Civil War Crossdressing

[KrissyTN]

I enjoy reading about history, in particular about the American Civil War. I came across two stories recently that relate to CD'ing!

First, was a Southerner named Frank Stringfellow. Apparently Frank was a spy and would dress in a woman's gown to attend parties. He would dance with some of the Union officers obtaining information that was useful!

Second, was a story of a man in Missouri who, just after Lincoln's inauguration went to Missouri during the unrest there to glean information about possible uprisings in that area. He also dressed in ball gowns so as to go "unnoticed."

One thought - I love the gowns from that period - especially the corsets....so that could have been fun!!

Two - does anyone else have any stories of that war - or other time periods - where we cd's "played" a role?

Fascinating stuff!

Krissy

[Abbyru1]

Apparently there were a number of "lady" spies on both sides. One-who called herself Sue Monday- was a very busy girl according to several reports.

[Sometimes Steffi]

I seem to recall the story of an FTM who (surreptitiously) fought for the Union army.

Google helped me find the story.

Albert D.J. Cashier, born Jennie Hodgers in 1843. He served for a full 3 year term after enlisting in the Union army at the age of 19 and fought in over 40 battles against the Confederate Army.

I'm sure that there were others, many lost to history.

I also seem to recall another FTM soldier who passed just fine, until she ended up in the medical tent. Surprise, surprise!

[tbryant2k16]

Don't forget female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. The podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You discuss them in one podcast.

I'm listening to Stuff Mom Never Told You | Arrr there female pirates? on Podbean, check it out! https://www.podbean.com/ea/dir-7i6fe-1af3fee

They also did another podcast about women pretending to be men. I think they discuss the Civil War women as well.
I'm listening to Stuff Mom Never Told You | A Herstory of Women Pretending to be Men on Podbean, check it out! https://www.podbean.com/ea/dir-bqqxj-4aa4ea6

[Bunty]

Chevalier d'Eon

"... D'Eon fought in the Seven Years' War, and spied for France while in Russia and England. D'Eon had androgynous physical characteristics and natural abilities as a mimic and a spy. D'Eon appeared publicly as a man and pursued masculine occupations for 49 years, although during that time, d'Eon successfully infiltrated the court of Empress Elizabeth of Russia by presenting as a woman. Starting in 1777, d'Eon lived as a woman and was officially recognized as a woman by King Louis XVI. ..."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_d%27%C3%89on

[CDSophie62]

Hi Krissy

I recommend you try 'Days Without End' , a novel by Sebastian Barry.

It is set during the Indian Wars and American Civil War period.
The heroine is a MTF Crossdresser who at various times appears as a female impersonator in theatres, as a male soldier and wife.


I enjoyed it greatly, both for the CD content & the historical background of the Indian wars which was new to me.
It was very well received here in the UK & won a 'Book of the Year' prize in 2016.

Sophie xx

[Leah87]

Remember my Grandfather telling me about a guy called Dudley Clarke who was a Colonel in the British Army and become a spy during World War 2.

He used to go undercover dressed as a woman, acting as a reporter for The Times. He got arrested in Spain, not for spying, but for appearing on the street "dressed, down to a brassiere, as a woman". He had two other ladies outfits in his suit case.

Apparently he was very good at his job and upon hearing of his arrest, Winston Churchill gave orders for him to be recovered due to his "importance to the war effort" and to prevent any further "unwanted embarrassment" to The Times.

My Grandfather worked for The Times when he left school and was told to watch out for the Chief Editor as he would often walk around the printing rooms dressed as a woman in tribute to Colonel Clarke! I don't think he ever saw him, but that was how he got to hear about Dudley Clarke's World War 2 spying exploits.

[NancySue]

Hi Krissy, I, too am a war history buff. In every war, going back to ancient times, there?s been numerous occurrences of both MTF and FTM. There are many WW I and II examples of cded spies. Even going back to ancient times.

[CynthiaD]

I’ve often dreamed about showing up somewhere wearing a civil war ball gown. Amazon has some really cool ones (just search). But honestly, where would I ever wear such a thing?

