The Continental Army
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ARMY LINEAGE SERIES
THE CONTINENTAL ARMY
by
Robert K. Wright, Jr.
CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
UNITED STATES ARMY
WASHINGTON, D. C., 1983
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Wright, Robert K., 1946-
The Continental Army.
(Army lineage series)
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. United States. Continental Army-History. 2. United
States-History-Revolution, 1775-1783-Campaigns and battles.
I. Title. II. Series.
UA25.W84 1983 355.3'0973 82-16472
First Printed 1983-CMH Pub 60-4
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
ARMY LINEAGE SERIES
David F. Trask, General Editor
Advisory Committee
(As of 1 January 1982)
James C. Olson
University of Missouri
|
Joseph E. Harris
Howard University
|
Maj. Gen. Quinn H. Becker
Deputy Surgeon General, U.S.A.
|
John H. Hatcher
The Adjutant General Center
|
Maj. Gen. John B. Blount
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
|
Morten Jay Luvaas
Allegheny College
|
Brig. Gen Dallas C. Brown, Jr.
U.S. Army War College
|
James O'Neill
National Archives and Records Service
|
Richard D. Challener
Princeton University
|
John Shy
University of Michigan
|
Col. Roy K. Flint
U.S. Military Academy
|
Col. William A. Stofft
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
|
Arthur L. Funk
University of Florida
|
Betty M. Unterberger
Texas A&M University
|
U. S. Army Center of Military History
Brig. Gen. James L. Collins, Jr., Chief of Military History
Chief Historian
|
David F. Trask
|
Chief, Histories Division
|
Col. James W. Dunn
|
Editor in Chief
|
John Elsberg
|
vii
Foreword
This volume completes the Center of Military History's trilogy of special
studies on the War of American Independence (the Revolution). As part of
the Army's contribution to the Bicentennial, the center undertook three
separate but related projects to produce significant monographs on previously
unexplored aspects of the Revolutionary War. Dr. Mary C. Gillette's
The
Army Medical Department, 1775-1818
was published in 1981 as was Dr.
Erna Risch's
Supplying Washington's Army.
Each has increased the
information available on the war by detailing the support furnished to
the fighting man.
The Continental Army
now directs us to the basic
military organization used during the war and to the forming of the Army's
traditions and first tactical doctrine. This book traces the birth of the
Army and its gradual transformation into a competent group of professionals
and emphasizes for the first time the major influences of eighteenth century
military theorists on that transformation. It should join the other two
volumes as a basic reference on the military history of the Revolution.
The Continental Army
is the first volume of the Army Lineage
Series published under a revised format. Hereafter, lineage volumes will
include lengthy, footnoted narratives, along with lineages and bibliographies.
In a sense, a study of the Continental Army, the forerunner of today's
Regular Army, is a fitting choice for beginning a new series. Later volumes
will detail the development of specific branches of the army from those
early days to the present. The U.S. Army Center of Military History regards
this series as essential to its mission of helping today's Army prepare
for tomorrow by better understanding its past. In addition, the narratives
herein make accurate information available to those in the Army as well
as the general public. Furthermore, the lineages should help to foster
unit
esprit-de-corps.
We hope that this volume with its new format
will prove as popular as earlier volumes in the series.
Washington, D.C.
1 May 1982
|
JAMES L. COLLINS, JR.
Brigadier General, USA
Chief of Military History
|
ix
The Author
Robert K. Wright, Jr., received a B.A. degree in history from the College
of the Holy Cross in 1968 and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in early American
history from the College of William and Mary in 1971 and 1980, respectively.
He served with the Army on active duty from 1968 to 1970, first as a radio-teletype
operator in Germany and then in the 18th Military History Detachment. During
the latter assignment, he recorded the combat operations of the 25th Infantry
Division in the former Republic of Vietnam for 1969 and 1970. Before returning
to graduate school, Dr. Wright attained the rank of sergeant. He joined
the Organizational History Branch, U.S. Army Center of Military History
in 1974. In 1982 he was commissioned as a captain in the Virginia Army
National Guard. Dr. Wright is also the author of many articles related
to the War of American Independence and to unit history.
x
Preface
Past historical accounts of the War of American Independence have largely
ignored two areas which I find fundamental to evaluating campaigns and
generalship. The basic concepts of military organization within units and
in the larger realm of command and staff determine an army's capabilities.
