Nurse and Spy in the Union Army by S. Emma E. Edmonds: Nurse and Spy in the Union Army is a memoir by S. Emma E. Edmonds, who disguised herself as a man and served as a nurse and spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War. The memoir offers a compelling firsthand account of Edmonds's experiences in the war, providing insights into the challenges faced by women who defied societal norms to contribute to the war effort. Key Aspects of the Book "Nurse and Spy in the Union Army": Women's Contribution: Edmonds's memoir highlights the significant role played by women in the American Civil War and sheds light on their bravery and resilience. Undercover Operations: Edmonds's experiences as a spy offer a unique perspective on the war, showcasing the risks and sacrifices made by those engaged in intelligence gathering. Societal Norms: The memoir explores the societal expectations and challenges faced by women during the war, providing a nuanced understanding of gender roles and the limitations imposed on women at the time. S. Emma E. Edmonds (1841-1898) was a Canadian-born woman who served as a nurse and spy for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Edmonds's memoir, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, documents her experiences and contributions during the war. She is remembered for her courage and dedication to the cause, as well as for her efforts to bring attention to the role of women in the war and advocate for their rights.

This book discusses the experiences of the author, who was known for serving as a nurse and a spy with the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Nurse and Spy in the Union Army is the book written by Emma Edmond in a form of memoirs. In addition to telling her story Edmond describes the stories of many other men and women of the war. Her realistic and vivid writing style shows the Civil War from a new perspective.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1865. With Illustrations.

EARLY in the spring of 1861, I was returning from the far West, and as I sat waiting for the train which was to bear me to my adopted home in New England, and was meditating upon the events which had transpired during the past few months, the record of which was destined to blacken the fair pages of American history, I was aroused from my reverie by a voice in the street crying "New York Herald-Fall of Fort Sumter-President's Proclamation-Call for seventy-five thousand men!" This announcement startled me, while my imagination portrayed the coming struggle in all its fearful magnitude. War, civil war, with all its horrors seemed inevitable, and even then was ready to burst like a volcano upon the most happy and prosperous nation the sun ever shone upon. The contemplation of this sad picture filled my eyes with tears and my heart with sorrow.

Among the hundreds of women who, in disguise, enlisted to serve as men during the Civil War, only Sarah Edmonds is known to have written a memoir recounting her experiences. As "Franklin Thompson," she joined the 2nd Michigan Infantry Regiment in 1861, then fought in some of the bloodiest struggles of the Civil War, from the first battle of Bull Run to the Kentucky Campaign of 1863. This daring woman embarked upon dangerous missions into Confederate territory to gather information and to survey enemy positions, sometimes in the guise of a slave or Irish washerwoman, sometimes in Confederate uniform. Through her experiences as a "male nurse" and Union soldier, Edmonds depicts the horrors of Civil War hospitals and the simple pastimes of camp life. Throughout her impassioned account, first published in 1865, this enthralling storyteller reveals her courage, dedication to the Union, and resourcefulness in concealing her identity. Three years after her death, Edmonds's body was reinterred with military honors by her comrades, who recognized in her a "strong, healthy, and robust soldier, ever willing and ready for duty." The introduction and annotations by Elizabeth D. Leonard, a leading authority on Civil War women, support and amplify Edmonds's account. Challenging established views of the Civil War soldier, Memoirs of a Soldier, Nurse, and Spy is compelling reading, especially for those interested in the Civil War, women's history, American studies, and military history.

When Frank Thompson sees a recruitment poster for the new Union army, he’s ready and willing to enlist. Except Frank isn’t his real name. In fact, Frank is really Sarah Emma Edmonds, in disguise. Only nineteen years old, Sarah has already been dressing as a man for three years and living on the run in order to escape an arranged marriage. She’s tasted freedom, and as far as she’s concerned, there’s no going back. Eager to fight for the North during the Civil War, Sarah joins a Michigan infantry regiment. She excels as a soldier and even takes on the grueling task of nursing the wounded. Because of her heroism, she is asked to become a spy, cross enemy lines, and infiltrate a Confederate camp. For her first mission, Sarah must once again disguise herself and rely on the kindness of enslaved people to help her do her job. This incredible true story of a brave young woman who makes an unlikely choice to fight for her country is one that should not be lost to history.