Women like Abigail Adams wife of John Adams, who was at the time the Massachusetts Congressional Delegate, reminded him that in the new form of government that was being established not to forget the women or they would start a revolution of their own.
Women often followed their husbands into battle. They were known as camp followers cooking, washing and providing medical help. Sometimes they were flung into the heat of the battle. Such was the case for Molly Pitcher when her husband got wounded at the Battle of Monmouth. She took his place at the cannon firing at the oncoming British.
Margaret Corbin who took her husbands place was also helping with artillery. She was wounded and left for dead alongside her husband during the assault at Fort Washington in November 1776. She lived through her wounds but was left permanently disabled. She was the first female to receive a soldiers lifetime pension after the war.
Then there was A New York teenager, Sibyl Ludington, that rode twice as far as Paul Revere in a driving rain storm in April 1777. Her ride took place in the middle of the night through Putnam and Duchess Counties to warn 400 militiamen under her father’s command that the British were planning a raid on the Continental Army supply depot.
Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man at the age of 21 to fight in the Continental Army, where she fought under the name of Robert Shurtiff. That was the name of her deceased brother. She severed in the light infantry company of the Fort Massachusetts Regiment. She was wounded in her thigh and forehead in a skirmish just north of New York City. Not wanting her identity to be revealed during medical care she let the doctors treat her head wound then slipped out of the field hospital unnoticed and took out one of the bullets from her thigh with a penknife and a sewing needle. The other bullet was too deep and her leg never fully healed. Her identity was revealed in 1783 when she came down with fever while on duty in Philadelphia.
These are just a few of the women who came from all types of backgrounds; some were wives of the common soldier and wives of generals and officers. They were so devoted to the cause of freedom and independence that they were willing to take on any challenge that would advance the new form of government of the new nation.
Also there were boys sixteen years old lining up to join the Continental Army. There were young and old men and women patriots that had a longing desire to acquire freedom and independence.
Sacrifices made the ultimate price paid so others may live in freedom. Take time this Independence Day to thank God for the brave men and women that gave all.
Written By: Delmer Eldred
pulse-of-america.org
Email: pulseofliberty @gorge.net
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