Portrait of Oliver O. Howard by Mathew Brady, ca. 1860
General Oliver Otis Howard (1830 – 1909) was a one-armed American Civil War veteran who was involved in the post-Civil War battles against the Western Indian tribes. His most famous campaign was against the Nez Perce tribe, with the resultant surrender of Chief Joseph.
General Howard is also known for founding Howard University. As Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau Howard was known for promoting the welfare of slaves and freedmen. On November 20, 1866, ten members, including Howard, of various socially concerned groups of the time met in Washington, DC to discuss plans for a theological seminary to train African-American ministers. Interest was sufficient, however, in creating an educational institute for areas other than ministry. The result was the Howard Normal Institute for the Education of Preachers and Teachers. On January 8, 1867, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the institution to Howard University.
In the 1975TV movieI Will Fight No More Forever, about Howard's campaign against the Nez Perce, he was portrayed by actorJames Whitmore.
Howard recovered quickly enough to rejoin the army for the Battle of Antietam, in which he rose to division command in the II Corps.
Howard was warned by Major General Joseph Hooker, now commanding the Army of the Potomac, that his flank was "in the air", not anchored by a natural obstacle, such as a river, and that Confederate forces might be on the move in his direction.
Howard and his corps were transferred to the Western Theater to become part of the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee.
President Andrew Johnson made Howard, who was devoted to the cause of fl betterment, chief commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau in May, 1865.
Howard himself was honest; but he was not an able administrator.
As commander of the Dept. of the Columbia (1874–81), Howard directed several campaigns against the Native Americans and negotiated with Chief Joseph in 1877.
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