She realized that many of the prisoners had been marched through Confederate lines on their way to Richmond and were full of useful information about Confederate movements. She became a spy for the North for the next four years, setting up a network of couriers, and devising a code. For her efforts during the Civil War, General Grant made Elizabeth Van Lew Postmaster of Richmond. After she died, in appreciation of her loyalty to her country, the people of Massachusetts had a gravestone erected on her grave which read, "She risked everything that is dear to man - friends, fortune, comfort, health, life itself, all for the one absorbing desire of her heart- that slavery might be abolished and the Union preserved.".
Women in Disguise.
Emily.
In 1863, at age 19, a woman known only as Emily, ran away from home and joined the drum corps of a Michigan Regiment. The regiment was sent to Tennessee and during the struggle for Chattanooga a minie ball hit the side of the young soldier. Her wound was fatal and her sex was revealed. At first she refused to say her real name but as she lay there dying she consented to dictate a telegram to her father. It said, "Forgive your dying daughter. I have but a few moments to live. My native soil drinks my blood. I expect to deliver my country but the fates would not have it so. I am content to die. Pray forgive me Emily."".
Another fairly well known story is that.
of Jennie Hodgers who served and fought.
for three years as Albert Cashier.
Her identity wasn't revealed until 1913.
Nurses/Doctors.
Ellon McCormick Looby was born in Ireland in 1834, immigrated to the United States as a teenager, and married another Irishman, Rody Looby, in Waddington, NY 1854. They had three sons, John (1860), William (1866), and Richard (1870). In December 1863 Rody enlisted in the 14th NY Heavy Artillery at Potsdam and served for several months before he was wounded in the Battle of Petersburg in July 1864.