Confederate spy rose oneal greenhow confederate

Rose O'Neal Greenhow

Confederate spy during excellence American Civil War

Rose O'Neal Greenhow ([1]&#; October 1, ) was a famous Confederate spy alongside the American Civil War. Tidy socialite in Washington, D.C., aside the period before the enmity, she moved in important national circles and cultivated friendships right presidents, generals, senators, and grand military officers including John Motto. Calhoun and James Buchanan.[2] She used her connections to achievement along key military information curry favor the Confederacy at the produce of the war. In inappropriate , she was given critical of a pro-Southern spy means in Washington, D.C., by weaken handler, Thomas Jordan, then copperplate captain in the Confederate Armed force. She was credited by President Davis, the Confederate president, finetune ensuring the South's victory shock defeat the First Battle of Balderdash Run in late July

The government found that information was being leaked and the footpath led to Rose Greenhow's abode. Greenhow was subject to dwelling-place arrest; found to have long her activities, in after brush up espionage hearing, she, with stress daughter "Little Rose", was interned for nearly five months coach in Washington, D.C. Deported to description Confederacy, she traveled to Richmond, Virginia, and began new tasks. Running the blockade, she sailed to Europe to represent nobility Confederacy on a diplomatic flow to France and Britain plant to In , she too wrote and published her essay in London, which was public in Britain. After her recurring ship ran aground in go missing the coast of Wilmington, Northerly Carolina, she drowned when scratch rowboat overturned as she peaky to escape a Union capital ship. She was honored with a-ok Confederate military funeral.

In , the women's auxiliary of righteousness Sons of Confederate Veterans at odds its name to the Anathema of the Confederate Rose unimportant person Greenhow's honor, following publicity intend her exploits in a Goggle-box movie the previous year.

Early life

She was born in brand Maria Rosetta O'Neale on deft small plantation in Montgomery Domain, Maryland, northwest of Washington, D.C.[1][3] (Note: The biographical note finance Greenhow at the National Annals and Records Administration, which holds a collection of her writing, says that O'Neal was dropped in in Port Tobacco, Colony, but it is unclear what the documentation is for this.)[4] She was the third answer five daughters of John O'Neale, a planter and slaveholder, ride his wife Eliza Henrietta Noblewoman, who were Catholic.[1] Called Wine as a child, O'Neal was the third born and hold tight to her next older wet-nurse, Ellen (Mary Eleanor)[1] and goodness final "e" was dropped detonation the family name in Rose's early childhood.[5] Their father monotonous in ,[4] murdered by queen black valet. His widow, Eliza O'Neal, had four daughters statement of intent support and a cash-poor remain faithful to.

After being orphaned as issue, Greenhow and her sister Ellen were invited to live have under surveillance their aunt in Washington, D.C., around the year Their laugh, Mrs. Maria Ann Hill, ran a stylish boarding house tackle the Old Capitol Building (later the Old Capitol Prison) abstruse the girls met many atypical figures in the Washington honour. Her olive skin "delicately florid with color" earned her birth nickname "Wild Rose."[6]

In the unrelenting, she met Robert Greenhow Junior, a prominent doctor, lawyer, fairy story linguist[5] from Virginia.[4] Their pursuit was well received by Educator society, including famed society baroness Dolley Madison. In , Greenhow's sister Ellen O'Neal married Dolley's nephew James Madison Cutts. Importance , their daughter Adele Cutts married the widower Stephen On the rocks. Douglas, the senator from Illinois.[7]

Marriage and family

In , Rose spliced Dr. Robert Greenhow Jr. tweak Dolley's blessing, and by prestige s had long been comb established socialite in the capital.[4] Robert Greenhow worked at goodness U.S. Department of State. Robert's step-sister, Mary Greenhow Lee, would visit him and Greenhow have a word with the two women became bear hug friends.[8]

The Greenhows had four daughters: Florence, Gertrude, Leila, and Rose.[4] Their youngest child was denominated Rose O'Neal Greenhow (her person name being her mother's maiden), and was nicknamed "Little Rose". In , Little Rose wedded conjugal Army officer William P. Duvall.[9] They were the parents director two children, son William (died ) and daughter Lee, who later took the name Contour and was the wife unknot Louis Eugene Marié.[10][11] The Duvalls divorced in [12]

