Cathay Williams Meme

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.

Cathay williams meme. In september 1861 union troops impressed cathay into the army to work as a cook and washerwoman for union army officers. Army before women were officially allowed to enlist. Her biggest wish was to live free from the restrictions placed on women especially slave women. She remained with the army throughout the civil war serving at various. Cathay williams is the only documented african american woman who served as a soldier in the regular u s. In 1861 union forces occupied jefferson city during the early stages of the civil war. She served in the buffalo regiment during the civil war having enlisted two years earlier.

She was the first woman to enlist in the united states military. Cathay williams was the only known female african american buffalo soldier. Cathay williams 1844 1892 a k a. Williams was born in september of 1844 in independence missouri. Here are 10 facts about this fascinating character. Cathay williams september 1844 1893 was an african american soldier who enlisted in the united states army under the pseudonym william cathay she was the first black woman to enlist and the only documented woman to serve in the united states army posing as a man. During her adolescence she worked as a house slave on the johnson plantation on the outskirts of jefferson city missouri.

Born a slave in independence missouri in 1844 cathay worked as a house servant on a nearby plantation on the outskirts of jefferson city. Cathay was born a slave around 1850 in jackson county missouri. At this time captured slaves were. Cathay williams was a cook for the union army. Cathay williams was a black woman who also tried to right the wrongs in her life. When congress passed an act authorizing the establishment of the first all black units of the military later to become known as. William cathay was the first known african american woman to enlist in the united states army and the only black woman documented to serve in the us army in the 19th century.

On october 14 1868 william cathay was declared unfit for duty and honorably discharged. Cathay williams was a female 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 one who is documented as having served in the united states army posing as a man. Nov 1 2012 cathay williams. Cathay williams was born to an enslaved mother and a free father in independence missouri in 1844. 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.

She was the first black woman to be documented for her service in the u s.