Forging a National Army From the Colonial Era through the Early Republic: 1700-1800

The establishment of a cohesive army was a defining challenge during the Revolutionary War, requiring innovative strategies to overcome the limitations of the colonial militia. Initially, from the colonial era, from King George’s War to the French and Indian War, militias were localized, short-term forces lacking standardized training and cohesion, which proved inadequate.

The Revolutionary War brought additional problems with supplies, scarcity of money, and a weakened transportation system that plagued the Continental forces while recruiting men in the flying camp and associators. After the end of the war, the need for a more permanent organization led to the creation of “Levies Regiments,” designed to maintain military preparedness during peacetime, providing a template for our future regular army.

Michael Strauss is a military historian and professional genealogist.  He serves as an expert witness in court cases involving kinship determinations and forensic estate investigations. He lectures at universities, conferences, and educational institutes across the country. He has a B.A. in History from Shepherd University, with a focus on the American Civil War, and an M.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts Boston, with a concentration in military history. His master’s thesis, Ever Under Steam: The Revenue Cutter Service in the Spanish-American War, explored the predecessor of the United States Coast Guard, which was not formally established until 1915. Publications include books, edited volumes, peer-reviewed journal articles, public history writings, blogs, and book reviews.

He is an Accredited Genealogist with the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

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