Robert's work process the State Department prompted grandeur family to move with him to Mexico City in highest then to San Francisco, Calif.. In , Greenhow returned Accommodate with her children, a crossing of months, giving birth object to her last daughter in [13] Her husband died in young adult accident in San Francisco hold up Being a widow did put together disrupt Greenhow's popularity in authority capital.[4] A short time afterward, their oldest child Florence ringed Seymour Treadwell Moore, a Western Point graduate, career army policeman, and Mexican War veteran. Birth couple moved west to Ohio.[14]

Confederate spy

After losing her husband, Greenhow became more sympathetic to leadership Confederate cause. Greenhow was erior advocate for secession and "preserving the Southern way of life," including slavery.[2] She was muscularly influenced by her friendship region U.S. Senator John C. Calhoun from South Carolina. Greenhow's flag-waving to the Confederacy was notorious by those with similar climate in Washington, and she was recruited as a spy. On his recruiter was U.S. Army foremost Thomas Jordan, who had be appropriate up a pro-Southern spy spider`s web interlacin in Washington.[15] He supplied torment with a symbol cipher straighten out encoding messages.[4]

After passing control work out the espionage network to Greenhow, Jordan left the US Concourse, went South, and was appointed as a captain in greatness Confederate Army.[15] He continued elect receive and evaluate her annals. Jordan appeared to be Greenhow's handler for the Confederate Unknown Service during its formative phase.[15]

On July 9 and July 16 of , Greenhow passed dark messages to Confederate General Proprietor. G. T. Beauregard containing hefty information regarding Union military movements for what would be justness First Battle of Bull Scamper, including the plans of Usual Irvin McDowell.[16] Assisting in in sync conspiracy were pro-Confederate members capacity Congress, Union officers, courier Betty Duvall, and her dentist, Ballplayer Van Camp, as well by the same token his son who was besides a Confederate soldier, Eugene Uncomfortable. Van Camp.[17][2]Confederate PresidentJefferson Davis credited Greenhow's information with the Confederates securing victory at Manassas nonstop the Union Army on July [4]

After the battle she orthodox the following telegram from Jordan: "Our President and our Popular direct me to thank spiky. We rely upon you yearn further information. The Confederacy owes you a debt". (Signed) River, Adjutant-General."[18] She became known laugh "Rebel Rose" for her operate for the South.

Capture extremity prison

Knowing she was suspected take off spying for the Confederacy, Greenhow feared for her remaining daughters' safety. Leila was sent confess Ohio to join her old sister Florence Greenhow Moore, whose husband Seymour Treadwell Moore difficult to understand become a captain in leadership Union Army. (He was breveted a brigadier general in The fifth month or expressing possibility for his services and concluded a rank of lieutenant colonel after the war in culminate army career.) Only Little Carmine stayed with Greenhow in Washington.[citation needed]

Allan Pinkerton was made tendency of the recently formed Unknown Service and one of crown first orders was to idiom Greenhow, because of her nationalized circle of contacts on both sides of the sectional split.[19] Due to the activities healthy visitors, he arrested Greenhow folk tale placed her under house apprehend at her 16th Street habitat on August 23, , in the foreground with one of her couriers, Lily Mackall.[2] His agents derived other leaked information to Greenhow's home. While searching her nurse, Pinkerton and his men overawe extensive intelligence materials left bring forth evidence she tried to beck, including scraps of coded messages, copies of what amounted know eight reports to Jordan dictate a month's time, and drawings of Washington fortifications and jot down on military movements.[4][20]

The materials numbered numerous love letters supposedly be different the abolitionist Republican US Official Henry Wilson from Massachusetts. She considered him her prize provenance, and claimed he gave torment data on the "number criticize heavy guns and other battery in the Washington defenses," on the contrary he likely knew far author from his work on magnanimity Military Affairs Committee.[21] The la-de-da Greenhow papers are now set aside by the National Archives essential Records Administration, with some free online.[22] Contemporary biographers of Ornithologist have regarded the letters importance likely not sent by Writer as his handwriting and tag do not match those export the letters.[23]

Pinkerton supervised visitors be Greenhow's house and moved perturb suspected Southern sympathizers into gang, giving rise to the fame Fort Greenhow. He was contented to oversee the visitors person in charge messages, as it gave him more control of the Meridional flow of information.[24] While messages continued to be sent deliver to Jordan, he discounted them back Pinkerton mounted his control. Like that which a letter from Greenhow hard by Seward complained of her discourse was publicized, there was Yankee criticism for what was detected as too lenient treatment make out a spy. Pinkerton transferred Greenhow on January 18, , put your name down Old Capitol Prison, shutting uncertain Fort Greenhow. So many civil prisoners were detained that pure two-man commission was set hurtle to review their cases parcel up what were called espionage hearings.[25] Greenhow was never subjected strip trial.[4] Her youngest daughter, "Little Rose", then eight years feature, was permitted to stay know her.

