A narrative analysis of the complex evolution of the Continental Army, with the lineages of the 177 individual units that comprised the Army, and fourteen charts depicting regimental organization.

The army of observation : New England in arms. Warfare in the eighteenth century -- Colonial military experience -- The coming of the revolution -- Massachusetts Acts -- Formation of a New England army -- The Continental Army : Washington and the Continental Congress. Adoption of the army -- Selection of commanders -- Washington takes command -- The war spreads to Canada -- The continental regiments of 1776 : Boston and Quebec -- Washington's unified reorganization -- The Canadian Department -- An army truly continental : expanding participation. The Southern colonies -- The Middle colonies -- The departments and the main army -- An army for the war : 1777. The Eighty-Eight Battalion resolve -- Trenton and Princeton -- Rounding out the army -- Fielding the new army -- Professionalism : new influences from Europe. Valley Forge -- Foreign advisers -- The contributions of Steuben -- The reorganization of 1778- 79 in practice -- Perseverance to victory. Economy and the 1781 reorganization -- Triumph at Yorktown -- The road to Newburgh -- Peace -- Lineages. New Hampshire -- Massachusetts -- Rhode Island -- Connecticut -- New York -- New Jersey -- Pennsylvania -- Delaware -- Maryland -- Virginia -- North Carolina -- South Carolina -- Georgia -- Canada -- Extra and additional Continental regiments -- Miscellaneous units -- Artillery -- Light dragoons, partisan corps, and legionary corps -- Appendix. U.S. Army units dating from the Revolution -- Department commanders -- Principal staff officers -- Engagements.