The Most Hated Woman in Virginia

Southern Gothic

Southern Gothic Media LLC

True Crime, Documentary, Society & Culture, History

4.6 • 836 Ratings

🗓️ 14 April 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Perched high on Church Hill above the James River once stood one of Richmond’s grandest homes—a mansion of wealth, refinement, and Southern prestige. But behind its stately white columns and sweeping staircases, something far more dangerous was unfolding. For it was here, in the heart of the Confederate capital, that Elizabeth Van Lew—an elite Southern woman raised among Virginia’s most powerful families—launched a covert campaign to undermine the rebellion from within. Though she moved through society’s upper circles, Van Lew secretly loathed the Confederacy and used her privilege to orchestrate one of the most daring spy operations of the Civil War. Her network included formerly enslaved individuals, Union sympathizers, and even a woman who posed as a servant inside the Confederate White House. And while her intelligence helped shape the Union’s military strategy and even aided in the escape of more than 100 Union officers from Libby Prison, her actions made her a pariah in the city she once called home. By war’s end, Elizabeth Van Lew wasn’t hailed as a hero—she was vilified as a traitor. Branded “Crazy Bet,” her legacy was twisted, her sacrifices forgotten, and her name all but erased from Southern memory. Yet beneath the folklore lies the true story of a woman who risked everything for the Union—and helped change the course of history. Want to Listen to Southern Gothic Ad-Free? Patreon: Ad-Free Episodes, Premium Releases, Bonus Content & More Southern Gothic Premium on Spotify Southern Gothic Premium on Apple Podcasts Into History: History Without Interruption Connect with Southern Gothic Media: Website: SouthernGothicMedia.com Merch Store: https://www.southerngothicmedia.com/merch Pinterest: @SouthernGothicMedia Facebook: @SouthernGothicMedia Instagram: @SouthernGothicMedia X: @SoGoPodcast Advertise on this podcast: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The new five-pound meal deal from McDonald's.
0:02.8	Get a cheeseburger or mayo chicken, medium fries, four McNuggets, and a medium soft drink for guess what?
0:08.4	That's right, five pounds.
0:11.3	It's not called the five-pound meal deal for nothing.
0:14.8	From 11 a.m.
0:15.8	Not available on delivery.
0:16.8	Carbidated soft drink upgrade fees apply.
0:18.4	Participating restaurants, subjects of availability.
0:20.4	Did you know a 2018 study showed half of prenatal vitamins tested had unacceptable levels of heavy metals?
0:28.6	I'm Kat, mother of three, and founder of ritual.
0:32.2	When I was four months pregnant, I couldn't find a prenatal I could trust.
0:35.9	So I created my own.
0:37.2	Ours is made traceable,
0:38.8	third-party tested for heavy metals, and recently earned the purity award from the Clean
0:43.5	Label Project. But don't just take my word for it. Get 25% off at virtual.com slash podcast. Southern Gothic is a podcast that explores the history behind some of the American
1:04.6	South's darkest days, greatest mysteries, and most chilling ghost stories.
1:31.6	I'm going to greatest mysteries, and most chilling ghost stories. On the night of February 9, 1864,
1:38.8	109 men from the U.S. Army disappeared into the ground beneath the Richmond, Virginia, in a desperate attempt to escape their captors.
1:45.0	For several weeks prior, these soldiers, prisoners of war,
1:50.0	walked up inside the Confederate Capitol's most infamous detention site,
1:55.0	had been digging their way out.
1:57.0	Using pocket knives, chisels, and a flattened-tintz patun the men carved a tunnel through brick
	...

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