Continental Army Timeline of Events

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Continental Army

The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in their revolt against the rule of Great Britain...

Timeline of Events

1775

6.14.1775

American Revolutionary War: the Continental Army is established by the Continental Congress, marking the birth of the United States Army.

6.15.1775

American Revolutionary War: George Washington is appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

7.3.1775

American Revolutionary War: George Washington takes command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.

12.31.1775

American Revolutionary War: Battle of Quebec: British forces repulse an attack by Continental Army General Richard Montgomery.

1776

6.28.1776

American Revolutionary War: Thomas Hickey, Continental Army private and bodyguard to General George Washington, is hanged for mutiny and sedition.

9.10.1776

American Revolutionary War: Nathan Hale volunteers to spy for the Continental Army.

1777

4.27.1777

American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Ridgefield: A British invasion force engages and defeats Continental Army regulars and militia irregulars at Ridgefield, Connecticut.

12.19.1777

American Revolutionary War: George Washington's Continental Army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

1778

2.23.1778

American Revolution: Baron von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to help to train the Continental Army.

1779

6.1.1779

Benedict Arnold, a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, is court-martialed for malfeasance.

7.16.1779

American Revolutionary War: light infantry of the Continental Army seize a fortified British Army position in a midnight bayonet attack at the Battle of Stony Point.

1780

3.17.1780

American Revolution: George Washington grants the Continental Army a holiday "as an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for independence".

1781

1.1.1781

1,500 soldiers of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment under General Anthony Wayne's command rebel against the Continental Army's winter camp in Morristown, New Jersey as part of the Pennsylvania (Continentals; Regiment) Mutiny of 1781.

1783

11.3.1783

The American Continental Army is disbanded.

12.23.1783

George Washington resigns as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland.