Does anyone realize how amazing Deborah Samson
was?
She was born in 1760 and was the oldest of six children. When she
was young, her father went out to sea and abandoned his family.
To help her family, Deborah became an indentured servent from age
8 to age 17.
In 1778, Deborah wanted to enlist in the army as a continental
soldier. Since she was tall for a woman at that time
(5'7"). She successfully joined in 1782, inlisting under
the name of her deceased brother, Robert Samson.
During her first battle (July 3, 1782) she was wounded, recieving
two bullets in her leg and an enormous cut on her forehead.
Despite her protests, her fellow soldiers refused to abandon her
and took her to the hospital. Doctors treated the wound, but
Deborah left the hospital before they could attend the wound in
her leg, in fear of being discovered. She removed the bullets
herself with a sewing needle.
After a peace treaty was signed, everyone thought that
America's war for independence was over. However, on June 24,
George Washington ordered a fleet of soldiers to Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania to aid in putting down a rebellion of several
American officers.
During the summer of 1783, Samson came down with malignant fever
and was cared for by a doctor, Barnabas Binney. He removed her
clothes to treat her and discovered that she was a woman. He did
not betray her, though. Instead took her to his house, where his
wife and daughters housed and took care of her.
After Samson recovered, she returned to the army, but not for
long. In September 1783, peace was assured through the signing of
the Treaty of Paris. November 3 was the date for the soldiers to
be sent home. When Dr. Binney asked her to deliver a note to
General John Paterson, she thought that her secret was out.
However, General Henry Knox never uttered a word; instead, she
received an honorable discharge from the service, a note with
some words of advice, and a sum of money sufficient to cover her
expenses home.
On October 25, 1783, General Knox honorably discharged her from
the Army at West Point, after a year and a half of
service.
roseth0rn · 1 decade ago
0
reply
I read about her in school.