The Cult Of True Women During The American Civil War

The American Civil War was a brutal and costly war between the Northern and Southern states that not only involved men, but women as well. The war lasted from 1861 to 1865, and was the deadliest war in America. About 750,000 died, but one nation was saved. The war was a time for change in many ways. One big change was the way women were a part of the community. Before the war, women were to stay at home and be a part of what historians call “the Cult of True Womanhood.” At this time, “true women” devoted their lives to cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the house for their husband and children. As the war began, women started drifting away from their domestic jobs, started working on the front line, started finding ways to be a part
They feel their dependence upon us for comfort and entertainment, and the difference in the wards where there is no ‘lady’ shows how much can be done for them.”
Since the women were more compassionate, they knew how to form relationships with the wounded men. They took on the role of mother, daughter, or sister for whomever may need someone. One of the most famous nurses during the Civil War is Clara Barton. She founded the American Red Cross, and was at some of the most famous battles including the Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Antietam. Clara Barton writes in a poem, known as “The Women Who Went on the Field,” about her experiences with the wounded:
“Who wiped the death sweat from the cold, clammy brow,
And sent home the message; - "'T is well with him now"?
Who watched in the tents, whilst the fever fires burned,
And the pain-tossing limbs in agony turned,.”
Barton goes on to explain how the nurses healed the men back to health or until they died. She also explains how close she felt to the men, and how they trusted her. As the war went on, women began to change the way of nursing, and they way people thought of their
Women from both sides hid their bodies and changed their hair to try to look manlier. According to the records of the Sanitary Commission, there are four hundred documented women that fought in the Civil War. There were many women that may not have been caught, and some believe there could have been up to seven hundred and fifty that fought. At this time, it was illegal for women to fight in the war because most thought it was too dangerous for the women. However, this did not stop the women. Many fought because they wanted to fight with their loved ones, to go on an adventure, for the reliable wages, or to have a sense of patriotism. One of the first times when women were discovered was at a burial ceremony after the battle at Gettysburg. If the women were discovered to be women the punishment would not be as bad as some may have expected. Most of the time they were sent home if they were discovered. A lot were not discovered though. Women stood a smaller chance of being discovered than one might think. Most of the people who fought in the war were "citizen soldiers" with no prior military training--men and women alike learned the ways of soldiering at the same pace (Smith 2014). Victorian manners allowed most soldiers to do tasks, including sleeping and bathing, clothed. Also, loose fitting clothes concealed the women’s bodies. Since women cannot grow a beard, many people associated that