Mary & Mollie Bell

Battle of Cedar Creek

Two cousins, Mary and Mollie Bell, fought for the Confederacy as Pvts. Bob Martin and Tom Parker. They enlisted in the cavalry company, were captured by Union forces and were rescued by John Hunt Morgan's men. They next enlisted in the 36th Virginia Infantry.

A regimental historian of the 36th Virginia reports that while on picket duty, "Martin" killed three Yankees and was promoted to Corporal. At Belle Grove during the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, their captain (in whom they had confided) was captured. When they tried to confide in the lieutenant who took command, he turned them in to General Early who admitted there were at least six other women in his army. Though Parker and Martin had served under Early for two years, he put them on a train to Richmond where they spent three weeks in Castle Thunder Prison before being sent home to Pulaski County, Virginia ... still in their uniforms.

Interviews with their former comrades confirmed that Parker and Martin had been "valiant soldiers" who never shirked their duty.