(Liste) Cathay Williams Meme
In september 1861 union troops impressed cathay into the army to work as a cook and washerwoman for union army officers.
Cathay williams meme. Cathay williams was a female soldier who enlisted in the united states army under the pseudonym william cathay. At this time captured slaves were. Here are 10 facts about this fascinating character. When she was hospitalized the doctor discovered her secret. She remained with the army throughout the civil war serving at various. Her biggest wish was to live free from the restrictions placed on women especially slave women. Cathay williams was pressed into service in 1861 by the union army in missouri enlisted as a man in 1866 and served in the indian wars as a buffalo soldier the first and only female ever to do so.
When congress passed an act authorizing the establishment of the first all black units of the military later to become known as. During her adolescence she worked as a house slave on the johnson plantation on the outskirts of jefferson city missouri. Cathay williams was the only known female african american buffalo soldier. Nov 1 2012 cathay williams. In 1861 union forces occupied jefferson city during the early stages of the civil war. Cathay williams was a cook for the union army. When the civil war ended cathay needed to support herself.
Williams posed as a man named william cathay and served as a buffalo soldier in the first black unit of the military during the civil war. Army before women were officially allowed to enlist. She signed up with the 25th infantry buffalo soldiers as william cathay. Cathay williams was a black woman who also tried to right the wrongs in her life. Cathay williams was born to an enslaved mother and a free father in independence missouri in 1844. Army in the nineteenth century. Cathay williams 1844 1892 a k a.
Born a slave in independence missouri in 1844 cathay worked as a house servant on a nearby plantation on the outskirts of jefferson city. She was the first african american woman to enlist and the only one who is documented as having served in the united states army posing as a man. She served in the buffalo regiment during the civil war having enlisted two years earlier. On october 14 1868 william cathay was declared unfit for duty and honorably discharged. Cathay williams is the only documented african american woman who served as a soldier in the regular u s. She was the first black woman to be documented for her service in the u s. Cathay was born a slave around 1850 in jackson county missouri.
She was the first woman to enlist in the united states military.