Mary Burns (soldier)

Mary Burns (fl. 19th century) was a woman who served in the military, disguised as a man. Details about her life and military service are scarce, but records indicate she enlisted in the United States Army under an assumed male identity. Her motivation for doing so is not definitively known, although possibilities include patriotic fervor, economic hardship, or a desire for adventure unavailable to women at the time.

While specifics regarding her unit, rank, and battles are largely unconfirmed, her service highlights the instances of women who successfully infiltrated the male-dominated world of the military during the 19th century. Such instances were often only discovered upon injury, illness, or death, revealing the individual's true sex. The stories of these women, including Mary Burns, contribute to a broader understanding of gender roles and societal expectations in the past, as well as the lengths individuals went to in order to overcome them. Due to the limited documentation, further research is necessary to provide a more complete and accurate account of her military career.