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\nCathay Williams: the First Black Woman to Enlist in the United States Army\n

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\nCathay Williams was an African-American soldier, recognized as the first Black woman to enlist, and the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army posing as a man during the American Indian Wars. Notably, she was the only...\nCathay Williams was an African-American soldier, recognized as the first Black woman to enlist, and the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army posing as a man during the American Indian Wars. Notably, she was the only woman to serve in the US Army as a Buffalo Soldier⁠
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She was born in September 1844, in Independence, Missouri, United States. ⁠
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In September 1861 Union troops impressed Cathay into the Army to work as a cook and washerwoman for Union Army officers. She remained with the Army throughout the Civil War serving at various locales including Little Rock, Arkansas; New Orleans and Shreveport in Louisiana; and Savannah and Macon, both in Georgia. In 1864 she briefly served as cook and washerwoman for General Phil Sheridan and his staff in the Shenandoah Valley campaign.

On November 15, 1866 Williams disguised her gender and enlisted as William Cathey, serving in Company A of the 38th Infantry, a newly-formed all-black U.S. Army Regiment, one of its earliest recruits.

In June 1891 Cathay filed a pension application based on medical disability incurred during military service as William Cathey. The Army rejected her pension claim on February 8, 1892, citing no grounds for a pensionable disability, but did not question her gender identity as William Cathay. The date of Cathay Williams’ death is unknown.\n
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Resource Details

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Media Length
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2:15
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Grade
9th - Higher Ed
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Subjects
Social Studies & History
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Media Type
Instructional Videos
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Source:
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\nThe Black History Buff\n\n
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Date
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2022
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Language
English
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Audiences
For Teacher Use
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Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
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civil war, identity, serving, american history, african american history
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black, history, black is king, history of the world, indian wars, american military history, women in the army, black history, black american history, cathy williams, black woman, william kathy, kathy, army, enlist, serve, company, year
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\n\" data-title=\"Get Full Access\" data-container=\"body\" rel=\"popover\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Play video: Cathay Williams: the First Black Woman to Enlist in the United States Army\" href=\"/subscription/new\">\"Cathay\n\n
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