The Portland daily press., 1894-11-10


GENERAL OLIVER o. HOWARD,
General Howard is native of Maine and
during his long career has been quite close
~ i'd entitled with its interests.
The various families of Rewards in Maine
have furnished several prominent men
whose names are embalmed in the Euoyclo-
pedia OF American Biography. Rev. Simeon
Howard. born in Bridgewater in 1888, was
an eminent Boston clergyman; volney E.
Howard, born In Nerridgewoek in 1855, be-
came IN eminent jurist in Mississippi: Will
liam A. Howard, born in Maine in 1907, was
an eminent naval officer. and hoisted the
United Safes flag in Alaska.
General Oliver Q. Howard was born in
Leeds, Nov. 8. 1880. He studied at North
Yarmouth Academy before entering Bow
dom, and Last summer was an honored guest
at the anniversary exercises of both these
institutions. GeneI al Howard graduated
from Bowdoin in 1850. Among his class
ma ties were Senator William P. Frye, Judge
VIM. s. Gardner. of Massac husetts Superior
Court. and Prof. John S. Sewall, of Bangor
Theological Seminary.
General Howard entered the army as
a cadet at the United States Military Acad-
envy, June. 1850. Graduating June, 1854,
fourth in his class, he was appointed a
Brevet Sd Lieutenant in the Ordnance De-
partment and assigned to duty at Watevoliet
Arsenal, New York. Remaining there three
months, he was ordered to Kennebee Ar
sena1, Maine, and was there nine months,
then returning to Wateroliet. Soon after
he was ordered to Tampa, Fla, and thence
to West Point as instructor and afterwards
as Assistant Professor of Mathematics.
Meanwhile he had been promoted through
the grade of I'd Lieutenant to LIST Lieuten-
ant. Here be remained till the breaking out
OF the war, when he was commissioned
Colonel of the Third Maine Infantry on
May aSth. and mustered June 4th, 1851. The
regiment was first stationed at Meridian
Hill, d. c.. June 9Th. Colonel Howard was
assigned command of brigade IN Heintzel-
man division, consisting of the Sd, 4th
and 9TH Maine and I'd Vermont Regiments.
The brigade marched to Centerville. and
wasssngagsd in the battle of Bull Run,
July 2ist. After the battle. the command
returned to Clermont and Burke HIN. whege
it held the front four miles from Alexan-
dria. until the latter part of August.
When the army was rsorgantSed. Cal.
Howard returned to the command Of his
regiment. Sept. Sd, 1861, he Yves promoted
to the rank of Brigadier General Of U. S.
Volunteers. and assigned to a brigade of
new troops. During the months Of October
and November, 1851, his brigade occupied
the forts in the vicinity OF BlAaensburg,
Nd. On the 1st. of November. he moved his
command into the lower counties of Mary
land to prevent violence at the election. re-
turning to the same station upon the COM
pletion of this duty. In December. his bri-
gade was attached to the division of Gen.
E. sumner. and January and February, 1852,
was spent in constant drill. March Sd. Gen.
Howard, in obedience to order, moved his
command towards Fairfax Station, on the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, to open
the road and assist In rebuilding the
bridges, &C. The enemies ourposts were
met and driven beyond the station. Soon
after. he was relieved and returned TO this
old camp.
March 10th, the division tSumner's) COM
menced a forward movement, having a
slight skirmish at Cutlest's Station. At
Warren Junction. March alst. Gen. Howard
was ordered to move, with his brigade,
some artillery and:two regiments Of cavalry
to the Rappahannsck River. He met the
enemy's cavalry a mile from camp. and
uTOVo tHeIis heS ping up running uBnG ali
day, the rebels retreating across the river,
destroying the bridge. The object being
oomphshed, the command rejoined its
division.
April 4th the brigade embarked at Alex.
andria for the Peninsula disembarking at
Ship Point Arril 5ta. BEING first TO land
it was employed in constructing wharvef
and facilitating the landing of troops and
supplies building roads sc. until after the
siege of Yorktown. June LIST, 1889 TIE brig.
ade was engaged at the battle of Fair Oaks
where Gen. Howard was twice wounded in
the same arm by rife shots and the same
day suffered amputation. The command
got much credit for that. days work.
The next day the General started for
home and as soon as he was able-not yet
able for the field, though-he devoted him.
self to raising volunteers. August 9th, 1862.
he rejoined his corps (Sumner's) at Aequia
Creek, Va, the corps embarfng next day
for Alexandria. reaching Cambridge.
august 29th. Sept. LIST, he made a recon-
noissance from Centreville. four miles
northward having a slight skiYmish;
marching same night to point near Fair.
fax Court House, the next night covering
with his brigade and some additional TROOPS
the retreat of three corps and repulsing the
enemy in bush skirmish. Accompanying
the army of the Potomac in the march