ARMY. The first step toward the establishment of a military force under the control of the Con tinental Congress was taken June 15, 1775, when that body resolved that a general be appointed to command all the Continental forces raised or to be raised for the defense of American liberty, and unanimously elected George Washington.
One year later (June 13, 1776) the Con tinental Congress created a 'Board of War,' the germ of the modern War Department. The Revo lution was a great war school for the crude but patriotic bands that rallied under Washington's standard, and the Regular Army of to-day rests upon the foundation then laid, after European methods. Thus the United States articles of war are copied from the British military code; the principles of discipline, drill, and account ability for property survive as they were pre scribed by the aide-de-camp of Frederick the Great—Baron Steuben; while the French vol unteer Baron du Portal' became the first Chief of Engineers.
In September, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee to confer with the general officers of the army with the view of creating a system of instruction which would furnish offi cers educated in the theory of military art and science. This was the origin of the Military Academy at West Point, which institution, how ever, was not formally established until 1802.
Notwithstanding Washington's wise counsel, that provision should be made for a permanent and well-equipped army, the close of the Revo lution saw the seasoned veterans return to their farms and other civil avocations, and Congress, swayed by the arguments that "Standing armies in time of peace are inconsistent with the princi ples of republican government and dangerous to the liberties of a free people," that "the United States being remote from nations having peace establishments and by being always in a state of defense, on the plan of the confederation, which provides that every State shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia," directed the discharge of "the troops now (May 26, 1784) in the service of the United States, except twen ty-five privates to guard the stores at Fort Pitt and fifty-five to guard the stores at 'West Point and other magazines with a proportionable num ber of officers," no officer to remain in service above the rank of captain.
War with a civilized power was no sooner ended than the need of provision against Indian hostilities became apparent ; the Articles of Con federation framed for protection against the greater danger were found ineffective in dealing with the lesser evil. The recommendations of
Congress fell upon deaf ears; each State was busy with its own immediate affairs, and the Con tinental legislature was compelled (June 3, 1784) to augment. its nucleus of SO enlisted men by the enrollment and equipment of a small regi ment of foot soldiers; later (October 20, )786), a battalion of artillery was added, and so by degrees the nucleus of a national force was formed which in 17SS amounted to 595 men. commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General Josiah Harmar, The establishment of a permanent land force for the national defense, otherwise known as the 'Regular Army,' legally dates from March, 1789, a few weeks before the inauguration of Washington as President under the Federal Con stitution. The troops then in service already mentioned, now became the 'Regiment of In fantry' and 'Battalion of Artillery,' and event ually (1791) became known as the First Regiment of Infantry (Lieutenant-Colonel Harmar) and the Battalion of Artillery (Major Doughty), respectively.
Fo• more than one hundred years after that date, the army served as the strong right arm of the Government: now engaged in holding back the Indians from border settlements: exploring unknown wilds and planting the flag for the honor and glory of the young nation; protecting the hardy settler and the advance guard of science; standing between the peace-loving citi zen and the murderous mob; and in five wars forming the back-hone of the great forces called out to meet the emergencies. Withal, the Regu lar Army performed these varied duties quietly but effectually. It produced Grant, Lee, Sher man, Sheridan, Thomas, Jaekson, and a host of able commanders of less renown, but yet distin guished on the roll of fame. The conspicuous traits of the American regular are his individu ality, fertility of resource, and unswerving loy alty to his Government ; the officers especially exhibiting, since the Spanish-American War, an unexampled capacity for the administration of civil affairs, assuming at a moment's notice du ties ranging in importance from those of Gover nor-General and Judge of the Supreme Court to collector of customs and chief of police, and dis charging them with marked ability and fidelity.