There have been women on the front lines in very bloody, close combat wars, like the Civil War (The War of Northern Aggression), where women fought on both sides. They killed the enemy with close range weapons and fought right alongside the men.
Nonsense.
Clad in Uniform
Women Soldiers of the Civil War
By
Wendy A. King
An adaptation of the original booklet [© 1992]
By the author
For the 32nd Virginia Inf. Co. H reenactment group
Internet Homepage,
THE WOMAN SOLDIER
(Remember Me)
Once I stood in ranks of Blue.
Once I stood in ranks of Gray.
Fighting for a cause so true
Wondering - Who would remember me today?
Disguised as man; filled with alarm.
An enemy's bullet could yet slay
This woman's life - or cause me harm.
Who would remember me today?
The missiles, they whistle through the air.
A "rebel yell" from those in gray.
The victor's shout, the loser's despair.
Who would remember me today?
A last volley sent from hidden lines.
Oh sudden shock! Life fades away.
Crimson springs from this body mine.
Pray - Who would remember me today?
Please lay me in a grave, unmarked
And place me where my comrades lay.
Remember this battle with a park
And please, remember me today.
Some were found out and discharged; some were found out, but allowed to remain; and some served their enlistment during the war completely undiscovered. Albert Cashier, born Irene Hodgers in Ireland, spent the entire war in the guise of a man, and continued in that disguise almost until her dying day in 1915.
Information about these unique women is extremely scarce. A woman enlisting in either army disguised herself as a man by cutting her hair short, wearing men's clothing, binding her chest, and taking a man's name. She did her best to act like a man so as not to draw attention to herself or her sex. Those who were successful in their disguise and died in combat were known only by their male identity. Most of their real names are lost to history.
http://www.geocities.com/reenactor.geo/cladinuniform.htmThe site also has a list of some of their names.