Why was it difficult to find and keep soldiers in the Continental Army?
1 Answer
The government was broke
Explanation:
In the first year of fighting, each colony was supposed to send, equip and pay enough soldiers to man Washington's army. The colonies squabbled among themselves over how many to send and how to pay them.
Starting on July 4, 1776, as a new nation the troops were promised by the Continental Congress that they would be paid. But the Continental Congress did not have the power to tax and therefore had no income from which to pay the troops.
By December 1776 the Colonial army had suffered only defeat which gave pause to anyone so involved. The British government had made it known that all who engaged in the rebellion were viewed as traitors and would be subject to English law and penalties, death of course.
When Washington was forced to retreat from Manhattan, he was able to see the troops who were unable to escape. They were all killed. The British took no prisoners.
