Women Spies
1782, a woman delivering supplies
Spies played an important role in the Revolutionary War. They brought us to where we are today, giving us knowledge of other countries' ideas to make us a successful country. During the War, women were the most popular form of espionage. They could do almost any spy work and no one would ever become suspicious of them. Women could spy while looking completely innocent. Men didn't believe that women had any power whatsoever, and saw them as non-threatening, so they never even began to think about the fact that women's spy work was much easier than it should have been. Women and young girls were recruited as cooks and maids. This gave them almost unlimited access to everything and anything in the soldiers' campsites. All the men were clueless, never noticing that some of their maids were in fact spies. The women could eavesdrop on conversations and smuggle supplies in or out while looking completely natural like they were just doing their everyday "women work."
Lydia was a Quaker, and, much like Betsy Ross, was a woman who was dedicated to her country. She became a spy during the British occupation of Philadelphia. During this time, officers and soldiers were placed in citizens' homes, and in the Darragh household, there was even a meeting held with General William Howe finalizing plans on a Whitemarsh attack. Lydia Darragh listened in on their conversations, while looking like an innocent housewife who was minding her own business. she secretly made notes about what she had heard, and stuffed them in a pocket book to hide them. She gave it to Elias Boudinot, and in doing this, helped American soldiers to be ready for the attack. The men did not suspect anything having to do with spies, especially not a woman spy. The British spymaster even said, "One thing is certain, the enemy had notice of our coming, were prepared for us, and we marched back like a parcel of fools. The walls must have ears." Lydia Darragh made a huge dent in our history while appearing as an innocent and harmless housewife.
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Ann Trotter Bailey's husband died during battle, and when she heard about this, she swore to avenge her husband's death. After that, she was referred to as "mad," and wore mens clothing and learned to shoot a gun. She volunteered as a scout and messenger. She carried messages back and forth, convinced men to join the militia, and was highly valued in the colonies. She rode hundreds of miles to do what she felt was her duty. She was respected and helped deliver many messages and encouraged many people.
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Belle Boyd was one of the most famous spies of the American Revolution. She was extremely skilled and relayed many messages throughout the war. The intellegence she provided, according to Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, helped them win an 1862 campaign. She was suspected of being a spy from the start, and was even imprisoned more than once, but was able to manipulate the soldiers eeing that she was a lady. They were all convinced that any lady was innocent.
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Emily Geiger was a teenage female spy. She acted as a messanger for the Patriots and rode a midnight ride, 50 miles long to deliver a very inportant message to General Sumter. She rode through enemy grounds, and When she was caught by the enemies, she swallowed the written message. They ended up releasing her because she had no message and didn't appear guilty. But she remembered the message and delivered it verbally to the General, and rode safely home afterwards. She was a brave, courageous young woman, and deserves very much credit for her wonderful work.
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More Woman Spies of the American Revolution . . .
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