Cathay Williams was born a Missouri slave in Independence, MO in 1842. She was conscripted as
a cook and laundress by the Union Army at the beginning of the War Between the States. During the
war she served General Phil Sheridan and his staff. Cathay enlisted in the 38th infantry, Company "A" in St. Louis, MO on November 15, 1866, and remained with this original Buffalo Soldier Regiment until October 14, 1868. |