Historical Narrative;
Account of a Revolutionary War Soldier
Photo By: Hugh Talman Source to Image
My life as a Revolutionary War soldier.
-Hello all! My name is John Mullikin and I am now a Revolutionary War soldier. After the bloodiest battle that occurred on Bunker Hill I decided to join the Patriot cause to fight in the Battle of Camden in August of 1780. I am originally from the New England colony of Connecticut. My wife and I chose to move to the Southern colony of South Carolina in support of war and the tough times we have been facing trying to put food on the table amidst this war that is affecting every aspect of our lives. I joined the 32nd Infantry Militia group of South Carolina. I've never been one to want to kill others but after news that my dear cousin, Abe, was lost at Bunker Hill to the British I have a renewed sense of pride to my country. I am a rather inexperienced soldier but stand on the brink of duty. My musket is as tall as me and I struggle to understand why the British who were once so accommodating in aiding the efforts of the colonies during the French-Indian war now have a sense to want to be repaid for their efforts and justify it by imposing foolish taxes.
What happened when the British attacked the Massachusetts Militia, the minutemen on April 19, 1775 for the first time?
-The first battle to ensue occurred against the Massachusetts militia where Abe was a part of as a one of the men on the front line. The attack took place at Lexington and Concord and now the American troops were working hard to show that we had a powerful enough army to go up against the British. We knew in our hearts as citizens and as soldiers that British army was very well trained and too powerful to go up against as an army that was put together with men of all ages that had little artillery and food to keep them going. Word came across the colonies that in June 15, 1775 that George Washington was named the commander of the continental army. Finally a hope that we have a leader in this war to help us fight for our independence from the stronghold of Great Britain. One of Washington's officer says "I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the stream, wrapped in his cloak, super intending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected but very determined (Collier 69).
What happened to my cousin at Breed's Hill otherwise known as Bunker Hill?
-Two days later, from the accounts of my cousin's comrade, the British ran out of ammunition after holding their army back from two attacks and had no choice to withdraw. So far this has been the bloodiest battle to occur in the Revolution so far. Abe, as I mentioned earlier was on the front lines, had held strong in taking his Brown Bess musket and sword in holding the British back. Just as soon as they were ready to retreat a cannon fire of their last ammunition landed several feet from Abe's post. He was instantly blown back and lost his right arm and severely burned the right side of his body. Medical treatment was scarce and more of a threat than the actual wound so Abe accepted his fate in fighting for his country and died there at what is mistakenly known as Bunker Hill even though it occurred on Breed's Hill. God rest his very soul.
Why men like Benjamin Talllmadge were joining the war.
-Benjamin Tallmadge was a teacher from my home colony of Weathersfield, Connecticut during this time. On horseback it would take half a day to get to Weathersfield where I was originally from. In knowing his devotion to the field of education I had heard of his heroic acts and admired his patriotism to his country. He left his profession after the battles at Lexington and Concord in the fight for freedom. We all had a reason to fight but collectively we fought for our freedom.
Where armies served the civilians suffered and the pain I felt.
-Word from families and my wife through letters that took months to arrive I had heard of the pain that the British and even Patriots were instilling in the lives of citizens. Here is one account of a woman names Lydia Minturn Post from Long Island concerning the harassment from the Hessians or Germans as her husband fought in the continental army:
"Once a month the Hessians go to the head-quarters for their rations, including spirits, and then for three days they are for the most part given up to intoxication, and we have trying and grievous scenes to go through; fighting, brawls, drumming and fifing, and dancing the night long;card and dice playing, and every abomination going on under our very roofs! The noise from the kitchen, which they always occupy is terrifying. The door opening into the rest of the house is nailed fast, but the inmates are continually in dread of having their dwellings burnt over their heads" (Beller, 63).
The pain I felt that I couldn't go to help families that were left behind because their men were fighting and what they had to endure. Oh! How I feared for my dear wife Emma and prayed to the Lord for her safety.
Hope is ahead for us all
My commander tells us to quit acting like we are fighting a losing battle. Most of us have lost our hope and the winter is coming on. From a nearby infantry I hear "one officer reporting...the thirteen thousand men at Mount Independence, noted that they had received a supply of only nine hundred pair of shoes" (Beller, 75). The commander was trying to lift our spirits but when he told us of the news that the British surrendered at Saratoga
I knew it was a "tremendous victory for the Patriots" and the "first indication" of winning the war. That night we celebrated cooking around the campfire and sharing spirits all around until the day began to break we set off on foot.
The camp followers and women at war and their contribution to the cause.
Camp followers have helped our infantry in so many ways. "Women who enlisted as soldiers were rare. On the other hand women who joined the army as camp followers were a common sight, for about 20,000 women were followers at some time" during our cause of the Revolution (Zeinert 17). People who remained as camp followers helped us soldiers with our laundry and had ammunition wives who helped supply musket balls and pellets. There were also tents that were turned into hospitals. These women helped in ways of the war more than I could imagine. My dear Emma was tending to the farm at home and I didn't want her to see the bloodshed and experience the horrors of war and I didn't want anything to happen to my dear wife.
