When
the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia
in May 1775, they asked George Washington to take command of
the Continental Army. The war lasted 6 years.
He felt that the best strategy was to harass the British. He
reported to Congress,
"we should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything
to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we
ought never to be drawn." His usual technique was to fall
back slowly and strike when the British were not expecting it.
However, the Continental Army took the offensive in it's attempt
to take Quebec and bring Canada into the union. The leader of
Battle
of Quebec was Benedict
Arnold, who later attempted to hand over West
Point to the British. |
| The
six month winter encampment of the Continental Army at Valley
Forge in
the winter of 1777/1778 was continually plagued with shortages
of food, clothing and equipment. These supplies were furnished
by the individual colonies and the Continental Congress. But
poor organization, a shortage of wagoneers, lack of forage
for the horses, the devaluation of the Continental currency,
spoilage, and capture by the British all contributed to severe
shortages of the most necessary supplies. Under the leadership
of George Washington, however, the army maintained its
discipline and survived to eventually win the war.
Part
of These United Colonies: The
American War of Independence
exhibit |
