Walker was captured while treating civilians and later exchanged as the first woman officer POW-for-officer.
On April 10, 1864, Mary Edwards Walker was captured by Confederate forces near Chattanooga, Tennessee, highlighting her unwavering commitment to assisting individuals caught in the crossfire of war. Her capture was significant, as it led to her becoming the first woman officer ever exchanged for a male prisoner of war of the same rank. This event underscored the risks she took in her brave service and the recognition of her equivalent status as an officer, shaping perceptions about women's roles in military settings.