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Illustration showing Molly Pitcher (so called because she carried water to the troops) taking her wounded husband's place at a gun during the Battle of Monmouth. According to legend, Molly (Mrs. John Hayes, nee Mary Ludwig, barber's wife) was complimented by Washington himself after the battle. In the heat of battle, Mary continued to "swab and load" the cannon using her husband's rammer. At one point, a British musket ball or cannon ball flew between her legs and tore off the bottom of her skirt. Mary supposedly said, "Well, that could have been worse," and went back to loading the cannon. After the battle, General Washington asked about the woman he had seen loading a cannon. In commemoration for her courage, Washington issued her a warrant as a non commissioned officer. Afterwards, she was known as "Sergeant Molly," a nickname that she used for the rest of her life.