The list of military leaders in the War of American Independence includes those in the forces of the United States; those in the forces of Great Britain, which fought without European allies, but with Hessian auxiliaries; and, as the war widened to an international conflict after 1778 to a war between European powers, the list includes leaders in the forces of the U.S. ally France, and France's ally Spain. This is a compilation of some of the most important leaders among the many participants in the war, including Native Americans. The British counted on the colonists Loyalists fighting in the American Revolution to aid the king's cause, but the numbers were below what they had expected.
In order to be listed here an individual must satisfy one of the following criteria: Was a nation's top civilian responsible for directing military affairs Held a commission of at least brigadier general or rear admiral in an organized military during the conflict Was the highest-ranking member of a given nation's force that participated in the conflict (if that rank was not at least major general) Was the highest-ranking member of a given state/colonial militia Was a provincial or territorial governor who is documented to have directed a military action Was a Native American tribal leader who had a documented leadership position in military action Some individuals held concurrent positions in more than one organization, and a number of Continental Army generals also held high-ranking positions in their state militia organizations. Many U.S. combatants were militiamen, not regular troops. Militia are defined as being a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency or a body of citizens organized for military service.
United States
When armed hostilities began between colonial insurgents and the British Army began outside of Boston, Massachusetts in April 1775, there was no unified colonial army, but rather local militias in each colony. The Second Continental Congress, the elective body from each of the Thirteen Colonies, established the Continental Army in June 1775. It appointed Virginian George Washington as commander-in-chief. The Continental Congress established a standing committee, the Board of War and Ordnance, to function like the British Ministry of War. The board's official seal has military symbolism but also the Phrygian cap of freedom. The Continental Army was established as a regular standing army, with regiments recruited from each state (former colonies), with artillery and cavalry regiments with men from different states.Cox, Caroline. "The Continental Army" in The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press 2013, 162
General and Commander-in-chief NamePeriod of service in the rank, promotions and previous military experience. Termination of serviceCommentary George Washington June 15, 1775 to Dec. 23, 1783. Member of the Second Continental Congress. Former Colonel of the Virginia Regiment in the French and Indian War.Fitzpatrick 1936, pp. 511, 514.Resigned at the end of the war.Chernow 2011, p. 455.George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, reporting to the Second Continental Congress. His activities, including command of the Main Army, the direction of the overall war effort on behalf of the United States, and administration of the entire army, were overseen by the Board of War, established in June 1776. He held the rank of general during the war. He was subsequently appointed lieutenant general in 1798 and was posthumously promoted to General of the Armies of the United States in 1976.
Continental Army
Major generals in chronological order