The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-21
Twenty Women Soldiers of the World

Her conduct was always beyond re-
proach- She served three years and re-
ceived an honorable discharge. 1t was
reported one morning amongst his COM
rades that Robert Shirtliffe was taken
with brain fever. then prevalent, and
had been removed to the hospital. At
ter weeks of illness, on recovering con-
seriousness, Deborah's first concern was
that she might not have betrayed her
secret during her wanderings- The at
tending physician, however. gave no
hint of this by word OF look. He had
her removed to his own house during
her illness. On her complete recovery
she reported for duty. She WIS called
to the colonefs quarters, who detailed
her to carry a dispatch to the COM
mander in chief. This aroused her sus-
picions and was the first order she had
not received cheerfulIy while I'm ser
vice. When she was ushered into the
presence of Washington, her courage
for the first time deserted her. The
great general with his keen perception
noted the trepidation of the young SOL
der before him After reading the
dispatch he stepped into another room,
returning presently. handed a sealed
package to his messenger and kindly
dismissed him. II was not Until after
Deborah left the house she noticed the
Shirtliffe.'' With trembling hands she
broke the seal TO find an honorable dis
charge, a grant of land, money enough
to defray her immediate expenses, and
a few words of kindly advice from her
commander in chief. Deborah always
referred touchingly to the delicacy ane
tact with which General Washington
spared her humiliation by concealing
his knowledge of her sex on that day.
1t was with feelings of great regret
that this brave girl received her dis
charge. Some time after she met and
married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon,
Mass After the war had closed she
paid a visit to Philadelphia TO meet
General Washington and express her
gratitude in person for his great kind
ness. She was received with Difference
by the first president and his congress.
One OF the members, a Senator William
Ellis, who met this remarkable girl on
this occasion. in a letter 20 a friend
afterward describing her said:
"She is q woman of uncommon native
intellect and force of character. Her
stature is a little above the average
female height. Her countenance and
Noice are feminine. She converses on
subjects of theology, political subjects
and military tactics in a masculine
manner. I recoIlect that her conversa-
ton on any subject embraced that kind
of demonstrative and Illustrative style
We admire in the able diplomat"
Ten years after the close of the war
Deborah Samson applied for a pension,
and with the evidence she produced 70
Justify her claim were two documents
on file, as follows:
Boston. August 1. 1885. To whom II
may concern: These may certify that
Robert Shirtiiffe was a soldier in m.
regiment for the town of Uxridge, Ia
the commonwealth of Massachusetts
and was enlisted for three years; that
he had the confidence Of his officers;
did his duty as a faithful, good soldier
and was honorably discharged
(Signed) HENRY JACKSON,
Late Colonel of the American Amy.
Upon her application to the general
court of Massachusetts for cOmpensa
ton. Court heard the evidence, found
her statements true" and allowed her
thirty-four pounds. Order dated Jan
uary 10th. 1892. thus officially recognize
ing the services of Americas greatest
woman soldier.