Sir William Howe (1729–1814), British General in the
American Revolution from July 1775 to May 1778. He was
an illegitimate descendant of King George I and had a distinguished
military career before his appointment in the American colonies.
He had led the first assault up the steep path to the Plains
of Abraham when Quebec was seized in 1759. In 1758 he had been
elected a member of Parliament from Nottingham, representing
that constituency until 1780.
~ American Revolution ~
As a Whig, Howe was opposed to British coercion of
North America, but he obeyed King George III's orders and went
to Boston in time to command the British troops at the Battle
of Bunker Hill (June 1775). He replaced Gen.
Thomas Gage as commander in America in October 1775. On orders
from England, and under pressure from Gen.
George Washington's besieging forces, he evacuated Boston
in March 1776.
After Fort Ticonderoga's big guns were situated on Dorchester
Heights, General Howe, with sword drawn (left), knew that his
stronghold was doomed. Here, Howe is depicted as personally directing
the evacuation of British troops from Boston on March 17, 1776
In early summer, Howe's army was on Staten Island preparing
to seize New York City. He occupied the city after defeating Washington
in the Battle of Long Island
(August 1776). Not counting the siege of Boston, Howe met Washington
in four major battles in 14 months. Twice he achieved brilliant
victories—at Long Island and at the Brandywine
in September 1777. The Battle of White Plains (October 1776) was
inconclusive, although Washington abandoned the field, but at
Germantown (October 1777) Howe narrowly escaped serious trouble.
After this battle, he withdrew to winter quarters in Philadelphia.
Howe's advance from New York toward Philadelphia in
the summer of 1777 has been criticized because he took his troops
by ship up the Chesapeake Bay when he might have saved nearly
a month by going up the Delaware River. Furthermore, because he
attacked Philadelphia, Howe has been accused of failing to assist
Gen. John Burgoyne in his advance from
Canada toward Albany. But this criticism is hardly just, for Howe
had no orders to assist Burgoyne.
~ Later Years ~
When Howe, in Philadelphia, received only a small portion
of the reinforcements he had requested, he felt that he had lost
the king's confidence, and in November 1777 he sought relief from
his command. In May 1778 he was replaced by Sir
Henry Clinton and returned to England. Howe continued in royal
favor, however, and was knighted and made a lieutenant general
for his victory in the Battle of Long Island. He became a full
general in 1793. When his brother Adm. Lord Richard Howe died
in 1799, he succeeded him as 5th Viscount Howe. He had married
in 1765 but had no children. He died in Plymouth, England, July
12, 1814.
Howe was an excellent tactician but was somewhat lacking
in strategic sense. His great fault was his failure to follow
up his successes. Sluggish and indolent by nature, he missed many
chances to advance the British cause—for example, his failure
to bottle up Washington's army on Manhattan Island, New York,
after his victory on Long Island. He was an indulgent commander,
popular with his troops, and friendly to all. He may be regarded
as a competent but not a great general.
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Sir William Howe 
