Top Ten Facts
- Ten were apppointed and nineteen were promoted
- Twenty-four were appointed or promoted prior to June 1778
- Six were foreign volunteers (four from France and two from Germany)
- Eighteen was the peak number of major generals in October 1777
- On average they served as major generals for 3.7 years with 5.3 years total service
- All states except Georgia had at least one of its residents serve as a major general
- More major generals (five) hailed from Massachusetts than other state
- Five died on active duty from battle and disease
- Eleven served until the war’s end with Henry Knox serving until June 1784
- Richard Montgomery with 21 days of service was the shortest serving major general
Detailed service and promotion records for the Twenty-nine Continental Army Major Generals.
Source
Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution. Clearfield, 1932.