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 * __Women at War__**

What did women do for the Revolutionary War? Did some become famous for what they did? What did they do? Deborah Sampson dressed as a soldier during the war. Did she ever get caught? Were there other women like her? Did women fight and why? Women had taken a huge part in the war by the time of the Battle of Monmouth, in the year 1778.

During the American Revolution, Patriots, Loyalists, and even women fought in the war. That's right! Women fought in the war. You may ask, "Who took place in the war?" Well, many women not only fought fought, but they also took part in the Revolution from home. Women were not allowed to fight in battles, so any woman that fought had to wear a disguise. Deborah Sampson, a woman from Plymouth, Massachusetts, was one of these women. Martha Washington, wife of General George Washington, joined her husband whenever she could. During the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, Mary Ludwig Hays carried water to her husband and other soldiers. She also took her husbands place when he was injured by loading and firing the cannon. Betsy Ross sewed flags for the army and even made the first American flag. Not all women received they deserved for what they did, but some received long lasting fame. People may not realize this, but women played a huge role the American Revolution. Patriot women were doing whatever they could to help their country, but what were Loyalist women doing to help theirs? Just think about it.

When and where did women fight? Well women not only fought but also helped. Like during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, Mary Ludwig Hays, also known as Molly Pitcher carried water to the soldiers on the battle field. Women not only fought when they were disguised as men, but also fought as women. However, they mostly worked in camps. Inside the camps they were referred to as "camp flowers". Women who worked in camps, and did not fight, were in danger of being captured by the enemy. An example is at Story Point Battlefield 52 women that had British or redcoat relationships were captured by the Patriots. This event happened on the night of July 15, 1779. Women were at many places during the war and if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time you are lucky to not be dead.

Women helped the men and sometimes fought. They brought the men water and washed clothes and dishes and they protected the huts. Why did they do it? To honor their country and to spread news. For example: Mary Katherine Goddard printed and spread news of the Constitution. Also to keep their families together because they were unsafe under british control if they are patriots. How did the do it? They helped as much as they could to help win the Revolutionary War. The cleaned and cooked. Also mended, did laundry, childcare, and nursed the sick.

How were women able to fight in the war? They clean, cook, and take care of the kids? Women worked hard to help win the Revolutionary War. They disguised themselves as men and trained to fight against the British. Women fought because they were tired of how the British treated women and children, but also to keep their families together. Women often took their husband's place in the war if they were wounded or injured.



By: Erin Murphy, Taylor Stanley, and Dawn Jacob