George Washington was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Battle of Trenton . Morale in the army was low ; to end the year on a positive note , George Washington -- Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army -- devised a plan to cross the Delaware River on the night of December 25 -- 26 and surround the Hessian garrison . Continental Army . General George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the army throughout the war . George Washington . In 1775 , the Second Continental Congress commissioned him as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution .