PVT. Cathay Williams
An American Trailblazer - the Southern Belle of the “Buffalo Soldiers” U.S. 38th Infantry Regiment.
The lady
Born September 12th, 1844, in Independence, Missouri, to an enslaved mother and free father, Private Cathay Williams is the only woman to serve in the U.S. Army while posing as a man making her the first black American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars. She was assigned to the legendary, all-black 38th Infantry regiment, referred to as the "Buffalo Soldiers" because of their dark, curly hair, which resembled a buffalo's coat, and fierce fighting nature.
William's legal status was that of an enslaved person during her adolescence. She grew up working as a house slave on the Johnson plantation in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 1861, during the early stages of the U.S. Civil War, the Union military captured and occupied the city. At this time, enslaved people were designated as contraband resulting in some serving in the military as support roles such as; cooks, laundresses, or nurses. By age 17, Williams served as a cook and washerwoman for the U.S. Army before her voluntary enlistment.
At age 22, on November 15th, 1866, Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army under the false name of William Cathay for a three-year enlistment. After successfully passing the cursory medical examination as a man, she was assigned to the legendary, all-black U.S. 38th Infantry regiment, where she served in non-combat roles for two years.
Williams contracted smallpox and was hospitalized during her enlistment but would later rejoin her unit, posted in New Mexico. Over the years, her body began to show signs of strain, and she was frequently hospitalized. Eventually, the military post surgeon discovered she was a woman and informed the post commander. Her commanding officer, Captain Charles E. Clarke, honorably discharged her from the Army on October 14th, 1868.
After her service, Williams moved to Trinidad, Colorado, where she worked as a seamstress. It was never confirmed, but she may have owned a boarding school nearby. During this time, her story became public. A reporter from St. Louis heard rumors of a black American woman who had served in the Army and came to interview her. Her life and military service narrative was published in the St. Louis Daily Times on January 2nd, 1876.
In 2016, a bronze bust of Private Cathay Williams, featuring information about her and with a small rose garden around it, was unveiled outside Richard Allen Cultural Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, and in 2018, the Private Cathay Williams monument bench was unveiled on the Walk of Honor at the National Infantry Museum.
Quick Facts
The only woman to serve in the U.S. Army while posing as a man making her the first black American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars.
Was assigned to the legendary, all-black 38th Infantry regiment, referred to as the "Buffalo Soldiers" because of their dark, curly hair, which resembled a buffalo's coat, and fierce fighting nature.
In 2016, a bronze bust of Cathay Williams, featuring information about her and with a small rose garden around it, was unveiled outside Richard Allen Cultural Center in Leavenworth, Kansas and in 2018, the Private Cathay Williams monument bench was unveiled on the Walk of Honor at the National Infantry Museum.
Sources
"Profiles in Courage: Cathay Williams aka William Cathay". Heroes Among Us. United States Army. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
Cathay Williams: Female Buffalo Soldier Archived from the original. Sources pertaining to Cathay Williams' life compiled by the National Park Service
"William Cathay". African-American News & Issues. 3 September 2005. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-15.