Women of the Civil War: Nurses, Spies, and Courageous Women

Women in both the North and South stepped up to fill the gaps left by men. On farms and in factories, they took over jobs they had never done before. In the North, women worked in textile mills, made uniforms, rolled bandages, and collected supplies for soldiers. Southern women, many of whom lost access to enslaved labor, managed plantations, cared for wounded family members, and organized aid societies. Their ability to adapt to these new demands kept economies running and supported both soldiers and civilians during the war.

Beyond the home front, thousands of women were actively involved near the battlefields. Some served as nurses, cooks, or laundresses in military camps, while others bravely volunteered in hospitals. These women witnessed the horrors of war firsthand and provided much-needed comfort and care to the wounded. Their presence not only boosted morale but also laid the groundwork for the future of professional nursing in the United States.