Revolutionary soldier
The Struggles of a Revolutionary Soldier
US Formative Period
February 19, 2014
2
The start of it all
Whether I admit it or not, I take a lot for granted. I think we all do. In the book, A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier, Some of the adventures, dangers, and sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin, by Joseph Plumb Martin. He tells the War from his perspective as an engineer for the Connecticut regiment. In this book he describes many hardships and rough conditions he experienced first hand during the American Revolution or the (Revolutionary war). The Everyday life of the enlisted men was complex and hard to predict. The soldiers referred to the conditions as sufferings. I say we take things for granted because reading this book opened my eyes to a lot of things. As I sat at home in my big comfy bed, with the the whole house heated to a mild 70 degrees, and full belly of chicken tenders, I thought to myself, “I’ve got it good compared to him.” Times have definitely changed and I have much respect for the soldiers such as Joseph Plumb Martin. Although he didn’t necessarily want to be a soldier, it’s great what he did for us. “ Time passed smoothly on with me till the year 1774 arrived, the smell of war began to be pretty strong, but I was determined to have no hand in it, happen when it might; I felt myself to be a real coward” (1) Clearly he felt bad of this. As it went on Matin proceeded to talk about the Valley Forge, Joseph said this, “ The army continued at and near the Gulf for some days, after which we marched for the Valley Forge in order to take up our winterquarters. We were now in a truly forlorn condition, no clothing, no provisions, and as disheartened as need be, Our prospect was indeed dreary. In our miserable condition, to go into the wild woods and build us habitations to stay in, in such a weak, starved, and naked condition, was appalling in the highest degree...”. (2) This made me feel for him and paint a
US Formative Period
February 19, 2014
2
The start of it all
Whether I admit it or not, I take a lot for granted. I think we all do. In the book, A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier, Some of the adventures, dangers, and sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin, by Joseph Plumb Martin. He tells the War from his perspective as an engineer for the Connecticut regiment. In this book he describes many hardships and rough conditions he experienced first hand during the American Revolution or the (Revolutionary war). The Everyday life of the enlisted men was complex and hard to predict. The soldiers referred to the conditions as sufferings. I say we take things for granted because reading this book opened my eyes to a lot of things. As I sat at home in my big comfy bed, with the the whole house heated to a mild 70 degrees, and full belly of chicken tenders, I thought to myself, “I’ve got it good compared to him.” Times have definitely changed and I have much respect for the soldiers such as Joseph Plumb Martin. Although he didn’t necessarily want to be a soldier, it’s great what he did for us. “ Time passed smoothly on with me till the year 1774 arrived, the smell of war began to be pretty strong, but I was determined to have no hand in it, happen when it might; I felt myself to be a real coward” (1) Clearly he felt bad of this. As it went on Matin proceeded to talk about the Valley Forge, Joseph said this, “ The army continued at and near the Gulf for some days, after which we marched for the Valley Forge in order to take up our winterquarters. We were now in a truly forlorn condition, no clothing, no provisions, and as disheartened as need be, Our prospect was indeed dreary. In our miserable condition, to go into the wild woods and build us habitations to stay in, in such a weak, starved, and naked condition, was appalling in the highest degree...”. (2) This made me feel for him and paint a