These concepts, for example, can insure that an army will be unable to
cope with irregular opponents in difficult terrain. An army's doctrine?a
theory on employing force which is taught to the army and is based on carefully
worked out principles?in turn reveals how well that army's leaders understand
their own organization and the situation in which they intend to fight.
This monograph treats the organization and doctrine used in the Continental
Army during the War of American Independence.
This book is not, however, a comprehensive account of the Revolution.
Militia and regular state troops gave invaluable service during the war,
but other historians have already dealt with these forces' contribution.
This volume does not address logistical and medical support within the
Continental Army because other volumes of the U.S. Army Center of Military
History have covered those subjects in detail. Also, this volume does not
discuss actual operations. Instead,
The Continental Army
provides
a background for other historians to better evaluate campaigns through
understanding how the Continentals and their adversaries organized and
deployed their troops.
The present volume grew out of a proposal in January 1975 to produce
a shorter, special volume in the Army Lineage Series for the Bicentennial.
We then assumed that the Continental Army's organizational history was
simple, that we could produce a short narrative relatively quickly, and
that the book would serve primarily as a reference tool by including lineage
(outline histories) of the approximately 200 regiments and smaller units
which made up that Army. However, actual research soon revealed an untold
story. The Continental Army actually underwent a complex evolution which
greatly affected the military, political, and social history of the Revolution.
Our discovery of Revolutionary leaders' decision to adopt many then contemporary
European, and especially French, military theorists' concepts justified
transforming a short narrative into the present footnoted monograph. Yet
we have retained the original plan to include all 177 unit lineages and
have added extensive bibliographies. I hope that the military and academic
communities will accept this volume as a serious, scholarly treatment of
a very important subject. I also expect it to be useful as a reference
for professional and amateur historians and for genealogists interested
in a specific unit's services. Nevertheless, practical considerations mandated
including only selective bibliographies and publishing the lineages without
footnotes. Those interested in more extensive bibliographies or in sources
for a particular lineage entry may write to the U.S. Army Center of Military
History, ATTN: DAMH-HSO, Washington, D.C. 20314 for additional information.
[NOTE: Bibliographic information is now available in expanded form on
this Internet site instead of by writing.]
Many contributed to the success of this project. Cols. Walter McMahon,
William F. Strobridge, and Robert N. Waggoner, successive Chiefs, Historical
Services Divi-
xi
sion, lent their support. As Chief, Organizational History Branch, and
later as supervisory historian of that division, Mr. Stanley R. Connor
read the manuscript and shared his expertise. Ms. Janice E. McKenney, the
current branch chief, contributed many valuable suggestions which improved
both the narrative and the lineages. Past and present coworkers in the
branch asked critical questions, endured frequent monologues, and reminded
me to step down from my soapbox.
Dr. Robert Coakley served as this book's midwife during his tenure as
deputy chief historian. He patiently read each draft and provided countless
suggestions, corrections, and words of encouragement. Mr. Detmar Finke
loaned me numerous rare volumes, saving long hours of research time. Mr.
Howell C. Brewer prepared the superb maps and charts, and Mr. Arthur S.
Hardyman, Chief, Cartographic Branch, reviewed them and suggested placing
the state maps within the lineage section.
The polish of the finished product is due in no small measure to the
skill of several editors: Mr. John W. Elsberg, Mrs. Sara Heynen, and Mrs.
Ann Conley. They patiently worked with me to turn my rough prose into a
readable book. Typing support came from Mrs. Reda Robinson, the division
secretary, and from the members of the center's Word Processing Unit, especially
Mrs. Elizabeth Miles and Mrs. Joycelyn Bobo.
