Sarah emma edmonds started pretending at a very early age. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. Sarah emma edmonds december 1841 september 5, 1898, was a canadian born woman who is known for serving as a man with the union army during the american. Her early childhood was marred by the fact that her father resented her because she wasnt a boy. In 1857, to escape the abuse and an arranged marriage, edmondson left home, changing her name to edmonds.
Sarah emma evelyn edmondson was born in 1841 in new brunswick, canada, the youngest of five children. War in 1861, edmonds was boarding in flint, michigan, continuing to be quite successful at selling books. With the help of her mother, she left home to travel to the united states where disguised as a boy, she found employment selling bibles and other books in. This is the story of sarah emma edmunds, who did many wild and adventurous things. In 1864, edmonds published her memoir, unsexed, or the female soldier, which was later published under the titles the female spy of the union army, and the nurse and spy in the union army. Like some others, she did so by impersonating a man, remaining undiscovered the whole time. Sarah emma edmonds was a female soldier and spy in the civil war the following are some facts about sarah emma edmonds. The next year the book was read and published by a new publisher. I am naturally fond of adventure, a little ambitious, and a good deal romantic but patriotism was the true secret of my success. Sarah emma edmonds papers, 18821897 s emma e edmonds miscellaneous items regarding service of sarah e. Join facebook to connect with sarah emma edmonds and others you may know.
She later wrote a book about her experiences, titled. Not only is she famous for disguising herself as a man and being a private in an army during a time when women were given few rights, but also becoming a successful spy. To connect with sarah emma, sign up for facebook today. Not much is known about her mother, but her father wanted a boy and was very disappointed that emma, as she was called, was a girl. Unsexed or the female soldier by sarah emma edmonds. Historians estimate that more than four hundred women disguised themselves as men in order to serve as either union or confederate soldiers during the civil war. Sarah emma edmonds woman who fought in the civil war. Sarah emma edmonds author of soldier, nurse and spy in the. Civil war, sarah pretended her way into the union army, becoming a male nurse named frank thompson. Sarah emma edmonds interest in adventure was sparked by a book she read in her youth by maturin murray ballou called fanny campbell, the female pirate captain, telling the story of fanny campbell and her adventures on a pirate ship during the american revolution while dressed as a woman fanny remained dressed as a man in order to pursue other adventures, to which edmonds attributes her desire to cross dress. Sarah emma edmonds 18411898 served with the union army during the american civil war disguised as a man, using the alias frank thompson. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Until i read this book, the story sarah emma edmonds was unknown to me.
We know of sarah emma edmonds primarily through her own book, through records assembled to defend her pension claim, and through diaries of two men with whom she served. Buy a cheap copy of sarah emma edmonds was a great. The full title of todays book is sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender. I find it fascinating that a woman could go virtually her entire life pretending to be someone else and have no one be the wiser. This book was called nurse and spy in the union army. Edmonds was born in new brunswick, canada but left home after her verbally abusive father attempted to force her to marry a man she didnt love. Edmonds was born on a farm in new brunswick, canada in 1841, to isaac edmonds, of scotland, and elizabeth leeper, of ireland. Jun 17, 2016 subscribe to studies weekly for more great videos.
Sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender by carrie. It told the tale of a woman who, dressed as a man, had dashing adventures as a pirate. Edmonds was born in canada in 1841, but desperate to escape an abusive father and forced marriage, moved to flint, michigan in 1856, where she discovered that life was easier when she dressed as a man. She worked for a time in new brunswick and new england selling bibles but still afraid. After two years of living as a single woman, sarah decided to pursue her fortune disguised as a man. Her uniqueness is that she not only succeeded in remaining in the army for several years, but was also eminently successful as a union spyall while impersonating a man. Later in life, sarah emma edmonds wrote a book to tell her story. The true story of a civil war spy carolrhoda picture books jones, carrie, oldroyd, mark on. She lived for years as a man, served three years as a soldier in the union army, wrote a bestselling book, and became one of the only women soldiers to get a pension for her military service. Things were so bad, that eventually emma ran away from home. She changed her name to edmonds and lived and worked. Dec 19, 2012 sarah emma edmonds was a female soldier and spy in the civil war the following are some facts about sarah emma edmonds. Sarah emma edmonds, 1841 1898 born in new brunswick, canada, sarah e.
She later said it was this book that inspired her to start dressing like a boy. Behind rebel lines by seymour reit, tells the true story of emma edmonds, who in april of 1861, answered the rallying cry of president abraham lincoln, who called upon the young men of america to join in the union effort during the civil war. The true story of a civil war spy carolrhoda picture books carrie jones, mark oldroyd on. Disguised herself as a man to serve in the union army. Sep 19, 20 sarah emma edmondson was born in new brunswick, canada in december of 1841. After coming to america, teenage edmonds posed as a man, eventually lying her way into a post as a male battlefield nurse in the union army at age 17.
