Cathay Williams

Cathay Williams was born in 1844 as a slave in Independence, MO. She is known as the only black woman documented to enlist and serve in the US Army in the 19th century. Williams worked as a house servant on a plantation on the outskirts of Jefferson City. The civil war began in 1861. Union forces occupied Jefferson City.

During the Civil War, captured slaves was considered contraband and forced to support the military. At the age of 17, Cathay Williams was forced to cook and be a laundress for the army. She traveled with the infantry through many states and many battles. When the war ended, she was working at the Jefferson Barracks in Jefferson City, MO.

Williams had difficulty finding employment after the war. She decided to enlist into the military, following the footsteps of her cousin and friend who enlisted. At that time, the military provide a steady income, education, healthcare, and a pension for many. Since no medical exams were given at that time, no one questioned the 5’9” “William Cathay” was Cathay Williams disguised as a man.

On November 15, 1866, Cathay was assigned to one of four all black units newly formed. Her service to the military was short lived. Williams contracted smallpox and was sent to the hospital frequently afterwards. Her gender was discovered in October of 1868 by a post

surgeon. She was immediately given a disability discharge.

Williams, residing in a New Mexico territory, went to work as a cook at Fort Union using her birth name. She was married until her husband stole some money and horses from her. She would later move to Trinidad, Colorado as Kate Williams and did odd jobs as a cook, laundress, and seamstress. In Colorado, she was approached by a reported from St. Louis who published an article about Williams military career.

Cathay Williams’ health would never improve after leaving the army. She had several toes amputated due to diabetes. She suffered from rheumatism, deafness, and neuralgia (a stabbing, burning, and often quite severe pain that occurs due to a damaged nerve). In 1891, she applied for a disability pension for her military service. With the assistance of several prominent friends, Williams fought for her pension. A doctor determined she did not qualify for disability and her application was rejected.

Her year and date of death is unknown. It is estimated that Williams died between 1892 and 1900 due to her poor health and financial hardships. Cathay Williams isn’t taught in schools or a prominent figure during Black History Month. The number of women enlisted into the military at that time is unknown. When your child watches Mulan, you now know it isn’t just a made-up cartoon