how many soldiers were in the continental army

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How big was the Continental Army in 1776?

The 1st and 2nd Regiments of the Army went on to form what was to become the Legion of the United States in 1792....Continental ArmyDates of operationJune 14, 1775 – 1783AllegianceThirteen Colonies (1775–1776) United States (1776–1783)Size80,000 at peak7 more rows

How many Continental Army soldiers died?

Between 25,000 and 70,000 American Patriots died during active military service. [1] Of these, approximately 6,800 were killed in battle, while at least 17,000 died from disease. The majority of the latter died while prisoners of war of the British, mostly in the prison ships in New York Harbor.

Who were the soldiers in the Continental Army?

Soldiers who served in the Continental Army fought on behalf of the 13 colonies in the Revolutionary War. These soldiers were young and inexperienced, especially in comparison with the formidable British army, but they were highly motivated to win because the freedom of the colonies was at stake.

How big was the British army in 1776?

At the beginning of the war, British forces outnumbered Continental forces; for example, British general William Howe's expeditionary force in 1776 numbered 32,000, compared to American general George Washington's force of less than 20,000. Britain's navy was the biggest and strongest in the world.

How big was the Continental Army?

about 231,000 menOver the course of the war, about 231,000 men served in the Continental Army, though never more than 48,000 at any one time, and never more than 13,000 at any one place. The sum of the Colonial militias numbered upwards of 145,000 men.

Was the Continental Army well trained?

At first, the Continental Army was poorly trained and did not have a standard way to drill, discipline or maneuver. This put them at a huge disadvantage when facing the well supplied, well trained British army.

How long did a soldier serve in the Continental Army?

Prior to 1777, enlistment in the Continental Army was of various durations but generally for a year of service. After 1778, Congress changed the rules and men served for either three years or the duration of the war. In some cases, bounties were paid to entice men to enlist or for men who chose to serve longer.

What was the maximum amount of soldiers ever in the army?

The U.S. Army underwent an enormous expansion during the Civil War (1861–65), growing from a peacetime strength of about 16,000 troops in December 1860 to a maximum size of 1,000,000 by 1865. The Confederate army may have reached a strength of 500,000 troops at its height.

How good was the Continental Army?

The army was ragtag, barely trained, half-starving, and woefully unequipped. The group was also hardly united for too much of the war and led by generals often squabbling, undermining, or fighting with each other.

What is the largest the British Army has ever been?

At its peak, in 1813, the regular army contained over 250,000 men.

Who had the largest army in the 1700s?

In the mid-eighteenth century, the largest army in northern and western Europe belonged to France. During this time, France had a much larger population than all other European nations and states at this time (and it had roughly double the population of Britain and Ireland combined).

How big was the US army in 1812?

The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain began formally on June 18, 1812. It involved about 60,000 U.S. Army forces supported by 470,000 militia and volunteer troops.

How many soldiers died in 1776?

America's Wars: U.S. Casualties and VeteransAmerican Revolution (1775-1783)Total servicemembers217,000Battle deaths53,402Other deaths in service (nontheater)63,114Nonmortal woundings204,00278 more rows

How many US soldiers have died since 1776?

646,596 AmericanSince the Revolutionary War ended, 646,596 American troops have died in battle and more than 539,000 died from other, non-combat related causes.

What killed the most American soldiers?

The campaign that resulted in the most US military deaths was the Battle of Normandy (June 6 to August 25, 1944) in which 29,204 soldiers were killed fighting against Nazi Germany.

How many Continental soldiers died at Valley Forge?

2,000 peopleWhile there was never a battle at Valley Forge, disease killed nearly 2,000 people during the encampment.

What battles did the Continental Army win?

The Continental army won major victories at Saratoga in September and October 17 77 and also at the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781. Harsh winters such as Valley Forge in 1777-1778 and Morristown, 1778-1779, especially, helped mold the fighting force. Although the Continental armies lost more battles than they won against the British, key victories ensured eventual independence. Militia and partisan forces assisted in the overall victory as well.

What is the designation of a line?

The designation of a line refers to the quota set by the Continental Congress for the number of regiments assigned to a particular state to be raised.

