This is o interesting! Thank you! :) If I can ask, do you filter the water used form that pond or do you know it does not have all sorts of unpleasant microbes?
That was a really fantastic piece for just under 7 minutes. Didn't feel rushed and didn't feel cut off. Just a perfect little taste of the story that felt complete in and of itself.
@@crimsoncherry3525 As it was most of the time unfortunately, I've read a lot of books about mariners and soldiers throughout the last centuries and their conditions were truly appoling for the shilling they earnt, those men sold their lives for nothing so europeans countries could be rich, in the name of king and country (not only the brits but the french, the dutch, the spanish etc), but mostly on the account that it's all that they knew, or all that they could do if they had been criminals, they couldn't read and had started working as soldiers or mariners since they were kids
@@stanfordwillis4841 it amazes me how many of them had romantic ideas of war but reality hits pretty fast. Saying no meant they’re known as cowards so in that sense it’s not a choice
Just goes to show the most critical position to find the right man for is Quartermaster and cooks because an army is worthless if it can't feed itself.
The financings of the War was the worst at least at least the five richest persons of the different colonies went bankrupt trying to fund the long war.
@@ablewindsor1459 And if I recall reading it somewhere, they were using every kind of currency from French, dutch, spanish, and more to help finance it all
Having grown up in the upper part of the Southern Appalachians, I learned much about foraging the hills and valleys, and there’s nothing easy about it if you have to do it every day. I’m surprised no mention was made about light tin and copper ware, but back in those times people were forced to use what they had. If you’re a sane, sensible adult, you learn how to listen to what your body is telling you: if you need water, you focus on that, and never mind the coffee and the booze; if you need veggies and teas for their nutrition, you focus on that; meat obtained in any way possible, with that many men around, definitely was a luxury. One winter weekend all I had was deer-broth corn cakes, white pine bark with the needles for tea, and vodka. It sucked, but I lived like a king compared to historic suffering.
I wondered about the foraging aspect, too. There’s so many edible native plants but very few recognize them. Even in winter knowing what plants to eat and how to eat was necessary.
In the home kitchen, it’s great. At the time, I had one steak left and tried to make it go a long way by boiling it, mixing cornmeal in the liquid and meat bits, and then cooking the patties in a skillet with only hunger for seasoning. It was not good at all; survival food seldom is, in my experience.
Sometimes surviving the day will be the greatest victory you will have in a 24 hour period. Let us all keep fighting for that victory. Thank you Townsends, sometimes you hear exactly what you need to hear from such an unsuspecting source. Love you guys
@@dpt6849 All my life I've been living that fight and I was born into the Greatest Peace on Earth. A time where a sickly disabled man such as my self can live in pain 24/7/365 and still live in luxury and "Good" health... I'm surving yes but I'm also thriving because I have a I will see another sunrise mindset.
2:23 That's some beautiful in-channel reference right there! Emphasizing the hardships that had to be endured through the symbolic gesture of leaving the nutmeg grater behind. It really drove home the point by reminding regular viewers through turning an inside joke into an impactful visual metaphor. Very well done.
@@dedykurniawansantoso5279 A lot of period recipes include nutmeg so it has sort of become a joke that Jon has a nutmeg obsession/addiction. He even plays into it in a lot of the more humorous videos. It's become a part of the channel, and is featured in some merchandise. Their livestreams are often sited in the fictional Nutmeg Tavern, they sell handmade Nutmeg Tavern mugs (I have a few). I think a fan even sent Jon a period nutmeg grater once too.
I love that you focus on the common man, It's always so interesting to hear about someone's normal life and their day to day. Really humanizes the people of the past when you read and reenact their journals diaries and their cookbooks. Your videos are always so comforting. Thank you for doing what ya do!
It also makes you put things in perspective, as how easy we have it now most of us, and how bad things could really get (even if it's not as bad as a normal day back then!)
He must do a lot of research, like he said it's easy to know about the lives of generals and the rich, you will find that at your local library, they won't have the memoirs of a random guy tho.
