Occupied Women: Gender, Military Occupation and the American Civil War
This collection of essays is one of those rare books that provides unique insights into women’s roles in the Civil War. It deals with this topic in a fresh and entirely different way. While most women’s studies focus on the domestic role of females, these essays probe the largely unexplored roles women assumed when encountering total warfare. The first of three categories deals with “Gender Relations and the Development of Union Military Policy.” The essays in this section address how women used their femininity to affect how they were treated in a variety of situations. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s order number 28 in New Orleans is the primary focus of the first article, which discusses how gender and role expectations shifted in order for some women to cope with their situations. As a result of these shifting expectations, women directly influenced military practices. Another essay deals with how women handled the violation of their once-respected and revered privacy in their homes and bedrooms. Many women spoke out vehemently about the sudden loss of respect and genteel civility that was previously afforded them. The last essay shows how physical abuse sparked certain women into activist behavior while others meekly and discreetly remained silent. In the second category are four essays dealing with “Occupied Women and the War at Home.” Unlike many other women’s studies that focus on the day-to-day aspects of human survival, these essays explain how civilians can also wage war in a variety of ways. The Civil War arguably was the first total war in American history. Like many modern wars, it frequently was hard to identify the enemy. As these essays indicate, many active participants did not wear uniforms or use conventional means of warfare. Instead they were women delivering mail or conducting guerilla or spy activities to further their causes. The third section, “Occupations within Occupation: Race, Class and Culture,” explores the difficulties women experienced not only due to geographic location and family separation, but also because of ethnicity and status. The three articles in this section provide detailed insight on the challenging struggles of poor women and black women during the war. The articles are well-researched, and each tells a compelling story. Each essay can stand alone. The purpose of each article is clearly articulated and supported with meticulous detail. The book receives high marks and is well worth the price. It is a valuable research tool for those interested in women’s studies. Reviewer: Richard J. Blumberg Richard J. Blumberg has spoken to the Houston Civil War Round Table and Conference on Women in the Civil War and is a coach and mentor to students wishing to do Civil War study projects for National History Day. |
Illustrated, introduction, endnotes, acknowledgements, appendix, index, 256 pp., 2009, Louisiana State University Press,