Loreta Janeta Velazquez, historical figure, who was born in Cuba, masqueraded as a Confederate soldier, during the Civil War, using the name of Lt. Harry T. Buford, enlisting in 1860 without her soldier-husband’s knowledge. According to her controversial biography and the confirmation of others, she fought fearlessly at the Battles of Bull Run, Ball’s Bluff and Fort Donelson, but was detected in New Orleans and discharged. Loreta Velasquez re-enlisted and fought at the Battle of Shiloh until rediscovered. She spied in both male and female disguises.
The illustration depicts Loreta Janeta Velazquez and her alias, Lt. Harry T. Buford of the Confederate States Army.