I cannot list all of the archivists and librarians who extended courtesies
to me during my research. Several, however, merit special thanks: Carol
Anderson and Joseph Mosley of the center's library, John Slonaker and Phyllis
Cassler of the Military History Institute, Penny Crumpler of the Corps
of Engineers Library, Ronald Gephart of the Library of Congress, Stewart
Butler and Charles Shaughnessy of the National Archives, John Kilbourne
of the Anderson House Museum of the Society of the Cincinnati, and Thomas
Dunning of the New-York Historical Society. Professors Richard Kohn, Russell
Weigley, and Charles Royster read parts of the manuscript and deserve commendation
for their insights. Mr. Nicholas D. Ward and Col. Joseph B. Mitchell of
the American Revolution Round Table of the District of Columbia allowed
me to read chapters before their group and to benefit from that organization's
critical skills.
Every historian is the product of his teachers. I want to acknowledge
the contributions of some of the more influential men who helped to mold
my career: Professors Edward F. Wall and James F. Powers of the College
of the Holy Cross; Richard M. Brown, now of the University of Oregon; John
Selby, Ludwell H. Johnson, and Thomas F. Sheppard of the College of William
and Mary; and an extra thanks to Dr. Bruce T. McCully, formerly of the
latter institution.
One group actually contributed more to this book than any other: my
family. My parents and brother sacrificed innumerable vacations to my eccentricities
and allowed me to walk over many of the battlefields and encampment areas
of the Revolution. Insights gained then gave me an edge in dealing later
with documentary sources. My sons Robbie and Michael endured abandonment
many evenings and weekends to let me put in the hours necessary to meet
deadlines and to compensate for unavoidable interruptions during normal
duty hours. Marcia, my wife, put me through graduate school, brewed the
oceans of coffee to keep me going, and gave me remedial spelling lessons.
In spite of the best efforts of so many, some errors may have gone undetected.
I am fully responsible for them.
Washington, D.C.
1 May 1982
|
ROBERT K. WRIGHT, JR.
|
xii
Contents
xiii
Chapter
|
Page
|
7. PERSEVERANCE
TO VICTORY
|
153
|
Economy and the 1781 Reorganization
|
153
|
Triumph at Yorktown
|
165
|
The Road to Newburgh
|
171
|
Peace
|
179
|
Concluding Remarks
|
182
|
LINEAGES
(Note:
Not Currently Included)
|
195
|
New Hampshire
|
197
|
Massachusetts
|
203
|
Rhode Island
|
227
|
Connecticut
|
233
|
New York
|
247
|
New Jersey
|
255
|
Pennsylvania
|
259
|
Delaware
|
273
|
Maryland
|
277
|
Virginia
|
283
|
North Carolina
|
299
|
South Carolina
|
305
|
Georgia
|
313
|
Canada
|
317
|
Extra and Additional Continental Regiments
|
319
|
Miscellaneous Units
|
329
|
Artillery
|
335
|
Light Dragoons, Partisan Corps, and Legionary
Corps
|
345
|
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[NOTE:
Not Included]
|
355
|
Appendix
|
A. U.S. Army Units Dating From the Revolution
[NOTE: Not Included (out of date)]
|
429
|
B. Department
Commanders
|
431
|
C. Principal
Staff Officers
|
432
|
D. Engagements
|
433
|
GLOSSARY
|
435
|
INDEX
[NOTE: Not Included]
|
441
|
Tables
xiv
Charts
Maps
(Only the First One Currently
Included)
Territorial Departments
|
83
|
New Hampshire
|
196
|
Massachusetts
|
202
|
Rhode Island
|
228
|
Connecticut
|
232
|
New York
|
246
|
New Jersey
|
254
|
Pennsylvania
|
260
|
Delaware
|
274
|
Maryland
|
276
|
Virginia
|
284
|
North Carolina
|
298
|
South Carolina
|
306
|
Georgia
|
312
|
Canada
|
316
|
Illustrations
(Not Currently
Included)
They Scrambled up the Parapet
(Frontispiece)
|
|
Timothy Pickering
