Howe, William (1729-1814), Viscount Howe, commanded the British army in America during the early years of the Revolutionary War in America. In June 1775, he led the British in the Battle of Bunker Hill and, in October of that year, succeeded General Thomas Gage as commander of the British army in America. Howe won the battles of Long Island, White Plains, and Brandywine, and occupied Philadelphia. But he did not defeat the Americans. As a result, he resigned his post and was succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton in 1778.