There were, it is true, more British than American graves, but the British were regarded as the aggressors.
If the rest of the colonies were to join in the struggle, they must have a common leader.

Who should he be?
In June, while the Continental Congress faced this question at Philadelphia, events at Boston made the need of a leader more urgent.
Boston was besieged by American volunteers under the command of General Artemas Ward.

The siege had lasted for two months, each side watching the other at long range.

General Gage, the British Commander, had the sea open to him and a finely tempered army upon which he could rely.

The opposite was true of his opponents.