George Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - George Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775, a full year before the Declaration of Independence was signed. He had been named commander-in-chief by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on June 15th of that same year.

Washington’s experience in military command was probably greater than any other natural-born American. That being said, he felt he lacked the experience and knowledge to handle large groups. He had fought in the frontier during the French and Indian War. He had also been a political leader in Virginia and directed the business of his large plantation at Mount Vernon.

That being said, Washington knew to be successful the army would need to be shaped into something new. He described the army he took over as “a mixed multitude of people under very little discipline, order, or government.”

His first moves were to establish rules and consequences for breaking them. He put a halt to the random comings and goings of officers and men to institute regular roll calls. He made distinctions between officers and enlisted men more rigid. “Discipline,” he said, “is the soul of an army. It makes small number formidable; procures success to the weak and esteem to all.”

Washington’s command was so successful, his army not only won the war, it garnered him the respect of the new nation. That respect was great enough that he was in position to become the first President of the United States.