Civil War Style Icons: The Freedom Fighter

This is the last of my three-part civil war style icon series.

I hope you've enjoyed this little journey into history.

You can see part one here and part two here.

For now, let me introduce you to our third heroine, Cathay Williams, who was a slave on a wealthy plantation in Independence, Missouri.

When the Civil War broke out, her master died and Union soldiers descended upon the plantation and liberated Cathay. She became a paid cook for the army, traveling to various destinations.

Although she was free, Cathay didn't like being a cook. But her only other option was to either remain in her current position, or be completely unemployed and stranded in the midwest. After all, as a female ex-slave, her prospects for finding another job in 1866 were slim.

The 22-year-old decided she wanted to make her own money, and not be a burden to friends or family, so she cut her hair, bound her breasts, and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a man. With her staggering height and plain face, Cathay slipped under the radar. She was immediately given clearance without even a physical exam.

Using the name, William Cathay, she fought in the war for two years. Only a close friend and a cousin, who served in her regiment, knew the truth.

In 1868, Cathay grew ill. When the doctor examined her body, he discovered the shocking truth. Cathay was immediately discharged.

Afterwards, she moved to Colorado and became a laundress. She got married to a lowlife who stole her jewelry and her savings ($100, huge sum for that time period), and her team of horses and wagons. He was later arrested.

The rest of her life remains murky, as there was no proper documentation. Historians do know that some time in the 1890s, Cathay filed a disability claim, but was denied for unknown reasons. Medical records state that she suffered from diabetes, and had most of her toes amputated as a result.

She died of the condition around 1900.

Cathay was not the only woman to secretly serve in the Civil War. There are more than 400 cases where white women followed their husbands, fiances, and brothers into battle, disguised as men. But, Cathay is the only documented African American woman to have done so.

Without trying, Cathay became a legend, a symbol, of American history. Even though she may not have felt it, she was brave. Even though she may not have cared, she was a pioneer.

Her story is one of millions which have made the United States what it is today.

Here is an outfit inspired by the true Civil War hero:

What do you think of Cathay?