Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero
and love of DEFEND OUR NOBLE UNION PROVE YOUR PATRIOTISM COUNTRY
President Abraham Lincoln had just declared war on the Southern states seceding from the Union and the new army needed men When Frank Thompson saw a poster requesting recruits he decided he would be one of them Except Frank wasn’t his real name In fact Frank wasn’t a man He was really Sarah Emma Edmonds 3
Sarah was only nineteen but she had already been dressing as a man for three years Originally she had cut her brown wavy hair and put on pants to escape a marriage arranged by her parents She had run away crossing the border from Canada into the United States trading a bridal gown for trousers trading countries without a single regret Once she discovered the freedom of taking big strides unhindered by heavy skirts and the freedom to travel when and where she wanted she couldn’t put a dress back on
Now as Frank Thompson she joined the long line of men snaking around the Michigan courthouse eager to give back to the country that had given her a new life 5
