Blog

When we shift from historic individuals to literary figures, there's a corresponding shift in the emphasis within types of motifs. The reasons women might choose to pass as men in real life were often economic or practical. In literature, there must be a reason that is important to the plot. Given how (relatively) common it was in real life, cross-dressing to join the military is fairly rare in fiction, outside of the specific genre of "female cabin boy" ballads. And when literary cross-dressing is done for the purpose of establishing a same-sex romantic or domestic relationship, it is typically either played as fraud or played for humor. Historic women who passed in male occupations might be inspired by the wage gap, but in literature they more typically represent a commentary on gender essentialism (either for or against).

This first group of examples don't touch on the same-sex possibilities of the masquerade, or at least, not as the primary function. If you notice a rather large number of 19th century German novels included, that's due to the very detailed examination of this genre in Krimmer. The next group to be covered will be the somewhat more exciting category of cross-dressing situations that create either the appearance or the reality of same-sex attraction and love.

For the permanent Tag Essay on Literary Cross-dressing with associate tag-links, click here.

Literary Cross-dressing: General

This groups covers works that include cross-dressing that don't fall in one of the more specific categories. That is, although the cross-dressing may challenge gender norms or represent appropriation of male prerogatives, in these works theres is not a focus on creating the potential for same-sex erotics (although it may be a minor element). The examples included here only scratch the surface of this motif in literature, and there is some skewing toward particular literary contexts, such as 19th century Germany, because of the publications that they've been drawn from. Unlike the historic examples of cross-dressing, I haven't separated out the military examples.

• A New System of Freedom (Charlotte von Stein) - 19th century German novel with subversive, cross-dressing working class characters.
• Albert und Albertine (Friederike Unger) - 19th century German novel in which foreign cross-dressing woman critiques gender concepts.
• Brynhildr - The valkyrie Brynhildr has connections to the “maiden warrior” motif appearing in medieval Norse sources, which typically includes cross-dressing.
• Cheat upon Cheat - An English ballad (1683) involving marriage to a cross-dressed woman.
• Clemens Brentano's Spring Wreath (Bettina Brentano-von Arnim) - 19th century German epistolary novel that interrogates gender with several characters including a cross-dressing amazonian figure.
• Comical News from Bloomsbury - An English ballad (1690) involving marriage to a cross-dressed woman.
• Conte du Roi Flore et de la belle Jehane - 13th century Fraco-Flemish romance in which a calumniated wife cross-dresses to serve her husband as his squire.
• Darthula According to Ossian (Karoline von Günderrode) - 19th century German heroic poem in which a princess cross-dresses to avenge her family.
• Decameron (Boccacio) - 14th century Italian collection of tales, including one about the Zinevra, who cross-dresses to redeem her good name.
• Eddas - A collection of early medieval Norse tales, including some involving a woman cross-dressing and taking a male role to avenge a father.
• Fiesco's Conspiracy at Genoa (Friedrich Schiller) - 18th century German novel that includes themes of cross-dressing and gender.
• Florentin (Dorothea Schlegel) - 19th century German novel that includes themes of cross-dressing and gender.
• Franz Sternbald's Migrations (Ludwig Tieck) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• From the Life of a Good-for-Nothing (Joseph von Eichendorff) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Godwi (Clemens Brentano) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Goethe's Correspondence with a Child  (Bettina Brentano-von Arnim) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing and gender-bending themes.
• Gynaikeion (Thomas Heywood) - This1624 English medical text recounts a story of a 2nd century Athenian woman who cross-dresses to become a surgeon.
• Hervarar saga ok Heidhreks - Early medieval Norse saga concerning a woman who cross-dresses and takes on a male role to avenge her father.
• Histories (Saxo Grammaticus) - Early medieval germanic legendary histories that include several stories of women cross-dressing to temporarily take a male role.
• Hrólfs saga Gautrekssonar - Early medieval Norse saga concerning a woman who cross-dresses and takes on a male role to avenge her father.
• Isabella of Egypt (Achim von Arnim) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Lucinde (Friedrich Schlegel) - 18th century German novel with themes of androgyny.
• Magnus saga jarls - 14th century Icelandic saga that includes an episode where a woman cross-dresses to trick her husband.
• Mary Ambree - 16th century English broadside ballad about a woman who cross-dresses for military action.
• Mora (Karoline von Günderrode) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Poets and Their Companions (Joseph von Eichendorff) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Premonition and Present (Joseph von Eichendorff) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Robin Hood - A medieval English folk-hero whose stories sometimes include cross-dressing themes.
• The Family Schroffenstein (Heinrich von Kleist) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• The Female Cabin Boy - 18th century English broadside ballad about a woman who cross-dresses to become a sailor. Also the name of an entire genre of works with this theme.
• The Female Highway Hector - 17th century English poem about a cross-dressing female outlaw.
• The Günderode (Bettina Brentano-von Arnim) - 19th century German novel with themes of gender nonconformity.
• The Merchant of Venice (William Shakespeare) - 16th century English play with a woman who cross-dresses for a male occupation.
• The Roaring Girl (Thomas Dekker and Thomas MIddleton) - 17th century English play fictionalizing the life of a historic cross-dressing woman.
• The Scornful Damsels Overthrow - An English ballad (1685) involving marriage to a cross-dressed woman.
• The Two Emilies (Charlotte von Stein) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• The Woman Warrier - English poem (1690) about a  woman who cross-dressed for the military.
• Vilette (Charlotte Brontë) - 19th century English novel in which cross-dressed theatricals create homoerotic potential.
• Wilhelm Dumont (Karoline Paulus) - 19th century German novel with cross-dressing themes.
• Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) - 18th century German novel with multiple cross-dressing characters.

It's the start of a new year and perhaps a good time to take stock of the writing projects I have at various stages (including some that are "just a gleam in the author's eye"). It's a way of taking stock and reminding my back-brain of what to think about. It looks like I've successfully gotten back in the habit of writing fiction every day, so...wandering through my writing folders, I can come up with this list:

Alpennia Stuff

As regularly noted, the next Alpennia novel will be my venture into the Young Adult realm: Floodtide (basically, all the teenage characters in the series get to have adventures together, seen through the eyes of Rozild the laundry maid and aspiring seamstress). The main series novels that follow that will be Mistress of Shadows (Barbara is posted to Paris to run Princess Annek's spy network and Serafina goes along to...well, let's not spoil everything, shall we? Let's just say that readers of Mother of Souls are aware that there are a number of dangling loose threads in Paris.) This will be followed by Sisters in Spirit (the question of the Alpennian succession is complicated by a number of things, most of them having to do with people falling in love with the wrong people). I'm starting to think that there may need to be another book roughly falling in the same time span as Sisters but have only the vaguest notion of what goes on in it, other than that important stuff needs to happen. Those events may instead be covered by a collection of shorter works. Then the concluding main-series novel (title as yet undecided, but I've started thinking of it as Heirs of the Deluge) covers the Alpennian revolution and its resolution. In addition, I have plans to write the 15th century "real" story of the famous thaumaturgist Tanfrit, which stands entirely outside that main serquence. Of all of these, I have Floodtide outlined in detail and have started writing bits of it, but haven't seriously plunged into it as a main project. The rest are only notes, vague outlines, and initial historic research. (Setting a novel primarily in an actual real-world city will be a new challenge.)

