Born: January 31, 1842 (Winchester, Virginia)
Died: May 15, 1914
Rebecca McPherson Wright Bonsal (January 31, 1838 or 1842 – May 15, 1914) was an American Quaker teacher who played a significant role during the American Civil War. She was fired from her teaching position due to her loyalty to the Union cause and went on to provide crucial intelligence to the Union Army. Bonsal’s intelligence helped Union Generals Philip Sheridan and George Crook defeat Confederate General Jubal Early in the crucial Third Battle of Winchester in September 1864.
Born in Winchester, Virginia, Rebecca Wright was the oldest surviving child of Amos Wright, a furniture manufacturer, and Rachel Wright. The Wright family were Quakers and members of the Hopewell Meeting, who did not own slaves. Rebecca received her education in Winchester and also spent a year at the Friends School in nearby Loudoun County, under the guidance of Samuel Janney.
During the 1850 federal census, the Wright family consisted of Rebecca, her three younger brothers, and a young sister. However, by 1860, the older boys were no longer living with the family, likely due to conscription. In the 1860 census, the Wright household included Amos, Rachel, their daughters, their son John, a domestic servant, and two other families.
When the American Civil War broke out, Rebecca Wright was already an experienced teacher. She had been teaching children since the age of 15 and had spent three years teaching at the Hopewell Meeting’s school. During the war, Winchester changed hands multiple times, with three major battles occurring nearby. While most townspeople sympathized with the Confederacy, Bonsal remained loyal to the Union cause.
In March 1862, Confederate troops arrested Rebecca’s father, Amos, who was a leading Union sympathizer and had opposed secession the previous year. He was brought into town along with Smith Gilkeson and Jason Rea, and there were fears that they would be lynched. It is possible that Amos Wright died in a Confederate prison in 1864.
Despite the dangers and difficulties of her situation, Rebecca Wright continued her involvement in education and intelligence-gathering. She taught at the Hopewell Meeting’s school and also assisted at Powell’s Academy, a private school in Winchester. Her loyalty to the Union cause placed her in constant danger, as Confederate sympathizers were prevalent in the area.
Bonsal’s most significant contribution to the Union cause came during the Third Battle of Winchester in September 1864. She provided important intelligence to Union Generals Philip Sheridan and George Crook, which assisted them in defeating Confederate General Jubal Early. Her information played a crucial role in the Union victory during this decisive battle.
Unfortunately, the retaliation she had feared from Confederate sympathizers in Winchester proved well-founded. In early 1867, Rebecca Wright wore a brooch given to her by General Sheridan, which her Confederate-sympathizing sister revealed to a reporter. As a result, a newspaper article was published, leading to the social ostracism of Rebecca Wright and a boycott of the boarding house her mother ran with her daughters’ help. The family was forced to leave Winchester and move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Despite her remarkable contributions, Rebecca Wright was denied a soldier’s pension due to her gender. Efforts by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens and General Sheridan to secure a pension for her were unsuccessful. Undeterred, Bonsal accepted a clerical job at the U.S. Treasury Department and relocated to Washington, D.C. She eventually married a Union veteran and continued working until shortly before her death.
Rebecca McPherson Wright Bonsal was a resilient and determined woman who defied societal expectations and risked her safety to support the Union cause during the American Civil War. Her courage and intelligence-gathering efforts played a crucial role in several Union victories, particularly during the Third Battle of Winchester. Although she faced significant challenges and discrimination, Bonsal persevered and continued to contribute to society throughout her life.