Revolutionary Women Summary
Generally, when we read about the American Revolution we hear about all the heroic deeds of men like George Washington or Paul Revere. What we don’t often hear about is the many heroic deeds women performed as well. I read the book Women Heroes of the American Revolution, by Susan Casey which told the story of 20 different women. There were lots of women involved in the revolution, whether they quietly resisted the British, spied on them for American militia, or actually joined the men in battle. Three of my favorite examples are Elizabeth Jackson, Sybil Ludington, and Deborah Sampson. Elizabeth Jackson was not only Andrew Jacksons mother, but she also helped free many war prisoners from the British. Sybil Ludington …show more content…
He rode in the midnight hour yelling “the British are coming!” but not nearly as many people have heard of Sybil Ludington. On the same night as Paul Revere’s legendary ride, a messenger arrived at her house to inform her father, Colonel Henry Ludington, that the British were wreaking havoc on Danbury, Connecticut. Her father needed his men to defend the colonies from the British army, but they we’re spread out through the countryside. He turned to the messenger for help, but having ridden all day he was exhausted. So, 16 year old Sybil Ludington took the invitation and jumped on her horse, Star, and set off to warn the militiamen. During the night, she rode twice the distance Paul Revere did and alerted all the men. By the time she was returning to her bed in the morning’s early hours, most of the men had joined her father. Her bravery and determination saved many …show more content…
Unknown to the other soldiers, Robert’s real name was Deborah Sampson Gannett. Deborah was a young school teacher who decided to join the army and fight against the crown. She first enlisted in her home town, but was recognized. So, a few months later, wearing a suit of men’s clothing she had made herself, and with her chest bound, she snuck off to another town and successfully enlisted. For three years, she went undetected, despite multiple close calls. This would have been insanely difficult to do, because during those times, the soldiers bathed together, and slept in the same room. She came very near to being discovered when, in one battle she was shot in the leg and suffered a minor head wound. Sitting with the men awaiting treatment, a doctor came by and bandaged her head. He asked if she had any other injuries, and she replied no. After he left, she proceeded to remove multiple musket balls from her leg by herself, bandage her leg, and then leave the hospital. She finally was discovered when she contracted a fever, but the doctor kept her secret until she recovered, before telling her commander. Deborah was honorably discharged from the army as Robert Shurtliff. She later married and had children, living out her life
Generally, when we read about the American Revolution we hear about all the heroic deeds of men like George Washington or Paul Revere. What we don’t often hear about is the many heroic deeds women performed as well. I read the book Women Heroes of the American Revolution, by Susan Casey which told the story of 20 different women. There were lots of women involved in the revolution, whether they quietly resisted the British, spied on them for American militia, or actually joined the men in battle. Three of my favorite examples are Elizabeth Jackson, Sybil Ludington, and Deborah Sampson. Elizabeth Jackson was not only Andrew Jacksons mother, but she also helped free many war prisoners from the British. Sybil Ludington …show more content…
He rode in the midnight hour yelling “the British are coming!” but not nearly as many people have heard of Sybil Ludington. On the same night as Paul Revere’s legendary ride, a messenger arrived at her house to inform her father, Colonel Henry Ludington, that the British were wreaking havoc on Danbury, Connecticut. Her father needed his men to defend the colonies from the British army, but they we’re spread out through the countryside. He turned to the messenger for help, but having ridden all day he was exhausted. So, 16 year old Sybil Ludington took the invitation and jumped on her horse, Star, and set off to warn the militiamen. During the night, she rode twice the distance Paul Revere did and alerted all the men. By the time she was returning to her bed in the morning’s early hours, most of the men had joined her father. Her bravery and determination saved many …show more content…
Unknown to the other soldiers, Robert’s real name was Deborah Sampson Gannett. Deborah was a young school teacher who decided to join the army and fight against the crown. She first enlisted in her home town, but was recognized. So, a few months later, wearing a suit of men’s clothing she had made herself, and with her chest bound, she snuck off to another town and successfully enlisted. For three years, she went undetected, despite multiple close calls. This would have been insanely difficult to do, because during those times, the soldiers bathed together, and slept in the same room. She came very near to being discovered when, in one battle she was shot in the leg and suffered a minor head wound. Sitting with the men awaiting treatment, a doctor came by and bandaged her head. He asked if she had any other injuries, and she replied no. After he left, she proceeded to remove multiple musket balls from her leg by herself, bandage her leg, and then leave the hospital. She finally was discovered when she contracted a fever, but the doctor kept her secret until she recovered, before telling her commander. Deborah was honorably discharged from the army as Robert Shurtliff. She later married and had children, living out her life