This is the seventh in a series.

Boston in the 1700s was basically an island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land known as “the Neck.” Following the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, the British army under Gen. Thomas Gage returned to the town and found it was surrounded by thousands of local militiamen.

So began the siege of Boston.

Over the next months, Gage was relieved and replaced by Gen. William Howe, and the army was supplied by sea.