American Civil War Fact Twenty One

Dr Mary Edwards Walker was the first female surgeon in U.S. military history and the only woman to date to receive the Medal of Honor. She graduated from Medical School in 1855 and when the war started she volunteered for the Union army. She was initially only allowed to serve as a nurse. In September of 1863 she was contracted as a civilian assistance surgeon by the Army of the Cumberland. Dr Walker was later appointed as an assistant surgeon to the 52nd Ohio Infantry. On April 10, 1864 she was captured by Confederate troops and arrested as a spy and remained imprisoned until August 12, 1864 when she was released as part of a prisoner exchange. 

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