But I have a number of shorter Alpennian pieces that are intended as character sketches or bits that fill in background that doesn't really fit well in the main series. As noted, this may be how I fill in the necessary gaps in the overall plot arc. How I supply them to readers is still up in the air. At the moment, the ones that have actual text written are:

• A story involving the girlhood of a character who will appear in Sisters in Spirit that gives me an opportunity to explore what mystical talents look like in Great Britain. It's partly just an excuse for me to write about the Welsh Magical Mine Disaster Rescue Choirs.
• An as-yet-untitled story being written for submission to a specific market about Jeanne de Cherdillac's affair with a French opera singer (and spy) during the Napoleonic occupation of Alpennia. This is Jeanne during her wild youth after the tragic loss of her first love.
• The story of Jeanne's tragic first love (and how she ended up marrying an older French vicomte), told via a framing story that happens right after the end of Floodtide.
• A story about Celeste the dressmaker's daughter, looking at the difficulties of studying mysteries among the working class, and providing a chance to have fun working out more of who she is and what she wants.
• What may be a suite of related stories (or may be that nebulous extra novel) of what's going on in Alpennia during the action of Mistress of Shadows, specfically involving Margerit's crisis of faith, Anna Monterrez's contemplation of her future, and possibly Iulien Fulpi's first real Rotenek Season. In this context, I also really want to give Antuniet some more page-time.

Non-Alpennian Stuff

• The collected Skinsinger stories from the Sword and Sorceress anthologies (plus new concluding novelette), which is my goal to self-publish as my only major 2017 release (since I'm not far enough along on Floodtide to have it scheduled for 2017). I'm working on revisions and massaging the whole-series continuity. Need to get back to searching for a cover artist. Need to research the practical logistics of distribution of self-published e-books. Current title is Skinsinger: Tales of the Kaltaoven.
• A fluffy little historical romance short story, inspired by a Starbucks Coffee shopping bag, about a mermaid and a lonely Nantucket Quaker woman in the 18th century. Tentative title "Light in the Water." Half-written.
• A contemporary fantasy short story about the meaning of inspiration and a depressive writer's encounter with a harpy moonlighting as a muse. Tentative title "Expiration Date." Half-written.
• A somewhat unclassifiable time-slip fantasy novel about a real 18th century novel, the fictional post-doc struggling to finish her analysis of it while job-hunting, and the trip she and her girlfriend take across Europe (and sideways through the centuries) in the wake of the fictional characters. Tentative title Whimsical Creatures. Outlined, but not ready to seriously write yet.
• The 3rd and 4th short stories in my "Queer Mabinogi" quartet (begun with "Hoywverch" at Podcastle.org). Mostly waiting for story #2 ("Hyddwen") to sell somewhere, since I'm having a hard time feeling inspired to continue unless people are actually interested. Both are fairly well outlined but waiting on the actual writing for details.
• Lesbian historic romance novel set in 1st century Roman Britain. This would be a complete rewrite of a manuscript I wrote back in the 90s that I collected some rejection slips on. I'd set it aside entirely for a rewrite but got re-inspired when I completely re-envisioned the two protagonists based on some of the research from the LHMP. Previous title The Rebellious Heart which may or may not stay.
• Lesbian regency romance (no magic! not Alpennian!) that I'd been playing with a few years ago and that recently whacked me upside the head with some new angles that have me all inspired. Class conflicts, long-lost relatives, gender disguise, bluestockings, multiple generations of passionate friendships between women (some erotic, some not), and a rejection of traditional genre paradigms. No working title yet. Again, this was pushed back into focus by LHMP research that grounded the story more solidly in the ways that historic lesbians could have plausible happily-ever-afters.

Any of it sound interesting?

The biggest take-away from this set of entries is how meaningless a lot of the on-the-ground action must have seemed to the average soldier. Move here, move there, engage, retreat, end up back where you started a week ago with nothing obvious to show for it except casualties. Abiel sometimes makes comments that address issues of larger strategy, so I suspect he was constantly aware of the importance of even those "meaningless" manoevers. The level of detail he sometimes records from active engagements is startling. It really gives a sense of how lucky any specific individual was to survive the entire war.

The Diary and Letters of Abiel Teple LaForge 1842-1878

Transcribed, edited, and annotated by Phyllis G. Jones (his great-granddaughter)

Copyright © 1993, Phyllis G. Jones, All rights reserved

July 1864

[PUNCTUATION AND SPELLING ARE COPIED FROM THE ORIGINALS. EDITORIAL COMMENTS ARE IN BOLD TYPE.]

• Diary: July 10, 1864 - Skirmishing and a retreat to Ellicott's Mills
• Letter: July 4, 1864 - Summary of the previous week
• Diary: July 18, 1864 - An inconvenient alcohol policy, return to Washington and then to Snicker's Gap
• Diary: July 19, 1864 - Crossed the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah
• Letter: July 17, 1864 - Recap of recent days, a sweet deal for honey
• Diary: July 19, 1864 - Dinner with a local, and the honey deal
• Diary: July 23, 1864 - Emergency recall to Washingto
• Diary: July 24, 1864 - The regiment is paid but his has a problem
• Diary: July 25, 1864 - The pay question is cleared up but he fails to connect with the paymaster
• Diary: July 27, 1864 - Bivouac near Fredericksburg
• Diary: July 29, 1864 - March to Harper's Ferry
• Letter: July 29, 1864 - Finances and gossip
• Letter: July 30, 1864 - A letter from his father
• Diary: July 30, 1864 - Receipt of a number of letters

DIARY Sunday July 10th

I will commence my memorandum where it was suddenly terminated yesterday by an order from Brigade Head Quarters, again ordering me to take out and establish a picket line. Captain Parker of Company "F" was the senior officer on picket, but he kept himself in a safe place, leaving everything that required exposure to me.

Our batteries had already been engaged about half an hour with some force in our front--how large we did not know. I crossed the river with my pickets and at once found that I should have to fight for a posish [i.e., position--I just love Abiel's "posish" so much I'm going to keep leaving it in place], so I moved my men to a knoll where we slightly infiladed the reb pickets, and giving them a few shots we gained a starting point. I then deployed my men as fast as possible under fire, conducting them on the run through a corn field where our flank was constantly reciving the reb fire. I would leave a man at every two rods, who would at once commence returning the fire. We ran in a stooping posture, so as to gain all the concealment possible from the corn, which was 4-1/2 feet high.

Everything progressed favorably until about noon, when with my glass I could see a column of the enemy crossing the river 2 miles below us. This heavy force I saw would strike our line of battle on the flank and rear. Still I felt confident. Some of the men who came out in the morning with me were dead, others wounded, but we held our first position. The force which crossed the river soon came up and engaged our troops in such a manner that they came right behind my line on the left. I then bowed the left in, and finally had to recross the river to avoid capture. This was done by fording, as our troops had burned the bridge as a measure of safety. My men were careful to keep their ammunition dry.

