​​​​​​​Introduction

          In 1861, the start of the American Civil War, women were prohibited to enlist in the army. Patriotic and eager to participate, these women could not sit idly by. Instead they sought other ways to fight. While not directly involved in combat, these brave women spies played a crucial role. Women were ideal candidates for becoming spies as they were commonly seen as innocent and harmless by soldiers. Women could earn trust quickly and elicit essential information from them. Without the help of confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow, the war might have ended after the first battle. Her efforts allowed Confederate generals to triumph during the Battle of Bull Run, permitting the war to continue 4 more years. The work of Union spy ring leader Elizabeth Van Lew also played a large role in the war. She relayed hidden messages between five various stations in order to inform the Union Army of enemy intentions. This information was mainly responsible for the fall of the Confederate Capital in Richmond, Virginia. ​​​​​​​