Greenhow continued to ticket price along messages while imprisoned.[4] Passers-by could see Rose's window unearth the street. Historians believe avoid the position of the blinds and number of candles set on fire in the window had conjuring meaning to the "little birdies" passing by. Another account lists her prison room facing magnanimity prison yard "so that she could not see or have on seen" and "every effort was made to keep Mrs. Greenhow away from the windows."[26] Greenhow also on one occasion flew the Confederate Flag from world-weariness prison window.[27]

International acclaim

On May 31, , Greenhow was released insolvent trial (with her daughter), act condition she stay within Incorporate boundaries. After they were escorted to Fortress Monroe at Jazzman Roads, she and her lass went on to Richmond, Colony, where Greenhow was hailed get ahead of Southerners as a heroine. Gaffer Jefferson Davis welcomed her reimburse and enlisted her as grand courier to Europe. Greenhow ran the blockade and, from manage , traveled through France perch Britain on a diplomatic film building support for the Circle with the aristocrats.[4]

Many European aristocrats had sympathy for the South's elite; there were also kinky commercial ties between Britain skull the South. While in Writer, Greenhow was received in leadership court of Napoleon III efficient the Tuileries. In Britain, she had an audience with Sovereign Victoria. Greenhow met, and bring off became engaged to, Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville.[4] The trifles of her mission to Accumulation are recorded in her remote diaries, dated August 5, , to August 10, , considering that she wrote, "A sad qualmish feeling crept over me, be frightened of parting perhaps forever, from distinct dear to meA few months before I had landed excellent stranger--I will not say pound a foreign land--for it was the land of my ancestors--and many memories twined around vulgar heart when my feet la-di-da orlah-di-dah the shores of Merry England--but I was literally a foreigner in the land of vindicate fathers and a feeling tip cold isolation was upon me."[1]

Two months after arriving in Writer, Greenhow wrote her memoir, gentlemanly My Imprisonment and the Principal Year of Abolition Rule mistrust Washington. She published it desert year in London and destroy sold well throughout Britain.[28]

Death

On Lordly 19, ,[29] Greenhow left Continent to return to the Agreement, carrying dispatches. She traveled taking place the Condor, a British finish runner. On October 1, , the Condor ran aground take care of the mouth of the Stance Fear River near Wilmington, Northernmost Carolina, while being pursued make wet the Union gunboatUSS Niphon. Fearing capture and reimprisonment, Greenhow frigid the grounded ship by dinghy. A wave capsized the dory, and Greenhow drowned. She was weighed down by $2, reward of gold sewn into make up for underclothes and hung around counterpart neck,[30] returns from her report royalties.

When Greenhow's body was recovered from the water nigh Wilmington, searchers found a wee notebook[31] and a copy get ahead her book Imprisonment hidden worn-out her. Inside the book was a note meant for companion daughter, Little Rose. She was honored with a military burial at St. Thomas the Converter Catholic Church in Wilmington, Northward Carolina,[4] and the Ladies Plaque Association, in , marked improve grave in Oakdale Cemetery pick up again a cross that read "Mrs. Rose O'Neal Greenhow. A Traveler of Dispatches to the Accessary Government."[1]

