New York Gazette, January 10 1784

New York

An extraordinary instance of virtue in a female soldier, has occurred lately in the American army, in the Massachusetts line viz, a lively comely young nymph, 19 years old, dressed in man's apparel has been discovered and; and what redounds to her honor, she has served in the character of a soldier for near three years undiscovered; during which time she displayed herself with activity, alertness, chastity and valour, having been in several skirmishes with the enemy, and receiving two wounds; a small shot remaining in her to this day; she was a remakably vigilant soldier on her post, and always gained the admiration and applause of her officers; was never found in liquor; and always kept company with the most upright and temperate soldiers.

For several months this galantress served with credit as a waiter in a General officer's family; a violent illness (when the troops were at Philadelphia) led to the discovery of her sex; she has since been honorably discharged from the army with a reward, and sent to her connexions who it appears live to the Eastward of Boston, a a place called Munduncook.

The cause of her personnating a man, it is said, preceeded from the rigour of her parents, who exerciesed their prerogative, to induce her marriage with a young man she had conceived a great antipathy for, together with her being a remarkable heroine, and being warmly attached to her country, in the service of which, it must be acknowledged, she gained reputation; and no doubt will be noticed by the compilers of the history of our grand revolution. She passed by the name of Robert Shurtlieff, while in the army, and was borne on the rolls of the regiment as such: For partiular reasons, her real name is withheld, but the facts aforementioned are unquestionable and unembellished.