Why is Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley famous?

Answer 1

Mary Ludwig Hays, or as you might know her "Molly Pitcher" is one of Americas greatest heroes. Mary Hays joined her husband at the Continental Army's winter camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. She joined a group of camp followers led by Martha Washington who would bake, deliver food, and wash clothes and blankets, and care for sick and dying American soldiers. Mary Hays and other "camp followers" served as "water girls" during the training, carrying water to drilling infantry troops on hot days. Also, artillerymen needed a constant supply of fresh water to cool down the hot cannon barrel and to soak the rag tied to the end of the ramrod, the long pole with which they cleaned sparks and gunpowder out of the barrel after each shot. Mary Hays earned her famous nickname, Molly Pitcher, during this time. During training, artillery and infantry soldiers would shout "Molly! Pitcher!" whenever they needed Mary to bring water.

At the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, Mary Hays attended to the Revolutionary soldiers by giving them water. The weather was hot, over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometime during the battle, William Hays collapsed, either wounded or suffering from heat exhaustion. As her husband was carried off the battlefield, Mary Hays took his place at the cannon. For the rest of the day, in the heat of battle, Mary continued to clean and load the cannon using her husband's ramrod (a rod used for cleaning the cannon). At one point, a British musket ball or cannon ball flew between her legs and tore off the bottom of her skirt. Mary supposedly said, "Well, that could have been worse," and went back to loading the cannon.

On February 21, 1822, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awarded Mary McCauley an annual pension of $40 for her service. She died January 22, 1832, in Carlisle, at the approximate age of 78. She is buried in the Old Graveyard in Carlisle. A statue of "Molly Pitcher," with a cannon is located in the cemetery.

Answer 2

She is better known as Molly Pitcher, she carried water to the soldiers during the battle of Monmouth and took over her husbands gun when he was overcome with heat.

Answer 3

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley nickname was Molly Pitchers. Because during the revolutionary war she would bring pitchers of water to the patriots who were fighting.

Answer 4

Molly Pitcher

Answer 5

Molly Pitcher