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Howe Named as Successor

I must lament that General Gage, with all his good qualities, finds himself in a situation of too great importance for his talents.

Lord Germain

June 14, 1775

William Howe

Boston, Massachusetts: Oct. 11, 1775. At the urging of the King’s Ministers, a disgruntled English Parliament relieved General Thomas Gage of his command. Apparently, the government became impatient with Gage’s reluctance to move off the mainland and engage the rebels around Cambridge. General Gage, General Washington and Major General Charles Lee all served under General Braddock in his ill-fated campaign against the French in western Pennsylvania 20 years ago.

The naming of William Howe as commander might indicate that Parliament is considering a peace initiative, since Howe is known to sympathize with some of the rebel grievances against his former commander who was instrumental in writing the so called “Intolerable Acts,” which included the much despised quartering of British troops in colonial households.

The peace initiative was speculated among rumors that General Howe’s brother, Lord Admiral Richard, or “Black Dick” as he’s known among his followers, will be sailing from England with powers to sign an agreement with the rebel leaders. It seems a majority of delegates to the rebel Congress are in favor of another attempt to reconcile with their mother country. It is believed Congress will write a petition directly to King George III in hopes the monarch will intervene at Parliament on their behalf.

In related news, Colonel Benedict Arnold marched 1,000 militiamen out of Cambridge early last month. It is speculated that Arnold’s volunteers might be foraging a new route through Canada to re-enforce General Schuyler’s troops who are reportedly mired down at Fort Ticonderoga. Colonel Daniel Morgan and his Pennsylvania riflemen are among Arnold’s expedition.