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General Sir Henry Clinton, KCB , ( April 16 1738 – December 23 1795 ) was a British officer during the American War Of Independence , or revolutionary war. He was born in Newfoundland , Canada where his father, George Clinton , served as Governor, and he grew up in New York when his father served as Royal Governor there. When old enough, he spent a time in the New York militia. In 1751, Clinton went to England and was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards , becoming a Captain and then Lieutenant-colonel in the Grenadier Guards by 1758. From 1760 to 1762, he distinguished himself as an Aide-de-camp to Duke Ferdinand Of Brunswick in the Seven Years' War , being promoted to Colonel . After the peace, he received the colonelcy of a regiment of foot. In 1772, he was promoted to Major-general . Thanks to the influence of his cousin, the Duke Of Newcastle , he obtained a seat in Parliament which he held from 1772 until 1784, first for Boroughbridge and subsequently for Newark . In 1775, Clinton sailed to America accompanied by Major General William Howe and Brigadier John Burgoyne . He was the field commander at the Battle Of Bunker Hill , and he served under General Howe's operations capturing New York City including the Battle Of Long Island . For his part in the battle he was made a Lieutenant General and a KCB . After the Saratoga Campaign in May 1778, Clinton replaced Howe as Commander-in-Chief, North America and assumed command in Philadelphia . He at once concentrated the British forces at New York , pursuing a policy of foraying expeditions in place of regular campaigns. In 1779, he invaded South Carolina , and the following year, in conjunction with Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot , he won an important victory with the capture of Charleston . However, he had constant command difficulties with Lord Cornwallis , his second in command. After the Battle Of Yorktown and the capitulation of Cornwallis in 1782, he was superseded as Commander-in-Chief, North America by Sir Guy Carleton , and returned to England. He was blamed for the loss of the colonies. Historians have since shifted more blame upon Cornwallis. He published a ''Narrative'' of the war in an attempt to clear his reputation. In 1790, he was re-elected to Parliament, and was promoted to full General in October in 1793. The following year he was made Governor of Gibraltar , but he died in England before assuming command. Henry Clinton had two sons who continued the family tradition of high command:
''See also: List Of Governors General Of Canada and Commander-in-Chief, North America '' |