George Washington Led Pivotal Siege of Boston Before Presidency

The future first president's military leadership during the American Revolution's early days laid the groundwork for his later success.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than a decade before becoming the country's first president, George Washington was leading a critical campaign in the early days of the American Revolution. As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Washington oversaw the Siege of Boston, which bottled up British troops in the city and eventually led to their evacuation in 1776. This early military victory helped cement Washington's reputation and prepared him for the presidency.

Why it matters

The Siege of Boston was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, denying the British control of a key port city and providing a major morale boost to the patriot cause. Washington's leadership during this campaign demonstrated his military acumen and laid the groundwork for his future role as the nation's first president.

The details

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, militias had pinned down the British in Boston in April 1775. The Continental Congress selected Washington to lead the newly formed Continental Army and oversee the siege. A critical decision by Washington was sending Henry Knox to retrieve dozens of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, which were then used to bombard British positions. This, combined with dwindling British supplies, led the occupying forces to evacuate the city by boat on March 17, 1776.

  • The Siege of Boston began in April 1775, shortly after the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
  • Washington sent Henry Knox to retrieve cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in the dead of winter.
  • The British evacuated Boston by boat on March 17, 1776, ending the siege.

The players

George Washington

The commander-in-chief of the Continental Army who led the Siege of Boston, a critical early victory in the American Revolution that helped cement his reputation and prepare him for the presidency.

Henry Knox

A young bookseller who was tasked by Washington to retrieve dozens of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, which were then used to bombard British positions during the Siege of Boston.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The success of the Siege of Boston gave new life and momentum to the Revolution. Had it failed, royal control of New England would have continued, and the Continental Army likely would have dissolved.”

— Chris Beagan, Site manager at Longfellow House in Cambridge, a National Historic Site that served as Washington's headquarters during the American Revolution (nbcnewyork.com)

“He comes to embody the cause in a time before you have a nation, before you have a Declaration of Independence, before you're really sure what is the goal of this struggle. He becomes the face of the revolutionary movement.”

— Doug Bradburn, President of George Washington's Mount Vernon (nbcnewyork.com)

What’s next

Historians continue to study the lasting impact of the Siege of Boston and Washington's leadership during this pivotal campaign, which laid the groundwork for his future role as the nation's first president.

The takeaway

George Washington's success in commanding the Continental Army during the Siege of Boston, his first major military campaign, demonstrated his strategic acumen and helped cement his reputation as a capable leader, paving the way for his eventual presidency and solidifying his place as one of the most influential figures in American history.