Lieutenant Church Howe, 15th Massachusetts

I've been doing a bit of reading on the Battle of Ball's Bluff. Sometimes, a person plays a role in a battle but unless they are a major name in the battle, they sometimes get overlooked. Lieutenant Church Howe is like this. But when you stop and really look into his life, you realize just how important he was throughout his life, not just in the Civil War. Church Howe is quite an interesting man. Let me tell you a little about him:

He was born in Princeton, Massachusetts on December 13, 1839 to Albert Carlton and Mary Jane (Carr) Howe.

In 1861 he enrolled in the army with the 15th Massachusetts Infantry. Initially he was the quartermaster for the regiment.

He fought in the battle at Ball's Bluff. Here is a little bit taken from the Worcester Spy:

Fifteenth Regiment - We learn that, under a flag of truce carried by Quartermaster Howe of the 15th, Thomas Taylor of Co. B. and J. Moffit of Co. E., together with a private of the California regiment, were returned on Jan. 4th, by the rebel authorities at Leesburg, all three severely wounded at the affair at Ball's Bluff. There was no pledge required of them that they would not

serve against the confederate states, but it is doubtful when, if ever, they will be able to.

Also, this was included in a letter home by Henry Clay Ward:

Quartermaster Howe found Willie Grout's body down near Chain Bridge, opposit Washington he had been picked up and buried four days ago. Howe had him dug up and could only recognize him by the marks on his clothing and letters in his pockets. He had him put in a coffin and sent home. Will probably be some relief to his father to get his body.

One thing to keep in mind here: Willie Grout had a song written about him. Well, not him personally, but about his circumstances. You might be aware of it: "The Vacant Chair".

The February 9, 1863 issue of the Worcester Daily Spy says this:

First Lieutenant Church Howe of Worcester to be captain, January 8, 1863.

Unfortunately, shortly after this, Capt. Howe was forced to retire from the army due to illness. But life wasn't over for this man. On June 16, 1863 he married Augusta C. Bottomly. Then in 1866, he was appointed (by President Johnson) Collector of Internal Revenue for 8th Massachusetts district.

Eventually, he moved to Nemaha County, Nebraska. And from there, he was appointed U. S. Consul to Palermo, Italy; Sheffield, England; Antwerp, Belgium; Montreal, Canada; and finally Manchester, England.

He died on October 7, 1915. He may be forgotten to some, but to me he is a hero!