VISUAL ACTIVITYBritish General Sir William Howe William Howe served as commander in chief in America from 1775 to 1778. A prior deployment during the Seven Years’ War gave him warm respect for the New England colonists; he never stopped hoping for reconciliation. He won limited battles but declined to pursue decisive victories. He issued thousands of pardons to individual rebels. Resigning before being fired, he traveled home to defend his reputation.READING THE IMAGE: What marks Howe as an officer in this picture? What has the artist chosen for the location of the portrait? Is the cannon pointed at his head?CONNECTIONS: What difference did it make for the outcome of the Revolution that Britain’s commander in chief was so hesitant?
Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University.