Edited by
Wally Howerton
Contributing Editors
John F. Howerton
Bryan R. Howerton
Volume Six, Issue 3 Summer 2002
FROM THE EDITOR
Greeting Cousins:
Several good articles this month! A Howerton Family in World War II is a correction to an earlier article you can find in our Summer 1997 Issue. One of Bryan's favorites is titled A Virginia Gentleman. If you like the Civil War series that was aired on PBS several years ago you may find the letters listed here comparable to some of the letters featured in that TV program. Well done, Bryan! Our hat's off to you especially after what you have been through lately.
A couple of stories highlight our service women and men: SPC John Thomas Howerton and Amber Louise Sauter. I'm sure there are many more Howertons who are serving in the defense of our homeland. My own brother, CPO John Randall Howerton, just shipped out again. John is with the Coast Guard and serves aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Northland. Should any of our readers care to share stories of service personnel who are direct Howerton descendants please forward your stories to me for inclusion in the next newsletter.
Summer time is always a time for Howerton gatherings. Call them reunions if you like but more stories and information are shared at these events than all the printed data that we have. Please don't be like me and not value your heritage until it is too late. The next time that Aunt Martha tells the story of the cow kicking Uncle Bill through the barn wall - write it down. Or the one about Great Great Grandpa Howerton serving in the Spanish American War - write it down. It is wonderful that we have the facts and figures of our heritage but the icing on the cake comes from little stories from personal accounts.
Enjoy your summer.
Regards,
Wally
A Howerton Family in World War II - Correction
Elizabeth Gertrude Howerton: Happy Birthday, 96 years young
Letters From the Old Writing Desk
A VIRGINIA GENTLEMAN
By Bryan R Howerton
This writer has been inactive the past several weeks, recovering from a heart malfunction which required some time spent in CCU. During this period a considerable amount of time was spent reading notes, letters, and old records accumulated during the search for data on our Howerton ancestors.
The upward progress of so many family members during the first one hundred years in this country is nothing less than remarkable. The dreams Thomas and John Howerton must have had for themselves and their descendants, which probably led to their migration in indentured status to America, were fully realized and probably exceeded by the success of many of their descendants.
Before the mid-1700s, numerous descendants owned and operated large, successful farms; several had reached the status of Planters, which term identified them as successful and influential citizens.
Early Virginia history indicates that the planter "aristocracy" took great pride in their farming operation, homes, polite manners, personal conduct and generosity and devoted much of their time and resources to public service. Of course, one of the effects of the War Between the States was a drastic change in the lifestyle of the planter class of southern society, as yet not totally regained by all descendants.
We often mention the "letters in the old writing desk" and a review of some of those letters offers insight into the development of one particular man whose life demonstrated the best of the highest characteristics of a member of the "planter aristocracy". That man was William Matthew "Matt" Howerton, born 26 Apr 1826 in the manor house on Oakland plantation in Halifax County, VA, which was owned by his parents, Philip Howerton and Elizabeth E Cabiness. His genteel, courteous, and caring manner is evident in the many letters he wrote even as a youth, which have been preserved. As a teenager he was sent to Alexandria, VA and in the first letter that has survived (dated January 1840) tells his sister of skating on the Potomac River; visiting across the river in Washington where he met the vice-president, some senators and congressmen. It is a typical letter of a boy away from home and trying to tell his family of his new experiences. He closes the letter by asking his sister to "give his love to father, mother, (names each sister), then names many aunts, uncles, cousins, etc." adding "and all the servants".
NOTE: The family slaves are never called "slaves" in any of the numerous letters he or his siblings wrote. While use of the term "servant" does not negate the fact of involuntary servitude, the tone of the letters of all family members convey genuine feelings of care, concern, and affection as well as respect for some of the older, devoted servants.
Several other letters written during the years he was in Alexandria mention frequent visits to Washington; people he saw or met; plans for his travel home during breaks, complaining of the necessary mixture of steamboat and stage travel; infrequent requests for money; but he always inquires about the health of family members, relations, neighbors, and the servants. By 1844 he was attending college at Chapel Hill, NC and he graduated from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1847.
"Matt" was engaged in the practice of law as well as serving as a major in the Virginia Militia of Halifax County when he was married in Wake County, NC on 24 May 1848 to Adriana E Tucker (b 9 May 1829 Va - d 19 Jul 1885; daughter of William C Tucker and Harriett Relay). They became the parents of William Philip Howerton born 1849 and Harriet Elizabeth Howerton born 24 Nov 1857.
By 1852 he had been elected to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates from Halifax County, VA. Continuing public service, he was elected Sheriff of Halifax County in 1860.
