SPIES AMONG US

By Terri Cowart Frazier | The Vicksburg

Unbeknownst to many a Union soldier, there were spies among them — women spies.

Perhaps the guile of these women went unnoticed due to the notion a “lady” would never behave in such a fashion. Or maybe these soldiers were just unaware of their capabilities.

One of these female spies was Vicksburg resident Emma Kline. Kline’s actions came following the surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863.

Described as “hostile in spirit” by Vicksburg native and author Jeff Giambrone, Kline was among a group of women who smuggled muchneeded supplies out of Vicksburg into an area east of the Big Black River, which was still held by the Confederacy.

In doing so, she was arrested for smuggling by Alonzo L. Brown,