A Quest for Glory: Major General Robert Howe and the American Revolution

by Charles E. Bennett, Donald R. Lennon

Overview

Born into a wealthy and prominent Cape Fear River plantation family, Howe became a militia officer, justice of the peace, and legislator. In 1775 he was appointed colonel of the Second North Carolina Regiment and became commanding general of the Southern Department and the highest ranking officer in the states south of Virginia. He also served as a division commander with General Washington's main army in the New York Highlands, commanded the crucial West Point post, and put down mutinies in the American army.

Originally published in 1991.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807865088
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	06/01/2011
Edition description:	1
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A lucid, well-researched book on a fascinating soldier. It casts valuable light on the Revolutionary War in both the North and the South.—Don Higginbotham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill



A Quest for Glory reveals the facts behind the rumors and gossip that throughout most of his adult life plagued Major General Robert Howe, North Carolina's highest ranking officer of the American Revolution. . . . Bennett and Lennon have come too late for General Howe, but they provide the modern reader with an intriguing account of a man deeply wronged.—William S. Powell, author of North Carolina through Four Centuries

Editorial Reviews

"A lucid, well-researched book on a fascinating soldier. It casts valuable light on the Revolutionary War in both the North and the South."—Don Higginbotham, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"A Quest for Glory reveals the facts behind the rumors and gossip that throughout most of his adult life plagued Major General Robert Howe, North Carolina's highest ranking officer of the American Revolution. . . . Bennett and Lennon have come too late for General Howe, but they provide the modern reader with an intriguing account of a man deeply wronged."—William S. Powell, author of North Carolina through Four Centuries

From the Publisher

Howe (1732-86) was North Carolina's only major general in the Revolution and the highest-ranking officer from the states south of Virginia. He participated in the French and Indian War, led royal troops against the Regulators in 1768, served in his provincial congress, won laurels at Norfolk in 1776, commanded the Southern Department, headed the fort at West Point, and ran a ``network of spies'' that helped thwart the treason of Benedict Arnold. Why then is he not better known? He left few papers and died before writing memoirs, but above all he ``lost'' Georgia to the British in 1778. The authors argue strongly that he did all he could, but they are handicapped by a lack of documentation. Nevertheless, this judicious military history restores the contributions of an important Revolutionary figure. For specialists.-- Harry W. Fritz, Univ. of Montana, Missoula

Library Journal

Howe (1732-1786) commanded the Southern Department of the independence forces 1778-75, then joined Washington in the north, and distinguished himself for the rest of the war. This is the first full-length biography of him. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews