Episode 31: A Soldier’s Tale

After a few episodes of the big ideas that drove the Revolution and the large scale changes that came as a result, I'm heading back down to the more micro level. This episode—largely—follows the story of two intersecting lives during the most pivotal years of the war. Despite my best efforts, it is difficult to discuss the revolution without eventually circling around the biggest names. While I have been able to bring other voices on to the revolutionary stage, certain people always find their way back. Those closest to, or in, the seats of power get the focus. However, this episode I attempt to bring out the voice of someone who was not rubbing shoulders with Washington or had the ear of King George. Rather, this episode is about a single soldier making his way through the chaos of war and a general trying to aid the rest of the soldiers in fulfilling their mission. As expected, these two men, Joseph Plumb Martin and Baron de Steuben are not mentioned in the AP notes. So I have a lot of work to do to fill in those missing pages… Join me on my journey through American History. Help fill in those missing pages. Music Intro: Fractured Timeline - Sémø Outro: Temporary Guide - Gabe Price Sources Drillmaster of Valley Forge - Paul Lockhart Ordinary Courage - James Kirby Martin The Glorious Cause - Robert Middlekauff The Fate of the Day - Rick Atkinson Get full access to Missing Pages at missingpages.substack.com/subscribe