"Molly Pitcher" was a nickname given by Revolutionary War soldiers to the women, often wives of the soldiers or camp followers, who brought water to hot and thirsty artillerymen during battle. The water was by some accounts for drinking, by others for swabbing the guns - and probably used for both.
However, the name "Molly Pitcher" is most associated with Mary Ludwig Hays McCauly of Carlisle, PA - where she is well remembered by her contemporaries and family.
Mary was born Mary Ludwig to a family of German immigrants in 1754. (At the time, Molly was a common nickname for Mary) She later married William Hays. When her husband joined the Continental Army, she went with him as a camp follower and served carrying water to the troops during battle.
Her claim to fame came during the Battle of Monmouth in June of 1778. Her husband, an artilleryman, fell, either injured or with heat stroke. The gun was insufficently crewed to continue and was ordered to pull back. Instead, Mary stepped forward and took over her husbands position as rammer for the gun, allowing it to continue on in the battle.
Legend has it that Mary's bravery was brought to the notice of General George Washington, who gave her a battlefield commission as Sergeant. She was afterwards known fondly as "Sergeant Molly".
Her husband, William Hays, died shortly after the war ended and she later remarried. Her second husbands name was John McCauly.
Mary McCauly was eventually awarded a pension of $40 a year by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, in recognition of her contribution.
There is also an award, The Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher, which is given to recognize women who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the U.S. Field Artillery or Air Defense Artillery Communities.
Article originally written for the Ask Me Anything blog
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