A Reb Lieutenant Colonel captured at this time said that we had until an hour before been engaged with the Cavalry alone, but now the whole of Ewell's Army 30,000 strong had came up. Said he, "As near as I can find, you have but 6000 men," (which was the fact) "and unless you dig out of here you will rue it."

An hour after this, they charged our line and were finely repulsed, and held back for some time. Then they again charged with a double line of battle against our one, and with a line so long that it bowed arround both our flanks. Even then, our boys held them nobly for a long time. But mortal courage could not stand against such odds. They they gave way slowly at first, then rapidly, and finally ran. The retreat soon became a general rout. I rallied a few of the pickets and held our line for a few minutes, but they melted so fast that they could not be forced to remain in such a position.

I finally gave the order for the picket to fall back, and I took good care to be the last from the line. When I started, I ran as fast as possible, thus zigzaging for I found myself a mark for more of the enemy's sharp shooters than was at all comfortable. I had a brook to cross, several wounded men and dead also lay in it, their cries were piteous but no halt. I got across the railroad and here found some of our union troops, 8 or 10. I stopped to breathe and we determined to bother the Johnnies a little, and commenced firing at those who were fording the river and crossing the iron railroad bridge.

One of the men called my attention to a reb 300 yards distant who was running toward the river to cross. Bringing up his gun, he fired. The man went down. The "shot" at once commenced expressing the most extravagant joy, at the same time reloading. By this time, some of the enemy were in 30 feet of us. I had just aimed my revolver at the foremost when, looking back, I saw a lot of them in our rear. I thought my weapon might do better service fighting through them.

We all started on the retreat, going to the right of the enemy who were deploying to capture us. The bullets flew like hail stones. The boys fell all around me. I shall never forget the short, "Oh! Ah! Dear Me!" and such like exclamations which was all that gave us to understand that one of our number was wounded.

I overtook General Wallace's retreating column on the Baltimore Pike. The officers were making every effort to bring some order out of the chaos and even while rapidly retreating, the old veterans formed in column so as to resist any further demonstration the enemy could make. On through New Market we came. No halt at dark for making coffee, but those that had hard tack divided with their comrades and they ate as they walked. At 2 OC this morning, a rest of an hour was ordered, but the men were so fatigued that they could go no farther, so they were allowed to lay until daylight, when the retreat was resumed.

What misery the men have endured today: feet sore as boils, tired, hungry, but above all defeated. Still no murmering. We have finally reched Ellicotts Mills, 36 miles from the scene of action, and are now bivouacked in a beautiful wood for a rest and I think probably to stay all night.

LETTER

Hd. Qrs. "I" Co. 106th New York Volunteers 1st Brigade 3rd Division 6th AC.

In the field Monday July 4th 64

My dear sister,

Do not think by the date of my letter that I shall send it today, for I shall not have a chance for a week perhaps. When I do, I will add more and forward it. My object in writing tonight is the romance of the fourth, and also to answer the questions propounded in your last, lest I might forget them, as I have to burn your letter as fast as received for want of transportation for them.

First I am in command of the company because the captain was captured on May 6th at the battle of the Wilderness. The 1st Lieutenant went home on a furlough last March and forgot to return. The 2nd Lieutenant was killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor June 1st, so I am not only in command but also the only officer in the company. My Company properly is "F", being however that there was already two officers present with that company, I was placed in command of co "I".

My pay is now $108--rather higher than before, you see. Out of this I must buy my provisions, clothing, and arms. One dollar a day pays for grub in the field. In camp it would be more, as we could get more to buy. So I have a little more than $2.50 per day for other purposes.

Saturday July 9th: According to promise, I finish my letter to you, but in a far different place from what I had anticipated. We are now about 4 miles from Frederick, Maryland and I am sitting on the bank of the Monocacy River. And delighted is every man in the command to be able to breathe the pure mountain air of these regions again. The Loyal Citizens of Frederick were glad to see us come marching into town. They thought that the very name of the Veterans of the Army of Potomac was sufficient to protect them. What must have been their feelings last night when, to save ourselves from capture, we had to abandon the city, which was soon occupied by the enemy. I grieve at their disappointment.

I will not finish this letter until night as we are likely to have a brush with rebs just now and I shall want you to know the result.

Monday July 11th 1864: Ellicotts Mills, 10 miles from Baltimore.

Dear friends, by the blessing of God I am spared to finish this letter. Immediately after closing this Saturday I was detailed to go on duty as officer of the picket. This was 9 A.M. The enemy attacked at that hour and from that time until nearly sundown we were engaged in in a battle as obstinately fought as any of the war. We, however, were pitted against such fearful odds that the defeat which I sorrowfully chronicle can be considered no disgrace to our brave Division. By reading my mem[orandum]'s, which I enclose, you will get a faint idea of the fearful nature of the struggle. Amid such dreadful carnage it seems almost impossible that any person could escape unharmed as I did, and for which I feel truly thankful. The fertile fields of the Monocacy must have been satiated with human gore, and her waters was discoloured with the life blood of many heroes who will know no other grave than that afforded by her cool wave, which is today gently caressing their marble brows.

Prisoners report the Rebs 30,000 which would make them over five to our one. Still we held them back for eight long hours in spite of all they could do. This I consider a tribute to the bravery of the Division, which may well make them feel proud. I cannot describe my heart-sickness when, after such a resistance, we had to give way. And the last rays of the setting sun saw our routed and retreating army flying across the Maryland Hills. I must abruptly close on account of duty. Much love to all,

Bijou.

DIARY Monday 18th

Halt of the 6th Army Corps in Snickers Gap Shenandoah Mountains. Of this halt I take advantage and shall write up my neglected memoranadum. Also, if I have time, write to sister. I wrote a letter to Miss Porter at Baltimore and have it in my pocket yet, not having had a chance to mail it. On Sunday 10th, our brave but defeated little army under General Wallace reached Ellicotts Mills, 10 miles west of Baltimore, were marched into a beautiful grove near the town, and camped. My servant, who had been behind and was I feared captured, came up with my provisions and blankets. The arrival of the three gave me much comfort, both mentally and physically. Remained all night, luxuriously sleeping among the thick leaves and obtaining in large doses the much needed rest, after two days of excessive fatigue.

On Monday 11th George Powell, Lieutenant of "K" and I went down to the village without our shoulder straps--we never wear them on a campaign--and had a deal of attempting to make the liquor venders believe we were officers. They were prohibited from selling to privates, and insisted on classing us among that order, probably having never seen officers just from the battlefield before. We were looking rather rough. We went into a place for a glass of ale. T'was "no go" "we were not officers, could not sell them" &c. were our only replies. While we were parleying, an officer in full uniform came in with whom I had been an picket at Monocacy. I laughingly told him my difficulty. He soon set matters right by explaining to "mine host" that it was not the style of the officers of the Army of the Potomac to put on many airs or extras, and most of them dressed the same as privates. After this, I got what I wanted. [Note: This item would seem to contradict my previous speculations on Abiel's shifting attitude toward alcohol. Interesting.]

