Continental Army Formed to Coordinate Colonial Military Efforts Against British
The Continental Army was established on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to unify the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies against British control. General George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief on June 15, a decision influenced by geographical and political considerations, as well as his military experience. Congress also appointed four major generals and eight brigadiers, including Charles Lee, Horatio Gates, and Richard Montgomery, who brought experience from the British Army. Charles Lee was initially considered the foremost military expert in America and served as Washington's first assistant. The army's creation aimed to present a united front, moving beyond regional violence to a coordinated national response. Washington formally took command on July 3, 1775, facing the challenge of transforming a "mixed multitude" into a disciplined fighting force.
