Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Have you heard the heroic tale of Mary Ludwig Hays, also known as Molly Pitcher?
It was a hot summer day at the Bsttle of Monmouth when Mary’s husband collapsed. Without hesitation, Mary assumed her husbands duties on the Battlefield.
A British cannonball flew between her legs, tearing off part of her skirt. Molly straightened up and uttered, "Well, that could have been worse," and resumed loading the cannon. Soldier Joseph Plumb Martin described:
A woman whose husband belonged to the artillery and who was then attached to a piece in the engagement, attended with her husband at the piece the whole time.
While in the act of reaching a cartridge and having one of her feet as far before the other as she could step, a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of her petticoat.
Looking at it with apparent unconcern, she observed that it was lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried away something else, and continued her occupation.
Hearing of her courage, General George Washington commended Mary Ludwig Hays, issuing her a warrant as a noncommissioned officer. She was known as ‘Sergeant Molly’.
Have you heard the heroic tale of Mary Ludwig Hays, also known as Molly Pitcher?
It was a hot summer day at the Bsttle of Monmouth when Mary’s husband collapsed. Without hesitation, Mary assumed her husbands duties on the Battlefield.
A British cannonball flew between her legs, tearing off part of her skirt. Molly straightened up and uttered, "Well, that could have been worse," and resumed loading the cannon. Soldier Joseph Plumb Martin described:
A woman whose husband belonged to the artillery and who was then attached to a piece in the engagement, attended with her husband at the piece the whole time.
While in the act of reaching a cartridge and having one of her feet as far before the other as she could step, a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of her petticoat.
Looking at it with apparent unconcern, she observed that it was lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried away something else, and continued her occupation.
Hearing of her courage, General George Washington commended Mary Ludwig Hays, issuing her a warrant as a noncommissioned officer. She was known as ‘Sergeant Molly’.
