Description
Sarah Edmonds joined the Union Army under the name Franklin Thompson. A bestselling book, Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, was written about her exploits. She was a master of disguise, passing herself off as a black man and as an Irish peddler when she was in enemy territory acting as a spy. Her military career posing as Frank Thompson ended when she contracted malaria and refused to go to the hospital for fear of being discovered as a woman. Frank Thompson was listed as a deserter for leaving the Army. She then worked as a female nurse in a hospital for wounded soldiers in Washington. In 1887 she was able to have the charge of desertion dropped and received a pension for her military service.
An estimated 400 to 750 women clandestinely fought as men in the Civil War. Some went for the adventure or patriotic duty while others went to be with a loved one. If discovered, the women would usually be sent home without punishment.
This Sarah Edmonds mug is part of our Civil War series profiling participants in the War Between the States. Thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers fought in battles such as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. We honor their sacrifices by telling their stories.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
- Shipping charges are lower when buying multiple mugs.
