Emeline Pigott (1836 - 1916)

• Confederate agent who lived on a farm along the North Carolina coast.
• Covertly gathered and distributed mail, food, medicine, and clothing for Confederate troops.
• Hosted socials for Union soldiers and local fishermen; these parties provided valuable intelligence concerning Federal military and naval installations.
• Concealed pieces of paper with intelligence information, along with a variety of contraband items, within the folds of her clothing and pockets of her hoop skirt; at times, carried as much as 30 extra pounds.
• Came under suspicion in 1865 as a spy.
• When unexpectedly confronted, was able to swallow some incriminating documents she was relaying; other hidden objects were discovered in her skirt.
• Imprisoned for spying and faced the death penalty; was eventually released with no explanation.
• Activities were carefully monitored by Union forces during the remainder of the war.

• Using the alias Frank Thompson, enlisted in the Second Michigan Infantry disguised as a man.
• Performed espionage missions behind Confederate lines in Yorktown.
• After coloring her head, hands, and arms with silver nitrate, infiltrated enemy lines as a black man.
• During one three-day mission, gathered information on troop locations,
  movements, and military supplies.