General William Howe
William Howe was a British General in the Revolutionary war and was born August 10, 1729 in England. He was actually an illegitimate uncle to King George the third who was the king during the Revolutionary war. Before he was sent to war he was sympathetic for the colonists but being a soldier he still had to go fight them.
He went to the colonies on May 25, 1775 as a major general where he led British troops in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was a brutal battle and both sides did suffer much grief. Even with their loss of many British soldiers they did capture the hill thanks to the good leadership of General Howe.
He went to the colonies on May 25, 1775 as a major general where he led British troops in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was a brutal battle and both sides did suffer much grief. Even with their loss of many British soldiers they did capture the hill thanks to the good leadership of General Howe.
Howe went to become a full General in October 1775 and he also became the temporary Commander-in-Chief of the British army of the 13 colonies. Later on George Washington won a battle at Dorchester Heights, this gave him the advantage of being able to overlook Boston Harbor and also observe the British.
When General Howe realized this he sent his troops back to Canada where they were to wait until they could attack again. And soon after he became the regular Commander-in-Chief in April 1776.
In 1776 General Howe and his troops began the battle for New York City and in July they landed on Staten Island. And in August they fought and won the battle of Long Island against General George Washington, but they did not go after them and this let the Americans escape with their troops. General Howe also won the important battle of White Plains against General George Washington. But Howe made the mistake of letting the Americans go again. Instead they went back to Fort Washington and captured the Fort along with 3000 prisoners and many supplies. This was a big loss for the americans.
When General Howe realized this he sent his troops back to Canada where they were to wait until they could attack again. And soon after he became the regular Commander-in-Chief in April 1776.
In 1776 General Howe and his troops began the battle for New York City and in July they landed on Staten Island. And in August they fought and won the battle of Long Island against General George Washington, but they did not go after them and this let the Americans escape with their troops. General Howe also won the important battle of White Plains against General George Washington. But Howe made the mistake of letting the Americans go again. Instead they went back to Fort Washington and captured the Fort along with 3000 prisoners and many supplies. This was a big loss for the americans.
General Howe and his troops went on to also capture Fort Lee and New Jersey. This meant that they had captured all of New York. General Howe liked living in New York and did not fight for the first part of 1777. But when he did he beat George Washington in the battle of Brandywine where he then took over Philadelphia.
After his accomplishment he sent a letter to England asking if he could retire as Commander-in-Chief, and on April 14, 1778 he got a reply saying that he could retire. He then sailed back to England and retired, he passed away on July 12, 1814.
After his accomplishment he sent a letter to England asking if he could retire as Commander-in-Chief, and on April 14, 1778 he got a reply saying that he could retire. He then sailed back to England and retired, he passed away on July 12, 1814.
This here is a poem that was written by a loyal poet as General William Howe and his troops arrived at New York in 1776.
Test Questions
1. When did William Howe become a full General?
2. Which battle did William Howe lose that made him send his troops back to Canada?
2. Which battle did William Howe lose that made him send his troops back to Canada?