Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-11-06
A woMANIN THE REVOLUTIONARY
.if- " ARMY 1te4 9tlt CT


A woMANIN THE REVOLUTIONARY
i3H ARMY. 1tf5 2tst O.
"Shell be soldier, too; she'll to the wars
49, I'd, SHxsrEARE.
DEBORAH Samson, the daughter o
very poor parents, Of Plymouth co1n.
ty, Massachusetts,, began, when sbou
twenty years Of age. to feel hcpatfiotit
zeal which had prompted the sternel
sex in her neighborhoud 70 take ~
arms in their country's defense. se
She accordingly assumed male attire
and enlisted in the Revolution4ry army.
We agree with Mrs. Ellet. That while
this course cannot be commended, hef
exemplary conduct, after taking fbe
first step, goes far to plead her excuse,
and is worthy Of record. Her method
of obtaining mems garments and her
military career, are thus narrsted, by
the author just mentioned:
By keerIng the district school for a
summer term, she had amassed the
sum OF twelve dollars. She purchased
a quantity of coarse fustian, and work.
ing at intervals when sbe coulf be se-
cure from observation, made 10 a suit
Of mems clothing; each article as it
was finished, being hid in stack Of
hay. Having completed her pfepara-
tions, she announced her intenfions Of
going where she could obtain better
wages for her labor. Her newiclothes
and such articles as she wished to take
with her were tied in bundle. The
lonely girl departed; but went not far,
probably only to the shelter Of the
nearest wood. before putting on the
disguise she was so eager 10 assume.
Although not beautiful, her features
were animated and pleasing. and her
figure tall for woman, was finely pro-
portioned. As man, she might have
been called handsome; her general ap-
pearance was extremely prepossessing,
and her manner calculated to inspire
She now pursued her way
to the American army where she pre-
sented herself in October. 1878. as a
young man anxious TO join his Efforts to
those of his ccuutrvmpp. in their en-
deavUrs 10 oppose the common enemy.
Her acquaintances, meanwhile, sup
posed her engaged in service at dis
lance. Rumors of her elopement with
a British soldier, and even Of her death,
were afterward current in the neigh
borhood where she had resided; but
none were sufficiently interested to
make such search for her as might
have led TO a discovery.
Distrusting her own constancy, and
resolute TO continue in the service, not
any change in her inclina-
lion, she enlisted for the whole term Of
The war. She IwHs --feceivedzsnd acrfs'I
rolled in the army by the name Of
Robert Shirtliffe. She was one of the
first volunteers in the company of
Captain Nathan Thayer, of Midway,
and as the young re-
cruit appeared to have no home or con-
nection, the Captain gave her a home
in his family until the company should
be full, when they were 10 join the
main army.
We now find her performing the du
ties and enduring the fatigues of mill
tary life. During the seven weeks
that she passed in the family Of Captain
Thayer, she had time both for expe-
rience and reflection; but in after years
her constant declaration was, that she
never for one moment, repented or re-
gretted the step she bad taken. Ac-
customed to labor from childhood, upon
the farm and in outdoor employment,
she had acquired unusual vigor of con-
her frame was robust, and OF
strength and having thus
gained degree Of hardihood, she was
enabled to acquire great ateIpertness and
precision in the manual exercise. and
to undergo what a female delicately
nurtured would have found it impossi-
Bile to endure. -e
Soon after they had Joined the COM
pany the recruits were supplied with
uniforms by a kind of lottery. That
drawn by Robert did not fit; but taking
needle and scissors, he soon altered it
to suit him. To Mrs. Thayer's ex-
preston Of surprise, at finding young
man so expert in using the implements
Of feminine industry, the answer was
that his mother having no girl, he had
been often obliged to practice the
seamstress' art.
While in the house Of Captain Thay-
er, young girl visiting his wife. was
much in the society of Deborah. or, as
she was then called, Robert. Coquett-
ish by nature, and perhaps priding
herself on the conquest of the blooming
soldier" she. suffered her growing
partiality TO be perceived. Robert on
his part, felt curiosity to learn by
new experience how soon maiden's
fancy might be won; and had no scru-
pies in paying attention to one so vola-
tile and fond Of Irritation, with whom it
was not likely the impression would be
lasting.
This little piece of romance gave
some uneasiness to the worthy Mrs.
Thsyer, who could not help observing
the liking of her fair visitor for Robert
was not fully reciprocated. She took
an opportunity Of demonstrating with
the young soldier, and showed what
unbappiness might be the consequence
Of such folly, and how unworthy it was
Of brave man TO trife with g girls
feelings. The caution was taken in
r,ord ,o~f al :. z. As kro1rr that fha