Recollections of a Maryland Confederate Soldier and Staff Officer Under Johnston, Jackson and Lee

McHenry Howard was the son of Colonel John Eager Howard of the revolution. His mother was the daughter of Francis Scott Key. At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Howard was living in Baltimore, making his way to Richmond, he entered the First Maryland regiment, becoming a sergeant in Company H, and served under Joseph E. Johnston until March, 1862. At that time he was appointed aide on the staff of Brigadier General C. S. Winder, with whom he served until the death of the latter at Cedar Run, August 9, 1862. For some months he was acting ordnance officer on the staff of Brigadier General G. H. Steuart, acting sometimes as inspector general and sometimes as adjutant general. In company with Steuart he was captured at Spotsylvania and spent several months in Fort Delaware, whence he was sent to Savannah in November, 1864, for exchange. After this was effected he returned to Richmond; and in January, 1865, he became acting inspector general on the staff of Major General G. W. C. Lee, with whom he retired from Richmond. Captured at Sailor's creek, Lieutenant Howard was sent to the old capitol prison, Washington, where he was on the night of Lincoln's assassination. He was transferred to Johnson's island, in Lake Erie, whence he was released in May, 1865.

The book is what it claims to be, “recollections,” and not an attempt at a systematic study of the war...One of its most attractive features is the revelation of the personality of the author, which is found on every page. The reader feels anxious to know him. The personal side of army life is of course stressed on the field, in battle, in camp, and in prison.