Women in the Civil War
Before the Civil War, women were figures that stayed at home and rarely left. They were loyal wives and mothers. When the Civil War started, most men were called to be soldiers in regiments. Many women had to take care of themselves in the home front. Some yearned for adventure and risk. Women had to take over plantations, farms, and businesses. The women who wanted to do a little more became nurses, vivandiéres, spies, or even soldiers.
With the war lasting longer than expected, supplies ran out quickly. The North and the South both needed more supplies to make it through the war. Luckily, the women in the home front were there for war relief. One organization set up to meet the needs of the soldiers was the Women’s Central Association of Relief, also known as the WCAR. They sewed uniforms, knitted socks, and made quilts. Also, they held charity events, fairs, and auctions to collect money for food, medical equipment, and bedding for nearby hospitals and camps. Many of the auction items were donated by wealthy people. Without all of the help in the home front, the soldiers would have run out of supplies quickly.
Women who craved for a little more adventure became nurses. It is estimated that between 2,000 to 8,000 women volunteered as nurses. They bandaged wounds, dispensed medicine, and made sure soldiers were eating a healthy diet. The bravest of the brave provided help during surgeries and amputations. Nurses did not only help physically heal the soldier. They also helped mentally heal. They did this in many different ways. Some nurses just talked to the wounded, while others sang to them. Some even brought flowers for soldiers and decorated the hospital.
Many women felt that they were just as strong as the men. They were the ones who went undercover and disguised themselves as men. Many women were successful spies. Some, like Mary Elizabeth Bowser, went undercover as maids. They secretly overheard plans and read documents. Bowser was a “maid” in the home of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President. Other spies flirted with soldiers to get information. They smuggled over documents and notes by hiding the items under their hoop skirts. A Confederate spy, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, got information by entertaining Union officers in her parlor. Along with spying, a good deal of women disguised themselves and went to battle. An estimated 400 women did this to be able to fight. They adopted male names and cut their hair. Many were successful in battles. Jennie Hodgers, also known as Albert Cashier, lived through the battles and even continued to live as a man for a few years after the Civil War. She fought in the 95th Illinois Regiment. She later was asked why she joined the war and her response was, “The country needed men, and I wanted excitement.” The main way these women got caught was during surgeries and when they were badly injured.
Women contributed so much to the Civil War, whether it be in the home front or in battle. They all stepped up to the plate when it was needed. They made sure soldiers had the items and health needed to be able to fight. Some women even fought in the battlefield to help their cause. All women, no matter what the task, stepped up and helped as much as they could during the Civil War.
With the war lasting longer than expected, supplies ran out quickly. The North and the South both needed more supplies to make it through the war. Luckily, the women in the home front were there for war relief. One organization set up to meet the needs of the soldiers was the Women’s Central Association of Relief, also known as the WCAR. They sewed uniforms, knitted socks, and made quilts. Also, they held charity events, fairs, and auctions to collect money for food, medical equipment, and bedding for nearby hospitals and camps. Many of the auction items were donated by wealthy people. Without all of the help in the home front, the soldiers would have run out of supplies quickly.
Women who craved for a little more adventure became nurses. It is estimated that between 2,000 to 8,000 women volunteered as nurses. They bandaged wounds, dispensed medicine, and made sure soldiers were eating a healthy diet. The bravest of the brave provided help during surgeries and amputations. Nurses did not only help physically heal the soldier. They also helped mentally heal. They did this in many different ways. Some nurses just talked to the wounded, while others sang to them. Some even brought flowers for soldiers and decorated the hospital.
Many women felt that they were just as strong as the men. They were the ones who went undercover and disguised themselves as men. Many women were successful spies. Some, like Mary Elizabeth Bowser, went undercover as maids. They secretly overheard plans and read documents. Bowser was a “maid” in the home of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President. Other spies flirted with soldiers to get information. They smuggled over documents and notes by hiding the items under their hoop skirts. A Confederate spy, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, got information by entertaining Union officers in her parlor. Along with spying, a good deal of women disguised themselves and went to battle. An estimated 400 women did this to be able to fight. They adopted male names and cut their hair. Many were successful in battles. Jennie Hodgers, also known as Albert Cashier, lived through the battles and even continued to live as a man for a few years after the Civil War. She fought in the 95th Illinois Regiment. She later was asked why she joined the war and her response was, “The country needed men, and I wanted excitement.” The main way these women got caught was during surgeries and when they were badly injured.
Women contributed so much to the Civil War, whether it be in the home front or in battle. They all stepped up to the plate when it was needed. They made sure soldiers had the items and health needed to be able to fight. Some women even fought in the battlefield to help their cause. All women, no matter what the task, stepped up and helped as much as they could during the Civil War.