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    Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier: The Narrative of Joseph Plumb Martin
    Unavailable
    Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier: The Narrative of Joseph Plumb Martin
    Unavailable
    Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier: The Narrative of Joseph Plumb Martin
    Ebook285 pages7 hours

    Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier: The Narrative of Joseph Plumb Martin

    By Joseph Plumb Martin

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    A wide-eyed teenager during most of the Revolutionary War, Joseph Plumb Martin left his grandfather's farm in Connecticut in 1775 and spent much of the next eight years with the Continental Army, crisscrossing the mid-Atlantic states and returning north after the British surrender at Yorktown. His notes, penned when he was seventy, recount in grim detail his harrowing experiences during the conflict—the staggering losses in human life, the agony of long marches, constant gnawing hunger, bitter cold, and the fear of battle, as well as a warts-and-all view of military leaders. Balancing these brutal wartime experiences are lively accounts of hunting, fishing, and other diversions--including an occasional encounter with a "saucy miss."
    The fullest existing description of the Revolutionary War by an enlisted man, and a rediscovered gem of American history, Martin's recollections brim with telling anecdotes that reveal a great deal about American life during this era. An invaluable memoir from an ordinary man in extraordinary times, the narrative is "one of the best firsthand accounts of war as seen by a private soldier."—St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDover Publications
    Release dateMar 13, 2012
    ISBN9780486131238
    Unavailable
    Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier: The Narrative of Joseph Plumb Martin

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    Reviews for Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier

    4/5

    51 ratings8 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I was a little worried this book would be difficult to read, but it was surprisingly well-written, funny, and had a lot of attitude! (Of course I realize much of it had to have been "edited" for spelling and the like.)Having spent the last few years reading biographies of our Founding Fathers, books on the Constitution, and books on the Revolution in general, it was clear that this book is heavily referenced by other authors, certainly when it comes to the plight of the Continental soldier. And what a plight it was. I've no doubt that much of what Martin describes is accurate, most especially when it comes to the lack of "victuals," clothing, and shelter from which these men suffered.The anecdotes Martin offers are both harrowing and amusing. He's not above poking fun at himself when he's done something questionable (like climb up a shear mountain face only to get hundreds of feet up before realizing he can't reach the summit).If you've avoided this book because you're afraid of its perceived 18th century language differences or that it would be boring, I assure you that's not the case at all.
    • 4/5
      A classic must-read for any Rev. War enthusiast. It provides great insight to what a soldier endured throughout the war.
    • 2/5
      This book appealed to me as it was a rare available narrative by a common soldier from the American Revolution. Having read several narratives from Civil War era privates, some of which were excellent, I was quite disappointed with this work. Mr. Martin's account focuses almost exclusively on mundane or trivial matters which soon become so repetitious than the reader's interest wanes. Perhaps worse, Mr. Martin provides no insights or commentary on any battles or events of importance. In short, after reading this narrative I had no better insights into the War than before I began.
    • 5/5
      Mr. Martin's experience was that of many; cold, hunger and little pay. Those who stayed, like Martin, know the British were just one obstacle. His testimony is remarkably clear. I love to read about the revolution, its causes, battles and personalities. This book is in a class by itself and gives context to all the others.
    • 3/5
      A story of a young boy who rides off to join the continental Army and the war for American independence. This book takes the reader into the battle and behind the earthworks in some of America's most important battles for American independence. Along the way our protagonist Joseph meets many famous American heroes such as George Washington. This is not a in depth historians perspective of the American revolution but it is a great way to educate and inspire young students to learn about American history.
    • 4/5
      A great read for anyone interested in seeing the American Revolution from a soldier's eye view.
    • 4/5
      Joseph Plumb Martin wrote one of the few soldier's accounts of the American revolution. Written some forty years after the war ended from his home Maine, Martin's record is a surprising account of his experiences as a Continental regular. Though he was present at the defense of Fort Mifflin in 1778, fought at Monmouth and Yorktown, it is not his battle experiences that are most engaging. Rather, it is his vivid accounts of the soldiers' day to day struggle to survive. Though food was hard to come by under most circumstances, due to an ineffective commissary system and badly depreciated currency, the undernourished army reached starvation conditions during the winters. Martin is particularly eloquent regarding the condition of the army during the Valley Forge winter, and the disastrous Morristown winter of 1780. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in an inside glance at life inside the Continental Army. It is written with humor, is a quick read, and has the merit of being inexpensive.
    • 4/5
      The memoirs of Joseph Plumb Martin a private in the continental army during the American Revolution. A good read full of day to day living.A story of long marches cold, heat,rain, snow and hunger. The modern soldier would recognize Mr. Martin.