Explains how hundred of women assumed male aliases, disguised themselves in men's uniforms, and charged into battle as Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

"Entrenched in secrecy : women soldiers of the Civil War --1. "They fought like demons" : a military history of women in combat -- 2. "To dress and go as a soldier" : means and motivations -- 3. "A fine looking soldier" : life in the ranks -- 4. "Fairly earned her epaulettes" : women soldiers in the military service -- 5. "Why they detained her I can't imagine" : the prisoner of war experience -- 6. "I would rather have been shot dead" : women soldiers as casualties of war -- 7. "A congenital peculiarity" : women discovered in the ranks -- 8. "Romantic young ladies " : female soldiers in the public consciousness -- 9. When Jennie came marching home : women soldiers in the postwar years -- 10. Beyond heroes or harlots : the changing historical perspective -- "I love my country" : a summation of women's military service. Introduction: "Entrenched in secrecy: women soldiers of the Civil War -- "They fought like demons" : a military history of women in combat -- "To dress and go as a soldier": means and motivations -- "A fine looking soldier": life in the ranks -- "Fairly earned her epaulettes": women soldiers in the military service -- "Why they detained her I can't imagine": the prisoner of war experience -- "I would rather have been shot dead": women soldiers as casualties of war -- "A congenital peculiarity": women discovered in the ranks -- "Romantic young ladies ": female soldiers in the public consciousness -- When Jennie came marching home: women soldiers in the postwar years -- Beyond heroes or harlots: the changing historical perspective -- Conclusion: "I love my country": a summation of women's military service.