A soldier by the name of Joseph Plumb Martin used his experience during the Revolutionary War to inform the public about the hardships of a common soldier. He did this by giving one of the most accurate accounts of the campaigns in the Revolutionary army. Martin’s story began in the Northeast, specifically in New York. He dealt with starvation, fatigue, and lack of clothes. Martin overcame these obstacles and returned to the army after his first term of service expired. His strong will and perseverance followed him through infamous battles such as Battle of Germantown (1777), Valley Forge (1777-1778), and Battle Monmouth (1778). Martin’s memoir presents conditions of the army, which were most profound after his move towards the fatigue party. …show more content…
The autobiographies of Joseph Plumb Martin and Boston King present key similarities and differences, while informing the public about their individualized experiences in the Revolutionary War. Boston King was a slave in the South who escaped to the British in New York. He was born in South Carolina, and after being a slave to many masters he left. He left because he was afraid of the brutality his current master would rage on him due to an incident involving his horse. The British proclamation of 1775 encouraged slaves to join the loyalists in return for their freedom. King had many masters, but ultimately obtained his freedom and went to Nova Scotia with his wife. His story can be compared to Martin’s because they illustrate the differences that distinctly separate the experience for men of color and …show more content…
Martin and King faced a difficult decision: to leave and fight for their freedom. The type of freedom each man fought for was influenced greatly by their race. Martin was a white man, who fought for Patriot freedom from British control. King was an African-American, who journeyed to secure his freedom from slavery. They were on separate sides of the battlefield. King remarked how upon his arrival to the English army, “They received me readily, and I began to feel the happiness, liberty, of which I knew nothing before…” The British were glad to have any soldier to help them combat the rebel forces. One of the main differences between each recollection is the tone. Martin seemed more negative, focusing on the horrific conditions like starvation, lack of clothes, and fatigue. King differs because of his faith in God. He stated, “I called to remembrance the many great deliverances the Lord had wrought for me...and I would serve him all the days of my life.” King maintained his positive outlook because he had God’s help. The differing aspects of these memoirs help to reiterate their purpose, as well as the similar concepts, which serve to relate the two men with very different