William Howe
Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC (August 10, 1729 – July 12,1814) was an English General who was Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American Revolutionary War, one of the three Howe brothers. He was knighted after his successes in 1775 and was henceforth Sir William, inheriting the viscountcy only upon his brother's death in 1799.
Howe's record in the war was marked by the unsuccessful although heroic attempt to capture Boston and the successful capture of New York City and Philadelphia (although at the expense of costly failure in the Battle of Saratoga which was to draw France into the war).
William was born in England, the third son of Emmanuel Howe, 2nd Viscount Howe and Mary Sophia, the daughter of Sophia Charlotte von Platen-Hallermund the Baroness Kielmansegge & Countess of Darlington {See Earl of Darlington}-a half-sister of King George I. This connection with the crown may have improved the careers of all three sons, but all were also very capable officers.[citation needed] William's eldest brother was General George Howe, who was killed at Ticonderoga in 1758. The next brother was Admiral Richard Howe, who joined him in America during the revolution.
Early career
He entered the army when he was seventeen by buying a Cornet's commission in the Duke of Cumberland's Dragoons in 1746. By the next year, he was fighting as a Lieutenant in Flanders as a part of the War of the Austrian Succession. After this war, he joined the 20th Regiment of Foot where he became a friend of James Wolfe.
During the Seven Years' War, Howe's service first brought him to America. His service in this conflict did much to raise his reputation. William commanded a regiment at the siege of Louisbourg and led a successful amphibious landing. This action carried out under fire won the attackers a flanking position and earned Howe his commander's praise.
Howe commanded the light infantry under Major General James Wolfe at the Battle of Quebec, Canada on September 13, 1759. He led a fighting ascent to gain position on the Plains of Abraham, clearing the way for Wolfe's army to assemble before that battle. His actions here earned him the rank of Brigadier General. He earned further fame in the capture of Montreal under Jeffrey Amherst before returning to England. Howe also served in the capture of Belle Isle, off the French coast, in 1761. He was adjutant-general of the force that captured Havana in 1762.
In 1761, Howe was elected a Member of Parliament for Nottingham. This was not unusual, as the election of 1761 sent more than 60 army officers to the Commons. He was generally sympathetic to the colonies. He did oppose the Coercive Acts, and, in 1774, assured his constituents that he would resist active duty against the Americans. But when the time came and King George called in 1775, he sailed for America.
The American Revolution
Major General Howe arrived at Boston on May 15 at the head of the 4,000 additional troops sent to General Thomas Gage. Gage's orders were to clear the American Army and break their Siege of Boston. Howe's plan was to take Cambridge, but the Americans fortified the high ground above the town.
Bunker Hill
Howe planned to crush the American's position by massive assault. He was thus in command at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. He personally led the left wing of the attack. His leadership on the field was outstanding, and the British did succeed in gaining their objective, but the cost was appalling. General Thomas Gage called it a "A dear bought victory, another such would have ruined us."
While Howe wasn't injured in the battle, it had a pronounced effect on his spirit. The daring, aggressive commander who had served with Wolfe became the cautious, reluctant General who was slow to seek direct confrontation. His concept that those in open rebellion were a small minority of Americans who would fold with a display of force was shattered. Howe's report to Lord Germain called for 19,000 additional troops and included the prophecy that "...with a less force....this war may be spun out until England will be heartily sick of it."
The battle for New York
On October 10, 1775, he replaced Lieutenant General Thomas Gage as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in America when Gage returned to England. He became Sir William when he was knighted in 1775. In April of 1776, the appointment was made permanent, although forces in Canada were placed under Guy Carleton. He successfully defeated General George Washington in the Battle of Long Island in the summer of 1776. In September 1776, he ordered the execution of Nathan Hale for espionage.
In 1777 Howe made a fateful decision to abandon his assignment to capture the lower Hudson River from New York City northward as part of the Saratoga Campaign where he was to meet John Burgoyne attacking from Canada. This led to the capture of Burgoyne and his army. Howe had chosen instead to pursue Washington into Philadelphia. Howe was to succeed in capturing the city (which was to be held only temporarily) but Washington got away. France emboldened by the American victory at Saratoga was to enter the war on behalf of the Americans.
After the revolution
He resigned in 1778, and, on May 20, Sir Henry Clinton took over as commander-in-chief in North America. (See also: Commander-in-Chief, North America)
Howe returned to England. In 1782, he was sworn a Privy Counsellor. When his brother, Richard, died in 1799, he inherited the Irish title and became the 5th Viscount Howe. In 1814, he was governor of Plymouth where he died. He's buried at Holly Road, Garden of rest in Twickenham, England.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: The Viscount Howe Sir Willoughby Aston |
Member of Parliament for Nottingham with Sir Willoughby Aston 1758–1761, John Plumptre 1761–1774, Sir Charles Sedley 1774–1778, Abel Smith 1778–1779, Robert Smith 1779–1780 1758–1780 |
Succeeded by: Robert Smith Daniel Parker Coke |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by: Thomas Gage |
Commander-in-Chief, North America 1775–1778 |
Succeeded by: Sir Henry Clinton |
| Peerage of Ireland
| ||
| Preceded by: Richard Howe |
Viscount Howe 1799–1814 |
Succeeded by: Extinct |
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