And now that you are more than likely singing "Dude Looks Like a Lady" by Aerosmith, I will share some of the accounts I have discovered.
The Savannah Republican from March 15th, 1862, noted that a soldier disguised as a woman was arrested. According to the article, he didn't think he was doing anything wrong but was nevertheless turned over to the officers of his company for punishment. No word on what that was.
The Savannah Republican from March 15th, 1862, noted that a soldier disguised as a woman was arrested. According to the article, he didn't think he was doing anything wrong but was nevertheless turned over to the officers of his company for punishment. No word on what that was.
Seeking refuge in Canada was not a tactic incorporated by modern draft dodgers only. A postmaster named Tallman from Tallmansville, Pennsylvania dressed in feminine apparel and left on a train from Rochester bound for Niagara Falls in order to avoid service. He aroused suspicion as to this true identity by sitting in an "uneasy manner." An examination ensued, and the truth was revealed. (Chicago Times, September 6th, 1862)
One "tall, brawny" bearded deserter tried to hide his whiskers behind a veil in hopes that his feminine clothing, including a "shabby bonnet," would provide him cover in his attempt to return home to Ohio after serving in Tennessee. The train conductor who was collecting the tickets ordered him to remove the veil, which he reluctantly obeyed, causing "a heavy suit of whiskers to be displayed to the astonished gaze of the passengers." (Weekly Mariettian, January 31st, 1863)
A man dressed in female attire was among the passengers on a stage bound for San Antonio. Whether he was a deserter or Yankee spy could not be determined. Nevertheless, he was arrested and sent to Houston. (Galveston Weekly News, January 4th, 1864)
Three days later, the Weekly Republican carried a story from the Memphis Argus about a man named Stephens of the 93rd Indiana who dressed in an elaborate feminine disguise complete with "ruffles, corsets, bustles, hoops, gaiters, garters, padding, curls, paint, powder, gloves, perfumery, bonnet, and all the other jigamarees, gingerbread work, &c., that contribute to the manufacture of a lady in a street costume." The article claimed he had been "at the deserting business" since his enlistment and had become quite adept at it through "long practice." Plus, he lived with his mother who assisted him. The article does not explain how, when, or why she ended up in Memphis from up North. But her son grew weary of the hot city, and he decided to take a steamer up the river for cooler climates. So the boy genius decided to go to the Provost's office in disguise to obtain a pass for travel. It was his gait that gave him away and led to his arrest. (Yes, I now have the Four Seasons song stuck in my head.) However, a dilemma arose as to how exactly to prove Stephens was indeed a man since he refused to deny his supposed femininity. Officials decided to confine him for the night in the women's section of Irving Block Prison along with a "sharp
sentinel." The newspaper reporter acknowledged that he was unaware of exactly what transpired that night, but apparently Mr. Stephens removed his wig at some point revealing a "crop of short black hair cut 'man fashion.'" The next day, he was brought back in front of the Provost and, after examination, was confined until he could be tried for desertion. The newspaper did not report further developments.
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| Irving Block Prison from historic-memphis.com |
After examining the roster for the 93rd Indiana, I found a likely candidate for this, uh, soldier: George W. Stevens from Nebraska in Co. I who was dishonorably discharged. No further information was given.
A couple of weeks after this incident, 0n January 22nd, 1864, the Mobile Register and Advertiser reported that a soldier in the Georgia State Guard in "female costume" was arrested at the Central Railroad depot intent on going back home to Emanuel County. The fact that the man was chewing tobacco gave him away, and the "would-be damsel" was taken to Oglethorpe Barracks.
And then there was Charley "Charlotte" "Lottie" Anderson who was a man pretending to be a woman pretending to be a man.
Provost Marshall General Marsena Patrick wrote in his diary from City Point, Virginia on January 18th, 1865:
Then I had to examine a woman, dressed in our uniform-Charley (or Charlotte) Anderson, of Cleaveland [sic], Ohio, who is, or has been, with the 60'Ohio. She has told me the truth I think, about herself.A few days later, he noted that he had sent Anderson home to Cleveland. While in Ohio, he was arrested again. This time, "Charlotte" was in the company of a woman named Emma, whom he met while in feminine disguise, a few days prior and lived with at the City Hotel and Bennett House entirely on Emma's funds due to Anderson failing to receive funds he had been expecting. After Emma's money ran out, both individuals visited the Soldiers' Aid Society seeking assistance for transportation to Washington, D.C. Anderson, in feminine dress, mentioned that "she" enlisted in several units but had been discovered and discharged each time.
