BRITISH COMMANDERS IN BNA: 1776-

Introduction

The American colonies revolution changed Britain's military posture in North America. In October 1775 Lieutenant General William Howe, KB, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in America. Howe had already requested more troops and on 29 June 1776, the first of 23,000 additional British regulars and 10,000 German troops arrived. General Howe was also joined by his brother Vice Admiral Richard Howe and 70 British war ships. A 27 August 1776 army report gave the total manpower as 31,625 officers and men. On 8 January 1777 there was a total of 25,253 in New York and nearby Rhode Island.[1]

The British were hard-pressed during the 1770s and were significantly distracted away from the the rebellious colonials in America by French and Spanish attacks in the Caribbean. After losing America during the Revolution and the formal 1783 Treaty of Paris, Britain continued to follow up her colonial interests in North America in 1784. The British still controlled an enormous empire in the Americas. The following table identifies many of their leaders.[2] Dates indicate appointment or service. I have not included all personalities, but enough to indicate national colonial interest. Colonies were used as pawns to help make peace at the end of various conflicts, but the implied sovereign-ownership is accurate for the specific periods indicated.

After 1783, British focus shifted back to Québec and the remaining colonies in North America, and the generic term ‘British North America’ (BNA) was coined. (The term British West Indies (BWI) was used to define the Caribbean colonies.) Since Canada was not created formally until 1867, initial Canadian colonial history is focused in Québec. I have arbitrarily stopped after the 1867 year of Canadian interest.

The names are listed chronologically. Appointments are shown for the years only: note that titles changed over time. The most senior ranks are shown for the period of service - despite later promotions. I have not included all colonial British incumbents for sake of data bulk: but I have included most Canadian and American appointees, plus those in incidental Carribean and Central and South American positions. I have shown significant actions for some individuals.

ENDNOTES

1             David Hackett Fischer, Washington's Crossing, pps. 31-33, 383.

2            I am indebted for much of the data to Index of Colonies and Possessions, at http://www.worldstatesmen.org/#U, the data there are quite specific, well organised, accurate, and very helpful. I also found individual Wikipedia state sites to be helpful. For the confusing Carolinas I also used http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/Bookshelf/countie/countapp2.htm. Also see Frank McLynn, 1759, the Year Britain Became Master of the World; David Hackett Fischer, Washington's Crossing; http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/jcr/~boug2.html, http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/fr/page_233.asp, http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/SevenYearsWar-FrenchandIndianWar-BattleofthePlainsofAbraham.htm, and Fred Anderson, Crucible of War. I have also used John K. Robertson and Don Hagist, Biographies of Crown Forces Generals Commanding Troop Units at, http://www.revwar75.com/crown/bio.htm.

3           General Burgoyne and his men surrendered on 17 October 1777, which was supposed to ensure their honourable release back to Britain. The colonial Major General Horatio Gates demanded that General Burgoyne unconditionally surrender, which General Burgoyne refused: the two sides then worked out a face-saving methodology. In the event, the Continental Congress over-ruled General Gates, the local commander, and the British were confined as prisoners for the duration of the war.

4           On 24 Aug 1791, Québec was divided into Lower Canada (Québec) and Upper Canada (Ontario) (effective 26 Dec 1791). Simcoe founded the town of York (Muddy York), now Toronto in 1793. Toronto had previously been an Indian village and the French had built a Fort Toronto on the site.

5           On 10 Feb 1841 the Union Act was proclaimed creating the United Province of Canada: a union of Ontario (as Canada West) and Québec (as Canada East).