Soldier, nurse and spy for the Republic
This is an extraordinary book by any standards and no short description of it could possibly do justice to its author or her book. Sarah Edmonds was a lady from the northern states of America who, when the great Civil War broke out between the Union and the Confederacy, decided that being 'one who waits' was definitely not her style. Disguised as a man-a talent she had developed since childhood-she successfully enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Regiment and served in several campaigns including the battles at Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg, without ever revealing her gender. In common with many women, from both sides of the conflict, she later performed with distinction as a nurse to wounded troops in the field. Though this was noteworthy and frequently dangerous work it was insufficient for Sarah both as a contribution to the Union war effort and for her own spirit of adventure, so she embarked on a career in the Union Army Secret Service as a spy. This dangerous occupation, where the penalty for detection and capture was summary execution, propelled her into many perilous adventures behind enemy lines, often disguised as a man in a variety of personas including Confederate soldier, negro labourer and Irish tinker. Sarah Edmonds' story is an absolutely gripping personal account of an exceptional woman's experience of war which will fascinate anyone interested in the Civil War and dauntless women in particular. Available in softcover and hard back with dust jacket.