Malcolm Rivera
The Continental Army, formed on June 14, 1775, constituted the army of the United Colonies during the American Revolutionary War. General George Washington, its commander-in-chief, led the army to victory against the British Army, despite facing several challenges, including a lack of supplies, arms, and ammunition. The Continental Army was made up of over 230,000 soldiers, including local militias and volunteer troops, and was structured into divisions, brigades, and regiments, with each brigade consisting of two to five regiments.
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What You'll Learn
The Continental Army
Over 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, although no more than 48,000 served at any one time. The army faced significant challenges, including shortages of food and pay. Despite these difficulties, the Continental Army, with support from the French, secured the final great military victory of the American Revolution at Yorktown. The last units serving under a Continental designation mustered out in 1784, with only 80 soldiers remaining on active duty.
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Local militias
The militias' lack of training and discipline meant that they were very different from the regular European-style armies of the time. General George Washington, who commanded the Continental Army, believed that a professional, European-style army was necessary for the colonies to stand up to the British. However, many Americans had a general aversion to maintaining a standing army, and the Continental Congress initially opposed the idea.
The local militias were still important in the conflict, supplementing the Continental Army. The militias' knowledge of the terrain allowed them to employ guerrilla-style tactics, which were used on occasion to disrupt British supply lines.
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, which began the Revolutionary War, started as a civil disturbance over control of militia stores, which each assembly was legally obliged to maintain for defence.
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Volunteer troops
The Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress, which met in Philadelphia after the outbreak of war at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. General George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and served throughout the war without any compensation except for reimbursement of expenses. The Continental Army was created to coordinate the military efforts of the colonies in the war against the British, who sought to maintain control over the American colonies.
The Continental Army was supplemented by local militias and volunteer troops that were either loyal to individual states or otherwise independent. The local militias were reluctant to travel far from home and were unavailable for extended operations. The militiamen were lightly armed, had little training, and usually did not have uniforms. Their units served for only a few weeks or months at a time and lacked the training and discipline of more experienced soldiers.
The volunteer troops were not immune to the challenges faced by the Continental Army as a whole. They suffered from a lack of supplies, ammunition, arms, limited pay, and inconsistent food supplies. Time of service was also an issue, as many volunteer troops may have been unavailable for extended operations, similar to the local militias. Despite these challenges, the volunteer troops played a vital role in the Revolutionary War, contributing to the ultimate victory over the British.
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Divisions, brigades, regiments
The Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775, by a resolution passed by the Second Continental Congress, which met in Philadelphia after the outbreak of war at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. The Continental Army was created to coordinate the military efforts of the colonies in the war against the British, who sought to maintain control over the American colonies. General George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and maintained this position throughout the war.
The Continental Army's forces included several successive armies or establishments. The Continental Army of 1775, comprising the initial New England Army, was organized by Washington into three divisions, six brigades, and 38 regiments. Brigades were typically made up of two to five regiments, and they were the basic tactical unit of the Continental Army. An infantry regiment in the Continental Army typically consisted of 8 to 10 companies, each commanded by a captain. Field officers usually included a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and a major. A regimental staff was made up of an adjutant, quartermaster, surgeon, surgeon's mate, paymaster, and chaplain.
The Continental Army faced several challenges throughout the Revolutionary War, including a continual lack of supplies, ammunition, arms, limited pay, and often an inconsistent supply of food. The colonies spanned great distances, so official communications and supplies were constantly delayed, and marching was a long and difficult undertaking. Time of service for enlisted men also became an issue, and many regiments were constantly understrength.
Despite these challenges, Washington stood resolute in his leadership, which was ultimately a major factor in the Continental Army's success. By 1780, the Continental Army had evolved into a European-style military force capable of defeating the British. Over 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, although no more than 48,000 served at any one time.
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Guerrilla-style tactics
The American Revolution saw the use of guerrilla warfare to a certain extent, and it played a significant role in securing independence for the colonies. The Americans' use of guerrilla tactics surprised the British, who were used to fighting Indians in North America.
The Americans avoided direct confrontation with the British, recognising their inferior firepower. Instead, they employed hit-and-run tactics, utilising cover such as trees and stone walls to their advantage. One notable example of this was during the Battle of Lexington and Concorde, where the Americans fired from behind cover rather than engaging in open combat. This type of warfare was effectively combined with a political strategy aimed at undermining British public support for the war. Documents like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" and the Declaration of Independence were used to win over the hearts and minds of the British people.
Nathanael Greene employed a strategy of retreating to lure the British away from their supply lines, then sending out small detachments to engage in skirmishes and weaken the British forces. This was followed by a conventional battle at Guilford Court House, where Greene inflicted severe casualties on Lord Cornwallis, despite ultimately losing the battle.
The American militia was famous for their guerrilla warfare tactics during the Revolution. However, they were less effective in the War of 1812 due to poor utilisation, training, and equipment. Alexander Macomb is noted for his effective use of guerrilla tactics.
The Continental Army, formed by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, served as the regular army of the colonies during the Revolution. It was led by General George Washington and consisted of divisions, brigades, and regiments, with supporting militia and volunteer troops. Washington sought to transform the army into a disciplined, organised force capable of standing up to the British.
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Frequently asked questions
The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War.
The Continental Army was composed of citizen militias, riflemen, and volunteer troops that were either loyal to individual states or otherwise independent. The army was organised by Washington into three divisions, six brigades, and 38 regiments.
George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and maintained this position throughout the war.
The Continental Army faced several challenges, including a lack of training and equipment. There was also initial opposition to the idea of a standing army, with concerns that it could be used as an instrument of tyranny.
Approximately 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, with a maximum of 48,000 serving at any one time. Around 8,000 soldiers were killed in battle, and an additional 16,000 died from illness or starvation. About 25,000 soldiers were wounded, and nearly 30% of the army was killed, wounded, or captured.
