workers, and prostitutes.
During the Civil War many women received the opportunity to become hospital nurses. Over three thousand women became nurses during the Civil War. There were several incentives for becoming nurses. One might have been, to contribute to the cause, to be near loved ones, to earn money, or simply for adventure and independence. At first it was unaccepted for a lady to witness the horrors of war, so the women organized groups. "Many women chose to become nurses anyway, ignoring the opinions of their fathers, husbands, or brothers. Some of them were inspired by Florence Nightingale." (American Civil War Reference Library) In Great Britain a woman named Florence Nightingale served as a nurse during the Crimean War for the British army. Many women viewed her as a hero. They formed aid groups and volunteered to become nurses or help in some way. "After the first few battles were fought, both sides faced a dawning realization: They desperately needed doctors and nurses to care for injured soldiers." (Favor) Eventually when the demand became high enough, the women were trained and sent where they were needed.
Some women had the backbone to disguise themselves as men and go into battle. Driven by their strong feelings about the cause of the war, around four hundred women posed as men. One woman named Sarah Emma Evelyn Edmonds assumed the name Frank Thompson and ran away from home. When the war came around she enlisted. Most women made it about two years before they were discovered, most often due to an injury. "When their sex was discovered, they were dismissed in disgrace ... they were never paid for their services." (Zuckerman) While women showed extreme courage by enlisting and fighting, due to their gender, they were shamed and would not receive recognition or payment for their services.
Other daring women were hired by the government and used as spies.

One such woman was Harriet Tubman. Due to her knowledge of the Southern geography, the Union army hired her to spy on the Confederate army. Another woman named Isabelle Boyd served as a Confederate spy. "Boyd gained information of interest to Confederate intelligence. She passed information on to Generals P.G.T. Beauregard and 'Stonewall' Jackson that enabled Jackson to save the bridges at Front Royal." (Women in America-1999) Many other women including, Sarah Thompson, and Elizabeth Van Lew. "Ignoring the dictates of how 'proper' women should behave, some women boldly chose to enter the fray of active service as undercover agents." (Sakany) The feminist movement began during this period when women took up new roles. "For a long time, Greenhow continued her spying, often gathering valuable, detailed pieces of information." (Phillips) Through their services as spies, women were able to aid their side of the Civil War and fight for their own freedom as

women.
With the many of the men gone to fight, women had to take up more responsibilities in the work force, on farms and in factories.

However, some even worked in the camps with the soldiers, doing laundry and cooking, sewing and providing moral support. "Their [the women's] lack of presence on the battlefield has often been mistaken as their absence from all avenues of the war effort." (Women and the American Civil War) Even though the women weren't physically in the war, they provided clothing, food, medicine, care, and moral support. Despite their absence on the battlefield, they aided the war critically. By offering these provisions, they aided in the survival of the soldiers. Women in the north would organize Aid Groups that would help raise money for the war. Women in the south provided more medical care, due to the fact that the war was at their doorsteps. Women also took over the positions that men left open when they went to join the war. They took over factory positions, and they developed political standings. Women made giants leaps toward becoming more equal and proving they were capable of the same occupations as men. "Prior to the war, the occupation of women was mainly confined to domestic affairs, and to a limited participation in the work of education." (Benton) The war was not only revolutionary in ending slavery, it also aided the opportunities women were able to

receive.
Unfortunate as it may be, one role women played during the war was, becoming prostitutes to the soldiers. Women that worked in the camps doing the laundry for the soldiers, mending clothing, or cooking, often times doubled as prostitutes. During the nineteenth-century America, it was considered a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood to visit and prostitute and become involved in the sexual world. "The number of prostitutes during the war is likely relatively high. In times of economic downturn or personal economic emergency, poor women often have turned to prostitution to survive." (Women on the Battlefield) Due to extreme circumstances women would be reduced to prostitution to survive. It was also believed that men required to have frequent sexual activity, so while away from their wives, they were allowed to visit prostitutes. "Union military courts offered a measure of justice to southern women--white and black--who were sexually assaulted by northern troops." (Occupied Women) More likely than not, women were often forced into prostitution or sexually assaulted.
While it is obvious the roles the men played throughout war all across history, the roles of the women are often overlooked. However, through this example of the American Civil War, we can see how much of an important role the women played. The American Civil War is an example that can be used to explain the roles women typically had. These roles were: nurses, soldiers, spies, workers, and prostitutes. During the Civil War many women received the opportunity to become hospital nurses. Some women had the backbone to disguise themselves as men and go into battle. Other daring women were hired by the government and used as spies. With the many of the men gone to fight, women had to take up more responsibilities in the work force, on farms and in factories. Unfortunate as it may be, one role women played during the war was, becoming prostitutes to the soldiers.