Year: 1874

Some might doubt, at 1rSt th0uShC,
that it was possible for a woman to
enlist as a soldier and maintain her
disguise through all the vicissiLudes of
q soldiers life. But uudoubted facts
prove that such has often been the
case. Let us tell the story of Deborah
Samson.


Deborah Samson was born in Ply
mouth, Mass, of humble parentage.
She grew up uncared for and obscure.
AS the wild fire of the Revolutionary
spirit began to spread through the
land, her spirit caught the flame. Like
so many of the present day; she ac-
quire6 a contempt for the home duties
prescribed by the nature and custom
of her sex, and resolved to enlist as q
soldier to share the tumult and dan
gers of the battle and the camp.


Saving the money she obtained by
teaching, she gradually purchased
piece by piece the attire of a man
hiding the articles ia hay stack un-
til she had acquired a complete suit.
Then she disappeared as Deborah SAM
son, and appeared as man, enlisting
In the army as Robert Shirtliffe.


She was tall and well proportioned,
and is said to have looked quite well
in her male attire-being more come
| ly in that than as q woman. The SOL
diers noted her want of beard, howey-
er, and were in the habit of calling
her "Molly," though they never sus-
pected her sex.


She made an excellent soldier, being
prompt to the call of duty, and brave
in the hour of battle. Twice was she
wounded, and in both cases managed
to preserve her secret. Being seized
afterward with brain fever, she was
taken to the hospital, and one morn
ing reported dead. The doctor, how
ever, upon being told, doubted the
fact; and going to the bed, placed his
hand upon her heart, when to his as
tonishment he found that his patient
was not q man, but a woman, and still
living.


The physician-Dr. Birney, of Phil
adelphia, her secret not even
saying s word to herself or family
about it; and as soon as she could be
removed, had her taken to his own
house, where she received every care.


And here comes in q more romantic
episode. The DOCTORS niece, whom
he allowed to become the nurse of the
young soldier, speedily grew enamor-
ed of the supposed young man. As
she was herself in q higher position
in life, and the heiress of q considera-
BILE property, she thought it not un-
becoming to make the first advances,
and finally to declare her love, offer
ing to provide the means for "Rob-
ert's education preparatory to a mar
riage."


1t was a dilemma. To declare that
sh9was a woman would be to bring
shame and modification to the breast
of this innocent and generous girl. So
Deborah declined as tenderly as she
could the proffered bligation-mere-
ly saying that she hoped that they
would some day meet under happier
auspices.


When Deborah had recovered suffi-
ciently to join the army, the doctor
placed in her hand letter directed to
General Washington, and requested
her to deliver it in person. Now for
the first time she began to feel certain
that her benefactor knew her secret.
| Washington read the letter, and af-
ter short interval, handed her, in ST.
lence, a discharge from the service,
putting into her hands at the same
time a note containing a few brief
words of advice, and a sum of money
sufficient to bear her expenses to her
native place. "How thankful" she
said, in after life, twas / to that great
and good man who kindly spared my
feelings. He saw me ready to sink
into the earth FOR shame-one word OF
reproach from him would have crush
ed me like falling rock. But he said
nothing, and blessed him ~


That her strange masculine career
had not blunted erfeminine feelings,
seems to be proved by the fact that
she afterwards married Mr.. Benjamin
Gannett, and lived to green old age,
following the usual duties of q wO-
mans life. Doubtless many such in.
stances occur in all great wars-ten
unknown to one brought to light.