As they were about to leave, a woman became suspicious and sent for the Provost Marshall who arrested both of them. Emma swore that Anderson was really a woman and urged her friend to undergo the proposed examination, to no avail. Eventually, the truth was revealed after a use of force. Emma, who was described as a "good work girl being well acquainted with the business of the kitchen...modest and well-behaved," was "overwhelmed with confusion and grief....and wept bitterly, refusing all further communication with him." Anderson was locked up in the city prison, and Emma was released, "...undoubtedly innocent of any complicity in the schemes of her companion."
Several newspaper articles described "Charley" as having a feminine appearance with a "soft and low feminine voice." He was apparently an accomplished individual because he was a crack shot with a pistol, an excellent horseman, was fluent in three languages, could dance "admirably," play the piano, and was adept at needlework.
After being arrested in Ohio, he gave a formal statement:
The State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County,The newspapers were quick to declare Anderson's story bunk and condemned him as a "rebel spy." Emma provided details that seemed to support the accusation when she claimed that "Charlotte" frequently received letters, many of them from Dayton, and that they were always delivered at the gentleman's window of the post office. Some of them addressed to "Charlie" Anderson. All were destroyed. The articles noted that he had been in Dayton and returned from there lately, "...remarking to the girl [Emma] that he was very glad for his anxiety would soon be over."
My name is Charles Anderson; was born in Hamburg, Germany; came to America about fifteen years since; my father is dead, my mother lives in Erie, Pennsylvania. I enlisted first in July, 1863, in the 39th Pennsylvania Regiment; left that regiment in July, 1864; being sent to Chattanooga by ---------, I put on woman's clothes, representing myself to Major Wells as a woman; he furnished me the clothes. I went from there to New York City; I remained in New York till October, then, went to Cincinnati; staid there till I enlisted in November, 1864, in the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. I was sent to the front. I staid with the regiment till about a month ago. February 10, 1865, I was out of money and was trying to get transportation back to my regiment; I called on the Ladies' Aid Society for help, but failed; remained at the Burnet House, and this morning called on Clark Warren for transportation, where I was at the time of my arrest. I am a member of the 60th Ohio Infantry, Co. D. I adopted the course I have pursued to get home, and was intending to go back to my regiment. I came through City Point on my way home. I saw General Patrick acting Provost Marshal at City Point; I told him I was a girl; he told me to go home, and he told me he gave the Captain of the Provost Guard all necessary papers to protect me and pass me that I might go home if I would stay there. I told the Lieutenant in charge that I was coming back. I was sent to the Sanitary Commission, and the State agent furnished me transportation to Cleveland. I had a little money left; paid my way to Cincinnati and back home.
Further evidence surfaced that seemed to point towards Anderson being a spy. Three sets of clothes were found in his possession: female, military, and the "dress of a dashing 'young man about town.'" Additionally, his claims of being from Erie were declared false by the newspaper writer. And that he was "...entirely ignorant of localities and persons there, and he is likewise ignorant in regard to Cincinnati."
Why use Emma? Beyond financial reasons, the newspapers indicated that "The object...was to divert suspicion from himself until he could get to Washington." And why Washington? The newspaper went on to state that Emma claimed that Anderson harbored a "bitter hatred" for the North and that he desired to shoot Abraham Lincoln should the opportunity arise.
Very interesting.
A plethora of questions immediately arise from this information. Was there more going on than a mere idle threat? Was this part of a larger conspiracy that failed? This occurred just two months prior to Lincoln's assassination. Who was sending the letters to Anderson? Did the Knights of the Golden Circle play a role? While it is easy to link such covert actions with the K.G.C, there is no evidence of a connection at this time. One must also ask whether Emma was completely innocent. Or did she know more than she let on?
I have been unable to find anybody on the rosters of the 39rd Pennsylvania or 60th Ohio with Anderson's criteria. Nor have I been able to learn what happened to him following his arrest in Ohio.
After this story initially appeared, the Cleveland Daily Leader from February 14th, 1865, issued a correction stating that it was T.M. Ferrell of the Sanitary Commission and not officials of the Provost Marshal who arrested Anderson at Clark Warren's office at the Union Depot.
Other works cited for the story of Charley Anderson:
Burlington Hawk-Eye from February 25th, 1865 which ran the article originally published in the Cleveland Herald
They Fought Like Demons, Blanton and Cook, p. 147
Women on the Civil War Battlefront, p. 155-156
Until next formation.....rest.
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