As far as we know, sarah emma edmonds began dressing as a boy early on, in an attempt to please her abusive father, who hated girls. Sarah emma edmonds civil war filing cabinet liberty. In 1992 she was inducted into the michigan womens hall of fame. In 1992, she was inducted into the michigan womens hall of fame. Sarah emma edmonds, was born december, 1841, in magaguadavic, new brunswick, canada. Sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender carrie jones. Fanny remained dressed as a man in order to pursue other adventures, to which. Changs third book of poems, the boss mcsweeneys, 20, won the pen center usa literary award and a california book award.
The man known as franklin flint thompson to his fellow soldiers was really a woman sarah emma edmonds one of the few females known to have served during the civil war. Of all these women, emma edmonds was the most remarkable. Sarah emma edmonds december 1841 september 5, 1898, was a canadianborn woman who is known for serving as a man with the union army during the american civil war. Sarah edmonds, american soldier who fought, disguised as a man, in the civil war. The true story of a civil war spy carolrhoda picture books by carrie jones and mark oldroyd jan 1, 2011 4. Thompsons real identity, sarah emma edmonds, wasnt even mentioned when michigans military administrator, adjutant general john robertson, included an anecdote about the mysterious female soldier in his 1880 book about the states contributions in the civil war.
The fifth daughter of a dirt farmer, she grew into a lithe, hardmuscled, wiry girl, attending a. Edmondson ran away from home to escape the abuse and an arranged marriage. Sarah emma edmonds sarah emma edmondson was born in new brunswick, canada in december of 1841. A letter from the secretary of war, dated in june of that year, recognized her as a female solider who served as a private rendering faithful service in. A purported master of disguise, edmonds exploits were described in the bestselling nurse, soldier, and spy. As the lone canadian in wonder women, sarah emma edmonds has a special place in my heart and hopefully in yours, once you hear. Even though she dressed and acted like a boy, she was never able to please him. Sarah edmonds american civil war soldier britannica. This is a picture book biography of sarah emma edmonds, a canadianborn woman who served as a spy in the union army during the civil war.
Winter 2005 who enlisted in the union army as frank thompson i am the breath of a fevered lion. The true story of a civil war spy sarah emma edmonds was a grt p library binding by carriejones apr 30, 2011. The true story of a civil war spy carolrhoda picture books. Sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender carolrhoda books, 2011 is a provocative introduction to the feisty canadian teenager who fled her home country, assumed the identity of a man calling herself frank thompson, and then served in the second michigan infantry, first as a field nurse and then as a spy under the command of major general. Sarah emma edmonds 18411898 sarah emma edmonds was one of the 400 women who were successful in enlisting for either the union or confederacy. Her father who had hoped for a large family of sons to help him farm his land, was bitterly disappointed with his female progeny. Memoirs of a soldier, nurse, and spy by sarah emma edmonds. Sarah emma edmonds, was a canadianborn woman who is known for serving as a man with the union army during the american civil war. Aug 01, 2010 sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender is a nominee for the 2014 south carolina picture book award. Sarah emma edmonds december 1841september 5, 1898, was a canadianborn woman who is known for serving as a man with the union army during the american civil war. From spies and spymasters of the civil war by donald e. The nurse and spy is simply a record of events which have transpired in the experience and under the observation of one who has been on the field and participated in numerous battlesamong which are the first and second bull run, williamsburg, fair oaks, the seven days in front of richmond, antietam, and fredericksburgserving in the capacity of spy and as field nurse for.
Sarah emma edmonds the story of a reallife mulan youtube. Studies weekly is a standardsbased curriculum that helps integrate inspiring stories into your ela literacy block. When the civil war broke out, sarah enlisted under the name frank thompson and became a spy. The true story of a civil war spy, and its by my good friend carrie jones. She had a slender build and had short cropped hair.
Compelled to join the military out of sense of duty, she enlisted in the 2nd michigan infantry as a male field nurse. Sarah emma edmonds timeline created by cameron5000. The double life of sarah emma edmonds, civil war soldier by laura leedy gansler, university of nebraska press, 2007. Sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender is a nominee for the 2014 south carolina picture book award. Sarah emma edmonds was born in nova scotia, in 1842. The story of sarah emma edmonds, the young woman who posed as a man and enlisted in the 2nd michigan infantry regiment under the name franklin thompson, is enshrined in popular history and civil war lore, repeated in classrooms by educators and republished regularly in pop biographies. Apr 28, 2006 emma edmonds was one of approximately 400 women who succeeded in enlisting in the army either union or confederate during the civil war. Memoirs of a soldier, nurse, and spy by sarah emma edmonds, 9780875805849, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Apr 21, 2014 at first she concealed her identity as emma edmonds, but just as her father and his relatives closed in on her, she vanished, exchanging her vulnerable identity as a single young white female to that of a white gentleman, franklin thompson, a young traveling book salesman. Sarah emma edmonds went off and wrote her own book called nurse and spy in the union army. When she emigrated from canada to the united states as a teenager, she kept pretending. Unlike most kids, though, sarah never really stopped pretending. December 1841 september 5, 1898, was a canadianborn woman who is known for serving with the union army during the american civil war sarah emma edmonds was born in magaguadavic, new brunswick, canada but left home with the help of her mother because her verbally and physically abusive father attempted to force her to marry a much.
