Military officer; born in
England in 1724; succeeded to his father's title when he was eleven years of age. In 1757 he was commissioned colonel of the 60th (Royal American) Regiment.
Later in the year he was made colonel of the 55th Foot, and soon afterwards brigadier-general, and sent to
America with
General Abercrombie in the spring of 1758.
He led the right wing of the army in the expedition against
Ticonderoga.
At the head of an advanced party, he met a detachment of French troops in the forest between the foot of
Lake George and
Ticonderoga, and in a skirmish with them was killed at the outset on July 8, 1758.
His body was taken back to the head of the lake, and thence to
Albany, by
Maj. Philip Schuyler, where it was entombed in the family vault of the Schuylers.
There it remained several years.
The remains were finally placed in a leaden coffin and deposited under the chancel of
St. Peter's Church, in
Albany.
When his remains were taken from the vault his hair, which had been cut short as an example for his soldiers, had grown to long, flowing and beautiful locks.
The province of
Massachusetts erected a monument to his memory in
Westminster Abbey.
Lord Howe was elder brother of Richard and
William Howe.
His fall was regarded as an ill omen in the army, and produced almost universal consternation and languor.
Mante says: “With him the soul of the expedition seemed to expire.”
Abercrombie returned with his troops to
Albany.
