Women of the Civil War

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses and analyzes the topic of women in the Civil War era. Specifically, the paper illustrates important women of the Civil War, including the way women were treated and the various roles they played in relation to the war. The paper introduces Belle Boyd, one of the most well-known female Confederate spies. The paper also presents the story of Jennie Hodgers, one of the most notable women who dressed as a man. The paper discusses Mary Edwards Walker, a physician and the only woman ever to be given the Congressional Medal of Honor.

From the Paper:

"Women served in many ways during the Civil War. Some worked as nurses and doctors. Some actually dressed as men and fought in the war. Some spied for the North, and some for the South, bringing back valuable information that military leaders put to good use. One of these spies was Belle Boyd. Boyd is probably one of the most well known female Confederate spies since she wrote about her encounters after the war and even toured the country talking about them. She was successful because the Union men did not expect a woman to be a spy, and because she understood how to deal with men and to play up to their male pride while obtaining the secret information she wanted. One historian notes, "With the element of surprise as her weapon, Belle succeeded in securing and transmitting information so valuable to Confederate troops that Stonewall Jackson commissioned her a captain and made her an honorary aide-de-camp" (Faust 215)."

More papers on Women of the Civil War:

• Article Review # 36963 : "Women During the Civil War"
• Essay # 4258 : "The Liberator: A Newspaper of the Civil War"
• Analytical Essay # 55282 : "The Civil War and Southern Women"

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