Frances Clayton
Frances Louis Clayton, also known as Frances Clalin, was an American woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for the Union Army in the American Civil War.
There were other women who disguised themselves as men to fight for either the Confederate or Union army. Perhaps the primary reason to stay with their husbands was for financial gain. During the period of the Civil War, there was a need for these women to gain some military pay and rations, as employment for a woman was difficult.
Under the alias Jack Williams, Frances joined a Missouri regiment along with her husband and fought in several battles. Serving in both cavalry and artillery units, the couple fought together in at least 18 battles.
While in uniform she adapted to such male vices as drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco, swearing and gambling. In the service, she became an “accomplished horseman” and a “capital swordsman.”
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In 1862, she fought in the Battle of Stones River, where her husband was killed during a charge. The news stories report that she did not stop fighting, and stepped over his body to continue the charge.
Clayton’s story only became known after her service, and was reported in several newspaper stories, although these accounts all contain contradictory information.
Clayton was discharged in Louisville in 1863, shortly after her husband’s death. She told reporters that she was never discovered as a woman and that her exploits as a soldier were as outstanding as any man in her unit.
Following her discharge, Frances collected her and her husband’s back pay from the Union. However, on Clayton’s return to her home in Missouri, the train on which she was a passenger was ambushed by Confederate guerrillas who took her money and papers.
Records indicate that she finally settled in Quincy, Illinois, and being without her back pay, and having no relatives on whom she could receive assistance, a collection was held to assist her financially. The last report of Frances Clayton was that she traveled to Washington, D.C. and was never heard from again.
Several photographs of Frances Clayton are known to exist. Two were taken in Boston and are now in the possession of the Boston Public Library. One shows Clayton in women’s clothing, while the other depicts her in uniform.