Albert Cashier - the story of one long transformation (7 photos)
During his not too long life, this man managed to change many professions. And prove yourself as a valiant soldier. But there was one secret in his life that he carefully hid from those around him. 
The exact date of birth of the Irish woman Jenny Irene Hodgers, born in the village of Cloherhead, in County Louth, is unknown. This was approximately 1843. The reasons why the girl moved to the States and took a new name - Albert Cashier - are unknown. She herself later claimed that her stepfather gave her this advice: they say, it’s always easier for a guy to get settled in life and find a job. And there are fewer demands placed on a man. 
No information has been preserved about the early years of the girl’s life, but on August 6, 1862, Jenny, who then lived in the city of Belvidere (Illinois), enlisted in the 95th Infantry Regiment. Naturally, under a man's name, introducing himself as Albert Cashier. “Youth” was the youngest among his fellow soldiers, fragile, but brave and persistent. 
The regiment, which was part of the Army of Tennessee, fought about 40 battles. Among them are the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Jonesboro, Nashville, the siege of Vicksburg and more. According to surviving archival information, Albert was captured, but was able to escape. 
Albert's house
Cashier served until 1865. And when the regiment was disbanded, he returned home and continued to live under a man’s name and in a man’s guise. It really was easier for the man to work. And over the next decades, Cashier worked as a lamplighter, a laborer, a cemetery watchman and a church porter. Everywhere he established himself as a responsible and hardworking worker.
Albert even managed to take part in the elections. At a time when women could not vote. And he got himself a veteran's pension. 
In 1911, Albert was hit by a car. He was taken to the hospital with a broken leg. The doctor, naturally, found out about the patient’s true gender, but promised to remain silent. The unusual patient remained at the Veterans Hospital in Quincy until the spring of 1913. Albert recovered physically, but dementia began to rapidly develop. 
The patient was transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Local doctors did not suffer from excessive scrupulousness; they quickly determined the sex, dressed Kashier in a dress and treated him in accordance with his true nature. Soon reporters found out about the unusual veteran and published the story. The issue of fraud and illegal receipt of payments was raised. But fellow soldiers who visited Cachier in the hospital confirmed that this man, whoever he was, really fought with dignity and deserved a pension.
In 1915, Cashier died and was buried in his uniform with full military honors. 
The story of Jennie, who was one of at least 250 women who dressed as men and went to fight in the Civil War, is the subject of Linda Durrant's book My Last Petticoat and the folk-country musical The Courtesy of Albert Cashier.
