Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley’s actions during the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, became legendary. She followed her husband to war although women were not allowed in the military at that time. She nursed the sick and assisted in cooking and washing.

On June 28, 1778 during the Battle of Monmouth, she earned the nickname “Molly Pitcher.” On that day she performed a heroic and unusual act. That day in Freehold, New Jersey, Mary hiked back and forth from a nearby spring bringing buckets of water to the soldiers. The hot weather made these trips seem nearly impossible. However, Mary was determined to bring water to the weary soldiers. Welcoming the sight of water, the soldiers nicknamed her “Molly Pitcher.”

According to some accounts, on one of her trips from the spring, Mary saw her husband injured and collapsing next to his cannon. She suddenly dropped her bucket and took over his position since he was unable to fight. That is when she was seen firing the cannon throughout the battle and until victory was reached.

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley was a typical American woman who loved her country dearly. But the difference between her and other women was that she didn’t just say she loved her country. She showed it through her brave heroic acts which are nothing but exceptional. She was a true heroine and a true American soldier.

Her brave heroic act on that day earned her a sergeant’s commission given by General Greene. Mary remained with the army and proved she was a valuable help until the end of the Revolutionary War. After the death of her husband, she continued to live in Carlisle, PA where she cooked and washed for the soldiers for many years.