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Sarah Emma Edmonson was born in Magaguadavic, New Brunswick Province, Canada
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At some time in the 1850s, she came to the United States after her father had discovered her whereabouts. She later became private Frank Thompson to disguise herself even more.
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Abraham Lincoln accepts his Republican nomination and gives his famous quote- "A house divided against itself cannot stand".
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Abraham Lincoln wins the presidential election with no electoral votes from the South, but an overwhelming number in the North.
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South Carolina votes 169-0, seceding from the Union. This caused a domino effect in which other states quickly began to secede.
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At 4:30 am, Confederate guns fired on Fort Sumter. After 34 hours of attack, the Union fort surrendered.
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The First Battle of Bull Run occurs near Manassass, Virginia. People had picnics on the battle front, thinking that the war wwould shortly be over and their side would win without any problem or competition. The war did not end end and people realized it would not be a quick war.
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Emma was appointed by her regiment to be mail carrier. She was later appointed to postmaster.
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From April 5th to May 4, Emma's regiment took part in the siege of Yorktown. Yorktown eventually fell to the Union.
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President Lincoln signed the emacipation proclamation, immediately freeing slaves in Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia, but not in all other states. It was signed to free slaves in rebelling areas.
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Emma came down with a case of malaria from going through swamps to Confederate camps. She had to desert her regiment, or else they would put her in a hospital. If she was put in a hospital, her disguise would be discovered.
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General Robert E. Lee's army invades the North. His troops meet those of George G. Meade and this is the largest battle in the western hemisphere. Confederate troops suffered 30,000 casualties. Lee neverr took the offense again.
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The Confederate forces at Vicksburg surrender to Ulysses S. Grant's army, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River
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General Ulysses S. Grant assumes command of the Union army. He is the second general to take command and his leadership leads to more victories
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Emma published a book, "Nurse and Spy in the Union Army" about her adventures in the war. This book was written from a women's pint of view, but she never mentioned her disguise. This book sold over 175,000 copies in its day.
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General Robert E. surrenders his Confederate forces at Appamatox Courthouse to Ulysses S. Grant
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At some time in 1867, Sarah Emma Edmonds married Linus Seelye, a mechanic. They had three children.
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After eight years, Emma, under the name "Franklin Thompson", was awarded a veteran's pension of $12 a month and the act of desertion was removed from her record.
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In 1897, Emma was given a position in the Grand Army of the Republic. She was the first and only woman to recieve this honor
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Sarah Emma Edmonds Seelye died in her home in La Porte, Texas, where she was buried. She was later reburied in Houston's Washington cemetery with military honors.
