In 1776, General William Howe defeated:

In 1776, General William Howe vanquished George Washington in New York. Clarification: The War of Independence started in the spring of 1775 with the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which was quickly trailed by the attack of Boston by civilian army and later the Continental Army.

Answer: He defeated George Washington in New York.

Explanation: The War of Independence began in the spring of 1775 with the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which was immediately followed by the siege of Boston by militia and later the Continental Army.