Women Of The Civil War: ‘Female Spies On Both Sides’

‘The Fearless and Proud podcast’ series looks at acts of bravery and strength by women. March is ‘Women’s History Month’ and in this first season we discuss women who played important roles in the ‘Civil War’ as soldiers, spies and nurses.

Women had major roles in espionage during the Civil War, sharing enemy troop locations and movements, smuggling much needed supplies and money, and taking part in military raids. We will discuss various examples including Southern spy Belle Boyd who’s career in espionage started accidentally after shooting and killing a Union soldier who insulted her mother. And then a Union spying duo, Elizabeth ‘Crazy Bet’ Van Lew and her slave counterpart Mary Bowser, who both worked together to form an underground spy network out of Richmond, VA.