General William Howe 10 August 1729 – 12 July 1814  •  L7J2-6BC ​Shared grandparents McGee Cardwell side.General William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC (10 August 1729 – 12 July 1814) was a British Army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence. Howe was one of three brothers who had distinguished military careers.