The Harper's article included details that are not known to be accurate, such as that Richards had worked undercover directly in the Confederate White House, that she had a photographic memory, and that she tried to set fire to the Confederate White House at the end of the war; and other details that are clearly false, such as that her name was "Mary Elizabeth Bowser".
Most generally our reliable news is gathered from negroes, and they certainly show wisdom, discretion and prudence, which is wonderful.On April 16, 1861, Mary wed Wilson Bowser.
The ceremony took place in St. John's Church, just four days after Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter, the first battle of the Civil War.
[6] On at least one occasion she went, as she later put it, "into President Davis's house while he was absent," pretending to be getting laundry, in order to look for documents related to the war effort.
[8] Although the exact details of the intelligence she collected are unknown, the value of this espionage ring was noted by Generals Benjamin Butler, Ulysses S. Grant, and George H.
In addition to the misuse of the name "Bowser," a number of claims made in purportedly nonfiction accounts about this figure are unsubstantiated, or even untrue.
[2][9] A number of modern media sources, including NOW with Bill Moyers, NPR and The Washington Post, have republished these false or disputed claims.
[8] The opera Intelligence by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer is based on Mary Bowser's life.
[23] The opera repeats a number of false claims, for example, "Bowser" setting fire to the Confederate White House, perhaps further confusing audiences about the real history.
[24] "Mary Elizabeth Bowser" [sic] has been honored by the U.S. government with an induction into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for her work in the war.