Among the soldiers of the Massachusetts Fourth Regiment, a young Private, Robert Shurtliff "…was always mentioned in glowing terms as being one of the toughest, strongest, and most patriotic soldiers… Shurtliff 's physical endurance was legendary" (Leonard). In contrast, the inexperienced, eighteen-year-old Deborah Sampson rarely received compliments nor stood out among the beauties of Plympton and Middleborough, Massachusetts. These two seemingly-different personages have much more in common that one might imagine. In the late Eighteenth Century, women had few rights given to them in their male dominated societies. "Women could not legally vote, own property, or serve in the military…" (Silvey 10). Despite these statutory limitations, Sampson knew what she wanted to accomplish and she would go to any extent necessary to achieve it. Deborah Sampson helped pave the way for a change in the rights of women by showing strong vitality and persistence in following her dreams, serving her country, and by exhibiting unfailing faith in herself and her abilities - so often overlooked by society.…