born Feb. 27, 1735, Ireland died 1800 General of the U.S. army during the American Revolution. Sent by France to aid the Revolutionary army, he fought in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, then was promoted to major general by Congress, against the advice of George Washington. Conway advocated Washington's replacement as commander in chief by Horatio Gates; his "plot," called the Conway Cabal, was exposed, and he was forced to resign