Cathay Williams

Former Slave Who Posed as Male to Enlist in the Military

Cathay was born into slavery before the Civil War. When the Union army came to her town, all slaves were declared “contraband” and forced to work for the Union instead of their “owners”. Before her voluntary enlistment, at just 17 years old, Williams served as an Army cook and a washerwoman. In this role she accompanied the infantry all over the country. Williams enlisted in the U.S. Regular Army under the false name of “William Cathay” on November 15, 1866. She enlisted for a three-year engagement, passing herself off as a man. Williams was assigned to the 38th U.S. Infantry Regiment. Shortly after her enlistment she contracted smallpox, and although she recovered, it led to frequent bouts in the hospital as she suffered the aftereffects of the disease. It was during one of these hospitalizations that the post surgeon finally discovered she was a woman and informed the post commander. She was honorably discharged by her commanding officer on October 14, 1868. Though her disability discharge meant the end of her tenure with the Army, her adventure continued. She signed up with an emerging all-black regiment that would eventually become part of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

Williams did marry, but it ended when her husband stole money and a team of horses from her. She had him arrested, and left town to once again start over. While working as a seamstress, her life story became public. A reporter from St. Louis heard rumors of a female African-American 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 2, 1876.

Check out the Broads You Should Know podcast episode for more of her story!