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Book Reviews These are some reviews from a recent issue of
The Civil War News:
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A Woman of Honor: Dr. Mary E. Walker and the Civil War
by Mercedes Graf.
Illustrated, softcover, appendices, notes, bibliography, 112 pp., 2001. Thomas Publications, P.O. Box 3031, Gettysburg, PA 17325, $9.95 plus shipping.
Born in Oswego, N.Y., in 1832, Walker was raised by parents who firmly believed in women’s rights. Although her era discouraged women from playing active roles in society, the self-confident Walker graduated from Syracuse Medical College in 1855. The young physician established a successful medical practice. When the war began, the patriotic Walker sought to become a surgeon with the Union army. However, members of the medical establishment were so opposed to accepting a female doctor that they advised her to work as a nurse instead. Determined to remain a practicing physician, Walker volunteered her services at several military hospitals. She also served as a doctor in the field, braving a typhoid fever epidemic at one point. Showing real concern for soldiers and their families, she tried to help them with their personal problems whenever possible. In early 1864, Walker went to Tennessee to become a civilian contract surgeon with the army. Frequently, she went behind enemy lines to help local citizens who needed medical care. Although she was also suspected of spying for the Union during her journeys, the exact nature of her activities have never been determined. In April, a Confeder-ate sentry arrested her. Despite the fact that she was not actually charged as a spy, Walker spent four unpleasant months in a Richmond, Virginia, prison. After her release, she eventually obtained an official contract as an acting assistant surgeon with the army. Following the end of the conflict, Walker wanted to continue her medical career. Although she applied for a com-mission with the postwar army as a surgeon, the government turned down her request. In 1866, however, Walker was deeply gratified when President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor for her wartime services. Due to health problems she developed as a result of her imprisonment, she was forced to curtail her medical practice. Among her other subsequent activities, the doctor studied law, wrote two books, promoted women’s rights, and lectured about her wartime experiences. During her era, Walker drew criticism from both sexes because of her manner of dress. Graf points out that the practical doctor "simply realized that long trailing skirts were inconvenient as well as unsanitary since they easily accumulated dirt and dust." Experimenting with her wardrobe, Walker shortened her skirts and wore long trousers underneath them. In time, she began to wear male attire almost exclusively. In 1917, Walker endured a painful episode. A review board decided that Medal of Honor recipients who had not re-ceived their awards for bravery in combat were not entitled to them. The elderly Walker, and some 900 other recipi-ents, were removed from the official list of recipients. Seeking to have her cherished award reinstated, Walker contin-ued to wear it. Two years later, she was buried with her medal. Due to the efforts of her grandniece, Walker’s Medal of Honor was restored in 1977. She is still the only female recipient of the award for valor. This thoughtful book provides much valuable information about a resolute individual. Although Walker’s remi-niscences are interesting, the story of her life is even more compelling. As Graf notes, the doctor was "a woman who persevered against obstacles and overcame them."
Linda G. Black
Linda G. Black earned her M.A. at Trenton (NJ) State College. She has written articles for Civil War magazine and Gettysburg magazine. She is working on biographical accounts of lit-tle-known war nurses.
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