Faces of the Civil War

Female Soldier
A former Minnesota housewife, Frances Clayton is said to have enlisted alongside her husband John in a cavalry regiment. It is believed that the husband and wife were later transferred to a light artillery unit and that Frances fought in a number of battles. Contemporary accounts of her service assert that she was a good shot and rode well. She also is said to have learned "all the vices of men," including drinking, swearing, chewing tobacco and gambling.

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