Union

"I am naturally fond of adventure, a little ambitious, and a good deal romantic-but patriotism was the true secret of my success."

Sarah Emma Edmonds, one of only about 400 women known to have served in the military during the U.S. Civil War, was not even an American—though she risked life and limb in the name of "patriotism" to serve the Union cause for nearly two years as a soldier, nurse and spy.