Early in the War Between the States, Henry Alexander Wise who had been governor of Virginia from 1856 to 1860 was appointed Brigadier General in command of a brigade of Virginia Infantry. William Matthew Howerton volunteered to serve as an unpaid aide to General Wise, providing his own uniforms, equipment, horses (including his favorite mare, "Lucy Neal", and accompanied by two servants. He was still serving on Wise's staff when the brigade moved from North Carolina to Adam's Run, near Edisto Beach, South Carolina, but the rank in which he served is unclear as he is sometimes referred to as a Lieutenant and again as Colonel; however, he continued to bear his own expenses and received no salary. During this period, "Matt" had apparently not yet been engaged in combat. The tone of his letters indicate he was enjoying his service in the Confederate Army and describe many of the new sights observed; however, that was soon to change dramatically. "Matt's" correspondence to his family often contain instructions and suggestions concerning operation of his plantation in Halifax County, VA and on several occasions he sent seeds and seedlings of new plants encountered in South Carolina to be tried on his plantation. His wife, Adriana, was apparently managing the home plantation very well; although supervision of the servants must have relaxed somewhat as some of them were arrested and charged with robbery of a Mrs. Drummond. One servant, Simon, was confined and held for trial, at which he was completely exonerated.
By 1864 the Union blockade of the Confederate States, drastic decline of the value of Confederate currency, rising inflation, and shortages all contributed to "Matt's" decision to enlist in the 34th Virginia Infantry Regiment of Wise's Brigade as a private soldier on 13 April 1864. The pay was not much, but would include reimbursement for the services of his horses and servants as well as food, clothing and equipment being provided. As explained in a letter to his wife, dated 20 Apr 1864: ".you will see that I shall now be able to bear my own expenses and not have to pay out some $50.00 or $60.00 per month."
In May 1864 Wise's Brigade, consisting of the 26th, 34th, 46th, and 59th Virginia Infantry Regiments, was directed to move to Virginia and aid in the defense of the Richmond-Petersburg area. Apparently, the 34th Virginia had been subjected to some ridicule because of their lack of participation in the harsh warfare experienced by so many other units of the Army of Northern Virginia, as in a letter to his wife, dated 4 May 1864, "Matt" stated: "The 26th and the 59th started to Virginia today. The 4th (which is now the 34th) and 46th go tomorrow and they all seem wild with delight though they are going right into the seat of war. The slanderers of our brigade will now see (perhaps in colors of blood) whether or not it will fight for it's country. I know it will. Tell Mrs Terry to be in good spirits and I had as well say tell yourself the same thing. I'll see to Coleman (tell Mrs Terry) as far as I can and I'll take the best care of myself I can. Be in good spirits as I am and rely on it. I will write again as soon as I can."
By late May 1864 "Matt" had been engaged in the defense of Petersburg for a few days and would continue under siege until Richmond fell on 3 Apr 1865. Two of his letters are included below in their entirety, both illustrate his reaction to the sudden change in the type of duty performed and the compassion and concern he felt for his comrades, their families in the Halifax County area, and for the unfortunate civilians trapped in the Petersburg area. It is evident that it was common practice for his wife or son to address a crowd of people in Halifax County upon receipt of his letters, relaying any news of their family members and friends within the defensive works at Petersburg. The first letter included below is typical of "Matt's" comprehensive reporting of his personal activity and observations as well, revealing his characteristic concern for the people with him and their friends and families.
The second letter was written the day of the battle that became known as the "Battle of the Crater." In effort to breach the Confederate defenses at Petersburg, the Union forces decided to mine a section of the defensive line. Troops from the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, which included a large number of coal miners, were selected to run a mine tunnel under a Confederate fortification, beginning 25 June 1864. By 23 July the tunneling effort resulted in the completion of a main gallery 510 feet long with left and right lateral galleries 37 and 38 feet in length, respectively. Eight magazines were placed every few feet in branches in the lateral galleries. The mine was charged with 8,000 lbs of powder. After detonation of the mines, a division of colored troops which had been trained for several weeks to head a charge as they were considered better rested, although their combat experience was severely limited, having hardly been previously used. During the afternoon of 29 July General Grant advised General Burnside that white divisions must lead the charge. With only hours remaining before the detonation, Burnside selected the white division to lead the charge by having the commanders of his three white divisions draw straws. The unlucky chosen division, with no training or practice for this particular event was formed at midnight and shortly afterward advanced to the starting position shortly before daylight. At about 5:00 a.m. the earth trembled and heaved as the mine was exploded, hurling earth, guns, caissons, sandbags, fire, smoke, and men, living and dead 75 to 100 feet into the air. The noise and fragments falling back to earth demoralized many of the leading troops who had to wait until the air cleared somewhat and debris stopped falling before advancing the 130 yards to the crater. Unprepared for the sight upon gaining the edge of the hole which was 30 feet deep, 60 feet wide, and 170 feet long with the surface covered with great chunks of clay, guns, broken carriages, timbers and men buried or partially buried as deep as their necks, only the feet and legs of others protruding from the ground. Due to shock and the spectacle in front of them, swift and orderly movement forward was impossible. The Union troops began to fall as the Confederate forces on the Petersburg side of the crater opened up with small arms and artillery fire. The firing was incessant and the Union troops who had advanced into the crater were trapped. About two hours later the colored division, which had been trained to lead the charge, was ordered to pass through the white troops. Though met with heavy fire, the colored troops were initially successful, capturing about 200 Confederate troops, but the heavy opposition soon demoralized them and they fell back to the crater, with survivors eventually falling back to their trenches. The result of that day's fighting is pretty well summarized by "Matt" in the second letter.
