The person pictured in the back row, center (holding the wooden column) is most likely Kate Warne, probably the first female private detective in the United States. From 1856 until her death in 1868, Kate Warne worked for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Allan Pinkerton (seated in front of Warne) regarded her as one of his top detectives and often tasked her with going deep undercover as both female and male characters, with various different regional dialects. During the Civil War, Warne, along with other Pinkertons, took part in numerous security and intelligence operations for both President Lincoln and for the Union Army.
For a comic strip based on the adventures of Kate Warne, check out “Kate Warne, Pinkerton Detective” – www.katewarnedetective.com
