The Lesser Known Women of the American Civil War Click here to begin! Click here to begin!

Who do you want to learn about? Mary Edwards Walker Mary Edwards Walker Susie Baker King Taylor Susie Baker King Taylor Rose O’Neal

Mary Edwards Walker Main Menu

Mary Edwards Walker was the only woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for her service in the Civil War. Main Menu

She was born on November 26, 1832 in the town of Oswego, New York. Her family were strong believers of the Abolitionist’s cause Main Menu

Her father Strongly believed in education and equal opportunity for his daughters A view that strongly influenced Mary’s life. Main Menu

Mary graduated from Syracuse Medical College in She was the only woman from her class and only the second woman in the United States to graduate from a medical School. Main Menu A drawing of how the college looked like when she attended.

When the war broke out, she tried to join the Union Army as a commissioned medical officer. Main Menu

She was denied, but volunteered as a assistant surgeon. By doing so, she became the first female surgeon in the US Army. Main Menu

On November 11, 1865, President Johnson awarded her the Congressional Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service to recognize her contributions to the war effort. Main Menu Fun Fact! This is what the Medal looked like during the Civil War, quite different from today’s version.

After the war, she became an active advocate for women’s rights. She wrote and lectured about dress reform, health and temperance, and women’s rights. Fun Fact! Walker had a penchant for cross-dressing and prided herself for being arrested for dressing in men’s clothing. She felt clothing was too restrictive and immodest. Main Menu

In 1917, her medal was revoked when Congress revised the medal’s standards to include only “actual combat with the enemy.” Main Menu

That did little to stop her. She refused to give her medal back and wore it every day until her death in Main Menu

You have successfully completed Mary Edward’s biography! Who else would you like to learn about? Susie Baker King Taylor Susie Baker King Taylor I read all three and am ready for the quiz! I read all three and am ready for the quiz! Rose O’Neal

Susie Baker King Taylor Main Menu

Taylor became one of the few African American Women to work for the Union Army as a nurse. Main Menu

Taylor was born in Georgia on August 6, 1848 as a slave. Main Menu

At the age of seven, Taylor and her brother were went to Savannah. There, they were taught in secret by black women. Main Menu Her home in Savannah where she lived and was taught

On April 1, 1862, Taylor was freed when a nearby fort was captured by the Union Army. She went to the Union occupied St. Simon’s Island, where word of her education spread. Main Menu

A mere five days after her arrival, she was offered supplies if she would organize a school for the children of St. Simon’s Island. Main Menu Fun Fact! This is a picture of class from one of the schools she established. Two decades later! Talk about a legacy!

She became the first African American teacher to openly instruct black students in Georgia. Main Menu

She met and married her first husband, a black non-commissioned officer in the Union Army. Main Menu

For the next three years, she traveled with her husband’s regiment, working as a laundress. Main Menu This is what a typical black regiment looked like in the Civil War.

She did more than laundry duty. She taught the soldiers how to read and write. She also trained and served as a nurse. Main Menu

In 1866, she and her husband returned to Savannah, where she would establish a school for free black children. That same year her husband would pass away. Main Menu

After her husband’s death, she moved to Boston. There, she met Russell Taylor who would become her second husband. Main Menu

Nursing stayed a passion of hers. She joined the Women’s Relief Corp, which gave assistance to soldiers and hospitals. She soon became president of the organization. Main Menu

Susie Baker King Taylor died in 1912 at the age of 64. Main Menu

You have successfully completed Susie Baker King Taylor’s Biography! Who else would you like to learn about? I read all three and am ready for the quiz! I read all three and am ready for the quiz! Rose O’Neal Mary Edwards Walker Mary Edwards Walker

Rose O’Neal Main Menu

Rose O’Neal was one of the most renowned spies of the Civil War. Main Menu

O’Neal was born in Montgomery County, Maryland in Main Menu

She was a passionate sectionist and was known as “Wild Rose.” Main Menu

She sent a secret message to General Beauregard, which ultimately caused him to win the Battle of Bull Run. Main Menu

She was imprisoned for her efforts, but still managed to get messages to the Confederacy via cryptic messages hidden in unlikely places, like a woman’s hair bun. Main Menu Fun Fact! This is an actual message she wrote and sent. Look closely and you’ll see her cryptic code!

After her imprisonment, she was exiled to the Confederate States. She was warmly welcomed by President Jefferson Davis. Main Menu

She spied so successfully for the Confederacy that President Davis credited her with winning the Battle of Manassas. Main Menu

In 1864, she boarded the Condor, but just before the ship docked, it was attacked by Union war vessels. Main Menu

She fled in a row boat, but it capsized and she never made it to shore. Main Menu An illustration depicting her leaving the vessel on the row boat

O’Neal was buried with full military honors in the October of Main Menu

You have successfully completed Rose O’Neal’s biography! Who else would you like to learn about? I read all three and am ready for the quiz! I read all three and am ready for the quiz! Susie Baker King Taylor Susie Baker King Taylor Mary Edwards Walker Mary Edwards Walker

Who Are You? Take this short quiz to find out which heroine you are most like. Afterwards, You will write a short essay based on your result. Take Quiz Now! Take Quiz Now! Ready for the essay! Ready for the essay! Main Menu Help!

Hyperlink not working? No Problem! If the link fails, simply open up a web browser and copy and paste this URL: which-lesser-known-civil-war-heroine-are-you

Essay Time! Imagine that you are your quiz result in the present day. What type of job would you have? What of today’s issues would you be most passionate about? Be sure to explain why with facts from her biography. It must be at least a paragraph. Be creative! Main Menu

Directions Either write the essay on looseleaf (clean edges! No frills!) and turn it into me in person or use word and it to me at Either way, it must be turned in by the next class period or it will be considered late! No Remember you can be creative, just back it up with a well-reasoned argument! Main Menu

Work Cited Information URLs: Mary Edwards Walker Susie Baker King Taylor - susie-baker-king http:// susie-baker-king Rose O’Neal - Main Menu

Work Cited Pictures: Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slides 18 & Slide Slide Slide 35 – Slide Main Menu