Empire State Society Sons of The American Revolution Descendants of America’s First Soldiers Volume 6 Issue 2 MAY 2004 Printed Four Times Yearly THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY THE FORERUNNER OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY The Continental Congress created the United wieldy devices at best and centers of conflicting interest and dis- cord at worst. In June 1776 it set up a Board of War and Ordi- States Army on June 14, 1775, in the midst of nance, consisting of five of its members, the lineal ancestor of the the American Revolution (1775-1783). War Department. In 1777 Congress changed the composition of Under these circumstances it is not surprising that Wash- the board, directing that it henceforth be made up of persons out- ington never got the kind of army, molded in the British image, side Congress who could devote full time to their military duties. that he desired. The experience before Neither of these devices really Boston in 1775 was repeated many worked well, and Congress con- times, as local militia had to be called tinually handled administrative in continually to give the American matters by action of the entire Army a numerical superiority in the membership or by appointment of field. The Continental Army, neverthe- special committees to go to camp. less, became the center of American In 1781 the board was replaced by resistance, and its commander, Wash- a single Secretary at War. ington, the symbol of the patriot cause. Under the Articles of Confed- The extent to which militia could be eration the states were responsible expected to rally to that cause was very for raising troops for the Continen- largely determined by the Continental tal Army, for organizing and equip- Army’s success or failure in the field. ping them, and for appointing of- Though the militia belonged ficers through the rank of colonel. to the states, the Continental Army was State authorities called out militia a creation of the Continental Congress. sometimes at the request of Con- Congress prescribed its size and com- gress and sometimes on their own position, chose its generals, and gov- initiative. When they joined the erned the system for its administration main army, militia normally shared and supply. Suspicious on principle of in its supplies and equipment. The a standing army and acutely aware of states, however, maintained an in- historic examples of seizure of politi- terest in supplying and administer- cal power by military leaders, its mem- ing the troops of their own “lines” bers kept a watchful eye on the Army’s as well as their militia, and the commanders and insisted they defer to Continental agents had continually civilian authority. Washington coun- to enlist state assistance in their tered these suspicions by constantly own efforts. Lines of authority deferring to Congressional wishes, and crisscrossed at every turn. he was rewarded by the assiduity with It was an inefficient military which Congress usually adopted his system for an organized national recommendations. effort. Washington could never de- Lacking an executive, Con- Staff Sergeant Kenneth P. Lane pend on having enough trained gress had to rely on committees and Station Commander, U.S. Army Recruiting Office men or supplies. He continually in- boards to carry out its policies——un- Hudson, NY Continued Page 4 Col 1 Empire Patriot Page 2 Volume 6 Issue 2 A FIRST FOR 1ST NY CONTINENTAL Stephan P. Clarke reported on our various activities and treasurer Red Fairley established that the chapter is on solid financial foot- ing. Following the official business, members and guests were brought up to date about the Navy Junior ROTC program at East High School in Rochester. LCDR Rod Shaffer-with help from CWO Tim Greene-reviewed the program, its goals and successes. A spirited question and answer session followed LCDR Shaffer’s presentation and several men mentioned that they were pleased to learn about the program in greater depth. In turn, the local SAR members have been invited to attend in the drill team competition at East High. The NJROTC team there regularly takes awards throughout the area. The Rochester Chapter supplied a trophy for the competition. Following his presentation, LCDR Shaffer was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation to warm applause. The meeting concluded with a workshop for the five prospec- tive members in attendance. Various members reviewed applica- tion worksheets with our guests and helped several address knotty problems. We look forward to having them all join our ranks . O A resounding round of applause was given after the induction SYRACUSE CHAPTER HERITAGE of Gavin Peck Galbraith, age nine, as the First Junior Member of TH the First New York Continental Chapter, and as the first Junior LUNCHEON 100 ANNIVERSARY member in the Empire State Society. The occasion was the annual Sons & Daughters Gala Ball held on 24 Jan 2004 at the Yale Club in NYC. Master Galbraith was personally sworn in by President General Raymond Musgrave and repeated his oath flawlessly for the enthusiastic crowd in at- tendance. Left to right: PG Musgrave, Chapter President Wesley M. Oler, IV (at podium) Junior Compatriot Gavin P. Galbraith, FGG Charles Thomas Galbraith, (Gavin’s father) O ROCHESTER CHAPTER PRESENTS . 