Prior to the adoption of the “federal Constitution,” partisan feeling
ran high on this side of the Atlantic,--indeed, it was no unusual
thing for a man to speak of the colony in which he was born as his
_country_. When the struggle for American independence began, though
men were willing to fight in defence of their own State, there was
great difficulty in filling the ranks of the Continental army,--not
only because of the longer time for which they were required to
enlist, but also because once in the Continental service, they would
be ordered to any part of the country. The same difficulty existed
in respect to securing members for the Continental Congress. With
the slowness of transportation and the uncertainty of the mails, it
was no small sacrifice for a man to leave his home, his dear ones,
and his local prestige, to become one of an unpopular body directing
an unpopular war, for it was not until near the end of the struggle
that the Revolution was espoused by the majority. It was under these
circumstances, then, that three different kinds of troops composed the
American army,--the Continentals, the Provincials, and the Militia. The
first could be ordered to any point where they were most needed; the
second, though regularly organized and disciplined, were only liable to
duty in their own State; and the last were hastily gathered together
and armed in the event of any pressing need or sudden emergency.
Washington, as stated in his commission, was commander-in-chief of
all the forces. The other subjects of the foregoing sketches were the
commanding officers of the Continental army. Marion and Warren were
famous generals of the Provincials; while Pickens and Ten Brock were
noted leaders of the militia. Dr. Joseph Warren received his commission
of major-general from the Massachusetts Assembly just before the battle
of Bunker Hill. He was among the last to leave the redoubt, and while
trying to rally his men was shot and killed. By his untimely end
America lost one of her purest patriots; and General Gage is reported
to have said, “Warren’s death was worth that of five hundred ordinary
rebels.” Andrew Pickens, brigadier-general of South Carolina Militia,
never fought outside of his own State, but received from Congress a
sword in recognition of his gallant conduct at the battle of Cowpens.
All the dates and facts in the foregoing sketches have been carefully
verified by comparison with the “Continental Army Returns” and
“Journals of the Continental Congress,” and various cyclopædias and
histories.
University Press: John Wilson & Son, Cambridge.