The American Revolution is often remembered for its dramatic battles and iconic figures. But the story of independence isn’t solely comprised of glorious victories; it’s also woven with the threads of quiet, persistent effort. Take, for example, the seemingly uneventful months following the siege of Boston in 1775. While the celebrations surrounding Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill rightly command attention, the period between August 1775 and March 1776 reveals a crucial, often overlooked chapter in the narrative.
During this time, the roughly 14,000 soldiers of the Continental Army, under the newly appointed General George Washington, remained encamped outside Boston. There were no major battles, no sweeping victories. Instead, Washington quietly and diligently oversaw the organization and training of a ragtag army. This was no easy task. He faced a diverse and often unruly force composed of New Englanders—a mix of devout Puritans and freethinking dissenters—with vastly different backgrounds and levels of military experience. Washington’s own background, as a slave-owning Virginian gentleman, added another layer of complexity to this already challenging situation.
His observations of the army revealed a range of issues that needed immediate attention. He noted the lack of discipline, the chaotic election of officers, and the pervasive squalor amongst the troops. In a letter to his cousin, Lund Washington, he even commented on the soldiers’ poor hygiene. These were not the glamorous aspects of warfare, but they were critical to the army’s eventual success. The quiet work of establishing order, standardizing training, and fostering a sense of unity within the army proved to be an essential, albeit less celebrated, part of the Revolution.
The British evacuation of Boston in March 1776 was a significant turning point, a testament to the success of these seemingly insignificant months of preparation. This seemingly quiet period, filled with the arduous work of organization and training, ultimately laid the foundation for the army’s future triumphs. The semiquincentennial celebrations rightfully honor the dramatic moments of the Revolution, but we should not forget the quiet determination and strategic groundwork that made those moments possible. The story of American independence is richer and more nuanced when we acknowledge the unsung heroism found in the seemingly quiet work of a nation’s founding.
Eliot A. Cohen, in his insightful article, reminds us of the importance of appreciating the often-overlooked aspects of historical events. By focusing on this quiet period, he sheds light on the essential contributions of George Washington and his army in the early stages of the American Revolution. The meticulous work undertaken during this time ultimately shaped the trajectory of the conflict and laid the groundwork for American independence.
