He is buried in the Springfield [MO] National Cemetery.
Photo: Public Domain
CPL CO C
55 ILL INF
Received the Congressional Medal of Honor for service in the Civil War. A musician in Company C, 55th Illinois Infantry, he was cited for bravery at Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 19,1863.
The regimental historian for the 55th Illinois is quoted in the 1932 book Sherman: Fighting Prophet by Lloyd Lewis:
“We could see him nearly all the way…he ran through what seemed a hailstorm of canister and musket-balls, each throwing up its little puff of dust when it struck the dry hillside. Suddenly he dropped and hearts sank, but he had only tripped. Often he stumbled, sometimes he fell prostrate, but was quickly up again and he finally disappeared from us, limping over the summit and the 55th saw him no more for several months.”
His medal citation: "A drummer boy, 14 years of age, and severely wounded and exposed to heavy fire from the enemy, he persistently remained upon the field of battle until he had reported to Gen. W. T. Sherman the necessity of supplying cartridges for the use of troops under command of Colonel Malmborg."
Howe was awarded the medal on April 23, 1896, when he was 47.
Sources:
Find A Grave Memorial# 19578
Child Soldiers in the Civil War by Rebecca Beatrice Brooks on the Civil War Saga blog, accessed 11/16/15.
See more photos of the historic Springfield National Cemetery (which is in our hometown) here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hornkl/albums/72157640147228915