@dizo-jp2td Not really on topic but those who eat earthly bread will hunger again. Those who parttake of Bread of Life not so much. After drinking the water of this world one will thirst again that very day. However the Living Waters that Christ offers not only quenches the thirst of your body but more importantly your parched soul will be restored. Yeshua is the way, the truth, and the life. Nobody goes to the Father except those who come by the way of the Son. In the Gnostic Gospels Christ also said, "Those who intrepret the meaning of these sayings will have eternal life." The first step toward that interpretation of those parables is the recognition of Christ's divinity as the Son of the one true God and His truly amazing grace.
1. That uniform looks sharp! 2. If you ever get the chance visit Jockey Hollow in New Jersey (Morristown area). This is where Washington's troops stayed during the winter of 1779-80. As Wikipedia puts it "...The Winter at Jockey Hollow was the worst winter of the war, even worse than the Winter at Valley Forge two years before."
That it was! But the main difference was there wasn't anywhere near the amount of deaths at Jockey Hollow that there was a Valley Forge. Over 2,000 died of disease at the Valley Forge encampment, only dozens died at Jockey Hollow. The troops had learned about camp sanitation and were much better at hut building. But it was a miserable winter just the same.
I found out recently about an ancestor that was at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. He was in his forties and he was not an officer either. This story brings his plight into dramatic view, thanks for making this video.
My friend Catie Bowman went to valley forge in late march or earily April. I forget when she went to valley forge, on school fieldtrip, but I know she did go there. It was fun for her.
@@pheddupp yeah. Yes. Cheers. And if you come on the exact same day as Catie's next field trip there, you'd be encountering a cyber school family, that has a lot of history nerds, that will share all history information with you, even the information that schools never teach you.
I spent one windy night under a tarp just to try out camping on my own. Was enough to make me miss home. Trying to imagine what people like Joseph went through is like taking it to a thousand. The bond that formed between the soldiers must have been vital in surviving.
somewhat different but i was on "labor camp" (repairing a Celtic site mainly walls) and bond between like minded hard working people. In tents, harsh conditions, somewhat away from civilization. No running water, simple food and everybody need to put their hand to work. Nobody complain, was greedy or in bad mood, i mainly help cooking (i have a talent for that) simple but hearty, tasty meals and everybody share their treats they bring. All was spontaneous and we really feel everybody have each other back. After that i understand why the soldiers go back to fight again even knowing how harsh it will be.
@@CounterNerd strangely the less you have the more wiling you are to share it. I am saying it for years that our lives get way too easy and comfortable. Sort of understand the hiking and camping that its mostly about adventure, the uncomfortable condition and mostly realization how little you need to feel happy, safe and cozy. Dry clothes, somewhere to sit and fire in front of you. I that moment all the problems of the world are just distance memory. Also yes i am a artist, stone sculptor and a little poet.
The sheer quality of these videos are insane, thank you for making history so interesting and engaging. I think its important that we all know the struggles of our ancestors.
a tear rolled down my cheek, at the thought of just how happy those soldiers must have felt to even have that simple meal, while in such dismal straits. thank you for this lovely video, the portrayal your team created feels very authentic and warm.
@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Emphasis on literally. If I were three days deep without food during wartime and a fish planted itself in my boat, that's God. And I doubt I'd be convinced otherwise for the rest of my life.
At least four of my ancestors served during the Revolutionary War and were at Valley Forge. Your videos have really made an impression me and made me even more aware of their struggles and the deprivation that they suffered during that war. Thank you.
One life lesson I learned is "For anything wanted, something must be lost/sacrificed". Of course today there are less hardships with most of our daily lives or obstacles to get or achieve something but we still have them. It is good to see how people in our past endured many things we could only ponder about because it shows us how deep the human spirit is and can provide us the strength to push through. Your channel and your work into bringing these parts of history to life provides us with these lessons that can help us in our present and carry us on into our future.
I am so excited to share this with my 13 year old son. We are learning about the revolutionary war in our homeschool and he is currently in the middle of reading 'Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier' and 'A Young Patriot: The American Revolution as Experience by One Boy'. I had picked these reads as I have always enjoyed when your channel has shared life through journals of the time, and I thought he would enjoy and identify with a young man his own age. We have watched for many years now, and so appreciate your content.
