Rare American Civil War pictures show how females disguised themselves so they could go into battle

To his comrades in the Union cavalry, Jack Williams was definitely one of the boys – a hard-drinking, tobacco-chewing, foul-mouthed son of a gun. Outstanding on horseback, he was as deadly with a sword as he was around the poker table – just the sort of fella you would want by your side when the going got rough.And for Jack it frequently did. By the end of a distinguished military career, he had fought in 18 battles, been wounded three times and taken prisoner once.

So it would come as quite a surprise when this prime example of a Union man was revealed to be a woman. For Jack Williams was actually mother-of-three Frances Clalin – an Illinois-born farmer’s wife who had enlisted alongside her husband back in 1861. Clalin, was one of a handful of women on both sides who distinguished themselves in battle while pretending to be men. After joining up with husband Elmer, she fought alongside him until he was killed just a few feet in front of her at the battle of Stones River on December 31, 1862. As the story goes, she didn’t stop fighting, but stepped over his body and charged forward when the order to advance was given.

To ensure her true identity was never discovered, she perfected the habits of her fellow soldiers, smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco, swearing and gambling. She also had the advantage of being tall and thin and carried herself with a manly gait.According to her superiors she was a model soldier – well trained, reliable and respected – It was said she carried out her duties at all times and was considered ‘a fighting man’. Quite how she was finally revealed to be a woman has since become a matter of some confusion.


http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/rare-american-civil-war-pictures-show-females-disguised-go-battle.html

The first two look like women. The third one looks like a man.

They remind me of my high-school teachers.  I think the third one is Miss Caller, actually.

Wait, two of the three fought on the side of the Union -- the winning side.

So women in the military isn't some ultra-modern hogwashed pipe-dreamt liberalist politically correct social engineering experiment?!

this book is quite good on women spies in the Civil War

http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Secrets-Deceived-Generals-Impacted/dp/1402242743

Elizabeth Van Lew was inducted into the MI Hall of Fame in 1993 for her work

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Van_Lew