Spies in Disguise:

Female Civil War Spies

 

A Webquest

by

Carolyn Tarpey and Susan Payne

Last Update June 2004
Dr. Joyce J. Valenza

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

Spies are important sources of information in any war and the best ones are people you would never suspect. Throughout history, women have been spies and the American Civil War was no exception. Whether they dressed as men and joined the army, posed as dimwitted slaves, or just kept their ears open in social circles, female spies provided critical information.  It was a woman spy who provided Union battle plans to Confederate Army which allowed them to win the First Battle of Manassass (also known as First Bull Run).

                  

Task:

Your task is to prepare an editorial news story detailing the life of one female Civil War spy and explaining why they have been inducted into a fictional American Women's Hall of Fame. Then prepare a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the key points to go with the persuasive speech you will be giving to ensure this women is included in the Hall of Fame (you will not be writing the speech).  Included in this story will be a re-creation of a specific scene in this woman's life.  Here is an overview of the major steps involved:

  1. Explore the lives of the Civil War spies and select the woman most interesting to you.

  2. Research your selected woman with notes and sources cited (use notepages).

  3. Prepare your news story.

  4. Prepare your PowerPoint highlights.

  5. Self-evaluate your procedures and products.

Resources

You can use any resources you would like, but these web sites will be very helpful. Be sure to cite all your sources correctly using the Knowledge Worksheet and Sources Worksheet.

Mary Elizabeth Bowser

Belle Boyd

Pauline Cushman

Emma Edmonds

Rosie O'neal Greenhow

Elizabeth Van Lew

Process

The following is a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish your task!

  1. Do research to select the woman most interesting to you.
  2. Begin researching your selection by finding available resources (Internet, print, etc....).
  3. Complete the Knowledge Worksheet and Sources Worksheet as you go. You must have complete source infomration for each site/book/etc.
  4. Write your editorial news article. Refer to rubric as you go so see the requirements.
  5. Prepare your PowerPoint presenation to highlight the key points in your spies life--highlighting the parts of her life that make you want to have her name in the American Woman Hall of Fame.
  6. Turn in the following:

Evaluation

You should evalute yourself according to the rubric and whether you feel you achieved Novice, Apprentice, Practioner, or Expert for each category.  Then go on and answer, briefly, the questions in the conclusion for extra credit.

Conclusion       

After discovering just one role women played during the Civil War, do you believe women were important?  What other important roles did women play during the Civil War?  Have women played important roles in other wars? (Just who is Rosie the Riveter? ) Take a look at Find the "Ms" in U.S. History!

Created July 31, 1998  
by Susan Payne and Carolyn Tarpey
School of Library and Information Science students at Indiana University