Women Soldiers in the Revolutionary War
Read the article about America’s first women soldiers. Then answer questions 1–8.
Read the article about America’s first women soldiers. Then answer questions 1–8.
Women Soldiers in the
Women Soldiers in the
Revolutionary War
Revolutionary War
In 1775, American colonists desperately wanted to break free from British rule. It seemed the only way to do so was to go to war.
In 1775, American colonists desperately wanted to break free from British rule. It seemed the only way to do so was to go to war.
The ensuing war with Britain lasted nearly eight years. Almost all of the soldiers who fought in the conflict were men, because women were not allowed to fight. Nevertheless, some women found ways to join the cause.
The ensuing war with Britain lasted nearly eight years. Almost all of the soldiers who fought in the conflict were men, because women were not allowed to fight. Nevertheless, some women found ways to join the cause.
Sybil Ludington was 14 years old when the war broke out. Her father was the commander of a militia in New York. On April 26,
Sybil Ludington was 14 years old when the war broke out. Her father was the commander of a militia in New York. On April 26,
1777, a messenger came to their house with urgent news. The British had attacked a town in nearby Connecticut. British forces would soon be in New York.
1777, a messenger came to their house with urgent news. The British had attacked a town in nearby Connecticut. British forces would soon be in New York.
Sixteen-year-old Sybil volunteered to rally the militia troops.
Sixteen-year-old Sybil volunteered to rally the militia troops.
She rode on horseback all night—on muddy roads through pouring rain—to warn the countryside that the British were on the way. Sybil became known as the female Paul Revere.
She rode on horseback all night—on muddy roads through pouring rain—to warn the countryside that the British were on the way. Sybil became known as the female Paul Revere.
Another woman who took up the fight was Margaret Corbin.
Another woman who took up the fight was Margaret Corbin.
In the second year of the war, her husband, John, was stationed at Fort Washington in New York. Margaret accompanied him from
In the second year of the war, her husband, John, was stationed at Fort Washington in New York. Margaret accompanied him from
Philadelphia, and with other women, she cooked and cared for the wounded soldiers. In November, the British launched an attack on
Philadelphia, and with other women, she cooked and cared for the wounded soldiers. In November, the British launched an attack on
Fort Washington. John was in charge of loading and firing a small cannon. In the middle of the assault, John was struck and killed.
Fort Washington. John was in charge of loading and firing a small cannon. In the middle of the assault, John was struck and killed.
Margaret took his place at his cannon and continued firing until she, herself, was seriously wounded. Perhaps no woman went to greater lengths to fight in the Revolutionary War than Deborah Sampson. In 1782 Deborah disguised herself as a man by cutting her hair and putting on men’s clothes. Then she signed up for the continental army under the name Robert Shurtleff.
Margaret took his place at his cannon and continued firing until she, herself, was seriously wounded. Perhaps no woman went to greater lengths to fight in the Revolutionary War than Deborah Sampson. In 1782 Deborah disguised herself as a man by cutting her hair and putting on men’s clothes. Then she signed up for the continental army under the name Robert Shurtleff.
Over the next year and a half, Deborah saw battle numerous times and fought in many hand-to-hand skirmishes. In one battle near Tarrytown, she was wounded in the head by a saber. But she refused to go to the hospital because she did not want the doctor to discover her secret. She continued to fight, and eventually came down with a terrible fever. This time she was hospitalized, and her secret came to light. In 1783, she was given an honorable discharge from the army.
Over the next year and a half, Deborah saw battle numerous times and fought in many hand-to-hand skirmishes. In one battle near Tarrytown, she was wounded in the head by a saber. But she refused to go to the hospital because she did not want the doctor to discover her secret. She continued to fight, and eventually came down with a terrible fever. This time she was hospitalized, and her secret came to light. In 1783, she was given an honorable discharge from the army.
It was many years before women were allowed to serve openly in the American military. But all along, women have found ways to serve bravely during times of war.
It was many years before women were allowed to serve openly in the American military. But all along, women have found ways to serve bravely during times of war.