Women in the Revolutionary War
What was their role?
Did women fight in the war?
No, the revolution was not a one-gender war. However, many women contributed to the war effort don't get enough credit. We now consider women who followed the army, "camp followers." That exact name was not used in the eighteenth century. Females who followed Washington's army were looking for shelter, food, safety and work. As much as Washington and the others refused to admit it, they needed them. Some officers believed that having women around was a huge distraction to the other soldiers. They thought they got in the way of operations and took away the professional appearance of the camp.
What were "Camp Followers?"
That exact name, "Camp Followers" was not used in the eighteenth century. Females who followed Washington's army were looking for shelter, food, safety and work. As much as Washington and the others refused to admit it, the soldiers needed them. Some officers believed that having women around was a huge distraction to the other soldiers. They thought they got in the way of operations and took away the professional appearance of the camp.
Nancy Hart
If you were a British soldier stationed in Georgia, you knew about Nancy Hart. She took action. When British soldiers came to question her about helping out a Patriot soldier, she admitted to it. Forced to cook the British a meal, she killed two of them. Not with her cooking, with their own muskets.
Nancy disguised herself as a crazy man. She went about the British camp gathering important information for the Patriot cause.
Nancy disguised herself as a crazy man. She went about the British camp gathering important information for the Patriot cause.
Elizabeth Burgin
Elizabeth Burgin helped people escape from prison. She also smuggled in food, she conspired with enemy officers - officers in the Revolutionary Army.
Sybil Ludington
Sybil Ludington has been celebrated as the female Paul Revere because of her ride through Putnam and Dutchess Counties to warn the militia that British troops were burning Danbury, Connecticut.
WOMEN PLAYED A HUGE ROLE!
Conclusion
The contributions of women throughout the revolution was and still is very overlooked. Even the soldiers had said they needed the women as much as the women needed them. I personally believe that the women's roles and contributions should be celebrated just as the men's are. I also believe that students should be educated on the most important women and their accomplishments just as much as the important men and battles.