A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier: Some Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin (Signet Classics)

I started a much longer review, but there is not enough that can be said about this, and, saying too much tends to water down the overall impact. So, I'll keep it short and to the point, as much as i am able to anyway.The autobiographical story of Joseph Plumb Martin is a must read for any citizen of the United States. Though it is relatively unappreciated compared to stories about Jefferson, Washington, Horatio Gates and even Benedict Arnold, this is the story of an everyman, a blue collar, hard working, farm kid who joined the Continental Army for much the same reasons that many join the all volunteer service today. His casual talk of camp life is reminiscent of life aboard ship while I was in the Navy and his straight foreword style is refreshing in a “that's the truth as I remember it” sort of way that brooks no argument.This account is shocking, humorous and sometimes deep in the way Martin expresses much broader concepts without hinting that there are deeper ideas at work. Such as stating that throughout the war, there was only one person he took aim at and shot...what about all of the engagements where he fired every bullet in his gun? This is a distinction between an act of war, under orders with greater ideals in mind, and an act of anger. Though the target is fair enough, an enemy soldier in battle, the intent is different and this is why Martin remembers this one above all others, with remorse and regret at his action and passes any other person he wounded or fired at as somehow different.Martin and his fellow Continental soldiers suffered many hardships and kept marching and fighting that would give modern soldiers (and sailors) room to pause and think twice. He went long periods of time without pay, months, and it seemed that he was nearly starving the entire war, subsiding on the oddest things that sometimes made him sick. He comments briefly on having a nightmare that sounds much like what victims of Acute Trauma experience and, given his story, should be expected. He manages to keep a sense of honor and, even in his darkest times maintains his sense of humor.This is why this book needs to be read. Martin is just like you and I. He could be anyone. He's not famous. He's not rich. He's no politician or general. He's the drafted youngster in Vietnam and the volunteers that fought in every war and battle the United States has needed to fight. He's the rank and file enlisted man whose blood was spilled far more often and in greater quantity than any officer, gentleman or political leader. It’s his back that dragged cannon to the front and his hand that fired the musket that won the nation's freedom. And above all, it's his suffering and strength to persevere unbelievably great hardships like hunger, fatigue, lack of proper clothing and extreme elements that every citizen owes a great debt too. Without Joseph Plumb Martin, and the few thousands like him, there would be no Great Nation like the United States.The story of Joseph Martin is the story of the American "Cinncinatus" who comes to fight and give his all when called upon, then, puts down his sword when his time was done and went back to his farm. He is still owed his 160 acres of land and countless dollars in backed pay that he never saw.This is the story about one of those men who gets little credit for great deeds, but to whom we, as a nation, owe an incredible debt of gratitude to. The American Enlisted Fighting Man, be he Sailor or Solider, or Airman. It's their blood, and the blood of those they fought beside that irrigated amber fields of grain and conquered purple mountains from sea to shining sea.

An excellent read giving one insight into the daily life of a regular army solider during the Revolutionary War. If one hasn't done much previous reading from this period the style may seem a little difficult and odd, but don't let that distract you, Plumb's wit and subtle sarcasm are terrific and worth the effort. It would be great if an edition with footnotes by a period historian or linguist was put together as many of the terms and phrases Plumb uses won't be understood by most people today (for example, if I wasn't a regular viewer of 18th century cooking on YouTube I would never have known "sauce" refers to vegetables when he talks about food).Plumb's narrative reminds us that regular folks had a part in the war for independence too and not just the flowery speechified gentry who commanded the army and drafted the constitution (as important as they were). Also, despite having heard about the common soldier's plight and sacrifice by countless second hand accounts, it is sobering to hear about them from a person who endured them himself. Even with Plumb downplaying much of the suffering, I was amazed at what they put up with and one is not surprised at all why the Continental Army had difficulties retaining soldiers and the militias. When the option is to stay enlisted and be as likely to die of starvation or exposure than from a musket ball or to go back home where there is food and warmth, how many of us would choose the former?That being said, don't worry about the whole narrative being a grim recollection, Plumb supplies us with plenty of stories about mischief and shenanigans (anyone for pitching a canteen full of gunpowder under their Captains cot while he's in it?) and his back and forth with the enemy forces is very entertaining.Well worth the price.

Stunning first hand history of our country's founding. You will learn what exactly these soldiers endured. And you will learn exactly what Mr. Joseph Plum Martin was about. And it all goes hand and hand without eagereration or fiction. Just skip over anything not written by Mr. Martin. The narrative by William Chad Stanley is absolutely unnecessary and ridiculous. You will see by the author's writing that nothing in this book is subjective. Just facts written in story form. Mr. Stanley's narrative reminds me of the time I was at a friend's art exhibition. Some pompous elitist was explaining to a small group what the artist meant by this and that while waving his hands in little loops. The artist, standing next to me could barely contain himself from LOL. I can imagine Sgt. Martin in the same predicament. It being obvious to even the most casual reader that he meant no more or no less than he actually put down on paper. But forget all that and just read the book. Even if you are not into history, the straightforward style of the author simply makes this a pleasure to read.

This little book is full of life. The language is of its time but this only adds to the sense of authenticity and intimacy.