“If I had to rely on a single book to convey the full experience of the Revolutionary E d War, it would certainly be Joseph Plumb Martin’s Narrative. Martin personalizes the i t experience of a common solider with the freshness of youth and the wisdom of age – a E truly remarkable feat. Like All Quiet on the Western Front, it’s a must-read classic.” d Ray Raphael, author of A People’s History of the American Revolution b y M “No soldier in Washington’s Continental Army ever inscribed a more trenchant and a vivid account of the hopes, fears, frustrations, and sufferings of the common volunteer r than Joseph Plumb Martin. In this new edition of Private Martin’s account, James Kirby Martin has amplified the footnotes and bibliography to breathe new life into this t remarkable reminiscence. This is indispensable reading for anyone interested in the i n American Revolution from the inside out.” Gary B. Nash, University of California, Los Angeles O Praise for the third edition: “Ordinary Courage reminds the reader that the American Revolution was fought by r ordinary persons thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Joseph Plumb Martin did not advise Washington, write stirring documents, or hold an important political office, but d he fought and suffered for American independence. James Kirby Martin has done an extraordinary job editing the work, with notes that provide the historical context for i Joseph Martin’s experiences.” n Randy Roberts, Distinguished Professor of History, Purdue University a r First published in 1830, this classic memoir of the American Revolutionary War relates events from the perspective of patriots who endured the hardships of long-term service in y Washington’s army during the period 1775–1783. Martin himself joined the Continental army in 1776 at the age of 15 and endured all the horrors of war, including killer C diseases, starvation, brutal weather, and bloody combat. This updated fourth edition has once more been overseen by the celebrated scholar of US history James Kirby Martin, O who has trimmed the repetitions of the original, updated spelling and punctuation, added explanatory notes, and augmented the bibliography. The book now also includes a new u Afterword by Karen Guenther on movie portrayals of Revolutionary-era soldiers. Fourth Edition r Martin’s memoir clearly demonstrates that the history made and recorded by ordinary people is just as compelling as that of the few famous leaders who traditionally a Ordinary dominate the historical limelight. Told with humor, frankness, and pathos, the work is g a key primary document of the period and makes thought-provoking reading for today’s college students and general readers alike. E COuragE JAMeS KIRBy MARTIN is the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen University Professor of History at the University of Houston. He is the award-winning author of twelve books, including Benedict EF Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered (1997), and Forgotten do Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution (with Joseph T. Glatthaar, 2006). itiur the revolutionary War adventures ot nh of Joseph Plumb Martin Cover image: Winter at Valley Forge by F. C. yohn (hand-colored woodcut), ISBN 978-1-4443-5135-4 1898 © North Wind Picture Archives / Alamy 90000 Cover design by Simon Levy JaMEs Kirby Martin EditEd by 9 781444 351354 Martin pb artwork.indd 1 3/4/12 17:48:11 JJaammeess KKiirrbbyy MMaarrttiinn__bbiinnddeexx..IINNDDDD 220033 33//2266//22001122 1111::3300::0099 AAMM Ordinary Courage ffffiirrss..iinndddd ii 44//33//22001122 11::3344::3377 PPMM ffffiirrss..iinndddd iiii 44//33//22001122 11::3344::3388 PPMM Ordinary Courage The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin Fourth Edition Edited by James Kirby Martin With an essay The Revolutionary War Soldier on Film by Karen Guenther A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication ffffiirrss..iinndddd iiiiii 44//33//22001122 11::3344::3388 PPMM This edition first published 2013 © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Wiley-Blackwell is an imprint of John Wiley & Sons, formed by the merger of Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical and Medical business with Blackwell Publishing. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148–5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell . The right of James Kirby Martin to be identified as the author of the editorial material in this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. 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If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Martin, Joseph Plumb, 1760–1850. [Narrative of some of the adventures, dangers, and sufferings of a Revolutionary soldier] Ordinary Courage : the Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin / edited by James Kirby Martin ; with an essay “The Revolutionary War Soldier on Film” by Karen Guenther. – Fourth edition. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4443-5135-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Martin, Joseph Plumb, 1760–1850. 2. United States–History–Revolution, 1775–1783– Personal narratives. 3. Soldiers–United States–Biography. I. Martin, James Kirby, 1943– II. Title. E275.M38 2012 973.3′8–dc23 2011051679 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in 10/12.5pt Galliard by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India 1 2013 ffffiirrss..iinndddd iivv 44//33//22001122 11::3344::3388 PPMM For Aunt Jane and Uncle Don McClelland with unbounded affection ffffiirrss..iinndddd vv 44//33//22001122 11::3344::3388 PPMM ffffiirrss..iinndddd vvii 44//33//22001122 11::3344::3388 PPMM Contents Introductory Comments ix Overview Maps of Joseph Plumb Martin’s Adventures, 1776–1783 xxiii–iv Martin’s Narrative of Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings xxv Preface 1 Chapter I: Introductory 3 Chapter II: Campaign of 1776 11 Chapter III: Campaign of 1777 39 Chapter IV: Campaign of 1778 70 Chapter V: Campaign of 1779 98 Chapter VI: Campaign of 1780 111 Chapter VII: Campaign of 1781 132 Chapter VIII: Campaign of 1782 158 Chapter IX: Campaign of 1783 168 The Revolutionary War Soldier on Film 183 Karen Guenther Suggestions for Additional Reading 188 Index 195 ffttoocc..iinndddd vviiii 44//33//22001122 11::3333::3311 PPMM ffttoocc..iinndddd vviiiiii 44//33//22001122 11::3333::3311 PPMM