Joshua B. Howell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joshua Blackwood Howell
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| Born | September 11, 1806 Woodbury, New Jersey |
| Died | September 14, 1864 (aged 58) Petersburg, Virginia |
| Place of burial |
Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, New Jersey
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Colonel Brigadier General (posthumous) |
| Commands held | 85th Pennsylvania Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | lawyer |
Joshua B. Howell was an important officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He fought in battles across Virginia and the Carolinas. Sadly, he was badly hurt in a horse accident late in the war and passed away.
Contents
Joshua Howell's Early Life
Joshua B. Howell was born in 1806 in New Jersey. His family lived on a large estate called "Fancy Hill." His father, Colonel Joshua Ladd Howell, fought in the War of 1812. His grandfather, also named Joshua Ladd Howell, helped supply the army during the American Revolution.
Starting His War Service
When the Civil War began in 1861, Joshua Howell became a Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania Militia. He was also made a colonel in the 85th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He would serve with this group throughout the war.
His regiment first joined the IV Corps for the Peninsula Campaign. After the battle of Malvern Hill, Colonel Howell and his 85th Pennsylvania unit moved to North Carolina. There, they served under the XVIII Corps. Howell fought in the Goldsboro Expedition, including battles at Kinston, White Hall, and Goldsboro.
Fighting at Charleston
For the next six months, Howell commanded a brigade in the XVIII Corps along the North Carolina coast. In July 1863, his brigade moved to the X Corps. This group was part of the Department of the South.
Howell's brigade was called the 2nd Brigade, Terry's Division, X Corps. They took part in the siege of Charleston Harbor. During this siege, Howell was hit in the head by a Confederate artillery shell. It struck the bombproof shelter he was in. His soldiers thought he was dead, but his injury was minor. Howell quickly returned to lead his troops. He even kept a piece of the shell as a reminder of his close call.
Petersburg and His Final Days
In 1864, the X Corps moved to the Army of the James. This was part of Ulysses S. Grant's large Overland Campaign. Howell led his brigade during the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. He also fought in the early parts of the Siege of Petersburg. Sometimes, he even commanded a whole division.
He was acting commander of the 3rd Division, X Corps, when he had a terrible accident. He fell from his horse and was severely injured. His injuries were very serious, and Colonel Howell died in the field hospital of the 85th Pennsylvania. This happened on September 14, 1864, just three days after his 58th birthday. After his death, he was given a special honor. He was promoted to brigadier general, with the promotion dated back to September 13, 1864. He was buried in Clarksboro, New Jersey.
Remembering Joshua Howell
In the fall of 1864, the 32nd U.S. Colored Infantry built new defenses on Hilton Head Island. These forts protected the town of Mitchelville, which was a community for formerly enslaved people. General John G. Foster named one of these forts Fort Howell. He did this to honor Colonel Howell and his service.
