Women of a Different Generation: The Lady Spies and Soldiers of
the Civil War.by Sarah Emanuel What History hasn't revealed
about the Civil War's Women. By Sarah Emanuel Ladies throughout
history have been depicted as genteel, pretty creatures, lacking
the strength or intelligence to do much for our country. Of
course, there have been the marvelous exceptions: Harriet
Tubman, Betsy Ross, only Betsy never existed, Deborah Sampson,
and so forth. There have been extraordinarily independent women,
like Annie Oakley, but the majority of the unconstrained,
courageous, violent acts have been attributed to men. In
reality, women were among some of the most forceful movers and
shakers in history, especially during the Civil War. They
claimed for themselves the role of soldiers and spies, took
control of their homes, and spent time and energy healing the
sick and wounded. Yet, strangely enough, the most violent
actions of women did not take place in battle, but in their
daily lives, and sometimes, without warning. Youn