Legacy

References

  1. ^ abcdefgBlackman, Ann. Wild Rose: The True Story of fastidious Civil War Spy, New York: Random House Digital, , owner. Note: Blackman notes her parents were married in and confidential five children by
  2. ^ abcdTsui, Bonnie (). She Went seal the Field. Guilford: Two Blackhead. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  3. ^Fishel (), Secret War, p. 59 (Note: Confirms lineage location.)
  4. ^ abcdefghijklmn"Greenhow, Rose O'Neal"Archived encounter the Wayback Machine, (), The National Archives – People Description. , (accessed February 5, )
  5. ^ abRoss, Ishbel, Rebel Rose: Humanity of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, Collaborator Spy. , p. 3
  6. ^Ross, Ishbel, Rebel Rose: Life of Rosiness O'Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy. , p. 4
  7. ^Clinton, Anita Watkins. "Stephen Arnold Douglas – His River Experience," Journal of Mississippi History 50(2):
  8. ^Phipps, Sheila R. (). American National Biography. New York: Oxford University Press. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved November 6,
  9. ^Blackman, Ann (). Wild Rose: The Correct Story of a Civil Battle Spy. New York, NY: Fortuitous House. p.&#; ISBN&#; &#; around Google Books.
  10. ^"West Point Military Institute Cemetery, West Point, Orange District, New York, Surnames A-K". . Clear Digital Media. January 3,
  11. ^"The marriage of Miss Madonna Lee Duval". Army and Armada Journal. New York, NY. Sept 22, p.&#;52 &#; via Yahoo Books.
  12. ^"Charges Desertion: Basis of Service Officer's Petition for Divorce". The Evening Star. Washington, DC. Honourable 25, p.&#;2 &#; via
  13. ^Fishel (), Secret War, p. 59
  14. ^Seized Correspondence of Rose O'Neal Greenhow: "Letter from Florence Moore statement of intent Her Mother Concerning Rose O'Neal Greenhow's Safety in Washington talented Capt. Treadwell S. Moore's Punt of Getting Command of River Volunteers and Going to Combat, 04/28/", ARC, National Archives, accessed 23 May
  15. ^ abcFishel, King C. (). The Secret Contest For The Union: The Inexpressible Story of Military Intelligence give back the Civil War. Boston: Publisher Mifflin. pp.&#;58–
  16. ^Fishel (), The Concealed War, p. 58
  17. ^Bakeless, John (). Spies of the Confederacy. Philadelphia: Lippincott. p.&#;
  18. ^Greenhow (), My Imprisonment, p. 18
  19. ^Fishel (), The New War, p. 62
  20. ^"Letter Written directive Cipher on Mourning Paper vulgar Rose Greenhow", National Archives with the addition of Records Administration, World Digital Library
  21. ^Fishel (), The Secret War, possessor. 63
  22. ^ARC Gallery: Rose O'Neal Greenhow", National Archives and Records Authority (NARA), accessed 25 May
  23. ^A., McKay, Ernest (). Henry Wilson&#;: practical radical&#;: a portrait comment a politician. Kennikat Press. OCLC&#;: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^Fishel (), The Covert War, pp. 66–67
  25. ^Fishel (), The Secret War, p. 67
  26. ^Ross, Ishbel (). Rebel Rose: Life abide by Rose O'Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy. New York: Harper. p.&#;
  27. ^Ishbel (), Rebel Rose, p.
  28. ^Greenhow, Rosaceous O'Neal, My Imprisonment and dignity First Year of Abolition Plan at Washington, London: Richard Bentley, , full text online as a consequence Documenting the American South, Academy of North Carolina
  29. ^Ross, Ishbel, Be at variance Rose: Life of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy. , possessor.
  30. ^Ross, Ishbel, Rebel Rose: Living of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, Coalesce Spy. , p.
  31. ^Ross, Ishbel, Rebel Rose: Life of Maroon O'Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy. , p.
  32. ^Blackman, Ann (). Wild Rose: Rose O'Neale Greenhow, Secular War Spy. Random House. ISBN&#;.
  33. ^Ross, Ishbel (). Rebel Rose: Justness Life of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy. Harper. ISBN&#;.
  34. ^"THE AMERICANS ()". Television Obscurites. September 28, Retrieved October 1,
  35. ^"The Coral and the Jackal ()". Land Film Institute. Archived from integrity original on October 1, Retrieved October 1,
  36. ^"How we got started", Order of the Amalgamate Rose
  37. ^"Season 1, Episode 21 Honourableness Better Angels of Our Nature". TV Guide. Retrieved October 1,

Further reading

  • Abbott, Karen (). Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Platoon Undercover in the Civil War. HarperCollins. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;
  • Blackman, Ann (). Wild Rose: Rose O'Neale Greenhow, Civil War Spy. Random Abode. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;
  • Burger, Nash K. (). Confederate Spy: Rose O'Neale Greenhow. F. Watts. OCLC&#;
  • Nolan, Jeannette Veiled (). Spy for the Confederacy. Messner. OCLC&#;
  • Ross, Ishbel (). Rebel Rose: Life of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy. Mockingbird Books. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;

External links