Sarah Rosetta Wakeman – Fighting in the Civil War
The annals of the American Civil War, a conflict that cleaved the nation in two, are filled with tales of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. While history often focuses on the male soldiers who comprised the vast majority of the fighting forces, a lesser-known narrative exists – that of the women who, driven by patriotism, economic necessity, or a thirst for adventure, disguised themselves as men and took up arms. Documentation suggests that at least 135 women served as soldiers during the Civil War, though historians estimate the actual number to be closer to 400. Among these courageous women who defied societal expectations and risked everything to fight in the Civil War, the story of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman stands out as a testament to the extraordinary lengths to which some were willing to go.
Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, more commonly known as Rosetta, was born on January 16, 1843, in Afton, New York. She was the first of nine children born to Harvey Anable and Emily Wakeman. Her father, a farmer, also served as a constable, contributing to the family’s livelihood and standing in the community. As the eldest child in a large family, Rosetta’s childhood was marked by responsibility and hard work. She spent countless hours assisting with the demanding chores on the family farm, learning the value of labor and the importance of contributing to the household’s well-being. Later, as she grew older, she sought additional opportunities to support her family by working as a domestic servant, further instilling in her a sense of duty and resourcefulness.
At the age of 19, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman made a pivotal decision that would forever alter the course of her life. She left her family home in Afton and ventured to the bustling town of Binghamton, New York, in search of employment. However, she quickly discovered that the limited options available to women at the time offered meager compensation. Traditional "women’s work," such as employment as a laundress or housekeeper, barely provided enough to sustain a decent existence. Faced with this economic hardship, Rosetta made a bold and unconventional choice: she decided to disguise herself as a man.
Adopting a male persona, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman soon secured a job on a canal boat as a coal handler. This physically demanding work involved loading and unloading heavy cargo, requiring strength and endurance. During her first journey up the river, she encountered soldiers from the 153rd Regiment of the New York State Volunteers. These soldiers shared information about the attractive incentives being offered to new recruits, including a monthly salary of $13 and a substantial signing bonus of $152.00. The prospect of earning such a significant sum of money was irresistible to the young woman, especially given her desire to provide financial assistance to her family.
Despite her petite stature, standing only five feet tall, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman resolved to enlist in the Union Army. On August 30, 1862, she presented herself at the recruitment office and, under the assumed name of "Lyons Wakeman," successfully joined the ranks of the 153rd Regiment. In her enlistment papers, she claimed to be 21 years old, a necessary fabrication to meet the age requirements for military service. Her physical description listed her as five feet tall, with fair skin and blue eyes. The young woman had transformed herself into a soldier, embarking on a journey that would test her courage, resilience, and ultimately, her mortality.
Once the 153rd Regiment reached its full complement of volunteers, it officially entered the United States service on October 17, 1862. Shortly thereafter, the regiment received orders to proceed to Washington D.C., arriving on October 22. Their initial assignment was to protect the perimeter of Washington City, a crucial task given the strategic importance of the nation’s capital. In her letters home, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, writing as Lyons, expressed pride in her abilities and dedication to her military duties. She boasted, "I can drill as good as any man in my regiment," demonstrating her commitment to mastering the skills required of a soldier.
Sarah Rosetta Wakeman’s first experience with field duty came in late February 1864, when her unit embarked on a grueling march of nearly 700 miles to participate in Major General Nathaniel P. Banks’ campaign in Louisiana. This campaign aimed to gain control of the Mississippi River and further weaken the Confederacy. The long march tested the physical endurance of the soldiers, exposing them to harsh weather conditions, difficult terrain, and the constant threat of enemy attack.
A little over a month later, on April 9, 1864, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman experienced her first taste of combat when her unit successfully repelled Confederate forces. This encounter likely involved intense fighting, exposing her to the horrors of war and the ever-present danger of death or injury.
Near the end of the Louisiana campaign, Rosetta and many of her fellow soldiers fell ill with chronic diarrhea. The unsanitary conditions prevalent in the field, coupled with the scarcity of clean drinking water, contributed to the spread of disease. Soldiers were often forced to drink from streams contaminated with the rotting flesh of dead animals, further exacerbating the problem. Diagnosed with dysentery, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman was transferred to the regimental hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, on May 3. When her condition failed to improve, she was transferred again to the Marine U.S.A. General Hospital in New Orleans on May 22. Despite receiving medical care, her illness persisted, gradually weakening her body until she succumbed to its effects on June 19, 1864.
Throughout her time as a soldier, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman managed to maintain her secret identity. Her true gender was never discovered, even when she interacted with male friends from her hometown who served in other regiments or when she was hospitalized with dysentery. When she died, she was buried as a soldier, with her remains interred at the Chalmette National Cemetery. Her headstone bears the inscription "Pvt. Lyons Wakeman," a lasting testament to the courageous young woman who defied societal norms and fought for her country.
Many years after her death, Wakeman’s letters home were discovered by a relative in the attic of the farmhouse where she grew up. These letters provided invaluable insights into her experiences as a soldier, her motivations for enlisting, and her thoughts and feelings about the war. It was only then that the military and the wider world learned that Private Lyons Wakeman was, in fact, a woman.
The story of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman serves as a powerful reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of women to the American Civil War. Her courage, determination, and willingness to sacrifice everything for her country deserve to be remembered and celebrated. Her letters offer a unique perspective on the war from the viewpoint of a woman disguised as a man, providing valuable insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the time.