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The '''War Department''' was one of the three original cabinet departments of the United States, created by the Congress in 1789 to supervise and supply Army.  It was headed by the Secretary of War, who had civilian responsibilities, such as finance and purchases; he had a minor role in deciding military affairs. In 1947 the department was absorbed by the National Military Establishment (renamed in 1949 as the [[Department of Defense]].

The '''War Department''' was one of the three original cabinet departments of the United States, created by the Congress in 1789 to supervise and supply Army.  It was headed by the Secretary of War, who had civilian responsibilities, such as finance and purchases; he had a minor role in deciding military affairs. In 1947 the department was absorbed by the National Military Establishment (renamed in 1949 as the [[Department of Defense]]).

==History==

==History==

The War Department was a civilian agency created in 1789 to administer the field army under the president (as commander in chief) and the secretary of war. [[Henry Knox]], a senior general now in civilian life, was the first secretary.

The War Department was a civilian agency created in 1789 to administer the field army under the president (as commander in chief) and the secretary of war. [[Henry Knox]], a senior general now in civilian life, was the first secretary.

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[[Category:United States Government]]

[[Category:United States Department of Justice]]

[[Category:United States Army]]

[[Category:United States Army]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:Military History]]

[[Category:Military History]]