JOSEPH PLUMB MARTIN essay
1) A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier: Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of Joseph Plumb Martin is a book based on Martin’s own experience of serving in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). The story begins in 1776 when Martin aged only fifteen was enlisted as a private in a Connecticut engineer regiment; presents one of the emotional peaks at the winter of 1777-1778 when the army almost starved to death at Valley Forge; goes on to his promotion to sergeant in 1780 and ends with the conclusion of the war in 1783 when the soldiers come back to their families and crafts. The author precisely describes every campaign he took part in. The book presents well-detailed memoir of a common soldier with all his pities and sorrows, heroic achievements and disgraceful failures, but most of all everyday routine and withdrawals. The miserable condition of the army often reached its highest degree. The men had to suffer from sleep deprivation and unfriendly weather conditions, wrap their feet in rags, build habitations to stay and not live in the wild woods, and eat what they could scavenge from the land, tree bark, carrion beef, and bread “hard enough to break the teeth of a rat.” But the most extreme hardship was to live between the battles. The battles themselves occurred rather rare; the rest of time was full of chaos, fear and boredom. Not bravery or brilliance drove the soldiers, but rather luck would help them not parish while starving, freezing and marching without an end. Although the days in the army were mostly copying each other, the narration does not become monotonous. Instead, it is sincere and gripping to the genuine emotions of the author who does not hyperbolize the sufferings of men around him. For example, he depicts the forlorn condition of the army which had no clothing, no provision, and almost no hope by the middle of the marching to the Valley Forge.
2) The foremost intention of Martin’s Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier is to share his memories and observations collected throughout the Revolutionary War with both his contemporaries and next generations. The books turns into a cut of historical context, detailed and truthful enough to create a clear vision of what the war was like not in the view of the leaders, but in the view of common citizens. He wants to make it understood that no man could be blindly brave at every moment of fighting. He confesses how foolish his own actions often were, and reveals the characters not by means of his own conclusions, but through the transcripts of conversations and accurate reflection of the events. Still, the author makes it obvious how extreme the sacrifice of the soldiers was; how terrible the price they paid and how strong their dedication to victory were. The author tried his best to prevent his narration from turning into heroic pathos; the sufferings of the common troops are comprehensively demonstrated.
3) All the stipulations of Martin lead the reader to the idea that the victory of the Americans was impossible without the courage and dedication of the men like those who fought side by side with him. The population and the army went through trials and pains to make the birth of the United States possible. What is more, these people made their contribution to turn the United States into the most thriving and freest country in the world. When the common people were engaged to take part in the war, they were encouraged by various tangible benefits like new clothes, monthly wages, property and pensions after the end of the war. The Continental Congress never kept the promises, but, according to Martin’s Narrative, the material things were not the goal the common people truly fought for. He explains that only the hope for better future, the idea of liberty and just governance of the state could inspire the soldiers. Their feats and sacrifices were beyond the desire of transient satisfaction, and their deeds have been anonymously written into the history of the United States. It goes without saying that there were probably enough men who did want to make a profit, but they could not provide the victory. The book clearly states the opinion that only the spirit of hope and dignity led the exhausted army to the bitter end, and it is hard and probably senseless to argue with that idea.
4) Joseph Plumb Martin does not need any additional sources to describe the Revolutionary War as it was. He presents his firsthand look at the American battle for Independence through the account of his experiences, victories and misfortunes of his young days.
5) Martin’s memoir can be treated as an excellent primary source about the American Revolution for its accuracy and details. The main advantage of the book is its style and common English. Despite all the gloom of the content, the text bristles with wit and humor, and creates a vivid, exciting canvas of the backgrounds of war. The text contains a lot of useful facts that can be useful for historians, re-enactors of the historical context, and contemporary military men. For example, it brilliantly details the trench warfare of the 18th century, which is not only cognitive, but also fascinating. There is much useful information on the duties of the Corps of Miners, how the rocks were blasted, the enemy fortifications disassembled and so on. However, in my view, it is even more beneficial due to its emotional effect. The book is provocative and touching sometimes; hence I would recommend it not only to those who have an aim to restore the events of the American history, but also to those who like to feel the spirit of the past and live those events out together with the storyteller.
6) The books differs much from the majority of the sources about the Revolutionary War, because it does not deal with the most well-known heroes of the American history and has no heroic pathos at all. Here you won’t find the point of view of the outstanding historical figures like John Adams or George Washington. Instead, it is written about a common private in the army. If to compare and contrast the narrative to the documentary The Conquerors: William Howe: Conqueror of New York shot by History Channel in 2005, the difference will be clear. The main bitter accent of the Narrative is a stress on how the veterans were treated after the war was over. Instead of honors and respect they were awarded with neglect and abasement. This observation comes into contrast with the common depiction of the war heroes.
