Overview
The Continental Army was the official army of the thirteen colonies during the American Revolution, established by the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Initially made up of volunteer soldiers, the Continental Army was led by George Washington, who became its commander-in-chief. The army was formed with the primary goal of fighting against the British Army, which was then occupying various parts of the colonies. The Continental Army was instrumental in securing American independence, winning important battles such as the Battle of Saratoga and the Siege of Yorktown.
The Continental Army faced numerous challenges during the war, including a shortage of supplies and manpower, as well as the need to adapt to new battle tactics and strategies. However, through the leadership of Washington and other military leaders, the army persevered and ultimately played a crucial role in securing American independence. Many soldiers in the Continental Army were ordinary citizens who fought for the cause of freedom and democracy, and their bravery and sacrifice have been celebrated throughout American history.
Primary Sources
Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution. Clearfield, 1932.
The authoritative source for information on Continental Army officers including names, ranks and dates of service. It is a good source to check on ranks and name spelling even when identified in well known secondary source.
Berg, Fred Anderson. Encyclopedia of Continental Army Units–Battalions, Regiments, and Independent Corps. Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1972.
Berg’s work provides an overview of the organization of the Continental Army. It provides a brief overview of the Army’s organization history with estimates of force size and compositions.
Secondary Sources
Martin, James Kirby, and Mark Edward Lender. A Respectable Army: The Military Origins of the Republic, 1763-1789. The American History Series. Arlington Heights, Ill: H. Davidson, 1982.
An overview of the origin and evolution of the Continental Army from its roots in the militia through the creation of a professional, European-style fighting force. A good overview of military operations and capabilities. The book is organized into two-year periods and covers military and political events.
Sculley, Seanegan P. Contest for Liberty: Military Leadership in the Continental Army, 1775-1783. Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing, 2019.
An excellent analysis of the officers, recruiting, discipline, training, and morale of the Continental Army. Written by a current military officer, the book portrays the relationships of the soldiers and officers to the Continental Army.
Overview Military Biographies for selected officers
American Military Biography Containing the Lives and Characters of the Officers of the Revolution Who Were Most Distinguished in Achieving Our National Independence. Also the Life of Gilbert Motier La Fayette. Cincinnati: E. Walters, 1830.
Regimental Histories
Mayer, Holly A. Congress’s Own: A Canadian Regiment, the Continental Army, and American Union. Campaigns and Commanders. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2021.
Offering a unique genre or original interpretative approach to portraying Revolutionary Era history is daunting, as countless American War of Independence books are published yearly. Dr. Holly Mayer creatively addresses the genre innovation challenge in her book Congress’s Own: A Canadian Regiment, the Continental Army, and American Union. Dr. Mayer’s work is, at its core, a regimental history of the Second Canadian Regiment. However, there are many layers to Mayer’s intensively researched monograph. She posits that Congress’s Own, as many soldiers referred to the Second Canadian Regiment, represents a microcosm of the Continental Army for four reasons; the unit uniquely consisted of soldiers from many colonies, as with other regiments, there were constant, intense intra and inter-unit interpersonal disputes among the officers, the Second Canadian represents the general Revolutionary Era historiographic concept of “borderlands” and officers and soldiers experienced trouble getting paid for their service at the end of the war. For a complete review of Dr. Mayer’s book, click
Researching the American Revolution 