British army, which had wintered in Philadelphia,
evacuated that city on June 18, 1778, and started to
march to New York. General Howe, who had been in
command, was succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton. As soon as
Washington learned of the British movement he started
in pursuit, and on Sunday, June 28th, ordered General
Charles Lee, who commanded the advance guard, to attack
the British left wing near Monmouth Court-House in New
Jersey. Lee chose to disregard Washington's orders, and
instead of attacking ordered his men to withdraw.
Surprised at these tactics the Americans were thrown
into disorder, when Washington himself, who had been
hurriedly sent for by General Lafayette, dashed up to
the advance guard, and, white with anger at Lee's lack
of courage or judgment, ordered him to the rear.
Washington then took command, re-formed the scattered
troops, and, although the British had secured a much
more favorable position, succeeded in driving them
back. The battle was ended by night, and Clinton
managed to get his army away under cover of the
darkness.
Washington's rebuke to Lee was one of the incidents
that made the battle memorable. But equally historic
was the story of Molly Maguire or Molly Pitcher. This
woman was a sturdy, red-haired, freckle-faced Irish
woman, who had accompanied her husband, a cannonier, on
the march. During the battle she carried water to him
as he served his cannon. In the thick of the fighting
he was killed at his post by a bullet. Molly seized the
rammer as it fell from his hand, and sprang to his
place by the gun. She stood to her post, and handled
the cannon as skilfully as any of the regular
cannoniers. The story of her bravery spread through the
American ranks, and on the morning after the battle
General Washington sent for her, and gave her a
commision as sergeant in the Continental Army.
She is usually known as Molly Pitcher, but William
Collins chose to call her Molly Maguire.
by William Collins
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