Casting Their Lots

The women's suffrage movement began in 1848 when the initial women's rights convention was held at Seneca Falls, New York.  The right to vote was still a long time coming.  But that didn't deter some women.  In 1852, one appeared at the polls in New York disguised as a man.  However, her smooth face betrayed her and her ruse was discovered.

New Orleans Times Picayune, November 13th, 1852

Over ten years later, during the 1864 presidential election, multiple women followed in this unknown female's  footsteps, except these women were enlisted soldiers, and they were able to successfully cast their lots over 50 years before the 19th Amendment made it legal for them to do so. Mary Smith of the 24th Iowa Infantry was one.  Martha Parks Lindley, alias James Smith, of the  6th U.S. Cavalry was another.  

In case you were wondering, they voted for Abraham Lincoln.

Another woman soldier who more than likely voted in the 1864 presidential election was Jennie Hodgers, alias Albert Cashier, of the 95th Illinois Infantry.  She mustered out with her male disguise intact and managed to maintain her charade until 1911 when she was involved in an accident.  Even though there is no evidence of her casting a ballot during the war, the fact that she participated in postwar elections gives credence to the distinct possibility that she did the same in 1864.  Given her patriotism and Illinois connection, she more than likely voted for Lincoln like Smith and Lindley.

Unlike Hodgers, Smith and Lindley shed their male disguises after the war.  A return to their feminine identities meant a return to the societal restrictions placed on them, including disenfranchisement.  When they cast their lots in 1864, it was the only time they participated in an election.

It is interesting to ponder just how many more women soldiers of the Civil War were able to take advantage of the male privilege of voting for their first and last time.

Soldiers Voting
http://postalmuseum.si.edu/collections/images/1d_tally_sheet_cover-2.jpg

Until next formation....rest.