Cathay Williams was born into slavery in Missouri some time around 1844. Once the Civil War started, the teenage Williams was “liberated” only to be considered “contraband” and forced to work for Union Army officers until the end of the war. She worked as a cook and laundress for General Phillip Sheridan and his staff during his battles in the Shenandoah Valley.
When the war ended, she needed to find work and turned to the Army because it was the only thing she knew. At 5’9,” she was fairly tall for her gender and time, so she decided to put on men’s clothing, reverse her name to William Cathay, and enlist. Private Cathay was assigned to Company A of the 38th US Volunteer Infantry and sent to New Mexico Territory.