On 26 Oct 1864 "Matt" was promoted to Second Lieutenant and assigned to Company K, 26th Virginia Infantry, Wise's Brigade, at which time he was still engaged in the defense of Petersburg. He continued to serve in Wise's brigade, later as company commander, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on 9 Apr 1865, at which he was present.
Following the war, "Matt" resumed his law practice in Halifax County, VA and ably assisted many former comrades-in-arms, family members and Halifax citizens in legal matters. He also managed to retain and operate his plantation, "Seaton". However, the stress and deprivation of sixteen months of steady combat took its toll and he died 8 Oct 1874 in Halifax County, VA at the age of 48 years.
Saturday Morning
18 June
Petersburg, Va
Dearest Adrianna,
I am powerless to describe what has happened in this vicinity
since yesterday's letter to you. All day was nothing but blood,
roar or artillery and sharp ceaseless musketry with success
alternating between us and the Yankees. The fate of Petersburg (the
very key to Richmond) seemed all day to hang upon a solitary
thread and bravely but boldly was it defended. All day was it so
and still overwhelming numbers were against us and still our
reinforcements came not as they were needed but just at dark or a
little before it. After being reinforced heavily the Yankees made
a desperate and massed attack upon one point of the lines of our
poor, hungry and almost worn out boys. The vandals succeeded in
breaking the lines and Oh, what a terrible moment it was. The
fight was right upon the edge of the city and the news was known
all over the place in an instant. The firing now exceeded
anything I ever concieved of. It seemed as if we were right
jammed in the hands of the enemy, that they were pressing right
to the center of the city and in one moment would occupy it. The
poor women and little children can't be described by my pen as
they seemed threatened every moment with destruction. The sight
of the little girls as I associated them in my mind with our own
dear little Harriett Eliza overcame my feelings completely. I
could not help from weeping for them and felt like I would
willingly die to save them from what they were suffering and were
threatened with. Thank Heaven a new energy now at this point
fired our boys. They rallied and such a firing the world scarcely
ever heard. The Yankees were driven back with immense slaughter
and this morning we are better off than we were yesterday.
Death and wounds however have been busy in their work. Cal Page and Major Fitzhugh killed of the 26th Regiment and several other officers and men. I have just seen Capt Poindexter, he is safe and assures me that Coleman Terry is safe also of that company. I have heard that John Gholson and Wiley Powers were slightly wounded. I saw Harvey Cole just now, says Peter Barksdale is safe. One of the Lts Oliver wounded of that company and I am sorry to say Sgt Tucker (brother-in-law of Thomas Wood) shot through the head and instantly killed. I have heard up to this moment of no casualty in Jemmet's Company and but one in Hurt's, a young Mr Palmer north of Bannister killed and of this the 34th Regiment, Lt Cowell (Harrison) is wounded. One of the 45th, the Colonel, the Lt Col, and Major are all wounded and so of the 59th. Capt George Wise had a bad wound in the forehead and many others are wounded and killed whose friends and acquaintenances I have found in the brigade. The blood of this brigade and Halifax blood, too, has been freely and bravely shed here. Well, the bloody work has begun again today with great fury. Our reinforcements are arriving and I think we have hope of repulsing the enemy and achieving a victory.
One O'Clock p.m. General Lee and A P Hill have arrived. Troops are arriving and no doubt Yankee reinforcements, too. Fighting raging and everything tending to a stupendous battle. Yankee prisoners say Grant, Meade, Burnside and McClellan all are in our immediate front. Lee and Beauregard know how to manage them, we think, By the way, I have just met with Willie Bouldin. Tell his Ma he is well and safe. I am glad to learn that Mr Moon brought over my things from Raleigh to you all except my coat and the longest gun. Do you mean the one left in Raleigh is the one of which I had to saw a piece off?
Do caution them to save the piece and the screws of it, else the gun will be impaired. I want you to be sure and take care of these arms, pistols, etc., cautiously because they are very valuable and will sell for a great deal of money. In the trunk was several papers I left, memoranda, writings, etc.
