The Amazing Maria Lewis

One of the Civil War’s Boldest Disguises—and Greatest Escapes

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Maria Lewis was, by all accounts, one of the most unlikely soldiers to carry a gun in the American Civil War. She was an escaped slave, a woman, and underage—each of these alone would have been enough to bar someone from enlisting. Together, they created an obstacle as daunting as scaling Mount Everest.

But Lewis was no ordinary person—she was resourceful, determined, and willing to risk everything for a new life.

Born into slavery in Albemarle County, Virginia, around 1846, Lewis saw an opportunity where few could imagine one existed. When Union forces arrived in October 1863, the 17-year-old seized her chance at freedom by disguising herself as a “darkly tanned” white man. Taking the alias George Harris - a name inspired by the heroic escapee in Uncle Tom’s Cabin - she enlisted in Company C of the 8th New York Cavalry.

But Maria wasn't content to merely blend in. What had started as a desperate bid to escape north soon transformed into an audacious, 18-month military career—one that defied expectations at every turn.

She and her regiment fought in Brigadier General George A. Custer's division of General Phil Sheridan’s cavalry corps, burning supply lines, destroying railroads, and engaging in fierce skirmishes. On March 2, 1865, she rode into the Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia, where her unit fought dismounted and captured 500 Confederate soldiers and seized 17 battle flags. Her courage under fire earned her a spot in the honor guard selected to present the captured flags to Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton—a moment of glory during her time in uniform.

Following her service, Maria revealed her true identity to the family of a fellow soldier, 2nd Lieutenant Lewis V. Griffin. Meeting his sister, Julia Wilbur, Maria confessed her story and expressed a desire to return to “womanly ways and occupations.” Julia - astonished yet moved - helped Maria adjust to life out of uniform, providing her with clothing and assisting her as she transitioned into a new chapter.

Maria’s journey embodies resilience, resourcefulness, and an unwavering desire for freedom. Though little is known about her life after the war, her legacy as a trailblazer—a black woman who fought for the Union Army disguised as a white male soldier—lives on as an extraordinary testament to courage and fortitude.

This was one of the millions of forgotten stories from the Irrepressible Conflict.

Mac

═══ ⚔ 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒔 ⚑ ═══  

Works Cited

[1] Blanton, Deanne and Cook, Laren M. (2003) They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the Civil War. New York City, NY: Vintage Books. p.67.

[2] Hart, Sandra Merville. "Historical Nibbles: Civil War Women: Maria Lewis, Former Slave and Union Soldier, August 8, 2019". Sandra Merville Hart website. Retrieved April 21, 2025.