What is the difference between the British troops and the militia of each of the colonies and what were the numbers that were lost in the Revolutionary War?
The whole world knows at this point that with our lack of materials and experience that we best understand that our freedom is at stake. British armies were more equipped and well trained from us.
Here are the numbers from both sides of the Revolutionary War
-British
- 12,000 at any one time
-(50,000 total British troops over course of war)
-8,200 Loyalists Troops
-30,000 German mercenaries (Hessians)
-17,000 Returned to Germany
-7,500 died
-5,000 deserted the army and stayed in the U.S.
Americans
-28,000 at one time
(230,000 troops, many cases of short enlistment)
-16,000 French troops
(Cited from Beller, 76)
How was the World Turned Upside Down?
France joined the Patriot cause in February 6, 1778 due to the outcome of the Battles of Saratoga that convinced them that our Patriot cause could inflict damage on the British (Deem 66) The world was turned upside down in more ways than one. The year was 1781 and we have waged the war for six years. France joining our cause really helped but we struggled due to the low numbers of our armies. A primary account states the "continental congress authorized 75,000 soldiers, it never grew about 18,000 men" (Deem 63). As if there seemed I would never get home to see Emma ever again and this God forsaken war end with our freedom in the right mind we prepared for a seemingly difficult battle. Patriots all joining in the cause in the thousands gathered "on the York River in Virginia, not far from...Williamsburg" in digging trenches around Yorktown (Gourley, 56). British troops held their headquarters in Yorktown, Virginia. "On the morning of October 17, American cannon" shot from the surrounding militia, "were raining death on the British" Two days later in this battle General Cornwallis of the British troops surrendered to General Washington and we won our independence. The tune of The World Turned Upside Down played from the British armies band of fifes and drums. The words of the song that still rings true in my ears and I sing to Emma to this very day:
"If buttercups buzzed after the bee, If boats were on Land, churches on sea; If ponies rode men and grass ate the
cows, And cats should be chased to holes by the mouse, If summer were spring and t'other way round, Then
all the world would be upside down" (Gourley 57).
I leave this war as a proud member of the 32nd Infantry Militia group of South Carolina and as God is my witness I helped the colonies fight for their freedom to become what is now known as America. Other than having a bullet graze my left shoulder and several superficial stab wounds of bayonets I can proudly say I fought this war for my country and my cousin Abe who was lost so tragically at Bunker Hill. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution in September 3, 1783.
-Hello all! My name is John Mullikin and I am now a Revolutionary War soldier. After the bloodiest battle that occurred on Bunker Hill I decided to join the Patriot cause to fight in the Battle of Camden in August of 1780. I am originally from the New England colony of Connecticut. My wife and I chose to move to the Southern colony of South Carolina in support of war and the tough times we have been facing trying to put food on the table amidst this war that is affecting every aspect of our lives. I joined the 32nd Infantry Militia group of South Carolina. I've never been one to want to kill others but after news that my dear cousin, Abe, was lost at Bunker Hill to the British I have a renewed sense of pride to my country. I am a rather inexperienced soldier but stand on the brink of duty. My musket is as tall as me and I struggle to understand why the British who were once so accommodating in aiding the efforts of the colonies during the French-Indian war now have a sense to want to be repaid for their efforts and justify it by imposing foolish taxes.
What happened when the British attacked the Massachusetts Militia, the minutemen on April 19, 1775 for the first time?
-The first battle to ensue occurred against the Massachusetts militia where Abe was a part of as a one of the men on the front line. The attack took place at Lexington and Concord and now the American troops were working hard to show that we had a powerful enough army to go up against the British. We knew in our hearts as citizens and as soldiers that British army was very well trained and too powerful to go up against as an army that was put together with men of all ages that had little artillery and food to keep them going. Word came across the colonies that in June 15, 1775 that George Washington was named the commander of the continental army. Finally a hope that we have a leader in this war to help us fight for our independence from the stronghold of Great Britain. One of Washington's officer says "I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the stream, wrapped in his cloak, super intending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected but very determined (Collier 69).
What happened to my cousin at Breed's Hill otherwise known as Bunker Hill?
-Two days later, from the accounts of my cousin's comrade, the British ran out of ammunition after holding their army back from two attacks and had no choice to withdraw. So far this has been the bloodiest battle to occur in the Revolution so far. Abe, as I mentioned earlier was on the front lines, had held strong in taking his Brown Bess musket and sword in holding the British back. Just as soon as they were ready to retreat a cannon fire of their last ammunition landed several feet from Abe's post. He was instantly blown back and lost his right arm and severely burned the right side of his body. Medical treatment was scarce and more of a threat than the actual wound so Abe accepted his fate in fighting for his country and died there at what is mistakenly known as Bunker Hill even though it occurred on Breed's Hill. God rest his very soul.
