Buffalo Soldiers honor first female, documented U.S. Army soldier

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - The Global Association of Buffalo Soldiers Recognition and Riding Club Inc. recognized the only documented female infantry soldier who served in the U.S. Regular Army Infantry.

The Private Cathay Williams monument bench on the Walk of Honor was unveiled at the National Infantry Museum Friday.

According to the association, the significance of the bench is to uncover hidden history and reveal the facet that Williams paved the way for female soldiers to serve in the U.S. Regular Army infantry today.

"I'm going to tell her life as a slave, her involvement during the Civil War, her enlistment into the Army, and then life after," says Historian Rosileeta Reed.

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