George Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Augustus Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe (c. 1725 – July 6, 1758) was a career officer and a Brigadier General in the British Army. He was described by James Wolfe as "the best officer in the British Army". He was killed in the French and Indian War while trying to capture Fort Carillon.

George Howe is credited with the introduction of the Light Infantry Companies in the British Army. When he commanded the 5th Regiment of Foot, he developed two of these companies in response to the requirements of wilderness and Indian campaigns. The companies carried less and lighter equipment than line companies, their jackets were shortened, and their belts changed from white to black.

They drilled to gain experience in skirmishing and rapid maneuver. After a time each line regiment had one or two light infantry companies. For larger battles, these would be grouped into a light infantry battalion and used to attack flanks or other actions that took advantage of their maneuverability. The tactic was quickly adopted by other European armies and later by the American Continental Army.

On February 2, 1757, Howe was appointed Colonel, 3rd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, but transferred to command the 55th Regiment of Foot-{later the King's Own Royal Border Regiment}- September 28, 1757 while at Halifax .In December he was promoted to Brigadier General. In 1758 he and the regiment were part of General James Abercrombie's failed attack at Ticonderoga. On July 6, Abercrombie's force marched north from the shore of Lake George in four columns. General Howe led one of these columns, with the 55th regiment accompanied by a unit of Connecticut militia, with Major Israel Putnam as a scout and guide. They made contact with a French unit and a sharp skirmish ensued. They fought well, taking 148 prisoners, and causing an estimated 300 enemy casualties with limited losses to their own number. But one of those casualties was General Howe, who fell from a single shot, and died in Putnam's arms. The Massachusetts Assembly (or general court) later voted £250 to place a monument in Westminster Abbey.

[edit] Genealogy

According to The Family of Hoge by James Hoge Tyler (Greensboro, North Carolina: Jos. J. Stone & Co. printers, 1927), George Augustus had a brother, Major Joseph Howe, who came to join him in 1758, "and finding his brother dead, he drifted southward and finally settled at what came to be known as "Sunnyside," in Pulaski County, Virginia."

George Augustus was also brother to Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe, 4th Viscount and Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe. The Family of Hoge quotes The Encyclopedia Brittanica as having this to say about the Howes:

"The friendliness of the brothers, Admiral Richard Howe and General William Howe, to the colonies led to their selection for the command of the British forces in the Revolutionary War. It was thought that they could negotiate a settlement with the American forces."

In addition to Major Joseph Howe, The Family of Hoge tells us there was a sister friendly to Benjamin Franklin who may have inherited the considerable Howe fortune.

"Joseph Howe is reputed to have been of robust physique. His English home was one of refinement and wealth from which he was separated by reason of his sympathy for the Colonists - a thing the more intolerable because of the prominence of his relations on the British side. It is not known that any of the English estate reverted to him although it was considerable and although two of his three brothers (or his cousins) died without issue. All of the property may have gone to an only sister, whom the Encyclopedia Brittannica mentions as a friend of Benjamin Franklin."

---

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by: John Plumptre Sir Charles Sedley	Member for Nottingham with Sir Charles Sedley 1747–1754, Sir Willougby Aston 1754–1758 1747–1758	Succeeded by: Sir Willougby Aston William Howe
Peerage of Ireland
Preceded by: Emanuel Howe	Viscount Howe 1735–1758	Succeeded by: Richard Howe