Rose greenhow confederate spy

Washington socialite, confidante of Senator John C. Name variations: Wild Rose, Rebel Rose. Moved as an infant to Montgomery County, Maryland, after the murder of her father; moved to Washington, D. Hill c. On the eve of the Civil War , in the District of Columbia, Rose Greenhow had a reputation for witty repartee and political intrigue. Her intelligence and vivacity, in addition to her carefully nurtured connections to men of power, made her easily the most influential and persuasive woman in the capital.

Rose o neal greenhow britannica

Wild Rose, as she was called by friends and detractors alike, had a gregarious charm and a striking appearance which made it easy for the men of Washington to overlook her Southern secessionist sympathies. For almost 30 years, Greenhow had cultivated the friendship of political greats and military rising stars. She moved with ease in the highest social circles and counted among her intimates many of the city's elite, including diplomats, senators, congressional representatives, cabinet secretaries, generals, and U.

I employed every capacity with which God has endowed me, and the result was far more successful than my hopes could have flattered me to expect. After the secession of the Southern states, Greenhow remained in Washington to begin a career as one of the most successful spies of the Civil War. An outspoken Southern sympathizer, she was happy to capitalize on her access to information carelessly spoken by friends in high places.