The Hidden Legacy: Cathay Williams, the Female Buffalo Soldier

(Colorado) Cathay Williams was once an enslaved woman but later disguised herself as a man so she could become a soldier. Cathay Williams was the first African American woman to enlist and the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army, while disguised as a man, during the Indian Wars. Williams is also the only known female Buffalo Soldier.

Composite of Cathay Williams and Buffalo Soldiers.Photo byPublic Domain / Composite Colorado Martini

Cathay Williams was born to an enslaved mother and a free father in Independence, Missouri around 1844. She worked as a "house slave" on the Johnson plantation on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri.

During the early part of the Civil War, Union forces occupied Jefferson City. The enslaved of the area began to support the military as cooks, laundresses, or nurses. Cathay became an Army infantry cook and laundresses. She traveled all over the country with the Army.

At 17 years old, Cathay disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the U.S. Regular Army. She switched her name from Cathay Williams to William Cathay. In November 1866, she enlisted for a three-year term of service as “William Cathay” at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.

Soon after enlistment, she contracted small poxes. Once discharged from the hospital, Williams was assigned to the emerging all-Black regiment: the 38^th U.S. Infantry. Which would eventually become part of the legendary “Buffalo Soldiers.”

The 38^th was one of six all-black regiments of “Buffalo Soldiers” created by Congress in August 1866 with a charge of filling the need for soldiers created by westward expansion. The units were assigned all over the American West. They fought in skirmishes with Native Americans, escorted vulnerable wagon trains (Santa Fe Trail), built forts, mapped the territory, and protected settlers.

She continued to have medical issues and was hospitalized often. It was due to her hospitalization that they discovered she was a woman. On October 14, 1868, Private William Cathay was discharged from the army for medical reasons.

After her time as a soldier, Cathay went on to work as a cook at Fort Union in Northern New Mexico (now Fort Union National Monument). She later moved to Pueblo, Colorado and married. Her marriage soon ended badly. Cathay’s husband left her, but first stole her money and a team of horses.

Have you heard Cathay's story before? Let us know in the comments.

She soon settled in Trinidad, Colorado, where she worked as a seamstress. It is said that she lived at the corner of Second and Animas streets. But the original home no longer stands. It is at this time a reporter from St. Louis came to interview her. Her life and military service narrative was published in the St. Louis Daily Times on January 2, 1876.

Around 1889, Cathay became ill again and entered a local hospital. Having an honorable discharge, she applied for a disability pension. A doctor discovered she was suffering from neuralgia, diabetes, deafness, and rheumatism. At that time her toes were amputated, and she would need to walk with a crutch. In September 1892, a doctor employed by the U.S. Pension Bureau examined Cathay Williams. Even though she was suffering from these illnesses, resulting in the amputation of her toes, and could only walk with a crutch, the doctor decided she did not qualify for disability payments. Her application was rejected.

It is thought she died in 1892 at the age of 47 in Trinidad, Colorado. She is believed to be buried in the San Juan Plaza Cemetery about 16 miles west of Trinidad, Colorado. There is no gravestone or plaque marking her final resting place.

Do you think Cathay deserved a pension? Let us know in the comments?

Cathay Williams plaque in Trinidad, COPhoto byFina-a-grave

Honors and Media

A plaque honoring her memory is on display at the Trinidad Historical Museum, and the museum recently included her in a new exhibit highlighting local and native peoples. The plaque was erected by Denver Colorado Chapter Buffalo Soldiers, 9th and 10th Horse Calvary Association, Black American West Heritage and History Center, and History Colorado. The plaques reads:

At a time when the military banned women, former slave Cathay Williams disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the all-Black 38th Infantry in 1866. She served honorably as Pvt. "William Cathay" for nearly two years. Ready to give up army life, she allowed a doctor to discover her secret. She lived in Trinidad during her final years. Williams was the first known African-American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army and the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Her service represents the contributions of all African-American women who helped settle the West.

Cathay was portrayed in the movie, “The Harder they Fall” as the character “Cuffee.” Many other western characters are portrayed in the movie. Characters that never met each other in real life. So, it is certainly not true to history.

In 2016, a bronze bust of Cathay Williams, featuring information about her and with a small rose garden around it, was unveiled outside the Richard Allen Cultural Center in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Bust of Cathay Williams. The Richard Allen Cultural Center and Museum opened in Leavenworth.Photo byVisit Leavenworth

In 2018, the Private Cathay Williams monument bench was unveiled on the Walk of Honor at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

Cathay Williams was the first know African American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army and the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Her service represents the contributions of all African American women who helped settle the west.

Do you know of any other information or memorials to Cathay Williams? Let us know in the comments.

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References

• Wikipedia
• Leavenworth KS
• Fina-a-grave
• NPS
• The Urban News
• Wounded Warriors
• Trinadad Memorial to Cathy Williams