Joseph Plumb Martin (1760-1850)

How does the first hand account Martin provides give us more insight into the occurrences of the Revolution?

Student project about Martin’s Adventures, Dangers, and Suffering, Chapter 7 by Esha Saini

November 2, 2021

Beginnings

In February 1781, 21 year old Joseph Plumb Martin, a soldier in the Continental Army, receives an opportunity to return home to visit his grandparents and friends. He takes the chance only to return to his grandmother's death and his grandfather's retreat to family as a result. Though he finds comfort in the presence of his sister and friends, he soon returns back to camp at West Point in order to resume his adventures as a revolutionary soldier.

The Campaign

Martin's sixth campaign was one that was almost nonstop movement for the troops. Martin documents around fifteen locations that they camped at throughout the chapter as seen below:

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West Point

"When I arrived within sight and hearing of the army, or rather the garrison of West point, it again harrowed up my melancholy feelings that had, in a manner, subsided on my journey" (p. 154)

Morristown

Martin and his troops encounter the British troops for the first time and after exchanging taunts and casual conversation back and forth, Martin gets fired upon nearly getting hit. For the rest of their time in Morristown, they narrowly dodge the shots of British sneak attacks and escape death.

Phillip's Manor

Upon arriving at Phillip's Manor, Martin once again finds himself flanked by an enemy attack. However this time, while attempting to escape the aggressors he falls and is attacked by the commander of the enemy, an old friend who deserted the Patriot cause to join the enemy side. He is struck in the leg by this enemy and states that it was "the only time the enemy drew blood from me" (p. 160).

King's Ferry

"The first of August, I think it was the first day of that month, we all of a sudden marched from this ground and directed our course towards King's ferry" (p. 161)

Chatham

"We went down to Chatham, where were ovens built for the accommodation of the French troops" (p. 161)

Trenton

"We then expected we were to attack New-York in that quarter, but after staying here a day or two, we again moved off and arrived at Trenton by rapid marches" (p. 161)

Philadelphia

"We were ordered immediately on board vessels, then lying at the landing place, and a little after sunrise found ourselves at Philadelphia" (p. 161)

Mud Island

"We passed Mud Island, where I had experienced such hardships in Nov. '77" (p. 161)

Newport

"There was one place in particular, near the village of Newport, where you sail four miles to gain about forty rods" (p. 161)

Annapolis

"I encountered nothing very material on my journey, except it were fatigue and some want, until I arrived at Annapolis" (p. 154)

Lynnhaven Bay

Martin narrates the story of the crew upon their ship sending one of the younger soldiers whom they called a runt to go get liquor for the soldier. Despite there being enough liquor on board, they still sent him as a sort of joke for their enjoyment. This highlights how even the soldiers were just humans at the end of the day.

Burwell's Ferry

In Burwell's Ferry, the troops encounter a situation in which their cook is given money to obtain food which he spends on liquor and pepper. This enrages the troops causing a fight to break out.

Williamsburg

"Soon after landing we marched to Williamsburg, where we joined Gen. Lafayette" (p. 165)

Yorktown

At Yorktown, Martin narrates the entirety of the battle from his perspective. He recounts the first impression of George Washington and the deaths of members of his troops he witnessed. He describes feeling a sense of pride upon their victory and for the first time experiencing patriotism.

Burlington

"After staying in Philadelphia about a fortnight, we left the city and proceeded to the city of Burlington" (p. 179)

Significance

Martin's account of the campaign of 1781 is significant as a primary source due to the fact that it gives us one of the most accurate views of the events that occurred during the Revolution. Though many textbooks and historical writings analyze and retell the battles and strategic maneuvers of the war, there are very few sources that provide this level of detail into the daily lives of soldiers present through it all. We are able to understand the nuances of the dynamic between French and British soldiers, the roles of the civilians that helped these soldiers, and the emotions of the individuals who were actually fighting during a monumental historical event.

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Themes As Seen Through Important Quotes

Theme 1: Dynamics

The first main theme we notice is the difference in dynamic between the Colonists, the British, and the French which we see in the way Martin addresses the way the French celebrated the death of British soldiers and how he and the British soldiers engaged in banter until they fired on him.

British v. French

"There were two British soldiers hanging in chains here... two French officers rode up and inquired whether they were Americans or English; we told them they were English; upon which one of the officers laid his cane several times across one of the bodies, making the dry bones rattle, at the same time exclaiming, 'Fotre d'Anglaise!" (p. 157)

Continental Army v. British

"We then became quite sociable; they advised me to come over to their side and they would give me roast turkeys." (p.156)

Theme 2: Start of American Patriotism

The next theme in the chapter is the emergence of sentiments of patriotism in America after their victory at Yorktown. We begin to see a nation and the identity of an "American" forming.

Star Spangled Banner

"I confess I felt a secret place swell my heart when I saw the 'star spangled banner' waving majestically in the very faces of our implacable adversaries; it appeared like an omen of success to our enterprise, and so it proved in reality." (p. 169)

Theme 3: Personal Relationships throughout the Revolution

The last theme we observe in the narrative is the evolution of personal relationships during the course of war. How the trials and tribulations of war changed his relationship with his friend who was branded a traitor after deserting the army.

Friends turned Enemies

"I could see him through the fence and knew him; he was, when we were boys, one of my most familiar playmates, was with me, a messmate, in the campaign of 1776, had enlisted during the war in 1777, but sometime before this, had deserted to the enemy." (p. 160)

Connection to Taylor

Both Martin's account and Alan Taylor's book, American Revolutions: A Continental History, delve into the events that unfolded during the Siege of Yorktown. Though the two sources parallel each other in terms of accuracy of the event itself , Taylor's explanation of the siege (p.419) primarily addresses it from an objective point of view. He provides numerous statistics, dates, and casualties in order to paint the picture of the battle. On the other hand, through Martin's account of the incident we are given a first hand detailed retelling. His writing personifies the emotions and occurrences of the siege in a very human-like manner, reminding the reader of the fact that there were individuals with their own lives and stories fighting for a common cause they believed in.