The Mantle of Command

[Union_Buff]

Hello all

I am currently reading They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers In The American Civil War by DeAnne Blanton and Lauren Cook. There is a section in the book that discusses several soldier women (who under the guise of a male) received commissions in the Confederate and Union armies as officers, mostly as Lieutenants and Captains.

I am curious as to whether being an officer was much easier on the women soldiers rather than being in the ranks as privates or NCOs during the Civil War?

~ Union_Buff

 

[PrivateBrooke]

In some aspects, yes. Officers generally had their own tent(not necessarily a wall tent, more you had TWO shelter halves to make your own dog tent, or an A-frame if you were high enough ranking), which eliminated a lot of chances at being discovered. Also the same reasons it would have been easier on everyone(better pay, better food, etc.).

On the other hand, one of the reasons many got away with it was things like being reclusive, not speaking or speaking very little/only when required, and basically blending in and not standing out....all things that are obviously out of the question for an officer. You HAVE to speak, and often, otherwise you're literally not doing your job.

 

[Union_Buff]

In some aspects, yes. Officers generally had their own tent(not necessarily a wall tent, more you had TWO shelter halves to make your own dog tent, or an A-frame if you were high enough ranking), which eliminated a lot of chances at being discovered. Also the same reasons it would have been easier on everyone(better pay, better food, etc.).

On the other hand, one of the reasons many got away with it was things like being reclusive, not speaking or speaking very little/only when required, and basically blending in and not standing out....all things that are obviously out of the question for an officer. You HAVE to speak, and often, otherwise you're literally not doing your job.

Thank you very much for your reply Brooke

And I am guessing the women who received commissions would have to have had to train their voice to sound much more masculine than a woman who was in the ranks?

 

[DBF]

I imagine no matter what rank a female soldier (who under the guise of a male), it was always difficult for she could never forget her deception. One false move could not only have her removed from the army - - she could be arrested. Hope you are enjoying the book.

 

[Union_Buff]

I imagine no matter what rank a female soldier (who under the guise of a male), it was always difficult for she could never forget her deception. One false move could not only have her removed from the army - - she could be arrested. Hope you are enjoying the book.

I certainly am DBF

It is definitely giving me food for thought regarding the women soldiers who are present in my Civil War historical fiction saga that I am working my way through at the moment.

 

[DBF]

women soldiers who are present in my Civil War historical fiction saga that I am working my way through at the moment

Good Luck with developing your fighting female characters. They were among the many trailblazers as women emerged from the kitchen into the workforce. Actually it's probably fun getting into their heads.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Thank you very much for your reply Brooke

And I am guessing the women who received commissions would have to have had to train their voice to sound much more masculine than a woman who was in the ranks?

Yes and no. It would depend on her voice to begin with. If her voice was deep enough, it might not matter much. The "androgynous range" for human voices is quite a bit larger than most people realize, i.e. the lower end for females and the higher end for males overlap quite a bit.

I'll use myself as an example, I have a deeper voice for a woman, but still not what most people would consider "manly." Strangers have trouble gendering me on the phone. Usually if they do, they're right, but I still get more illicit "sirs" than I'd like. More often than not people just don't even bother. In person I don't tend to have this problem.

I pass okay in uniform, because of the voice but I also make an effort. There's one company I know of with a female captain...if her build doesn't give her away, her voice definitely will.

 

[Union_Buff]

Yes and no. It would depend on her voice to begin with. If her voice was deep enough, it might not matter much. The "androgynous range" for human voices is quite a bit larger than most people realize, i.e. the lower end for females and the higher end for males overlap quite a bit.

I'll use myself as an example, I have a deeper voice for a woman, but still not what most people would consider "manly." Strangers have trouble gendering me on the phone. Usually if they do, they're right, but I still get more illicit "sirs" than I'd like. More often than not people just don't even bother. In person I don't tend to have this problem.

I pass okay in uniform, because of the voice but I also make an effort. There's one company I know of with a female captain...if her build doesn't give her away, her voice definitely will.

Thank you once again for your knowledge Brooke

I really appreciate it!!!