George Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe

George Augustus Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe (c. 1725 – July 6, 1758) was a career officer and a Brigadier General in the British Army.He was described by James Wolfe as "the best officer in the British Army". He was killed in the French and Indian War while trying to capture Fort Carillon.

George Howe is credited with the introduction of Light Infantry Companies in the British Army. When he commanded the 5th Regiment of Foot, he developed two of these companies in response to the requirements of wilderness and Indian campaigns. The companies carried less and lighter equipment than line companies, their jackets were shortened, and their belts changed from white to black.

They drilled in skirmishing and rapid maneuver. Eventually, each line regiment had one or two light infantry companies. For larger battles, these would be grouped into a light infantry battalion to attack flanks or otherwise take advantage of their maneuverability. This was quickly adopted by other European armies and later by the American Continental Army.

On February 2, 1757, Howe was appointed Colonel, 3rd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, but transferred to command the 55th Regiment of Foot-{later the King's Own Royal Border Regiment}- September 28, 1757 while at Halifax. In December he was promoted to Brigadier General. In 1758 he and the regiment were part of General James Abercrombie's failed attack at Ticonderoga. On July 6, Abercrombie's force marched north from the shore of Lake George in four columns. Howe led one of these columns, with the 55th regiment accompanied by a unit of Connecticut militia, with Major Israel Putnam as a scout and guide. They made contact with a French unit and a sharp skirmish ensued. They fought well, taking 148 prisoners, and causing an estimated 300 enemy casualties with limited losses to their own number. But one of those casualties was General Howe, who died in Putnam's arms. The Massachusetts Assembly (or general court) later voted £250 to place a monument in Westminster Abbey.

Genealogy

George Augustus was brother to Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe, 4th Viscount and Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe. "The Family of Hoge" quotes "The Encyclopedia Britannica" as having this to say about the Howes:

"The friendliness of the brothers, Admiral Richard Howe and General William Howe, to the colonies led to their selection for the command of the British forces in the Revolutionary War. It was thought that they could negotiate a settlement with the American forces."

ources

* [http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00033054&tree=LEO "George Augustus Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe] on Genealogics citing Burke's Peerage and The Complete Peerage (VI 597)