William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe

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William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe : biography

10 August 1729 – 12 July 1814

The siege was broken in March 1776 when Continental Army Colonel Henry Knox brought heavy artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston during the winter, and General Washington used them to fortify Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston and its harbour.Ketchum (1999), pp. 214–217 Howe at first planned an assault on this position, but a snowstorm interfered, and he eventually decided to withdraw from Boston.Ketchum (1999), p. 218 On March 17, British troops and Loyalists evacuated the city, and sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

New York campaign

A period map depicting the British Army movements in [[Westchester County, New York]]

Howe and his troops began to arrive outside New York harbour and made an uncontested landing on Staten Island in early July.Fischer, p. 32 Howe, whose orders from Lord Germain, the London official responsible for the war, were fairly clear that he should avoid conflict before the arrival of reinforcements, then waited until those reinforcements arrived in mid-August, along with the naval commander, his brother Richard.Gruber, p. 84Billias, p. 51 This delay proved to be somewhat costly, since the Americans used this time to improve fortifications on northwestern Long Island (at Brooklyn Heights) and increase the size of their army with militia. After moving most of his army to southwestern Long Island without opposition, he attacked the American positions on August 27. In a well-executed manoeuvre, a large column led by Howe and Clinton passed around the American left flank, routing the Americans from their forward positions into the entrenchments on Brooklyn Heights. Despite the urging of Clinton and others, Howe decided against an immediate assault on these fortifications, claiming "the Troops had for that day done handsomely enough." He instead began siege operations, methodically advancing on the entrenched Americans.Fischer, p. 99 This decision allowed General Washington to successfully orchestrate a nighttime strategic withdrawal across the East River on the night of August 29–30, aided by a thick morning fog.Fischer, pp. 100–101 Historian George Bilias notes that had Howe attacked Brooklyn Heights, the capture of even half of Washington’s army, and possibly Washington himself, might have had a significant effect on the rebellion.Billias, p. 53 Some officers, notably General Clinton, were critical of Howe’s decision not to storm the American works.Gruber, p. 114 Howe was knighted as a reward for his victory on Long Island.

Howe and his brother Richard had, as part of their instructions, been assigned roles as peace commissioners, with limited authority to treat with the rebels. After Long Island, they pursued an attempt at reconciliation, sending the captured General John Sullivan to Philadelphia with a proposal for a peace conference. The meeting that resulted, conducted by Admiral Howe, was unsuccessful. The Howes had been given limited powers, as had the Congressional representatives, and the latter were insistent that the British recognise the recently declared colonial independence. This was not within the Howe’s powers, so the conference failed, and Howe then continued the campaign.Gruber, pp. 116–119 He first landed troops on Manhattan on September 15, and occupied New York City (which then occupied only Lower Manhattan), although his advance northward on Manhattan was checked the next day at Harlem Heights.Leckie, pp. 277–278 He then paused, spending nearly one month consolidating control of New York City and awaiting reinforcements.Gruber, p. 127 During this time he ordered the execution of Nathan Hale for espionage, and had to deal with the effects of a major fire in the city.Fischer, pp. 106–108 He then attempted a landing on the mainland at Throgs Neck, intending to flank Washington’s position at Harlem Heights. However, the narrow causeway between the beach and the mainland was well-defended, and he ended up withdrawing the troops.Gruber, pp. 129–131 He then made a successful landing of troops at Pell’s Point in Westchester County; Washington managed to avoid being flanked, retreating to White Plains.Gruber, pp. 131–132 Howe successfully forced Washington out of the New York area in the October 28 Battle of White Plains, and then turned his attention to consolidate British hold on Manhattan.Fischer, pp. 110–111 In November he attacked the remaining Continental Army stronghold in the Battle of Fort Washington, taking several thousand prisoners.Fischer, p. 113