Oliver Otis Howard
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1830-1909
Born in Leeds, Maine, Oliver O. Howard had graduated from Bowdoin
College and was fourth in his class at West Point before teaching
math at the military academy. At the outset of the Civil War, Howard,
an abolitionist, was made a colonel in command of the 3d Maine
Regiment. After leading a brigade at the 1st Battle of Bull Run,
Howard was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers in September
1861.
At the June 1, 1862, Battle of Seven Pines, Howard led a brigade
against superior numbers in a heated battle. The picture of bravery,
Howard stayed in the thick of battle leading and animating his men.
Even though two horses were shot from under him and his right arm was
shattered by two bullets, he continued to spur on his men until the
Confederates retreated. Howard's arm was amputated and he eventually
received the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Seven Pines.
Howard was promoted to major general of volunteers in November 1862
after he led a division at Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. In charge
of the XI Corps at Chancellorsville, Howard and his men were severely
routed by Gen. Stonewall Jackson and his Rebel troops. On July 1,
1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg. Howard was briefly the overall
commander. His troops were again forced back, but Howard had the
presence of mind to select Cemetery Hill to retreat to and anchor
Union forces. He commanded the 4th Corps in the Atlanta campaign, and
the Army of the Tennessee in the devastating March to the Sea and
through the Carolinas.
On May 12, 1865, Howard was chosen to head the Freedmen's Bureau.
Though he was honest and a devout champion of former slaves, the
agency was riddled with corruption. Howard faced a court of inquiry
in 1874 because of his corrupt subordinates in the bureau, but he was
cleared of all charges.
Howard continued to serve the army as a commander and was also
superintendent of West Point. He retired in 1894.
Fascinating Fact: Howard established a bank for blacks and Howard
University in Washington, D.C.
