Deborah Samson Gannett ( Deborah
Sampson or Deborah Samson) was a woman who camouflaged herself as Robert
Shurtleff to serve the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
At age 21, year 1781, Deborah made the man’s clothes herself and enlisted. She
was described by historians as wide waist, small breast and plain features;
attributes that helped her hide her identity during her 17-month service.
During her service, she was known to be a combat veteran and was even wounded
twice but was able to take care of her own wounds to hide her sex. Her identity
was discovered in the hospice when she was severely sick.
