F86.4B

F86.4B

Women in the American Revolution
Vol. I Date: January 1, 1802 Williamsburg, Virginia

They were there though some of the stories have been forgotten. They were fighting though they were not really fighting in battle fields. Some disguised themselves as men and battled the British. They endured the war just as any other man. Some made shoes or uniforms. They were left to take care of home and family and the businesses of their fathers or husbands. These women were heroic. But one woman excelled all expectations of mankind. She was first known to fight; she battled the British without another thought. She was Deborah Samson or, as she is known by the soldiers she fought with, Robert Shirtliffe. Robert Shirtliffe was enlisted in 1778 for an entire term. Deborah Samson kept her masquerade up for three years fighting alongside the patriots through two wounds, one by sword the other by the bullet of a musket. When she was wounded by the bullet in her shoulder, she was placed into an infirmary where a physician discovered her secret. He then moved Deborah to his home to be held in better care and to keep her secret safe. Once the wound was fully healed Deborah was sent to Washington and was discharged with a small amount of money and a note of advice. Nine years after she was discharged a letter addressed to Robert Shirtliffe inviting her to visit President Washington where she was given money and land for her courageous acts. Deborah Samson was one of many that contributed to the colonies cause. There are many stories of these women that haven't been found. Other women did other things, such as send homemade goods to the soldiers. These women could have felt that they couldn’t do anything more to help in the war. There were women who could have died at battle and were forever known as great men. During the Revolutionary war, women worked in many different areas. Deborah Samson, as well as many other women, fought on the battle field. They shot guns and worked cannons, but Deborah was the only recognized woman to dress as a man and fight in the war. During war time, many women had to stay at home while their husbands went off to war. They had to take care of the family and the family farm or business. When women were at home, some raised money for the troops and made them things they needed, such as bandages. Women also worked in the war camps as camp followers, cooking and cleaning for the soldiers. Women worked in many places during the American Revolution. Women had many reasons why they wanted to help the patriot cause. Deborah Samson had reasons for dressing as a man and joining the American army. One reason she joined the army was because she wanted to see the world and live on her own before she became married. Another reason was because she didn't want to work as a house wife. Other women had different reasons for what they did. Women such as Margaret Cochran Corbin and Mary Ludwig Hays fought in place of their husbands when they became injured in battle. Another woman, Phyllis Wheatly, who was a slave, wrote poems protesting harsh treatment of the American soldiers. Another woman, Martha Washington, said this to express her reason; " //I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."// -Martha Washington  Many other women did what they did because they believed in the patriot cause and wanted to be free from England. Women had many reasons why they wanted to support the patriot cause. Outside groups, especially patriot men, had different views on what women did to help the patriot cause during the Revolutionary war. Deborah Samson's act of dressing as a man and fighting in the war was honorable to patriot men, it seems, because she was given a discharge from the war that was honorable. Also, the male doctor that discovered Deborah's secret kept it until after her injury healed, which seems to mean that he thought what she did was a good thing. Another woman, Mercy Otis Warren, wrote plays that mocked the British, boosting troop morale. Other women kept up morale where ever they were. After doing all that they did, many women believed that they deserved rights, but many men disagreed. Outside groups had different views on what women did during the American Revolution for the patriot cause. Even though women didn't have the respect that they deserved they still fought. They still did everything in their power to contribute to the cause of the colonies. They fought with men whether it was on the battle field though they were thought weak and fragile and the ones. These women will live forever in history. By: Gillian Nelson Chelsy Brewer Frankman 8th period