Pigott, Emeline Jamison, 1836-1919

Emeline Jamison Pigott (December 15, 1836 – May 26, 1919) was a spy for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. For several years, she hid contraband messages in her skirt and carried them between New Bern, North Carolina (NC), and local sea ports. United States (U.S.) military and civilian law enforcement almost caught her several times. In February 1865, U.S. Army Provost Marshal Major Graves arrested her for treason against the United States on the charge of espionage - blockade running. The U.S. Army released her some time later to her home. Emeline Pigott was born on December 15, 1836, in Harlowe Township, Carteret County, NC. Pigott met and fell in love with a Confederate Army private, Stokes McRae. Pigott organized enemy fishermen to spy for her. She passed this military intelligence to the Confederate Army. Pigott also entertained U.S. Army soldiers at her parents' farm, distracting them so her sister, Abigail's, husband, Rufus Bell, could carry food into the nearby woods for the Confederate Army soldiers in hiding.

In February 1865, United States Army Provost Marshal Major Graves arrested Pigott [1] and Bell for treason against the United States - blockade running and transporting contraband supply and messages across enemy lines. Her US Army jailors released her some time later to her home. US Army soldiers searched Bell and released him when they found no contraband. While the Provost Marshall was looking for a woman to search Pigott, she allegedly swallowed some treason-incriminating messages and tore others into tiny pieces. The Provost Marshall detected her concealing about 30 pounds of contraband in her voluminous skirts. Secured in specially sewn pockets in her skirts and petticoats were: 1 pair boots, 2 pairs of pants, a shirt, a cap, a dozen linen collars, 12 hankies, 50 skeins of wool, needles, a lot of spools of thread, toothbrushes, hair combs, 3 pocket knives, several pairs of gloves, razors, and 4-5 pounds of candy.[2]

Trial
The U.S. Army transported Pigott to New Berne to stand trial. They permitted her cousin, Mrs. Levi Woodburg Pigott, to accompany her. The U.S. Army jailed the two in the Jones House in New Berne. (It stands, today.) The women claimed one night someone tried to kill them with chloroform. They said that they broke a window in their room and took turns breathing fresh air until they were able to summon the guards' attention.

Over the next month, the Provost Marshall scheduled Piggott for trial on several occasions, but she was never brought to trial. The U.S. Provost Marshall unexpectedly released Pigott to return home. After her release, the United States Army maintained surveillance over her activities until the Confederate States Army's defeat in 1865.[citation needed].

Later life
Pigott never married and continued to live in her homeplace.

Emeline Jamison Pigott is buried near Emeline Place (street) in Morehead City.[3] Her gravesite is guarded by a padlocked fence. As is a statue representing her Confederate Army Sgt. McRae, an artillery-shot away in Beaufort, NC.