At age fifteen she ran away from home to escape a tyrannical father and an unwanted arranged marriage. Sarah emma edmonds seelye was born in december, 1841, in new brunswick, canada. A hartford, ct publisher, published this with a new title. Sep 05, 2014 sarah emma edmonds had always been adventurous. Sarah emma edmonds was one of the few women in the civil war times that enlisted in the union army and received a pension. The true story of a civil war spy carolrhoda picture books kindle edition by jones, carrie, oldroyd, mark. Sarah emma edmondson the ladies tea american civil war. Sarah edmonson received scant education as a child, and sometime in the 1850s she ran away from home. You can read her story in full in my book wonder women, but i thought i would share with you my quick coles notes on one of the most badass nerdy babes in history, supplemented by original ephemera from michigan in. Sarah emma edmonds interest in adventure was sparked by a book she read in her youth by maturin murray ballou called fanny campbell. She explained, i am naturally fond of adventure, a little ambitious, and a good deal romantic.
Share motivational and inspirational quotes by sarah emma edmonds. Sarah emma edmondson the ladies tea american civil war forums. Edmonds was born in canada in 1841, but desperate to escape an abusive father and forced marriage, moved to flint, michigan in 1856, where she discovered that life was easier. Her father was a farmer who had been hoping for a son to help him with the crops. Jun 21, 2011 a little adventure with sarah emma edmonds june 21, 2011 november 30, 2017 jama its always fun and exciting when something youve read sparks your imagination and makes you want to learn more. In 2007, laura leedy gansler wrote a book, the mysterious private thompson. Several times she posed as woman or as a slave or both and snuck. Sarah emma edmonds during a speech at an army reunion i am naturally fond of adventure, a little ambitious, and a good deal romantic but patriotism was the true secret of my success. Jan 01, 2011 sarah emma edmonds was a great pretender. Edmonds begins her wartime narrative with a threadbare account of her early life in new brunswick, canada, leaving out, for example, her birth name, emma edmondson. The amazing true story of a nineteenth century canadian girl who ran away from home disguised as a traveling bible salesman and fought in the american civil war as a nurse, dispatch carrier and spy. Her father only wanted sons, so sarah pretended to be one. Emma edmonds an excerpt from edmonds 1865 memoir telling the story of the battle of bull run, 1861 also. Jul 17, 2009 sarah emma edmonds seelye was born in december, 1841, in new brunswick, canada.
Jun 09, 2017 as the lone canadian in wonder women, sarah emma edmonds has a special place in my heart and hopefully in yours, once you hear about her amazing exploits. Bibliography civil war battle from the perspective of a nurse s. Her other books of poetry are salvinia molesta georgia, 2008and. The incredible story of emma edmonds, civil war spy. Sarah emma evelyn edmonds timeline timetoast timelines. Her father was farmer who wanted a son who could help him with crops, so when he got daughter instead, he despised her and treated her terribly. Sarah emma edmonds was born in new brunswick, canada in december of 1841. Sarah emma edmonds later seeyle dressed up a man and fought as a soldier in the american civil war.
Sarah emma edmonds civil war filing cabinet liberty letters. Sarah emma edmonds december 1841 september 5, 1898, was an canadianborn woman who is known for serving with the union army during the american civil war. Laura used the experiences which sarah shared in her book and added the brutal details of the battles in which sarah served as an army nurse to show another perspective of sarahs experiences and bravery. Sarah emma edmonds seelye 18411898 find a grave memorial. Read in english by triciag the nurse and spy is simply a record of events which have transpired in the experience and under the observation of one who has been on the field and participated in numerous battlesamong which are the first and second bull run, williamsburg, fair oaks, the seven days in front of. The double life of sarah emma edmonds, civil war soldier. Discover sarah emma edmonds famous and rare quotes. Sarah emma edmonds was a canadianborn woman who is known for serving with the union army during the american civil war sarah emma edmonds is the autho. One woman who served with a michigan regiment and witnessed the battle of fredericksburg, emma edmonds, documented her time serving with company f, the flint union greys, of the second michigan infantry volunteers by writing a memoir, unsexed. May 30, 2012 carson cant keep up with rodney dangerfields nonstop oneliners 1974 duration. Sarah emma edmondson was born in new brunswick, canada in december of 1841. A master of disguise, edmonds exploits were described in the bestselling nurse and spy in the union army. When sarah emma edmonds was a little girl growing up in new brunswick, canada, she read a book called fanny campbell, the female pirate captain.
573 887 41 121 259 269 689 823 94 1172 1571 309 689 741 716 618 1212 252 840 1479 487 554 1080 717 1610 1402 1296 343 58 1310 966 1012 1002 1249 1382 359 640