The American Revolution is often told through the stories of famous generals, founding fathers, and battlefield victories. But a new historical novel from former U.S. Navy officer Ray Deptula shifts the focus to the ordinary people caught in the middle of history’s most defining conflicts.
In A Dog Before a Soldier, Deptula uses the perspective of a young British soldier to explore a timeless question: Who actually bears the burden of war?
The novel takes its title from an old British naval saying: “A shipmate before a messmate; a messmate before a stranger; a stranger before a dog; and a dog before a soldier.” The phrase reflects the low social standing often assigned to enlisted soldiers and serves as the foundation for Deptula’s examination of war, class, and survival.
Drawing from his 24-year military career and years of studying conflict, Deptula argues that throughout history, those who fight wars are frequently the people with the fewest choices.
Set in colonial America, the novel follows teenager Jack Halliday, who joins the British Army in 1774 after enduring years of hardship aboard a slave ship. With limited opportunities available, military service becomes his only path forward.
As tensions between Britain and its American colonies escalate, Jack finds himself swept into some of the Revolution’s most significant battles, including Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Long Island, and the British capture of Philadelphia.
Yet A Dog Before a Soldier is more than a military adventure. The story examines how ordinary individuals navigate extraordinary circumstances, often making difficult moral choices while struggling simply to survive.
After deserting the British Army, Jack seeks refuge in Annapolis, Maryland, where his life takes an unexpected turn. Accepted into the household of a wealthy landowner, he eventually joins the Continental Army alongside an enslaved man named Custis. Together, they confront the complexities of freedom, loyalty, and identity during America’s fight for independence.
Deptula says his research into historical conflicts revealed striking similarities between different wars, including the American Revolution and the Vietnam War. While the political issues may differ, he believes the people sent to fight often share similar backgrounds and motivations.
The novel also lays the groundwork for a sequel, Can’t Find My Way Home, scheduled for release in July 2026. The second installment will continue the story of Jack and Custis as they endure the brutal winter encampment at Morristown, New Jersey, and the violence of the Revolutionary War’s southern campaigns.
Combining historical detail with compelling storytelling, A Dog Before a Soldier offers readers a fresh perspective on America’s founding era while raising questions that remain relevant centuries later.