Which Continental army did George Washington command?

Although George Washington did command the principal Continental army throughout the entire war, there were Continental armies that operated in the northern department, most successfully during the Saratoga Campaign and in the southern department, first at Charleston, then Camden, and finally with Major General Nathanael Greene.

How many soldiers were in the Continental Army during the American Revolution?

Although numbers varied as soldiers came and went through the eight years the Continental Army served in the American Revolution historians believe that approximately 230,000 soldiers served. In addition, there were Continental forces in the northern and southern theaters as well.

What was the purpose of the Second Continental Congress?

The Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia decided to establish an army for common defensive purposes. This included absorbing the forces then besieging Boston and stationed in New York City. Congress authorized the raising of troops from different colonies to add to the New England troops that comprised the bulk of the forces at that time.

Did the Continental Army have African Americans?

Yes, the Continental army had soldiers of multiple ethnicities within the ranks, including African Americans and Native Americans. At one time, nearly 10% of Washington's army consisted of Black soldiers. This would be the last time, until the Korean War, that the United States Army had integrated units. In addition, men of multiple European nations served in the ranks throughout the entire war.

How many regiments were there in the Continental Army?

Despite its antipathy to standing armies the Continental Congress was forced by the loss of New York and the prospect of a permanent British presence there to raise a standing army of its own. Congress created the third establishment on September 16, 1776, voting to raise an army of 88 regiments of infantry. Each of the thirteen states was assigned a quota based on its population. Enlistments in this army were to be for either three years or the duration of the war. This program was augmented in December 1776 when Washington was given authority to raise an additional 16 regiments of infantry (see "Additional" regiments ). The army of 1777 was also a better-balanced force than the two which preceded it. Besides the infantry, the artillery was increased to a brigade under Henry Knox, a cavalry brigade was organized, originally under Casimir Pulaski, and eventually the Continental Army included partisan units, engineer troops, military police, and invalids. In 1777, 119 regiments were fielded. On paper these regiments contained over 90,000 officers and men. In later years this ambitious program was reduced to one that was more sustainable, through consolidation or elimination of surplus units.

How many regiments were there in 1775?

These were the 1st and 2d Virginia Regiments of 1775. On December 28, 1775 the Continental Congress requested four more regiments from Virginia. In January 1776 the colony authorized these six regiments for the Continental Army and authorized three more regiments as state troops.

What did the Continental Congress vote to do before the Siege of Boston?

To continue the war the Continental Congress voted to reraise the army at Boston and to maintain Continental units elsewhere. Before the Siege of Boston ended in March 1776 the Continental Congress was supporting troops from every colony except Maryland. The new units were to serve from January 1 to December 31, 1776.

How many regiments did Washington have?

Washington and his generals believed that 88 regiments were insufficient to challenge the British Army, and so on December 27, 1776, Congress gave Washington the authority to raise additional regiments which were placed directly under his control and not under any state. These additional units consisted of 16 infantry regiments, three artillery regiments, a corps of engineers, and 3,000 light horsemen. Including three other regiments previously authorized by Congress (the two Canadian regiments and Seth Warner 's regiment of Green Mountain Boys), 110 regiments were authorized for the Continental Army of 1777. Some states exceeded their quotas, and so 119 regiments were actually fielded in 1777.

How many Rhode Island state troops were in the Continental Army?

Two regiments of Rhode Island state troops served with the Continental Army in 1776, but were not placed on the Continental establishment.

What was the Continental Army?

e. The Continental Army was the national army of first the Thirteen Colonies, and then the independent United States, during the American Revolutionary War, established by a resolution of the Congress on June 14, 1775, three days before the Battle of Bunker Hill, where it saw its first action under that title.

What was the New York Department in 1776?

In January 1776, Congress reorganized the New York Department, designating the force that had invaded Canada as the Canadian Department. Units were consolidated, and a second regiment of Canadians was recruited. After Washington learned of Brigadier General Richard Montgomery 's death and defeat at the Battle of Quebec, three New England units originally intended as militia were instead raised as Continental regiments, commanded by Colonels Bedel, Porter, and Burrall, and sent to Canada.

How Many Continental Soldiers Served in the Revolutionary War?

