JUNE 16, 2025 – On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday. Its Army, however, is one year older than the nation’s founding.
Following the April 1775 battles of Lexington and Concord, John Adams and other members of the Second Continental Congress called for the “nationalization” of the various New England militia units gathered around Boston. On June 14, 1775, the congress issued its resolution establishing a Continental Army, whose foundation comprised the 20,000 militiamen besieging Boston and an additional 5,000 located in New York. At the same time, the congress directed that six additional companies of expert riflemen be raised in Pennsylvania and two additional companies in both Maryland and Virginia. As each company was created, they were to march to Boston to support the units there.
The Continental Congress provided specific guidance for the composition of these companies. Each company would be composed of a captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer (or horn player) and 68 privates. The resolution also noted that the personnel were to be paid as follows: a captain at $20 per month; a lieutenant at $13.50; a sergeant at $8; a corporal at $7.50; a drummer or trumpeter at $7.30; and a private at just over $6.50. At this point, personnel were directed to find their own arms and clothes.
As defined by the oath of service, each person volunteered to serve for one year, unless discharged at an earlier date, adhering to the rules and regulations established for the Army. To address this important factor, Congress also established a committee, comprising George Washington, Philip Schuyler, Silas Deane, Thomas Cushing and Joseph Hawes, to draft the rules and regulations for the government of the Army.
One day later, on June 15, the “delegates of all the colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia” present at the congress unanimously elected George Washington to serve as the Commander in Chief of the new Continental Army.
Additional information:
The Center of Military History provides an overview of “The Continental Army” at https://history.army.mil/Revwar250/Continental-Soldier/
The Library of Congress’ webpage “Creating a Continental Army” with links to primary sources is at https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/american-revolution-1763-1783/creating-a-continental-army/
The Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 available from the Library of Congress at https://www.loc.gov/item/05000059/ includes more information on the organization of the Army.
Richard K. Wright’s book length study The Continental Army is available on line at https://history.army.mil/Publications/Publications-Catalog/Publications-by-Title/The-Continental-Army/
Courtesy Story
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command