New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-27
zen. HOWARD DEAD
Soldier Returned from Lecture
Tour Monday.
LRv Telegraph % The TrLbune. ]

BY Telegraph 20 The Irlpune-I
Burlington VT Oct. 26-General Oliver
Otis Howard, died at his home in this city
suddenly at 20 p m. to-day from heart
disease. He was seventy-nine years old
He returned YESTERDAY from Canada.
where he Iectured on Abraham Lincoln"
and was in good health until this after
noon, when a physician who was called ad-
vised him to remain quietly at nome. To-
night while sitting in a chair at his home
he was attacked by heart disease and was
dead when d physician reached the house.
For the last year General Howard has
devoted his efforts toward securing an
endowment fund for the Lincoln Memorial
University. which he organized about four
teen years ago at Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
Referring to General Oliver Otis Howard.
General sherman once wrote to General
Grant Il find polished and Christian gem
t.eman, exhibiting the highest and most
CEivalrous traits of character" To the
man who was known all his life as The
Christian Soldier" there could have been
no higher praise. His last public appear
ance in this city was at the time OF the
Hudson Fulton celebration. when he was
enthusiastically cheered on his arrival at
the official grandstand the day OF the pa
rades.
When his father died. young Howard,
whose family fortune was at a low ebb.
was taken in charge by an uncle near the
little town Of Leeds, in kennebec County,
Maine, where he was born in 1880. He used
10 cav that he became a soldier by mere
accident. lie had been hesita ting between
the law ard the ministry and on gradua
ton from Bovdoin chose the latter. Just
q tnat time the uncle obtained an appoint
ment 10 West Point for his own son The
son proved too narrow chested, so the uncle
asked his nephew 20 go in the sons place.
The young man needed the money that the
West Point course offered az once. and he
accepted and enjoyed the unusual distinc-
ton or taking West Point course in add
ton 10 that of Z regular college.
II was in 1854 that he left the military
academy, ranking fourth in his class After
some service in the Ordnance Department
In Texas and Florida he became first lieu
tenant, and in 1857 was appointed acting
assistant professor of mathematics at West
Point, q place he held till the Civil War
broke out He resigned at once. and in
June, 1851 was commissioned as colonel of
the Sd Maine Volunteers the first three
year regiment that left that state. His gal
lautry d the first Battle Of Bull Run. where
he was senior colonel won him the rank
Of brigadier general OF volunteers, and he
was at once placed in command of a bri-
eade in General Casey's provisional divi-
sion, which vas then intrusted with the
charge OF Washington. In December Of
that year he was transferred to General
Summers command and placed at the head
Of the first brigade of the First Division of
the Second Army Corps.
The next year at Fair Oaks General
Howard received the wound that cost him
his right arm After the amputatiou OF his
arm he took two months sick leave but
spent it urging his old ueighbors To join
the army He returned 70 the front IN
time to lead a brigade of French's division
at the second battle Of Bull Run At An
tietam General Howard succeeded TO tne
command Of the division when General
Sedgwick was wounded. In the disastrous
charge at Fredericksburg his brigade lost
one thousand men.
During the winter of 1862 and 1868. he
held command Of the Second Division of
the Second Corps, and in April he was con-
frmed as major general of volunteers He
vas Immediately transferred 10 the command
of the Eleventh Corps. relieving General
Sigel The command was badly disorgaB-
tied and before ne had an opportunity 10
get it into condition again. 1t fell TO his lot
u meet the first rebel attack at Chancel-
lorsville Ills troops broke and fed. nearly
spreading panic through the whole army.
President Lincoln, however. did not lose
confidence in him. and refused 20 make a
change of commanders. though Il vas urged
in some quarters.
AT Gettysburg General Howard and his
command amply redeemed themselves. He
held Cemetery Hin against the final
charge of the Confederates. and for his
services received an autograph letter OF
praise from President Lincoln and vote
of thanks from Congress. As General
Hancock was wounded in this battle. the
command OF the Second Corps was given
to General Howard.
A. Chattanooga General Howard came
under the command OF General Grant who
had Just taken command OF the Division
Of the Mississippi. and there, too. Gen
eral Howard laid the foundation OF his
future intimacy with General Sherman.
1t was General HoWard's cavalry that
played an important part In the victory
al Missionary Ridge In Sherman's march
to the relief OF burnside. at Knoxville,
Howard also performed conspicuous ser
vice. as we'll as during tho march on At
lauta and the siege OF that place.
It was az the attack on Atlanta that
General Howard won command Of an army.
Ge.e9l laFns.sas . a A-..As lara -