1. Toward the end of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress had taken away the authority of general officers to award commissions in the field. Why?

2. George Washington issued a general order establishing the Badge of Distinction and Badge of Merit. By what name do we now refer to the Badge of Merit?

3. TRUE or FALSE?: Prior to his appointment as head of the Continental Army, George Washington had never commanded a large army in the field.

4. Name the greatest threat to soldiers in all armies during the Revolutionary War.

5. During the Battle of Bunker Hill, this colonial officer ordered, "Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" Name him.

ANSWERS

1. Congress could not afford to pay their existing officers, let alone any new ones.

2. In its shape and color, the Badge of Merit inspired the modern Purple Heart.

3. True. Leading up to the French and Indian War, Washington had ably commanded the Virginia Regiment, but this provincial military unit never had more than 2,000 men in its ranks.

4. Disease.

5. William Prescott.

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