Life of a Patriot Soldier

1. Life of a Patriot Soldier Carolyn Cristofalo TAH Spring 2009 Matt Upham Lisa Cullen

2. Surrounding Unit • Students have been studying the American Revolution prior to completing the ‘Soldier in a Trunk’ activity. • They have been exposed to several text and media resources that have depicted American living during the war (from 1775 to 1783), and the impact of the conflict on the lives of those directly and indirectly involved in the American Revolution. • Sample Text: My Brother Sam Is Dead • Sample Film: “The Patriot” • Specifically for this activity, students have been exposed to the harsh and deprived conditions of the Patriot soldier. They will be expected to use this prior knowledge in completing the activity.

3. Background: Patriot Beliefs • The Patriot soldier fought to defend the rights of Americans. • Patriots believed that the colonies should come together as a self-governing independent nation, free from British rule. • Soldiers were united by their view of independence as a means of freeing themselves from British oppression and taxation. • They sought independence as their only means of reasserting their rights as Americans.

4. The Patriot Soldier • Each Patriot soldier was expected to provide his own weapon, ammunition, clothing, and food. • Wealthy and educated Patriots became officers in the Army; Patriots from poorer backgrounds (farmers, craftsmen, small merchants) took on roles as field soldiers and messengers; all classes were united by their belief in the importance of freedom from Britain. • While blue was believed to be the official color of the Patriot soldier, due to supply shortages Congress was unable to supply all soldiers with uniforms. • Flintlock muskets with bayonets (a.k.a. “Brown Bess”) were the standards weapons used; they were easy to load but extremely inaccurate. Patriots were short on guns and ammunition until the French joined the war effort and aided in their supplies.

5. Lack of Supplies • Food and clothing supplies were often low, leaving soldiers hungry and cold (ex: Battle of Valley Forge). • Meat was difficult to secure; when available, soldiers lacked the utensils needed to cook the meat. Corporal Popp was recorded explaining, “Often we had to eat raw meat.” Soldiers were restricted to using only the materials they could carry with them on their backs. • Due to a lack of funding, many soldiers were forced to fight in civilian clothing. Those who did receive a uniform were restricted to one given at the start of their service. • Weapons and ammunition were also lacking throughout most of the war, forcing Patriots to retreat from British troops on several instances (ex: Battle of Groton Heights). • Living conditions in the field were treacherous, leaving the soldiers to sleep on the ground without proper bedding or living comforts. Disease was a common cause of death among Patriot soldiers.

6. Activity: Soldier in a Trunk • Students will work in groups of five to explore the life of a Patriot soldier. Groups will be assigned based on ability; students with like strengths will be grouped together; activities will be differentiated accordingly. • Part I: • Study each image included in the trunk. For each image, answer in detail the questions attached. • Part II: • Read the enclosed letter written by a Patriot soldier. Complete the accompanying vocabulary activity.

7. Web Sources www.wikipedia.org www.pbs.org www.theamericanrevolution.org