Guts for Glory

JoAnna Lapati's "Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman" brings to life one of the most remarkable true stories from the American Civil War. The book chronicles the experiences of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, a young woman who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Union Army during one of the nation's most turbulent periods. Wakeman enlisted under the male alias Lyons Wakeman and served with the 153rd New York State Volunteers, maintaining her secret throughout her military service until her death in 1864.

Lapati draws extensively from the preserved letters that Wakeman sent to her family back home in New York, providing readers with an intimate window into the soldier's thoughts, fears, and daily experiences. These letters, discovered over a century after the war ended, offer a unique firsthand account of both the realities of Civil War military life and the extraordinary lengths to which Wakeman went to preserve her male identity. The author's careful use of this primary source material lends authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative, allowing Wakeman's own voice to emerge throughout the story.

The book examines the economic circumstances that led Wakeman to make her unusual choice. Coming from a struggling farm family in upstate New York, Wakeman saw military service as an opportunity to earn money and help support her relatives. The enlistment bounty and soldier's pay represented financial resources that would have been far more difficult for a woman to obtain through conventional employment at the time. Lapati contextualizes this decision within the broader social and economic landscape of mid-nineteenth century America, helping readers understand the limited options available to working-class women.

Throughout the narrative, Lapati explores how Wakeman navigated the challenges of maintaining her disguise in close military quarters. The book details the practical aspects of this deception, from binding her chest to adopting masculine mannerisms and speech patterns. Camp life, with its lack of privacy and constant proximity to fellow soldiers, presented ongoing risks of discovery. The author handles these details with sensitivity while acknowledging the constant tension Wakeman must have experienced.

The military service itself receives substantial attention, with descriptions of Wakeman's experiences in camp, on the march, and in combat situations. The 153rd New York participated in various operations in Louisiana and along the Red River, and Wakeman's letters home reveal both her growing confidence as a soldier and her matter-of-fact attitude toward the dangers she faced. Lapati effectively conveys the physical hardships of military life during this period, including inadequate rations, disease, harsh weather conditions, and the psychological toll of warfare.

Particularly poignant is the book's treatment of Wakeman's final months. She fell ill during the Red River Campaign in Louisiana, likely contracting chronic diarrhea or dysentery, diseases that claimed more Civil War soldiers than battlefield injuries. Wakeman died in a military hospital in New Orleans in June 1864, and her secret died with her. The hospital records list her as Lyons Wakeman, and she was buried under her assumed male identity. Only through the later discovery of her letters did historians and the public learn the truth about her gender and her remarkable story.

Lapati's writing style makes this historical account accessible to a broad readership, including younger audiences interested in Civil War history or stories of unconventional historical figures. The prose remains clear and engaging without sensationalizing or romanticizing Wakeman's experiences. The author presents the facts as they are known and refrains from excessive speculation about Wakeman's inner motivations or personal identity beyond what can be reasonably inferred from the historical record.

The book also touches on the broader phenomenon of women who served as soldiers during the Civil War. While exact numbers remain unknown, historians have documented several hundred cases of women who disguised themselves as men to enlist in both Union and Confederate forces. Wakeman's story represents one of the most well-documented examples, thanks to the survival of her correspondence. Lapati's work contributes to the growing recognition of these overlooked participants in American military history.

"Guts for Glory" succeeds in rescuing Rosetta Wakeman's story from obscurity and presenting it to contemporary readers in an engaging, respectful manner. The book serves as both a biographical account of one individual's extraordinary choices and a window into the broader social history of the Civil War era. It raises questions about gender, economic necessity, patriotism, and the diverse experiences of those who participated in this defining American conflict. For readers interested in Civil War history, women's history, or compelling true stories of courage and determination, Lapati's work offers a valuable and moving contribution.