The deadliest conflict in American history, the Civil War bitterly divided the country and led to four years of warfare that devastated many lives. Everyone knew someone who fought in the war, and with over 650,000 dead, most lost at least one important person in their lives. While men did the brunt of the fighting, many women joined the ranks of the armies on both side. Some served as nurses, helping the wounded. Others were camp mothers, cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundry for soldiers. Some spied on the other side, gathering valuable military information and passing it on to intelligence officers who could then act. Some freed slaves. Some even joined the army ranks, disguising their gender and blending in so well with their fellow soldiers that they were only discovered after suffering battlefield injuries.
Women fought as well as men, and participated directly in the war effort. Each had her own reason for doing this, from running away from abusive situations to joining husbands in the field to looking for a taste of adventure. Each of the sixteen women presented in this book impacted history in some way. They dared to do what was then considered a man's job. Some received condemnation, some received awards and medals, but all were appreciated by the men they served with, and they left a lasting legacy that spurred changes in nursing, education, and factory work.
Filled with information about the Civil War, each profile is presented with photos and explains the life of the woman in question and the roles she played during this troubling period. Readers who enjoy history will appreciate the breath of coverage of this book and will appreciate learning about women that have remained for the most part unheralded.
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