Private Cathay Williams, A Soldier's Story
Private Cathay Williams, A Soldier's Story
Private Cathay Williams was born into slavery in September 1844 in Independence, Missouri. Enslaved on the Johnson plantation near Jefferson City, she spent her early life performing domestic labor until the arrival of Union forces during the Civil War dramatically altered her path.
As Union troops advanced through Missouri, enslaved individuals were often classified as “contraband of war” and brought under federal control. When Jefferson City fell under Union occupation, Cathay Williams was taken from the plantation and assigned to accompany the 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, where she worked as a cook and laundress. In this capacity, she traveled extensively with federal forces during the war.
After emancipation, Williams sought something few women, and even fewer formerly enslaved women, had access to at the time: independence and steady pay. On November 15, 1866, she disguised herself as a man under the name William Cathay and enlisted in the United States Army. She was assigned to the 38th Infantry Regiment, one of the units later known collectively as the Buffalo Soldiers, and stationed in New Mexico Territory.
Military life on the western frontier was physically demanding and harsh. Shortly after enlistment, Williams contracted smallpox and endured ongoing health struggles. Despite illness and grueling conditions, she successfully maintained her identity for nearly two years while serving among the ranks.
Her biological sex was ultimately discovered during a medical examination by a post surgeon, and she was honorably discharged on October 14, 1868.
After leaving the Army, Williams remained in the Southwest, supporting herself as a seamstress and cook. Her later years were marked by declining health. She applied for a military pension but was denied, reportedly because her service records did not meet eligibility standards at the time.
It is believed that she died around 1893, though the exact date and location of her burial remain unknown.
In the decades since her death, historians have recognized Private Cathay Williams as the only documented African American woman known to have enlisted and served in the U.S. Army while disguised as a man during the post–Civil War era. Her service has been memorialized at the National Infantry Museum, where a commemorative bench honors her legacy.
Her words capture the core of her decision: she wanted to make her own living, not depend on others.
For a woman born enslaved in 1844, that was no small declaration. It was an act of defiance, determination, and courage.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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