The American Civil War is often remembered for its iconic generals, bloody battles, and the ideological clash that tore the nation in two. But beneath the surface of this grand narrative lies a lesser-known story—one of extraordinary courage, secrecy, and quiet rebellion. Among the thousands who took up arms were a small number of women who disguised themselves as men to fight in the Union and Confederate armies. They weren’t mascots or nurses. They were soldiers. One of the most famous among them was Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Canadian-born woman who enlisted in the Union Army under the alias Franklin Thompson.
Her story is more than a historical oddity. It’s a bold testament to personal conviction, wartime desperation, and the radical ways in which ordinary people defied societal norms in pursuit of something greater than themselves.
Why Did Women Join the Fight?
In the 1860s, women were expected to stay home—quiet, loyal, and out of harm’s way. But many women of the time were anything but passive. The Civil War created upheaval on every level, and for some, it offered a strange opportunity: the chance to escape traditional roles and become active participants in a moment that would reshape American history.
Some of these women joined the war effort as nurses or cooks. Others took a more direct route. They cut their hair, bound their chests, adopted male aliases, and enlisted in the army. Most were motivated by patriotism, a desire for adventure, or the need to stay close to loved ones who had gone off to war.
And surprisingly, many succeeded. Military recruiters in the 1860s didn’t conduct medical exams or ID checks with the rigor we know today. If you had all your teeth, all your limbs, and the ability to hold a musket, you were in.
The Life of Sarah Emma Edmonds
A Childhood of Escape
Born in New Brunswick, Canada in 1841, Sarah Emma Edmonds grew up in a strict household under a domineering father. Early on, she learned the value of disguise and reinvention. To escape an arranged marriage and a stifling domestic life, she fled home and began life on the run—first as a traveling Bible seller, and later, as a man.
She adopted the identity Franklin Flint Thompson, dressing and living full-time as a man even before the war began. When the Civil War erupted in 1861, she was living in Flint, Michigan. And that’s where she enlisted.
Franklin Thompson: Soldier in the Union Army
Under the name Franklin Thompson, Edmonds joined the 2nd Michigan Infantry. She served as a male field nurse, helping transport wounded soldiers and performing first aid under horrific battlefield conditions.
Over time, she worked her way into dispatch duty—riding through dangerous terrain and even entering Confederate territory as a spy. She was known to be brave, focused, and reliable. Other soldiers trusted Thompson without ever suspecting the truth.
A Spy in Disguise
According to Edmonds’ own account, her most daring work came during her time as a Union spy. She claimed to have gone behind enemy lines dressed in multiple guises, including an African American man, an Irish peddler woman, and even a Southern belle.
Whether these specific missions are historically verified is debated. Much of her spy work comes from her memoir, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, published in 1864. Though some historians question certain details, the core facts of her military service are indisputable. She served honorably, sustained injuries, and risked her life for the cause.
A Soldier’s Exit
In 1863, Edmonds contracted malaria during a campaign and feared that if she sought treatment at a military hospital, her secret would be discovered. Instead, she deserted the army—an act considered treasonous, even if understandable in her case.
She recovered in private and later resumed her life as a woman. Not long after, she volunteered again—this time openly—as a female nurse working in a Washington D.C. hospital.
Life After the War
After the war, Sarah Emma Edmonds continued her remarkable life with the same daring spirit. She married, raised children, and became a public speaker. But her past never stopped haunting her.
She had technically deserted the army, a serious offense that barred her from receiving a pension. For years, she fought to clear her name and gain recognition for her service. Eventually, in 1884, she was granted an honorable discharge and a veteran’s pension of $12 a month.
She also became one of the only women ever admitted into the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Army’s all-male veterans’ organization.
She died in 1898 in La Porte, Texas and was buried with full military honors in a veterans’ cemetery—a rare tribute for a woman who had served in secret.
She Wasn’t Alone: Other Female Soldiers in Disguise
While Sarah Emma Edmonds is perhaps the most famous of these cross-dressing soldiers, she was far from alone. Historians estimate that at least 400 women served in the Civil War disguised as men.
Some other notable figures include:
- Jennie Hodgers (aka Albert Cashier): Served in the Union Army and continued living as a man for the rest of her life, even after the war.
- Loreta Janeta Velázquez (aka Lieutenant Harry T. Buford): Claimed to have fought for the Confederacy, though parts of her story are contested.
- Frances Clayton: Posed as a man to follow her husband into battle after he enlisted in the Union army. She reportedly fought in 18 battles.
These women were often discovered only by accident—through injury, illness, or death. And many took their secrets to the grave.
Why Their Stories Were Hidden
After the war, these stories were not celebrated. In many cases, they were ignored, downplayed, or actively erased. The Victorian ideals of womanhood—fragile, domestic, submissive—had no room for cross-dressing female warriors.
Some women didn’t want their families to know. Others feared legal trouble. And historians, for decades, treated these stories as fringe oddities, rather than recognizing them for what they were: courageous acts of rebellion and contributions to the war effort that deserve respect.
Only in recent decades have these women begun to receive the acknowledgment they deserve, thanks to feminist historians and researchers willing to dig through archives and memoirs to bring their stories to light.
Why This Story Still Matters
The story of Sarah Emma Edmonds—and others like her—is more than just a quirky footnote in Civil War history. It’s a powerful reminder that:
- Courage doesn’t look one way. It comes in many forms, and it isn’t limited by gender.
- History is often incomplete. What we’re taught in school leaves out huge swaths of reality.
- Women have always fought, in ways large and small, visible and hidden.
In an age when conversations about gender identity and roles are front and center, these historical figures remind us that people have always challenged the norms, even under threat of violence or imprisonment.
Conclusion: From Hidden Warrior to Historical Icon
Sarah Emma Edmonds lived her life with boldness and integrity. She crossed boundaries few dared to approach, all in pursuit of a cause she believed in. Her story, and those of countless unnamed women who disguised themselves to serve, deserve a permanent place in the narrative of American history.
They weren’t anomalies. They were patriots. And their courage reshaped the battlefield in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
