washington and continental congress

Washington arrived in Philadelphia to serve in the Second Continental Congress on May 9, 1775. A need for military unity was needed and Washington soon gained a popularity from his committee work in Congress.

Washington was unanimously chosen as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army because of his fellow Virginians promoting him throughout the Congress. Washington's selection made sense for several reasons.

Washington's Appointment as Commander-in-Chief

Benjamin Rush explained, "He has so much martial dignity in his deportment that you distinguish him to be a general and a soldier from among ten thousand people."