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The myths and legends of Margaret Cochran Corbin

| 14 Sep 2014 | 02:37
    Margaret Cochran Corbin was one of the wives who, during the Revolution, were tagged as þÄúCamp Followers.þÄù These women followed their husbands, cooking, washing laundry and doing whatever domestic chores needed to be done.She is buried at West Point.
    Margaret Cochran Corbin was one of the wives who, during the Revolution, were tagged as þÄúCamp Followers.þÄù These women followed their husbands, cooking, washing laundry and doing whatever domestic chores needed to be done.She is buried at West Point.
    On April 14, 1926, the remains of Margaret Cochran Corbin were re-interred with full military honors at the cemetery of the United States Military Academy at West Point behind the Old Cadet Chapel and erected the Margaret Corbin Monument in the West Point Cemetery, making her one of only two Revolutionary War soldiers to be buried there. The other soldier is Dominick Trant.
    On April 14, 1926, the remains of Margaret Cochran Corbin were re-interred with full military honors at the cemetery of the United States Military Academy at West Point behind the Old Cadet Chapel and erected the Margaret Corbin Monument in the West Point Cemetery, making her one of only two Revolutionary War soldiers to be buried there. The other soldier is Dominick Trant.

HIGHLAND MILLS — The story of Margaret Cochran Corbin is well known to Hudson Valley history buffs. So are the myths and legend which often rewrite history.

Dr. Raymond Cooper, a Central Valley native, will present a program designed to present an up-to-date accounting based on recent historical research.

The program, sponsored by the Woodbury Historical Society’s Gatehouse Committee, will be held at the Woodbury Senior Center in Highland Mills, on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1:30 p.m. (Refreshments served from 1 p.m.)

The story of Margaret Cochran Corbin came to light after the Revolutionary War battle at New York City’s Fort Washington. John Corbin was a 21-year-old young farmer who volunteered to fight as one of the men “crewing” one of the cannons.

His wife, Margaret (Cochran) was a “camp follower." It was common for women to follow their husbands to battle and to serve as cooks, laundresses and help the wounded soldiers.

Hers was never an easy life. Margaret was 5 years of age when Indians raided her home. Her father was killed and her mother captured, never to be seen again. She was raised by her aunt until her marriage to John Corbin

He was killed in the Fort Washington battle. Margaret stepped in to take his place at the cannon. She was wounded in the arm, jaw and chest and was captured by the British.

Being a woman, she was released as a “wounded soldier” and was “paroled” (a British practice).

History has recorded many accounts of her, some calling her “Molly Pitcher,” assuming she carried water used to cool the cannons in battle.

There are other myths and misconceptions but many new truths are emerging which confirm her rightful place as a heroic woman.

She received financial support from the government after the war, the first woman to do so. She died in Highland Falls on Jan. 16, 1800, at the age of 48.

The Margaret Cochran Corbin program concludes the WHS Gatehouse Learning Center’s Summer Series.

This program is free and open to the public.

Further information, email dorothymorris0@gmail.com.