When I was that age I was a big fan of a Scholastic book series called My Story. They were fictional war accounts based on real letters and memoirs, usually starring boys who'd lied about their age to enlist. I always felt they found a good balance in telling an immersive, relatable story for young teens without glorifying war... They're mostly more modern, focusing on the world wars, but there are some from earlier times including a Medieval battle. You may want to screen them for violence but I'd definitely recommend those books for a young teen obsessed with history
These are the videos I appreciate! I'm a 62 year old that grew up with a native American grandfather and a German grandma. I have eaten many of the recipes you cook.
Yes!!!! I loved the Revolutionary War videos of soldier life you guys did a few years ago. I got Martin's book based off your recommendation and was amazed. I spent about a decade as an infantryman so this perspective lets me know my suffering was nothing compared to what these men went through to found our country.
Always a smile on my face when I get a notification of one of your videos, this one is no different. Bringing these stories to life and speaking of the little man is what keeps bringing me back to your channel. Thank you!
Another fantastic video! The stories of the common soldier will always be my favorite. We owe so much to all the brave men who have serviced his great country.
All of your videos feel like a warm, comfortable blanket. Even when they are about serious subjects like war and hunger I applaud that you end them in a positive way. Keep up the videos and I will always keep watching.
Geez, guys, a wonderful video! I marvel at how much effort you put into making these episodes. Both the narrative and the guys in the background suffering in the cold make this history palpable! Thank you for offering this important glimpse into the life of a soldier and patriot.
Another great video. I appreciate you turning out so much good content over the years, don't really watch em as much anymore, but it's nice to binge watch these on a weekend.
Can't say enough words about this OUTSTANDING video. I immediately went back and watched it multiple times, and each time I noticed a new detail. Awesome job Team Townsends!
I've been to Valley Forge, and I went in late December just so I could get a real feel of just how miserable the men must have been there, huddling around what fires they could make and trying their best to keep from freezing to death in their completely inadequate clothing. We came extremely close to losing the war that winter, and if Washington hadn't made the bold, almost suicidal, decision to attack the Hessian mercenaries in Trenton to raise morale it very well could have ended there. After the Battle of Trenton, the men found stores of weapons, alcohol, shelter, and most importantly...food. Many people don't realize it, but food is a HUGE morale booster in a time of crisis.
Valley Forge (winter of 1777-78) was over 1 year after the victory at Trenton (Dec 25-26, 1776). The Continental Army was wintered in Morristown NJ during the time of the Battle of Trenton.
Your storytelling and production has eclipsed that of what anyone would expect from some of the world's greatest documentarians. This is truly good stuff. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!
Thank you so much for this video. If I were teaching history, I would be showing this to my students. It shows conditions in a very ‘real’ way. Thank you again, for your work. 6:51
This channel really is one of the great gifts of RU-vid. Thank you for the love, history, and quality you all bring to the table. A banquet of knowledge and perspective.
WOW! I was blown away with this! You and your amazing team compelled me to watch. The realism of the enacting made it all the more powerful. Kudos to you all!
It reminds me of the famous painting of Washington at Valley Forge, his men starving and freezing, going off on his own and getting down on one knee to pray for help from above because all seemed lost.
I'm absolutely obsessed with life in early America up to and beyond the revolutionary war, the food, the way of life and the politics and these videos are a must for anyone fascinated about the people who left the mother country on the greatest adventure of all, how they lived and survived in what was for the most part a new undiscovered world. Thank you.
I absolutely love your videos, the stories and how you tie the food into each of them. I grew up fairly meagerly on the prairies and seeing my mother and grandmother cook and tell stories of how things were when they were young was priceless. Its hard to believe all these folks survived and with do little.
I read that the buttons on the uniforms of that time were made from soft metals, like tin. And they got brittle and broke off at low temperatures. So soldiers lost the buttons on their uniforms during a cold winter tour. Yikes..
I have read this amazing book, on your recommendation from a video a year or more ago. They suffered so much, on so little food, they were threadbare of clothing and any provisions. But still they had courage and made it thru. We all have much to learn from the endurance and fortitude of our forefathers who were part of that struggle for our country's independence. Thank you, Jon, for bringing history to life with your wonderful channel!
