Aug 5

Aug 5 Joseph Wood's Controversial Promotion

By the time I realized I’d already written about Joseph Wood (two years ago) I’d already had the idea for this story in my mind.

Therefore, instead of wasting an hour or so of research, he gets another day.

While my first article focused on his efforts in Georgia and the Continental Congress, this article looks at the time in between...while he was at war.

If you’d like to read the first article, click here.

Joseph Wood

Joseph Wood was a Pennsylvania transplant living in Georgia when the American Revolution broke out.

Since Georgia was slow to join the cause, Wood returned to Pennsylvania so he could fight.

He joined the Pennsylvania Line as a Major and accompanied the Continental Army during the Invasion of Canada.

Joseph sustained a wound but was able to evacuate with the rest of the Patriots when the excursion to Canada went south.

Promotions

Wood rose through the ranks of the Army rather quickly, achieving the position of Colonel.

It seems that his ascendance caused a bit of controversy, as the Pennsylvania Line’s method of determining rank was haphazard at best.

In August of 1777, General Washington ordered a Board of several Major and Brigadier Generals to settle the confusing situation regarding the commissioning of Officers from PA.

Their report outlined the troublesome situation, noting that some people had militia ranks before the war, some were given ranks as they signed up and some were promoted due to merit.

Joseph Wood was specifically named in this report, with the Board saying, “many deserving officers conceive themselves injur’d by Colo. Wood’s extraordinary promotion.”

Congress

Whether or not Wood’s promotion was based on merit or backroom negotiations, the Board could not determine.

Truthfully, it didn’t matter.

With this reorganization, Joseph took the opportunity to resign his commission.

He just so happened to be elected to the Continental Congress, which (as someone still healing from a wound) suited him just fine.

Here are some other stories about everyone’s favorite Founder…Benny Franks:

John Adam Treutlen - From Indentured Servant to Governor

The Yazoo Land Fraud - Fletcher v Peck

Lyman Hall Doesn’t Wait for Georgia

The Invasion of Canada is one of the most important campaigns of the Revolutionary War.

‘Benedict Arnold’s Army’ discusses the Invasion and it’s fallout.

If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).