In the summer of 1865 Harriet Tubman returned home to Auburn, New York from Virginia where she was serving in a hospital near Fort Monroe. Without a steady income it was difficult for Tubman to make ends meet, she was in charge of her elderly parents and constantly providing for those looking for refuge in her home. Tubman sought compensation for her services during the Civil War which turned into a 34 year ordeal. Because her services as a nurse, cook, spy and scout were not documented compensation was hard to get. All Tubman had received was $200 for 3 years of service.
In 1865 she appealed to the federal government for the first time and then a second time in 1867.
