Washington's+Army

Washington's Army


In the briginning of the American Revolutionary War, the American army was just a militia made up of civilians. However, because most of them were farmers, the soldiers were not use to long campaigns and battles with the British Regulars, and many of them quit. So, General Washington, the commander of the Continental Army asked the Continental Congress to afford a regular army of men so they could fight against the British army. Although the Congress felt that step would disregard civil liberties. After many Americans were killed and wounded in the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Congress finally admit to pay extra to the officers and privates. ====The American Army's uniform was very simple compare to what the British soldiers wore. Sometimes, they even wore clothing that was captured from the supply lines of the British. But, when they were in a battle against the British it lead to confusion. So, the soldiers wore a "Regimental Coat" which was a heavy wool jacket, dyed in a color other than red, so the soldiers would not get confused with the British soldiers. The army wore a heavy linen shirt, linen or wool pants, breeches or overalls, weskit, woolen socks, and ordinary shoes. Unfortunately these coats were very hot, and soldiers often replaced them with "hunting frocks" which was also dyed with colors other than red. ==== ====The Congress elected George Washington as the commander in chief. The four major-generals were Artemas Ward, Charles lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam. The eight brigadier-generals were seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathanael Greene.media type="youtube" key="XuikXCpBlJ4?fs=1" height="329" width="412" align="right"====