Union soldier Lyons Wakeman, who served in the 153rd New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War had a secret—Lyons’s real name was Sarah Rosetta Wakeman.
Sarah was born in Afton New York on January 16, 1843 to Harvey and Emily Wakeman and was the oldest of nine children. She grew up on the family farm, which struggled financially. She worked as a domestic servant in her teens, but with no prospects for marriage, and wanting a more financially stable future, she made a gutsy decision–she moved to Chicago, dressed as a man and got work as a boatman on the Chenango Canal. It’s unclear whether her motives were purely financial. Some of her many letters allude to a family rift.
Sarah met Army recruiters while working as a boatman and enlisted on August 30, 1862, receiving a $152 bounty. She claimed to be 21 at the time, but she was only 19. Her regiment was assigned to Alexandria, Virginia. Ironically, one of her duties was to guard a prisoner who happened to be a woman arrested for impersonating a Union soldier.
Sarah wrote many letters home, often sending money, in what appears to be an attempt to heal the family rift. Sarah often signed her given name to the letters, a move which would have ended her military career if they had been intercepted. Her letters described her pride in being financially independent, being a solider and living a free life as a man. If anyone discovered Sarah’s true identity, they kept her secret. Her letters indicate that she fit in well with her fellow soldiers.
Sarah’s regiment was called to active battle duty in February 1864, and took part in the Red River
Campaign in Louisiana. She saw combat on April 9, 1864 and survived the battle. After the battle, she sent her last letter home. Unfortunately, she became ill with dysentery and died on June 19m 1864. (Thousands of soldiers died of dysentery from drinking contaminated water during the war.) She was buried with full military honors at Chalmette National Cemetery in New Orleans, with a headstone that read Lyons Wakeman.
Sarah’s letters, and thus the story of her military service, were stored in a relative’s attic and went unread by those other than her family until 1976. The letters have since been complied into a book: An Uncommon Soldier by Lauren Cook Burgess
Jeannie Watt raises cattle in Montana and loves all things western. When she's not writing, Jeannie enjoys sewing, making mosaic mirrors, riding her horses and buying hay. Lots and lots of hay.
What an amazing woman and story.
She’s very intriguing. I’d love to know the entire back story.
I am always moved by this story…so many unanswered questions. Let’s hope she found what she sought by taking on the persona of a male in a time when females had so limited a choice. Women like her should be honored more publicly – women who choice the more difficult path.
I found her on a site that honors veterans while I was researching her, which pleased me very much. She is an amazing woman.
This is so interesting especially since I live just a few miles from Afton NY.
That’s very cool, Elaine. I wonder if any of the family are still in the area.
I’m surprised she could all of that private.
I know! And being buried as a man when they had to have known that she was a woman when she was in the hospital. I think people looked the other way sometimes.
What an amazing story. thanks for that.
You’re welcome, Deb. It was fun to research.
Welcome today. oh but this is so cool. yes gutsy lady. thanks for sharing.
She was gutsy! Thank you, Lori!
Wow!! What a courageous woman!! I’m a little surprised they buried her as Lyons, though.
That surprised me, too, Trudy. Someone was all about keeping her secret.
Wow! What an awesome story!
Thank you, Barbara. I enjoyed researching her.
Oh my goodness! What an interesting post. I wonder why she wanted to fight so bad in that horrible war. Glad she wasn’t caught although I imagine they had to have known at the hospital. I love blogs like this. History is my candy.
Mine, too, Linda. I love little oddities like this.
Good morning and Wow! This is really a great story ,a true story at that!! Thank you so much for sharing this. I have said it before and I will say it again Authors like you make me love History, and History was not one of my favorite subjects for sure! All the research you all do is Awesome , Thank you so very much. I really enjoyed reading this post and I learned alot. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
Alicia, you warm our hearts!
An interesting story for sure. I have heard of a few women who dressed as men and served in the army during the Civil War.
There were several, Janice. I’m looking at a few others.
That is an interesting story.
It really is, Bridgette. I was glad to find her.
Wow, what an interesting woman. When I read something like this it makes me wonder how they kept their secret so long.
I agree, Alice. How? I did hear that many men were very modest at the time, so perhaps that’s how.
What a bold move for the time!
I agree, Carrie. Very gutsy!
Thank you so much for sharing. I think people would be surprised how many women operated as men over the years. It gave them more freedom and opportunities. Indirectly, they proved what is important is what you can do, not who you are.
Since so many were dying of dysentery, one has to wonder if they discovered she was a female when she died. Chances are they were burying people rather rapidly to try and suppress the spread of disease. That would be one reason her enlisted name was used on her tombstone. Another would be the choice of those who served with her and respected her chose to keep her secret.
I like your hypothesis, Patricia. I hope that they kept her secret out of respect. I’m looking into more women who lived as men, because, as you say, they had more freedom and opportunities.
Interesting history lesson sure would love to know her full reasons for doing what she did and would love to get a look at those letters
That took some kind of “guts” to pose as a man. I can’t imagine how you would ever be able to keep it a secret. What about when you had to go to the bathroom or get ready for bed? Very interesting information and isn’t it great that her letters were found so that we all could know.
Yes, and how on earth did she manage monthly menstruation in that situation? Her heart was in the right place, wanting to reconcile with and help support her family, but what an uncomfortable way to do so.