I also got some lime water to dress my face, which had been badly burned by a fellow spattering red-hot grease upon it--accidentally of course--the day before. Three hours before sundown broke camp and started for Baltimore. The Quarter Master stores in town could not be saved. There was danger of their falling into the hands of the enemy, so they were destributed gratuitously to the men. Proceeded to Baltimore by rail. Arrived after dark and bivouacked near the upper Baltimore and Ohio railroad depot. Remained there all night and all [The transcript breaks off here with no indication of illegibility so it may be that Abiel stopped writing in the middle of a sentence.]

Tuesday 12th: Lieutenant Powell and I went into town and got some Ice cream and cake.

Wednesday 13th: Moved arround to the North side of the city and camped in a beautiful situation in Druid Hill Park, where we luckely found plenty of boards to put our selves up in good shape. Captain Robertson and I went through the park on an exploration trip, pitching into all sorts of out of the way places, discovering all that was admirable, and lamenting that war should make it necessary to desecrate such holy quiet by the clash of arms. In the afternoon the blanks came from the Ordnance Office and I at once went to work making out my ordinance report. This has to be done four times a year, when a full account has to be given of all arms and accoutrements, and Ordnance Stores that have been in our possession since last return. Every officer in the service has to make this return. This afternoon, communication between here and Washington by a body of Rebel Cavalry which has passed on towards Annapolis.

Thursday 14th: At M. [i.e., meridian = noon] took cars for Washington, as communication had been opened again and the railroad repaired. The enemy did but little damage, merely burning a few cars and cutting down some telegraph poles, tearing up a few rails etc. Arrived at Washington just before sundown, disembarked from the cars, took supper at the Soldiers Rest, camped near there.

Next morning, Thursday 15th: Breakfasted at Soldiers Rest then marched to Georgetown by way of Pennsylvania Avenue. The citizens received our scarred veterans with demonstrations of joy. I saw many of my old acquaintances in the city and had many gay salutes from all sides. The Division gave three cheers for Lincoln as we passed the White House. Bivouacked near Tennally town until 4 P.M. then marched about six miles further towards Poolsville, then stopped for the night in a field of tall timothy. What luxury to streatch out on that soft bed of grass!

Saturday 16th: Very hot. Still we made a long hard march, fording the Potomac near Edwards Ferry. The men were allowed to take off their clothes and carry them on their heads while fording. The water came up to their breasts, and was 1/4 of a mile wide. It was decidedly a strange spectacle to see 5000 men with their lower person naked and the upper clothed, marching down the sloping bank on one side and wading across in a long line four abreast, emerging on the other side, then marching in that garb 1/2 a mile and fording a branch of the river before dressing. Some young ladies came from the farmhouses around to watch the troops cross, but when they saw the primative garb which was to be worn during the operation, they concluded to retire, out of sight of us at least.

It was dark before the whole Division was across. Still the route for Leesburg, seven miles distant, was taken up. Three miles through the heat and dust we went, and at rapid marching to this, occasioned many men who were footsore and thoroughly exhausted to fall, and finally convinced the General that he would have but few men with him if he continued on, so a "Halt for the night" was commanded. I was very much fatigued. My servant was not up either with my blanket overcoat or provision, so I put my rubber arround me and threw myself on the ground already wet with dew, and was soon fast asleep. My repose was of short duration however, for I awoke with the cold and slept but little thereafter.

Sunday 17th: On towards Snickers Gap, passing through Leesburg, a pretty little city nestling cosily among the hills of London County, something like Elmira New York on a much smaller scale. Stoped near the town for dinner, then marched some three miles farther and joined the rest of the 6th corps, which had arrived on the ground by another route the day berore. The Chaplain of one of the regiments preached a sermon in the grove where the Brigade was bivouacked. It was decidedly impressive, to see the weather bronzed veterans of many a hard campaign gathered around beneath the royal old oaks listening to the words of devotion put up by the man of God. Over the whole of them the ruddy glare of the camp fires was playing, and lighting up faces which showed no less interest in the words there spoken than in the words which had called them forth to do battle for their country.

Monday 18th: The whole corps took the road for the mountains. We have many evidences of the hasty manner in which the Rebs fled along this road: wagons burned to prevent their falling into our hand were scattered all along the route, dead mules and horses--swollen by the heat and looking horrible--interrupted us every little way. The smell too was awful. Our cavalry pressed them closely yesterday. We arrived at this place (Snickers Gap) about 11 A.M. and, as I before said, I take advantage of our halt to write up my mem[orandum]s. The Rebs are on the other side of the Mountain and a Division of Hunter's 8th Corps are close upon them.

DIARY Tuesday 19th

On picket East side of the Shenandoah. Crossed the Blue Ridge yesterday afternoon. When coming down the west side of the mountain, we could see a Division of the 19th Corps forcing a crossing at Snickers Ford. They were sharply engaged. Our corps marched to a posish where we had a splendid view of the engagement, being about three hundred feet above and 1/2 mile in rear of the combatants. One Division of the 19th got across but were driven by a splendid charge of the rebs back into the river again. When the enemy made that charge, battery after battery opened upon them, some of the shells bursting right in their ranks. Still they kept on nobly, and finally drove the 19th from a good posish behind a stone wall, and across the river. Those troops do not fight like the soldiers of the Grand Army. I should like to have seen those rebs attempt to drive a Division of the Army of the Potomac from that stone wall.

The Division just at dark received orders to sleep on their arms. At the same time, a regiment of one hundred days men, was being marched through a ravine in our rear to do picket duty below us on the river, when suddenly a reb battery 1-1/2 miles off commenced throwing shells at random in our direction. Several of these, all at once fell into the 100 days men doing considerable execution, and scattering them like chaff. Fortunately the enemy were not aware of the service their battery was doing and it soon ceased firing altogather. No 100 days regiment came to time for picket duty however, so the 87 P.V. and 106th N.Y. were detailed for that duty and a disagreeable time we had getting on post: wading streams and climbing fences, forcing our way through the underbrush etc. in the dark. However we are very comfortable just now. I slept very nicely on the porch of a mountain cabin last night. Feel none the worse for it now.

LETTER

Camp near Snickers Ford Va July 17th 64

Dear Sister,

I do not know when I shall have an opportunity to send this letter to you, but as one may occur when least expected, I will have it ready. The life of a soldier is "constant change." If the saying "there is no rest for the wicked" applies only to sinners, then all this Grand Army must have a large account to settle. The order to "Forward" has just been given and I can write no more now.

Bank of the Shenandoah. July 18th

I will continue my epistle, from yesterday's interruption. In pursuance of the order which caused such an abrupt pause in my letter, we marched through the Gap, from the summit of which I obtained such a lovely view, such as one is allowed only once in a lifetime, during a halt on the top of the mountain. I ran off and, clambering up a cliff, succeeded in obtaining a m ... elegant position, for from this summit of the Blue Ridge could be seen the whole of the London Valley which we had just left, and much of the world-renowned Shenandoah Valley. In looking across the first, I could trace far back toward Washington the road pursued by the army in chasing the flying Johnnies. To the south-east, the view was interrupted by the Heights of Mannassas, however that part of the country I knew tolerably well. The particular charm lay in the Valley into which we were marching. Far off across the beautifully undulating plain could be seen the dim outlines of the Alleghanies. These lay to the north-west. To the North, the vision was abruptly terminated by the frowning fortified summits of Maryland Heights. Then looking to the south, I could follow the Valley far past Winchester, until its extension in that direction seemed to be suddenly stopped by a hill which had evidently been droped in there by mistake. That hill is what was once Stonewall Jackson's stronghold and was considered the key to the upper Valley.

