George Washington's Siege of Boston: A Pivotal Campaign

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

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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More than a decade before becoming the country's first president, George Washington led a critical campaign in the early days of the American Revolution - the Siege of Boston. This siege, which bottled up as many as 11,000 British troops and hundreds of loyalists in Boston, was Washington's first major military victory as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and set the stage for his later successes.

Why it matters

The Siege of Boston was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution, as it denied the British control of an important port, boosted patriot morale, and allowed Washington to begin shaping the Continental Army into a more integrated, geographically diverse fighting force. The success of the siege ensured Washington remained commander-in-chief for the rest of the war, putting him on the path to the presidency.

The details

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Washington was selected by the Continental Congress to lead the newly formed Continental Army in the siege. A critical decision by Washington was sending Henry Knox to retrieve dozens of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, which were then used to fire on British positions. This, combined with dwindling British supplies, led the British to abandon Boston by boat on March 17, 1776.

  • The Siege of Boston began in April 1775, shortly after the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
  • Washington's forces used the captured cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to bombard British positions in the winter of 1775-1776.
  • 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, Washington's success in the siege ensured he remained in command for the rest of the Revolutionary War and put him on the path to the presidency.

Henry Knox

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

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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 (Boston.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 (Boston.com)

What’s next

Historians continue to study the Siege of Boston and its lasting impact on Washington's military and political career.

The takeaway

The Siege of Boston was a pivotal moment that not only denied the British control of a key port, but also cemented Washington's role as the leader of the Continental Army and a central figure in the American Revolution.