Please take care of every one of them, whatever it may be. Among the pistols I sent one with a belt and pistol pocket to it. I meant one of the pistols for Thad if he wished to take it, but I want the belt and pistol pocket or holster, as some call it. I wish you would get Willie to make a complete list of things that come in the boxes so that I may see if the express company delivered all I sent, for I am told they open boxes sometimes. As I have before said don't make much of an exhibition or any at all of those arms, tents, etc., I sent as it might give rise to some talk about my trading for captured things. Be sure to remember this and tell Willie the same. You understand I will buy some things if I can make at it and there be no wrong done in the matter. Did you understand the rat or mole trap? Don't fool with them or let the children fool with them either for you might hurt your hand badly. I sent two qualities of cotton seed and I think also put in some wild orange seed, a beautiful evergreen. Well, knowing the great excitement I'll save a few lines to write at the latest moment of the mail this evening.
Well, since writing the above Longstreet's Corps has come in and things are now ready for heavy work. Let it be remembered however, that it is Wise's Brigade that has saved Petersburg and so the South side till these heavy reinforcements got here. It was a prodding work and the brigade has suffered severely.
Sunday Morning early - nothing yet of interest this morning. Love to everyone of you. From,
/s/ Your Matt
(The above letter was
written in ink; however, on the top margin was the following
written in pencil: "Don't read this out to a crowd till you
have read it all yourself to see what not to read to everybody."
(29)
Hqs 1st Military District
Petersburg
Tuesday 21 June 1864
My Dear Adrianna,
I am now really snatching a passing minute to say that I am well and so for Simon and my "Lucy Neal". Yesterday, however I went to the front four times and the third time my mare was struck by a spent ball, which luckily did her no harm though it excited her to such a pitch that I could hardly manage her. Since my last there has been somewhat of a pause in the great fight that certainly is impending and may at any moment burst out in a fury unequaled. Troops, infantry, artillery and cavalry have been pouring in recently and though it is a guess I suppose we have some 60,000 or 70,000 effective soldiers here, perhaps more. I have never conceived before how much confidence (Yes, I may say downright faith) men can have in each other until I witnessed that existing between our brave soldiers and those great Christian warriors, Lee and Beauregard. The confidence is reciprocal, the soldiers confide in these leaders and in turn these great leaders equally confiding in their brave men, all subordinated to a calm, firm trust in the God of justice.
The enemy is certainly fortified and may be reinforcing and as I have said though there is an ominous feverish pause in the grand drama, the storm may burst before I close these lines. During this pause, however, skirmishing, sharpshooting and some shelling have kept up and I am sorry to add now to the list of casualties among the Halifax troops that Mr Albert Dickens of the courthouse is wounded, but I am happy to say the wound is slight. The same of a young man named Murphy, north of Bannister, a young man named Bowen, south of Dan was killed day before yesterday and if you see any of Mr Jonathan Allen's (pumpmaker) family, say to them he and his son are well. I went out to our brigade late last night to see about my Halifax friends. They were then resting, being on relief and I could see they needed rest. I cannot here name all of them that I saw, but such as I have not named heretofore in our section of the country as killed or wounded may be taken as safe yet. Tell Mr William Spencer that if he sends to you for news that I'll go and see to his son the first moment I get off duty and will do all I can for him. I last night saw both of the Lts Roberts, Capt Peter Barksdale, Lt N P Oliver, Lt Edwards, Cetty Grubbs, Butts, Fitzgerald, Allen, Billy Boyd (Morton Barksdale, not in our brigade), Mr Bannister, Spencer's sons, and many others I can't think of now, but with the exceptions I've named you can tell their friends they are well. I heard from Capt Poindexter, Charley and James Ballou, Coleman Terry, and scores of others now forgotten who are all safe yet. Persons must not think because I don't expressly name their friends that any sad fate has happened to their friends, by no means. In the confusion and excitement here I can't think of all to save me and I am apt to leave out the mention of my best friends and nearest neighbors who are perfectly safe. But if any of them are killed or wounded and it reaches my ears I am therefore more apt to mention that. This is the best rule to observe in construing my letters. I wish I could write to the fathers, mothers and friends of all our boys and keep them posted every hour about their brave and noble sons and friends here fighting and bleeding and dying for their loved ones at home as they are, but I can't write to them all and I am sure they know it. It is a real pleasure to me however to be able to give them through you as much news as I can. You say Willie opens my letters at the post office and gives the people whatever news they contain. Well, I don't object at all if it is any consolation to them provided they will make the proper allowance for my hurried letters written as they are in great haste and confusion and henceforth errors and defects.
