Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-26
MOLLY PITCHER
(New Yrok Sum

(NeW YrOk SUM-
Following is the inscription on a
plain stone monument mounted on a
pedestal in the cemetery at Carlisle
Pa, which was unveiled by Polly Nc
Lester, a granddaughter of Molly
Pitcher: "Mollie McCauley, Renowned
in History as Mollie Pitcher, the Hero
inc of Monmouth. Died January, 1888
aged 70 years. Erected by the Citiz-
ems of Cumberland County, July 4,
1876"
The post set up by the railway COM
pany to the westward of Freehold
with the words, Mol Pitchers Well,
stands by a spring that was not UNI
earthed until more than half century
after the battle and was therefore
never heard of by Molly, regarding
whom there seems to be no end of
misinformation, writes New Jersey
correspondent.
That this "stalwart, freckle-faced
red-haired, borefooted woman" proved
herself a heroine on that memorable
June day in 1878 is beyond question,
and her memory deserves all the hon
ors that have been paid it. 1t is con-
ceded that the highest authority on
the Revolutionary history of New
Jersey was the late Adj. Gen. William
IS. Stryker Respecting the battle OF
Monmouth Court House none sur
passed Maj. James S. Yard, the veter,
an editor of the Monmouth Democrat
whose word on any matter was n ave"
disputed; and next, if not equal II
him, was the local name | regret
cannot recall at this moment. At the
suggestion of Gen Stryker l spent Il
day in Freehold, already familiar to
me, and accompanied by this local
historian inspected every foot of the
battle-ground. We entered the old Ten
nent Church, erected in 1854, and my
friend showed me the pew into which
Tunis Coward, one of the crowd OF
spectators in front of the church, was
carried MORALLY wounded. This pew
is the first one on the right asgyou en-
enter the left front door He was the
only one taken within, none of tht
American or British soldiers being
thus cared for. OF course the blood
stains, which showed distinctly for q
hundred years, have been painted over
and vanished. | had chat with Mai
Yard in the evening, who confirmed al
that the local annalist had told me
Committing the many interesting Incl
dents of that memorable battle, let me
sum up what seems to be clearly es
/ tablished.
Mary McCauley was the daughter o
John George Ludwig. She married
John Hayes, soldier in Proctor'S
Pennsylvania Artillery, and after his
death became the wife of John Ne
Cauley, the artilleryman whose place
she took after he was killed at Mon
mouth. Gen. Greene presented her t.
Gen. Washington after the battle ant
he complimented her on the drawer!
she had displayed. Possibly the com
mander-in-chiei made he an honor
airy officer" but she never received I
commission from him or any one else
Molly was fond of wearing militar.
hat and coat and naturally much wal
made of her. 1t is known that as tn,
years passed more than one old won
an tried to rob Molly of her laurels
Gen. Stryker and Maj. Yard mentione;
two instances to me- One of them wa
the woman who lived and died on tn
) bank of the Hudson. Regarding he
moral character the less said the bet
ter.
The state OF Pennsylvania granite
Molly a pension, which she enjoyed t.
the close of her life. This was all tina
was ever paid her, but it was enough
TO meet her modest needs. shoul,
have added that at the base of Combs
Hill on the battle-ground there flowed
as there flows to-day, a small strean
known as Wenrock brook, which afte
winding too the northwards joins tn,
Middle Branch at Spottswood 1t wal
from this little stream that Moll.
Pitcher drew her supply OF cool, re
freshing water during the Battle .
Monmouth Court House, as Freehol,
was then called, when the appalling
heat was like the hinges OF hades."
Iia fidaa "A panfOrCVQla uhfla Oh.