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Molly Pitcher And The Battle Of Monmouth

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Over 240 years ago a relatively obscure Revolutionary War Battle was fought at Monmouth, New Jersey, on a scorching June day as temperatures soared to at least 100 degrees. From this battle, a legendary character came to the fore. Mary Ludwig was neither a myth nor a legend but a real person. She was given a nickname resulting from her role in the battle and here is where our story begins.

On June 28, 1778, the Continental Army took on a regiment of British soldiers and Hessian mercenaries at Monmouth, New Jersey. The battle itself was fought amidst intense heat and unbearable humidity. The battle wasn’t historically noteworthy but a notable figure emerged from it. She was a lady and a feisty lass who became known as Molly Pitcher.

Prelude To Battle

The Continental Army under George Washington received a big shot in the arm in February of 1778 when France signed on to join the American army against the British. The victory of the Continental forces at Saratoga went a long way toward making this happen.

In addition, General Washington summoned a Prussian officer, Baron von Stuben, to drill the Continental Army and teach them proper methods of battle. There had been some criticism of the lack of discipline in Washington’s army and setbacks at Philadelphia didn’t help matters. There were even calls for replacing Washington as commander. With France in the mix, King George III wanted British troops in Florida and the West Indies.

The British commander, Sir Henry Clinton was faced with a shortage of men so he decided to abandon Philadelphia and shore up his forces around New York. On June 18, 1788, Clinton ordered his men to move northward from Philadelphia to New York. Clinton later changed his mind and sent the troops toward Sandy Hook, New Jersey. They would then take boats up to New York.

Meanwhile, Washington’s army was camped at Valley Forge. His forces continued to be drilled and trained by Baron von Stuben. Washington left Valley Forge and Hopewell, New Jersey, on June 23rd. There he held a council of war. Washington knew about the British plan and wanted to attack their forces on the rear flank.

So, a force of 5,000 was set and ready to take on British forces to hinder their move to New York. Major Charles Lee was given the command of the Continental soldiers.

Battle of Monmouth

For several days, stifling heat and humidity continued to build over the East Coast, most likely from a high-pressure ridge. June 27th was very hot and humid across southern New Jersey and afternoon thunderstorms had been reported.

On June 28th, Washington received information that the British had begun their move. Washington ordered Lee to strike the flank of the enemy. The attack on the British was haphazard and ineffective. An enraged Washington relieved Lee of his command and he took control of his forces against the British.

This painting by Emanuel Leutze shows George Washington rallying his troops at The Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Image Credit- Public Domain.

Molly Pitcher

I will leave the battle and digress for a bit to get to the crux of this tale. Quite often when writing these stories, I knew nothing about them ahead of time but this time it was different.

I have often traveled up Interstate 81 toward my hometown in Upstate New York from northern Virginia or Georgia. When you cross the border from Maryland into Pennsylvania you quickly pass Exit 3 where the sign says Molly Pitcher Highway. I concluded that this person must have done something noteworthy if they named a highway for her. So I researched Molly Pitcher and have known about the story for a long time.

This photo was taken on Interstate 81 in southern Pennsylvania showing the exit for Molly Pitcher Highway. Photo Credit-Wikimedia Commons – Public Domain.

Mary Ludwig was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 13, 1744. She never attended school but it was common for women to have no formal education at that time.

Mary eventually married William Hays who was from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1777 Hays enlisted in the Continental Army. Later that year, Mary joined her husband at Valley Forge.  Many women, like Martha Washington, would wash the soldier’s clothing and care for the sick and dying. Several were brave enough to provide water for the soldiers during battle. Water was essential for drinking and for cleaning weaponry.

This leads us back to the Battle of Monmouth. William Hays was on the battlefield, operating a cannon and Mary was also there. As mentioned, the heat was intense. There were some reports that the temperature approached or even exceeded 100 degrees!

Since there were thunderstorms the day before, we know that humidity levels were high. The heat index was probably over 110 degrees. Soldiers were collapsing from heat exhaustion and many died on that day from the heat rather than from weaponry.

Other soldiers became extremely ill and couldn’t continue. The heavy woolen uniforms that they wore didn’t help matters. There were some recollections that soldiers were ordered to take off their coats. The extreme conditions had a deadly effect on horses, as well. It has been said that George Washington’s horse collapsed and died.

During the battle, Mary found a spring and filled pitchers of water which she brought to the heat-weary soldiers. During that period, many women named Mary were nicknamed “Molly”. Across the battlefield, some of the soldiers were crying out Molly… pitcher! … Molly-pitcher! That is where legend tells us she got that name.

This painting depicts Molly Pitcher aiding the Continental Army troops at The Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1788. (note the lack of uniforms). Image Credit-Unknown.

Her husband, William, collapsed from heat exhaustion. It was said that Mary dropped her pitchers and she proceeded to her husband’s cannon and began to load and fire. It seems that Mary was what I would call a “sassy lassie”.

A cannon shot from the British passed between Molly’s legs and carried away the lower part of her petticoat. It was said that Mary then exclaimed: “I’m lucky that it didn’t pass any higher … just think what that would have taken.”

As for the battle, General Washington was able to take control of the situation. The training and discipline instilled by von Stuben allowed the Continental Army to fight the British to a standoff. As the evening continued, the fighting stopped. The British were able to get away to Sandy Hook, New Jersey the next day.

The battle gave the Continental Army more credibility and observers acknowledged the increased discipline that they fought with.

Aftermath

Because of her heroism at the Battle of Monmouth, Washington bestowed a warrant as a non-commissioned officer upon Mary Hays/Molly Pitcher. She was often called “Sergeant Molly” in the years ahead.

William survived the battle and after the war ended, Mary and William moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. where they settled down and had a son named Johannes. William died in 1786 but he did leave his wife a good bit of land.

After that, things didn’t go so well for “Molly”. In 1793 she married a man named John McCauley. McCauley was said to have a violent temper and he was abusive to Mary.  He also encountered financial difficulties and Mary had to sell 200 acres of her inherited land for a mere 30 dollars. Around 1810, McCauley disappeared and was never heard from again.

Mary/“Molly” continued to live in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, performing various jobs for hire such as cleaning and painting houses and caring for children and sick people. She was often seen in town wearing a striped skirt, wool stockings, and a cap. People generally liked “Molly” but it was said that she “used curse words like a soldier.”

On February 21, 1822, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave ‘Molly” an annual pension of 40 dollars (over 1,100 in 2024 dollars).

This photo shows the gravesite and statue of Molly McCauley in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photo Credit-Wikipedia-Public Domain.

Mary Hays McCauley died on January 22, 1832. She is buried in the Old Graveyard in Carlisle with a gravestone named Molly McCauley. A “Molly Pitcher” statue stands with a cannon in the cemetery.

 

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