In total, around 230,000 soldiers served in the Continental Army, though never more than 48,000 soldiers at one time.

How Much Were Continental Soldiers Paid?

Privates in the Continental army earned about $6.25 a month. To entice soldiers to join the army, Congress, states and towns offered a bounty, which was a one-time payment of money or a grant of land, upon enlistment.

What Did Soldiers in the Continental Army Eat?

Each soldier in the Continental Army was given a daily ration of one pound of beef/fish or three-quarters of a pound of pork, a pound of bread, three pints of dried vegetables, a pint of milk and a quart of spruce beer of cider or a gill of whiskey.

Where Were Most of the Continental Soldiers From?

When the Continental Army was first formed in 1775, about 16,449 of the 37,363 soldiers were from Massachusetts. This is not all that surprising though seeing that the American Revolution started in Massachusetts and the British army occupied the area since the beginning.

What did the Continental Army wear?

Then, in 1779, George Washington standardized the army’s uniforms by ordering all soldiers to wear white or off-white breeches, white waistcoats and long blue jackets with facings of varying colors , depending on the regiment.

What is a stoppage in pay?

Paymasters simply introduced what was called a ‘stoppage’ in a soldier’s pay. A private who was owed seventy-two dollars yearly often received only about twelve dollars per year after deductions for arms, clothes, family support, and fines.”.

How many African Americans were in the Revolutionary War?

It is estimated that around 5,000 African-Americans served as soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

What was the Continental Army in 1781?

The Continental Army that served at Yorktown in 1781 bore very little resemblance to the Continental Army that blockaded Boston in 1775. The Continental forces consisted of several successive armies, or establishments:

How long did the Continental Army last?

Soldiers in the Continental Army were citizens who had volunteered to serve in the army (but were paid), and at various times during the war, standard enlistment periods lasted from one to three years. Early in the war the enlistment periods were short, as the Continental Congress feared the possibility of the Continental Army evolving ...

What were the three major organizational approaches to the Continental Army?

These included the First Establishment (1775), the Second Establishment (1776), ...

How many troops did Washington have in 1778?

The highest strength of the Continental Army came in 1778, at 35,000, and Washington never commanded more than 17,000 troops (regular and militia combined) at any one time.

How many regiments were there in the Massachusetts army?

On April 23, 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress authorized the raising of a colonial army consisting of 26 company regiments. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut soon raised similar but smaller forces.

What are artisans in the army?

They included carpenters, wheelwrights, coopers, harness makers, farriers, nailers, and blacksmiths

How many men are in a company?

Both British and Continental Army companies could be either separate entities or parts of a regiment. Also, in both armies, the company was visually synonymous with the tactical platoon. Each company consisted of 91 men that could be made up of:

How many regiments were there in the Continental Army?

The forces adopted by the Continental Congress amounted to 39 regiments of infantry, and 1 regiment and 1 separate company of artillery. The period of service for many of these regiments ended on December 31, 1775, although some had a service period that expired earlier.

How many regiments were there on the Connecticut line?

Connecticut Line: 8 regiments. The 1st through 6th regiments were adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775. The 7th and 8th regiments were adopted by the Congress on July 19, 1775.

What was the Pennsylvania line?

Pennsylvania Line: 1 regiment. The Continental Congress ordered that six companies of riflemen be raised in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania frontiersman were so eager to participate that on June 22 Pennsylvania's quota of companies was increased to eight, organized as a regiment known as the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment.

What was the Continental Army?

e. The Continental Army was the army raised by the Second Continental Congress to oppose the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. The army went through three major establishments: the first in 1775, the second in 1776, and the third from 1777 until after the end of the war.

When did the Continental Congress adopt the 1st and 2nd South Carolina Regiments?

The Continental Congress resolved, on November 4, 1775 to adopt two infantry regiments in South Carolina. The 1st and 2nd South Carolina Regiments were existing formations that had been authorized by the colony in June. Georgia Line: The Continental Congress resolved, on November 4, 1775 to authorized one infantry regiment in Georgia.

How many men were in the North Carolina line?

