Charles Henry Howard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Henry Howard
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|---|---|
| Born | August 28, 1838 Leeds, Maine |
| Died | January 27, 1908 (aged 69) Glencoe, Illinois |
| Place of burial |
Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1866 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 3rd Maine Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held | 128th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Freedmen's Bureau official, newspaper editor and publisher, school inspector, governmental inspector |
Charles Henry Howard (born August 28, 1838 – died January 27, 1908) was an important officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a newspaper editor and publisher. He was also the younger brother of famous Union general Oliver O. Howard.
Contents
Early Life
Charles Howard was born in Leeds, Maine. He went to school at Kent's Hill and Yarmouth Academy. In 1859, he graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine. He then studied at the Bangor Theological Seminary for one year. Soon after, he joined the army for the Civil War.
Civil War Hero
Joining the Fight
In June 1861, Charles Howard joined the 3rd Maine Infantry. He started as a private and a musician. His older brother, Oliver O. Howard, asked him to join. Charles fought in his first major battle, the First Battle of Bull Run.
On January 24, 1862, he became a second lieutenant. He served in the 61st New York Infantry. He took part in the Peninsula Campaign. During this time, he was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia.
Wounds and Promotions
Charles Howard continued to fight bravely. He was at the Battle of Antietam. He was wounded again during the Battle of Fredericksburg. In 1863, he was promoted to major. He became an aide to his brother, General Oliver O. Howard.
They fought together at the Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Later, Charles and his brother's army corps moved to Tennessee. There, they fought in the Battles for Chattanooga. In May 1864, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He became an assistant inspector general. He was promoted to colonel in March 1865.
Leading Black Troops
Colonel Howard also led a training camp for United States Colored Troops in South Carolina. He commanded the 128th U.S.C.T. Infantry Regiment. These regiments were made up of African American soldiers. On August 15, 1865, he was promoted to brevet brigadier general. This was a special honorary rank.
After the War
Helping Freed People
After the Civil War, General Howard worked for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. This organization helped formerly enslaved people. He became an Inspector of Schools for South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. He also served as Assistant Commissioner for Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
In 1866, General Howard spoke to the U.S. Congress. He told them about the lives of freed people in the South. He also shared his thoughts on how people felt about the United States. His words were published in a report to Congress.
A Career in Publishing
For five years, Charles Howard was the Western Secretary of the American Missionary Association. He also became a successful newspaper editor. From 1871 to 1881, he was the editor-in-chief of the Advance. This was a religious newspaper.
Later, he was the controlling editor of Farm, Field, and Stockman. This paper was later called Farm, Field, and Fireside. He worked there from 1885 to 1905. He also held special government jobs. He was a Government Inspector of Indian Agencies under Presidents James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.
Family Life
In 1867, Charles Howard married Mary Catherine Foster. She was from Bangor, Maine. Together, they had seven children: five sons and two daughters.