1st Row, William Billingham, Roy Pickard, John Downing, Terry Pickard - 2nd Row, Otway Pardee, John Churchill, Jerry Orton, Ken Warner - 3rd Row, Shawn Doyle, Earl Traug, Tom Clark - 4th Row, Hon. Jack Schultz, Bill Knowlton, Frank Decker, Bob Pickett, Ken Sweet, Jim Christensen The Syracuse Chapter, SAR, held its 100th annual Heritage Day Luncheon in commemora- tion of the 272nd birthday of Gen. George Wash- ington, Commander-in-Chief of the US Continen- tal Army and first president of the United States of America at Drumlins Country Club on Satur- day, February 21, 2004. The Honorable Jack Schultz, Justice of the Town of Dewitt, delivered . CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION the address. The Rochester Chapter is required by its constitution to have Pictured are Syracuse Chapter members in at- an annual meeting at which the chapter’s president and treasurer tendance minus Ed Hess and Don Piron. Guest are required to report to the members about the state of the chap- were given a commemorative ribbon and program. ter. This year’s meeting was held on 17 January at Bogey’s Wood Over 80 people attended representing our nation’s Fired Grill with 25 members and guests attending, President history from colonial days to the present. O Empire Patriot Page 3 Volume 6 Issue 2 incentive for the members to pay their EMPIRE PATRIOT dues before December 31st and, as a The Empire State Society result, the Chapter would benefit from Sons of the American Revolution a $500 prize. If only one Chapter had Editor: Henry W. Croteau, Jr. their dues 100%, the complete $500 441 Route 23 would be theirs. If more than one Claverack, NY 12513-5145 Chapter reached this goal by the cut- Telephone 518-851-9040 off date, they would share equally in E-Mail [email protected] the prize. The ESSSAR also benefit- Published Four Times Yearly ted from this contest as a cost saving Feb. 1st, May. 1st, Aug. 1st, Nov. 1st program in not having to spend extra Submissions must be received 30 days prior to mailing (15 days before publish date) and postage in sending “dues reminder let- are printed at the discretion of the Editor. ters”. Thanks again to everyone who They may be edited for length, content and helped with this program. accuracy. All submissions must include the As your President and Represen- name, address and telephone number of the tative, I have been busy attending sender. The Editor. other meetings and my travels have ADDRESS CHANGES taken me to the SAR Spring Trustees Please send all changes of address to: Meeting in Louisville, KY; the Jonathan E. Goebel, Secy. ESSSAR WILLIAM J. WOODWORTH, PRESIDENT N.Y.S.S.C.A.R. Conference in 510 Hoags Corners Road EMPIRE STATE SOCIETY Poughkeepsie, NY; meetings with Nassau, NY 12123-2618 other SAR Chapters and DAR Chap- Telephone 518-766-2143 THE PRESIDENT’S ters. Susan and I were also guests of the http://www.saratogabattle-sar.org/ New York State DAR Regent, Frances MESSAGE Patterini, for a luncheon. Editor’s Note: I wish to correct an error on Hopefully, with this issue of the “Em- During our visit to the CAR Confer- my part that appeared in the February 2004 pire Patriot” Winter has finally given way ence, I was very impressed with the way Issue regarding the UNITED STATES MA- to some decent weather and we can start the children conducted themselves and their RINE CORPS. On the front page, it read “UNITED STATE MARINE CORP.” and I thinking about mowing grass instead of meetings. It was all very professional and apologize to anyone I may have offended shoveling snow. I trust you all had a safe they all took their patriotic heritage very se- by that error. Hank O and healthy Wintry Season. riously. I was escorted by a Page named My congratulations, once again, for Phillip Mosher who also led us in the Pledge another great year in membership recruit- of Allegiance during the Saturday morning BOARD OF MANAGERS ing. We have succeeded in keeping our State meeting. Phillip is the nephew of our ESS- ANNUAL MEETING Registrar, Roy Goold, busy while increas- SAR Secretary Jonathan Goebel and ESS- The annual meeting of the Empire State ing our numbers in the State Society. Thanks SAR Chaplain Peter Goebel. I believe Society Sons of the American Revolution to all who made this possible. We also have Phillip is 7 years old and he did a great job Board of Managers will be held May 15, our first Junior Member, Gavin Peck in all of the duties that were asked of him.