descriptions of Sampson's features and height, and Pauline's height, which at 6 feet was taller than most men. Sampson's appearance – tall, broad, strong, and not delicately feminine – contributed to her success at pretending to be a man. Army service In early 1782, Sampson wore men's clothes and joined an Army unit in Middleborough, Massachusetts under the name Timothy Thayer. She collected a bonus and then failed to meet up with her company as scheduled. Inquiries by the company commander revealed that Sampson had been recognized by a local resident at the time she signed her enlistment papers. Her deception uncovered, she repaid the portion of the bonus that she had not spent, but she was not subjected to further punishment by the Army. The Baptist church to which she belonged learned of her actions and withdrew its fellowship, meaning that its members refused to associate with her unless she apologized and asked forgiveness. In May 1782, Sampson enlisted again, this time in Uxbridge, Massachusetts under the name "Robert Shirtliff" (also spelled in some sources as "Shirtliffe" or "Shurtleff"). She joined the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under the command of Captain George Webb. This unit, consisting of 50 to 60 men, was first quartered in Bellingham, Massachusetts, and later mustered at Worcester with the rest of the regiment commanded by Colonel William Shepard. Light Infantry Companies were elite troops, specially picked because they were taller and stronger than average. Their job was to provide rapid flank coverage for advancing regiments, as well as rearguard and forward reconnaissance duties for units on the move. Because she joined an elite unit, Sampson's disguise was more likely to succeed, since no one was likely to look for a woman among soldiers who were specially chosen for their above average size and superior physical ability. Sampson fought in several skirmishes. In June of 1782, she and two sergeants led about 30 infantrymen on an expedition that ended in a confrontation with Tories, often one on one. She also led a raid on a Tory home which resulted in the capture of 15 men. It is believed that the truth of Sampson's sex survived several close calls throughout her service, though no records of her being discovered exist prior to her actual discovery. During her first battle, on July 3, 1782, outside Tarrytown, New York, she was shot twice in