North Carolina Line: 2 regiments. On June 26, 1775 the Continental Congress voted to support a force not exceeding 1,000 men for the defense of North Carolina. The colony of North Carolina availed itself fully of this number, subsequently raising the 1st and 2nd North Carolina Regiments.

How many regiments were in the New Hampshire line?

New Hampshire Line: 3 regiments. These regiments were commanded by Colonels Stark, Poor, and Reed.

What was the Reveille meal?

Reveille was typically at daybreak and soldiers cooked one meal per day, generally around 3:00 pm . Whatever food was left over from the meal, soldiers divided and placed in their haversacks to be consumed as needed. Rations were determined by Congress. Each man received 1.5 pounds of meat per day, typically beef. Each hunk they received included not only the meat, but bone, fat, and gristle. They also received one pound of bread per day, which was baked daily inside the camp, or 1.5 pounds of flour to make firecakes. Firecakes were like pancakes. Soldiers heated a flat rock, then mixed the flour with water, meat, gristle, and poured the mixture on the heated rock, then would flip it over to cook the other side.

How much did a private make in the Continental Army?

A private in the Continental Army earned $6.23 per month and pay would increase upon promotion of rank. Sometimes a promotion in rank brought an increase in food rations and in some cases more money in lieu of rations. Life in the Continental Army was difficult. It was mundane and monotonous.

What was the reality of life in the Continental Army?

While later artwork such as "The Spirit of '76" romanticized the struggle for American independence, the reality of life in the Continental Army consisted mainly of hard work and harsh conditions. Wikimedia Commons

How long did it take to drill with a musket?

The best soldiers could squeeze off five rounds per minute. Drill with a musket lasted for eight hours a day. The best regiments to serve in the Continental Army were from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. African Americans did serve in the ranks of the Continental Army and General James Mitchell Varnum petitioned Congress to permit integration. Thus some fighting units were integrated. This would not happen again until 1950, when the US Army fought in Korea. The First Rhode Island Infantry was an entirely African American regiment.

What did the Continental Army carry?

When on the march, the typical soldier in the Continental Army carried forty-five pounds of gear. This included, when he was properly supplied, his weapon, haversack, knapsack, and other accoutrements including a bayonet, tin cup, bowl, spoon, cartridge box, canteen, and if lucky an extra blanket, shirt, or writing paper and a pen. Men did keep in communication with family from home and would write letters if they could steal a moment to sit down and write to a loved one. Supply problems constantly plagued the Continental Army, and often men simply made do with whatever arms and equipment they could bring from home.

What was the biggest frustration for Continental Army soldiers?

The biggest frustration for Continental Army soldiers was the ineffectiveness of Congress and the lack of support they received from the political body that espoused the same cause. Mutiny at times raised its head.

How many men were in the Continental Army?

Those who served in the Army were merchants, mechanics, and farmers. By 1780, close to 30,000 men served in the Continental Army, which was dispersed throughout the new nation.

What was Parson's Brigade?

Parson's Brigade relieved 12 November 12, 1776 from the Main Continental Army and assigned to the Highland's Department. Consolidated on January 1, 1777 with the 23d Continental Regiment and consolidated unit redesignated as Bailey's Regiment.

What was the name of the company that consolidated with Prescott's Regiment?

More's Company consolidated with Prescott's Regiment (7th Continental Regiment) and Watkin's Company consolidated with Phinney's Regiment (12th Continental Regiment). Reassigned on January 24, 1776 from Heath's Brigade and assigned to the Vacant Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army.

What was the name of the army that was assigned to the Poor's Brigade?

Arnold's Brigade re-designated 26 October 1776 as Poor's Brigade. Reassigned on November 26, 1776 from Poor's Brigade and assigned to Vose's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army.

What was the 1st Massachusetts Regiment?

1st Massachusetts Regiment and Paterson's Regiment. On 1 January 1776 the 1st Massachusetts Regiment (less Morse's and Watkin's Companies) was consolidated with Sayer's and Sullivan's companies of Scammon's Regiment; re-organized to eight companies and redesignated as the 15th Continental Regiment of Heath's Brigade.

How many companies were in the 3rd Continental Regiment?

On January 1, 1776 Danielson's Regiment and Wood's Company, Cotton's Regiment, consolidated unit re-designated as the 3rd Continental Regiment, an element of Thomas' Brigade, to consist of 8 companies.

What was the 26th Regiment?

On 1 January 1776, the remnant of Gerrish's Regiment, also known in the 1775 army establishment as the 25th Massachusetts, consolidated with Craft's Company, Gardner's Regiment and re-organized to eight companies and redesignated as the 26th Continental Regiment, an element of Heath's Brigade.

When was the 8th Massachusetts Regiment reorganized?

On 1 January 1776 the 8th Massachusetts Regiment re-organized to eight companies and redesignated as the 16th Continental Regiment an element of Vacant's Brigade. Reassigned on January 24, 1776 from Vacant's Brigade and assigned to Heath's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army.

How far can a musket go?

Musket: 3.5 foot long barrel with no rifling. The maximum range was about 80 yards, and the muzzle velocity was relatively low. It

What was the Continental Army?

The Continental Army was an undisciplined, unprepared fighting force with makeshift uniforms and sloppy tactics (at least at the beginning of the war). The British Army was the world’s elite fighting force and fresh of victory of the globe-spanning Seven Years War against France and her allies. What caused the Continental Army to prevail in ...

Why did many of the Continental Army men join the Continental Army?

In other words, many of the men who joined the Continental Army did so for financial reasons. The bounties were a big draw.

What was the key to warfare than shooting?

Individual accuracy was not stressed (in general). More key to warfare than shooting was the use of the bayonet in charges. A line of soldiers above all else to push the enemy back. Dead and wounded were usually left on the field, with the exception of officers. There was no organized medical corps.

What is the point of firing at the enemy?

The point of firing at the enemy was to mass the firing to disrupt the enemy. “Accuracy by volume.” Individual accuracy was not stressed (in general).

What happened when the trigger was pulled on a flint gun?

Flintlock: When the trigger was pulled, it allowed a hammer with a screwed-down piece of flint to strike a movable frizzen. This created a spark which ignited a small amount of gunpowder in a pan below the frizzen. The flash set off the powder in the barrel which forced the ball out.

What is the size of a 75 caliber golf ball?

75 caliber: The ball was round and one-half inch in diameter. When it entered a human body it crushed bones and tore up muscle and organs.

How many Hessian soldiers died?

This total number includes battlefield deaths and injuries, deaths from disease, men taken prisoner, and those who remained missing. Approximately 1,200 Hessian soldiers were killed, 6,354 died of disease, and another 5,500 deserted and settled in America afterward.

What did the English think of the Parliament?

The English felt that Parliament had supreme authority over the colonies.

Why were the Iroquois left out of the Treaty of Paris?

Members of the Iroquois Confederacy, along with many other Native Americans, were ravaged by the conflict, weakened significantly due to infighting, disease, and were completely left out of the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783.

How many people lived in Great Britain in 1775?

Great Britain had 8 million residents in 1775, and the 13 colonies about 2.5 million (of which half a million were slaves).

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act?

The Sugar Act (1764), the Stamp Act (1765), and the Townshend Acts (1767) were merely some of the unpopular pieces of legislation placed upon the American colonies for the purpose of raising funds to pay the French and Indian War debt. Years of unrest and discord followed.

Why did the Americans form a committee of correspondence?

The Americans formed Committees of Correspondence, and later, a Continental Congress, to find solutions, but could not find common ground with the English. When fighting broke out in 1775, American revolutionaries determined that separation was the only means of obtaining liberty and justice.

How long did the Revolutionary War last?

The conflict lasted a total of seven years, with the major American victory at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 marking the end of hostilities, although some fighting took place through the fall ...

Overview

Second establishment, 1776

At the end of 1775 the Siege of Boston was no nearer to resolution than it had been in April, and the attempt to capture Quebec had received a significant setback with the loss of the Battle of Quebec. To continue the war the Continental Congress voted to reraise the army at Boston and to maintain Continental units elsewhere. Before the Siege of Boston ended in March 1776 the Continental Congress was supporting troops from every colony except Maryland. The new units …

First establishment, 1775

Third establishment, 1777–1784

Demobilization

See also

Notes

External links