As part of our focus on celebrating the semiquincentennial of American Independence, we focus today on the birth of the United States Army. Like the Navy and Marine Corps, the U. S. Army is older than American Independence.
As we have previously written, in the aftermath of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, a large colonial army effectively laid siege to Boston by land. This army, however, was not a cohesive fighting force. Instead, it was an ad hoc assemblage of various state militias who had answered the Lexington Alarm. While Lexington started the Revolutionary War, there was no unified command for prosecuting a War of Independence.
Joseph Warren Advocates for Creating a Unified Army
On April 26, 1775, Joseph Warren wrote a letter to “to the Inhabitants of Great Britain” laying out the colonial side of the story of what had happened week earlier in Lexington and Concord. At the time, Warren was serving as the President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Warren, as it turns out was a prolific writer, making his ideas well known to the Second Continental Congress that convened on May 10, 1775.
One of his letters was dated May 16, 1775, and received by the Continental Congress on June 2, 1775. In this letter, he recounts the hardships Massachusetts faced prior to the beginning of the Revolutionary War. He then writes (text from the Records of the Continental Congress, generally preserving spelling and punctuation as published)
We are now compelled to raise an Army, which with the assistance of the other colonies, we hope under the smiles of heaven, will be able to defend us and all America from the further butcheries and devastations of our implacable enemies.—But as the sword should in all free states be subservient to the civil powers and as it is the duty of the Magistrates to support it for the peoples necessary defence, we tremble at having an army (although consisting of our countrymen) established here without a civil power to provide for and controul them.
Notice the importance he gives to the concept of civilian control of the military. He also advocates a unified approach to managing the war and promises Massachusetts’ cooperation in implementing plans made by Congress for the benefit of the colonies collectively.
We are happy in having an opportunity of laying our distressed state before the representative body of the continent, and humbly hope you will favour us with your most explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the powers of civil government, which we think absolutely necessary for the Salvation of our country and we shall readily submit to such a general plan as you may direct for the colonies, or make it our great study to establish such a form of government here, as shall not only most promote our advantage but the union and interest of all America.
Finally, he closes with an appeal for Congress to take over providing a consistent set of regulations for the Army and for unified management of the colonial armed forces.
As the Army now collecting from different colonies is for the general defence of the right of America, we would beg leave to suggest to your consideration the propriety of you taking the regulation and general direction of it, that the operations may more effectually answer the purposes designed.
It is worth observing that the key principles stressed by Warren are present in the United States Constitution, written in 1787. The President, a civil officer of the country is made commander-in-chief of the armed forces (Art. II, Sec. 2), assuring civilian control of the military. Congress is vested with the power to create the armed forces and write rules and regulations for the military (Art. I, Sec. 8, cl. 12-14).
Resolution Creating the Army
Following Warren’s letter, the Continental Congress did make some appropriations to supply the assembled militias surrounding Boston. Collectively, these forces were referred to as “the Continental Army.” This was true, even though the Congress had done nothing to create an Army at that point.
On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress acted on creating an Army. The Congress passed a resolution that stated, in part
Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates.
That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army.
With this Congressional authorization for raising an army, and specified an organization for companies of 81 men. The first U. S. Army of regular troops (as opposed to militia) consisted of fewer than 850 men. Once each company was organized, they were to march to Boston and join the assembled militias there.
The resolution went on to specify the monthly pay for each rank, ranging from $6.67 for privates to $20 for captains. Those who enlisted were also required to bring their own arms and cloths. Congress specified the following enlistment oath.
I ________ have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said Army.
Today, the United States Army regards June 14 as its birthday because of this resolution.
The Army having been established, Congress further appointed a committee to draft rules and regulations for the Army. That committee was composed of George Washington (Virginia), Philip Schuyler (New York), Silas Deane (Connecticut), Thomas Cushing (Massachusetts), and Joseph Hewes (North Carolina).
Resolution Appointing George Washington Commander of the Army
With the creation of the Army on June 14, it was important to have someone take charge of the Army. Congress took up this task on June 15, passing the following resolution.
Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty.
That five hundred dollars, per month, be allowed for his pay and expences.
The journal of the proceedings that day continues
The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a general, by ballot, when George Washington, Esq. was unanimously elected.
George Washington’s Acceptance of the Command
The next day, June 16, Washington was formally informed that Congress had selected him to be the General over the newly created Army. Washington gave the following speech in accepting the commission, while refusing the pay Congress had authorized.
Mr. PRESIDENT,
Tho’ I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me, in this Appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important Trust: How-ever, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation.
But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every Gentleman in the room, that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the Command I am honored with.
As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this arduous employment, at the ex-pence of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any proffit from it. I will keep an exact Account of my expences. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire.
Final Thoughts
On July 3, 1775, General George Washington took command of the Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The U. S. Army, authorized by Congress less than three weeks earlier was now in place, though some of the companies authorized by Congress may have still been being formed. A commander was in place. Civilian control by the Continental Congress was in place.
Discussion around the creation of the Army established many principles that endure to this day. Two hundred fifty years later, millions of Americans have served in the ranks. Through the use of technology, the proportion of the population in the Army and other branches of the military is much lower than it used to be. Veterans make up a smaller and smaller proportion of American society. Though their numbers may be dwindling, the gratitude due to those who are serving and have served does not.
Happy 250th Birthday to the U. S. Army!
