Historydraft Logo
null

  • Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
    1775
    George Washington

    London sent British troops to occupy Boston

    Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
    1775

    Early in 1775, in response to the growing rebellious movement, London sent British troops, commanded by General Thomas Gage, to occupy Boston. They set up fortifications about the city, making it impervious to attack. Various local militias surrounded the city and effectively trapped the British, resulting in a standoff.




  • U.S.
    Thursday Apr 20, 1775
    George Washington

    The American Revolutionary War

    U.S.
    Thursday Apr 20, 1775

    The American Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Siege of Boston.




  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Friday May 5, 1775
    George Washington

    Joined the Continental Congress in Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Friday May 5, 1775

    The colonists were divided over breaking away from British rule and split into two factions: Patriots who rejected British rule, and Loyalists who desired to remain subject to the King. General Thomas Gage was commander of British forces in America at the beginning of the war. Upon hearing the shocking news of the onset of war, Washington was "sobered and dismayed", and he hastily departed Mount Vernon on May 4, 1775, to join the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.




  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Thursday Jun 15, 1775
    George Washington

    Congress created the Continental Army

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Thursday Jun 15, 1775

    Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, and Samuel and John Adams nominated Washington to become its commander in chief. Washington was chosen over John Hancock because of his military experience and the belief that a Virginian would better unite the colonies. He was considered an incisive leader who kept his "ambition in check". He was unanimously elected commander in chief by Congress the next day.




  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Saturday Jun 17, 1775
    George Washington

    Washington appeared before Congress in uniform

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Saturday Jun 17, 1775

    Washington appeared before Congress in uniform and gave an acceptance speech on June 16, declining a salary—though he was later reimbursed expenses.




  • U.S.
    1775
    George Washington

    Congress appointed Washington General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies

    U.S.
    1775

    Congress appointed Washington "General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them", and instructed him to take charge of the siege of Boston on June 22, 1775.




  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Tuesday Jun 20, 1775
    George Washington

    He was commissioned on June 19 and was roundly praised by Congressional delegates

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Tuesday Jun 20, 1775

    He was commissioned on June 19 and was roundly praised by Congressional delegates, including John Adams, who proclaimed that he was the man best suited to lead and unite the colonies.


  • U.S.
    Jun, 1775
    George Washington

    Congress ordered an invasion of Canada

    U.S.
    Jun, 1775

    In June 1775, Congress ordered an invasion of Canada. It was led by Benedict Arnold, who, despite Washington's strong objection, drew volunteers from the latter's force during the Siege of Boston. The move on Quebec failed, with the American forces being reduced to less than half and forced to retreat.


  • U.S.
    1775
    George Washington

    Congress chose his primary staff officers

    U.S.
    1775

    Congress chose his primary staff officers, including Major General Artemas Ward, Adjutant General Horatio Gates, Major General Charles Lee, Major General Philip Schuyler, Major General Nathanael Greene, Colonel Henry Knox, and Colonel Alexander Hamilton. Washington was impressed by Colonel Benedict Arnold and gave him responsibility for invading Canada. He also engaged French and Indian War compatriot Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. Henry Knox impressed Adams with ordnance knowledge, and Washington promoted him to colonel and chief of artillery.


  • Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
    Monday Jul 3, 1775
    George Washington

    Headquarters and inspected the new army

    Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
    Monday Jul 3, 1775

    Upon arrival on July 2, 1775, two weeks after the Patriot defeat at nearby Bunker Hill, he set up his Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters and inspected the new army there, only to find an undisciplined and badly outfitted militia.


  • Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
    1775
    George Washington

    London sent British troops to occupy Boston

    Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
    1775

    Early in 1775, in response to the growing rebellious movement, London sent British troops, commanded by General Thomas Gage, to occupy Boston. They set up fortifications about the city, making it impervious to attack. Various local militias surrounded the city and effectively trapped the British, resulting in a standoff.


  • U.S.
    Thursday Apr 20, 1775
    George Washington

    The American Revolutionary War

    U.S.
    Thursday Apr 20, 1775

    The American Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Siege of Boston.


  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Friday May 5, 1775
    George Washington

    Joined the Continental Congress in Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Friday May 5, 1775

    The colonists were divided over breaking away from British rule and split into two factions: Patriots who rejected British rule, and Loyalists who desired to remain subject to the King. General Thomas Gage was commander of British forces in America at the beginning of the war. Upon hearing the shocking news of the onset of war, Washington was "sobered and dismayed", and he hastily departed Mount Vernon on May 4, 1775, to join the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.


  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Thursday Jun 15, 1775
    George Washington

    Congress created the Continental Army

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Thursday Jun 15, 1775

    Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, and Samuel and John Adams nominated Washington to become its commander in chief. Washington was chosen over John Hancock because of his military experience and the belief that a Virginian would better unite the colonies. He was considered an incisive leader who kept his "ambition in check". He was unanimously elected commander in chief by Congress the next day.


  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Saturday Jun 17, 1775
    George Washington

    Washington appeared before Congress in uniform

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Saturday Jun 17, 1775

    Washington appeared before Congress in uniform and gave an acceptance speech on June 16, declining a salary—though he was later reimbursed expenses.


  • U.S.
    1775
    George Washington

    Congress appointed Washington General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies

    U.S.
    1775

    Congress appointed Washington "General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them", and instructed him to take charge of the siege of Boston on June 22, 1775.


  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Tuesday Jun 20, 1775
    George Washington

    He was commissioned on June 19 and was roundly praised by Congressional delegates

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
    Tuesday Jun 20, 1775

    He was commissioned on June 19 and was roundly praised by Congressional delegates, including John Adams, who proclaimed that he was the man best suited to lead and unite the colonies.


  • U.S.
    Jun, 1775
    George Washington

    Congress ordered an invasion of Canada

    U.S.
    Jun, 1775

    In June 1775, Congress ordered an invasion of Canada. It was led by Benedict Arnold, who, despite Washington's strong objection, drew volunteers from the latter's force during the Siege of Boston. The move on Quebec failed, with the American forces being reduced to less than half and forced to retreat.


  • U.S.
    1775
    George Washington

    Congress chose his primary staff officers

    U.S.
    1775

    Congress chose his primary staff officers, including Major General Artemas Ward, Adjutant General Horatio Gates, Major General Charles Lee, Major General Philip Schuyler, Major General Nathanael Greene, Colonel Henry Knox, and Colonel Alexander Hamilton. Washington was impressed by Colonel Benedict Arnold and gave him responsibility for invading Canada. He also engaged French and Indian War compatriot Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. Henry Knox impressed Adams with ordnance knowledge, and Washington promoted him to colonel and chief of artillery.


  • Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
    Monday Jul 3, 1775
    George Washington

    Headquarters and inspected the new army

    Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
    Monday Jul 3, 1775

    Upon arrival on July 2, 1775, two weeks after the Patriot defeat at nearby Bunker Hill, he set up his Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters and inspected the new army there, only to find an undisciplined and badly outfitted militia.


<