Mary Burns (soldier)
American female soldier disguised as a man
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mary Burns or John Burns was an American woman who disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the American Civil War.[1] She enlisted in the 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in order not to be parted from her lover, who was in the same regiment.[2] Her sex was discovered ten days after being recognized by an acquaintance,[3] before her company had left Detroit. [4] She was arrested in uniform, held in the city jail, charged with masquerading as a man, and sent home. The account of the incident in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune (February 25, 1863) described the defendant as "a very pretty woman".[5]
Mary Burns | |
|---|---|
| Other name | John Burns |
| Born | Mary Burns |
| Unit | 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment |
