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A Soldier's Secret: Living as His True Self
Born Jennie Hodgers on December 25, 1843, in Clogherhead, County Louth, Ireland, Albert Cashier made a decision that would define his entire adult life. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, he settled in Belvidere, Illinois: and chose to live authentically as the man he knew himself to be.
When President Abraham Lincoln called for 300,000 volunteers in 1862, Cashier didn't hesitate. On August 6, 1862, he enlisted in the 95th Illinois Infantry of the Union Army, passing the cursory medical examination that merely checked hands and feet. At just five foot three inches tall, he became the shortest soldier in his regiment, but his height never diminished his courage.
Three Years of Battle: A Transgender Veteran's Service
Albert Cashier's military service stands as a testament to transgender resilience and bravery. Over nearly three years, he participated in more than 40 engagements with the Army of the Tennessee, including some of the Civil War's most brutal battles:
- Siege of Vicksburg
- Battle of Nashville
- Red River Campaign
- Battles at Kennesaw Mountain and Jonesborough, Georgia
The 95th Illinois Infantry marched approximately 1,800 miles on foot and traveled another 8,160 miles by rail and water. Fellow soldiers remembered Cashier as quiet and intensely private, particularly during bathing and dressing: a necessary discretion that allowed him to maintain his identity among the ranks.
Historical accounts credit Cashier with remarkable acts of valor. During a reconnaissance mission near Vicksburg, he was captured by Confederate forces but escaped by overpowering a prison guard. Another story tells of him rescuing his company's flag, climbing a tree and hanging it from the highest branch where it could be seen by Union forces.
Cashier was mustered out on August 17, 1865, after completing his full three-year enlistment: a proud Union veteran who had served his country with distinction.
RECOMMENDED READING: Explore The Private Self: A Guide to Honoring Your Truth in Your Own Time for contemporary perspectives on living authentically.
Post-War Life: A Man Among His Community
After returning to Illinois, Cashier settled in Saunemin and deliberately continued living as a man. This wasn't simply maintaining a wartime disguise: this was Albert Cashier living his truth. He worked various jobs throughout the community:
- Farmhand
- Church janitor
- Cemetery worker
- Street lamplighter
He participated fully in civic life, voting in elections and collecting his hard-earned veteran's pension. For decades, Cashier lived openly as himself, integrated into his community as the man he was. His neighbors knew him as Albert: a quiet, hardworking veteran who kept to himself.
This wasn't a story of deception. This was a transgender man living authentically in post-Civil War America, finding space to exist as himself in a small Illinois town.
Discovery and Unwavering Support
In November 1910, everything changed. Cashier was struck by a car and broke his leg. A local doctor discovered his sex assigned at birth during treatment: but remarkably, the doctor agreed to keep this information confidential. Cashier moved into the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Quincy, Illinois, to recover, his secret still largely protected.
What happened next demonstrates the power of community and solidarity. When questions arose about Cashier's identity and pension eligibility, his fellow soldiers from the 95th Regiment stepped forward to support him. They testified before the Pension Bureau, confirming his identity and service. These veterans: men who had marched and fought beside him: stood by Albert Cashier, ensuring he could retain his pension payments for the rest of his life.
This brotherhood, this unwavering support from those who knew him best, speaks volumes about the bonds forged in service and the respect Cashier commanded. His comrades recognized him as the soldier he was, the man he had always been.
EXPLORE MORE LGBTQ+ HISTORICAL NARRATIVES: Check out The Berlin Companions for another powerful queer historical story.
Final Years: Dignity Challenged, Legacy Secured
In 1913, as dementia began to affect Cashier, he was transferred to a state hospital. There, authorities forced him to wear female clothing: a cruel denial of the identity he had maintained for over fifty years. It was a painful end to a life lived with such determination and authenticity.
Albert Cashier died on October 11, 1915, at age 72. But his story doesn't end in that hospital. His community: and his fellow soldiers: ensured his final dignity. He was buried in his 95th Illinois Infantry uniform with full military honors in Saunemin Cemetery. His military headstone reads exactly as it should: "Albert D.J. Cashier, Co. G, 95th ILL Inf."
Even in death, Albert Cashier was honored as the soldier and the man he truly was.
A Legacy for LGBTQ+ History and Trans Visibility
Albert Cashier's story is more than historical curiosity: it's a vital part of transgender history and LGBTQ+ veterans' stories. He lived decades before modern terminology like "transgender" existed, yet he lived his truth with remarkable consistency and courage.
His story challenges assumptions about when and how LGBTQ+ people have existed. Transgender individuals have always been part of our communities, our families, and our military. Albert Cashier didn't just survive: he thrived, earned respect, and built a life on his own terms.
For modern readers exploring queer fiction, gay novels, and MM romance, Cashier's true story provides historical context for the narratives we celebrate today. Stories of LGBTQ+ resilience aren't new: they're woven throughout history, waiting to be recognized and honored.
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