Ceramic Mug 15oz “A Soldier in Disguise, A Hero in Plain Sight.”

Cathay Williams was a trailblazing soldier who became the first Black woman to enlist in the U.S. Army, disguising herself as a man to serve during the Indian Wars.

Early Life & Enlistment

• Born in September 1844 in Independence, Missouri, to a free father and an enslaved mother.
• Worked as a house slave before being forced into service as a Union Army cook and laundress during the Civil War.
• In 1866, she enlisted in the U.S. Army under the name William Cathay, passing as a man to join the 38th U.S. Infantry Regiment—a Buffalo Soldier unit.

Military Service & Discovery

• Served for two years, enduring harsh conditions and frequent marches.
• Contracted smallpox, which weakened her health.
• After repeated hospitalizations, Army doctors discovered her true identity, leading to her honorable discharge in 1868.

Post-Military Life & Legacy

• Worked as a cook and seamstress in New Mexico and Colorado.
• Her story was published in 1876, making her one of the most remarkable figures in military history.
• Applied for a military pension, but was denied, despite her service.
• Passed away around 1893, leaving behind a legacy of courage and resilience.

Cathay Williams defied expectations and broke barriers, making her an unsung hero of American history.