Inside of these boundaries, all was loveliness: cities, hamlets, and cottages nestled cosily among the green hills, waving woods and meandering streams. To use one's eyes alone, all seemed peace and quiet. But the organs of hearing told another tale, for there came rolling back on the breeze, the boom of artillery and sharp crack of rifles. Already the advance guard of the army, which was slowly winding its way down the mountain, had met a defiant foe who felt disposed to dispute its farther progress.

One more look at the beautiful and historical plain from which it is our proud purpose to drive [the] foe, and I sprang down the cliff and hastened to join my company, which had passed on quite a distance. I refer you to my memoranadum for the description of the fight and the part which we took in it.

Last evening, when we came here to do picket duty in the place of the 100 day Regiment which ran away, we accidentally ran upon a lot of bee hives which had been hidden by their owner in the woods. The said owner and ourselves entered into an arrangement whereby five of the hives of honey pass into our hands on condition that we allow no more to be taken while we are here. We had a splendid honey supper--honey and hard-tack--on the strength of this dicovery. There was enough in the five hives for both of the regiments on duty here. When some other regiment comes out to relieve us, old secesh [note: I presume this is a shortened form of "successionist", referring to the hive owner] will loose more of his honey I presume.

We are on picket on the extreme right of the army on the South bank of the river, expect to move to night. Love to all,

Bijou

DIARY Tuesday, July 19th, 1864

Our regiment with the 87 P.V. [possibly "Pennsylvania Volunteers"?] were on picket duty on the mountain roads to the right of Snickers Gap. The duty is very pleasant. There is a man lives here who has some 20 hives of honey. He gave us 5 hives last night on condition that we would put a guard over them and prevent any more being taken, which we did. We had all the honey we wanted. We officers also took supper and breakfast with the man, we had hoe cake, butter, rye coffee, and ham. There has been considerable firing along the river today but from the clouds of dust rrising along the roads back I should judge the main body of the enemy were falling back. [See this link for a recipe for Civil War era "rye coffee".]

DIARY Tennally Town D.C, Saturday July 23rd 1864 [Note: I'm guessing that this was all written up on the 23rd and that the interim dates are for documentary purposes. If so, quite a memory for detail!]

Last Tuesday night we were relieved from picket and marched back to the hill where we witnessed the fight of the 19 Army Corps the night before and bivouacked for the night.

Wednesday July 20th

About M. [i.e., noon] got orders for the route, were soon packed up and started. We crossed the Shanandoah at Snickers Ford by wading it--it was about two feet deep--then started on the pike for Berryville. After going a mile, a heavy thunder storm came up which gave us a most thorough wetting. We marched a mile in the rain then turned into the woods and waited for it to stop, which it did in about an hour. We still staid however. There was a lot of hogs in the woods and the boys went to shooting them and we soon had fresh pork enough for two days.

At eight, news was received that a heavy column of the enemy were approaching Washington, that those in our front had only fell back in order to draw us farther from that city, that nearly all those who had been before us two days before had went up the valley and recrossed the Blue Ridge at Ashby's Gap and were also marching for our city and had the inside track. The danger was eminent. [Note: I'm guessing that "imminent" is intended, but either would work!]

Our orders were that we should start for Washington and march night and day till we got there. What rations we had must last us the whole distance. We started on the return at 10 P.M., recrossed the Shanandoah and up through Snicker's Gap. We marched all night--it was bright moon-light. We would go about two hours then rest half an hour. We got to the place we started from the Tuesday before about 8 A.M.

Thursday 21st

Here we halted for breakfast then started on towards Leesburg. We passed through that city and went into camp on the East side of Goose Creek four miles East of the town at 2 P.M. having marched over 30 miles since starting the night before. This--with the men with pretty heavy loads and over the rough roads of the mountain, fording the Shanandoah twice, marching at night with a wagon train five miles long by our side to bother us--was accomplishing a miricle. This forced march gave us the inside track of the rebs so that we could be more leisurely in our movements hereafter. The Corps rested here until 4 O.C. A.M.

Friday 22nd

The 3rd Division, to which the 106th belongs, was detailed to guard the wagon train this day. We started at four OC. Our Division had one hundred wagons to guard, making ten for each company. I had ten. My men put their knapsacks and haversacks on the wagons and marched pretty easy today. I left the train once to go to a house and get a drink. When I was coming back, I ran on a blackberry patch, the like of which I never saw. They were large as plums, thick as cranberries, and sweet as sugar. I could have picked a bushel in half an hour. Of course it did not take long to fill myself, which I did to repletion, then joined the train. Ever since we have been up here we have had all the berries we could eat. There is plenty of them in all directions.

My boys caught five hens to make a soup of at night. We camped this night ten miles west of Chain Bridge. The boys have got a lot of cows and horses on the march, which they bring to the city to sell. [Note: "have got" here clearly means "stole from local farmers". We're seeing a lot of details of what it must have been like to be a Southern farmer in the path of this constant back-and-forth.] Some of them make a pile that way. The boys made their chicken soup, then we went into camp getting a lot of rye straw to lay on.

During the night I had a heavy chill, after that a hot fever so that this morning when I got up I could hardly stand. I could not eat, which is a prety sure sign of sickness in me. When the regiment fell in and started for this place, I staggered with weakness. It was evident I could not march. Captain Robinson had a pass to ride in the Ambulance. He gave it to me and I got into one and rode to the Chain Bridge.

We came through one or two little burgs the names of which I did not learn. Some of the country we passed through was very fine, but I did not take much interest in it. About a mile from the Bridge we came to a regiment of Veteran Reserves on duty. How mighty nice they looked with their straps all polished up and arms so bright and such enviable quarters! I almost wished I was in their places.

After we crossed the Bridge (Chain Bridge) they started the ambulances down to Washington. I asked where we were going. They said to the hospital, so I jumped out, as I could not see going to Hospital. We came up here to camp. I joined the Corps at the bridge. Our orders are to have inspection tomorrow, to send in for all the clothing, arms, and ammunition we want and to prepare ourselves for active duty in the field. I wonder what they call the duty we have been on.

The opinion appears to be that we are to go to Petersburg next week. Our Pay Rolls were brought up and the Paymasters say if we will have the Rolls signed they will pay us tomorrow morning. The Rolls will be signed. I have learned that Sergeants Campbell and Hawley whom I thought captured are up at Frederick City. The Orderly Sergeant however is captured and one private.

DIARY Near Georgetown. Sunday July 24th

The regiment was paid off today. Major Martin this P.M. said he could not pay me owing to some informality of the rolls. He showed me what it was but I could not see why he should not pay. I made up my mind if we stay here tomorrow I will take my retained roll down to the Pay Master General and ask him why I cannot be paid.

