Women Spies of the Civil War
Hundreds of women served as spies during the Civil War. Here’s a look at six who risked their lives in daring and unexpected ways
- By Cate Lineberry
- Smithsonian.com, May 09, 2011
(James A. Chambers, U.S. Army Deputy, Office of the Chief, Military Intelligence)
Mary Elizabeth Bowser, likely born Mary Jane Richards, was a slave of the Van Lew family in Richmond, Virginia. When John Van Lew died in September 1843, his will stipulated that his wife, Eliza, could not sell or free any of the family’s slaves. Eliza and her daughter Elizabeth Van Lew were against slavery and seem to have secretly granted their slaves, including Bowser, freedom.
When the Civil War broke out, the Van Lews brought food, medicine and books to Union soldiers at nearby Libby Prison. Elizabeth conveyed messages between the prisoners and Union officials and helped prisoners escape. To do this, she relied on an informal network of women and men, white and black, all drawn from Richmond’s clandestine Unionist community to help her. The most noteworthy of these individuals was Bowser, who had married a free black man named Wilson Bowser in 1861 and taken his name.
In the fall of 1865, Bowser gave an address in Brooklyn alluding to her infiltration of the Confederate White House during the war. Though the story has been difficult to document, Bowser’s willingness to risk her life as part of the Richmond underground is certain.
Details of Bowser’s life after the war are unknown.
Comments (31)
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Why do people comment on these?
Posted by Robin on May 7,2013 | 01:43 PM
thanks to these women the world moved on
Posted by anonomous on April 19,2013 | 05:37 PM
Cate Lineberry, You may want to read my biography of Pauline Cushman and update your article. There are several errors of fact. Pauline Cushman, Spy of the Cumberland William J. Christen Edinborough Press Roseville, Minnesota 2006 http://www.paulinecushman.com William (Bill Christen)
Posted by William Christen on April 3,2013 | 04:06 PM
I'm glad men think girls are weak and innocent, because thats why the spies weren't suspected as much.
Posted by Caitlin on April 2,2013 | 01:17 PM
thanks! im doing a black history assignment featuring her and this really helped alot!If you can,can u add some more details that can help me with my assignment???If u can that would be great
Posted by cindy on February 23,2013 | 04:43 PM
I am a spy too
Posted by Brook on February 4,2013 | 08:32 AM
thank you so much. really helped
Posted by jonathan on October 1,2012 | 05:17 PM
how can i get a copy of may 2011 magazine?
Posted by karen on September 15,2012 | 03:28 PM
thanks so much! this reallt helped with my essay and women spies. wouldnt have been able to do it without this web site!!! :)
Posted by Courtney on May 21,2012 | 05:06 PM
Cool man, Spanish Mexico.
Posted by Hulio on May 16,2012 | 01:11 PM
That helped a lot. I can really use this ;)
Posted by chris on May 15,2012 | 10:11 AM
How did Belle Boyd get her information?! She's not 'young and attractive,' she's ugly.
Posted by Lela on May 13,2012 | 03:44 PM
idk kinda weird
Posted by John on May 11,2012 | 04:56 PM
I didn't know Harriet Tubman was a spy.
Posted by Sally on May 9,2012 | 11:10 PM
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