Why men like Benjamin Talllmadge were joining the war.
-Benjamin Tallmadge was a teacher from my home colony of Weathersfield, Connecticut during this time. On horseback it would take half a day to get to Weathersfield where I was originally from. In knowing his devotion to the field of education I had heard of his heroic acts and admired his patriotism to his country. He left his profession after the battles at Lexington and Concord in the fight for freedom. We all had a reason to fight but collectively we fought for our freedom.
Where armies served the civilians suffered and the pain I felt.
-Word from families and my wife through letters that took months to arrive I had heard of the pain that the British and even Patriots were instilling in the lives of citizens. Here is one account of a woman names Lydia Minturn Post from Long Island concerning the harassment from the Hessians or Germans as her husband fought in the continental army:
"Once a month the Hessians go to the head-quarters for their rations, including spirits, and then for three days they are for the most part given up to intoxication, and we have trying and grievous scenes to go through; fighting, brawls, drumming and fifing, and dancing the night long;card and dice playing, and every abomination going on under our very roofs! The noise from the kitchen, which they always occupy is terrifying. The door opening into the rest of the house is nailed fast, but the inmates are continually in dread of having their dwellings burnt over their heads" (Beller, 63).
The pain I felt that I couldn't go to help families that were left behind because their men were fighting and what they had to endure. Oh! How I feared for my dear wife Emma and prayed to the Lord for her safety.
Hope is ahead for us all
My commander tells us to quit acting like we are fighting a losing battle. Most of us have lost our hope and the winter is coming on. From a nearby infantry I hear "one officer reporting...the thirteen thousand men at Mount Independence, noted that they had received a supply of only nine hundred pair of shoes" (Beller, 75). The commander was trying to lift our spirits but when he told us of the news that the British surrendered at Saratoga
I knew it was a "tremendous victory for the Patriots" and the "first indication" of winning the war. That night we celebrated cooking around the campfire and sharing spirits all around until the day began to break we set off on foot.
The camp followers and women at war and their contribution to the cause.
Camp followers have helped our infantry in so many ways. "Women who enlisted as soldiers were rare. On the other hand women who joined the army as camp followers were a common sight, for about 20,000 women were followers at some time" during our cause of the Revolution (Zeinert 17). People who remained as camp followers helped us soldiers with our laundry and had ammunition wives who helped supply musket balls and pellets. There were also tents that were turned into hospitals. These women helped in ways of the war more than I could imagine. My dear Emma was tending to the farm at home and I didn't want her to see the bloodshed and experience the horrors of war and I didn't want anything to happen to my dear wife.
What is the difference between the British troops and the militia of each of the colonies and what were the numbers that were lost in the Revolutionary War?
The whole world knows at this point that with our lack of materials and experience that we best understand that our freedom is at stake. British armies were more equipped and well trained from us.
Here are the numbers from both sides of the Revolutionary War
-British
- 12,000 at any one time
-(50,000 total British troops over course of war)
-8,200 Loyalists Troops
-30,000 German mercenaries (Hessians)
-17,000 Returned to Germany
-7,500 died
-5,000 deserted the army and stayed in the U.S.
Americans
-28,000 at one time
(230,000 troops, many cases of short enlistment)
-16,000 French troops
(Cited from Beller, 76)
How was the World Turned Upside Down?
France joined the Patriot cause in February 6, 1778 due to the outcome of the Battles of Saratoga that convinced them that our Patriot cause could inflict damage on the British (Deem 66) The world was turned upside down in more ways than one. The year was 1781 and we have waged the war for six years. France joining our cause really helped but we struggled due to the low numbers of our armies. A primary account states the "continental congress authorized 75,000 soldiers, it never grew about 18,000 men" (Deem 63). As if there seemed I would never get home to see Emma ever again and this God forsaken war end with our freedom in the right mind we prepared for a seemingly difficult battle. Patriots all joining in the cause in the thousands gathered "on the York River in Virginia, not far from...Williamsburg" in digging trenches around Yorktown (Gourley, 56). British troops held their headquarters in Yorktown, Virginia. "On the morning of October 17, American cannon" shot from the surrounding militia, "were raining death on the British" Two days later in this battle General Cornwallis of the British troops surrendered to General Washington and we won our independence. The tune of The World Turned Upside Down played from the British armies band of fifes and drums. The words of the song that still rings true in my ears and I sing to Emma to this very day:
"If buttercups buzzed after the bee, If boats were on Land, churches on sea; If ponies rode men and grass ate the
cows, And cats should be chased to holes by the mouse, If summer were spring and t'other way round, Then
all the world would be upside down" (Gourley 57).
I leave this war as a proud member of the 32nd Infantry Militia group of South Carolina and as God is my witness I helped the colonies fight for their freedom to become what is now known as America. Other than having a bullet graze my left shoulder and several superficial stab wounds of bayonets I can proudly say I fought this war for my country and my cousin Abe who was lost so tragically at Bunker Hill. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution in September 3, 1783.