Commander-in-Chief, North America facts for kids

Military Governors and Staff Officers in garrisons of British North America and West Indies 1778 and 1784

The job of Commander-in-Chief, North America was an important military role in the British Army. It started in 1755 during the early years of the Seven Years' War. The person holding this job was in charge of all British soldiers and military actions on land in the parts of North America that Britain controlled or was fighting over.

This position existed until 1775. At that time, Lieutenant-General Thomas Gage, the last person to hold the job, was replaced at the start of the American Revolutionary War. After this, the responsibilities were split up. Major-General William Howe became Commander-in-Chief, America. He was responsible for British troops from West Florida all the way to Newfoundland. General Guy Carleton became Commander-in-Chief, Quebec, in charge of defending the Province of Quebec.

This split continued even after America became independent and Britain lost East and West Florida in the Treaty of Paris (1783). One officer was in charge of Quebec, which later became the Commander-in-Chief of The Canadas when Quebec was divided into Upper and Lower Canada. Another officer was sent to Halifax to manage military matters in the maritime provinces (like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick).

Before 1784, the Bermuda Garrison (a small group of soldiers in Bermuda) was under the Commander-in-Chief America. But later, it became part of the Nova Scotia Command until the 1860s.

During the War of 1812, Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost held a very long title: Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the Provinces of Upper-Canada, Lower-Canada, Nova-Scotia, and New~Brunswick, and their several Dependencies, Vice-Admiral of the same, Lieutenant-General and Commander of all His Majesty’s Forces in the said Provinces of Lower Canada and Upper-Canada, Nova-Scotia and New-Brunswick, and their several Dependencies, and in the islands of Newfoundland, Prince Edward, Cape Breton and the Bermudas, &c. &c. &c. This meant he was the top military and government leader for all these British areas in North America.

Below Prevost, other generals managed specific areas. For example, Lieutenant-General Sir John Coape Sherbrooke was in charge of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and nearby islands.

After Canadian Confederation in 1867, these old commander roles changed. In 1875, they were replaced by the General Officer Commanding the Forces (Canada). This job later became the Chief of the General Staff Canada in 1904, a position for a Canadian Army commander.

British Army Leaders in North America

This section lists the main commanders who led the British Army in North America during different periods.

Commanders-in-Chief, North America (1755–1775)

These officers were in charge of all British land forces in North America before the American Revolutionary War.

Commanders-in-Chief, America (1775–1783)

These commanders led British forces during the American Revolutionary War.

Commanders-in-Chief, Quebec (1775–1791)

These officers were in charge of the British forces in Quebec.

Commanders-in-Chief of The Canadas (1791–1864)

After Quebec was divided, these commanders were in charge of the forces in Upper and Lower Canada.

Commanders-in-Chief, Maritime Provinces (1783–1875)

These officers were in charge of British forces in the maritime provinces, like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.