America's First Woman Warrior: The Courage of Deborah Sampson - Hardcover

Freeman, Lucy; Bond, Alma H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1557785147 ISBN 13: 9781557785145

Publisher: Paragon House, 1992

Synopsis

Deborah Sampson's is one of the most extraordinary tales of the American Revolution. The only woman soldier to fight in the Revolutionary War, her story is ample proof that at all times a woman's courage and determination have been equal to the hazards of that most guarded of male bastions - warfare.
A farm girl and schoolteacher from rural Massachusetts, Deborah Sampson craved a more adventurous life. In 1782, dressed as a man, she enlisted not once, but twice in the army. The first time she squandered her money in a tavern and failed to report to duty. A few weeks later she joined the 4th Massachusetts Regiment as Robert Shurtliff and soon saw action in the front lines. When shot in the thigh she removed the musket ball herself, fearful of having her identity discovered. Later, she fell foul to fever in Philadelphia when dispatched there to put down the soldiers' riots. A physician, checking her heartbeat, brushed up against what others had failed to notice, but remained discreet. While at the hospital a rich young girl from Baltimore fell in love with Deborah and showered her with gifts before Deborah explained why the romance could advance no further.
Her brushes with danger were not over, however. Before receiving an honorable discharge, she was taken sick while serving as an aide-de-camp on a geological survey; then, on her return home, the ship she was aboard sunk during a gale over the Hudson River. Deborah swam to safety, but lost her belongings. Robert Shurtliff eventually received an honorable discharge, and Deborah Sampson became the first woman in U.S. history to receive a soldier's pension.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

In 1782 a 22-year-old Massachusetts farm girl disguised to avoid repetition, "distinguished herself" follows/good fix.gs as a 17-year-old boy if she's a girl at 22, then a she's a boy at 17 distinguished herself for bravery as a ranger and general's aide-de-camp for the next 18 months in the Continental Army. In their well-researched, novelistic biography, Freeman ( Fight Against Fear ) and psychoanalyst Bond ( Who Killed Virginia Woolf? ) recreate dialogue and describe their heroine's emotions as they theorize about her mixed patriotic and psychological motivations, discussing also recurring nightmares. Despite constant fear of discovery, Deborah Sampson, known as Robert Shurtliff, was an excellent soldier can you rephrase? the sexist language of marksman is particular awkward here; "was an excellent soldier"? and successfully adjusted to the war's primitive conditions, training and battles. The discovery of her ruse by a doctor treating her for fever near war's end brought praise from the military and the first congressional award of a war pension to a woman. Sampson later married and gave lectures about her experiences. Her story provides valuable insights into Revolutionary War history. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

In 1782, disguised as a man, Deborah Sampson joined the Continental Army, where she fought, was wounded, and managed to conceal her identity nearly to the war's end and her discharge in 1783. This should make for an exciting biography, especially with today's controversy regarding women in the military. Unfortunately, this book falls far short of expectations. The writing is overly simplistic, and the lack of notes often makes it difficult to separate fact from "fictionalized fact." In addition, inconsistencies occur: first Deborah almost drowns as "she had never learned to swim," yet later she is "swimming . . . against the mammoth waves and fierce currents." The greatest disservice, however, is the Freudian psychosexual analysis of childhood "traumas" that allegedly led to her enlistment. The attempt to psychoanalyze Sampson and interpret her dreams and experiences across nearly 200 years is an injustice to both the living and the dead. Not recommended.
- Kathleen L. Atwood, Pomfret Sch. Lib., Ct.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Paragon House
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 1557785147
• ISBN 13: 9781557785145
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224