Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth, 1778

Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth. The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House. During the battle the temperature remained almost consistently above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat stroke was said to have claimed more lives than musket fire throughout the battle. Molly Pitcher (so called because she carried water to the troops) taking her wounded husband's place at a gun during the Battle of Monmouth. According to legend, in the heat of battle, Marycontinued to swab and load the cannon using her husband's rammer. At one point, a British musket ball or cannon ball flew between her legs and tore off the bottom of her skirt. Mary supposedly said, Well, that could have been worse, and went back to loading the cannon. In commemoration for her courage, Washington issued her a warrant as a non commissioned officer. Afterwards, she was known as Sergeant Molly, a nickname that she used for the rest of her life. Engraving by J. Rogers from a painting by D. M. Carter

Picture No

13343449

Media ID

47780354

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4021px x 2797px (12.8MB)

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New York Public Library