“See the poor Soldier, when in health – with what cheerfulness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship – if barefoot, he labours thro’ the Mud & Cold with a Song in his mouth extolling War & Washington – if his food be bad, he eats it notwithstanding with seeming content – blesses God for a good Stomach and Whistles it into digestion. But harkee Patience, a moment -”
“There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro’ his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter’d remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell’d, his face meagre; his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken & discouraged.”
“He comes, and crys with an air of wretchedness & despair, I am Sick, my feet lame, my legs are sore, my body cover’d with this tormenting Itch – my Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is exhausted by fatigue, hunger & Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no more ! and all the reward I shall get will be – ‘Poor Will is dead.’”
“People who live at home in Luxury and Ease, quietly possessing their habitations, Enjoying their Wives & families in peace, have but a very faint Idea of the unpleasing sensations, and continual Anxiety the Man endures who is in a Camp, and is the husband and parent of an agreeable family.”
“These same People are willing we should suffer every thing for their Benefit & advantage, and yet are the first to Condemn us for not doing more!!” (Albigence Waldo, December 14, 1777; Waldo served as a surgeon in the Continental Army)
Ordinary soldiers who fought in the American Revolution faced incredible hardships, but their sacrifice and dedication to their country were extraordinary.
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