Congress first dealt with the disorganized military. Beaten back by 2,000 militiamen Burgoyne was forced to surrender. Valley Forge 1777 Continental army was underequipped and dying in the winter. Given all these handicaps, Washington was fortunate to escape an overwhelming defeat in the 5. 5. The “Continental Army” was formed of regiments that were provided by the 13 colonies and a couple of regiments formed in Canada (like Hazen’s). . According to Washington's aide Alexander Hamilton, the military strategy the General would pursue throughout the Revolutionary War was as follows: "our hopes are not placed in any particular city, or spot of ground, but in preserving a good army . The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale, and inspired reenlistments B. George Washington: First President of the United States, commander in chief of the Continental Army during the Revolution, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and was present during the drafting of the Constitution. Many women assisted the Continental Army as camp followers during the war, assisting the army by washing blankets, caring for sick and wounded soldiers, and bringing soldiers water in … Continental Army camp set in Pennsylvania that was home of the devastating winter in which equipment and food ran low, but disease and desertion ran high. The assembly organized the troops who had gathered around Boston into the Continental Army, appointing George Washington Commander-in-Chief. The Newburgh Conspiracy was a plan by Continental Army officers to challenge the authority of the Confederation Congress, arising from their frustration with Congress's long-standing inability to meet its financial obligations to the military. . o The Problem of the West § After Yorktown, the British left the West for the new United States, abandoning their Indian alllies. Many casualties lost although no battles took place b/c he was a good leader Slaveholder in VA (people liked him in the South even though their economy would be bad during war) his strategy was to minimize losses b/c Britain had more men and weapons 2 nd Continental Congress -established continental army -printing $ -established government offices for policies -George Washington leader of army. Previous Section First Shots of War, 1775; Next Section Revolutionary War: Northern Front, 1775-1777; Creating a Continental Army. The Continental army drew most of its recruits from the lower ranks of society, the majority of whom fought for a bonus of cash and land rather than out of patriotism. § In May 1783, Congress pays the bonuses equal to 3 months pay, the Continental Army disbands, and by the start of 1784 the Army was no more than a few hundred men. The Second Continental Congress met the next month, on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, with representatives from all 13 colonies in attendance. Deafeated Burgoyne's army at Saratoga. After a brief battle, nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans. First commander-in-chief of the American army, unanimously apptd. January 1776 4. The Continental army was also poorly provisioned and armed. There was general disorder due to differing tactics and caused them to be weaker. By early 1783, widespread unrest had created an atmosphere ripe for mutiny. July 5, 1775. Olive Branch Petition -America wants reconciliation with Britain -last attempt to avoid armed conflict -King George III ignored it. … British raided Bennington, Vermont. Washington led the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian soldiers garrisoned at Trenton.