The colonies began fighting against Great Britain, but NOT as part of
the revolutionary war, the protests began many years earlier. For
example, Boston Tea Party was fighting against the Tea Act and occurred
in 1773.
Washington didn't command the army until the next month of that year, he was appointed commander at the meeting
The colonists declared independence in 1776
George Washington didn't force the British to leave Boston until Dorchester Heights in 1776.