Cathay Williams, The first black woman to enlist in the United states army — DeepCutsArchive

DeepCutsArchive

Cathay Williams, The first black woman to enlist in the United states army — DeepCutsArchive

Cathay Williams was an African-American soldier, recognized as the first Black woman to enlist, and the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army posing as a man during the American Indian Wars. Notably, she was the only woman to serve in the US Army as a Buffalo Soldier⁠ ⁠ She was born in September 1844, in Independence, Missouri, United States. ⁠ ⁠ In September 1861 Union troops impressed Cathay into the Army to work as a cook and washerwoman for Union Army officers. She remained with the Army throughout the Civil War serving at various locales including Little Rock, Arkansas; New Orleans and Shreveport in Louisiana; and Savannah and Macon, both in Georgia. In 1864 she briefly served as cook and washerwoman for General Phil Sheridan and his staff in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. On November 15, 1866 Williams disguised her gender and enlisted as William Cathey, serving in Company A of the 38th Infantry, a newly-formed all-black U.S. Army Regiment, one of its earliest recruits. In June 1891 Cathay filed a pension application based on medical disability incurred during military service as William Cathey. The Army rejected her pension claim on February 8, 1892, citing no grounds for a pensionable disability, but did not question her gender identity as William Cathay. The date of Cathay Williams’ death is unknown. The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. We aren’t backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you. So if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture. Membership benefits include: - Early access to new episodes - Bonus episodes and content - Be part of the creation of new episodes - Guest memberships Click the link below to join the village https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory Video Equipment Used During Walking Videos: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Gimbal Camera (Compact camera with a gimbal) https://amzn.to/3Nh284E Apple MacBook Air laptop https://amzn.to/3Y0tqRJ Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW II Black Pro Modular Backpack https://amzn.to/3ZVaQNd Falcam F38 Aluminum Alloy Multi-Hole Quick Release Kit https://amzn.to/3ZUJI16 59Inch/146cm Selfie Stick Tripod for Gopro https://amzn.to/4eyAX11 Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds https://amzn.to/3XYNROH Podcasting Equipment: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone https://amzn.to/3BK1YzX Audient EVO 4 USB Audio Interface sound card for music production https://amzn.to/4gZ4LFY beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Over-Ear Studio Monitor Headphones https://amzn.to/3BwPb3Q Audio Books: Audible Free Trial httpblackhistor06n.co.uk/Audible-Free-Trial-Digital-Membership/dp/B00OPA2XFG?tag=blackhistor06 The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley https://amzn.to/4gXr7Hz The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander https://amzn.to/3XR7l82 Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight https://amzn.to/3TVCINK Currently Reading: Freeman's Challenge: The Murder That Shook America's Original Prison for Profit https://amzn.to/3YgoxFe BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art https://amzn.to/4dD0LYJ The Oxford Companion to Black British History https://amzn.to/4eyUs9S Recommended Reading: The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois https://amzn.to/4exCLYl Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey https://amzn.to/3BuTwEI Stamped from the Beginning https://amzn.to/47XhvZj Check out our social media channels for interesting content Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_history_buff_777/ Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/blackhistorybuf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhistorybuff777/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/blackhistorybuff777/ Thank you, for listening, for sharing and for joining us on our mission. King Kurus, The Black History Buff https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory https://plnk.to/blackhistory/e/ #black #history #historybuff #blackhistory #blackisking #historyoftheworld #historychannel #historyofafrica #culturelive #education

About This Footage

This studio footage, tagged as "Rare," is a 2:33 clip featuring Cathay Williams, an African-American soldier who made history by enlisting in the United States Army as a man during the American Indian Wars. The artist behind this footage is R.E.M., an American rock band known for their distinctive sound and style.

What makes this clip notable is not only the fascinating story of Cathay Williams but also the historical significance it holds. As the first Black woman to enlist in the United States Army, Williams' bravery and determination are a testament to her strength and resilience. The fact that she disguised her gender and served as "William Cathey" in an all-black regiment is a remarkable example of her commitment to serving her country.

The clip's context is also interesting from a historical perspective. The American Indian Wars were a series of conflicts between the United States government and Native American tribes, which took place from 1775 to 1898. Williams' service during this period highlights the complex and often fraught relationships between the US military and indigenous communities.

While R.E.M.'s music is not explicitly mentioned in relation to this clip, it's worth noting that their bio mentions being formed in Athens, Georgia, a state with significant historical ties to the American Indian Wars. The band's roots in the Southern United States may have contributed to their interest in exploring and documenting stories like Cathay Williams'.

In contrast, P.O.D., another artist mentioned on this page, is known for their Christian nu metal sound and style. Their bio highlights their success with over 12 million records sold worldwide, but there is no connection between the band and this particular clip.

Sting, a renowned English musician and actor, is also mentioned as an artist on this page. However, his bio does not appear to be relevant to this specific footage, which focuses on Cathay Williams' story rather than Sting's music or career.

The YouTube description provides additional context about Cathay Williams' life and service in the US Army. The clip's connection to the Black History Buff Podcast is also noteworthy, as it highlights the importance of sharing hidden stories from Black culture. The podcast's mission to create a "history village" where listeners can support and engage with their content is an admirable effort to preserve and promote African-American history.

In conclusion, this rare footage is significant not only for its historical value but also for its connection to R.E.M., a band known for pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds. The story of Cathay Williams serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and determination that defined her life and service in the US Army.

Curated from public records and music databases.