It is distressing, yes, I should say tearful to see the sights of distress in many instances in this vicinity. I noticed yesterday on going to our lines near the enemy that in many places poor families who I suppose could not go away with their little means had in order to escape the shelling gone to the hillsides or anything like a bluff and dug something like caves placing cloth, leaves, straw or whatever they could over them and then crept into them for safety. At one of these I could have stopped and taken a hearty cry I believe (but I had to go on). At this place I now speak of were seated in their hillside cave of a house three or four ladies and some six or eight children of all sexes. The ladies knitting and one of them reading to the others from what appeared to be a large family Bible, some of the little ones listening while those too small to be conscious of their condition were cackling and crowing away as merrily as if they were at a circus. Such scenes were to be seen all about and as you know they touched my heart deeply. I thought of all at home and how I'd feel to see you all so situated. Oh, it is awful to think of these things, the Yankee will deny it I know, what it is they will not deny, but you will know it is a fact when I tell you (and not a rebel newspaper lie, merely) that they have shelled the city when they knew there were females, children, sick and wounded people, our own as well as theirs whom we were nursing and all this done contrary to civilized warfare without any notice to our women and children or the sick, without any demand for surrender. This is a matter of fact and with shame to humanity be it said these Yankees have thus wounded poor, helpless, unthinking and innocent children and babes.
Well, I won't disgust you any further with any further account of their vandalism at present. Don't disturb yourself with any more thoughts or trouble about my clothes or about sending me any money. I have progressed pretty far in this scriptural lesson of "taking for our journey neither script nor bread, neither money nor two coats apiece" and you would certainly think I had learned the lesson pretty well if you could only see me parading about here with nothing but a pair of pants and a shirt and scarcely a dime in my pocket, except a straggly postage stamp or two. But, seriously, I don't want any more clothes now. I have sufficient for a soldier's wardrobe and anymore now would be in my way. Our rations, too, are sufficient and I didn't mean to put you to any trouble about any funds.
What was the matter with poor Dick that
he died? I am truly sorry to hear of
his death.
Well, I will not close my letter till evening so as to write the very latest news of the day. But do remember not to grow uneasy about me if you don't hear exactly when you expect a letter for (to give you an instance) yesterday I could not have written to you and discharged my duty, too, to have saved my life, so you see how it is. I saw Rev Mr Wise but he said nothing of any money for me. Don't bother or trouble yourself about this.
I have waited till night to close this. Nothing new has transpired except a report that the enemy has cut the Walden Railroad two or three miles south of us. I have seen young Crawley from South of Dan this evening and he enables me to say that Henry Poindexter, James Johnson, the Owens, and the balance of Hurt's Company are safe so far. Tell Mrs Woodall John was safe by last accounts I had of him. With love to all of you, to father's family, and by best regards to the neighbors, I am,
Affectionately Yours, /s/ Matt (29)
Wise's Headquarters
Petersburg, Va
July 30th, 1864
Dear Adrianna,
We have had an exciting day. It was ushered in by terrible cannonading and soon thousands of the wildest rumors flew through Army and city and I write this evening just a line because I know that wild rumors will reach you all. The Yankees have blown up by this morning one of our batteries of six guns, a most important one to the defense of Petersburg. The guns for the moment were held by the Yankees but thank God it was reserved for our regiment (the 34th of Wise's Brigade) to charge on the scoundrels and take them which it nobly did. Capt Hurt's Company (ours) was in the affair and you may say to the people that as far as I have heard none of the company were hurt except young Crowley, South of Dan, and he only slightly. It was truly providential and you must try to let their friends know the results as such exaggerated and painful reports are apt to go ahead of the truth of the case and cause much sorrow unnecessarily. I am pained to say that Mr Nathan Danse was killed today. Also a young Mr Cole (Spottsburg), both faithful, excellent soldiers, members of Capt Jennett's Company. I also deeply regret to say that Capt Poindexter was shot in today's fight. Meade Fitzgerald has just informed me that Lt Howard Estes told him he was killed. While the gentleman (Mr Ryland of Richmond) says to me he was told that Capt Poindexter was not dead but very badly wounded in the forehead. I hate to have to tell such unpleasant and unwelcome news but I reckon I ought to be unreserved about it and inform the Dr Craddocks of it immediately. So please send them word just as I have written. I think it will be right and just as I would want to be dealt with under similar circumstances.
I shall go to see about Capt Poindexter as soon as I conclude this and see if I can do anything for his comfort and will add a line stating how he is. We have quite greatly the advantage in today's fight. We retook our guns, have slain some 600 negro troops dead on the ground and taken some 1200 or 1500 white prisoners. But, of course, we have suffered, too. It is said (and no doubt truthfully) that a large body of Yankee troops have got into a position so very near our lines that they can't get out and yet our men can't hit the scamps. They are literally cooped up and we can starve that body of them into surrender if they don't elude us by night. They got into the predicament by an attempt to charge us starting and failing. They are bothered as to how to get back. Well, we will see how it will end but think they steal back in the dark of the night.
I have endeavored to give you the news of the day as I could best collect it. It may be erroneous and no doubt much more has happened than I have written, so make allowances. My eye is now much better and nearly well, so I must now tell you that it was sore from dust and grit thrown into it by a shell or piece of shell striking the custom house where our quarters were some time ago. I would not write about it because it was not serious and I thought it might unnecessarily render you uneasy. The piece struck partly near me it is true, but the dust or grit thrown into my face caused no trouble or uneasiness. However, by and by my eye became inflamed from it and at last became painful several days afterward to my surprise. I went to our surgeon and by his skillful treatment it is now almost well.