|
9
|
Artemas Ward
|
12
|
John Adams
|
23
|
Otho Holland Williams
|
24
|
Horatio Gates
|
27
|
Nathanael Greene
|
28
|
Boston, July 1775
|
30
|
General Return, Main Army, 19 July 1775
|
31
|
xv
|
Page
|
Pay Roll
|
33
|
Muster Roll
|
34
|
Thomas Mifflin
|
37
|
Marinus Willett
|
43
|
James Mitchell Varnum
|
52
|
Henry Knox
|
54
|
Philip Van Cortlandt
|
61
|
Benjamin Franklin
|
63
|
Second Embarkation, New London, 1776
|
64
|
Thomas Sumter
|
74
|
Lachlan McIntosh
|
76
|
Commission of Alexander Spotswood
|
77
|
Anthony Wayne
|
79
|
William Smallwood
|
80
|
The Declaration of Independence
|
86
|
George Clinton
|
88
|
General Return, Main Army, 22 December 1776
|
96
|
George Baylor
|
97
|
David Forman
|
101
|
Thomas Forrest
|
103
|
John Eager Howard
|
111
|
John Laurens
|
115
|
Elias Boudinot
|
116
|
Henry Dearborn
|
117
|
Marie- Paul-Joseph- Roch-Yves-Gilbert du Motier,
marquis de Lafayette
|
123
|
Oath of Allegiance of Benedict Arnold
|
124
|
Louis le Begue de Presle Duportail
|
129
|
Thaddeus Kosciuszko
|
130
|
Casimir Pulaski
|
133
|
Benjamin Flower
|
135
|
Henri Bouquet
|
138
|
Jean-Baptiste, chevalier de Temant
|
140
|
Enlistment Form of Private Shafer
|
144
|
Benjamin Lincoln
|
148
|
Johannes de Kalb
|
155
|
Charles Tuffin Armand, marquis de la Rouerie
|
162
|
Joseph Reed
|
164
|
Arthur St. Clair
|
166
|
Henry Lee
|
168
|
William Washington
|
169
|
Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
|
171
|
General Return, Main Army, 27 October 1781
|
172
|
Robert Morris
|
173
|
Monthly Return, Main Army, June 1782
|
174
|
The Resignation of Washington
|
181
|
xvi
|
Page
|
Size Roll
|
185
|
Newburgh, May 1783
|
353
|
The following color illustrations appear between pages 187 and 194:
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill
Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec
The Retreat Through the Jerseys
Capture of the Hessians at Trenton
The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton
Attack Upon the Chew House
The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga
The Meeting of Greene and Gates
Guilford Court House, 15 March 1781
Thomas Shubrick
Morgan Lewis
Jacob Kingsbury
Jacob Reed, Jr.
Henry Henley Chapman
William Trueman Stoddard
Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown
Frederick Wihelm Augustus von Steuben
Illustrations courtesy of the following sources: p. 135 from the Star-Spangled
Banner Flag House Association; pp. 138 and 162 from the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania; p. 101 from the Permanent Collection, the Berkshire Museum,
Pittsfield, Mass.; p. 63 from the American Philosophical Society; pp. 43
and 88 from the Art Commission of the City of New York; p. 97 and between
pp. 187 and 194 from the Anderson House Museum of the Society of the Cincinnati
(photographs by Sgt. Jim Moore, 50th Military History Detachment); the
frontispiece and between pp. 187 and 194 from the Delaware Art Museum,
Howard Pyle Collection; pp. 9, 12, 23, 24, 27, 28, 37, 52, 54, 61, 74,
76, 79, 80, 103, 111, 115, 116, 117, 123, 129, 130, 133, 140, 148, 155,
164, 166, 168, 169, 171, 173, and between pp. 187 and 194 from the Independence
National Historical Park Collection; and p. 86 and between pp. 187 and
194 are copyright the Yale University Art Gallery. The documents on pp.
31, 33, 34, 77, 96, 124, 144, 172, 174, and 185 are from Record Group 93,
National Archives. Illustrations on pp. 30, 64, and between pp. 187 and
194 are from the Army Art Collection. The line art on pp. 328, 334, and
344 is by William S. Ballou, Typography and Design Division, U.S. Government
Printing Office.
xvii
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