Farewell, My King

The life of an ordinary soldier in the Revolutionary War. Young Joseph Francis, a 'Runaway' from his family in London, indentured his services in return for the voyage to the American Colonies. Before he could decide to make Virginia his home, the war had begun with state militias forming, requiring all men of a certain age to register. Joseph joined 'Bland's Horse', later enlisting in 'Light Horse Harry' Lee's 5th Troop of Dragoons. Becoming Lee's Trumpet Major, he took an active part in some of the major battles---Great Bridge, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth Courthouse and served under General George Washington at Valley Forge. Washington referred to Lee's Dragoons as his eyes and ears as they moved stealthily into enemy territory to determine forthcoming British movements to relay to him. This account of his life in the Continental Army reveals the story of an ordinary soldier---his innermost thoughts, doubts and emotions, so similar to others fighting this war and the hardships they endured caused by the inextricable hold the Revolutionary War had on them.