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| The Continental Army of 1784 |
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In early December, Washington ordered General Henry Knox to discharge all but 500 infantry and 100 artillerymen. Once again, remaining enlistment times determined the troops to be discharged and those to be retained in service. Those from New Hampshire and Massachusetts with the longest remaining times became Colonel Henry Jackson’s Continental Regiment. This tiny force of the last Continentals remained at West Point throughout the winter which followed , but in June 1784 the Congress ordered the discharges of all remaining troops excepting 55 caretakers at West Point and 25 at Fort Pitt. In the same month , Congress developed its own design for the post-war military, consisting of a total of 700 men to be enlisted for one year, this quota being allotted to the states of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Commanded by Josiah Harmar, this unit would be designated The First American Regiment, the seedling of the United States Army. |
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| Massachusetts Line |
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| Also known as the 1st American Regiment (not to be confused with a similarly named unit formed later in 1784 by Josiah Harmar) and the unit refered to itself as Jackson's American Regiment. The regiment was formed by Henry Knox from men from the 1st through 4th Massachusetts Regiments who had enlisted for three years or less and still had time remaining on their enlistments. This was an interim force formed while the Continental Congress decided what kind of a standing army the United States would maintain. The Congress decided on 2 June 1784 to disband the unit. Word of this action reached West Point, where it was stationed , in mid June. The final companies were disbanded on 20 June 1784 |
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H. Jackson's Continental Regiment
(aka 1st American Regiment or Jackson's American Regiment) |
Commanded by Col. ?; formed by Henry Knox from men from the 1st through 4th Massachusetts Regiments who had enlisted for three years or less and still had time remaining on their enlistments. This was an interim force formed while the Continental Congress decided what kind of a standing army the United States would maintain. The Congress decided on 2 June 1784 to disband the unit. Word of this action reached West Point, where it was stationed , in mid June. The final companies were disbanded on 20 June 1784. |
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| Auxillary & Support Units |
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| Corps
of Invalids |
Commanded by Col. Nicola; Disbanded Dec. 1784 |
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