Absolutely one of your best videos in terms of story telling. You get better and better i terms of quality. I could watch this several times because it is paced so well, it's relatable, informative and compassionate. If this is 2023 Townsends: HURRAY!
It sounds like Quartermasters in virtually every army took advantage of the situations, by altering scales, shorting the rations, etc. I remember reading about that occurring with the British Napoleonic fleet, and I'm guessing every nationality had their issues. It is hard for us today to imagine all those who went through this, and despite the hardships, stuck with it. Thank you for bringing all of this history to life!
Thank you for bringing up the very point of corruption. If I had things my way, such quartermasters would become animal feed, and slowly so. The same applies for our modern libturd politicos.
Because if they didn't they were hung for desertion and shunned by family and community as cowards. Same reason most of them went to war, social pressure for men to go off and die.
Not necessarily. The colonies had been blockaded. Supply lines were cut and they only had what the land produced. Since many farms were devoted to tobacco, it was useless without trade. Meaning the military and the population had to be fed on the same crop. QM weren’t shorting rations out of corruption, but literal rationing to cover all the soldiers/last a few more days. We’re spoiled today when we can’t imagine that food simply didn’t exist. Not every farm sympathized with the revolutionary side, so do you commit a war crime to feed your troops?
@@Menuki With between 20 to 35 % of the people (farmers) supporting the Revolutionary's and about the same the 👑 Crown... War Crimes were common on both sides. By some estimates the population of the colonies dropped by 1,000,000 plus after the war was won. Many going to Canada, New Orleans and the Bahamas......plus Europe, dropping the colonies to just under 3,000,000.
Your videos just keep getting better and better all the time. They have such an authentic feel. They are interesting. Of course the outfits and the props are first class. I learn so much from each one.
Amazing video. How quickly we forget the sacrifices made by so many unsung heroes long ago.. None of us today have their courage and fortitude. Cheers to them!
The sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom never cease to humble me, my life of comfort and ease is possible because they did without and for that I am grateful.
Made me cry. Thank you for helping me to remember how lucky I am to live in such a blessed beautiful country! God bless our troops and God bless America!
Joseph Plumb Martin lived until 1850 and died in Stockton Springs, Maine. Some of my ancestors lived in Stockton Springs at that time. I wonder if they knew him. I imagine they at least knew of him, as he was surely among the oldest residents of Stockton Springs at the time of his death.
Yours is such a peaceful and enjoyable channel, interesting and informative, uplifting, and such a break from and contrast to the somber mood of the times. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Townsend for showing the truth about the Revolution. How those men actually fought multiple adversities to win us this country. Always interested in history. Haven’t caught the show in a while. Been working lol seven days a week.
These videos are so moving. No one ever talks about the extraordinary burdens men have to deal with. Always have and always will. But really seeing it represented is incredible! It makes me so grateful for my husband and all the men throughout history that suffered and struggled and still did the right thing everyday! ❤
If you haven't read Joseph Plumb Martin do so! It's the closest you'll ever come to a sit-down with a Revolutionary War veteran. A superb and VERY entertaining read! And Jon's right when he talks about Martin and battle. According to Martin battle actually came as a relief from the boredom of army routine. Not that the soldiers didn't think it was dangerous, and Martin says it wasn't as dangerous as people may have thought it was, but in a sense they craved the excitement and looked forward to it.
@Peters6221 You know what? We'll never know for certain. One battle we DO know about was Monmouth where more soldiers dropped from heat exhaustion and heat stroke than dropped from bullets, especially on the British side. And of course more soldiers died of disease back in those days than ever died from enemy action, in fact WW2 was the first war where more soldiers died from enemy action than disease.
@@crimzonempire4677 Quite true, and interestingly the military doctors figured out the reason more died of sickness even though germ theory hadn't been discovered yet. Regiments raised in cities tended to be healthier than those raised in the rural areas, basically because those who grew up in cities had been exposed to (and survived) all the communicable diseases weren't likely to catch them again. The young men who came from relatively isolated rural areas hadn't been exposed to those diseases and in the close confines of military camps finally were, and it carried off quite a few.
