Howe, William, Sir | The British commander-in-chief's defense of his actions during the American Revolution

Howe, William, Sir

The Narrative of Lieut. Gen. Sir William Howe, in a Committee of the House of Commons, on the 29th of April, 1779, relative to his conduct, during his late command of the King's Troops in North America: to which are added, some observations upon a pamphlet, entitled, letteres to a nobleman. The Second edition. London: printed by H. Baldwin, sold by Almon & Debret, P.Elmsley and R. Baldwin, 1780

Small 4to. Modern half calf and cloth covered boards.

Howe's defense of his actions as the British commander-in-chief during the American Revolution

Howe, as commander-in-chief of the British forces during the American Revolution, led his troops to a number of impressive victories. Although he repelled the attack of Washington at Germantown, he made no attempt to drive the weakened American forces from their camp at Valley Forge, instead spending the winter of 1777-78 in comfort in Philadelphia. Howe was severely criticized for his actions. He was recalled by the British government in May of 1778, and Sir Henry Clinton was appointed his successor. After Parliament's investigation of his military conduct in 1779, Howe was acquitted of blame by a number of military men, including Lord Cornwallis and Lord Grey, who affirmed that he had done what he could, considering the insufficiency of his army. Howe's response to Joseph Galloway's charges of incompetence and negligence in the latter's 'Letters to a Nobleman' are printed on pages 35-110. The present second edition a line for line resetting of the first edition published the same year.

REFERENCE

American Controversy 80-43c; Howes H729; Sabin 33342