Mary E. Walker – Brave Surgeon of the Civil War
Mary Edwards Walker stands as a monumental figure in American history, a woman whose life was a tapestry woven with threads of courage, intellect, and unwavering conviction. Born in an era of profound social upheaval, she defied convention at every turn, leaving an indelible mark as a feminist, abolitionist, prohibitionist, and perhaps most notably, as a surgeon during the tumultuous years of the American Civil War. Her remarkable service and extraordinary bravery led her to become the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor, the United States military’s highest decoration for valor.
Born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York, Mary was the daughter of Alvah and Vesta Walker. She was one of six children, the youngest of five daughters, with one younger brother completing the family circle. Her upbringing was far from ordinary. Alvah Walker, a country doctor, was a man of progressive ideals. He was a staunch abolitionist, deeply committed to the cause of ending slavery, and a free-thinking participant in numerous reform movements. Central to Alvah’s philosophy was a strong belief in education and equality for all his children, regardless of gender. He recognized the limitations imposed on women by the restrictive clothing of the time, believing it hampered their physical freedom and participation in daily life. Thus, Mary and her sisters were encouraged to wear boy’s clothing while working on the family farm, a practice that instilled in them a sense of liberation and challenged the societal norms of the era.
Alvah Walker’s commitment to education extended to the construction of Oswego’s first schoolhouse on his own land. Vesta Walker, Mary’s mother, served as the teacher, providing education not only to her own children but also to other children in the local community. Mary attended this school, receiving a foundational education that nurtured her intellectual curiosity. She later attended the Falley Seminary in Fulton, New York, further expanding her knowledge and preparing her for her future aspirations. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Mary herself became a schoolteacher in Minetto, New York, in 1852. This experience provided her with financial independence and allowed her to save money for her true calling.
Mary E. Walker’s ambition extended far beyond the realm of teaching. Her dream was to become a doctor, a profession largely dominated by men at the time. With unwavering determination, she carefully saved the money she earned as a teacher, and in December 1853, she enrolled at Syracuse Medical College. At the age of 21, she embarked on a challenging journey, navigating a male-dominated environment with grace and resilience. In June 1855, she achieved her goal, graduating as the only woman in her class and becoming the second female doctor in the nation, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Blackwell, who had broken the barrier in 1849.
Like her father, Mary E. Walker embraced reform movements with fervent enthusiasm. She became an early and ardent supporter of Women’s Rights, advocating for equality and challenging the prevailing societal norms that limited women’s opportunities. She also championed dress reform, rejecting the restrictive corsets and voluminous skirts that were fashionable at the time, favoring more practical and comfortable clothing that allowed for greater freedom of movement. Furthermore, she was a dedicated abolitionist, deeply committed to the fight against slavery and the pursuit of freedom and justice for all. In 1856, she married Albert Miller, also a physician, in a ceremony that reflected her unconventional spirit. She wore trousers and a man’s coat, defying traditional wedding attire, and she retained her own name, rejecting the societal expectation that a woman should adopt her husband’s surname. The couple established a medical practice in Rome, New York, but it struggled to gain traction, as the public was not yet ready to accept a woman physician. This experience, however, did not diminish her resolve.
The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 presented Mary E. Walker with an opportunity to serve her country and utilize her medical skills in a time of great need. She immediately volunteered her services to the Union Army, driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to alleviate suffering. However, she was denied a commission as a medical officer, reflecting the prevailing attitudes towards women in the military. Undeterred, she volunteered anyway, initially serving as a nurse, as the Army had no designated female surgeons. During this period, she primarily worked as an unpaid volunteer at the U.S. Patent Office Hospital in Washington, D.C., tending to wounded soldiers and providing much-needed medical care. She also served at the First Battle of Bull Run, witnessing the horrors of war firsthand.
Mary E. Walker’s dedication and skill eventually led her to the front lines, where she served as an unpaid field surgeon near the Union front lines – effectively becoming the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army. For nearly two years, she tirelessly treated wounded soldiers in the midst of battle, demonstrating unwavering courage and competence. She served during significant engagements, including the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chickamauga, often working under extremely challenging conditions. Finally, in September 1863, her perseverance paid off when she was awarded a commission as a "Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)" by the Army of the Cumberland, a testament to her invaluable contributions.
During her service, Mary E. Walker frequently crossed battle lines, providing medical care to both Union and Confederate soldiers, demonstrating her commitment to alleviating suffering regardless of allegiance. On April 10, 1864, while tending to wounded civilians, she was captured by Confederate troops and arrested as a spy. She was imprisoned in Richmond, Virginia, as a prisoner of war until she was released in a prisoner exchange on August 12, 1864. Even after her harrowing experience as a prisoner of war, she continued to serve, participating in the Battle of Atlanta.
On November 11, 1865, President Andrew Johnson signed a bill to present Dr. Mary E. Walker with the Congressional Medal of Honor, recognizing her extraordinary service and bravery during the Civil War. She remains the only woman ever to receive the medal, and one of only eight civilians to be so honored.
After the war, Mary E. Walker’s life continued to be marked by activism and reform. She divorced in 1869 and subsequently worked as a supervisor of a female prison in Louisville, Kentucky, and as the head of an orphanage in Tennessee. She also became a prolific writer and lecturer, advocating for various reforms, including health care, temperance, women’s rights, and dress reform. She authored two books and actively participated in the women’s suffrage movement, collaborating with prominent leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
In 1917, a controversial decision by Congress led to the revocation of her Congressional Medal of Honor, along with the medals of 910 others, as the standards were revised to include only "actual combat with an enemy." However, Mary refused to return the medal, wearing it proudly every day until her death in 1919, a defiant act of protest against what she perceived as injustice. Sixty years later, in 1977, an Army board posthumously reinstated Walker’s medal, citing her "distinguished gallantry, self-sacrifice, patriotism, dedication and unflinching loyalty to her country, despite the apparent discrimination because of her sex."
Throughout her life, Mary Edwards Walker often wore men’s clothing, including a top hat, challenging gender norms and asserting her individuality. She was arrested on several occasions for "impersonating a man," but she remained undeterred, continuing to express herself authentically. She died from natural causes at the age of 86 on February 21, 1919, and was buried in Rural Cemetery, Oswego, New York. Her casket was draped with an American flag, and she was buried in her black suit, a final statement of her defiance of societal expectations.
Mary Edwards Walker’s legacy continues to inspire generations. She was honored in the newly-dedicated Women in Military Service for America Memorial in October 1997, recognizing her pioneering contributions to the armed forces. During World War II, a Liberty ship, the SS Mary Walker, was named in her honor, a tribute to her unwavering service and dedication to her country. In 1982, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 20-cent stamp in her honor, further solidifying her place in American history. A medical facility in Oswego, New York, is named in her honor, as well as a United States Army Reserve center in Walker, Michigan, and the Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, D.C., ensuring that her name and her contributions will be remembered for years to come. Mary E. Walker’s life was a testament to the power of conviction, the importance of equality, and the enduring spirit of a true American hero.