I received a letter from my sister today. All are well. Some of the boys have got considerable whiskey down them and are having a lively time of it. George Powell and I took a walk into the edge of Georgetown one and 1/2 miles from here. Came back pretty tired. I am feeling much better than I did yesterday.

DIARY Monday July 25th

Last night a heavy wind and rain came up and blew our tent down upon us. Lieutenant Powell and I sleep together. Our servants got up and fixed them and laid down, but the tents were down nearly as quick as they and so it kept them going. We succeeded in passing a rather uncomfortable night. We got up pretty early and about 8 O.C., although still raining, went down town. The first thing was to go to a bath house and take a good cleaning, then I went to Pay Master General and told him why Major Martin had refused to pay me. He said there was no reason why I should not be paid, and endorsed to that effect on the Pay Roll which I gave him. I went to Martin's office with it but found he was out to our Division paying. I saw Sergt Beaugureau and Hauser from camp. We went to Mitchell's and had a gay dinner, then I had a game of billiards with B[eaugureau]. We parted and I went to the A[ttorney] G[eneral] office and put my paper in for a discharge from the 85th New York Volunteers. Afterwards came back to camp. Major Martin had finished paying and gone back to the city so I did not get my $80.00 dollars.

DIARY Hyattstown Md. July 27th 1864

On the night of the 25th we got marching orders again to march early. The 26th we packed up ready but did not move til noon. Marched up the Frederick Pike to a mile west of Rockville. Here we bivouacked for the night in a little wood. This morning were up and started at 4 AM. Passed through Locksburgh about 11 AM, made a short rest, and then came on to this place which is about eleven miles from Fredricksburgh, and we will stay here all night. The wheat is harvest[ed] and is in the barns, the hay cut and stacked. Green corn plenty. Blackberries still abundant. Everything bears the appearance of peace and plenty, but what means the appearances of all these camp fires: a foe to conquer and [be] driven back.

DIARY Three miles west of Harpers Ferry. July 29th 1864

Marched up from Hyattstown through Urbana and bivouacked on the old Monocacy battle field where we arrived [Note: "where we arrived" is duplicated in the transcript, which I'm assuming is a transcription error and have deleted.] about M. [i.e., noon] the 28th. We went to looking for the body of Captain Hooker. The 1st New York Cavalry had dug trenches and burned our dead promiscuously in heaps. We knew where the body was left, however, and after considerable digging found his body. The only thing by which he could be recognised was his clothes and the wound through the head. His body was to be put in a rough coffin and again interred and word sent to his friends where to find him. We had to leave two men to perform the duty, as we were ordered away before we could finish it.

The corps proceeded to Jeffersonville about eight miles from Frederick. We forded the river in the same place I had to with the picket the day of the fight and, making a circuit arround Frederick, started for the mountains, which we had to cross before getting to our destination. It was dark before we got to them and the toil of marching over the mountain roads at night was immense. More than half the men gave out and stoped by the side of the road. At length, we reached the top and the men gave a cheer, as far below them on the plain in front was seen the camp fires of the Division which had crossed before us. We knew we should stop near them, hence the joy of the boys to see their journey's end.

We got down the mount and camped about 11 P.M. very tired. This morning (29th) we marched on up by the way of Petersville, Berlin, Sandy hook and Harpers Ferry. The week has been excessively hot and caused the men much suffering. No doubt as many as ten men have fell from sun stroke each day in this Brigade.

We are now lying in line of battle and dispositions have been made as though we were to be attacked. The rebs are reported eight miles from here. Maryland Heights are near enough to us to send shells from their 100 pounders over us. I dont see how it would be possible for any force to capture that place with its present fortifications. It must be imnpregnable. Strong works on the very top of a rugged mountain with heavy ordnance, lots of water and food, and a good garrison. They could defy the rebel army. I should like to have the chance to fight behind those works. As I have a chance, I will write to my sister tonight. Although I dont know when I shall have a chance to send it.

LETTER

"Army of the Shenandoah" Near Harper Ferry July 29th 1864

Dear Sister,

Through constant employment I have been prevented from writing to you on the usual day and it is while again on the march looking for the enemy that I take this opportunity. You will see by my memorandum that our programme is constantly changing. We are a flying army certainly. This is the third start we have made in this direction. Twice we have fell back to the capital only to start again. I hope we shall not have to go back so fast this time.

I saw the gentleman of whom I borrowed that money while I was in Washington. He said he sent you the order I gave him on the "13". If you have not got it, please tell Joseph to express the $75.00 seventy five dollars prepaid to Sergeant A. Beaugureau. "Chief Clerk" Rendezvous of Distribution Virginia and write me as soon .........sending me the Express [reverse of letter is very faint and only a few excerpts can be read] .......... the clothes I forgot ............ your letter of the 19th while on the march. I am glad you are so much ..... with the baby for as long as you .....................

.......................... to see if there was any .............. telegraph before I come home, so you can have a lot of them made up for me. Tell Miss Martha the Rebs are not so easy killed. They die hard, and not .... to work hard to get the advantage of .......... will do it after a while. ............ to Janey and Perry and tell the ..... I'd like to capture and send a contraband up to them to help at the farm. Give my love to the children also and all our friends. I have not got a letter from father since I came to the regiment. I must scold him. Supper is ready so goodbye for the present. Bijou

LETTER WRITTEN ON DIARY PAGES

Camp Near H[arpers] F[erry] Saturday July 30th 1864

Dear sis. As I have some time before the mail goes out I will write you some more. I have just got a letter from father dated June 22nd. It has been laying at Rendezvous of Distribution for some time, which caused the delay. They were all well at that time. He is very bitter against John. C.--thinks he is telling me lies about him, which is reason I don't write. I have sent a letter to him disabusing his mind of any such idea. We are taking it cool just now, resting after our fatigue. The only firing I hear is some of the boys shooting pigs. Fresh meat will not be much of a luxury to me when I get home, for we get it nearly every day here. Pies will be, however. Love to all. [Note: the reference to "pies" leads me to guess that the illegible reference in the previous letter to "have a lot of them made up for me" might be to pies as well. Just a guess, though.]

A.T. La Forge

DIARY Camp near Harper Ferry July 30th 1864

We have had no orders to march yet but probably shall move today. We have just received our mail. I got a letter from father, one from John Clemence $10.00, one from W.W. Hibbard, one from O.L. Barney, all of which are well. It was very warm this morning but a fine breeze has sprung up now and cooled the air.

DIARY Head Quarters "I" Co. 106th New York Volunteers 1st Brigade 3rd Division 6th A. Corps July 29

Marched up to this place (Harpers Ferry) from Jeffersonville today, established our camp on the left of the road, [and] had orders to make ourselves comfortable for the night. Liutenant Powell and I went to a brook to remove from our persons the evidences of our dusty march. As we were coming back to camp, we learned that the Divisions had moved to the right of the road. We found them there in position for an attack, if one was made. It was a nice place to stay all night. We stoped here until about four P.M.

