Timeline of Continental Army Departmental Command Changes
1778
January 5 - Alexander Scammell is elected
Adjutant General to replace Thomas Pickering, although he does not yet assume the duties.
January 13 - Alexander Scammell assumes the duties of
Adjutant General from Thomas Pickering.
February 25 -
Nathanael Greene agrees to become
Quartermaster General.
March 2 -
Nathanael Greene is appointed to the post of
Quartermaster General.
March 16 - Alexander McDougall becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
March 23 -
Nathanael Greene assumes the duties of
Quartermaster General.
April 17 - John Stark becomes commander of the
Northern Department.
May 20 -
Horatio Gates becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
May 26 - Lachlan McIntosh becomes commander of the
Western Department.
September 25 -
Benjamin Lincoln becomes commander of the
Southern Department.
October 3 -
Benjamin Lincoln receives notice of his appointment as commander of the
Southern Department.
October 8 -
Benjamin Lincoln sets out from camp in New York and heads south to assume command of the
Southern Department.
October 19 - Edward Hand becomes commander of the
Northern Department.
November 7 - Thomas Mifflin resigns as
Quartermaster General leaving the post vacant.
November 20 - James Clinton becomes commander of the
Northern Department.
November 24 - Alexander McDougall becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
December 4 -
Benjamin Lincoln arrives in Charleston, South Carolina and assumes his duties as commander of the
Southern Department.
1779
March 5 - Daniel Brodhead becomes commander of the
Western Department.
November - The
Eastern (New England) Department is abolished by Congress.
November 27 - William Heath becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
1780
February 21 - Robert Howe becomes provisional commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
April 5 - Maryland and Delaware are transferred to the
Southern Department from the Middle Department (Main Army).
May 7 -
Horatio Gates is appointed commander of the
Southern Department.
May 12 -
Benjamin Lincoln surrenders Charleston, South Carolina after a lengthy
Charleston.
June 13 -
Horatio Gates learns of his appointment to commander of the
Southern Department and soon begins to make his way south.
June 21 - Alexander McDougall becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
July 25 -
Horatio Gates arrives in North Carolina and assumes command of the
Southern Department.
July 26 -
Nathanael Greene submits his resignation from the post of
Quartermaster General.
August 3 - Benedict Arnold becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
August 5 - Congress accepts
Nathanael Greene's resignation from the post
Quartermaster General.
August 5 - Timothy Pickering is appointed to the post of
Quartermaster General.
September 22 - Timothy Pickering assumes the duties of
Quartermaster General from
Nathanael Greene.
September 25 -
George Washington assumes command of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
September 28 - Alexander McDougall becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
October 5 -
Nathanael Greene becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
October 5 - Congress passes a resolution giving
George Washington authority to select the new commander of the
Southern Department.
October 14 -
George Washington appoints
Nathanael Greene as commander of the
Southern Department.
October 17 - William Heath becomes commander of the
Hudson Highlands Department.
October 22 -
Nathanael Greene leaves camp and begins to travel south to assume command of the
Southern Department.
October 31 - Congress approves
Nathanael Greene's appointment to command the
Southern Department.
November 16 - Alexander Scammell resigns from the post of
Adjutant General effective January 1, 1781.
December 2 -
Nathanael Greene arrives in Charlotte, North Carolina and assumes command of the
Southern Department from
Horatio Gates.
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