A WOMAN'S PART IN THE WAR (Rose O'Neal Greenhow) Grades 4-6
by Amy Middleton
A man went for a walk one morning early in September of 1864. He was a soldier in the Confederate army, and he was weary of war and seeing men die by the thousands every day. As he walked along the beach near Wilmington, North Carolina, he saw someone laying on the beach. Curiously he walked toward the lady. As he came near her, he noticed that she had been washed up onto the beach by the waves, and she was no longer breathing. He was about to hurry away when he noticed a bag laying next to her. It caught a ray of sun and glinted in the sunlight. It was $2000 worth of gold! He looked around to make sure no one was looking, then hurried off with the money. He never mentioned the body to anyone.
Only a short time later, someone else found the same body washed up on another beach. It was found to be an infamous spy for the South, Rose O'Neal Greenhow! She had drowned on a trip back from England, while trying to get to shore in a small boat. Many came to mourn for this lady who gave her life for the Confederate cause. The soldier who had taken the money from her became overwhelmed by guilt and gave the money to Confederate officials and joined the grievers.
How did this lady help the Southern cause? Rose O'Neal Greenhow was a very popular woman in Washington before the war began. She began her career in espionage as soon as the war began. One of her most important contributions to the Confederacy was at the time of the Battle of Bull Run. She sent a beautiful young lady named Betty Duvall to General Beauregard. When Miss Duvall reached the general, she began unrolling her hair. In her hairdo was important information informing Beauregard that the Union troops were marching. Several days later, Rose sent the route that General McDowell's men were marching. Because of Mrs. Greenhow, the South was able to win the first major battle of the Civil War.
Rose loved to brag about her success as a spy. Living in Washington, this was not a wise choice. She was soon placed in Old Capitol Prison for four months. She still remained active as a spy during this time. The building in which she was imprisoned happened to be the building that her aunt had used as a boardinghouse before the war, and where she heard John Calhoun predicting a war as he died. Rose was released after a few months, and she went to Richmond as a Confederate champion, where she was given $2500 to go to Europe as a secret service agent. While in Europe, she wrote and published her story and did much to promote the Confederacy's cause.
Although Rose O'Neal Greenhow did not die in battle, she gave her life to the country and cause that she loved and believed in. What may have seemed like a small and insignificant part in the war that divided the States really had a great impact on many. Not only was the battle of Bull Run affected, but the lives of the soldiers whom she died to help would be changed forever by this one popular Washington woman.
QUESTIONS:
- What was Rose O'Neal Greenhow's greatest contribution to the Civil War?
- Where was Mrs. Greenhow's home?
- What kind of qualities did Rose possess that enabled her to be a spy?
- Would you have spied for the Confederacy like Rose? Why or why not?
- Who did Rose use to deliver a message to General Beauregard, and how did she use that person?
Amy Middleton
"A Woman's Part in the War" (story of Rose O'Neal Greenhow)
OUTLINE:
I. The death of Rose O'Neal Greenhow
A. Discovered by a Confederate soldier
B. Drowned on her way back from England
C. Mourned by many Southerners
II. The life of Rose O'Neal Greenhow
A. Popular in Washington
B. Began spying at beginning of the war
C. Gave Beauregard information concerning Bull Run
D. Four months in Capitol Prison
E. Agent for the Confederates in Europe
PROPS: bag of "gold," secret messages/battle plans, Civil War dresses to show how many messages were hidden, a hairdo to hide messages in, picture of Rose O'Neal Greenhow
ANSWERS:
- Her information concerning the Battle of Bull Run
- Washington
- Courage, bravery, loyalty (answers will vary)
- Answers will vary
- Betty Duvall; she rolled the message in her hair
EXTENSION IDEAS:
- Have the students find and research other spies that worked for the Union or the Confederates. How did they benefit their cause? What happened to them?
- Have the students pretend that they are a spy. What are their feelings? How would they get the information to their commanders? How would they get the information from the enemy?