The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague: Civil War Belle of the North and Gilded Age Tragedy

American Queen: The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague -- Civil War "Belle of the North" and Gilded Age Woman of Scandal

by John Oller

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5087 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	416 pages
Paperback	:	160 pages
Item Weight	:	15.9 ounces

FREE

Kate Chase Sprague was one of the most famous women in America during the Civil War and Gilded Age. The daughter of Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury under President Abraham Lincoln, she was known for her beauty, wit, and social graces. But her life was also marked by scandal and tragedy.

Early Life and Education

Kate Chase was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 25, 1840. Her father was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as governor of Ohio and as Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War. Her mother, Catherine Jane Bell, was a devout Presbyterian and a strong advocate for women's rights.

Kate received a privileged education, studying at the Cincinnati Female Seminary and abroad in Europe. She was a gifted pianist and singer, and she spoke several languages fluently. She was also a skilled political hostess, and her father's home was a popular gathering place for politicians and diplomats.

Civil War Belle

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Kate Chase was 21 years old. She was a passionate supporter of the Union cause, and she used her social connections to raise money and supplies for the war effort. She also worked as a nurse in military hospitals.

Kate Chase was one of the most sought-after women in Washington, D.C., during the war years. She was known for her beauty, her intelligence, and her ability to charm even the most powerful men. She was often seen at social events with President Lincoln and other high-ranking officials.

Marriage to Senator Sprague

In 1863, Kate Chase married William Sprague, a wealthy Rhode Island senator. The marriage was a political alliance, designed to strengthen her father's presidential ambitions. However, the marriage was not a happy one. Sprague was a heavy drinker and gambler, and he was often unfaithful to Kate.

Despite her unhappy marriage, Kate Chase Sprague continued to be a prominent figure in Washington society. She was a close friend of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia. She also played a role in the presidential campaign of Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876.

Gilded Age Tragedy

In the years after the Civil War, Kate Chase Sprague's life began to unravel. Her husband's financial problems forced her to sell her luxurious home in Washington, D.C. She also became addicted to morphine.

In 1889, Kate Chase Sprague's husband died, leaving her penniless. She was forced to sell her remaining possessions and move into a boarding house. She died in poverty on June 30, 1899.

Kate Chase Sprague was a complex and fascinating woman. She was a Civil War belle, a Gilded Age socialite, and a victim of tragedy. Her life is a reminder that even the most glamorous and successful people can fall victim to adversity.

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American Queen: The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague -- Civil War "Belle of the North" and Gilded Age Woman of Scandal

by John Oller

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5087 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	416 pages
Paperback	:	160 pages
Item Weight	:	15.9 ounces

FREE