She was born Maria Rosatta O'Neal in Port Tobacco, Maryland in 1817. She was an orphan who lived with her aunt in Washington, D.C. Her aunt ran a boarding house where Rose was introduced to important figures in the Washington area. One of her close friends was Dolley Madison. Rose was a beautiful young woman, educated and well mannered. She had many suitors including Dr. Robert Greenhow, whom she married. The Greenhow family raised up four daughters.
After the tragic death of her husband, the departure of her eldest daughter to the frontier and the death of her second eldest daughter just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Rose decided to take the side of the Southern cause. Her loyalty to the Confederacy and the right to secession continued to grow. She was recruited as a spy by Southern loyalists.
Prior to the battle of First Bull Run, Rose passed along secret messages to Confederate General Beauregard containing critical information regarding the tactical plans of Union General Irvin McDowell. Confederate President Jefferson Davis later credited Rose with assisting in a victory at Manassas.
Fearing for her life she sent one of her two remaining daughters to France. On August 23nd, 1861, Allan Pinkerton, apprehended the rebel Rose and placed her under arrest. She celebrated the new year by being transferred to Old Capitol Prison, where her youngest daughter little Rose, was allowed to stay with her. Even while incarcerated Rose was able to pass messages along by concealing them in visitor's hair!
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