Women at war

Some women risked their lives in combat. * A few, such as 21-year-old Deborah Sampson, disguised themselves as men and became soldiers in the Continental army. *At Fort Washington, New York, Margaret Corbin replaced a gunner who was shot and then was shot herself. Mary Ludwig Hays McCauly took her husband’s place at a cannon when he was wounded at the Battle of Monmouth. Known for carrying pitchers of water to the soldiers, McCauly won the nickname “Molly Pitcher.” Afterward, General Washington made her a noncommissioned officer for her brave deeds.