Sergeant Jennie Gregg

According to her discharge document (1), Jennie Gregg was 4'10" with a dark complexion, black eyes, and auburn hair.  She enlisted in the 128th Ohio Infantry, Company K, on August 22nd, 1864, and was discharged at Johnson's Island on June 23rd, 1865, due to expiration of service. Her antebellum profession was listed as "lady." During the war, however, she apparently was a sergeant.  Supposedly, there is an accompanying Letter of Recognition and Recommendation also noting her rank as sergeant but lists her unit as company K, 82nd Ohio Infantry.(2)

The Birth of Freedom.....Literally

The birth of freedom of this country takes on many forms.  Boston Harbor and the fields of Concord are easily recognized and accepted.  But, for many women, that birth took place in the guise of men during the Civil War.  Indeed, these women seemed to have become "reborn" as they were free to  seize new opportunities previously closed to them.  While these women experienced a birth of freedom, some also experienced........the birth of children........while serving as soldiers.  So on this Mother's Day, I am going to share the brief stories of these extraordinary women.