BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY African American women contributed significantly in the Civil War

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While it is estimated that there were perhaps four hundred or so women soldiers in the Civil War, there are also instances of several black women soldiers.

A Winchester, Virginia lady, Lizzie Hoffman, reportedly enlisted in the 45th U.S. Colored Infantry. She was the only black regiment from western Virginia (now West Virginia). Lizzie was arrested along with her entire company while they were sailing aboard a steamer. She was sent finally to the Central Guard House in Washington where she was found out to be a woman and was ordered to put on a dress.

Martha Lewis is a black woman who disguised herself as a white man and served for eight months in the 8th New York Cavalry. She is reported to have ridden and fought admirably alongside her male counterparts. In April, 1865 she presented herself to abolitionists in Alexandria, Virginia who were aiding freed slaves.

Other African American women made significant contributions to the war. It is estimated that over 180 black nurses (some were male) served in hospitals and convalescent homes in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.

Four black nurses who served on a U.S. Navy hospital ship Red Rover included Alice Kennedy, Sarah Kinno, Ellen Campbell, and Betsy Young.

“General” Harriett Tubman served as a spy, a volunteer nurse and certainly a freedom fighter during the war.

Susan King Taylor, a former slave, travelled alongside her husband, a soldier in the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops and acted as a nurse and launderer.

Mary Elizabeth Bowser worked at the Confederate White House in Richmond. She was able to pass herself off as an illiterate slave while using her photographic memory to gain access to important information. Her contributions to the war efforts has brought her the identity as running “the most productive espionage operation” in the war.

Marie Touvestre (sometimes also spelled Louvestre) was a free black woman who worked for a Confederate engineer near the harbor in Norfolk, Virginia. She overheard plans being made for the building of the iron side C.S.S. Virginia and risked her life to take that information to the Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles in Washington.

Immediately following the war, Cathay Williams (aka “William Cathay”) enlisted and served in the 38th U.S. Infantry ( a black regiment with white officers) for two years. Cathay was 5’ 9” tall, had black hair, a black complexion and black eyes, according to the description of her recruiting officer, who failed to notice that she was also a woman. She may have been the first black woman to serve in the U.S. Regular Army and as a Buffalo Soldier.