DEATH OF AN OLD SOLDIER. — Sergeant John L. Hays, an old citizen of this place, and a soldier of the War of 1812, died on Thursday last, and was buried with military honors on Saturday. Sergeant Hays was born on the day of the Battle of Lexington, and was consequently 85 years of age. He was the son of the celebrated Molly Pitcher, who distinguished herself at the battle of Monmouth, and of whom Headly, in his Life of Washington, gives the following account: "It was during this part of the battle [when Gen. Lee was struggling nobly against the overwhelming numbers that pressed on him] that an irishman while serving his gun was shot down. His wife, named Molly, only twenty-two years of age, employed herself, while he loaded and fired his piece, in bringing water from a spring near by. While returning with a supply she saw him fall, and heard the officer in command order the gun to be taken to the rear. She immediately ran forward, seized the rammer, declaring that she would avenge his death. She fought her piece like a hero to the last. The next morning Greene, who had been struck with her bravery, presented her to Washington, who immediately promoted her to a sergeant, and afterwards had her put on the half-pay list for life. Previous to this she fired the last gun when the Americans were driven from Fort Montgomery." At the close of the revolution she took up her residence in Carlisle where she was known as Molly McCauley. She lived to an advanced age and was buried with military honors. — The Carlisle (Pa.) Democrat newspaper, cited in The Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar 1856.
Additional source: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pacumber/molly.htm
Additional source: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pacumber/molly.htm
DEATH OF AN OLD SOLDIER. — Sergeant John L. Hays, an old citizen of this place, and a soldier of the War of 1812, died on Thursday last, and was buried with military honors on Saturday. Sergeant Hays was born on the day of the Battle of Lexington, and was consequently 85 years of age. He was the son of the celebrated Molly Pitcher, who distinguished herself at the battle of Monmouth, and of whom Headly, in his Life of Washington, gives the following account: "It was during this part of the battle [when Gen. Lee was struggling nobly against the overwhelming numbers that pressed on him] that an irishman while serving his gun was shot down. His wife, named Molly, only twenty-two years of age, employed herself, while he loaded and fired his piece, in bringing water from a spring near by. While returning with a supply she saw him fall, and heard the officer in command order the gun to be taken to the rear. She immediately ran forward, seized the rammer, declaring that she would avenge his death. She fought her piece like a hero to the last. The next morning Greene, who had been struck with her bravery, presented her to Washington, who immediately promoted her to a sergeant, and afterwards had her put on the half-pay list for life. Previous to this she fired the last gun when the Americans were driven from Fort Montgomery." At the close of the revolution she took up her residence in Carlisle where she was known as Molly McCauley. She lived to an advanced age and was buried with military honors. — The Carlisle (Pa.) Democrat newspaper, cited in The Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar 1856.
Additional source: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pacumber/molly.htm
Additional source: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pacumber/molly.htm
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