Signatures Books, a new publishing company in the Pacific Northwest, releases "Witness To A Revolution" by Suzanne Alexander. This book is a collection of eyewitness accounts of the war, with additional anecdotes and poetry.
(PRWEB) Author Suzanne Alexander has compiled a wonderful collection of rare accounts of the war, remarkable experiences of five men who served in the navy and army. These were taken from their journals and self-published manuscripts written near the end of their life, primarily to preserve a record of their experiences for others.
John Joseph Henry was a young man who marched off into the wilderness in the winter of 1775 to serve in the campaign in Quebec, Canada. The troops were thinly clad, the winter was harsh and there was little or nothing to eat. Some of the men attempted to boil their moccasins to make them suitable for food; others gave up and died. John J. Henry was captured and imprisoned, contracting scurvy. He suffered from its effects for the remainder of his life. Yet, in his memoirs, he shares moments of humor in the prison camp, instances of kindness in the midst of war, and hope for the new nation that was forming. An excerpt of his story is provided in the link with this release.
Israel Potter was a soldier who fought admirably at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Outnumbered, he and his fellow soldiers fought to the end, but they were ultimately captured, imprisoned and sent to England. Potter was wounded in the battle but when he arrived in England, he managed to escape. Forced into hiding, he went from job to job, barely earning a living, until the war ended. Without enough money for passage, he was unable to return home to America. He ended up marrying, but the extreme poverty of his situation would take the life of his wife and all but one of his children. His story is one of extreme struggles, poverty, fears, and desperation to return home. He finally managed to reach America nearly forty-eight years later. He died in poverty and his grave is unknown.
Andrew Sherburne was a young man who joined privateers in chasing and capturing British vessels. He was captured and conveyed to England to Mill Prison. He served time there and then was released. He again went to sea and was captured, being put on the notorious prison ship Jersey." Prisoners suffered horribly on this ship, often labeled one of the worst prisons of the war. Contaminated food and water, lack of adequate provisions, unsanitary conditions took their toll and thousands died. His account of the Jersey" closely mirrors that of Ebenezer Fox, whose memoirs are also contained in this book.
Ebenezer Fox served in the navy during the Revolutionary War and like Andrew Sherburne, he was captured and placed on the Jersey." Knowing that if he stayed, he would likely die, he allowed himself to be impressed into service on British ships, and eventually served on the island of Jamaica. He managed to escape again, and went to sea until the end of the war. Fox tells his story with a sense of humor and purpose that make it a joy to read.
Paul Revere revealed the details of his famous ride in a letter he wrote in 1798 to the Massachusetts Historical Society. It recounts a narrow escape, the coordination of those involved and the daring defiance of a group of men who had much to lose if caught.
Witness To A Revolution," 272 pgs, 7.5 x 9.5", $17.95 suggested retail. Now at booksellers. ISBN: 0-9748510-1-9 Visit www.signaturesbooks.com for an excerpt.
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