Which British general became commander-in-chief in America in 1778?

The British general who became commander-in-chief in America in 1778 was Henry Clinton. He succeeded General William Howe, who resigned after the British campaigns of 1777. Clinton was formally appointed on February 4, 1778, and assumed command in Philadelphia in May after receiving news of the appointment.

Clinton took charge at a difficult moment. France had entered the war on the American side, transforming the conflict into a global struggle. British leaders ordered Clinton to withdraw from Philadelphia and send 5,000 troops to the Caribbean, where French involvement created new threats. He therefore inherited a command with fewer reinforcements and competing strategic demands.

Clinton moved the main British army back to New York during 1778. He remained commander-in-chief until 1782, directing operations in the South as Britain attempted to regain control of the rebellious colonies. His tenure included the capture of Charleston in 1780 and the campaign that ended with the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, although Cornwallis led that particular army in the field.

Clinton is often confused with Charles Cornwallis, but Cornwallis was a subordinate commander, not the overall British commander-in-chief in America.