I don't mean this as a letter at all but only a rough sketch of the unauthenicated reports of today's affair with the enemy. With love to all I am devotedly yours.
/s/ Matt
I am sorry to add that after searching for Capt Poindexter I found him a corpse. A Lt Mills of his company (son of the late Rev Mr Mills) is wounded, but not very dangerously. Also, a Mr Crews and Charles Vaughn slightly of the same company. I have just been standing by a captured wounded Yankee Lt (a preacher at that) and seen him go through the pleasure of an amputation by one of our surgeons, writhing and twisting and babyishly whining out that he was sorry he ever came to fight us. He had been captured in the company of their negro troops and we had but little sympathy for the Reverend Scamp. (29)
NOTE: This writer is not descended from "Matt" Howerton, although they share common ancestors in Thomas Howerton (1695-1757) and Jane Gilby. This article was included because of the high regard in which the writer holds William Matthew Howerton. (brh)
A
HOWERTON FAMILY IN WORLD WAR II - Correction
By Bryan R Howerton
An article by this name first appeared in Issue 3, Volume two, Howerton Heritage newsletter, dated Summer 1997. That article contained some erroneous information that is corrected by this edition of the newsletter.
Mr.
Tony Gellepis of Santa Clara, CA recently advised that the name
of the vessel in which Vance Bryan
Howerton served during the Japanese
invasion of the Philippine Islands in December 1941 was not USS
Vega, but probably the USS
Vaga. Mr. Gellepis stated that he
served aboard the the USS Vega
(AK-17) from 1939 to 1942, which ship at no time during that
period was stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands. He was
aboard the USS Vega
during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941 at
which time the USS Vega
was tied up at Pier 31-A, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mr. Gellepis further stated that he knew of another sailor, John
F Northcott, who was also aboard the USS Vaga
(YT-116) during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and he
also was captured by the Japanese and imprisoned at Bilibid and
Cabanatuan POW Prisons, Luzon, PI.
This writer then checked several U S Navy and related websites
and found that the USS Vaga
was indeed the correct name of the vessel in which Vance
Bryan Howerton was serving at the time of
the attack upon Manila Bay, PI. His shipmate, John F
Northcott, also survived the war and presently has a website that
provides additional information. In addition, several Navy-related
websites also record additional information concerning the USS
Vaga.
The USS Vaga (YT-116) was a harbor tug assigned to the 16th Naval District, Cavite, Philippine Islands during the period in which Vance Bryan Howerton was aboard. Interestingly, the Vaga was participating in the movement of the 4th Marine Regiment (aka China Marines) from Olongapo, Subic Bay, Luzon, PI to the U S Naval Base at Mariveles, on the tip of Bataan Penisula, across from the island fortress of Corregidor at the mouth of Manila Bay. The Fourth Marines had recently arrived at Olongapo on the USS President Madison from Shanghai, China; having served in protection of the American Sector of the International Settlement in Shanghai from 1927 until tension with the invading Japanese had forced their relocation on 27 November 1941. When formally notified of the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, the USS Vaga was just leaving the dock at Olongapo enroute to Mariveles loaded with Marines from the Fourth Regiment. As the situation continued to deteriorate over the next several weeks the Vaga was placed under the command of General MacArthur on Corregidor and was engaged in various support roles, which included evacuating troops from Bataan to Corregidor before and during the fall of Bataan. Finally, on 5 May 1942 the crew was ordered to scuttle the USS Vaga in Manila Bay to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Japanese, after which they remained on Corregidor until it was surrendered.
We apologize for the
misspelling of the name of the vessel in which Vance was serving
at the beginning of the war and wish to thank Mr. Gellepis for
his detection and reporting of the error.
Our objective is to accurately relate events in which Howertons
participated and we encourage all readers to inform us when
errors are detected in the newsletter. (Bryan)
ELIZABETH
GERTRUDE HOWERTON
96 Years Young
Elzabeth Gertrude Howerton
and daughter Lorene
Ellen Lawrence
Elizabeth Gertrude Howerton, was born 13
Aug 1906 in St Johns , Perry Co., Illinois. She was the fourth
child and the second girl born to her parents Charles George Rudloff and
Lilly Belle Mills. She married Walter
Benjamin Howerton on 12 June 1922, in
Paducah,Kentucky. Walter passed away 25 Dec. 1971. They were
married 49 years and had three daughters, Helen Lily Meyer, Viola
Marie Carson, and Lorene Ellen Lawrence. She has eight
grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and seven great great
grandchildren and has lived her life in Illinois.
