Norwich bulletin., 1921-02-03
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
A FAIR RE1oLur1oN1sr

The American Revolution called out the finest patriotic devotion on the part of it's women as well Rs it's men and one of the most striking examples Of the, former was Deborah Samson, who served in the army through a number of cam paigns. was several times wounded, without her sex being discovered until she was taken down with brain fever during the Yorktown campaign.
 Deborah Samson was character ot scarcely less romantic interest than the maid of old whose name so abounds in history and song. She was the daughter of. obscure parents in Plymouth, Mass, although a descendant of one of the May flower emlgrants of 1920. When. quite young Deborah was bound out until the critical period of the Revolutionary war arrived, when her patriotic feelings inspired her to take an active part in the struggle.
 The news Of the carnage on the plains of Lexington, and the sound ot the cannon at Bunker Hill, stirred her to action. At first she entered with the most lively interest into every plan for the relief of the army. Finally she de- ter1hined to enter the Continental army, and by teaching a district school for a term, She earned enough to buy cloth to make mans suit of clothes.
 This Deborah made with her own hands. and then leaving her home upon pretence of entering service elsewhere, she assumed her masculine garb in a nearby wood, and made her way to the nearest encampment. She was tall and large of frame, and having been accus- toned lo outdoor work from her child hood she had great powers of endurance and acquired a masculinity of manner that served her well.
 | In October, 1778, Deborah Sampson was received and enrolled in the army
 under the name of Robert Shirtliffe. Foi ] three years she appeared in the the char aeter of a soldier. During this time hel exemplary conduct and the fidelity Witf which her duties were performed. gainet the approbatiUn of the officers She wal 6 volunteer in several hazardous en
 terprises, and was twice wounded thu first time by a sword cut ~on the lief
 side of the head. This was at Tarry 1 town, N r.. and four months later sh
 was shot through the shoulder.
 Her em9tions when the bullet entere
 she described to be a sickening terror a
 the probability that her sex would b
 discovered. She felt that death of tn
 battlefield were preferable to the sham | Il2C WOuIQ OVeTWneln dHO Sfle dTu
 ently prayed that the wound might clos
 her earthly campaign. But strange as may seem she escaped this time also tn suspected, and soon recovering he strength, was able again to take he
 place at her post or duty.
 sDebofah's immunity was not, howeve destined long to continue, for she wa seized with brain fever then prevaler
 among the soldiers while in the sel l vice near Yorktown. For the few day that reason struggled against the diseas , her sufferings were indescribable, an
 most terrible of all was the dread thz
 consciousness should desert her and tf r the secret she had guarded so carefu ; ly be revealed to those around her.
 She was carried to the hospital an
 there could only describe Ter escape
 the number of patients and the negligel . manner in which they were attende Finally she became so weak that pc - sonal attention was necessary. and D
 Birney, of Philadelphia, was request,
 to look after the patient, and it was .- him that her secret was revealed. 4 Dr. Birney said not word of | f discovery, but paid Bob" every ate
 tion and as soon as she could be remov
 with safety had her taken to his ot l house, where she could receive bett n care. When her health was restored t n physician had 6 long conference with [ b. commanding officer of the company
 which Robert had served, and this V
 followed by an order to the woman .e carry Q letter to General Washington.