Frank Martin was female soldier
whose true identity was never known

By DR. JUDY PIERCE
Bugle Staff Writer

Private Frank Martin was one of the most mysterious female soldiers during the Civil War because her true identity remains unknown.

Although she was discovered twice as being a female, she never once revealed her true name.

Pvt. Martin was born in Bristol, Pa., around 1845 and was raised in Allegheny City to highly respected parents. Since society had a low opinion of women who dressed as men and entered the war, she never revealed her true identity to protect her family from embarrassment.

Martin was sent to a convent in Wheeling, W.Va., when she was 12 years old for a traditional education. She remained at the convent until the Civil War began in 1861.  Early in 1862, Martin returned home to visit her parents in Allegheny City where she remained for several months. Afterward, she headed to Louisville with the idea of enlisting as a private in the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry.

Like other female soldiers in the Civil War, Martin cut her long, auburn hair short and dressed as a man. She enlisted in the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry that was organized at Murfreesboro in July 1862. The regiment was mustered into Federal service in October, as part of the Army of the Cumberland. Pvt. Martin served with the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry until the Battle of Stone’s River.

The bloody Battle of Stone’s River or Murfreesboro was fought on Dec. 31, 1862 through Jan. 3, 1863. The Union army was commanded by Gen. William S. Rosecrans (“Old Rosie”) and the Confederate troops under Gen. Braxton Bragg. After the battle, Union army causalities were 1,730 men killed, 7,802 wounded and 3,717 missing in action. The Confederate troops had 1,294 killed, 7,945 wounded and 1,027 missing.

Pvt. Martin fought in the thickest part of the battle. While attempting to cross Stone’s River into Murfreesboro, many Union soldiers were wounded or killed by the Confederate soldiers. Martin did successfully cross the river, but was severely wounded in the shoulder and was taken to the regimental hospital where the doctor discovered she was a woman.

Gen. Rosecrans was immediately notified by the physician of his discovery and Pvt. Martin was promptly mustered out of the regiment even though she begged and pleaded with the general to allow her stay and serve with the regiment. Rosecrans arranged for Martin to obtain some female attire and provided safe transportation for her back to Bristol, Pa.

After leaving the Army of the Cumberland, Pvt. Martin vowed to enlist in the first regiment she could find. When she arrived in Bowling Green, Martin found the 8th Michigan Infantry encampment. She enlisted as Pvt. Frank Martin again and was willingly accepted by the Michigan unit. Martin was described as 18 years old, a seasoned veteran, an excellent soldier and a good scout who had endured many hardships of war. She was of medium height, with auburn hair, blue eyes, fair complexion bronzed by the sun, well-educated and soft-spoken. Martin was an excellent horseman and, as a result, became the regimental bugler while with the 8th Michigan.

While escorting Confederate prisoners to Louisville in 1863, a Col. Mundy, commander of the 25th Michigan Infantry, noticed Martin as being intelligent and a resourceful soldier. Mundy was so impressed that he had Martin detailed to the 25th Infantry. Martin won the respect of his superior officers and was highly regarded by the regiment.

After a brief time with the 25th Michigan Regiment, Martin was discovered as being a woman. A soldier who had been raised in her hometown recognized her, remembering not only her, but her parents. He reported her to the regimental commander and Martin pleaded to be allowed to remain and serve. Based on her past record as an excellent soldier, Mundy allowed her to remain in the regiment.

Martin advised the regimental officers that she had discovered a large number of women soldiers in the army and also informed them that she had assisted in burying three female soldiers during the battles in which she fought.

Since Pvt. Martin’s gender was known, she could no longer fight in battles and was assigned to work in field hospitals for the remainder of the war.