AMBER
GOES TO SEA
By Bryan R Howerton (Jr)
Amber
Louise Sauter
Among the many patriotic young Americans who lined up at military recruiting centers following the attack on 11 Sep 2001, was Amber Louise Sauter.
Amber was born 13 Dec 1979 at Landsthul, Germany; the daughter of Peggy Elaine Howerton and Louis Francis Sauter. Her parents were divorced at the time Amber was beginning elementary school and she was raised by her mother, who was later ably assisted by her new husband, William “Bill” Kifer who has earned and enjoys the respect and admiration of Amber and her siblings.
Amber graduated with honors from Northeast High School in Clarksville, TN on 29 May 1998, earning a college scholarship. While in high school, she excelled in diving and swimming in which she won several awards. She was in her junior year at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN when she visited the recruiting center.
During processing at the recruiting center, Amber scored extremely high on all tests and was informed that she could choose any school she desired. Being of a practical nature, she requested that additional schooling be delayed until she had gained some experience after assigned to sea duty and that request was granted.
Amber enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at Nashville, Tennessee, and received orders to report to the Coast Guard Recruit Training Center at Cape May, New Jersey, on 1 Apr 2002. She was assigned to Recruit Company Zulu-161, and began two months of intensive training. Amber excelled in all phases of the training, and was selected by the TRACEN cadre as the honor recruit of her company. In addition, she had the distinction of winning the coveted Navy League Award as the outstanding series recruit. In recognition of this accomplishment, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard traveled from Coast Guard Headquarters at Washington, D.C, to Cape May to attend her graduation and to meet and congratulate her personally. Amber graduated from recruit training on 24 May 2002.
Following a 10-day leave, Amber will report to her first duty assignment at Coast Guard Group Corpus Christi, where she will be a member of the commissioning crew for USCGC BRANT, the newest cutter of the revolutionary new 87-class. The 87-class cutters are state-of-the-art vessels specifically designed for search-and-rescue and law enforcement operations, and will replace the aging 82-class cutters. After reporting aboard Group Corpus Christi, Amber and her shipmates will travel to New Orleans, where the BRANT is currently under construction.
The commissioning crew will oversee the completion of the cutter, perform sea trials, place her in commission, and sail her to Corpus Christi to begin active service in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the honors she has already received in her new career, Amber will also be a “Plank-Owner” of a brand-new ship. Amber will pursue a quartermaster rate, and at the end of her enlistment plans to complete her college education and reenter the Coast Guard for Officer Candidate School.
Prior to departing for recruit training, Amber told her family that after our country was attacked she felt obligated to serve her country in a “hands-on” capacity. In a letter to her uncle, written a few weeks into recruit training, Amber said, “I’ve always been patriotic, but since coming to Cape May my patriotism has tripled and so have my muscles! I can’t wait to graduate and get to the fleet and serve my country.”
(NOTE: This article was provided by Bryan R Howerton (Jr), an uncle of the subject.)
AIRBORNE RANGER
By Donald R Howerton
SPC
John Thomas Howerton
SPC
John Thomas Howerton recently completed one of
the toughest training courses in the US military Army
Ranger School. This arduous nine-week course is known around the
world as the graduate school for light-infantry forces. On
May 17, 2002, John and the other proud survivors of Ranger Class
6-02 stood in formation at Victory Pond, Fort Benning, Georgia to
receive the coveted Ranger Tab a small, almost
insignificant bit of black and gold cloth for which soldiers will
endure incredible hardship and sacrifice for the right to wear.
In the end, only 42 soldiers remained from the original 250 who
started with class 6-02.
Ranger training focuses on developing infantry skills in the
planning and conduct of dismounted, airborne, air assault and
waterborne small unit combat patrol operations.
The Ranger course is 61 days in length with an average of 20
hours of training each day, seven days a week. It is divided into
three phases of training with each phase being conducted at a
different geographical location and environment: wooded terrain,
mountains, and lowland swamps. The student is exposed to
conditions and situations that closely approximate, and often
exceed, those that he would encounter in combat. Fatigue, hunger,
the necessity for quick, sound decisions and the requirement to
demonstrate calm, forceful leadership under conditions of mental
and emotional stress are all part of the Ranger course. The
instruction is conducted with units that vary in size from an
infantry rifle squad to a rifle platoon; in distance traveled
from 2 to 30 kilometers; and in duration from 1 to 10 days.
Students are evaluated as small unit leaders in a series of field
training exercises that are conducted primarily at night under
all weather conditions. Frequent and unexpected enemy contact,
reduced sleep, difficult terrain and the constant pressure of
operating within restrictive time limits all contribute to an
atmosphere of simulated combat stress. Graduates earn the right
to wear the Ranger Tab and are recognized as the elite of the
combat infantry.
