Soldier

Women were considered inferior to men and only granted certain rights during the time when our country was established. A woman had roles and responsibilities to fulfill based on her social status. The men worked and earned the family income. The women took care of the house and children. Becoming a soldier was not an option for women. But some women felt so strongly about our independence that they assisted their husbands in battle or joined the army disguised as men. These women may not have led troops to victory or created turning points in the war, but they contributed on the battlefield in ways that were not expected or approved.

Margaret Cochran Corbin

Margaret Corbin, often called Molly, decided to follow her husband when he enlisted in the war. As a camp follower, she prepared meals, laundered, and nursed the sick. During the Battle of Fort Washington, New York, in November of 1776, Margaret’s husband was shot and killed. Margaret ran to her husband as he fell to the ground. With no one else able to take his place, she immediately began to reload his cannon and fire at the British. Margaret continued to load and fire until she was hit herself. The disability remained with her throughout her life. Several years later, the state of Pennsylvania acknowledged her heroism and allowed her partial pension.

Nancy Morgan Hart

Nancy Hart was a loyal Patriot who often disguised herself as a man to spy on the British. One day, six British soldiers paid a visit to her home. They insisted that she cook them a meal. Noticing that the men had set their guns to the side, she discreetly removed them from the room, one by one. When the British soldiers realized what Nancy had done they jumped to their feet. She raised a gun to her shoulder and warned them to stand back. When one of the soldiers charged at her, Nancy shot and killed him. Nancy’s husband and neighbors quickly arrived an hung the other men.

Mary Ludwig Hays

Mary Ludwig Hays is best known as Molly Pitcher. From a young age, her family gave her the nickname Molly. It stuck with her throughout her life. Molly’s husband was a matross for the army during the war. In order to remain with him, she became a camp follower. Among many other tasks, Molly supplied the soldiers with pitchers of water while they fought. She braved the spray of bullets time and time again during the lengthy battles. In a situation similar to that of Margaret Corbin, Molly’s husband was injured during the Battle at Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey, in June 1778. Molly also took her fallen husband’s place and began firing at the enemy. She had observed him in battle many times and understood the skill involved.

Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson (originally Samson, but history has inserted the "p") was the first women to enlisted in the Revolutionary War. Under the name Robert Shurtleff (also spelled Shirtliff or Shirtlieff), Deborah endured two battle injuries. Her identity remained a secret until it was discovered by a doctor following her second injury.  Deborah was honorably discharged from the army.

 

 

Others

History has named a few other women who fought on the field.

 

• Mary Ritchie
• Eliza Beach
• Sally St. Clair
• Anne Trotter Bailey
• Mary Hagidorn
• Zelma Schell
• "Samuel Gay"

Conflicting Stories

Search for more information about these women using a variety of research methods (encyclopedia, CD-ROM reference materials, school library, web search, etc.) Work with a partner and discuss what you find. Choose one woman to research. Compare the various stories that your sources reveal in a short paragraph. Do any of the accounts conflict with one another? Why do you think that so many versions of these various incidents exist? For example, how many times was Deborah Sampson injured during the war? Where did these injuries occur on her body? What occasion promoted her identity to be revealed?  You may find that there are different answers to these questions.

• Margaret Corbin
• Nancy Morgan Hart
• Mary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)
• Deborah Sampson (Robert Shurtleff)
• Mary Ritchie
• Eliza Beach
• Sally St. Clair
• Anne Trotter Bailey
• Mary Hagidorn
• Zelma Schell
• "Samuel Gay"

 

 

Inferior – Lower in rank or value.

Responsibilities – Duties; roles that a person is required to fill.

Enlisted – To engage or participate in a service or enterprise.

Pension – A sum of money given to people after they retire from service at any profession.

Patriots – People who loved, supported, and defended their land and fought for their rights to become an independent country.

Discreetly – Secretly; without anyone else knowing.

Matross – A soldier in the artillery who swabbed, loaded, and fired a cannon; a gunner; a cannoneer.

Incidents – Events; stories; situations.