The stories of soldiers' experiences during battle have changed drastically as the years have progressed. However, despite the many wars America has faced, the American Revolution was a specifically unique period. The nature of the American Revolution could be described as a freedom fight; a colonial revolt. A perfect example of this would be a man by the name of Joseph Plumb Martin, a continental soldier who fought in the American Revolution. His principle depicted the true meaning of settling bravery; the fact that despite the support of the soldiers being tossed aside from lack of popular aid, “they could find solace at war end in knowing that they were the true nation-makers in securing American independence” (pg. 187). Every war has a hero. It has that one man or woman who was recognized for going above and beyond to do their part to save as many lives as they can.
Joseph Plumb Martin had no intention of starting as a hero, “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” (pg. 5). He was born in Massachusetts in 1760, just before the surge of the American Revolution. In his 90 years alive, the US had established itself as “a legitimate political entity, if not a potential rising star, among the nations of the world” (pg. x). As a soldier in the war, he had never commanded large bodies of troops in battle or held a political office. He hadn’t stood in a position that made his name known. However, according to a companion, he regularly displayed “a fund of knowledge, which, with his lively social disposition, and ready wit, made him an entertaining and instructive companion” (pg. x), which was probably why he was so memorable and recognized. It was movements like Washington’s decision to travel northeast from Philadelphia to Boston to assume command of his new platoon that impacted 15-year-old J.P. Martin.
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Eventually, over the period it took Plumb to mature, he saw and felt the need to join the other men in marching from town to town as a soldier. “O, thought I, if I were old enough to put myself forward, I would be the possessor of one dollar, the dangers of war to the contrary notwithstanding; but I durst not put myself up for a soldier for fear of being refused, and that would have quite upset all the courage I had drawn forth” (pg. 6); however, Martin’s wishes surely came true when he followed the next set of troops from his hometown to New York. Holding a smaller, more insignificant position in the American Revolution, Joseph Martin Plumb acquired first-hand insight into what the war was really like for the foot soldiers; “I had indeed enough to do to take care of my concerns; it was exceeding hot weather, and I was faint, having slept very little the preceding night, nor had I eaten a mouthful of victuals for more than 24 hours” (pg. 26). During the entirety of the Revolutionary War, soldiers keeled over dead from disease more than combat itself.
The conditions the soldiers were kept in would be described as abuse today. He states that the Continental Army regulars never received enough food, clothes, or shelter, much less their monthly pay. While Martin recognizes the difficulty of moving supplies over winter roads, he blames the army's 'starving in detail' on 'an unthankful people who did not care what became of us, so they could enjoy themselves while we were keeping a cruel enemy from them' (125). With little rations, they maintained a poor diet, and slept in damp shelters and worn-out clothes; smallpox and typhus quickly became a much larger threat than the British they were fighting against. However, this was in the 1700s and no one could expect any better out of such a dated era. Even situations such as travel posed a problem, “I traveled nearly a mile and a half without seeing the least sign of a house” (pg. 101). As for the combat itself, in my personal opinion, the American Revolution was one of the most passionate wars ever fought on North American soil. Close to 150,000 soldiers made up the entire continental army, including the militiamen. In the autobiography, Martin clarifies the unorganized nature of his platoon and commanding officers. In his memoir, Martin documents how the continental fields of study were important for a final victory.
Martin's military unit--5th Connecticut--was ordered to the defense of New York City in the summer of 1776 immediately after his enlistment. This military unit was a unit enrolled for six months. Its officers held little experience. The men received little drilling or training. After the American defeat on Long Island, these soldiers were given the job of defending the likely landing site on Manhattan at Kip's Bay. Martin describes the position as 'nothing more than a ditch dug along on the bank of the East River, with the dirt thrown out toward the water' (pg. 23). On one September morning, British warships began overloading the Americans with bullets, questions, and requests. Expecting raw groups of armed citizens, troops believed the forceful attack was too much; the officers called for a retreat. The result was complete chaos and an embarrassing loss. Martin blames the lack of leadership for this embarrassment in front of an army of citizens: 'The men were confused, being without officers to command them. I do not remember of seeing a (put into use/paid in exchange for services) officer from the time I left the lines ... until ... in the evening' (pg. 29). His military unit did, however, fight with credit at Harlem Heights and White Plains later.
Despite the rancid conditions, the chaotic coordination, and the treatment of the soldiers as one, Martin was adamantly proud of the cause. Martin stressed that the cause and the army were the same: had the army fallen apart, the cause would have been lost. Luckily, it never came down to 'break up the army,' although the troops did start an even more dangerous revolt against authority the following winter (122). Martin's story has long been recognized as the classic soldier's life story of the Revolutionary War. It’s a remembrance of a time when hardworking people with a large variety of skills came together to fight for the one thing worth risking their lives for the freedom to live their way. The freedom to decide what they wanted to study and believe, to be the kind of people who earned the freedom they fought so long and hard for: “Turned adrift,” as Martin wrote, “like old worn out horses” at war’s end, they could find solace, despite all of their suffering and sacrifice, in knowing that they were the true nation-makers in securing American independence” (187). Every war has a hero. Joseph Plumb Martin is the perfect example of how you can’t guarantee any victory without trial and error, suffering, and sacrifice. The American Revolution was, in my personal opinion, the hardest and most passionate war fought since the making of American Society. It proved, as well as soldiers like J. P. Martin, that it’s not the hero that makes the war. It’s the war that makes the hero.
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