DE, USA
General Sir William Howe
1729–1814 · British Commander-in-Chief in North America · Brandywine Campaign Commander
1729–1814
British Commander-in-Chief in North America · Brandywine Campaign Commander
William Howe commanded the British assault at Bunker Hill and never forgot it. The losses—over 40% of his attacking force—made him cautious about direct assaults for the rest of the war.
Howe succeeded General Gage as commander of British forces in America. He was competent and personally brave but seemed unable to deliver the decisive victory Britain needed. Critics accused him of excessive caution; defenders noted the difficulties of fighting a war 3,000 miles from home.
The evacuation of Boston in March 1776 was Howe's decision—he concluded the position was untenable once American cannon commanded the harbor. He withdrew in good order, preserving his army to fight another day.
Howe would later capture Philadelphia and win battles at Long Island and Brandywine, but he never destroyed Washington's army. He resigned in 1778, replaced by Henry Clinton, and spent years defending his conduct before Parliament.
In Wilmington
- Aug 1777Howe's Army Lands at Head of Elk(British Commander-in-Chief in North America)
British General Howe landed approximately 17,000 men at Head of Elk (modern Elkton, MD) after a miserable six-week sea voyage from New York. The army needed time to recover before marching on Philadelphia. This landing set the stage for the Brandywine Campaign and Wilmington's capture.
- Sep 1777Battle of Brandywine(British Commander-in-Chief in North America)
The largest single-day land battle of the Revolutionary War in the northern theater, fought approximately ten miles northwest of Wilmington. Howe divided his force: a frontal demonstration at Chadd's Ford held Washington's attention while Cornwallis led 8,000 men on a flanking march to unguarded northern fords. The flanking column struck the American right under Sullivan and drove it from the field. Greene's disciplined retreat prevented catastrophe. American casualties: approximately 1,300 killed, wounded, and captured.