Since joining the Army in July 2000, John has aggressively demonstrated the Howerton legacy of service to country; Howertons having served in every conflict in which this country has been engaged since Bacon’s Rebellion of 1676. Following basic and advanced infantry training, John also completed paratrooper training at Fort Benning, GA; recon scout training at Fort Bragg, NC; and the Pre-Ranger training course conducted at Fort Bragg. He is currently assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, where he serves as an infantry reconnaissance scout. In addition to being Ranger qualified, John is airborne qualified and has also earned the Expert Infantryman Badge. John attended Ranger school in preparation for his unit’s combat deployment to Afghanistan. Since arriving in Afghanistan on 6 July, 2002, John has been attached to an army Special Forces team conducting patrol operations throughout the area.
John Thomas Howerton was born 8 Oct 1978 at Enterprise, Coffee County, AL; the son of Donald R Howerton and Cynthia Fohn Nobles. He was named for his GG-Ggrandfather John Thomas Howerton who served in both the Union and Confederate Armies during the War Between the States. On 8 May 1999 he married Tonya Nicole Roberds in Northside Church of Christ, San Antonio, Bexar County, TX and they are the proud parents of Michelle Lee Howerton b 28 Feb 2000 and Taylor Marie Howerton b 14 Nov 2001.
For anyone wishing to correspond with John I'm sure he'd love to hear from us. Most of us who have served in a war zone know of the loneliness. Nuff Sed! Wally
SPC John
T Howerton
HHC, 1st Battalion, 505th PIR
82nd Airborne Division
APO-AE 09355
Letters From the Old Writing
Desk
compiled
by Wally Howerton
In an earlier issue of Howerton Heritage I wrote, "One of the small pleasures as editor affords me the opportunity to read documents from years gone by. I'd like to quote the old cliche, 'the good old days' as they certainly seem more romantic, more personal, and the written word very often just sounded melodious."
I find myself returning time and again to "The Old Writing Desk" to browse and let the words of my kin, and the flavor of those words, envelope me. . . . . . . .
On Oct 30, 1822, Elizabeth E. Cabaness (Eliza) born 1807 married Philip Howerton (born Dec 31, 1793 Essex County, VA, died Sep5, 1879 Halifax County, VA) .
The following letter is written by Eliza (approximately 12 years old) while she was away at school in Warrenton, NC. The first few lines may seem confusing as they refer to a cousin Eliza. My research indicated there was Eliza Cabaness, cousin Eliza Bennett, and Aunt Eliza Carter.
Warrenton,
N.C
3 Mar 1819
As I have never written to my dear aunt since I have been here I will now address her. Cousin Eliza received your letter today and was very glad to hear from you. You told her we must write to you how we were going on. I am learning very fast now, but when I first came here I was very anxious to go home. But since Dr Jones has come I am very well pleased.I intend to study hard and try and be prepared for a good examination. I am studying grammar and geography and parsing. I have never written to Uncle Bennett since I have been here, but I intend to write to him the next time I write. Have a very good card now and I hope I shall get another one on Saturday so that I may have two good ones to send him. I have written to Uncle Alexander twice since I have been here and I have never received a line from him yet. I think he slights me very much. Uncle Bennett told me that I must write to him and ask him where to direct my letters to and I have done so and he has not told me where yet. I am very glad to tell you that I have never been punished since I have been here and I hope I never shall. Tell Uncle that I have ciphered as far as the rule of double three. I am the cipherer in school. Mr Andrews says that we will all have to cipher at the examination. Cousin Eliza is as far as federal money and she is going on very well. I have written to Sarah Gordon once since I have been here but have never received an answer from her yet.
Give my love to all of my dear little cousins and Uncle Bennett and tell them that they must write me as they have more time than I have but I will write every chance I have.They must not think hard of my not writing them. Give my love to Mrs Johnston and all of the family and tell Miss Parthenia that she must write to me and I will write to her the first chance that I have. I am very well pleased with all my school mates and most of them seem more like sisters than anything else. There are 70 scholars in school, but they come in very slow. I don't expect there will be much needlework done this season. I did intend to work you a cap, but since I have seen the patterns I don't think you would want it if I was to work one. I hope you will excuse all mistakes for I am in a great hurry.My dear Aunt, you must be sure and write to me very soon. Give my love to all of the neighbors. I have nothing more, only I remain my dear Aunt your
affectionate niece
/s/ Eliza Cabaness
P S Give my love to all the servants.
PROGRESS REPORTS
At the top of a letter, in the handwriting of another person appeared the following:
March 26 - Miss Eliza Cabaness in grammar, parsing and arithmetic has done very well. In reading she is tolerably attentive. Her deportment is very good indeed and her person tolerably neat.
April 2 - Miss Cabaness has done very well in all her lessons this week. Her deportment is uniformly good, but in her personal neatness there is room for improvement.
Christine Elizabeth Howerton
Christine Howerton, graduated this past May from West Virginia University with Masters Degrees in Social Work and Public Administration. Chris was immediately employed as the Associate Registrar at Salem International University in Salem, WV.
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