Female reenactors as soldiers?

[Tarbicus]

Well, my experience hangs mainly in reenacting the American Civil War, but I'll humbly if I may share my experiences there.

I was at a very small unit back home early in my reenacting career. My own kit had much to be desired, but I was getting an eye for what was right and what was not. What really annoyed me was a Union artillery unit that had no less than three very obvious women in the ranks. Their hair was worn long (in one case in braids) and their clothing was form-fitting enough to be modern. This left a bad taste in my mouth, and that night as I was sitting around the camp fire I mentioned this fact to a gentleman on my left. His kit was (as far as memory serves) excellent, and while his hair was long it was cut in the masculine fashion and matched his beard. We spoke at length about improving my impression and he spoke with knowledge and patience and understanding and I learned very much. It wasn't till the next day after the battle that I went to thank him and noticed that his beard had started to come off at a corner, and "his" husband had to help "him" put it back into place.

Happened in reality, too, including husbands joining up with wives and keeping it a secret. One woman was so highly thought of that after she was de-mobbed once exposed, she was granted her military pension by the President.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Secret+wa ... a095843735
http://www.archives.gov/publications/pr ... war-1.html
http://www.hallrichard.com/civilwomen.htm
http://civilwarwomen.blogspot.com/2006/ ... l-war.html

Disguised as a man (left), Frances Clayton served many months in Missouri artillery and cavalry units.
(By courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library)

http://www.archives.gov/publications/pr ... war-1.html