Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Cathay Williams In Western Wednesday...!

Sometimes we overlook just how tough some of the women in the old west really were. Ms. Williams is a good example of this.

No job in the military, especially back then, was easy. To stay in the service as long as she did was amazing! From Listverse, here is her story.

Cathay Williams


Photo credit: Chr. Barthelmess

Cathay Williams got a taste of the military life early when she joined Major General Phillip H. Sheridan during the Shenandoah Valley raids. Cathay, a recently freed slave, was the cook and laundress for General Sheridan, but she had her mind set on the front lines of the battlefield.

After the Civil War ended, Cathay was dismissed from her position and had to find another way to make ends meet. When Congress officially established the first African-American regiments in 1866, Cathay decided to enlist as a “buffalo solider.” The only problem was that women weren’t allowed in the military. At 175 centimeters (5’9″), Cathay disguised herself as a man and called herself William Cathay. After a quick and clearly hasty physical, an army surgeon deemed her fit for duty. Cathay became the first African-American woman to be enlisted in the army. Even though Cathay was hospitalized five times during her two years of service fighting in the 38th Infantry, her secret was never discovered. She was eventually given a disability discharge.

Just imagine...when many men in the military were trying to figure a way out, this woman was struggling to stay in undetected. Pretty strong gal, I'd say!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Cold front came through, so it's in the high 60's...OK?

7 comments:

Mamahen said...

Hats off to her. If we get just aittle warmer we'll hit the 6's lol.Patio it is :))

Mamahen said...

* a little , 60's ..got to learn to proof :(

Chickenmom said...

She was quite an interesting woman, Mr. Hermit!
http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/cathay-williams-black-woman-buffalo-soldier/
Hopefully we'll break 70 today!

linda m said...

Good for her. Never underestimate a woman with an agenda. Supposed to get to around 60 today here also - in the low 40's now.

Dizzy-Dick said...

I am surprised she passed the physical. Guess some things were a little lax back then in the military. . . Maybe they still are?

JO said...

Now there was a woman with guts. I'll have to read more of her story later.

I was on my way to exercise class Monday and couldn't believe the snow on Mt. Lemmon, that cold front must have went your way.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
You had me worried at first! I thought you were saying 6 and not 60.

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Phyllis...
More like her were around than we will ever know, I reckon.

Thanks for the visit today!



Hey Linda...
Never get in the way of one, that's for sure!

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Dizzy...
Doesn't say much about how observant the doctors were, does it?

Thanks for stopping in this morning!



Hey Jo...
She was a strong one, that's for sure!

Next time try and keep the cold front up in the mountains, OK?

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!