The Boston campaign was part of the American Revolutionary War. It included the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Siege of Boston, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. It ended with Evacuation Day on March 17, 1776.

Background

Main articles: Powder Alarm and Battles of Lexington and Concord War begins

Main articles: Siege of Boston and Battle of Bunker Hill Siege of Boston
The British regular soldier in Boston was often hated equally by the local civilians and by their own commanders. The winter of 1774-75 had been long and hard, and shortages of food led General Thomas Gage to put his men on salt rations. Some of their supplies of fresh water went bad that winter and stank. Many died of diseases, most likely typhus and diphtheria. The one cheap commodity in Boston that winter was rum. Several regulars suffered alcohol-related deaths. Several more sold their muskets for rum, under the penalty of 500 lashes if caught. Desertion was fairly common, but much less common than might be expected considering the hardships endured by these men. Gage doubled the guards around the city, more to keep his own men in than to prevent the movements of Whigs. Whig leaders promised 300 acres (1.2 km²) in New Hampshire to any deserting soldier, but nearly all the regulars remained loyal to their fellow comrades-in-arms while hating both their commanders and the Bostonians.