Cathay Williams – Female Buffalo Soldier
Cathay Williams’ story is a remarkable tale of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of independence in a post-Civil War America. She stands as the only documented woman to have served in the United States Army disguised as a man, enlisting under the name William Cathay and becoming, in effect, a female Buffalo Soldier. Her audacious act challenged the social norms of the time and etched her name into the annals of American history, albeit one largely untold for many years. This is the story of Cathay Williams, a woman who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the legacy of the American West.
Born into slavery in Independence, Missouri, in 1842, Cathay Williams’ early life was one of servitude. She was the property of William Johnson, a wealthy planter residing in Jefferson City. She served as a house slave, performing domestic duties within the confines of the Johnson household. This existence, however, was irrevocably altered by the outbreak of the Civil War.
The arrival of Union soldiers marked a turning point in Cathay Williams’ life. Emancipated by the Union forces, she found herself thrust into a world of newfound freedom, yet also confronted with the immediate need for survival and self-sufficiency. The Federal Army offered a solution, hiring her as a paid servant. This role provided not only a source of income but also a unique exposure to the realities of military life.
In her capacity as a servant, Williams worked for Colonel Thomas Hart Benton while he was stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her duties extended to serving General Philip Sheridan and his staff. These experiences provided her with firsthand insight into the daily routines, challenges, and camaraderie of soldiers. She cooked, laundered, and witnessed the movements of troops, becoming intimately familiar with the rhythms of military operations.
Her travels with the army took her across vast stretches of the country. She witnessed the Shenandoah Valley raids in Virginia, a series of pivotal battles in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War. Her journey continued westward, encompassing Iowa, St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Savannah and Macon, Georgia. These experiences broadened her horizons and instilled within her a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse landscapes and social complexities.
With the conclusion of the Civil War, Cathay Williams faced a critical juncture. Having tasted freedom and financial independence, she was determined to maintain her self-reliance. Inspired by her experiences during the war, she conceived a daring plan: to enlist in the United States Army. The only obstacle was her gender. At the time, women were strictly prohibited from serving as soldiers. Undeterred, she devised a strategy that would allow her to circumvent this barrier.
In November 1866, in St. Louis, Missouri, Cathay Williams took the bold step of enlisting in the 38th U.S. Infantry, Company A. To do so, she adopted the male alias "William Cathay." The medical examination required for enlistment was cursory, and her true gender went undetected. She presented herself as a 22-year-old cook, standing 5’9" tall, with black eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. She successfully convinced the recruiting officer of her fitness for duty, concealing her identity with remarkable success. Only two individuals, a cousin and a friend, were privy to her secret, and they remained steadfast in their loyalty, safeguarding her clandestine endeavor.
Following her enlistment, Private William Cathay embarked on a rigorous journey across the American West. In February 1867, she was dispatched to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Just a few months later, in April, her unit marched to Fort Riley, Kansas. By June, they were on the move again, this time to Fort Harker, Kansas, before embarking on a grueling 500-mile trek to Fort Union, New Mexico, in July.
Upon arrival at Fort Union, the regiment was soon transferred to Fort Cummings, New Mexico, where they arrived on October 1. Their primary mission was to protect miners and traveling immigrants from Apache attacks. This assignment placed Williams in a volatile and dangerous environment, where she faced the constant threat of conflict and hardship.
Despite the challenges, she performed her duties diligently. However, the physical demands of military life took a toll on her health. Records indicate that she was hospitalized on five separate occasions. Yet, remarkably, her true identity remained concealed throughout these medical encounters. The doctors and medical staff failed to recognize that William Cathay was, in fact, a woman.
In December 1867, a brief mutiny erupted at Fort Cummings when a camp follower was accused of stealing money. While several soldiers were implicated and faced disciplinary action, Williams remained uninvolved, further solidifying her position as an ordinary soldier in the eyes of her comrades and superiors.
By June 6, 1868, the company was once again on the move, marching to Fort Bayard, New Mexico. By this time, Williams’ health had deteriorated further, and she longed to leave the army. On July 13, she was admitted to the Fort Bayard hospital, diagnosed with neuralgia, a broad term used to describe nerve pain.
It was during this hospitalization that her secret was finally revealed. Medical personnel discovered that William Cathay was, in reality, a woman. On October 14, 1868, she was discharged from the army at Fort Bayard, receiving a certificate of disability. The company’s captain and the post’s assistant surgeon provided statements attesting to her physical condition. The captain noted that Williams had been under his command since May 20, 1867, and had been "feeble both physically and mentally, and often quite unfit for duty." The surgeon stated that Cathey was of "a feeble habit" and "continually on the sick report without benefit," concluding that her condition predated her enlistment.
Despite the circumstances of her discharge, Cathay Williams had achieved a remarkable feat. She had served in the United States Army for two years, successfully concealing her gender and enduring the hardships of military life. Though there is no record of her engaging in direct combat, she participated in regular garrison duties and earned the distinction of being the first and only documented female Buffalo Soldier.
Following her discharge, Williams sought to rebuild her life. She worked as a cook for a colonel at Fort Union, New Mexico, from 1869 to 1870. She then relocated to Pueblo, Colorado, where she worked as a laundress before settling in Trinidad, Colorado, in 1872. In Trinidad, she continued to earn her living as a laundress and part-time nurse.
In the early 1890s, her health deteriorated once again, leading to a lengthy hospitalization. By the time she was discharged, she was destitute. In June 1891, she applied for a pension from the U.S. Army, citing deafness, rheumatism, and neuralgia, all of which she claimed to have contracted during her military service.
However, her application was denied by the Pension Bureau. Medical examinations and investigations revealed that her disability predated her enlistment and was not directly attributable to her service. Furthermore, the bureau determined that her service in the Army was not legal, rendering her ineligible for a pension.
The fate of Cathay Williams after her pension application was rejected remains shrouded in mystery. It is believed that she died sometime between 1892 and 1900, as her name disappeared from Census rolls after 1900.
Cathay Williams‘ story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of a woman who defied societal expectations and pursued her dreams with unwavering determination. Her service as a Buffalo Soldier, albeit under the guise of a man, is a remarkable chapter in American history, highlighting the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s military and the challenges faced by women seeking to break down gender barriers. Although her life ended in obscurity, her legacy as the only documented female Buffalo Soldier endures, inspiring generations to challenge the status quo and pursue their aspirations, regardless of the obstacles they may encounter.