Happy Birthday, US Army

For John, BLUF:  Congress raises the Army, per the Constitution.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From a friend:

On June 14,1775, the Second Continental Congress decided to proceed with the establishment of a Continental Army for purposes of common defense, adopting the forces already in place outside Boston (22,000 troops) and New York (5,000).  It also raised the first ten companies of Continental troops on a one-year enlistment, riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to be used as light infantry, who later became the 1st Continental Regiment in 1776.

On June 15, the Congress elected George Washington as Commander in Chief by unanimous vote.  He accepted and served throughout the war without any compensation except for reimbursement of expenses.

The above said, General George Washington was meticulous in terms of his record keeping for expenses.

Regards  —  Cliff