"I Screamed with All My Might" - The Civilians Trapped Behind the Boston Siege Lines

In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, numerous civilians found themselves trapped within Boston, encircled by the newly formed Massachusetts Grand Army. The constant fear of an American assault, coupled with outbreaks of disease and the erosion of civil liberties under martial rule fostered an atmosphere of desperation. Civilians found themselves caught between two armies and two worlds, unable to flee and the uncertainty of what awaited them if they chose to remain. The experiences of those trapped behind enemy lines unveil another dimension of the Revolution: the quiet endurance of ordinary men, women, and children who faced hunger, fear, and hardship in their struggle to survive.

Alexander Cain, JD, earned his economics degree from Merrimack College in 1993 and obtained his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in 1996. He has authored numerous research articles and presentations on the American Revolution. He published two books: We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War: The Loyalists of McAlpin’s Corps of American Volunteers. He created the blog and podcast Historical Nerdery (historicalnerdery.com). He is in the process of writing “For God’s Sake Fire!” - The Massachusetts Militia System on the Eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which is anticipated to be released in 2027. Alex leads an educational initiative in Northeastern Massachusetts that aims to introduce high school students to careers in advanced manufacturing, construction, and the skilled trades. 

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