Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-02

Autobiography of Oliver Otis
Howard. Major General United States
Army in two vols. illustrated: gilt top
dcckel edges: Price $500 net: New
York: The Baker Il Taylor Company.
The fine record Of General Howard.
| both as soldier and Il citizen, Is IL
matter of pride I" the people of his
native state. Maine has furnished the
nation many men Of marked ability and
| high Christian character. who have
| served the government in high places
with honor and distinction. General
Howard is one of thcm--a fine type Of
| the rugged, earnest industrious Cod
| fearing men who have gone forth from
the farms Of the Old Pine Tree State to
write their names high up on the scroll
of fame.
Oliver Otis Howard was born on a
| farm at Leeds, Maine, Nov. 3, 1880. He
was the son Of Rowland Bailey and
| Eliza (Otis) Howard. He was fitted
| for college at Hallowcll. where he
| passed two years in the home of his
1 uncle, Hon James Otis. at the Mon
mouth Academy, and tho academy at
North Yarmouth. He entered Bowdoln
| college in the fall of 1916, and gradu-
ated in the class of 1850. In writing
of his college life. General Howard
| takes occasion to pay meritcd
! tribute to the strong men who then
served upon the college faculty
| Woods, Upham. Packard, Goodwin,
Smyth and Clevc!and-a strong COM
bination of profound scholars ana
sterling men. who wrought an uplifting
and lasting influence upon the young
| life with which they We're associated.
College expenses were Il smaller item
in those days than they are now.
tEencral Howard records that board in
his day at Bowdoin ranged from s1.oo
| to $l.15 Il week. and that the total cost
| of his preparatory and college courses
amounted To only $1.10O. Immediately
| following his graduation from
| Bowdoin, young Howard was able.
| through his uncle. the Hon. John Otis.
to secure an appointment as d cadet at
West Point. Graduating from the
Military Academy in 1854. he was
made IL Second Lieutenant in the
| Ordnance Department and assigned to
duty at the Watcrvlict Arsenal in West
| Troy New York He was married
| February II 1856 ut Portland, Maine t.
| Elizabeth Waite. the charming and
| cultivated lady who still preSides over
/ his household. Soon after his
| marriage Lieutenant Howard was
| made Commander Of the United States
Arsenal Maine. His record Of his very
| pleasant life at this post will be Of
special interest to Journal readers. 1t
| is needless to say that he and his
charming young wife at once became
great social favorites at the Maine
| Capital. Writing Of his life at Au-
susta during this period he says:
| The father and mother of Captain
| Seth Williams opened their hospitality
to the commander of the arsenal and
his wife. and various other members Of
the Williams family gave us thair
| fellowship and the entrce into their
! homes. Tho F'ullcrs. the LambertS
| (Allcn and Thnmas). the Morrills, the
Childs. the Tappans the ManleyS,
Governor Cony, and many others
afforded al entrance into society which
has always been gratefully recalled by
! Mrs. Howard and myself.
Here We first became acquainted
with the Rev. F.. r. Webb, d. d.,
|
who was perhaps Mr.. Blaine's strong
est friend. and. if may say so, he and
his were even more intimate with my
| family and always unselfishly devoted
to my hest interests
We sometimes. while in Augusta, at
tended the Episcopal church. Rev. Mr.
Armitage. then a young man. made a
strong impression upon us. He was ar
| able and efficient minister. who
| subsequently became the Bishop OF
Ohio.
In the latter part Of July 1856
| LieIItc Howard was relieved of his
command at the Kenncbcc Arsenal anC
ordered back to Watcrvlict. In Deem
Der he was ordered to the Department
of Florida with headquarters at For
| Brooke. Upon his arrival there he was
Immediately assigned to ordnance dut!
at the Tampa depot.
In August 1851 Lieutenant Howard
was assigned to duty as an instructor
at West Point. Here he lived with hi:
family until the outbreak of war. II
the spring of 1861 he wrote Governo
| WaShburn of Maine Offering hi
services. His reply" he says wa
unfavurablc.'
Commissioned officers Of regiment
were all to be elected by the men. He
himself. had no power to choose. Blu
the fact of the offer became known a
Augusta. Not long afterwards. abou
the middle Of May, a dispatch came t
me from the Hon. James G. Blain.
then the youthful speaker Of the Main
House of Representatives. 1t read
"WilI you. if elected. accept tn
colonelcy of the Kennebec Regiment?
After consultation with his friend
Lieutenant Howard telegraphed his ac