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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2021 7 By Dick Roppé, Resident Historically, women weren't officially considered members of the U.S. Military until March 21,1917 when Loretta Perfectus Walsh became America's first official enlisted woman of any service when she joined the U.S. Navy. I've written this article because I wanted to give credit to, and honor the women who have also served our country. I'm concentrating more on our early history; the American Revolution and the Civil War. This does not lessen the contributions women have made as time marched on. The American Revolution During the Revolution, some women were economically unable to maintain their households in their husband's absence or wished to be by their side. Known as camp followers, these women followed the Continental Army, serving the soldiers and officers as washerwomen, cooks, nurses, seamstresses, supply scavengers, and occasionally as soldiers and spies. Although single at the time, Deborah Sampson was a Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the war. She served 17 months under the name "Robert Shirtliff," and was wounded in 1782. She handled her wounds herself, not wanting to be "discovered." She was honorably discharged in 1783; her "secret" never being discovered. In 1785 she married and eventually had three children. One of the most legendary camp followers during the Revolution was Molly Pitcher. Most sources identify her birth name as Mary Ludwig. She was a patriot who carried pitchers of water to soldiers and helped with cannon duty during the Battle of Monmouth, thus earning her nickname. After she saw her husband collapse during the battle, she took over the operation of his cannon. The Civil War Clara Barton is probably best known as a Civil War nurse. She supplied her own wagon and drove out to the field of battle to tend to wounded soldiers, doing this without permission. She was so successful, and the rate of soldiers returning to duty who had been under her care was so great, that the War Department later authorized her to be on the field of battle. One of the most famous women soldiers was Sarah Edmonds. She was Canadian by birth, and had made her way to the United States to escape an arranged marriage. She took the name Franklin Thompson, and served for two and half years. Her service was cut short only because she contracted malaria. As with Deborah Sampson in the Revolutionary war, she was afraid that if she went to the hospital, her secret would be discovered. And so, rather than be found out as a woman in the ranks, she actually deserted the Union Army. However, years after the war, she was granted a soldier's pension. Much has changed since the "old days." Women have been assimilated into all branches of the military. Thank you for your service! They Also Serve Molly Pitcher Clara Barton

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