June 26, 1842

The youngest of six children of a wealthy sugar, tobacco, and coffee trader, Loreta Janeta Velazquez was born in Havana, Cuba; she was educated in New Orleans, Louisiana. In late spring of 1861, Velazquez adorned herself with a Confederate uniform and fake facial hair, assigned herself the rank of lieutenant in the Confederate army, and adopted the name of Harry T. Buford. According to her own account, Velazquez embarked on a remarkable career, partially in Arkansas, as both a Confederate soldier and spy during the turbulent years of America’s Civil War.

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