The immediate aftermath for British troops following the battles of Lexington and Concord was marked by heavy losses during their retreat to Boston.

On their return journey, they were unexpectedly attacked by colonial militias employing guerrilla tactics, leveraging their familiarity with the local landscape. The retreat quickly descended into chaos, resulting in substantial losses for the British forces, with casualties estimated at over 270 soldiers. This unforeseen resistance dismantled the belief in colonial fragility and underscored the resolve of the American patriots, intensifying tensions into a full-scale conflict.