Albert Cashier (Unerasure #4)

Albert Cashier was born on Xmas day in Clogherhead, Ireland. His step-father dressed him as a boy so he could get a job to support the family after his mother passed away early in his life. Cashier found his way to Illinois as a stowaway and there, he worked as a laborer, farmhand, and shepherd, living as a man. In 1862, at 19 years of age, he enlisted in the 95th Illinois Infantry, Union army of the American Civil War in Belvidere, IL. There, he served for three years before returning to civilian life.

At least 400 females likewise fought in the Union army, most of whom were never ‘outed’ after their years of service had ended” and lived the rest of their lives as men, making Albert Cashier merely one known example of the hundreds of trans masculine people who fought to end slavery in the U.S.

Some female bodied soldiers, including Albert Cashier, had relationships with other women. Many, like Cashier, were discovered to be biologically female only after their death when their bodies were prepared for burial.

References: Out History