The Continental Army: America's First Line of Defense

By Murray Montgomery  -  Staff Writer

Over the years, I have written many articles about people who have fought to defend this great place we call America. However, I don’t recall ever writing anything about those bold patriots who served in our first army – the army that would be responsible for our freedom from British rule. The Continental Army. 

According to battlefield.org, “The Continental Army was established by the Second Continental Congress after the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord and predates George Washington’s assumption of command outside of Boston in July 1775. Most men who served in the Continental Army were between the ages of 15 and 30. 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.”

The newly founded United States of America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, but it wasn’t until September 3, 1783, with the Treaty of Paris, that the war would officially be over. As with any war, the hardships endured by those men serving in the Continental Army were tremendous – at times, nearly unbearable. Every person who’s ever been in combat knows of these privations, and it’s not my intention to detail them here. Rather, I want to give the reader some idea about how our first army was created and the day-to-day life of its soldiers.

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. Bounties could consist of additional money, additional clothing, or land west of the Ohio River, where many veterans would settle after the war. 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.

Sources indicate that life for soldiers in the Continental Army was similar how things are for today’s warriors. Reveille was typically at daybreak, but that’s where the similarity ends. Unlike current conditions, they had no one to do the dirty work. Soldiers cooked one meal per day, usually in the afternoon. Each man received 1.5 pounds of meat per day, typically beef. Each ration they received included not only the meat, but bone, fat, and gristle – they also received one pound of bread per day. The men were given two ounces of “spirits” (alcohol) per day to pour into the water in their canteen- this would hopefully kill the bacteria found there.

It’s important to note that sanitation was a significant concern in the Continental Army. Even though information about hygiene in the 18th century was limited compared to what we know today, the results of poor sanitation were well understood. For each soldier killed in combat, nine died of disease, mostly attributed to a lack of sanitation.

My research found that 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 accessories including a bayonet, tin cup, bowl, spoon, cartridge box, and canteen. Getting supplies was a real problem, and many of the men had to use their own muskets. As for training, they drilled with the musket up to eight hours a day. They were driven to learn how to fire four rounds per minute – exceptional marksmen could fire five.

When soldiers were punished, it could be severe – from receiving lashes to being publicly hanged. Executions were normally used in cases of desertion.

In conclusion, the Continental Army had camp followers with some of the marches. Usually, they were made up of the wives and children of enlisted men. However, Gen. George Washington had a rule that any women of “questionable character” were not allowed as camp followers.