Forbidden, Hidden and Forgotten: Women Soldiers of the Civil War

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of women boldly defied Victorian society norms when they disguised themselves as men, shouldered muskets and joined the firing line in the American Civil War. As soldiers, they participated in every major engagement from the beginning to the end of the war. Their wartime experiences and sacrifices mirrored those of their male counterparts. They serves picket duty along the snowy banks of the Rappahannock, languished in Andersonville, suffered debilitating wounds during the Wilderness, succumbed to disease in New Orleans and lost their lives in Pickett’s Charge. Why did these women risk the shame that discovery would bring them and their families? Why did they risk their lives fighting a man’s war? Ms. Harriel’s presentation offers answers. In addition, she presents the interactions of generals, common soldiers and ordinary citizens with these women warriors.

Speakers Expertise:

Shelby Harriel is an instructor of mathematics at Pearl River Community College. However, her love of history, specifically Civil War History, persists with a special focus on the women soldiers of the Civil War. Her articles have appeared in publications such as “Mississippi History Now,” “Military Images Magazine,” “Gettysburg Magazine,” and “Camp Chase Gazette.” She has also written pamphlets for the National Park Service as well as state historic sites. All of her research eventually culminated in a book, published in 2019 by the University Press of Mississippi titled, Behind the Rifle: Women Soldiers in Civil War Mississippi.