Deborah Sampson: A Female Veteran of the Revolutionary War
Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the Continental Army's light infantry in 1782. She marched through the Hudson River Valley, participated in reconnaissance missions, and fought in hand-to-hand combat for 17 months.
She was born on April 17, 1760, in Plympton, Massachusetts, to a family of prominent Pilgrims, including Gov. William Bradford and Myles Standish. Despite her ancestry, her childhood was marked by poverty after her father abandoned the family.
After her secret was discovered in 1783, she received an honorable discharge. She then fought for a military pension, which she had earned through her service.
Her battlefield service earned her an honorable discharge.
- Enlisted in the Continental Army in 1782
- Served for 17 months
- Received an honorable discharge in 1783
- Fought for a military pension
Author's summary: Deborah Sampson fought in the Revolutionary War disguised as a man.