Cannons roared alongside the battle cries of men. The clearing was filled with the sting of fighting. As men collided with one another, women ran fast from the clear stream nearby. Bringing water to the men was an arduous, but crucial, part of the battle. One woman had filled her bowl and was walking quickly towards her husband who had just fired another cannon ball at the British line. She listened to the fighting taking place in the clearing, winching at the yelling and screams. Looking up, the bowl of water fell from her hands as she watched her husband crumble to the ground. Picking up the hem of her dress, she sprinted towards him. Collapsing onto her knees, she gently pulled his head into her lap, stroking his hair and caressing his face. She whispered reassuring words to him, but as she watched him and heard the battle persist without thought to her dying husband, anger bubbled inside her. The anger engulfed her with the need to do something, anything. Laying down her husband’s head softly, she walked to the cannon with resolve. She fired the cannon, making it roar with the sound of liberty. Molly Pitcher was a woman who was seen firing a cannon in place of her wounded husband during the Battle of Monmouth. Through her brave act, many have been influenced by her actions.
The Revolution War took many men and did not ignore the women. Women in the war tended to the men, be it camp followers or wives of the soldiers. Such was the case with Molly Pitcher. 1 Many men’s wives followed their husbands into the fighting because it was not safe for the wives to be left alone as the war raged on. Many of the camp followers and wives became water bearers, devoted to bringing water to the soldiers on the battlefield. Many of these women had seen how different weapons and cannons were fired over time because they were around artillerymen the majority of their time. The rare experience of a woman taking over the cannon for her fallen husband was detailed by a soldier and a field doctor that observed the account. Mary Ludwig Hays, or better known as Molly Pitcher of the Battle of Monmouth, was married to her husband who was placed on cannon during the battle. Her husband was then wounded, and she took his place. Her brave action has influenced many women to take action in their lives.
Many women today idolize Molly Pitcher as a role model for women’s empowerment. The Molly Pitcher Project was created in 2013 by four students at the University of Virginia Law School to promote women in combat situations. This project helped with the opening of combat MOs for women who desire to be involved in combat.2 The first woman who completed the project is now an infantry officer among the Army Rangers. This moment was historic for women in the military as well as for young girls who now have a strong woman figure to look up to. Molly Pitcher has become a symbol of power and strength for women and has changed expectations.
Before leaving the battlefield, Pitcher looked over the field one last time and made her way towards her husband. Smoothing his sweaty hair down, she talked to him about how she fired the cannon for him. He smiled up at her face as it mirrored his. Through Molly Pitcher’s bravery and valor, we have a valued piece of history. Women have modeled such actions and courage after her; women were given the power to take on roles in the military, and then partake in combat. Molly Pitcher was a truly brave woman, through her actions women today have a symbol for our own bravery.
- Elizabeth Cometti, “Women in the American Revolution,” The New England Quarterly 20, no. 3 (1947): 344-345. ↵
- “After Challenging Military Ban on Women in Combat, Molly Pitcher Project’s Dreams Are Realized,” University of Virginia School of Law, accessed November 9, 2016, http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2013_spr/pitcher_update.htm. ↵
58 comments
Irene Astran
Your introduction was very heavy and incredibly descriptive. I admire that you led with that scene because it shows just how stressful war had been for the women as well. I think we need more articles on this site showcasing the strong women that took on prominent roles throughout history. Thank you for being one of the few writers on this site to do so.
Justin Sassman
i never really knew the story of Molly Pitcher, but now that i have i find it sad that many history teachers or classes don’t teach us about the people like Molly Pitcher who took to the cannon after her husband was wounded unknowing inspiring many people beyond her time like The Molly Pitcher Project you later stated about. Thank you for the great article about on of our histories unsung heroes it was very wonderful to finally hear the story and know about an outcome that came from it.
Nelson Smithwick
I think most people have at least heard of Molly Pitcher, but many probably don’t know much about her. I really enjoyed learning a bit more about the woman who is a almost a folk hero nowadays. I’m glad to know that there is an organization that is continuing her legacy to help put women in more active roles in the United States military.
Samuel Sanchez
Amazing article! Never really read much of Molly Pitcher but wow. It was interesting that she was able to take over for her fallen husband and still went to tend to her husband in the end. She truly is an honorary role model for women. It would have been nice to see more information on her but besides that good read.
Priscilla Reyes
Although the name Molly Pitcher sounds familiar, I don’t think I ever heard this story. The article was very inspiring! If women were going to be teared from their homes, safety and husbands, then I strongly agree with their involvement in the military. I can only imagine the rage this woman felt as her husband fell to the ground. What she did next was courageous and worthy of this article and more!
Johnanthony Hernandez
I had heard of Molly Pitcher but was not fully aware of the the events that led up to etching her name in history. Her actions truly embody women’s empowerment not only during the Revolutionary War but into modern history. I can admire her ability to compose herself and take her husbands place among the chaos, then to return to his side at the end. Well written and plenty of information that got to the heart of the topic.
Nataly Solis Chavez
Nicely done! This article was very well written and full of descriptive details which made it such an easy read. However, it did seem a little repetitive to me, almost as though the main idea was just redundantly being repeated. Some more information on the brave Molly Pitcher would have been great! Not only this but perhaps if you were to augment or alter the title as to where it could catch someones attention then maybe you’d have more readers. Aside from this I found this article to be very informative and inspiring.
Christian Lozano
Reading about Molly Pitcher for the first time here surely has inspired me. It is great to hear that women can look up to this brave and selfless historical figure. Great article, keep it up!
Tina Valdez
What an interesting part of history! I have read about women playing a crucial role in war life, but more often, they were seem as simply being “in the way,” Molly Pitcher goes a long way as to depict otherwise. Tending to the men did a great deal more than was often given credit for, however hearing about women fulfill the role the men typically took on is always interesting! It is small pieces of history such as this that are too often overlooked. Her bravery is inspiring. Thank you for sharing this information with us.
Erik Rodriguez
Awesome article! I had no idea who Molly Pitcher was prior to reading this! However, I now am very well informed about her significance and stance in history today. It is quite amazing to know that even at the time, when it wasn’t a norm, she still did the inexplicable and fought for what she thought was right. This definitely left a mark in history about the capabilities and importance of women in society today. It’s people like this we have to appreciate, as her heroic acts is something never to be forgotten.
Very well written article! Great job!