EMMA EDMONDS

CIRCLE 2000

 

Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic                       Topeka, Kansas Area

 

Sarah Emma Edmonds 1842-1898

 

Sarah was one of 400 or so women who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War.  She was originally born in Canada, but moved to the United States to get away from her abusive father.  She loved the U.S. so much that she wanted to defend it during the war.

 

After 4 attempts she enlisted under the alias Frank Thompson as a male nurse in the 2nd Volunteers of the US Army.  Throughout her tour of duty she went on eleven successful spy missions for the Union.  Not only was she disguised as a man, but on her missions she would be a black man, an Irish peddler woman and several other roles.

 

While in service she became ill.  It became impossible to seek treatment and keep her true identity hidden, so she left for a private hospital.  It was there that she learned Frank Thompson was listed as a deserter from the Union Army.  She could not return to her unit and continue to serve her country.

 

Over the years, Sarah got married and had a family of 3 boys.  One of them joined the Army.  She wrote her memoirs titled Nurse and Spy in the Union Army.  She donated all the profits to the US war relief fund.

 

In 1884, she went to Congress to clear Frank Thompson’s name.  She was granted an honorable discharge and pension.

 

She is buried in the military section of Washington Cemetery in Houston, TX.  She is the only female member of the GAR.

 

More information on Sarah is available at www.civilwarhome.com/edmondsbio.htm

 

 

OUR CIRCLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

One of our activities is to work with the SUVCW and clean civil war headstones once a month when the weather permits.  We primarily do this at the Topeka Cemetery.

 

We also help on Memorial Day to place flags on civil war graves to honor those who served in the Union.

 

Throughout the year we gather items to donate to the local VA Hospital.  We also have members who volunteer at the hospital.

 

Our Circle meets 4 times a year for meetings.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 

All blood kin relatives, 10 years of age or over, of honorably discharged Union soldiers, sailors, and marines of the Civil War, 1861 to 1865.  Also ex-army nurses of that war are eligible for membership.  Blood kin relatives refer to and includes daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters etc., and nieces, grand-nieces, etc of veterans of the Civil War.

 

KANSAS AND THE LGAR

 

Chartered on April 7, 1887, the Department has a long history of service to the communities of Kansas.

 

There are circles in Topeka and Beloit.  We are working to expand our organization to other areas of Kansas.  Once a year we meet to have our State Department Meeting.  We have traditionally held this meeting in conjunction with SUVCW State Encampment meeting.   This is normally in the spring.

 

Kansas is very proud and honored to have had 10 Ladies serve as past National Presidents.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION see the National Website  www.rootsweb.com/~nlgar/membership.html

 

 

 

EMMA EDMONDS

CIRCLE 2000

 

 

Nancy Durbin

P.O. Box 306

Overbrook, KS  66524

ndurbin70@hotmail.com 

 

 

 

Fraternity * Charity * Loyalty