DIARY July 30th

News was received that the rebs had crossed the Potomac and marched on Chambersburg. The Army was at once started back towards Frederick. Our brigade was left as rear guard to move after all the trains had recrossed the river. We moved down to Bolivar so as to be inside the defenses of Harpers Ferry. Halted and word sent arround that we should have time to make coffee and sleep a little before the whole train was by. We laid down and slept all night. We did not move untill about 10 O.C.

DIARY July 31st Sunday

The officers were just going down town and leave me in command of the regiment as orders came to move. We got in line and moved across the Potomac on the pontoons and down through Sandy Hook, Knoxville, and Berlin. I never saw the men suffer so much with the heat. We were marching in a hollow--not a breath of air was stirring and the sun boiled down on our devoted heads in an awful manner. We had not went two miles before half the men had dropped out and the brigade had to be halted to allow them to come up. It was impossible to march, so the brigade was halted in a field to remain until an hour of sundown when the air became cooler and we marched on to Jefferson, where we arrived about 10 P.M. Here we received orders to make ourselves comfortable for the night.

I've written up a new set of tag descriptions. You can find the permanent page with access to the tag-links here. For reasons of internal website structure, this is going to duplicate the content of that tag essay to get it into the blog feed. (Life is complicated.) But you'll now find that permanent page in the LHMP drop-down menu.

The purpose of tags is to make information relatively easy to find. The topics covered under “people/event tags” are historical persons, authors, written works, and other specific events, organizations, or works that are the subject of the research and publications covered by the Project. This essay is intended to explain briefly how the “people/event” tags are being used.

The second purpose is to provide a tag list that the visitor can use to explore the site. The number of tags used in the project, and the organization into four different categories, doesn’t lend itself to a traditional tag-cloud. The Place and Time Period tags each have a single essay. The Event/Person and Misc. Tags will be covered in thematic groups in multiple essays due to the larger number. Due to character restrictions on the attached tags, I've had to link to separate sub-posts to include linked tag-lists. This page brings together all the names and descriptions for this entire Person/Event tag category, but you'll need to click through to explore the linked articles.

I’m planning six essays for the People/Event Tags, each covering a general category with several subcategories.

• Non-Fiction Sources and General Authors
• Historic Crossdressing and Passing/Transgender People
• Historic People Relevant for Emotional, Affectionate, or Sexual Relationships
• Literary Examples of Crossdressing or Gender Disguise
• Literary Examples of Emotional, Affectionate, or Sexual Relationships
• Poetry Expressing Romantic or Sexual Relationships

This present essay covers the third category and includes the following:

• Passionate Friendships - Women who were known for engaging in passionate friendships with other women, generally when the relationship was not publicly considered to be sexual. This category primarily covers cases where there may not have been a specific partnership or where the women never lived as a couple.
• Romantic Pairs - Women who were a romantic couple of some type, whether or not the relationship was sexual. (As a rule, if a sexual relationship is documented, such couples will be listed in the "Reputed Lesbian" group instead.) In some cases, only one member of the couple is listed, but she is relevant to the Project because of such a relationship. The nature of these relationships is quite varied.
• Reputed Lesbian - Historic cases of women who had documented sexual relationships with women, or whose contemporaries are recorded as believing they did. This group is primarily individuals where no one relationship was significant in the historic record or where the overtly sexual nature of the relationships was significant.

Obviously these categories are quite fuzzy at the edges, and I've classified individual people according to what seems the most noteworthy aspect of their lives. Every story is far more complex than a single classification. These are only for the purposes of exploring general themes.

Passionate Friendships (Click here for a sub-post with linked tags)

The concept of passionate or romantic friendship covered a wide range of expressions. Women who enjoyed these relationships might also be in a heterosexual marriage. They might never have the opportunity of having the relationship recognized or respected within their social circles. They might never be able to co-habit or even spend extended time in each other's company. And such intense friendships might not be exclusive--or necessarily reciprocated. Those couples who were able to enjoy a more marriage-like living situation have generally been placed into the "Romantic Pairs" group.

• Charlotte Cushman - 19th century American actress who enjoyed several passionate friendhips with women.
• Emily Dickinson - 19th century American poet whose letters and poetry reveal a passionate friendship with the woman who became her sister-in-law.
• George Elliot - 19th century English author (aka Mary Ann Evans) who was the object of a woman’s passionate friendship.
• Hildegard of Bingen - 11th century German abbess who had a passionate and possessive friendship with a female protegee. She was a prominent author and composer.
• Jane Pirie & Marianne Woods - 19th century Scottish schoolmistresses who had a passionate friendship that resulted in a famous libel trial when they were accused of lesbianism. The episode was fictionalized in the Lillian Hellman play The Children’s Hour.
• Laudomia Forteguerri - 16th century Italian intellectual who composed romantic praise poems to Duchess Margaret of Parma. The passionate friendship between the two women was remarked on positively by their contemporaries.
• Leonor López de Córdoba - 14-15th c Spanish favorite of Queen Catalina of Castile, with whom she had a stormy and jealous (but not overtly romantic) relationship.
• Margaret Duchess of Austria/Parma - 16th century daughter of the Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, whose passionate friendship with the writer Laudomia Forteguerri was remarked on by contemporaries. Laudomia wrote her romantic poetry.
• Mary Wollstonecraft - 18th century English feminist and writer. Both her life and her writings included passionate female frienships.
• Queen Anne of England - 18th century Queen of England who had several passionate friendships with favorite female courtiers that gave rise to rumors of lesbianism.
• Richardis of Stade - 12th c German abbess with whom Hildegard of Bingen had a passionate and jealous friendship.
• Saint Radegund - 6th c French saint whose biography includes symbolic homoerotic imagery in her veneration.
• Sarah Churchill Duchess of Marlborough - 18th century English woman whose passionate friendship with Queen Anne gave rise to rumors of lesbianism.
• Willa Cather - 19th century American novelist who shared her life with a female romantic partner but whose work, unlike many of her contemporaries, did not represent passionate friendships between women.

Romantic Pairs (Click here for a sub-post with linked tags)

This group covers a wide variety of types of relationships and the term "romantic" is really a misnomer. The unifying factor is the intersection of two lives in a particular bond based on love, desire, or sex, especially if the two lived together to some degree in a marriage-like arrangement.

