Could Your Ancestor Have Been Among the First Soldiers?
Do you have ancestors who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War? If so, they may have been part of what would become the United States Army, established during one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
Curious about how my own genealogy research might connect to the early days of the U.S. Army, I turned to ChatGPT to learn more.
🎉 The U.S. Army Turns 250 in June 2025
June 14, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, officially created by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
📍 Where It Was Formed:
Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia
🛠️ How It Was Formed:
Facing growing conflict with British troops, Congress passed a resolution to:
“Adopt the militia army already assembled outside Boston as the Continental Army”
and
“appoint a general to command it.”
The very next day—June 15, 1775—George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of this new Continental Army.
At the time, thousands of colonial militia were already surrounding British-held Boston, having mobilized after the battles of Lexington and Concord (April 1775). With Congress’s action, those local militias became the first national army fighting for American independence.
🪖 Who Were the First Soldiers in the Continental Army?
When the army was formed, Congress essentially adopted existing militias, so the first soldiers were men who had already answered the call to defend their homes.
1. Massachusetts Militiamen
- Colonel William Prescott – Led troops at Bunker Hill
- Colonel Israel Putnam – Later promoted to major general
- Colonel John Stark – Commanded New Hampshire troops
2. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia
- General Nathanael Greene – Rhode Island officer who rose quickly
- Colonel Benedict Arnold – Led invasion into Canada
- Captain Daniel Morgan – Virginia rifleman known for tactics at Saratoga
3. Congressional Rifle Companies
On June 14, 1775, Congress also called for 10 rifle companies from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. These were the first troops raised directly by Congress:
- Captain Michael Cresap (Maryland)
- Captain Thomas Price (Maryland)
- Captain Daniel Morgan (Virginia)
4. Washington’s Early Staff
- General Charles Lee
- General Horatio Gates
- Adjutant General Joseph Reed
- Henry Knox, who famously transported artillery from Fort Ticonderoga
🔍 Exploring My Ancestor’s Role: Oliver Miles of Concord
That history made me wonder—could my ancestor Oliver Miles have been among those earliest soldiers? He lived in Concord, Massachusetts, and reportedly served under Lieutenant Ephraim Wheeler and Colonel Eleazer Brooks.
So, I asked:
Were these militia leaders part of the original U.S. Army?
✅ Yes — With Clarification
Both Wheeler and Brooks were Massachusetts militia leaders. When the militia surrounding Boston was adopted into the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, they and their men—if still actively serving—became some of the first soldiers in the U.S. Army.
🧾 About These Men:
- Colonel Eleazer Brooks (1727–1806) – Commanded Massachusetts troops during the Siege of Boston; later became a Massachusetts legislator.
- Lieutenant Ephraim Wheeler – Appears in Revolutionary War rolls tied to Middlesex County units.
If Oliver Miles was in their company at that time, then he too became part of the Continental Army in its earliest days.
📜 Service Record: Oliver Miles, Minute Man?
While the term “minute man” is often used broadly, I wanted to verify Oliver’s exact role. Here’s what I discovered:
🪖 Confirmed Revolutionary War Service:
According to Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Oliver Miles served as a private in a Concord company under Lt. Ephraim Wheeler and Col. Eleazer Brooks. In March 1776, his unit marched to Roxbury to reinforce the Continental Army outside Boston. His official service lasted six days.
This service is also noted in a Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) application, which refers to Miles as a “minute man.”
🕰️ Earlier Service – French and Indian War:
Oliver Miles had earlier served in the French and Indian War. In 1757, he was captured at the Battle of Fort William Henry, enduring three months as a prisoner. This earlier military experience likely influenced his Revolutionary service.
📚 Resources for Further Research
If you’re researching an ancestor like Oliver Miles, check these sources:
- Massachusetts State Archives – Muster rolls and service records
- FamilySearch.org – Free Revolutionary War index cards
- Ancestry.com and Fold3 – Service and pension files
- Concord Free Public Library – Local militia lists and town records
🏛️ Commemorate Their Service
As we approach the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, it’s a perfect time to explore the military history in your own family. Whether for your blog, museum exhibit, or family storybook, tracing these early patriots brings the birth of our nation’s army to life.
➡️ Have a Revolutionary War ancestor of your own? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!