George Washington Led Siege of Boston Before Becoming President

The Siege of Boston was Washington's first major military campaign as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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More than a decade before becoming the country's first president, George Washington led the Siege of Boston, his first campaign as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. The siege, which lasted nearly a year, bottled up as many as 11,000 British troops and hundreds of loyalists in Boston, eventually forcing the British to abandon the city by boat on March 17, 1776. Historians argue the successful siege gave new life and momentum to the American Revolution.

Why it matters

The Siege of Boston was a critical early test for Washington, who had been out of the military for nearly 20 years. His successful campaign ensured he remained the commander-in-chief for the remainder of the revolution, and the victory helped turn him into one of the country's most popular political figures. The siege also marked the first steps in Washington creating a geographically diverse army that included militiamen from across the colonies and, eventually, significant Black and Native American representation.

The details

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, militias had pinned down the British in Boston in April 1775. Washington's critical decision was sending Henry Knox, a young book seller, to Fort Ticonderoga in New York to retrieve dozens of cannons. The cannons, transported hundreds of miles in the dead of winter, were eventually used to fire on British positions, contributing to the British decision to abandon the city.

  • The Siege of Boston began in April 1775.
  • The British abandoned Boston by boat on March 17, 1776.

The players

George Washington

The first president of the United States, who was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Henry Knox

A young book seller who was tasked by Washington to retrieve dozens of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in New York, which were then used to fire on British positions in Boston.

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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 (AP)

“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 (AP)

What’s next

The Siege of Boston marked a critical early victory for Washington and the Continental Army, setting the stage for his later military and political successes that would make him one of the most celebrated figures in American history.

The takeaway

The Siege of Boston was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, demonstrating Washington's military leadership and helping to turn him into a national hero. The successful siege also laid the groundwork for the creation of a more unified and diverse Continental Army that would go on to defeat the British and establish the United States.