An Uncommon Soldier: The Civil War Letters of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, Alias Private Lyons Wakeman, 153rd Regiment, New York State Volunteers"I don't know how long before i shall have to go into the field of battle. For my part i don't care. I don't feel afraid to go. I don't believe there are any Rebel's bullet made for me yet."--Pvt. Lyons Wakeman. Similar sentiments were expressed by tens of thousands of Civil War soldiers in their diaries and in their letters to loved ones at home. What transforms the letters of Pvt. Lyons Wakeman from merely interesting reading into a unique and fascinating addition to Civil War literature is who wrote them--for Private Wakeman was not what "he" seemed to be. The five-foot tall soldier's true identity was that of a simple young farm girl from central New York state named Sarah Rosetta Wakeman. Her letters, the only such correspondence known to exist, provide a rare glimpse of what life was like for a woman fighting as a common soldier in the Civil War under the guise of a man. Written shortly after she left home to pursue her fortune in 1862, Rosetta's letters over the next two years tell of army life in the defences of Washington, D.C. and on the march and in battle during the 1864 Louisiana Red River Campaign. She wrote frequently to her family in Afton, NY, and her letters contain feelings and observations like those expressed by the majority of her fellow soldiers. We read of her determination to perform honorably the duty required of a soldier, the trials of hard marching and combat, her pride in being able to "drill just as well as any man" in her regiment, and her eventual fatalistic attitude toward military service, and her frequent expressions of faith in God and the afterlife. Although Rosetta did not survive the war, her letters remain as an singular record of female military life in the ranks, a phenomenon largely ignored by historians and researchers. Private Wakeman was not alone in embarking on her strange adventure. Hundreds of women, from both the North and South, disguised themselves as men and enlisted in the armies of our nation's bloodiest war. The experiences of these women during the Civil War are just beginning to be recognized as elemental to understanding the life of this country during those turbulent times. Little is known about these women precisely because they enlisted and served in constant secrecy, fearful of revealing their true identities. This unique collection of letters offers a firsthand look at the personality and character of a woman who defied convention to take a man's place in the Union army. |
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User Review - CivilWarWriter - LibraryThingBurgess’ book is nominally, as the title suggests, about Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, a farm girl from New York who disguised herself as a man and left home to get a job as a boatman. On her first trip she ... Read full review
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User Review - DocWood - LibraryThingBurgess’ book is nominally, as the title suggests, about Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, a farm girl from New York who disguised herself as a man and left home to get a job as a boatman. On her first trip she ... Read full review
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Page 31 - ... considered male on the family farm. His family may have accepted his keen interest in "male" duties because a son was long in coming to the family and his father truly needed the help. There are also hints in his letters that his masculine behavior had created problems for him even before he left home: "I know my business as well as other folks know them for me. I will Dress as I am a mind to for all anyone else [cares], and if they don't let me Alone they will be sorry for it.
Page 31 - I am not sorry that I left you. I believe that it will be for the best yet. When I get out of this war I will come home and see you but I Shall not stay long before I shall be off to take care of my Self. ... If I ever own a farm it will be in Wisconsin. . ." (Despite this statement, Wakeman obviously felt close to his family and was constantly sending home money or small gifts for his siblings.) Twice, Wakeman expressed doubt or shame about how relatives felt about him. A letter of December 28,...
Page 67 - I take my time to write a few lines to you and let you know that I am well and I hope those few lines will find you the Same.
Page 2 - Some one has stated the number of women soldiers 8 known to the service as little less than four hundred. I cannot vouch for the correctness of this estimate, but I am convinced that a larger number of women disguised themselves and enlisted in the service, for one cause or other, than was dreamed of.
Page 51 - I was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you are was getting along so well.
Page 63 - MOTHER—I have the pleasure of writing a few lines to you, to let you know that I am well.
Page 29 - This is a fine fresh country, well watered and healthly, and the land produces very well. It is the opinion of the citizens of this country that it will be the best place of trade that is in America, and if you are disposed to come to this country I want you to write to me as soon as you can to let me know what time you can be ready to start for if nothing happens William or myself will be there in October and we will assist you all we can in moving. I do not think you will ever repent coming. It...
Page 2 - Hundreds of women marched steadily up to the mouth of a hundred cannon pouring out fire and smoke, shot and shell, mowing down the advancing hosts like grass ; men, horses, and colors going down in confusion, disappearing in clouds of smoke ; the only sound, the screaming of shells, the crackling of musketry, the thunder of artillery, through all this women were sustained by the enthusiasm born of love of country and liberty.
Page 56 - I take this pesant oppertionity to write you A few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am well at presant and hope these few lines will find you all ingoying this great Blessing.
References to this book
Women at War: Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Conflicts James E. Wise (Jr.),Scott Baron No preview available - 2006 |
Bibliographic information
| Title | An Uncommon Soldier: The Civil War Letters of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, Alias Private Lyons Wakeman, 153rd Regiment, New York State Volunteers Oxford paperbacks |
| Author | Sarah Rosetta Wakeman |
| Editors | Lauren M. Cook, Lauren Cook Burgess |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press, 1995 |
| ISBN | 0195102436, 9780195102437 |
| Length | 110 pages |
| Subjects | › › Biography & Autobiography / Historical History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877) Philosophy / History & Surveys / Modern |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |