By the fall of 1774—the final year of peace between Great Britain and its American colonies—tensions between the people of Massachusetts Bay and the British Army occupying Boston had reached a breaking point. Both sides relentlessly provoked one another, ignoring the potential consequences. Gen. Thomas Gage’s hopes for a peaceful resolution for the province he governed had long since faded. Attempts to enforce laws, restore order, or suppress unsanctioned town meetings often backfired, leading to clashes between his soldiers and large, angry mobs.
Despite the steady arrival of additional regiments of soldiers and marines each month to reinforce his command, Gage’s control of the province continued to crumble. A striking example of this decline occurred when patriot militias boldly stole four cannons from Boston—right under the noses of his redcoats. To further undermine Gage’s authority, the colonists established an illegal Provincial Congress, led by John Hancock, which directly challenged his rule.
