Rose o'Neal Greenhow Tells Her Spy and How She Became a Spy for the Confederate During the Civil War

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My name is Rose O’Neal Greenhow, and during the American Civil War, I was one of the most notorious spies for the Confederacy. Some called me a traitor, others called me a patriot, but one thing is certain—I was willing to risk everything for my cause. Let me tell you my story.

I was born in 1814 in Maryland, but I spent much of my life in Washington, D.C. I grew up in a wealthy, slave-owning family and was well-educated, which wasn’t common for women at the time. I married Dr. Robert Greenhow, a respected government official, and together we became part of Washington’s elite society. We attended parties, met influential leaders, and became friends with powerful politicians, including President James Buchanan.

But everything changed when my husband died in 1854, leaving me a widow with children to care for. As tensions between the North and South grew, I found myself siding with the Confederacy. I believed in the Southern way of life, and when the Civil War began in 1861, I was eager to help. With my connections in Washington, I became a Confederate spy, passing valuable military information to the South.

I didn’t work alone—I led a secret spy ring of women and men who gathered intelligence from Union officials. My most important success came before the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) in 1861. I sent a coded message to General P.G.T. Beauregard, warning him about the Union Army’s movements. Because of this, the Confederates were prepared and won a major victory. Even Confederate President Jefferson Davis credited me with helping secure the win.

But my activities didn’t go unnoticed. Allan Pinkerton, head of the Union’s Secret Service, was suspicious of me. In August 1861, I was arrested and placed under house arrest. Even then, I continued spying, sending messages from my window and hiding notes inside small objects. Eventually, the Union sent me to Old Capitol Prison, where I remained for several months. Despite the hardships, I never lost my loyalty to the South.

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln’s government decided to release me and sent me to the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia. I was welcomed as a hero. Jefferson Davis even sent me to Europe to gain support for the Southern cause. I met with British and French leaders, wrote a book about my experiences, and did everything I could to rally international sympathy for the Confederacy.

By 1864, I was ready to return home, but fate had other plans. While trying to slip past a Union blockade off the coast of North Carolina, my ship was pursued. In a desperate attempt to escape, I jumped into the water, carrying gold and secret documents. The weight of the gold dragged me under, and I drowned. That was the end of my story, but not my legacy.

Looking back, I know my actions were controversial. Some see me as a brave woman who fought for her beliefs; others see me as someone who betrayed her country. History is not always simple. But if there’s one lesson you can take from my life, it’s that conviction and courage can shape the course of history—no matter who you are. Thank you for listening.

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