Read this excerpt from “Road to Valley Forge.” General George Washington was given command of the newly formed Continental Army in June 1775. He inherited a diverse group of liberty-loving and independent-minded colonists. He faced the difficult task of transforming them into an army that would fight for a “common defense.” The American army also had to match up with the British army, which consisted of professional soldiers. What does this excerpt suggest about the American army? It was too new to be ready for battle. The British army had far more training and preparation than it. The Americans were less skilled but more passionate. George Washington was a great military leader.