[Sometimes Steffi]

Around here (in Virginia) there are a lot of civil war reenactments, typically with male soldiers reenacting the battle. But there are also women reenactors in period costume who play either the "hangers on" or women on the home front. You might be able to join the women reenactors.

Also, there are Renaissance Fairs around the country where many of the women wear period (Elizabethan) costumes. I've mentioned it here many times that I've gone en femme to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, sometimes renting a female costume from the costume shop or wearing my own costume.

Food for thought.

[KrissyTN]

Hi Krissy

I recommend you try 'Days Without End' , a novel by Sebastian Barry.

It is set during the Indian Wars and American Civil War period.
The heroine is a MTF Crossdresser who at various times appears as a female impersonator in theatres, as a male soldier and wife.


I enjoyed it greatly, both for the CD content & the historical background of the Indian wars which was new to me.
It was very well received here in the UK & won a 'Book of the Year' prize in 2016.

Sophie xx

Thanks, Sophie, I'll check it out!

- - - Updated - - -


Remember my Grandfather telling me about a guy called Dudley Clarke who was a Colonel in the British Army and become a spy during World War 2.

He used to go undercover dressed as a woman, acting as a reporter for The Times. He got arrested in Spain, not for spying, but for appearing on the street "dressed, down to a brassiere, as a woman". He had two other ladies outfits in his suit case.

Apparently he was very good at his job and upon hearing of his arrest, Winston Churchill gave orders for him to be recovered due to his "importance to the war effort" and to prevent any further "unwanted embarrassment" to The Times.

My Grandfather worked for The Times when he left school and was told to watch out for the Chief Editor as he would often walk around the printing rooms dressed as a woman in tribute to Colonel Clarke! I don't think he ever saw him, but that was how he got to hear about Dudley Clarke's World War 2 spying exploits.

Very interesting, Leah!

[alwayshave]

Krissy, There was a gurl in one of my meetup groups who use to dress in civil war costume and would go to reenactments as well. She moved several years ago, so I have lost touch.

[Maria 60]

I recall when the US went to war in the Middle East and they said a lot of the top officials would dress in women’s clothes and move around there country so the US army wouldn’t capture them.

[AllieBellema]

Going to a reenactment in one of my southern belle dresses would be a good time, but I don't live anywhere near a reenactment group. I still remember when I was younger getting to visit Gettysburg. I would love to visit it again and do the tour in one of my dresses.

[Michaela Jane]

This is nothing to do with spying, or subterfuge, but there is a dresser who posts photos wearing that era dresses. You can find her on Flickr. Her name is Stephanie Marie. If she is a member here, I hope you don't mind me publicising your flickr page.

[kimmy p]

I would really try the Ren Faire first. Everyone of them I have ever been to has been friendly to crossdressed people as far as the staff goes. Other attendees may be different. I expect that Civil War reenactors may be less open about MTF. They REALLY like their tradition and authenticity.

[Christina C]

My late boyfriend and I went in costume to an reenactment in Florida and I thought I was going to die the gown I wore was so hot. That hand fan got a work out that day.

[Sometimes Steffi]

I would really try the Ren Faire first. Everyone of them I have ever been to has been friendly to crossdressed people as far as the staff goes. Other attendees may be different. I expect that Civil War reenactors may be less open about MTF. They REALLY like their tradition and authenticity.


10,000 people must have seen me, and I hardly got a second look.

A lot of people come in period costume, but not necessarily crossdressed, but I did see a couple of other crossdressers there.

The costume girls who laced me into my bodice were overwhelmingly positive and excited to help me.

One girl in a group of girls gave me a big smile (of recognition). I gave her a big smile back and she gave me a big thumbs up.

The food vender from whom I bought lunch gave me a "M'lady", Renaissance speak for ma'am".

One very drunk guy clocked me and started saying, "That girl is a guy". The friend group who he was with grabbed him under both arms and led him away.

One guy tried to take my pic and I kept turning away from him and he wife finally said to him, "Leave her alone. She doesn't want her picture taken.

I got a picture at a photo booth. I had a flip phone at the time, as did everyone else.