Cathay Williams / William Cathay (1842-1924)

38th U.S. Infantry Buffalo Soldiers

An independent young woman, Cathay Williams wanted to make her own way after the Civil War. Cathay knew she only had two choices as a Black woman in the late 1800’s: she could work in the fields or in the house.

A couple of her cousins were signing up to join the first Colored Troops (4 Infantry and 2 Calvary Units) to be established by the United States. They needed soldiers to go West to fight in the Indian Wars and to protect settlers moving West, but many who served in the Civil War did not want to continue in the Army. Before 1948, it was illegal for women to serve in the military.

On November 15, 1866, at age 22, Cathy Williams /William Cathay was officially enlisted as a Buffalo Soldier. His (her) height was measured at 5 foot 9 inches, too tall to join the cavalry, so he (she) was assigned to the 38th Infantry Regiment in New Mexico. She chose the name William Cathay because she knew they would call her Private Cathay and she would be able to respond.

The military exam back then was pretty simple. Did you have all your fingers, toes and teeth with the ability to walk or ride long distances. If you met those requirements, or if you could read and write, you pretty much were excepted.

Cathay served two years before her cousins got worried she (and they) would be discovered. They begged her to muster out (leave the army) and so she went to the infirmary with a fake illness, but it was weeks before a doctor came to diagnosis her. Finally she complained of chest pains and a doctor discovered her secret.

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She was immediately given a medical discharged. Her commanding officer sent her to a distant town so no one would know she served in the Army for two years before he discovered he had a woman in his service.

The reason we know Cathay actually served is because the US Military keeps excellent records. Later in life Cathay applied for disability due to her medical discharge but she was denied benefits because it was illegal for women to service in the Army. However, the records of her request are in the Military Archives in Washington, D.C.

Cathay Williams only female Buffalo Soldier