Continental Army

The continental Armée is the name given to the troops of the Thirteen American colonies, placed under single command, that of George Washington and which fight the British Empire during the Guerre of independence of the United States. The continental Congrès creates this army the June 14th 1775 and in 1783 dissolves it after the signature of the Traité of Paris. The Congrès of the United States replaces it this same year by the Armée with the United States.

History

When the Guerre of American independence bursts in April 1775, the colonists do not have an organized army. Each of the thirteen colonies has its Milice, made up of Citoyen S armed volunteers, which ensure local defense. After the vote of the Intolerable Acts by the English Parliament, the Insurgents start to reform the system of the militia and prepare with a conflict with their Métropole. Certain colonists as Richard Henry Lee then proposes to create a national militia but the First Congress continental ends up rejecting his idea. After the Battle of Lexington and Concord (April 19th 1775), thousands of militiamans gather around Boston to establish the seat of the city where concentrate the British forces. The June 7th 1775, the Second Congress continental decides to set up a continental army in order to ensure the common defense of the colonies. The June 15th, the assembly chooses George Washington to order this army. Four major-generals (Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, Israel Putnam) and eight sergeant-generals (Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene) are also designated. Whereas the prerogatives of the continental Congress increased, the army was the object of many debates among the representatives: a great number of them expressed their aversion with respect to a standing army; but on another side, the war against England required a minimum of organization and discipline. The soldiers of the continental army were citizens who had engaged in a voluntary way for one period varying of one to three years, and which were paid. The turnover was an element of weakness for the American forces, in particular during the winter 1776-1777. It was responsibility for each State to ensure the Logistique army. In 1775, the army was made up of the soldiers of the New England, divided into three divisions by George Washington. Philip Schuyler had the load of the ten regiments which invaded Canada (see Invasion of Canada (1775)). In 1776, the continental army was reorganized: one tried to recruit men beyond the North-East, without much success. In 1777-1780, the Congress voted for resolution 88 so that each State contributes to soldier sending, proportionally with its demographic importance. Washington was authorized with raising 15 new Bataillon S to face the reinforcements sent by England. The contract of service was lengthened at three years, even until the end of the war. The continental army knew its most difficult hours in 1781-1782 when the Congress could not pay the soldiers any more and that the latter mutinèrent in Pennsylvania and in the New Jersey. After the peace treaty signed in Paris in 1783, the continental army was dissolved to be replaced by the United States Army.

Manpower

About 1778, the insurrectionists have only one small army of: 5000 men and the main part of the forces rests on Milice S. Although more 250 000 men served as the American side, the army never exceeded 90 000 men, and Washington did not order of them directly more 17 000. Moreover, this American army is less better organized than the British army: it is disciplined, sudden of many desertions and balances it random remainder.

See too

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