What steps did George Washington take to improve the Colonial Army?

Question

............I'm so interested in him ad his history........but I a little stuck.!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

In his initial address to the troops when he took charge in Massachusetts, he laid out several goals.

The first order of business was to get organized.

"Exact returns to be made by the proper Officers of all the Provisions Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Powder, Lead working Tools of all kinds, Tents, Camp Kettles, and all other Stores under their respective care, belonging to the Armies at Roxbury and Cambridge. The commanding Officer of each Regiment to make a return of the number of blankets wanted to compleat every Man with one at least."

Next he addresses discipline:

"It is required and expected that exact discipline be observed, and due Subordination prevail thro' the whole Army, as a Failure in these most essential points must necessarily produce extreme Hazard, Disorder and Confusion; and end in shameful disappointment and disgrace. The General most earnestly requires, and expects, a due observance of those articles of war, established for the Government of the army, which forbid profane cursing, swearing and drunkeness; And in like manner requires and expects, of all Officers, and Soldiers, not engaged on actual duty, a punctual attendance on divine Service, to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means used for our safety and defence."

Then he addressed hygiene

"All Officers are required and expected to pay diligent Attention to keep their Men neat and clean; to visit them often at their quarters, and inculcate upon them the necessity of cleanliness, as essential to their health and service. They are particularly to see, that they have Straw to lay on, if to be had, and to make it known if they are destitute of this article. They are also to take care that Necessarys be provided in the Camps and frequently filled up to prevent their being offensive and unhealthy."

Then he addressed unity in the troops.

Another thing that Washington did that was critical was a unification of all of the different colony's soldiers. In the beginning they all pretty much looked at their colony the way we would look at our country. In fact they often called it their "country". This was important to avoid fighting and jealousies between soldiers from separate colonies. Here is how he addressed it.

"The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised for the support and defence of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service. They are now the Troops of the UNITED PROVINCES of North America; and it is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same Spirit may animate the whole, and the only Contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential service to the Great and common cause in which we are all engaged."

This may have been his most valuable contribution to the Continental Army as well as the country as a whole. It was the officer and soldiers who went home and taught this unification principle by example and because of their experience. This was a lesson that all of the colonies/states needed to learn in order to survive as the United States. If not for this concept being developed we might still be 13 different countries on the eastern seaboard at best.

One of the answers here that disparaged Washington as an incompetent general and a selfish glory seeking individual was way off the mark. He was not a perfect person. He was like yo and I but he was a great man with great character that was largely responsible for getting the US through the Revolution.

Also, if you read the book he recommended you should know that he could not have gotten such a negative opinion from reading "His Excellency".

Having said that I can wholeheartedly recommend this book as well for someone who wants to delve a little deeper into his life.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Washington knew that an army needed discipline and time in service for the troops to become good soldiers. He encouraged Congress to make enlistments last several years, not months or one year, and had them enact the Articles of War, which was the legal code of the Army.
He made the officers maintain seperate from the troops as a distinct class, the better to maintain discipline.
When Von Steuben became available, he had him become the Inspector General of the Army, and set a standardized drill and movement orders for the army.
He worked to maintain the officers good will, the proper feeding and care of the troops throughout the war as well.

Answer 4

Here's a brief article on GW's generalship that I wrote. Rather than re-type everything, here's the link...

http://colonial-america.suite101.com/article.cfm/facts_george_washington

For more extensive reading, I STRONGLY recommend....

1776 by David McCullough

George Washington's War by Bruce Chadwick

Answer 5

He tried to give some level of organization, discipline, and confidence in the line of fire.

Many of the officers saw combat in the "French and Indian War," but the common soldiers, for the most part, had not.

While the colonists had an advantage in some terrain and situations because of their commando tactics, those wouldn't win the war. They had to be taught how to deal with large, massed formations and prepared defenses. You can't just run and hide in such situations.

Answer 6

I really cannot honestly tell you what he did to improve it.If anything he was a part of the military because it benefited him financialy. George Washington was a self centered,power tripping, egostical jerk who loved to be the center of attention and his only concerns with the Revolutionary war was that he owed thousands of dollars to english merchants and figured the war would wipe his debts out. Washington kept slaves because they made him money and even openly stated that ***** slaves were not considered to be people.

Washington lost more battles on the field than he won and treated his soldiers like common trash.Try reading the book "His Excellency: George Washington".

Answer 7

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