Thread by @USArmyCMH

SOLDIER PROFILE – MARGARET CORBIN, AN UNLIKELY REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO (MOLLY PITCHER)

Although they could not enlist, women provided critical support to the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Some, like Margaret Corbin, even distinguished themselves in combat.

Corbin’s time with the Continental Army began as a “camp follower,” a civilian who traveled with the army and attended to the needs of soldiers as cooks and washerwomen. Like many camp followers, she was married to a soldier, John Corbin, who served as an artillerist. @USArmy

In NOV 1776, Margaret and John Corbin were among the Continentals left to garrison Ft. Washington, the last Patriot stronghold on the island of Manhattan. Although confronted by a vastly superior British force, the Continentals fought bravely against impossible odds. #USArmy

During the British assault on the fort, John served as a loader for his artillery crew; as the battle raged, he was struck and killed by enemy cannon fire. Without regard for her own safety, Margaret unhesitatingly took up John’s position, loading and firing the gun. @TRADOC

With Margaret’s aid, the cannon crew continued to fire into the enemy, but the weight of the enemy’s numbers quickly overwhelmed the Patriot defenses. Ft. Washington fell, and Margaret was taken prisoner.
#WestPoint #WomensHistoryMonth #MilitaryHistory #RevolutionaryWar @SecArmy

Margaret was struck three times by enemy fire, nearly severing her left arm and causing extensive damage to her jaw and chest. After her release she was sent to West Point to join the Invalid Regiment, a unit of wounded Continental soldiers.
#ArmyWomensMuseum #Armyhistory

On 6 JUL 1779, Congress recognized Corbin’s bravery and sacrifice by awarding her the first military pension authorized for a woman in American history. She died at West Point and is considered one of the inspirations for the figure of “Molly Pitcher.”
#MollyPitcher #Artillery