Deborah Sampson: A Female Veteran of the Revolutionary War
Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War. She enlisted in the Continental Army's light infantry in 1782, adopting a man's name and binding her chest with a tight cloth.
For 17 months, Sampson marched through the Hudson River Valley, participating in reconnaissance missions and hand-to-hand combat. Her service ended when a Philadelphia doctor discovered her true identity in 1783, but she received an honorable discharge.
Sampson was born on December 17, 1760, in Plympton, Massachusetts, to a family of prominent Pilgrim ancestry. Her mother was a descendant of Gov. William Bradford, and her father was related to Myles Standish, a military leader.
Despite her distinguished ancestry, Sampson's childhood was marked by poverty. After her father abandoned the family, her mother was forced to split up the children due to poverty and overwhelm.
Her battlefield service earned her an honorable discharge.
Sampson later fought for recognition as a veteran, seeking a military pension for her service. Author's summary: Deborah Sampson fought in the Revolutionary War disguised as a man.
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