• Addie Brown and Rebecca Primus - 19th century African-American women whose correspondence records an erotic friendship that their community considered marriage-like.
• Alice French aka Octave Thanet - 19th century American novelist who shared her life with Jane Allen Crawford.
• Amy Poulter/James Howard and Arabella Hunt - 17th century English women who married each other, with Amy passing as the man James Howard.
• Ane Norton and Alice Pickford - An 18th century English marriage record lists this couple with no comment, although both appear to have female names.
• Ann Hannah and Margaret Marshall - 18th century American couple charged in court with “cohabitation” using language that typically refers to a case of adultery.
• Ann Yearsley and Hannah More - 18th century English couple, complicated by the class differential between working-class poet Yearsley and her bluestocking mentor More.
• Anna Seward & Honora Sneyd - 18th century English devoted romantic friends, though they never had the opportunity to share a home.
• Bertelmina Wale & Maeyken Joosten/Abraham Joosten - 17th century Dutch couple: Maeyken left a husband and children to court Bertelmina under the name Pieter Verburgh, and they became betrothed and engaged in a sexual relationship, although Maeyken was not living as a man at the time. Maeyken then began wearing male clothing and using the name Abraham Joosten and the two were married, but Maeyken/Abraham was later tried for “sodomy” and exiled.
• Bettina Brentano-von Arnim & Karoline von Günderode - 19th century German women who enjoyed a romantic friendship. Both women also have publications tagged separately.
• Catherina Margaretha Linck & Catharina Margaretha Mühlhahn - 18th century German women who married while Linck was passing as a man, though she did not do so consistently.
• Catherine Talbot and Elizabeth Carter - 18th century English passionate friends who wrote about trying to arrange to spend their lives together.
• Cornielia Gerrits van Breugel & Elisabeth Boleyn - 18th century (?) Dutch couple. Cornelia and Elisabeth began a sexual relationship as women. Cornelia began living as a man in order for them to marry but then returned to living as a woman.
• Edith Somerville - 19th century Irish novelist who had a literary and romantic partnership with her cousin Violet Martin, writing together as “Martin Ross”.
• Eleanor Butler & Sarah Ponsonby (The Ladies of Llangollen) - 18th century Irish women who eloped together and set up house in Llangollen, Wales, where they became an iconic symbol of romantic friendship.
• Francoise de l’Estage and Catherine de la Maniére - 16th century French women who were tried for [sexually] “corrupting each other.”
• Gertrude Stein - 20th century American expatriate in Paris whose poetry often alludes to her romantic and sexual partnership with Alice B. Toklas.
• Hannah Wright and Anne Gaskill - 18th century English women recorded as a couple in a marriage register.
• Jehanne and Laurence - 15th century French women who engaged in an extended sexual relationship that ended in a case of assault.
• John Ferren and Deborah Nolan - 18th century English married couple. After the marriage, John was discovered to be a woman.
• John Mountford and Mary Cooper - 18th century English couple who were refused marriage because the  clergyman suspected “John” was a woman.
• John Smith and Elizabeth Huthall - 18th century English couple who married despite the clergyman suspecting that “John” was a woman.
• Madame de Murat & Madame de Nantiat - 17th century France. Extensive court documents describe the violent and jealous sexual relationship these women enjoyed.
• Marie Corelli - 19th century English novelist who enjoyed a long-term romantic partnership with Bertha Vyver.
• Mary Barber of Suffolk and Ann Chitting - 16th century(?) English women whose close relationship was commemorated by Barber’s son who buried Chitting alongside Barber, given equal place with her husband.
• Mary East (Mr. How) - 18th century English woman who lived as a man for most of her life, married to a woman. As they testified that they drew lots for who would “be the man” this does not appear to be a transgender case.
• Mary Woolley & Jeannette Marks - 19th century American couple who taught at Mt. Holyoke college and whose lives saw romantic friendship shift from praiseworthy to suspect.
• Michael Field (Katherine Harris Bradley and Edith Cooper) - 19th century English couple who published together under the pen name Michael Field. Their relationship was considered equivalent to a marriage among their friends.
• Rosa Bonheur - 19th century French artist who had a romantic partnership with Nathalie Micas.
• Sara Norman & Mary Hammon - 17th century American women who were prosecuted for “lewd behavior each with other upon a bed.”
• Sarah Ketson (John) and Ann Hutchinson - 18th century English women who unsuccessfully tried to marry, with Ketson passing as a man named John.
• Sarah Orne Jewett & Annie Fields - 19th century American women who lived in a “Boston marriage”.
• Trijntje Barents & Hendrickje Lamberts - 18th century (?) Dutch women. The two began a sexual relationship as women, then Hendrickje began living as a man to continue the relationship.

Reputed Lesbians (Click here for a sub-post with linked tags)

This grouping is defined, not necessarily by specific relationships, but by either the fact or rumor that a woman had sexual relationships with other women. There may be some edge cases where one specific relationship was noted in the historic record, but in general I've placed people in this group due to the specifically sexual nature of the evidence.

• Anne Conway Damer - 18th century English woman who had passionate friendships/partnerships with women that were widely rumored to be sexual.
• Bathal - 9th century courtesan and Arabic-language poet openly known to enjoy sex with women.
• Benedetta Carlini - 17th century Italian woman who had sexual relations with a fellow nun in a complex context of religious mania.
• Bertolina called Guercia - 13th century Italian woman tried (in absentia) for sexual relations with other women.
• Cecilia Venetiana - 16th century Roman courtesan described by Firenzuola as loving women “lasciviously.”
• Charlotte Charke - 18th century English actress who specilized in “breeches roles” and cross-dressed regularly in ordinary life as well. She had at least one long-term relationship with a woman that is strongly implied to be sexual. Charke occasionally lived as a man for limited periods, raising the possibility of a transgender identity.
• Diaries (Anne Lister) - 19th century English woman whose coded diaries detail her romantic and sexual relations with women and a social circle in which covert lesbian relationships were frequent.
• Elisabeth Wijngraaff - 18th (?) century Dutch woman who began a sexual relationship in prison with a fellow female priosoner and unsuccessfully claimed transgender identity in order to marry her.
• Greta von Mösskirch - 16th century German woman who was investigated for loving women and pursuing them “as if she were a man.”
• Isabella de Luna - A 17th century(?) Spanish courtesan in Rome, mentioned by Brantôme as maintaining a female mistress.
• Julie d’Aubigny, Mademoiselle de Maupin - 18th century French opera singer and swordswoman who had multiple female lovers.
• Katharina Güldin - 15th century German woman tried for having a sexual relationship with a woman.
• la Maréchale - 18th century French woman accused or arranging for a woman to be released from prison in exchange for a sexual relationship.
• Marie Antoinette - 18th century Queen of France who was rumored to engage in lesbian relationships among her court, though political animosity was a major aspect of the rumors.
• Mary Frith aka Moll Cutpurse - 17th century English woman who openly wore male garments and was reputed to have both female and male lovers.
• Memoirs of Europe (Delarivier Manley) - Fictionalized memoir (England, 1710) representing the lesbian amours of members of the authors circle.
• Queen Christina of Sweden - 17th century Queen of Sweden who had a passionate friendship with one of her ladies in waiting, openly cross-dressed on occasion, and after her abdication was rumored in Paris to have lesbian relationships.
• Sappho - 6th century BCE Greek poet whose work implies erotic relations with women and whose name and home island of Lesbos have become standard references to love between women.
• Sarah Fielding - 18th century English woman who belonged to a circle of intellectual women suspected of lesbianism.
• Satan’s Harvest Home - 18th century English polemic tract that includes descriptions of lesbian activity, both in England and in Turkish harems.
• The True History and Adventures of Catharine Vizzani  / Breve storia della vita di Catterina Vizzani  (Giovanni Battista Bianchi) - 18th century Italian woman who passed as a man to enjoy romantic and sexual relations with women.
• Wallada - 11th c Spanish-Arabic princess and poet who had female lovers as well as male.
• Warda - Medieval Arabic poet (cited in a 13th century text) who praised love between women.