Merryweather

The history of the United States Marine Corps began with the founding of the Continental Marine Corps in 1775. They were to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and assistance in landing forces. Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and foreign policy of the United States. Owing to the availability of Marine forces at sea, the United States Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict in United States history. It was formed in this manner by the Continental Congress: Be it resolved, that a letter from this Congress be sent to General Washington. The letter shall inform him, that the Congress has certain intelligence of the sailing of two British Brigs from England on August 11th last. The brigs are loaded with arms, powder and other stores, for Quebec. They are without a convoy. He shall apply to the Council of Massachusetts Bay, for two armed vessels in their service and dispatch the same. A sufficient number of people, stores and arms hereby is authorized in order to intercept the Brigs and their cargoes for the use of the Continental Army. He may also seize any other transports laden with ammunition, clothing or other stores, for the use of the army or navy in America and secure them in the most convenient places for the purpose above mentioned. He may give the commander or commanders such instructions as are necessary, as also proper encouragement to the marines and seamen, that shall be sent on this enterprise. Instructions, are to be delivered to the commander or commanders sealed, with orders not to open them until out of sight of land. Whereas, a letter has been written to council, to put vessels under the General's command and to furnish him instantly with every thing necessary in their power, at the expense of the Congress. The General is authorized to employ vessels for the formation of a continental navy. John Hancock’s letter to General George Washington, October 5, 1775, was the first time that Congress ever mentions “Marines” in United States history. When the battles of Lexington and Concord sparked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775, the leaders of the American rebellion soon recognized that in order to prevent the British army from restoring Crown rule and further occupation into the colonies of New England, they would have to resort to a naval war. Although this realization had consumed the Second Continental Congress, they remained reluctant to support a naval campaign against the world's strongest fleet. Thus, the Royal Navy had the ability to reinforce and supply the British garrisons in Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The Marblehead Marine Regiment of Massachusetts Bay was entirely composed of New England mariners. It provided crews for Washington's navy. Washington’s decision to create his navy came easily with the siege of Boston which started the war along the entire coast of New England and into the strategic Lake Champlain area on the New York border. The Royal Navy concentrated its vessels in the New England open waters, while its smaller warships raided the coastal towns and destroyed rebel military stores for supplies and provisions. In response, several small vessels were commissioned by the governments of Massachusetts and Connecticut by the summer of 1775, authorizing the privateering against British government ships. In August of 1775, Washington's makeshift naval fleet continued the interdiction of Massachusetts Bay, by the end of the year he was in command of four warships: the USS Franklin, USS Hancock, USS Lee, and USS Warren. Meanwhile, the New England militia forces of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont (the Green Mountain Boys), seized the strategic post of Fort Ticonderoga; and temporarily eliminated British control of Lake Champlain. The lake was now controlled by a flotilla of shallow-draft vessels armed with light artillery, under the command of Benedict Arnold. As early as May 1775, the sloop Interprise ushered eighteen men as marines on the payroll. Later in May, the Connecticut Committee of Public Safety consigned ^500 to Benedict Arnold, the shipment of payment was “escorted with eight marines, well spirited and equipped,” although they were actually seamen. They are often referred to as the Original Eight. The colonial marines of Washington's naval fleet, Benedict Arnold's Lake Champlain flotilla, and privateers, made no distinction of their duties as their activities were no different from English customs. marines were basically soldiers detailed for naval service. Washington's navy expeditions through out the remaining months of 1775 suggested that his ship crews of mariner-militiamen were not divided distinctly between sailors and marines. However, the Pennsylvania Committee of Public Safety made a dividing line between the sailors and marines when it decided to form a state navy to protect the Delaware River and its nearby areas. Early October, Congress members, such as John Adams, and colonial governments pushed Congress to create a navy, however small. To examine the possibility of the establishment of a national navy, the Naval Committee was appointed on October 5, 1775. On October 13th, Congress authorized its Naval Committee to form a squadron of four converted Philadelphia merchantmen, with the addition of two smaller vessels. Despite a shortage in funding, the Continental Navy was formed. The next Continental Congress action was: Be it resolved, that two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as needed in the regiments inside the battalions. Care shall be taken that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battalions, unless they are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve. They shall be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress. Whereas: They shall be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, they may be considered as part the continental Army before Boston. It is ordered that a copy of the above be transmitted to the General.