14 JUNE 1775 - ARMY BIRTHDAY and INFANTRY BRANCH BIRTHDAY - #RevolutionaryWar
America's Revolutionary War had begun with the Battles of Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775, but for the time being, it represented mainly a regional New England rebellion and was not yet viewed as a War for American independence.
On 14 June, the Continental Congress took a step closer to making the conflict a national fight when it ''“Resolved. That six companies of expert rifflemen (sic), be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia … [and] as soon as compleated [sic], 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." ''
This action is considered the beginning of the U.S. Army.
The Congress also adopted the New England Army of Observation, and by resolving to raise the ten companies of riflemen from the Middle Colonies, made it a "Continental Army" that would eventually represent all thirteen colonies. The next task before the delegates was to select a commander in chief. George Washington of Virginia became the favored choice.
Congress prescribed the following oath of enlistment:
"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."
The resolution to raise the ten companies of riflemen is also recognized as the birthday of the U.S. Army's Infantry branch.
IMAGE: "Nation Makers," a representation of the Continental Army at the 11 September 1777 Battle of Brandywine, depicts the determination of the American Soldier and the Continental Army.
By Howard Pyle (1853-1911), The Nation Makers, ca. 1903, oil on canvas, 40 1/4 × 26". Brandywine River Museum
of Art, Purchased through a grant from the Mabel Pew Myrin Trust, 1984. Used with permission.