A civil war woman known as "The Major"

[jwillcox]

Been chatting with my grandfather more. He said he never thought of hypnosis but didn't think much of the idea. (funny, for somebody interested in one branch of nontraditional thought he didn't seem interested in another).

He is very excited to hear that I had found some more details. He is dying for a photo, so if anyone out there has ideas for where to dig one up.... feel free to let me know.

[jwillcox]

Correction and more details.

Mademoiselle Major was her name. She was at the Battle of Peachtree Creek on the Confederate side and was the right hand woman of General Hood. She wore a red sash, had a brace of pistols, carried a riding crop, and a standard issue sword. She led several charges against the Union lines. Her hat had feathers in it and gold lace.

The battle was July 20th 1864.

I need more info on her. Supposedly Hood was the only person who knew who she was. Does anybody have his memoirs or ways of researching this further?

Thanks!

[johan_steele]

Jesse, I've just looked over my notes on the Atlanta Campaign and can find no references to a woman leading Confederate charges; I admit that most of my notes reference the Union side of the aisle. In all honesty I think it a bit unlikely as casualties among CSA line officers were quite heavy at Peachtree Creek and for a woman to be in the line of fire let alone leading several charges like that would be less than healthy, I don't think Hood, or many of his officers would have allowed it. The sheer dishonor to an officer who allowed a woman to lead a charge instead of him would be prohibitive. Not to mention the ribing that would have been received from the Union troops. The costume you mention would have been noticed I'm certain, especially as those western boys had a nasty tendency of picking off anyone riding a horse on the theory that "if I'm walking then by god they ought to be."

Intriguing story, I'll continue to go through my notes. I believe my local Historical society has a copy of Hoods memoirs, I'll take a look see this weekend.

[scone]

I know this another union account.. This is problry not who you are referring to but i thought it was interesting..

In "Shrouds of Glory" by Winston Groom he mentions that Union Cavalry commander General James Wilson arrived at Columbia, TN in time to witness Croxton's Brigade retreating wildly through the streets and also astounded to see at the head of one of the better regiments a well mounted and well clad woman riding with the field and staff as though she belonged there.

When he inquired who the woman was he was informed "Oh thats Mrs Col Smith commanding the 8th Michigan cavalry".