I stumbled upon this channel by accident. I got lost in the story telling, the visuals, and the food. Everything combined makes such a compelling video and it's done beautifully. Well done, sir.
I'm a former Marine and a long student of history. I love my nation and our Constitution. I'm so grateful for your work Jon and team (I'm sorry I don't know all of your names) Thank you.
Have you heard of Larry Cullen, a Marine veteran who died in 2011, and had inspired his younger brother Peter Cullen to voice a transformers character named Optimus Prime, prior to death? I'm not sure if you did or not. Also, thank you for serving the country.
@@SamanthamusPrimeV28050 thank you for your support! I am familiar with the Cullen family, it's thanks to my son that I'm familiar with Larry Cullen and his inspiration on his brother Peter to voice Optimus prime. Good knowledge to share, thank you!!
Every video I watch from Townsends warms my heart. It reminds me to take pleasure in the little things, for life could be so much worse. Thank you, Jon, for sharing this experience and knowledge with us. I enjoy your content, and the effort you put it into it. Until the next time I see you, cheers.
Bringing history to life ! Outstanding. Took me back to my army days marching in the rain 15 miles and then slept in the snow with a tent ,,I thought I was going to die 😂Yet I had plenty of food and coffee .
Thank you for this! I loooove history especially military history. I can remember when the History Channel debuted when I was 10 and it was all I ever watched. I know JP Martin bc he was mentioned a lot in those documentaries and I always loved the most reading books about what it was like for the common soldier or colonists or Indian, housewife, etc during a certain time period and their day to day routine, food, clothes, thoughts, dreams, etc
Your videos are really great. As someone that has a hard time focusing on some history books and classes but still have a great interest in history, these videos keep my interest and really bring me a lot of joy.
Townsends getting back to his roots as a rifleman in the continental army! Maybe explain the logistics and kit a soldier would carry, how powder horns were maintained/acquired, and problems a soldier would face with his rifle! The US army before and after St. Claire’s defeat by the Indian General Little Turtle!
It's refreshing to learn about the way people lived their lives in the past. Bitter-sweet even. Grateful for the comfort I have and questioning whether I have the stones to live as they lived.
I've been watching your channel for a few years now. I'm just lost on how you aren't a host for The History channel. You make it easy for crayon eaters like me to learn.
Thank you for honoring and immortalizing the memories of these soldiers and their sacrifices by telling their stories. Without their suffering, there would be no America.
I've been experiencing homelessness for about 55 day now and this video especially the intro made me feel a lot less shame over it. That part about the fish jumping in the boat reminds me of when I had returned to a resting spot under a bridge and behind a book I had there was a crisp, neatly folded $20 bill. Thanks for helping me remember all of that every one of the days I've been out here I had a victory, isn't easy but I also have faith that I'll win my own war and come home like thoughs brave soldiers.
I love your longer videos but the concision and excellent editing/pacing of this shouldn't be overlooked. Feels longer than 7 minutes and rich with detail despite the brevity. Very nice work!
Having been a soldier for 25 years of my life, I can say that the Military's ability to feed me has never failed. Watching these videos tell me how they enjoyed their times as a soldier as I did around meal time.
It´s all about perspective really. I live in Brazil and I never been in the army, and thankfully my family has never lacked for food. But my grandfather served and always complained about the quality of food, but never the lack of it. However my great uncles loved to tell stories of how they would often go hungry. Don´t know what to make of that but your comment made me smile!
Absolutely love your videos…gives you a sense about what these men went through to fight for what they believe in. It really gives me a sense of patriotism for my country and a love for its history.
Had to put my dog down 2 days ago since she couldn't eat or drink or pee or poop despite treatment. She was in immense pain, had her for 9 years- since I was 10- was the toughest decision of my life and I knew it would cause immense suffering- but I had to do what was right. Saved her from feeling the worst pain imaginable she would have to go through for a couple days before she'd pass away.. Love you Fifi, Rest in Peace
I recently made such a decision (something I knew would be pain). Something totally different than this, but yet watching this helped calm me in a way I cannot explain. Your videos are always wonderful. This one is powerful as well. Thank you.
