Washington's army faced many challenges in 1775-1776. Which do you feel was the most daunting?

Washington's army faced many challenges in 1775-1776 (weather, smallpox, lack of organization, lack of training, lack of equipment, desertions, illness, spies, etc.) Which do you feel was the most daunting?

I'd rank waiting for all those British ships (which included Hessian mercenaries) to arrive in New York's harbors right up there with the daunting challenges. In the meantime, the lack of hygiene, proper food and clothing had to be major obstacles.

I feel the lack of organization and training was the most challenging. The leadership was unprepared and clueless to deal or fix any of the army’s issues. Moreover, the problems and issues kept multiplying- it most of been horrible for the soldiers.

rosemary c and angelaw have identified the major challenges I would have listed. I think among those lack of a strong military organization may have been the most daunting. Lack of food, clothing, shelter, and training all grew out of that.

Lack was the greatest challenge - lack of training, support, supplies, and order.

The sickness borne of close quarters and lack of hygiene coupled with bad or no food would cripple an army. I'm surprised they ever achieved independence with in the face of such hardship.

Though I had many of the reasons noted above on the list (especially waiting weeks for the attack by the British navy and Hessians), one challenge that I’d never about was the issue of having the money to soldiers: the actual dollars as well as the logistics of getting the money to each soldier. (It’s not like they had direct deposit). The impact of this was mentioned a couple times and made me wonder how much this factor impacted someone’s decision to stay and fight versus desert the army.

Usually when reading about George Washington, he is already installed as the President of the United states of America but this book is dealing with the era prior to his presidency and prior to there being any organization for a Federal Governing Body where money/taxes are collected and distributed for national needs. In the months leading up to this time there is no organization. It is likely George Washington and others are paying for necessities of war from their personal funds. Really haphazardous. Looming over everything are the British ships weighing anchor in N.Y. Harbor with more on their way. This is when we are best able to judge the enormous calm and steadfast determination of our national hero!

While it is difficult to choose, I would say the lack of a fully and well, funded military, including the lack of any naval power at all. Washington spent an inordinate amount of time trying to procure adequate provisions, pay, and armaments. Lack of quality supplies and regular and adequate pay made his soldiers more susceptible to espionage and switching sides.

I agree with Angelaw. And the lack of money created havoc for Washington.

Many serious challenges, but the audacity of a small, poorly trained, fed and clothed army to take on the world’s strongest power (imagine seeing 500 ships at the New York harbor!) and the courage it took would be the greatest challenge in my opinion.

Attempting to keep morale high and soldiers committed while living conditions were appalling.

Is there anything that wasn't daunting? Leadership, training, weapons, clothing, food. You name it. The soldiers had very little in the way of support. It is amazing that we won the war. Could it have been done without George Washington? Perhaps. But I wouldn't take that bet!