The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-05-20
JOHN EAGER HOWARD.

Col. j. Carville Hall raised regiment
from Baltimore and Hartford counties, Join
ed Washington and led them to their first
fight at the battle of White Plains. John
Eager Howard, who was born in Baltimore
county, June 4th, 1862, commanded COM
pany in the regiment of Col. Hall, and in
the absence of that officer, in consequence
OF sickness, at the battle of Germantown,
commanded the regiment and led it repeat
edly into the thickest of the fight and made
British valor quail before their steady on
sets. He was with Washington on the i'll
fated field of Monmouth, where Lee betray-
ed Washington, and the latter lost his self
command, the victory was lost to Ameri-
can arms and the day won by the British
through the treachery and debauch of
Charles Lee. He adorned the triumph of
Camden where Gates commanded; did
good service at Guilford with Gen. Green
in command, at Hobkirk's Hill, at Eutaw
Springs and Cowpens At the latter place
he was the hero of that glorious field, and
it was by his gallant conduct that the glory
of that victory perched upon the banners
of American arms. No officer of the Revo-
luton was more frequently engaged in
daring conflicts, and none performed more
deeds of heroic daring than he
He had distaste for the distant roar of
cannon and delighted to face the foe in the
fierce encounter of the bayonet charge. His
skill and daring in the use of that danger
Gus weapon was signally displayed at the
battles of Cowpens, Guilford Court House
and Eutaw Springs. After Gen. Gates
had fled from the field of Camden, he charg-
ed the ranks of the British, drove them
before him with his keen bayonets, and
came near retrieving the ill-fortunes of the
day.
At the battle of Cowpens, Howard rush.
ed with irresistible force upon the enemy's
lines, advancing as if to victory. The
British were unable to stand before the
terrible storm. They broke-they fled in
dismay and left Howard and his gallant
band masters of the field.
He had taken a desperate risk upon
himself-a terrible responsibility under the
circumstances, if his effort should have
failed. He had made the charge volun-
teer-without orders AS he stood with
the swords of seven British officers in his
hands-the trophies of his daring skill and
valor-the seven officers standing captive
by his side-Morgan, who was in COM
mand, rode up and said: "You have done
well, for youare successful; had you failed
| would have shot you" Roman chivalry
and love of military glory would have cree
ted monuments to the memory of such a
man, and preserved his name and deeds
fresh in the minds of future generations by
chiseling his bust out of block of Parian
marble. But he has descended to the tomb,
and posterity see nothing to teach them
the history of his noble deeds. No
one, save him who falls by accident upon
a dusty, mutilated, almost forgotten record
that tells the story of his life ever hears
his name mentioned, or the thrilling mar
rative of his deeds related.
SCATTER the battle ofCowpens, Gen. Green
issued orders that the Maryland line should
use the bayonet in every battle. At Gull
ford Court House these orders were nobly
executed. The flower of the British army
was driven from the field with Maryland
bayonets led by the gallant Howard.
At Eutaw Springs, our lines began to
wavef and fall back. Disaster threatened
our ranks and defeat spread its dark omen
over our banners. Green ordered the
Maryland and Virginia troops to reserve
their fire and charge with the bayonet.
They faced murderous fire made ter
rible charge and turned the fortunes of the
day. "The Buffs," select Irish corps,
was pitted against Towards gallant band
of patriots, and between them the fiercest
encounter of the field ensued Franks
mingled together; bayonets crossed each
other; for time between these two brave
bands, the most bloody hand to hand
struggle ensued." 1.-THE Bluffs" were COM
PEELED to give way before the terrible con-
fiict-they fled. Gen. Green rode up and
complimented Howard and his men in the
highest terms. In his dispatches Green