Word: commandant
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...only through high connections but through high competence. The Howes were born into a rich, powerful, aristocratic Hertfordshire family. Both went to Eton. As a 16-year-old midshipman, Richard sailed with Admiral George Anson on his arduous, aborted voyage around the world. Thereafter he rose rapidly from command to command, becoming treasurer of the Navy in 1765 and a rear admiral five years later. Responsible, serious to the point of tediousness, heavy-browed and large-nosed, he is known in the Navy as "Black Dick" Howe, partly because his face has darkened from 30 years of quarter-deck weather...
Together the Howe brothers command one of the largest military and naval forces assembled in this century. They have many choices?and almost complete discretion?about how to employ it. Both Howes are justly famous for being concerned about the welfare of their men. Sir William, for instance, was reportedly shocked by the high number of British casualties during the frontal assault on Bunker hill, which he led last summer. He is known to subscribe to the new European doctrine that pitched battles are less important than tactical maneuvering in winning wars. Continental officers were nevertheless astonished when Howe...
Another clue to the Howe brothers' intentions may lie in reports from London that Admiral Howe agreed to accept his command only with the understanding that he would have the right to act as a Royal Commissioner in attempting to work out a reconciliation with the Colonies. Although no details are known, military sources in London believe that Howe hopes to persuade the Continental Army to lay down its arms in exchange for new negotiations. If so, he has very little chance of succcess...
...being a very hot day, we were served along the platform with grog in fire-buckets, which we partook of very heartily. I never had a more agreeable draft." With these surprising words, Colonel William Moultrie, 45, commander of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, was recounting not an assault upon some savanna-side grogshop but a striking colonial victory off Charles Town, South Carolina. In a bitter ten-hour action, Moultrie and 435 men inflicted heavy losses upon a strong British naval squadron under the command of Commodore Sir Peter Parker (two ships of the line, six frigates, the bomb...
...struggling to He aux Noix below St. John's, they began dying by the hundreds from smallpox and dysentery. Of that fine force, fewer than 3,000 men, now huddled at the foot of Champlain for the defense of Ticonderoga, are ready for combat. Late last week their command was changed again, for the fifth time since the fighting began, this time from General Horatio Gates back to General Schuyler...