At the age of 21, James Thacher (1754-1844) joined the newly formed American army as a surgeon's mate, eventually advancing to the role of surgeon for the Massachusetts 16th Regiment.
James Thacher was an American historian, and physician who served as a surgeon during the Revolutionary War. Thacher wrote on his experiences as well as other historical events in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The narrations in this "Journal" are invested, with peculiar interest, from the fact that its author himself mingled in the varied scenes of the Revolution, observed the different phases of military life ; was personally acquainted with the ...