The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-30

Major Benjamin r. Howard. former
Chief Of Police of Richmond. prominent
i'll Masonic, church and Confederate
circles, died last night about o'clock
at his home, No. ESQ East Franklin
Street.
Suffering from no vital complaint the
veteran police officer gradually gave
way to the frailties of old age, dying
peacefully after long and active life,
beloved and esteemed BY wide circle
of friends and acquaintances, to whom
he was known as a genial and kindly
man, ever ready to help with aid or
counsel those in trouble and distress.
His War Record.
Major Howard was born in Wash
ington, D. c.. on December II. 1885
and moved to Richmond about a year
before the beginning Of the Civil War.
He had made this city his home ever
since.
With the outbreak of hostilities he
enlisted for one year on April 81. 1851,
In the First Regiment. Volunteer IN
fantry. under Captain r. r. Morris.
A year later. at Yorktown, he re-cn-
listed for the entire war, and MS reg
fment was assigned to the FIST BEL
gade, First Division. First Army Corps
(Lonpstreet.s), Of the Army OF Northern
" ID. d
ipated in the following general en-
sagements: Bull Run. Manassas. VIII
liamsburg Seven Pines. Fredericksburg.
Plymouth. Drewry's Bluff. Hewlett
House. Cold Harbor. Five Forks ana
Sailors Creek, and was present at the
surrender at AppomattoX on April y.
1856.
In addition to the above. Major How
ard took part In a hundred or more
skirmishes He was promoted.to first
lieutenant on September 1s, 1861, and
was made captain on August 80. 1857.
Al the battle OF Seven Pines he was
severely wounded In the right breast
and was shot through the body
After a partial recovery, he becamei
lame in his right arm and was de-
tailed for provost guard duty IN Rich1
mond for some time. Returning %
the active service he was captured at
Five Forks and again at Sailors Creek,
both times making his escape. Ia
was badly shocked by shell at the
battle of Hewlett House in May, 1SGl.
In Police Department.
Receiving his parole. Captain How
ard returned to Richmond and was ap-
pointed on the police force by May or
David j. Saunders on December 10.
1866 serving continuously from that
date until the time of his dea tn
over forty-three years. He became
acting Sergeant on July I. 1858. and
served under the military commander
of the city. In 1870 Hon. Henry K.
Ellyson was appointed Mayor, and
Major John Poe became chief of
police. Captain Howard was made
sergeant and assigned to duty with
eight men to guard the Governors
Mansion and Capitol.
G la far al
most rapid in the history Of the de-
partment After acting as sergeant OF
the First District for many years, he
was elected captain on Juno 10 1896,
and on the 26th of the same month was
made chief. succeeding Major Poe. latter
serving but two weeks as captain.
AS the head of the Police Department
for nearly ten years Major Howard
was closely in touch with the growth
and development Of the city. He was
especially active in the organization of
the Police Benevolent Association, of
which he was the first president. At
the time of his death he was direc-
tor.
succeeded by Major Louis Werner as
Chief Of Police, and while retiring from
the eXacting duties as head OF the de-
partment, he continued in active SER
vice, working as desk sergeant at the
First Police Station until illness last
February compelled him to keep within
the house.
Member OF Organizations.
Major Howard married Miss Annie
Martin Of Washington. Though no
children survive, he leaves one grand
son. B. SherVin Howard, and two bro
Tiers, DR.. Joseph and Mr.. Thomas How
ard, of Washington.
An active member of r. p. Lee Camp,
No. 1. Confederate Veterans, he was
also member and vestrymnn IN st.
Johns Episcopal Church, Having served
on the official board of that church for
more than twenty years IN Masonic
RY ACTOR