PATRICK K O’DONNELL: The untold story of America’s female Revolutionary sniper
Jemima Warner became one of the first documented American women killed in action when she was struck by British grapeshot during the siege of Quebec in December 1775.
Jemima Warner followed her husband into war, never imagining she would take his place as a sniper in the Continental Army. When her husband abandoned the grueling 350-mile march to Canada in 1775, Jemima picked up his rifle and continued the journey alone, becoming one of America's first female Revolutionary War snipers.
Her husband, James Warner, was an original member of the 1st Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, a unit of crack-shot marksmen who were among the best in Washington's army. These riflemen, many of whom had been longhunters beyond the Allegheny Mountains, were tapped by Col. Benedict Arnold to help move his army through the Maine wilderness to attack Quebec in the fall of 1775.
The march proved deadly, with starvation, torture and harsh conditions proving more dangerous than British or Native American forces. When James Warner sat down beside a tree, declaring he was 'determined to die,' Jemima placed all her bread and water between his legs before taking up his rifle and continuing the march alone.
Camp Followers
Jemima was among a small group of women in the force known as camp followers or 'Mollies.' These women had a complicated relationship with military hierarchy, with many officers believing they distracted soldiers and consumed valuable food. However, George Washington noted he was obliged to provide provisions to these women or risk losing 'some of the oldest and best Soldiers in the Service.'
Camp followers provided valuable services as laundresses, cooks and nurses. Some even spied on British camps while working in these roles. Jemima, however, distinguished herself by taking on combat duties after her husband abandoned the march.
Siege of Quebec
When Arnold's beleaguered force reached Canada and besieged Quebec, the men were shocked to see Jemima arrive bearing her husband's rifle, powder horn and pouch. She tearfully recounted how she had continued the march alone after leaving her husband behind.
After the British had fired upon an American party under a flag of truce, Jemima was sent to deliver surrender terms to the British commander in December 1775. She crossed the same ground where the previous party had received enemy fire and entered the city, only to have the British commander burn the letter in front of her. Remarkably, she returned alive to American lines.
The widow of poor James Warner came to our quarters … bearing her husband's rifle, his powder horn and pouch.
Final Sacrifice
Despite the danger, Jemima remained on the front lines. On December 11, 1775, she was struck and killed by British grapeshot during the siege, making her one of the first documented American women killed in action.
Her story is revealed in Patrick K. O'Donnell's new book, 'Revolutionary Snipers: Washington's Frontier Commandos Whose Marksmanship Forged a New Way of War and Helped Win the Revolution,' which also details the crucial role of the Pennsylvania long rifle in winning the Revolutionary War.
Related
