When the Civil War began, Harriet started working as a spy for the Union Army. She was a perfect spy, as no Confederate expected a petite, black woman to work in the army, let alone be a spy. So, she was given passes to the South using a train, when she arrived she listened to conversations, talked to white people and slaves, and brought back information that could be used by the Union Army. When she wasn't working as a spy, she also served as a cook and nurse during the Civil War. She had the skills to complete these jobs due to the knowledge and experiences her mother shared with her. This allowed her to nurture and nurse soldiers and freed slaves back to life as her mother once did to her. In the midst of the Civil War she also became the first woman to lead a military operation in the U.S. She led a military unit of 150 black soldiers from the Union Army. This unit freed 700 slaves and caused great losses to the Confederacy by burning plantations, warehouses, mansions, etc. Before and after the war she captivated and inspired many with her speeches and activism for the abolitionist and women's rights