Deborah Sampson Gannett (December 17, 1760 â April 29, 1827), better known as Deborah Sampson, was a Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. She is one of a small number of women with a documented record of military combat experience in that war.
After disguising herself as a man and enlisting under the name âPrivate Robert Shurtliffâ, she served for 18 months. Sampson was severely wounded in battle and received an honorable discharge after her gender was discovered. She later successfully fought for her rights to a military pension.
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