I Spy: Women Betraying Friends
Civil War Cannon
Integrity is a core value in the Hoge family. Down through history, it was a standard the Hoge’s held of themselves. It is currently defined by the family as, “We live by the Golden Rule, never compromising the truth. We communicate openly, and our actions are consistent with our words.” It wasn’t one that friends necessarily defined the same way. What happens when a friend deceives a friend and/or spouse?
Women spies played a significant role in the American Civil War, both on the Union and Confederate sides. They gathered valuable intelligence by infiltrating enemy territory and obtaining information that could be used to gain strategic advantages on the battlefield. Many women used their gender to their advantage, as they were less likely to be suspected of espionage. But does deceiving friends to obtain information cross the line of Integrity?
Mary Caroline Allan, also known as "Caroline," was a Union spy during the American Civil War. She was born in 1833 in Cincinnati, OH. Her husband, Patterson Allan, was a respected Virginian in Richmond and served as a Confederate soldier. However, Caroline stayed with a friend during the war and obtained key information about General Lee’s plan to invade Pennsylvania. Because of the information, the Union intercepted Lee’s forces at the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the war.
Andrew Hoge, son of James Fulton Hoge died at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a sharp shooter.
Who was that friend? Mrs. Susan Morton Wood Hoge, Rev. Moses Drury Hoge’s wife. While staying in Richmond with the Hoge’s, Caroline corresponded with her friends and family in Cincinnati. She was accused of “treasonable correspondence with the enemy” after she enclosed a separate letter directed to Rev. Morgan Dix, son of Union General John A. Dix. In the letter, she gave her advice about the various plantations that sympathized with the rebellion calling for their arrest. She recommended locations to hide guns and other strategies for “crushing” the rebellion. Once the letter was intercepted, a guard was stationed outside of the Hoge’s residence for her arrest.
Fortunately, it was well documented that Rev. Moses Drury Hoge was in Europe obtaining Bibles for the Southern soldiers and not associated with Caroline’s betrayal of the Confederacy, her friends, and her husband. She never went to prison but was released on her own recognizance at their Goochland farm, Allan’s homestead, since her husband put up a $100,000 bond. Once the war was over, the case was moot, so she was released from all charges. She soon left her husband and the Richmond farm for Cincinnati, OH.
After the war, Allen continued to work as a spy, this time for the United States Secret Service. She also worked as a nurse and a social reformer, advocating for women's suffrage and temperance. Allan died in 1897 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
The scandal of such a prominent Virginia family betraying so many would not meet the definition of Integrity as defined by the family. But the dictionary definition is “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” By that definition, she had the personal Integrity to do what she felt was the morally right thing to do for her Country.
How would you define Integrity, and would you have the courage to follow your core values?
