The first installment of an on-going effort (at least 13!) to the identify uniforms worn by Patriots was recently delivered in our Newsletter. Along with some info on how the Colony raised and used its' forces.
Each Colony was part of a bigger picture on American forces during the War. The map below displays a partial picture of how the forces were managed, although it only shows three of the seven Departments.
The Main Army or the Middle Department was comprised the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. It was usually referred to simply as the Main Army since George Washington was the commander throughout the War.
___________________________________
The Eastern Department or New England Department was formed around those states that had originally sent troops to support theSiege of Boston, and in that sense it even existed before the Continental Army. This was essentially the New England department, and included the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It was abolished in November 1779.
___________________________________
The Northern Department or New York Department was those parts of New York north of New York City.
It was first called the New York Department, but after the Highlands Department was created on November 12, 1776, it was always referred to as the Northern Department.
This department was the only one to remain after the war. The last elements of the Continental Army were kept to guard the western frontier outposts.
__________________________________
The Highland's Department was the smallest in area. It was formed around the defenses on the Hudson River north of New York. The Americans created fortifications, including West Point with its chain across the river.
After the British occupied New York City the defenses just north of there became critically important. The presence of British naval forces at New York emphasized the importance of the Hudson River, and both sides in the war recognized the importance of controlling that waterway. Originally included New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.
The Canadian Department was folded into it following the Withdrawal of Continental forces from Canada in June 1776.
________________________________
The Canadian Department was established on Feb 17,1776 following the invasion of Quebec in Winter of 1775-1776. It reflected the aspirations of the Congress and some Americans more than an effective theater of operations. The region was never under the control of the Continental Army. After the invasion of Canada failed, all troops were withdrawn by July 1776, and the Canadian Department went out of existence and folded into the Highlands Department.
_________________________________
The Southern Department included Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia along with the western frontier south of Virginia.
This department was the most independent of the commands due to geography and the need for year round operations. The only Department whose command structure was destroyed twice. The first time was at the surrender of Charleston on May 12, 1780v on May 12, 1780. The second was at the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780.
Later in the War Maryland and Delaware were transferred into the Department.
________________________________________
The Western Department covered the frontier territories west and northwest of Virginia and Pennsylvania.
It extended from Pittsburgh all the way to the Illinois country and as far north as the southern peninsula of Michigan.
