In Sept. 1863, Mary Edwards Walker was employed as a “Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon” by the Army of the Cumberland, becoming the first female surgeon employed by the U.S. Army. Walker later became assistant surgeon of the 52nd Ohio Infantry.

In Apr. 1864, Walker was captured after helping a Confederate doctor with a surgery and held as a prisoner of war for four months. In September, she became the assistant surgeon of the Ohio 52nd Infantry. Following the war, Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson.