06/15/2026
On this day in 1775, meeting in what is now Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Congress passed a resolution creating a corps of riflemen to join the militia army that had surrounded Boston after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The resolution is considered the founding document of the Continental Army, and the corps of riflemen is considered to be the ancestor of the United States army infantry. The U.S. Army proudly considers June 14 to be its birthday. So happy 251st birthday to the United States Army!
The resolution called for six companies of riflemen, who were to supply their own rifles, ammunition, and clothing. But so many volunteered that by the time they reached Boston there were 13 companies, averaging 100 privates in each, considerably more than the required 68.
The riflemen came from the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. They marched to Boston wearing their distinctive “hunting shirts,” which the British would soon come to fear, demonstrating their marksmanship at exhibitions along the way.
The text of the resolution follows:
Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates.
That each company, as soon as completed, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army.
That the pay of the Officers and privates be as follows, viz. a captain @ 20 dollars per month; a lieutenant @ 13 1/3 dollars; a serjeant @ 8 dollars; a corporal @ 7 1/3 dollars; drummer or [trumpeter] @ 7 1/3 doll.; privates @ 6 2/3 dollars; to find their own arms and cloaths.
That the form of the enlistment be in the following words:
I ____ have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said Army.
The painting is by Don Troiani and the illustration is by Albert Bobbett.