Overview. The Continental Army
was formed to secure American colonists' independence from Great Britain
. This army courageously fought what became known as the American Revolutionary War and claimed victory for the newly formed United States.
What were the characteristics of the Continental Army?
Life in the Continental Army was difficult. It was mundane and monotonous. Generally, when not engaged in combat, soldiers in the Continental Army served three duties:
fatigue or manual labor
, such as digging vaults (latrines), clearing fields, or erecting fortifications.
What did the Continental Army do in the Revolutionary War?
The Continental Army had a number of advantages over the British army. Their biggest advantage was that they were fighting for a grand cause,
their independence and freedom
, which was a very motivating factor.
Why did the Continental Army struggle?
There were
poor roads
, the people in charge of delivering the supplies were not always honest, and ships had difficulties getting around British blockades. Army supplies, such as clothing and blankets, arrived late or not at all and food was often spoiled or damaged.
How did George Washington describe the Continental Army?
Washington served as Commander-in-Chief of the army throughout the War. When Washington assumed command, the Continental Army truly was not even an army. Rather, it was
a loosely and poorly coordinated band of militias and citizen-soldiers under control of the
individual states.
What were American soldiers called in the American Revolution?
The colonists living in the British North American colonies who rebelled against the authority of the crown were known as
patriots
, revolutionaries, continentals, colonials, rebels, Yankees, or Whigs.
Who was the leader of the Continental Army?
The Continental Congress commissioned
George Washington
as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. Washington was selected over other candidates such as John Hancock based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies.
Why was the Continental Army Unique?
The Continental Army was
formed to secure American colonists' independence from Great Britain
. This army courageously fought what became known as the American Revolutionary War and claimed victory for the newly formed United States. The Revolutionary War began in 1775.
What was the goal of the Continental Army?
The Continental Army was created to
coordinate military efforts of the Colonies in their war for independence
. General George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the army throughout the war.
What fighting style did Continental soldiers use?
If they were fighting in rough terrain with small numbers of men, both British and Patriot forces would fight
skirmish style
, in open lines using cover. If either side had large numbers of men in open terrain, they would fight in strict regimented tight lines.
What were the weaknesses of the Continental Army?
A major weakness for the Continental Army was
manpower
; they were always short of qualified and capable men. General George Washington routinely had no more than 20,000 troops at one time and place.
What hardships did soldiers face?
The Advantages of the Union Army During the Battle of Shiloh
The colonial troops in the Revolutionary War faced many hardships due to
lack of supplies and money, leadership miscommunication and difficult weather conditions
.
What was the largest number of troops ever fighting in the Continental Army?
The Size of the Army
Over 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, although no more than 48,000 at any one time. The largest number of troops gathered in a single place for battle was
13,000
.
How did General Washington inspire the Continental Army to win the war?
Despite all the hardships the Continental Army faced, they kept fighting for the cause of freedom. They eventually won the war and returned home to a newly free country, and that is how General Washington inspired the Continental Army to win the war.
Why was George Washington a hero?
The son of a prosperous planter, Washington was raised in colonial Virginia. As a young man, he worked as a surveyor then fought in the French and Indian War (1754-63). During the American Revolution,
he led the colonial forces to victory over the British
and became a national hero.
What percent of the Continental Army was black?
In addition, pension records show that black soldiers served longer terms than most white soldiers. By 1777, as much
as 10 to 15 percent
of the Continental Army was made up of black soldiers. The vast majority of black soldiers served in fighting units comprised primarily of white men.
