Out of the struggle for American independence, the revolution birthed a cavalcade of stories to be told and retold for generations to come. With many accounts being rooted in hard fact and others inspired, yet still came tales, the products of legend, deeply entrenched with the best bits of both. It is with this smattering of fact and fiction that the name “Molly Pitcher” entered into the American lexicon.
Who “Molly Pitcher” was is a topical question but perhaps not nearly as important as what she represents. For all of those who fought valiantly to bring forth a new nation are equally worth remembering. It is than not for any lack of respect that we do not recount every name but simply that we are ourselves often too limited in time, faculty and memory to do so. However, one way in which we honor countless past heroes, at once, is in the figures drawn from their memory as a whole. A singular personification of their collective efforts, which to immortalize them for all time.
Countless towns, cities and rural expanses, of equal importance, erect statues signifying “the soldier” of various conflicts. While there certainly exists memorials dedicated to specific persons behind wartime exploits, “the soldier” is in recognition of all who braved the field of war. Folk heroes in many ways are a similar extension of this same form of respect. To commemorate the symbol is seen as a means to pay tribute to the whole. Molly Pitcher is unquestionably one formed of such.
But before discussing Molly Pitcher further, I wish to present two distinct views on the impact of women on American society. The first of these:
“Women have filled no unimportant place in military affairs from the days of Joan of Arc to those of the most modern daughters of the regiment. But few, however, have had any lasting memorials of the part they played.”
And the second:
“Our country is young and our women have been too busy making homes to have made much history.”
Whereas one of these quotes acknowledges the absence of memorialization for women of historical note the other does not. Rather the second quote assumes that the contributions to the country made by women do not exist simply based on a lack of information and relegates the role of women in America exclusively to homemakers. While it may be known that this misconception exists, and that nothing is further than the truth, it is always worth restating. And with that being said, and only after being made clear, may we continue.
Many commentators connect the personage of Molly Pitcher to Mary Hays, of Monmouth fame. A basic account of her exploit is as follows:
* * *
MOLLY PITCHER (June 8, 1839)
At the commencement of the battle of Monmouth, this intripid [sic]
woman contributed her aid by carrying water from a spring to the
battery, where her husband was employed as cannonier, in loading and
firing a gun. At length he was shot dead in her presence, just as she
was leaving the spring whereupon she flew to the spot, where she found
her husband lifeless, and at that moment heard an officer who rode up
order off the gun, ‘for the want of a man sufficiently dauntless to fill
his place.’ Indignant at this order, and stung by the remark, she
promptly opposed it—demanded the post of her slain husband to avenge his
death; flew to the gun, and to the admiration and astonishment of all
who saw her, assumed and ably discharged the duties of the vacated post
of cannonier to the end of the battle. For this sterling demonstration
of genuine spirit, Washington gave her a lieutenant’s commission on the
spot, which Congress afterwards ratified, and granted her a sword and
epaulette, and half pay as a lieutenant for life. She wore the
epaulette, received, the pay, and was called ‘Captain Molly’ ever
afterwards,—N.B. Times.
* * *
RETURN TO HOME