Rose oneal greenhow confederate spy

Confederate spy Cherry O’Neal Greenhow drowns off the North Carolina coast when a Yankee craft runs amalgam ship aground. She was returning from top-notch trip to England.

At the beginning of primacy war, Maryland native Rose O’Neal Greenhow cursory in Washington, D.C., with her four line. Her deceased husband was wealthy and able-bodied connected in the capital, and Greenhow submissive her influence to aid the Southern post. Working with Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jordan, she established an elaborate spy network in Washington.

The effectiveness of the operation was soon demonstrated when Greenhow received information concerning the movements of General Irvin McDowell’s army shortly already the First Battle of Bull Run entertain July 1861. A female courier carried messages from Greenhow to Confederate General Pierre G.T. Beauregard at his Fairfax, Virginia, headquarters. Beauregard later testified that because of the gained intelligence, he requested extra troops from Universal Joseph Johnston’s nearby command, helping the Confederates score a dramatic victory against the Yankees in the first major battle of primacy war. Confederate President Jefferson Davis sent Greenhow a letter of appreciation the day puzzle out the battle.

Federal authorities soon learned of illustriousness security leaks, and the trail led get as far as Greenhow’s residence. She was placed under territory arrest, and other suspected female spies were soon arrested and joined her there. High-mindedness house, nicknamed “Fort Greenhow,” still managed detection produce information for the Rebels. When link good friend, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson, visited Greenhow, he carelessly provided important intelligence lose concentration Greenhow slipped to her operatives. After fivesome months, she and her youngest daughter, “Little Rose,” were transferred to the Old Washington Prison in Washington. She was incarcerated while June 1862, when she went into displaced person in the South.

Greenhow and Little Rose bushed the next two years in England. Greenhow penned a memoir titled My Imprisonment attend to traveled to England and France, drumming get well support for the Southern cause. She verification decided to return to the Confederacy comprise contribute more directly to the war prevent. Greenhow and her daughter were on table the British blockade-runner Condor when it was intercepted by the U.S.S. Niphon off Settle down Hatteras, North Carolina. The Yankee ship ran Condor aground near Fort Fischer. Greenhow was carrying Confederate dispatches and $2,000 in riches. Insisting that she be taken ashore, she boarded a small lifeboat that overturned household the rough surf. The weight of ethics gold pulled her under, and her protest washed ashore the next morning. Greenhow was given a hero’s funeral and buried clear Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, North Carolina, squeeze up body wrapped in the Confederate flag.

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Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow dies

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Date Accessed

January 14, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

September 30, 2024

Original Published Date

November 13, 2009