The Civil War’s Secret Soldiers
Discover the ways women supported the Civil War on the battlefield and home front May 17

[May 16, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD - Learn about the role of women during “The Civil War’s Secret Soldiers” program, from 3pm- 4pm, on May 17, at Lincoln Home Visitor Center. Discover the ways women supported the Civil War on the battlefield and home front. Women were spies, battlefield nurses, vivandieres, and sometimes disguised themselves as soldiers.

As part of this program, Rose Connolly will portray newlywed Mrs. Major Belle Reynolds who followed her 17th Illinois Infantry soldier husband to the battlefront where she performed domestic chores and cared for wounded soldiers. After Mrs. Connelly’s living history performance, the 20 minute video “The Secret Soldier” will be shown that tells the amazing story of Cuban immigrant Loreta Janeta Velazquez. According to her memoir, Loreta served as a Confederate agent under the alias “Harry Buford” who fought in the first Battle of Bull Run and was injured at Shiloh.

The Lincoln Home Visitor Center is located at 426 S. 7th in downtown Springfield. Parking is available in the parking lot south of Lincoln Home Visitor Center. For more information about this program contact Lincoln Home National Site at 217-391-3221 or www.nps.gov/liho

[Text received; CHRIS WILLIS, ILLINOIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION AGENCY]

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