African
Americans in Times of War - Black Women in the Military: Cathay Williams
(September 1844 – 1893) was an American soldier who enlisted in the United States Army under the pseudonym William Cathay. She was the first African-American woman to enlist, and the only documented to serve in the
United States Army posing as a man. Williams was born in Independence, Missouri
to a free man and a woman in slavery, making her legal status also that of a
slave. During her adolescence, Williams worked as a house slave on the Johnson
plantation on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri.
In 1861 Union forces
occupied Jefferson City in the early stages of the Civil War. Despite the prohibition against women serving in the military, Cathay Williams enlisted in the United States Regular Army under the
false name of "William Cathay on November 15, 1866 at St. Louis, Missouri for a three-year engagement, passing herself off as a man.
She was assigned to the 38th United States Infantry Regiment after she passed a
cursory medical examination. Only two others are known to have been
privy to the deception, her cousin and a friend, both of whom were fellow
soldiers in her regiment. Shortly after her enlistment, Williams
contracted smallpox, was hospitalized and rejoined her unit, which by then was
posted in New Mexico. Possibly due to the effects of smallpox, the New Mexico
heat, or the cumulative effects of years of marching, her body began to show
signs of strain. She was frequently hospitalized. The post surgeon finally
discovered she was a woman and informed the post commander. She was discharged
from the Army by her commanding officer, Captain Charles E. Clarke on October
14, 1868.
#BlackHistoryMonthHHC #Sheshereforit
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