Letter from Washington, 1863-1865

by Lois Bryan Adams

Before the Civil War, Lois Bryan Adams was a well-known Michigan poet and editor. In 1863 she left Detroit for Washington, D.C., where she was one of the first women in the federal civil service and one of the first employees of the United States Department of Agriculture. In addition to her government position, Adams was a regular correspondent for the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune. Adams was a concerned and observant reporter whose columns covered politics, war news, hospital and relief efforts, African-American issues, women's issues, the Agriculture Department, and the attractions and amusements of the nation's capital. Adams's descriptions provide a seldom-encountered view of the Civil War era. Her commentaries show her to be an insightful reporter and provide a fascinating look into this important period of history.