On June 15, 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington as commander in chief of the Continental Army. He held the position for the entire length of the American Revolutionary War and did not relinquish his commission until December 23, 1783. While the military title of commander in chief is common in U.S. history, being a commander in chief like Washington is very rare. Very few military leaders who held even the highest commands were also dual-hatted as commanders of the nation’s principal field army. Only Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War held the position of commander in chief as Washington did. And although Grant held it for a little over a year, Washington was commander in chief for the entire eight and a half years of the war. It was truly unique.
Although Washington was faced by unprecedented challenges from day one through the war’s final days, the year 1777 was critical to his growth as commander in chief. It was bookended by critical turning points of the war in which Washington was central. It started with the stunning American twin victories at Trenton in late-December 1776 and Princeton in early 1777 and it ended with Washington skillfully defusing a challenge to his position in the wake of the great American victory at Saratoga and marching his army into winter quarters at Valley Forge. Between these events, some of the most critical moments in U.S. history occurred.
Kevin Weddle, distinguished fellow and military historian at the US Army War College, focuses on the pivotal year of 1777 when Washington as commander in chief faced many challenges. He also discusses how Washington’s experiences during this tumultuous year prepared him for what was to come and ensured the ultimate American victory.
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