✿✿✿✿✿ Soldiers ✿✿✿✿✿
The obituary pictured above was written for Elizabeth A. Niles, a woman who secretly fought in the civil war alongside her husband. As the obituary says, the war began on the war of their honeymoon and Elizabeth made the decision to risk her life fighting for the union vs staying safely at home and being separated from her husband. She disguised herself as a man and fought alongside her prince charming in many battles. Although the thought of a woman dressing as a man and fighting in a war may seem like something out of a Disney movie, it was actually quite common. In fact, somewhere between 400 and 1000 women dawned military uniforms and joined in on the mosh pit of fighting. Below are some more examples of women soldiers.
Albert J. Cashier may look like your average Union soldier in the photo to the left, but plot twist: he was actually born she. Born in Ireland as Jenny Hodgers, she moved to Illinois and enlisted in the Tennessee regiment in 1862 under the alias Albert J. Cashier. Dressed as a man, Jenny fought in nearly 40 battles. She was captured by Confederate soldiers, but escaped by overpowering the prison guard. Jenny worked as a farm hand, but kept her alias of Albert J. Cashier until her - or his - dying day, October 11th, 1915. She was buried in her manly uniform. Albert is an example of a woman who lived outside of the social norm. She took charge of her life and lived as she pleased, serving bravely and honorably in the civil war.
The photos on the left both depict a girl named Frances Hook. Only 14 when the war started (not much older than you guys) and and an orphan.She joined the war to be with her older brother an only living relative. Frances cut her hair and bound her breasts, and enlisted in the 11th Illinois Infantry Regiment as Frank Miller. Her gender was discovered once after being injured, and she was discharged. Frances didn't bat an eyelash, and immediately began looking for another regiment to enlist in. Frances fought so bravely and valiantly during the war that she received a letter from President Jefferson Davis himself, offering her the position of Lieutenant of the Confederate Army. Frances responded that she'd rather due than fight for the Confederacy (such sass!)
If you'd like to read more about these real-life Mulan characters, here are some links!