Mollie Bean

Mollie Bean Historical Figure Nationality: United States (Confederate States, 1861-65) Year of Birth: 19th century Year of Death: Unknown Occupation: Soldier Military Branch: Confederate States Army Fictional Appearances: The Guns of the South POD: January 17, 1864 Nationality: Confederate States Occupation: Soldier, Prostitute Spouse: Nate Caudell Military Branch: Confederate States Army (Second American Revolution)

Mollie Bean was a North Carolina woman who, pretending to be a man, joined the 47th North Carolina, a unit of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War. She was wounded twice, and, given the regiment's history, may have served at the Battle of Gettysburg. She was captured in February 1865, and subsequently imprisoned as a spy. The press of the day insinuated that her comrades had to know her gender, and that she probably engaged in sexual intercourse with several.

Mollie Bean in The Guns of the South

Mollie Bean was a North Carolina prostitute who joined the Confederate Army as a career opportunity. As Melvin Bean, she served the 47th North Carolina ably during the Second American Revolution and was wounded at Gettysburg. After the war, she returned to Rivington, her home town. She was able to experience firsthand the technological marvels of the Rivington Men, such as electric lights and air-conditioning. In 1868, she stole a book called The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War from Benny Lang, which triggered the chain of events leading to the Richmond Massacre on March 4, 1868, and the final battle against the Rivington Men soon after. After the battle of Rivington, she married Nate Caudell and relocated with him to Nashville in North Carolina.

Literary Comment

In his afterword, Harry Turtledove acknowledged that he was not able to find Bean's company. He also admits that her career as a prostitute is fictional.