LEARNING TOGETHER: The Story of America
Cathay Williams was born a slave. Considered contraband, Williams was freed by the Union Army. During the Reconstruction era and craving independence, Williams dressed as a man and using the name William Cathay, she joined the now famous Buffalo Soldiers 38th infantry. Williams is the only known Black female to enlist in the U. S. Army at that time. She performed garrison duties like any other soldier. But after two years of posing as a male soldier, her secret was discovered. She was honorably discharged from the army.
Noteworthy Fact: Some 400 women posed as male soldiers during the American Civil War.
OUR HISTORY MATTERS
#10
Celebrate Women in American History
