We just finished reading a book called Behind Rebel Lines for school This was a pretty fascinating account of a female Civil War soldier. Emma Edmonds was one of about 400 women who disguised themselves as men in order to serve in the military during this war. Edmonds successfully spied for the Union and made 11 trips into enemy territory during her 2 year stint as Franklin Thompson. Her charade ended when she became very ill with malaria. Unable to keep her cover in a military hospital, she left her fellow soldiers during the 47 day siege on Vicksburg. Again dressed as a woman, she checked into a hospital in Cairo IL. She was never able to return to her position with Union forces because she was technically AWOL. Interestingly, after the war she published a book about her adventures. Later she petitioned the government for an honorable discharge and was successful. She even claimed a pension of $12 a month! She is buried in a section of a Texas cemetary reserved for military personnel.
Read more about Emma Edmonds and her service to the country.
http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Rebel-Lines-Incredible-Episodes/dp/0152004246
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Edmonds
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