Philip Thomas Tucker - Cathy Williams: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier

FROM SLAVE TO
BUFFALO SOLDIER

PHILLIP THOMAS TUCKER

STACKPOLE
BOOKS

Copyright 2002, 2009 by Stackpole Books

First published in paperback in 2009 by
STACKPOLE BOOKS
5067 Ritter Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
www.stackpolebooks.com

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. All inquiries should be addressed to Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055.

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

FIRST PAPERBACK EDITION

Cover design by Tessa J. Sweigert
Front cover illustration from The Female Buffalo Soldier: The Untold Story, by William Jennings
Back cover illustration by Marty Brazil

ISBN 978-0-8117-3569-8

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Tucker, Phillip Thomas, 1953

Cathy Williams: from slave to Buffalo Soldier / Phillip Thomas Tucker.1st ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-8117-0340-1

1. Williams, Cathy, b. 1844. 2. African American womenBiography. 3. African AmericansBiography. 4. Women slavesMissouriIndependenceBiography. 5. Women soldiersWest (U.S.)Biography. 6. African American soldiersWest (U.S.)Biography. 7. United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 38thBiography. 8. United States. ArmyAfrican American troopsHistory19th century. 9. Frontier and pioneer lifeWest (U.S.) 10. Indians of North AmericaWars18661895. I. Title.

E185.97.W694 T83 2002

973.81092dc21

[B]

2001049746

eBook ISBN: 978-0-8117-4963-3

Appendix: Cathy Williams Story as published in the
January 2, 1876 St. Louis Daily Times

For Betty,
Who Has Always Been There

SINCE THIS FIRST-EVER CATHY WILLIAMS BIOGRAPHY WAS PUBLISHED IN EARLY 2002, the role of women in the United States military has received more recognition. New books have been published about the many womenestimated in the hundredswho disguised themselves as men to serve on both sides during the Civil War. The Women in Military Service for America Memorial, which proudly recognizes Cathy Williams, has opened at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. And several talented artists have painted new representations of Cathy Williams in the full uniform of a Buffalo Soldier. Prints of nearly half a dozen original paintings of Cathy Williams by promising young artists around the United States sell robustly. Hallmark Cards has released a graduation card that prominently features Cathy Williams. Cathy Williams is known to larger numbers of Americans, especially in the African American community. Cathy Williams continues to be admired by a new generation of Americans, thanks in no small part to this books publication.

Since 2002, this wider recognition of Cathy Williams and her inspirational legacy has resulted in her story being vividly portrayed by at least half a dozen female re-enactors across America and around the world. Dramatic reenactments of Cathys life have been presented by United States Army Major Janice M. Gravely to American troops stationed in Bosnia. And in Afghanistan, the story of Cathy Williams has been portrayed by another African American female officer for American soldiers battling the war on terrorism. Many of these young U.S. soldiers who served in both Bosnia and Afghanistan, including those who watched the Cathy Williams re-enactments, were womena fact that almost certainly would have made Cathy Williams, 38th United States Infantry, most proud.

New information has surfaced about the remarkable life of Cathy Williams since the books publication. While I was speaking about Cathy Williams at a book signing in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2002, the store manager recalled an incident in his own past that demonstrated how the Cathy Williams story has long existed as an inspirational legacy in a vibrant African American oral tradition.

Mr. Bernard C. Duse, Jr., describes this incident in a December 2, 2002, letter: Some 38 years ago, in 1964, I was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas [where Cathy Williams once served], as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Second Brigade of the U.S. Army First Infantry Division (The Big Red One). I recall very distinctly having to break up a barracks fight between two young enlisted soldiers. One of them had stated that he had been very convincingly informed by some African-American residents of the town of Junction City, Kansas, which is just outside Fort Riley, that there had been a female soldier in the Buffalo Soldiers. The other young soldier, who apparently viewed himself as a Buffalo Soldier historian, took great offense at the statement and the fight ensued.

At the time of the fight, I was only concerned with restoring order in the barracks. I took no sides on who was correct or incorrect. Now, many years later, your book confirms the oral history maintained by those Junction City residents.

Cathy Williams remains the only known African American woman to have served as a Buffalo Soldier and in the Indian Wars. Her remarkable story is timeless and has universal appeal and continues to represent a triumph of the human spirit.

Phillip Thomas Tucker

July 29, 2008

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK A GOOD MANY PEOPLE WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS work possible. One of the foremost of these was Dr. Frank N. Schubert, one of the nations leading authorities on the Buffalo Soldiers and a veteran historian at the Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Dr. Schubert selflessly provided encouragement, insight, and expertise on all occasions. Equally important, he shared information and research on the Buffalo Soldiers that proved most helpful.

Mr. Carlton G. Philpot, of Weatherby Lake, Missouri, an authority on the Buffalo Soldiers and the life of Cathy Williams, gave encouragement and assistance. He has played a leading role in the Buffalo Soldier Project at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Also, I wish to thank Ms. Cynthia Savage, Midland, Texas, for sharing her research and information on the life of Cathy Williams.

I would like to thank Mr. Marty Brazil, of Keesler AFB, Mississippi, who provided insight on the Buffalo Soldiers, as well as his usual masterful artwork that has graced this book. Also, the gifted artist Mr. William Jennings allowed the use of the first portrait of Pvt. William Cathay ever painted. I extend my thanks to Mr. Jennings as well.

Finally, I would like to thank the good peopleincluding Mr. Philpotof the Buffalo Soldier Educational and Historical Committee who have embarked upon the effort to create a reference and research library dedicated to the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.