Emma Edmonds
Hello, my name is Emma Edmonds. I was born in about 1840's in Saint John Canada and ran away from home when I was 16 because my father threatened to kill me.
When I was 21, I joined the Union Army dressed as a man named Franklin Thompson. I felt that I just needed to help in some way in the Civil War. First, I was a field nurse. You could not be a girl because it was too dangerous so I snuck my way in dressed as a man.
I went to my good friend, Mrs. Butler who knew I was a girl and told her I wanted to be a spy for the Northern Army.
The first identity I had as a spy was a black slave named Cuff. I saw a circus with people that silver nitrate on their skin and had furry wigs that made them look black and I copied this idea.
I found out lots of information about the rebels and General McCullen was very pleased. The next disguise was an Irish peddler was Bridgette O'Shea. Mrs. Butler gave me old clothes and a basket to use.
