The Revolutionary War (The Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series: American Soldiers' Lives)

Nearly everyone in the U.S. has studied the Revolutionary War. Too often, however, historians of the Revolution focus on the activity of the army without noticing what was taking place inside the army. Making liberal use of diaries and correspondence by the soldiers and their families, Charles P. Neimeyer tells the stories of the men and women who fought for the young country's independence. Sometimes starting off as rag-tag groups of men shooting off their muskets at geese just for the thrill of the sound, the soldiers became more disciplined and focused. The army recruited a significant number of African American soldiers, who fought side by side with whites. Women also fought and served in the army, either masquerading as male soldiers or providing support for army operations in camp and on the march. Suffering through times of numbing cold and starvation where men boiled their shoes for food, the sheer perseverance of the soldiers in the ranks ultimately won the war for independence.Presenting stories from letters and diaries of the men and women of the time, this volume reveals the stories of fear, exhaustion, hard work, grief, and exhilaration of the people in the camps and on the march. Highlights include: ; Recruitment, which included just about any healthy man willing to serve, including immigrants and enemy POWs ; General Washington's attempts to create a model, respectable army ; Attempts at medical treatment, and the ravages of smallpox, which left men dying at makeshift hospitals ; African American soldiers in the War ; Women's contributions to war efforts, whether in disguise as soldiers, or in filling in for husbands killed in battle ; Daily life in the camp: the monotony, the lack of food and supplies, drinking, sleeping in huts and out in the open, games, letter writing and religious observations ; The failure to fairly pay the soldiers as they mustered out of serviceThe book also includes a timeline that puts dates and events in better perspective; a comprehensive, topically arranged bibliography; and a thorough index. Nearly everyone in the U.S. has studied the Revolutionary War. Too often, however, historians of the Revolution focus on the activity of the army without noticing what was taking place inside the army. Making liberal use of diaries and correspondence by the soldiers and their families, Charles P. Neimeyer tells the stories of the men and women who fought for the young country's independence. Sometimes starting off as rag-tag groups of men shooting off their muskets at geese just for the thrill of the sound, the soldiers became more disciplined and focused. The army recruited a significant number of African American soldiers, who fought side by side with whites. Women also fought and served in the army, either masquerading as male soldiers or providing support for army operations in camp and on the march. Suffering through times of numbing cold and starvation where men boiled their shoes for food, the sheer perseverance of the soldiers in the ranks ultimately won the war for independence. Presenting stories from letters and diaries of the men and women of the time, this volume reveals the stories of fear, exhaustion, hard work, grief, and exhilaration of the people in the camps and on the march. Highlights ; Recruitment, which included just about any healthy man willing to serve, including immigrants and enemy POWs ; General Washington's attempts to create a model, respectable army ; Attempts at medical treatment, and the ravages of smallpox, which left men dying at makeshift hospitals ; African American soldiers in the War ; Women's contributions to war efforts, whether in disguise as soldiers, or in filling in for husbands killed in battle ; Daily life in the the monotony, the lack of food and supplies, drinking, sleeping in huts and out in the open, games, letter writing and religious observations ; The failure to fairly pay the soldiers as they mustered out of service The book also includes a timeline that puts dates and events in better perspective; a comprehensive, topically arranged bibliography; and a thorough index. Presents A Portrait Of American Soldiers In The Revolutionary War, Covering The Creation Of The Army, The Motivations Of The Soldiers, And Daily Life In Camp, Chronicling Changes Throughout The War. Citizen-soldiers : The Army Of Observation -- Sunshine Soldiers : The Transition Between The Army Of Observation And Washington's New Army -- Creating A Respectable Army -- The Year Of The Hangman : 1777 And Continental Army Communities -- Daily Life In Camp -- Morristown And Mutiny -- The Last Years Of The War. Charles P. Neimeyer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [183]-191) And Index. CONTENTS......Page 8 SERIES FOREWORD......Page 10 PREFACE......Page 12 TIMELINE......Page 20 1 CITIZEN-SOLDIERS: THE ARMY OF OBSERVATION......Page 28 2 SUNSHINE SOLDIERS: THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE ARMY OF OBSERVATION AND WASHINGTON’S NEW ARMY......Page 56 3 CREATING A RESPECTABLE ARMY......Page 84 4 “THE YEAR OF THE HANGMAN”: 1777 AND CONTINENTAL ARMY COMMUNITIES......Page 110 5 DAILY LIFE IN CAMP......Page 142 6 MORRISTOWN AND MUTINY......Page 174 7 THE LAST YEARS OF THE WAR......Page 198 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 210 INDEX......Page 220 ABOUT THE AUTHOR......Page 228 Describes the daily life of American soldiers during the Revolutionary War, discussing battles and campaigns, Washington's model army, the role of women, everyday experiences of soldiers, and fighting in the South.