For a good account of the period leading up to our Revolution, I just read the first two books of a series by Alan W. Eckert. 1st was the "Frontiersman" , the second was " Wilderness Empire" which is a narrative of the wars from journals and historical records of the time. I got them from a used book store for about $2.00 a copy.
I would highly recommend " Wilderness Empire " to any reader wanting to get a feel for the hardships and thoughts of people living just prior to the revolution. It also chonologically follows the opening of the Ohio wilderness and the subsequent fight for control of the territory by the French and British. The use and manipulation of the Indian tribes is very informative and gives a good picture of what the settlers and militia had to endure to stay alive during Indian attacks.
Now I am moving on to "Patriots Then men Who Started the American Revolution" A.J. Langguth. So far quite interesting with more insight to the personal lives of our founders. Another one I recommend.
Thanks Sparks you're right they are all excellent reads ,,,,, it's my understanding that Eckert won a Pulitzer for the
research he did on this series of books.
The whole series include; Frontiersman
Wilderness Empire
Conquerors
Wilderness War
Gateway to Empire
Another good read ,,,,Crucible of War by Fred Anderson The Seven Year's War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754 - 1766
Many folks don't realize the purpose of the militias was the defense of the people/property of the locality where the militia was formed. Prior to April 19th, 1775 it had been for defense against the French and Indians who had many times attempted to block expansion of the frontiers or push them back.
The colonists had found out from bitter experience that they could not depend on the regular army troops to defend them from the French and Indians except in certain circumstances. They had also found out that sometimes when they fought and obtained a victory the British Government would negotiate away their gains in the colonies for advantages somewhere else.
Reading about their experiences prior to start of the war is the best way to understand what made them the people they were on April 19th.
I was incredulous with the research Eckert did and how factual the books were. For instance scalping was a common fact with the colonists, in fact they were paid a bounty by the local councils. Another interesting fact...Indians on the warpath would dismember captives and eat them. Since they were raiding and not hunting they had to have some sort of food. I never knew this was fact, only rumor, but it goes to show the horrors faced by settlers in the wilderness. Not to mention the tortures awaiting them if captured by warring tribes. Not good , not good.
Thanks for the other suggestions. I am looking for the next in the series by Eckert to continue the series.
I would agree that reading pre war accounts will give one pause to think of what was endured by the colonists. Which is why I started more reading. I am of the understanding that the next will deal with the fall of the 6 Nations and Tecumseh, along with many other historical figures. The British sure played gains by the colonists to their advantage. As long as it stood for gains for the Crown it was done.