Birds on the Brain

tuesday-johnson:

ca. 1880’s, [cabinet card of Mary Walker wearing her medal of honor], Collins Studio

“An 1855 graduate of Syracuse Medical College, Mary Walker was an author and early feminist who gained distinction during the Civil War as a humanitarian, surgeon and spy. Walker was actually appointed surgeon of the 52nd OVI in 1863 by General Thomas in recognition of her skills and was captured in 1864 and ultimately exchanged for a Confederate officer “man for man.” She was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in January 1866 on the personal recommendation of General Sherman and refused to part with it when it was revoked for “unusual circumstances” along with numerous other Civil War medals in 1917. Dr. Walker died in 1919 and it was not until 1977 that President Carter officially reinstated the award. Mary Walker remains the only woman recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

via Cowan’s Auctions